A quick query. I am pretty new to this investing game and i know some companies allow you to take dividends as shares although most dont seem to. How do i find out which companies allow this other than phoning each registrar? Are there any lists?

I agree with all your points and have signed up for the Sharebuilder. I usually deal in amounts of around 500 as anything less is pointless on the Halifax's 12 trade charge but it means i cant have a broad portfolio as i aint got the money. Ideally i would like to trade amounts like 200 and buy many shares and maybe just use the token 20 on months where i dont have much money so it seems ideal. (I take it you MUST invest at least 20 a month?) I am new to this game and am trying to learn from investing. I intend to buy bigger when i feel i have some kind of system behind me. A lot of the people on the boards seem to just punt on volatile shares that shoot up and down which i have decided isnt for me "up another 40% today", "down 70% yesterday" blah blah.

As for divis as far as i am concerned most i've had are usually barely enough to buy a pint so i'd rather they just went straight back in. Good luck!

One final question? I'll ask you because the Halifax still havent replied to my email. Does the Sharebuilder provide a broad spectrum of shares? i.e. I see they are promoting one of their 4 example users as "the penny share trader." I would hate to get on there and find they let you buy FTSE100 and a few token others.

You don't have to invest every month- Just whenever you want. I think 20 is the minimum- however over a year thats plenty if you know the stock will deliver on the Divi

As for your second question- Yes there is a broad range of stocks- however there have been a couple of occasions where I've had to phone them to ask that they update the system with new issues (what's all that about!!) I let them know on no uncertain terms that this was not good enough- There should be some mechanism to update the system automatically (I was advised that this was under review)

You can check whether the stock you want is on the system- If not call them and they should be able to amend the system

As for the volatile or speculative plays each to their own- I tend to invest a little in these as if you lose the effect is minimal. I don't invest more than I can afford to lose.

Sounds good. Seems like the only downside is you cant make your buys at an exact time and date of your choice but who cares if it's 1.50 a buy. Cheers.