All, I have seen plenty of threads out there asking of when people suggest that THEY can start trading. Let me throw out what I am trying to accomplish, with the hope of receiving constructive criticism and providing others with a reasonable framework. I currently work full time and always have, having kept trading on the back burner until I am comfortable with my piggy bank and investment/trading prowess. I am four years out of school, working with hedge fund valuations in an operations role, having previously studied Investments at school (in London and US). Shortly out of college and searching for the correct first job or best fit, I started spending larger parts of my day reading and paper trading fx and equities. I continue to trade/manage equities (and increasingly options), keeping up on this as I have for the past 10 years as my passion. Right now I am STARTING to feel out what I have the potential for as far as ability and limitation of capital. I think most people probably cut themselves short by starting with too little buying power- My journey at present is estimating capital required to realize what I need, then what I want... and when you figure that out, I think THAT is when you know you are ready. NYCDT