Im not sure about other traders but starting out in futures & Options is an expencive way to start trading. If your new to trading like you say you are then skipping the most important part of trading and going to the leveraged stuff is completely backwords!! I reconmend Trading stocks and until you get comfortable with the market and pull money from it every month. THEN start trading Options on solid stock plays. You Cant trade Options profitably if you can find winning stocks.