Stock Market info & fun

[SPIKER]

(Wanted to post this here as others maybe in the same boat.. no real good place on TBN for general interest items that I can find so I put it in here.)

ANYHOW

I started playing around a little on the stick market just for fun using "this Fantasy Stock Market Game and Free Online Paper Trading at Wall Street Survivor " site and was doing terrible, but it is free and there is a chance to make money as it is a contest, I have gotten no spam from them either so I wanted to let others know about it. I don't think I'm in the running to WIN any of the cash but it got me thinking how bad I was doing and how to change my ways.

So I decided to open a REAL stock market using SCOTTRADE and have been doing great.

If anyone wants to play around I suggest signing up at the wallstreet survivor to get some experience and learn more about stock market. and if you want to give it a try for real try SCOTTRADE. tell em I sent ya so I can get my 3 free trades.

I can send you links directly to the sign up point just PM/IM me you're info/e-mail addy...

I'm up almost20% in the real stock market, but I'm down some 30% in the fun play site, mostly as I'm using one to make money and one for fun using HIGH risk for fun which lost me a lot... and gained me a lot of experiance on what NOT to do...


Mark M

P.S. I have a few ideas to help people if they want to try it out. but are longer and usually you would need a little trading experience to understand what I've been doing... I posted a lot of this on ForestryForum general info already and can post a link or pm you if ya want more info.
mark

 

[js5020]

If you have an interest in the financial markets, you might also want to take a look at forex also,,, I started with the stocks didn't do it for me and ended up in forex, glad I made the move. How long have you been trading?

 

[SPIKER]

If you have an interest in the financial markets, you might also want to take a look at forex also,,, I started with the stocks didn't do it for me and ended up in forex, glad I made the move. How long have you been trading?

I haven't seem a lot of people visiting here but over on the forestry site I ave several good discussions going regarding day trading, "selling short" & different brokerage companies commodities ect. While I've not yet gotten into the foreign exchange money markets I'm watching them somewhat (there sees to be a great SELL SHORT trend going in there with the inflation and commodities crashing. Personally I have not done enough looking into/research to actually put money into it but for those willing and knowledgeable there seems to be a real good trend going for futures if you want to go that rout...

I've not been in the market very long, (heavily only 2 weeks worth now) but was in/out a few times over the years. so had to get back in when I saw the trends...

Mark M

 

[js5020]

I've been trading forex for 4 yrs, and after I got downsized at my last position I decided to give it my full time attention,,, went from some what profitable to the point of being able to make a living off of it. I guess I should add this disclaimer or warning to other readers who may get a get rich quick idea going here,,,, most average investors/traders are not profitable, they lose all their inital capital and end up broke,,,, keep your day job!

 

[SPIKER]

I've been trading forex for 4 yrs, and after I got downsized at my last position I decided to give it my full time attention,,, went from some what profitable to the point of being able to make a living off of it. I guess I should add this disclaimer or warning to other readers who may get a get rich quick idea going here,,,, most average investors/traders are not profitable, they lose all their inital capital and end up broke,,,, keep your day job!

I agree with ya there. I'm not doing it full time YET but might just start... I find I need a better PC chair as my behind is getting sore as are my eyes...

BUT I have been reading a LOT and researching A LOT!! I like the word to the wise. not for everyone! P.S. you can check on the other post in forestryforum where I have a better group of people doing similar we are all helping chatting with each other "Here http://www.forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,32354.msg467240.html#msg467240 "

I'm going to add more into this post in a few min.

edit in

part of the reason I added the PLAY GAME at the top the wallstretsurvivor.com place they can learn how to invest with play money in a real stock market look-a-like stock program, but they give you 200.000 bucks to PLAY with in PLAY cash & options...

mark M

 

[js5020]

I read the stuff over at the forestry site,,, I'm not into into the stock rules,, but I see a mention of daytrading,,, is the regulation still in effect that pattern daytraders need an account size of 25k, and if the balance falls below the account gets frozen for 3 months?

