Direct investing allows you to bypass the "middleman" fees of full-service brokers.

The most common way to buy bonds without a broker is through government-issued debt. Buying Stocks without a Broker - SoFi

Many large "blue-chip" companies (e.g., Walmart, Coca-Cola) allow you to buy shares directly through their website or a third-party transfer agent like Computershare. Minimums: Often range from $100 to $500.

Small enrollment or transaction fees (e.g., $0.05 per share) may apply.

Once you own shares, you can enroll in a DRIP to automatically use cash dividends to buy more fractional shares, often with no commission.