charles schwab is the best online broker out there in my opinion. numerous products and services, reasonable fees (not as low as the discount brokers, but the service and research at schwab is outstanding) and they have more no-load, no-fee mutual funds than any other online broker. also schwab bank is great. overall i have my checking, credit card, bill pay, brokerage and ira with schwab and i wouldn't go anyplace else.

to respond to dbdeane...i own VTI, and it's exactly what i was looking for in an ETF. but there isn't any such thing as a "good ETF". do some research and find out what's right for you. for me, i own a few low-cost etfs that follow the major indices, but depending on your situation your allocation to etf may vary greatly.

VTI:: Is this a good ETF?