Dude - a few suggestions, first, good luck. I have no idea what your background is but this will be an excellent learning experience. Zecco offers 10 free trades a month, might not get you 100% of the way there - but it'll get you almost there commission free. Second, have you looked at Leveraged Mutual Funds? They are usually NTF/NRF (no transaction fee, no redemption fee). Usually there is $2,500 minimum for initial purchase, but a little secret... buy $2,500 in then sell out all but one share and you can get back in with $100 minimum. LI Mutual Funds encourage market timing and are offered between 1-2.5% leverage, its another good way to get in & out without paying fees/commissions. Your only downside is no intra-day liquidity, but then again, if you trade things like the S&P, you just bet that it'll go up or down, get in and ride it out. If S&P is up 1% DXSLX/DXSSX or anonother less leveraged is profunds ULPIX/URPIX good luck again!
trading day 2: + 384.98. Now I need to revise my calc again. So with 98 trades remaining in order to reach my goal I need to make at least 1.541%.
I would encourage it - however I know nothing about futures so I'm not about to discuss something i know little/nothing about...