My Journey

HSI1600

Member
VIP
First and foremost, I must give thanks to everybody in this community for giving their time and energies to making all of us better traders. I trade a micro account under $500.00 until I gained confidence in my trading methodology. My biggest enemy was myself. Constantly tweaking and changing strategies (on the hunt for the Holly Grail). I had small success, but no real trading plan. This site can give you information overload, but like a good racehorse, I put on my blinders and focused on growing my account and staying of youtube. Year to date I have made 72 trades. 55 of those trades were wining day trades for the most part. Over the last two day, I am 5-0. Looking to a dialogue with micro traders. Symbol - Purchase Price - Last Price - Sold Price - Amount Made - QTY - P/L - Percent Change
BGI$ 2.95$ 3.94
$3.00​
$0.05​
40
$2.00​
1.69%​
MO$ 45.65$ 47.62
$46.11​
$0.46​
2
$0.92​
1.01%​
YELL$ 7.05$ 7.98
$7.15​
$0.10​
10
$1.00​
1.42%​
BBBY$ 31.00$ 30.09
$31.21​
$0.21​
1
$0.21​
0.68%​
XELA$ 2.69$ 4.62
$2.79​
$0.10​
40
$4.00​
3.72%​
INVO$ 9.47$ 7.88
$10.73​
$1.26​
10
$12.60​
13.31%​

I3E15zq.png
 
@HSI1600 Keep at it...!!! One thing to remember is that although TDA is "commission free" there are exchange fees associated with each trade in the amount of ~$1.35 per round trip, in and out... Therefore, several of your trades were a net loss after fees... Just something to keep in mind for future trades... Check your TDA account, online, for those actual fee amounts... The price I'm quoting is per option contract as I haven't traded any stocks in over a year...
 
May I ask, what was it that turned it around for you? I feel like I keep losing. Otherwise Im constantly learning and doing something to better myself at it. Dont get me wrong I do have my wins. I position size correctly. Ive traded well, but something needs to be changed for me. What was it for you that made things turn around?
 
Last edited:
@HSI1600 Keep at it...!!! One thing to remember is that although TDA is "commission free" there are exchange fees associated with each trade in the amount of ~$1.35 per round trip, in and out... Therefore, several of your trades were a net loss after fees... Just something to keep in mind for future trades... Check your TDA account, online, for those actual fee amounts... The price I'm quoting is per option contract as I haven't traded any stocks in over a year...
Is there some where else I should look. It is showing $0.00 for the round trip

03/09/2021 10:04:29
Bought 10 INVO @ 9.47
-94.70​
0.00​
0.00​
03/09/2021 10:24:43Sold 10 INVO @ 10.73
107.30​
0.00​
0.00​
 
Last edited:
May I ask, what was it that turned it around for you? I feel like I keep losing. Otherwise Im constantly learning and doing something to better myself at it. Dont get me wrong I do have my wins. I position size correctly. Ive traded well, but something needs to be changed for me. What was it for you that made things turn around?
Being that I trade a micro account I utilize a strict criteria for my scan. I only trade stocks above the Ichimoku Cloud, trade on the hourly, Rob Smith Strat must be signaling a kick bull, william % r and a few others or part of my scan and chart. I know I probably missing out but aiming for a 80 percent win rate which I have been able to accomplish in the short term
May I ask, what was it that turned it around for you? I feel like I keep losing. Otherwise Im constantly learning and doing something to better myself at it. Dont get me wrong I do have my wins. I position size correctly. Ive traded well, but something needs to be changed for me. What was it for you that made things turn around?
 
Being that I trade a micro account I utilize a strict criteria for my scan. I only trade stocks above the Ichimoku Cloud, trade on the hourly, Rob Smith Strat must be signaling a kick bull, william % r and a few others or part of my scan and chart. I know I probably missing out but aiming for a 80 percent win rate which I have been able to accomplish in the short term
sounds like you are perfecting your strategy. that sounds great. keep up the good work.
 
May I ask, what was it that turned it around for you? I feel like I keep losing. Otherwise Im constantly learning and doing something to better myself at it. Dont get me wrong I do have my wins. I position size correctly. Ive traded well, but something needs to be changed for me. What was it for you that made things turn around?