I can honestly say if you want to be successful long term you had better learn, learn, learn, study, study and study,,, I spent 4 years of my life learning, sitting in front of a computer for 12-16 hours 6 days a week, eating sleeping, and breathing the market,,, and it dosen't stop. I don't have to spend anywhere near the time that I use to but I still put in time,,,, wouldn't go back though!

 

[SPIKER]

I read the stuff over at the forestry site,,, I'm not into into the stock rules,, but I see a mention of daytrading,,, is the regulation still in effect that pattern daytraders need an account size of 25k, and if the balance falls below the account gets frozen for 3 months?



I can honestly say if you want to be successful long term you had better learn, learn, learn, study, study and study,,, I spent 4 years of my life learning, sitting in front of a computer for 12-16 hours 6 days a week, eating sleeping, and breathing the market,,, and it dosen't stop. I don't have to spend anywhere near the time that I use to but I still put in time,,,, wouldn't go back though!

In Short YES the DAY TRADER is still in effect. You have to have 25K in account and have a MARGIN account set up as well.

You can have 4 trades in one week that are "DAY TRADES" before you can/will get into trouble. MOST all of my stuff I hold more than a DAY (held for several days in fact) so technically I am OK. that is per THEIR rules... part of the reason I have the forestry forum POST stating that I was THINKING of becoming a DAY TRADER, and this post as STOCK MKT FUN INFO>..

I may end up being forced into it if things keep going well though, that or be forced to limit my trading.?
Mark M

 

[js5020]

Have you gotten the family and friends well meaning "talk" yet? You know,, and if you haven't it's the one questioning your sanity, or it's not a real job, or the Best one,,,,, the I knew a guy whose brothers uncles cousins mothers nephew lost everything trading the market. I love that one!

 

[SPIKER]

JS: so far no but the woman has been eyeing what I'm doing mumbeling something to the effect that she would rather put the money on the house! lol to heck with the bills lol

mark

 

[js5020]

HAHA! Well, when I first started I got her involved and she even made some trades and gave input on some of mine,,, and though she didn't keep interested on a daily basis she would look at the account balance even though at that time it was paper trading, and the longer I kept at it the better I would do,,, I was running around 40% a month, and had another account with a little more leverage and made 600% on that in a month on paper,,, darn!!!! So I guess we both saw the possibilities and were in agreement to give it a go. It's actually nice we are in agreement, I never hear any complaints,, well except the occasional you should have bought more!

 

[SPIKER]

I know the feeling about should have bought MORE lol. last week I bought Ford (F) and GM both at or near 40 year lows... I sold out fast at 30% profit... Sounds like you are doing much better than I had been so far. I signed up for ZACKS investment which is free one. figure any info is good info... I found 3 or 4 on there that are good out of 5 or 6 I looked at...

I have some higher quanities of FRE & FNM freediemac & Fannie may . they while in poor condition stocks also at 30 yr lows... feds will rescue them and already stocks up a good bit...

U got any good picks ?
4 I watching / buying now WWAT, NVDA, SKS & SOL

Mark

 

[Travelover]

I know that talking investing philosophy can be like talking politics or religion, but I want to say for the benefit of others reading this thread that one can make a lot of money using the old "get rich slow" technique. This technique involves investing money on a regular basis in broad based stock index funds with low expense ratios (the dealers take). Some have made money jumping in and out of stocks, but eventually most get burned.

I'm not interested in arguing which is a better approach, but want others to know that if you are interested in investing in stocks and bonds, there are some great resources that are free or nearly free.

 

[SPIKER]

I know that talking investing philosophy can be like talking politics or religion, but I want to say for the benefit of others reading this thread that one can make a lot of money using the old "get rich slow" technique. This technique involves investing money on a regular basis in broad based stock index funds with low expense ratios (the dealers take). Some have made money jumping in and out of stocks, but eventually most get burned.

I'm not interested in arguing which is a better approach, but want others to know that if you are interested in investing in stocks and bonds, there are some great resources that are free or nearly free.

