How much money and time have you spent so far in trading? 2016 edition

Discussion in 'Trading' started by Bob Brown, Dec 1, 2016.

  1. Simples

    Simples

    6 years. 2 first most intense, but just learning trading ABC and voodoo. Probably over 4k hours analyzing and coding. Hate to trade manually, and lost my biggest chunk trying to do it some years ago. Could be I'm better prepared now, but will never do it without proper backtests and psychological backup. Daily TF. Have automated it all, but only recovering from last ATL since June. Could be that I'm now floating, but won't make any records. Am glad if I can continue to break-even, as that is a milestone.

    Years: 6
    Cost: USD 20k (including moronic attempt at longing '99 top as a first toe-dip in the markets and forgetting to renew triggers)
     
    #21     Dec 2, 2016
  2. Bob111

    Bob111

    what top you are talking about? the top on the nasdaq was in march of 2000. that's when i got into this trading crap. the fun lasted 3 days after i bought some mutual funds. then my broker starts hiding from me. ;) lesson learned. big time
     
    #22     Dec 2, 2016
  3. Simples

    Simples

    Some obscure stock. It's not all about indices.
     
    #23     Dec 2, 2016
  4. Bob111

    Bob111

    oh.. at least i was smart enough to diversify ;) sort of :)
     
    #24     Dec 2, 2016
  5. alfa8

    alfa8

    Lost quite a bit between losses, blown out accounts, and education; in excess of 100k. however the time spent on research tops all the expenses.

    been trading full time since 2012; and being profitable 3 years out of 4.

    As another user mentioned earlier; I have learned a lot about myself and about life; probably more than about trading. I discover that I am undisciplined in many occasions..:) and that never giving up is one of the secrets of my success.
     
    #25     Dec 2, 2016
    d08 and dartmus like this.
  6. Hello,

    I am still not profitable. So far spent about $1000 in study material and systems and lost about $6000. I been trading futures on and off for about 3.5 years. Lately studying and practicing alot.
     
    #26     Dec 2, 2016
  7. Ryan81

    Ryan81

    Never blew out an account.
    Never spent a penny on any books or courses or "training" -- My opinion is that "training" or "coaching" for trading is largely a scam. The most valuable "training" is simply by doing it, learning by doing. Nobody else can teach you that.
    I would never say I "figured it all out", and I would be highly suspect of anyone who would characterize themselves as having "figured it all out."
    It took me about 4 or 5 years before my trading results became consistently profitable and, for the most part, predictable.
     
    #27     Dec 3, 2016
    SimpleMeLike, Occam and d08 like this.
  8. java

    java

    Took me 13 years to blow up. And that was 13 years of professional suit and tie trading, no salary, just cap gains, with a very nice lifestyle. And it all blew up in just a matter of days. As I look back, I don't know what I was doing, but it was not trading.
     
    #28     Dec 3, 2016
    alfa8 likes this.
  9. Bob Brown

    Bob Brown

    Ah yes, I've put it too bluntly I guess. I trade Stocks now and you can always find one in bear move and one in bull move. We'll see what comes though.

    Care to share your history? :)
     
    #29     Dec 7, 2016
  10. Bob Brown

    Bob Brown

    Yes yes, I realize this sounded a bit nose-up. I meant exactly what you did - being (so far) consistently profitable. Sorry for my mistake and well done you! I must say I've not yet met a lot people like that, willing to do the hard work. But still, in those 4 to 5 years it must've cost you on platform fees and such, no?

    Interesting. Sort of like in all those Wall Street movies hah :D Are you slowly getting back now?
     
    #30     Dec 7, 2016