Do you know enough about investing? Like it or not, managing personal finances and saving for retirement demands knowing at least a few basics about investing. Take our investing 101 quiz to get an idea of how well you understand some important investment fundamentals. For example, do you know the long-term average annual rate of return on stocks? Historically it’s been 10 percent, but remember from year to year that can change dramatically. Do you know what the limit on FDIC insurance per depositor at any one bank is? Generally speaking, the FDIC insurance limit is $250,000 per depositor per institution. However, if you have a joint account the coverage limit is $250,000 per joint account owner.

Your money makes money when deposited in an interest-bearing account. This is because of compounding, where your principal earns interest – and then, over time, it earns interest on both the principal and the interest that has been deposited to your account. How much money you earn due to compounding can depend on how long you leave your funds untouched, how often interest is compounded and the interest rate being offered on your account. To make the most of your money, search for the best account rates and be selective about how frequently interest is compounded. Interest may be compounded on a daily, monthly or annual basis. If you are unsure about how often your account or bank compounds interest, ask a bank customer service representative or check your account-disclosure documents.

Which is the best online broker? Well that depends a great deal on what type of investor you are. Are you a high-volume trader for whom low commissions are paramount? A new investor, looking to get started with a relatively small amount of money? A serious investor doing your own investment research? Or perhaps a margin investor ready to dial up the risk/reward characteristics of your portfolio? Or maybe you’re an active investor for whom desktop and mobile experience is most important? Let us help you decide what kind of an investor you are and then see our recommendations for the best brokers for each.