I agree with you a lot on this: Infact I've had/owned stocks for year all in good hard working companies that provide stable earnings. sure they have dropped some in last few months most stable markets have. I would have liked to KEEP & HOLD some of the stocks I've gone through in the last week or two... GM & Ford are 2 big ones. While HOLDING them will be good long term investments due to where they are in relation to past performances & price. the AMOUNT I can make by keeping the $ liquid is better in THIS market... I do intend to start HOLDING some of the stocks...

Mark M

 

[js5020]

Good point DT,,, and also correct I might add. There are many ways to profit from the markets,,,,,, and there are also many more ways to lose! In my opinion the longer term your view of the trade is and the less leverage you are using to make that profit the better your chances of success are. Those returns posted earlier were made using INSANE leverage, not safe nor wise money management,, and on a demo account not real money. I'll also add for the benefit of other readers the month after I made the 600% I completely wiped out a 10k account in 3DAYS using the exact same methods,, sure glad that was paper!!!!! Another good point DT brings up has to do with resources/training,, there are alot of scams out there looking to part you from your cash, I have never spent one dime on training,, I do not use signal services,,,, theres an old saying I go by,,,,, those who can't do teach.

 

[Travelover]

theres an old saying I go by,,,,, those who can't do teach.

Excellent point. If one really had a sure fire system to beat the market why would you mess around selling newsletters and training videos as opposed to just investing, getting stinking rich and then retiring?

 

[js5020]

Precisely!!!!! No one in their right mind would leak any info what so ever about such a system,, if one could exist.

 

[SPIKER]

Excellent point. If one really had a sure fire system to beat the market why would you mess around selling newsletters and training videos as opposed to just investing, getting stinking rich and then retiring?

I think I like that plan "investing, getting stinking rich and then retiring" lol
but then it may just go the other way...

(I can't stress the amount of learning & research I've been doing last 2 weeks.)

Worse problem right now is getting funds to BUY with without being in the "FREE RIDE" areas... Seems that you have to wait up to week+ for some of the trades to go through? I have paydays set for 22nd that were made on the 16th... GRRRR that means you can't re-invest the money unless you HOLD the stock/commodities until AFTER the pay date. I'm not sure WHAT they do to you when you try/do this they list it and report it as a "FREE TRADE" but I haven't found what this actually means... I'm wanting to sell 3 or 4 stocks that are stuck into this hold pattern now. so to BUY some stuff I need to add cash so I can get some more stocks that are at many year lows...

Mark M

 

[js5020]

And some of what your saying is exactly why I switched to forex,,, instant deals,, no playing around,, if I want in now I'm in,, and if I want out now I'm out,,,, instant settlement no waiting for days for things to "go through", profit today, money is in the account instantly.

 

[RobJ]

Excellent point. If one really had a sure fire system to beat the market why would you mess around selling newsletters and training videos as opposed to just investing, getting stinking rich and then retiring?

For one reason it's a lot easier and a lot less risky. There are no guarantees in life...but annual newsletter sales...is pretty close. :d

 

[SPIKER]

JS:

I opened a paper account over at forex: ya so far I'm worse off than I thought, there are SOOOO MANY things there that are different than the stock mkt. all this so far is pretty confusing, some help was gotten over at the pips place. I wasn't aware exactly HOW it all worked as I have used my time to explore learn and trade the stocks not forex mkt. anyhow I'll have to spend a LOT of time trying to figure out all the
ratios pips as it seems that depending on what type of account you open you ratio changes if it is std mini or what ever. I'm still slightly confused as to how the PIPS actually work for ya. also I haven't found a clear way on how to do any good research on the rate you want to get into. seems to me that will be the hardest part. as far as learning past performance ect.

It seems that while you may be able to make $ there it will be more of a guess at he exchange rate for the next few days, (unless you can predict where next hurricane is going to hit in a few days.) I think my mental reasoning is better suited to stocks at this time, but I'll be playing on the forex with paper for a while and may start looking for better info on it. the pips site BB has some good info but I'm way back in the novice range... Making actual money in stocks is what I'm going to stick with for now, and free time to play in the forex...


Mark M