You most likely were asking @HSI1600 but allow me to contribute as well... For me, several things turned my trading around...

Mainly, realizing that when I am in a "funk", or depression and/or anxiety, I shouldn't be trading... Last year I was in the process of switching from primarily IT Consulting, which I've done for 30+ years, to primarily trading... I got into a "funk", something that unfortunately happens to me for no known reason, perhaps the whole pandemic and isolation thing this last time, yet still attempted to trade because I considered it my job... That created a bit of FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) if I didn't make an effort to trade whether I felt up to it or not... I ended up losing far more money than I'd care to state here, but it was a lot... What got me out of the "funk" was to stop trading, thus reducing the pressure... I then refined my trading setup to what works best for my way of thinking... I tested and tested, successfully, which renewed my confidence and supported the fact that I had known how to trade all along, on and off, for the past 30+ years and it was the "funk" that was to blame...

One aspect that I hadn't used extensively was multiple timeframes... I've started monitoring multiple timeframes more than I ever did... Sometimes we get nearsighted and miss the big picture... I don't look way big but don't focus on a 1m or 2m chart like bad habits and anxiety had gotten me into... I watch 3m, 5m, 10m, 15m, and 30m charts... I virtually never expand beyond those timeframes...

In addition, I don't attempt to second-guess the market... Good setups are either there or they aren't and you can't make something out of nothing... I only watch 25 - 30 symbols and usually have 6 - 8 in prime situations to make decent trades at any given time... And because my trading style is to scalp options I usually don't have to wait long for an opportunity... If none are available I just sit, watch, and wait... My indicators lead the way and I just use them along with my experience and judgement... It's not uncommon to have a 100% success rate these days, for days or weeks on end... If I'm not feeling it, I don't trade...

If there's one thing I am in these forums it's being honest... I'm not young, have a lot of real world experience, and tell it like it is... I had typed a lot more here but trimmed it down for the sake of brevity... If anyone has questions I'm more than willing to answer to the best of my ability... While folks may not always like the answers I give, they are real, honest, and upfront... And sometimes more what folks need to hear than what they want to hear... I'm the same face to face as my online presence...

Hopefully this helps someone...
 
You most likely were asking @HSI1600 but allow me to contribute as well... For me, several things turned my trading around...

Mainly, realizing that when I am in a "funk", or depression and/or anxiety, I shouldn't be trading... Last year I was in the process of switching from primarily IT Consulting, which I've done for 30+ years, to primarily trading... I got into a "funk", something that unfortunately happens to me for no known reason, perhaps the whole pandemic and isolation thing this last time, yet still attempted to trade because I considered it my job... That created a bit of FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) if I didn't make an effort to trade whether I felt up to it or not... I ended up losing far more money than I'd care to state here, but it was a lot... What got me out of the "funk" was to stop trading, thus reducing the pressure... I then refined my trading setup to what works best for my way of thinking... I tested and tested, successfully, which renewed my confidence and supported the fact that I had known how to trade all along, on and off, for the past 30+ years and it was the "funk" that was to blame...

One aspect that I hadn't used extensively was multiple timeframes... I've started monitoring multiple timeframes more than I ever did... Sometimes we get nearsighted and miss the big picture... I don't look way big but don't focus on a 1m or 2m chart like bad habits and anxiety had gotten me into... I watch 3m, 5m, 10m, 15m, and 30m charts... I virtually never expand beyond those timeframes...

In addition, I don't attempt to second-guess the market... Good setups are either there or they aren't and you can't make something out of nothing... I only watch 25 - 30 symbols and usually have 6 - 8 in prime situations to make decent trades at any given time... And because my trading style is to scalp options I usually don't have to wait long for an opportunity... If none are available I just sit, watch, and wait... My indicators lead the way and I just use them along with my experience and judgement... It's not uncommon to have a 100% success rate these days, for days or weeks on end... If I'm not feeling it, I don't trade...

