ShareBuilder $25 Bonus Promotion Code

ShareBuilder isn’t the online discount broker that I would recommend.

Even though $4 per investment is quite low, the planned investment scheme itself lacks the flexibility if you want to invest at your own time, instead of a fixed day every month. In addition, the actual cost  of each investment can be rather high if only a  very small amount of money (for example, $100, which is quite typical for investors who do dollar-cost-averaging) is invested each month. If I want to invest in stocks, I’d rather pay $4.50 per trade to buy shares with Zecco, for instance, at any time I want than paying $4 to invest with ShareBuilder on the first Tuesday of the month.

Anyway, that’s just what I would do. If you like ShareBuilder’s scheduled investment scheme, you can use promo code SBMP25 to open a ShareBuilder account and get $25 bonus (valid for first-time ShareBuilder account holders only). To qualify for the bonus, you must open the account with the promotion code and make at least one trade. One these requirements are met, the bonus will be credited within 4 weeks.

BTW, this offer is from ShareBuilder via MyPoints. As I mentioned early, MyPoints let you earn reward points for free by simply clicking the ads they send to you every day. Each click can earn you 5 points and there are multiple bonus offers every day. If you want to accumulate points faster, you can actually take up the offers (if you like them of course). For example, for the ShareBuilder offer, in addition to the $25 bonus, you can also receive 550 points from MyPoints if you open the account through MyPoints. Points earned can be redeemed for gift cards (3,75 points for a $25 Amazon.com gift card). Check it out if the program interests you.

Update: The above promo code has expired. Use the new reference code 25W010 to open a ShareBuilder account and get $25 bonus. Terms and conditions for the new promotion are:

You must open a new account with ShareBuilder and deposit $25 or more to be eligible for this promotion. Initial deposit must be completed by 12/31/2010. ShareBuilder will deposit a $25 bonus approximately 4-6 weeks after your first $25 deposit. The $25 bonus offer is available for Individual, Joint and Custodial accounts only. Offer not valid for IRAs or ESAs. The $25 bonus from ShareBuilder is not available for withdrawal for 90 days after it is awarded to your account. This offer is not valid with any other offers and is non-transferrable. Limit one ShareBuilder account bonus per unique customer or custodial beneficiary. ShareBuilder reserves the right to terminate this offer at any time and to refuse or recover any promotion award if ShareBuilder determines that it was obtained under wrongful or fraudulent circumstances, that inaccurate or incomplete information was provided in opening the account, or that any terms or ShareBuilder’s Account Agreement has been violated. Offer expires 12/31/2010.