: Manually choosing individual stocks through platforms like Fidelity, Charles Schwab, or Robinhood.

: Automatically using cash dividends earned from stocks you already own to purchase additional shares or fractions of shares. 4. Options & Derivatives

: Buying shares directly from the company itself through a transfer agent, though not all public companies offer this.

: Often found in 401(k) or IRA plans, these automatically shift from aggressive stocks to conservative bonds as you approach a specific retirement year. 3. Direct Purchase Methods