How do I place my first buy order step by step after funding my account?

Once cash has settled in your brokerage account, search for the fund or stock by its ticker symbol, for example a broad S&P 500 ETF. Select 'Buy,' then choose either a dollar amount (if your broker supports fractional shares) or a number of shares. Pick an order type: 'market' fills right away at the current price and is fine for large liquid ETFs during market hours, while 'limit' lets you cap your price. Set the time-in-force, usually 'day.' Review the estimated cost and confirm. Your order typically fills in seconds during regular trading hours; mutual fund orders instead fill at the day's closing NAV. After it fills, consider turning on dividend reinvestment and setting up a recurring automatic purchase so you keep investing without having to remember.