I started in January of 1999, lost about 45K through present. 40K in stocks, most of that in the spring of 2001. Took a lot of time off, tried the NQ in spring and summer of 2002, lost about 5K. Finally realized I probably shouldn't be a discretionary trader, so I started playing around with system development. This makes a lot more sense considering my engineering and programming background. Just put up another 5K, now trading 1 NQ totally mechanically, and treading water, up about $200 in 4 weeks of trading. Much too early to say but at least I feel I'm just reaching the point were I can become profitable and know what it's going to take.
I started daytrading with Financial Cafe and free market orders. I opened an account with 200 bucks and traded a single share. Lost 120 bucks before I became profitable.
Dicking around off and on from '94 to 2001 in various states of seriousness, but never really 'getting it'- down about $60,000 When I thought I had things figured out and started trading full time two years ago, I lost $13,000 in my first four months before turning profitable. Never a down month since and made back my tuition within a year.