tonilee31,

You wrote, Is there anyplace I can go to start a Roth IRA without having a minimum?

Perhaps your bank or credit union? Of course investment options there will royally s*ck.

Most mutual fund companies will require at least a $250 deposit with some kind of automatic investment plan. I haven't done a search; but you might be able to find one will simply take enrollment in an automatic investment plan for an IRA.

Of course the cheapest mutual funds (low expense ratios) tend to have higher minimums. That may have something to do with their not accepting trivial accounts.

Brokers will usually require at least $500 - $1,000. Some are much more.

Why don't you open a savings account like the ING Direct Orange account? Use its automatic withdrawal feature to build up the minimum deposit. If you set aside only $100/month you would have enough to open a Scottrade account in just 5 months and enough for a Vanguard mutual fund account in only 10 months. You can also use this time productively by researching your investment selection(s).

- Joel