New to financial investing and I am thinking of opening a brokerage account. Pundits keep talking about buying bonds and market funds and I am not sure what are they or where to learn about them or buy them. So I guess I will have to start a brokerage account for sure.

What is the most recommended or favored brokerage account company among these - Bank of America/Meryl Lynch , Chase, Fidelity , Vanguard and Charles Schwab ? How can I buy government bonds with them?

JPMC approached me with an offer to handle my investments for a small fee but I am wary if that would be a best decision for me or the investment banker/handler who solicited me.

Also which one of these services would be no fee/cheaper with day /swing trading of regular stocks? I am planning to open one and stick with it, if optimal.