From the daily archives:

Monday, November 2, 2009

SIMPLE Trading – Part 1

November 2, 2009

What matters for the beginning stock trader or investor is staying in the game.

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="169" caption="Image via Wikipedia"]Card game, 1895[/caption]

We don’t do that by stomping around in the dark.  We do that by utilizing a specific and detailed trading plan.

We list our strategies and techniques we are going to use.  We also detail our money management.  Then we put that plan into action and follow it unerringly.  Or we try.

What is the the largest obstacle  standing in our way?  It is ourselves!  We talk to ourselves every day, all day, and what we say is how we respond to external forces.  Often this conversation is very emotional and confusing.  This is a negative for trading success.  There is no place for emotions in successful stock trading.

In an effort to combat these emotions and to negate their effects I always tell people  that they can use a script.

For the beginning trader the only thing that matters isn’t maximizing profit, following complicated trading strategies flawlessly, or knowing the difference between a strangle and a straddle.  The only thing that matters is staying in the game.

So, what is someone that knows this suppose to do to begin learning the process of trading for profit?  Concentrate on SIMPLE Trading.

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Sticking With the Same Time-frame

November 2, 2009

Since my self-induced weekend portfolio disaster I was looking for another entry into the market on the 30-min chart. That came at 12:16pm today when the 5-min chart and the 30-min chart agreed.

As long as my position doesn’t go negative I’m going to stay with my 43 Nov Put for the day at least. I actually had sold the same put at close on Friday with the thought that you never hold a short-term position over the weekend. So buying back that position was a natural. I got it for $2.02 after Friday’s $2.30 sell. Can’t count it but it was the right thing to do.

Remember, the rule is “Protect Principal First”. Currently my position is up 22 cents but was up as much as 38 cents. I mention this because sticking with the 30-min chart will give me plenty of time to sell at a profit even if it won’t be at a high.

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