Why Do I trade Forex ...Jacko

Why do I trade Forex?
Because I am ABSOLUTELY CONVINCED that this is the best "business" in the world.

There are:
1. no rent of offices (that is, NO dealing with Realtors, Lawyers, and government departments...man, what a pain in the ass). Also no office fit-out costs

2. no staff, (man, unless you have had large numbers of staff depending on YOU for their paypacket each week, you cannot know what a huge pain in the ass it is. They ALL want you to solve their problems)

3. No inventory or stock to buy. No shrinkage (theft of stock) and no "slow moving" items. No massive amount of funds tied up in inventory

4. You can "borrow" as much as you want (by increasing your leverage), WHENEVER you want. (Try running a big business and going to the bank for a short term loan for $10 mill...it will take a month minimum). I am trading $10-12 mill all the time and I get it instantly through the brokers by the use of leverage.

5. If the business becomes a hassle for whatever reason, you can shut it down (that is, close all positions) instantly...and re-open (initiate new positions) whenever YOU want to re-open your "business."

6. You can "scale" your business to whatever size YOU want simply by increasing/decreasing your positions.

7. Absolutely minimal paperwork. Simply send your 12 month summary Profit and Loss Statement to your Financial Accountant for tax payment purposes.

8. You can trade from anywhere in the world. My wife and I travel most of the year. (take your laptop or PDA or whatever else they will come up with and trade while sipping a nice drink as close by as your local cafe or as far as some open air cafe in some remote little town in beautiful Italy while you watch a bocce match at the park.)

I could keep telling you more of the benefits of this business, but suffice to say...this is the best "business" in the world. I run a multi-multimillion dollar business from my laptop.

And did I mention that it was exciting and fun????


What are the disadvantages of this "business" of trading Forex?

For me there are none. I am old (early 50s), retired, financially well-off and experienced (20+years) in trading shares property and commodities. I have also had much experience in business (haing sold two businesses for substantial amounts of money) Even though I trade large volumes, the financial risk at the margin is relatively small. Also, I have had extraordinarily good luck in this market and have made a significant sum of money in the last twelve months ( so I am now playing with the Forex casino's money).

For many of you, the situation may be different. You are probably young, working, keen to make a lot of money and inexperienced. That is a dangerous combination.

Most young traders here all suffer from the basic same problems.
1.There is a tendency for newbies to "PANIC" when the market goes a little against them This is due to:
a. Probably scared to lose money
b. Probably undercapitalised
c. New to industry....therefore probably uncertain about your own abilities
d. Unsure that the trend lines, 50% Fib line and "round numbers" are as reliable as they are in practice.
e. Probably inexperienced in business and investment from a practical aspect
f. Probably unsure who to talk to for guidance

2. The second problem is that they are all looking for the "Holy Grail" There is no "mechanical system" that is a "Holy Grail"...I have been watching the contortions of a trader here who is trying to prove that Elliott Wave is the answer... BS !
However, let me tell you a secret...there is a "Holy Grail". Every time you look in the mirror, you will see it. It is you.

3. The thing that kills new traders is the "wild punting" on everything that moves two ticks.

4. stop thinking that you have to "outsmart" the market.
You don't have to..this business is very easy if you leave your brain at the door....just follow the trend = follow the money =going with the flow = barking with the big dogs.
Stop thinking that "it can't be that easy".......it is!!!

5, you have to detach yourself emotionally from the money...that is the hard part...stop seeing it as money, and look at it as numbers.
Also, don't play with money you can't afford to lose...or alternatively, put the money aside and tell yourself that it is already lost. (You MUST detach yourself from the money

6. And remember, Leverage can make you a fortune...but leverage will kill you quicker than you think..!!

Finally, I am not saying anything different to what all the good trading books say...but it is amazing that every newbie wants to "take on" the market and then wonders which express freight train flattened them (and destroyed their trading accounts).
Most people are trading for the adrenaline rush rather than the boring concept of just maximising profits.