This is a response to everything so far -

My original post was in response to Scottrade doing dividend reinvestment. As a customer, I definitely have different priorities and am dismayed they are going in this direction. There are so many other improvements they could make and IMHO, with this, they are looking for customers not like me.

With the changes in the world, I think the time has passed for dividend reinvestment. Investing in stock used to be expensive with additional fee for odd lots, etc. There is also the record-keeping aspect. My perspective is now as a widow and grandmother. I would never want to leave my kids with DRIP anything to have to deal with.

When I consider what was available when they were young, it was wonderful to be able to start mutual fund investing with $25 and have monthly investments. DRIPS were also the other way for low-cost investing. When I consider what I would do for grandchildren, DRIPS are not even on the radar. Scott has a $500 minimum. I think one of the downfalls of TMF is lulling people into underestimating their ability to handle risk. (Go back through 2008 posts if you don't believe me.) There are people investing in stocks who will be extremely dismayed if they lose most of it.

I don't have the time(and data is something I get paid to work with) but I would wonder what happens with once a year investing vs qrtrly(or whatever the dividend period). I probably am middle but on the side that timing can matter. When the big drops happen, DRIPS are not your friend(again, back in the days of tickers and checking newspapers for prices, everything moved more slowly).

Keep in mind all of this is only about ME. Right now I keep an eye when I can, set trailing stops and usually pay the most attention Feb-March when I have my kids' additional Roth money and my SEP(and now Roth) money to invest. I have also been working to have my taxable account provide a specific level of dividends(in case I need the income).

Next year this time, I will be thinking and projecting what I should be doing with tax-deferred money in case it is best for me to start moving it to a taxable account or converting to a Roth.

Did I cover everything ?