Why would anyone invest in stocks while Intrade provides so much free money?

[12th Doctor]

I just bought some Citigroup stock for $18 .. here's to hoping it jumps back to $50 in the long term.

How do you invest?  I mean, if you use an online system, which one to you use?  I am looking in invest a small amount of money and hope it takes off, and like you, I thought this might be a good time in invest in citigroup and some other places that got a little roughed up by the housing bust.

*Sigh*  I'm going to listen to my gut this time.  Last time I wanted to invest, I wanted to buy up gold.  If I hadn't let my step-father talk me out of it, I would have $120,000 right now.

[12th Doctor]

I've been with Scottrade for a while now. They always provide good service and I've never had a problem. I can't comment on Ameritrade.

The last time I had a gut instinct was when Apple first introduced the iPod. Apple was trading at $7 a share and I tried to get my grandfather to buy some but he was too gunshy because of the Internet bubble bursting. I eventually got in at $85, but we really missed the boat there.

Thnaks.  I was alos looking at Starbucks.  Cramer said its a good buy right now, which also happened to be my gut feeling.