online brokers, and other info wanted

where do most of you guys do your trades through?? ive been watching the market off and on for years, and have picked one too many stocks that have performed well over the years... tired of missing out...

and the other info im seeking, i am going to have about a 1500 dollar gift coming to me soon that i will not be able to spend till early january... should i throw it into a t-bill, or cd?? if so do you guys trust banks online with these sort of things?

thanks

I use Scottrade and Etrade and Ameritrade..

I like Scottrade with local offices and 7 buck comissions but they dont have the bells and whistles that Ameritrade does.

Keep the money in a normal moneymarket if the yield is 5%, no advantage to lock up the money longer term for a paltry extra ammt...