Saturday, September 29, 2007

The Ins and Outs of Day Trading

Day trading is one of the most popular forms of trading because the only components you need are a computer and an Internet connection. You can trade from almost any location you wish: your home, your office, the park, wherever suits you best. Because of this flexibility, day trading has the potential to be a very lucrative career for committed traders, but its definitely not something you should jump into without a little planning and forethought. To succeed at day trading, you must be willing to work hard, stay focused, and learn as many new strategies and techniques as possible, just like the pros.

What Exactly IS Day Trading?
Day trading is the practice of buying and selling financial instruments throughout the day. As the day progresses, prices will rise and fall in value, creating both the opportunity for gain and the possibility of loss. When traded strategically, the trends and fluctuations in the markets allow for quick profits to be made in brief periods of time. Keep in mind, however, that day trading is specifically designed to result in smaller earnings on a regular basis; it is NOT designed to result in huge fortunes through a single trade.

Day trading can be very profitable, but it is not a get-rich-quick scheme (though many seminars convincingly sell it as such). Nor is day trading a sure road to immeasurable wealth and success (as some hyped-up websites would have you believe). Quite simply, day trading is just like any other business venture: in order to be successful at it, you need to have a PLAN. It would be very risky to dive in head-first without looking. However, with the right tools and with the knowledge of how to use these tools efficiently and effectively the risks of day trading can be greatly reduced.

How to Succeed With Day Trading
Traders who enjoy the most success in day trading, regardless of whether theyre in it for a living or for some extra income on the side, generally have solid trading strategies and the discipline to stick to their trading plan. Keep in mind that day trading is a very competitive field, and, in order to succeed, you need to maintain focus on a set of simple strategies which you can implement immediately, without hesitation. Remember, a proven, strategic trading plan can give you an edge over the rest of the market.

Now, devising a trading strategy is all well and good, but you may be wondering how to determine whether or not YOUR strategy is a SUCCESSFUL strategy. There are a few ways to determine this. Most traders rely on back-testing. Back-testing allows you to take a closer look at a certain strategy and see how it would have performed in the past, thereby allowing you to predict with more accuracy how it will perform in the future.

(NOTE: Although back-testing is an effective technique, be aware that past performance is not always indicative of future results).

Unfortunately, even with a tested, proven trading strategy, you are not guaranteed trading success. It takes something else. It takes discipline. A profitable strategy is useless without discipline. Successful day traders must have the discipline to follow their system rigorously, because they know that only trades which are indicated by that system have the highest probability of resulting in a profit.

Whether youre new to trading or have been trading for years, its all too tempting to place the entirety of your trust in graphs, charts, and software. If only trading was as easy as that! Simply purchasing trading templates and computer programs does not guarantee your success as a trader. Too many hobby traders have tried that, and, unsurprisingly, theyve failed. They bought the tools, but they didnt have the knowledge they needed to succeed. As in all things, education will do wonders for the aspiring and experienced trader.

Of course, this is not to say that software programs and markers are not helpful when it comes to day trading. On the contrary, many traders use technical indicators which are instrumental to their success a few examples of these are the MACD, moving averages, and Stochastics. However, though profitable day traders DO follow their indicators, they are also aware that nothing is 100% foolproof.

You will not get rich on just a single day trade. Successful traders know that trying to hit a lucrative home run on just one trade is a sure way to get burned. The key is consistency. You need to devise a solid strategy that produces consistent trading profits, and you need to learn and adapt as your experience with day trading grows and evolves.

In Conclusion
Theres no doubt about it: day trading can be a profitable and exciting way to earn money. And, with the right knowledge, you can radically reduce the risk, which will create even more opportunities for achieving trading success.

If you are not willing to spend the time learning the techniques of trading, reading about new and improved trading strategies, and working wholeheartedly in a fast-paced trading environment, then day trading is probably not for you. However, if you have the drive, dedication, and discipline, day trading could seriously impact the shape and success of your financial future!

Markus Heitkoetter is a 19 year veteran of the markets and the CEO of Rockwell Trading. For more free information and tips and trick how to make consistent profits with online daytrading, visit his website http://www.rockwelltrading.com

An Introduction To Forex Money Management

Forex trading money management is one of the most imperative things you must learn before you really start up with live trades. The Forex money management principles discussed here would further teach you how to keep yourself away from the expensive mistakes many fresh forex traders make, frequently to the degree that they lose their full investment on the first few trades. Psychology is actually the most key factor to money management when it comes to forex trading. You have to be clever to separate yourself from any touching affection you might have got to your money. This is not extremely simple to do, but it works and it could be really done.

First and foremost, you have to mull over leverage and risk. It is sensible that you by no means risk more than two percent of your account stability on any forex trade. However, some go beyond and permit for as much as ten percent, but in no way more than that. This gives you the capability to endure market fluctuations in forex, and if the trade goes poor, you yet have money to try again. You must never function under the hypothesis, which you would profit from each trade. You must as well plan for losses. Therefore, most forex traders would tell you that the most excellent thing to do is to keep your gains big and your losses less. Develop your forex trading strategy around this idea.

Keep a proper track of your gains and losses. Keeping correct and detailed records of your forex account commotion would permit you to see whether or not the forex trading strategy is working, or if it requires being rebuilt. Never go blindly into trading without a means to keep follow of results. You would surely lose all of your money and never know why it happened.

Finally, it is extremely advisable that you first carry out a strategy on a forex demo account. Nearly all forex brokers provide a virtual demo account upon which you make trades in real-time, but with fantasy money, so nothing is risked. This is the most excellent way to test a strategy before you put your real money on the line.

