As I was logging into SogoInvest the other day I noticed they did a little site redesign and have added a new level - SogoElite.
I thought “hrmmmm….. SogoELITE? Tell me more…”
After clicking around for a bit ( They have a ton of instructional videos on the site about how to use the new interface, but I was looking for some facts) I was able to find the following commission structure Comparison:

	Sogo Invest	SogoElite
Real-time Trading	Yes	Yes
Elite Real-time Data Package*	(Coming Soon)	Yes
Option Trading	No	Yes
OTCBB	(Coming Soon)	Yes
Automated Investing	Yes	N/A
Fractional Shares	Yes	N/A
Electronic Fund Transfer (ACH)	Yes	(Coming Soon)
Online Accout Reporting	Yes	Yes
* Elite Real-Time Data Package provides real-time streaming charts, real-time streaming quotes, technical indicators and free access to our proprietary ScanTheMarket stock screening and backtesting service.

Limit Orders	Yes	Yes
Market Orders	Yes	Yes
Stop Orders	(Coming Soon)	Yes
Short Sell Orders	(Coming Soon)	Yes
Cancel/Replace Orders	No	Yes
Option Orders	No	Yes

Per-Share Plan view example	N/A	$0.004 per share, with $1.00 minimum per order*** (No Subscription Fee)
Real-time Trading** (per trade) view example	$1.50 (Platinum Plan) $2.00 (Gold Plan) $3.00 (Bronze Plan)	$1.50 (Platinum Subscription Plan) $3.00 (Basic Plan)
Automated Investing (per trade) view example	15 FREE trades /month, $1.00 /additional (Platinum Plan)5 FREE trades /month, $2.00 /additional (Gold Plan)$3.00 per Automated Trade (Bronze Plan)	N/A
Subscription Fees (per month)	$15.00 (Platinum Plan) $10.00 (Gold Plan) $0.00 (Bronze Plan)	$15.00 (Platinum Subscription Plan) $0.00 (Per Share Plan) $0.00 (Basic Plan)
Elite Real-Time Data Package(Optional) view details	N/A	Free (Platinum Subscription Plan) $7.00 per month (Per Share Plan) $7.00 per month (Basic Plan)
**Over 5000 shares is regular commission + $0.005 per share above 5000 shares; Sub $1 stocks are Regular Commission + 1/2 of 1% of Principal

Account Types	Individual, Joint	Individual, Joint
Account Setup	Cash, Cash & Margin	Cash, Cash & Margin
Minimums	$500.00	$500.00
Inactivity Fees	None	None

Let me describe Sogo’s original fee structure for comparison before I start getting into this any further.

The cheapest plan (no monthly fees) involves the following

Free 90-day $1 trades
$500 account Minimum (This is new)
$3.00 trades after 90 days on market, limit, and automated trades
No Inactivity Fees
No Funds Transfer Fees

The Basic plan (bronze) is currently what I am enrolled in at SogoInvest. You can read my Review of the original SogoInvest here.

At first glance, I’m wondering why Sogo even kept their first platform around anyway, before I started noticing the differences. I am still having my application approved (thus the part 1 of 2) so this post will mainly outline the differences I have noticed, not necessarily pass judgement on them yet. I have not even been allowed to download the software yet, so that review will be included as well.

Differences:

1. SogoInvest offers Automated Investment. SogoElite does not (as far as I can tell).
2. SogoInvest is a Web Based platform. SogoElite appears to be a downloaded software platform ( I don’t know if this is just for research or includes trading, TBA).
3. SogoInvest can not receive the “Elite” data package. SogoElite allows it to be optional on 2 of 3 plans and includes it gratis in the third.
4. SogoInvest does not offer a “per Share” plan.
5. ACH Transfers are “Coming Soon” to SogoElite.

Summary

I’m not going to pass judgment on either platform until I have a chance to try out SogoElite. I’m going to start with the “per Share” plan. At first glance, Elite looks like it is designed MUCH more for the day trader than the buy and hold kind of guy. However, with no inactivity fees, more information at your fingertips while trading can’t be a bad thing. Stay tuned for more. If you have already tried out SogoElite and have something to add, please do!

While cruising around the web today, I found This Article from New Scientist about how PayPal’s founder Elon Musk is starting up and has successfully executed a test flight for his new rocket company. Private enterprise entering the space arena always gets me super excited (it’s my inner nerd ) but one statement in particular caught my eye in this article.

with SpaceX subsequently winning several new contracts, including a $278 million award from NASA to demonstrate cargo delivery services to the International Space Station.

And

NASA also awarded $207 million to SpaceX competitor Rocketplane-Kistler in Oklahoma, US, for test flights of its K-1 booster.

Wow.

I must say that I think this is one of the best uses NASA has made of their budget money in a long time. I just think about how far our space program would be today if NASA had used a significant portion of their allotment each year to encourage private enterprise over the last 50 years… woah.

There’s no use in crying over spilt milk, I ferverently hope NASA continues to support private enterprise like this with more money in the future. Capitalism has worked to overcome a huge number of technological challenges, why not space flight?

We finally finished the dining room up last weekend. It is such an improvement over Oxblood red walls with giant mirrors I can’t even begin to describe it. Our total cost for the remodel including tools, materials, new curtain rod and outlet covers was under $400.

Here’s the approximate Break Down

Tools: $120 ( I can reuse virtually all of these in the future so it is not a totally sunk cost)

Drywall Mud - 2 Buckets - $26

Flat white primer coat of paint - 2 gal - $25

Clear faux glaze - $20

Colored faux final coat - $20

Outlet covers and curtain rod - $60

Giant Dropcloth - $30 (this is also reuseable)

The rest was miscellaneous supplies and tools ~ $60

Time required : We spend parts of three weekends on the project, however there was a pretty stiff learning curve in applying both the drywall mud and the finish. We ended up repainting and repriming two whole walls. In the future, it will be much quicker. In total I would say we spent about 50 man hours on the project with two of us working.

Verdict: A multi-thousand dollar faux finish look for under $400, learning a new skill, and spending some quality time with the girl made this project well worth it.

Check out the pics! (some came out blurry, sorry bout the crappy camera, but I think you all can get the idea)

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