US · Illustrative scenario
$500 a month into US-listed ETFs in a Roth IRA
A $10,000 modeled average Roth IRA with one $500 US-listed ETF purchase each month.
Included: account charges, stock/ETF trades.
Editorially reviewed 5 August 2026
See how broker fees can add up
Choose a worked US or UK example below. We show the exact account, amount and activity used, then separate the fees we can calculate from the costs we cannot.
United States
Regular investing
Active trading
US · Illustrative scenario
Ten listed options contracts per month in a brokerage account
A $10,000 modeled average brokerage account with ten opening listed-options contracts each month.
Included: account charges, options contracts.
Editorially reviewed 5 August 2026
Transfers
US · Illustrative scenario
One full outgoing brokerage account transfer
A $10,000 modeled brokerage account with no trading and one full outgoing transfer during the year.
Included: account charges, full transfer out.
Editorially reviewed 5 August 2026
United Kingdom
Regular investing
UK · Illustrative scenario
£100 a month into a Stocks and Shares ISA
A £5,000 modeled average ISA holding with one £100 UK share or ETF purchase each month.
Included: account charges, share/ETF trades.
Editorially reviewed 5 August 2026
Portfolio/account charges
UK · Illustrative scenario
£50,000 fund portfolio in an ISA
A £50,000 modeled average fund ISA with no new contribution and one fund purchase each month.
Included: account charges, fund purchases.
Editorially reviewed 5 August 2026
Overseas investing
UK · Illustrative scenario
£500 monthly purchase of overseas shares in a GIA
A £6,000 modeled average GIA with one £500 overseas-share purchase and £500 currency conversion each month.
Included: account charges, share/ETF trades, FX conversion.
Editorially reviewed 5 August 2026