Well, after not trading most of last week, I did some live trading today, couldnt resist. Made +$33. Not a big day, but was a good day in that I took my signals and nothing else, set all my stops.... executed the plan. All the gut feeling trades I wanted to make I made in the sim account, and only made smart trades in the real money account. Did not make a lot of money, but just glad to have made some...
Feeling very relaxed today. Only trading my signals. I have made 3 trades thus far, 1 for +7 pts, one for +6 pts, and one for +3pts. The stops were set at only -4 pts on all of those trades. It feels VERY good to have a plan and actually be trading it. This last one for +3 pts, it was a counter trend trade so I didnt want to hold it long... it was a valid signal so I took it. As I am writting this that trade woud now be up around 10 pts had I still had it. I am not concerned with how many points I leave on the table anymore though. I am just glad to be trading something that resembles a trading plan and capturing points. Another thing that is helping me out is I keep my sim account open at the same time. So all of the trades that I woudl make on a gut feeling a few weeks ago I now make in the sim account. Like this I am able to stick to the trading plan I have developed in the real money account and "play around" in the sim account. Feeling good now, hopefully dont do anything stupid later in the day to make me feel dumb again. I think I am making progress and wont do anything stpuid.
Trades today: +7 pts +6 pts +3 pts +1 pt +3 pts Tight stops were placed on every trade, none were hit. If you look at the trades I was capturing a little more early and since then I have been capturing less. I think this may be due to me wanting to stay green and not give back the money made thus far. It could also be due to the market slwoing down around this lunch break. The trade I am most disapointed in was the +1 pt trade. This trade should have netted around 10 pts, and could have netted as much as 20. Always looks easy looking back at the chart. I did not loose money on the trade so that is ALL I can ask for. Still feeling good and confident, having a plan is so much better than going on gut feelings.
Right! But don't discard the leftovers. Study that price action to assist you for better exits. Leftovers are good food! WTG frost, Osorico
Two more trades have been made: -5 pts +3 pts Nothing great there.. biggest thing that shows is I was able to stick to my stops. Cutting winners a little shorter than the method calls.... one thing at a time... at least I am no longer letting my losers run wild...
Just had another loss: -4 pts 1 more loss and I'm done for the day, my limit is no more than 3 loosing trades in a day.
Just had another trade to finish the day for +6. Totals: Wins: 7, for 29 pts Avg: 4.14 pts Loss; 2 for 9 pts Avg: 4.5 pts Net: +20 pts Happy day, only netted around $60 after commisions though. BUT its a day in the green. Right now its not about HOW much I make, its about how much I dont lose, and if I am following my plan. I did not take a single trade in my real money account that I was not suppose to. I set all my stops and abided by them no matter what. The only thing I did not do correctly is jumped out a few of the trades before the exit signal was given. The avg loss of 4.5 pts is around where it should be with this method. My rule of stoping as soon as I have 3 loses means the MOST I should lose in any given day is around $80, and thats only if I have 3 loosing trades to start the day off with no winners. Just happy I am making some progress, hopefully I am on the right track.
Having an ok day thus far... I missed 2 of my entries becuase both did not have clear stop points. It just so happens I could have used a 2 pt stop on both and scored 10 pts each, but thats the way it goes. No clear stop present without going too wide so I cant take that trade. The first trade of the morning I did stop, I went with a 4 pt stop and it got hit, had I used 5 pts I woudl have caught a nice move. Second trade I took I just scored 8 pts on. 2 More losses and I will have to stop for the day.
I am loving life... Who would have known that having a trading plan and following it could feel SOO good.. its like a ton of stress is off my shoulders. No need to stress wondering if I made a good entry or not... just take the entries as they come and set my stop and take profits whenever I feel is good.. may be too quick.. but hey I'm happy... being in the green is a lot better than losing... Made a few more trades: +6 pts -2 pts +4 pts +5 pts One more loss and I am done for the day. However I currently sit at around +$60 after commisions, so even if I get stoped out again going by my average I will still make $30 to $40 for the day.. So I am basically guranteed a profit on the day at this point.. Its a great feeling.. Maybe I'll let my next entry run a little longer knowing I have a cushion.