Uma is a Copywriter of http://www.1world-forex.com She written many articles in various topics such as forex day trading,forex trading system. For more information : contact her at 1worldforex1@gmail.com

Choosing The Right Location

Choosing the right location to live in can be a pretty exhausting experience. If you are looking for a place to start your life, a family, a new career, it can take a lot of energy and time to explore all the options. It can take even longer to explore the housing possibilities and the potential or projected growth of an area and it's economic potential. Does it not make sense to simply go to a place where this is already done for you? Take a look in most money and financial magazines and look at where they say the best city in America is. Guess what? It's St. George, Utah!

It would seem that the accolades have just been piling up for this beautiful Utah city. So far it is known to be the fastest growing city in the nation. The best small city in the nation for doing business. The best small city in the nation for job growth. And finally, the best small city in the nation for women entrepreneurs. Now that is a list of merits that is hard to beat. Simply put, St. George is an ideal business environment for small business and large companies alike. This translates very easily into a phenomenal work force and a work force that is always evolving and looking for new people.

St. George's stock is definitely on the rise. With so many different aspects of the city gaining national notoriety is is only a matter of time until this becomes one of the most popular and lively cities in America. With loads of room to expand and the know how and people to do it, St. George has supplied an endless amount of potential and the wherewith all to utilize it properly. Great things are expected from this city and it shows to be fulfilling those expectations and exceeding them with ease. This is a city that is definitely going somewhere so now is the perfect time to get in on something good! Homes here are beautiful and reasonably priced. They showcase the amazing scenery that Utah is known for as well as the great access to recreational areas. Come and have a look today.

David Ellis is a realtor specializing in St. George, UT real estate. David's dedication to customer service and knowledge of the Southern Utah real estate market that makes him the smart choice when thinking about a move to Utah. Contact David today for information on the growing home market in Utah or visit online at http://www.davidellisrealtor.com

Mastering The Millionaire Mindset - Two Easy Ways To Become A Millionaire

Do you want to guarantee that you will be a millionaire in 25 years or less? Here are two simple ways to achieve this goal and have a comfortable retirement.

First Strategy: Investing to Wealth
The basic concept of the easy wealth method is to achieve your long-term target of $1,000,000 without much effort or work! The first method, Investing to Wealth, is probably the easiest and within this method there are two basic methods you could try.

Consistent Over Time
Higher Now, Less Later (HNLL) is a tactic designed for those of you who want to kick back, relax and let compound interest do all the work. To achieve your million in 25 years with this tactic you need to make consistent monthly investments of $1,056 per month after taxes. If we assume an 8.0% compounded return each year, your portfolio should net out to approximately One Million Dollars at the end of the 25th year.

Value Progression
The second tactic, Less Now, More Later (LNML) while being the more popular of the two (due to the less now option) is not as easy to achieve as the years go on. Investing $774 per month, and assuming the same 8.0% return, this method works because each year you increase your monthly payment by 3.50% While the first decade results in lower overall monthly payments, starting in year 11 you are increasing the required payment much faster than before. In fact, in year 25, your monthly payment will have grown to $1,768 per month!

If investing $1,056 per month is out of the question right now, then definitely start with the LNML tactic and be diligent in investing the $774 per month. Even if this is out of the question, just make sure you put something away. I would suggest a solid index fund or a combination of multiple indexed funds (different indices of course) for your monthly deposit. If historical values continue, you should be well on your way to $1,000,000 for retirement just when you need it.

Second Strategy: Real Estate to Wealth
Buying real estate can be more of a challenge than simply investing in index funds for the next 25 years; however, it is a great vehicle to get you to your Million Dollar goal. They key element to both tactics is in the mortgage reduction from renters. To make this strategy simple, it is assumed that there is absolutely zero (0) cash flow from the investments; only mortgage principle reduction. How do you make this happen? Buy a rental property; get a good manager and watch the equity flow in.

Annual Purchasing Strategy
The first real estate tactic is to buy $96,405 worth of property each year for the next 5 years. This means that starting today, you need to get organized and pick up that first property in the near future. Next year by this time you should have your second, and so on. After 5 years you will control 5 relatively inexpensive pieces of property but youll be well on your way to the million dollars. As your mortgage principle is reduced, the value of your property will increase, thus resulting in a double-whammy of equity build-up in your pocket.

One Time Buy
The second tactic is a little less annual work but requires the ability to borrow more at one time. The second theory is that you simply buy one piece of property at $423,147, hold it for 25 years with the same 3.5% appreciation, and then wait until the mortgage is paid off. All of a sudden, its 25 years later and youre a millionaire!

The best tactic to choose within the Real Estate strategy is based on your ability to either invest your own money (as a down payment) or invest with other peoples money (OPM) and net a value you require for each. The first way buying smaller properties over a number of years can have less risk and allow you gradual movement into the market. The second method is for those who have a lot of cash up front and want to dive in and buy a bigger piece right now.

Final Thoughts
Choosing either strategy will result in you obtaining your goal of $1,000,000 in 25 years. The investment section means that you would rather place your money in the stock market and the real estate method means you are willing to put more effort into finding, financing and holding your property. The important thing is that you choose a strategy and go with it. Be it one of the above, a mixture of both or investments not listed here at all, taking responsibility for your financial future can be as easy as these two strategies.

Did you find this article on becoming a Millionaire helpful? Please visit http://www.realestatestarttofinish.com for Real Estate Investing information and http://www.realestatestarttofinish.com Wealth Creation Strategies

Ryan Lewis is an Author and Real Estate expert with years of experience, research and training in Real Estate Investing, Wealth Creation and Goal Setting. Dynamic, intelligent and exciting, Ryan holds a business degree from the Haskayne School of Business and consults in Consultative Sales Practices, Article Marketing Web Development and Business Start-ups.