If there's one thing I am in these forums it's being honest... I'm not young, have a lot of real world experience, and tell it like it is... I had typed a lot more here but trimmed it down for the sake of brevity... If anyone has questions I'm more than willing to answer to the best of my ability... While folks may not always like the answers I give, they are real, honest, and upfront... And sometimes more what folks need to hear than what they want to hear... I'm the same face to face as my online presence...

Hopefully this helps someone...
Hey there,
I do sincerely appreciate you taking time share your experience with me. If anything, that helps me more than you know. I like to think the same when it comes to talking to someone through messaging or face to face. I think its being true to yourself and very humble of you. Nonetheless, maybe I am in a bit of a funk. I wont vent on here as I know everyone has there problems. Also, you're absolutely right when it comes to the setups. They're either there or they aren't. I too have lost a lot of money in the past and have learned from it. However, in short, I see this as my full time job. I love doing this and I take it very seriously. Thank you so much again.
 
@Ryguy I will be helping out a IT Support customer tomorrow that, contrary to my previous impressions, knows little about trading or Thinkorswim... We went over a few things today, including making a successful option scalp for him... I saw how minimal he is at trading, going on a "feeling", and once I showed him my laptop setup, which is nowhere near what my trading system is, he just messaged me a few minutes ago to come back tomorrow to get him going the right way... For me, this is a passion that I've had since the 1980's when I started trading... Now that I'm nearing retirement I want to go fulltime... I can honestly make far more trading than I ever have doing IT Consulting... Last year I made, and lost, many times more than I ever have in my life... That's not bragging, just fact... And had I seen the signs of "funk" earlier I could have easily doubled or tripled what I made... Now I wish I had focused more on trading years ago rather than pushing it onto the back burner for so long...

Just tossing it out that that if you or anyone else would like to discuss anything more one on one, feel free to reach out to me on the usethinkscript Discord Channel...

@HSI1600 I apologize for infringing on your topic...
 
Got my 3% on RIG in early morning trading. Thinking on changing by OCO orders from 3% to 6% take profit. Still waiting on BGI bought at 4.16 and trading at 4.06.
oyVHNna.png
 
@Ryguy I will be helping out a IT Support customer tomorrow that, contrary to my previous impressions, knows little about trading or Thinkorswim... We went over a few things today, including making a successful option scalp for him... I saw how minimal he is at trading, going on a "feeling", and once I showed him my laptop setup, which is nowhere near what my trading system is, he just messaged me a few minutes ago to come back tomorrow to get him going the right way... For me, this is a passion that I've had since the 1980's when I started trading... Now that I'm nearing retirement I want to go fulltime... I can honestly make far more trading than I ever have doing IT Consulting... Last year I made, and lost, many times more than I ever have in my life... That's not bragging, just fact... And had I seen the signs of "funk" earlier I could have easily doubled or tripled what I made... Now I wish I had focused more on trading years ago rather than pushing it onto the back burner for so long...

Just tossing it out that that if you or anyone else would like to discuss anything more one on one, feel free to reach out to me on the usethinkscript Discord Channel...

@HSI1600 I apologize for infringing on your topic...
The more insight the better off we all are
 
3-0 today Purchase Last Sold P/L QTY TLL P/L %CHG
RIG$ 4.33$ 4.71
$4.46​
$0.13​
40
$5.20​
3.00%
CRK$ 6.15$ 6.23
$6.23​
$0.08​
5
$0.40​
1.30%
BGI$ 4.16$ 4.20
$4.21​
$0.05​
40
$2.00​
1.20%
 
SEEL IS ACTING LIKE A ROCK STAR TODAY. I WAS IN AND OUT THREE TIMES TODAY. TRADING AVAILABILTY IS $0.00 RIGHT NOW. CANT WAIT FOR MONDAY.

SEEL$ 4.12$ 4.43
$4.32​
$0.20​
40
$8.00​
4.85%
SEEL$ 4.17$ 4.43
$4.31​
$0.14​
40
$5.60​
3.36%
SEEL$ 4.19$ 4.43
$4.32​
$0.13​
10
$1.30​
3.10%
 
SEEL IS ACTING LIKE A ROCK STAR TODAY. I WAS IN AND OUT THREE TIMES TODAY. TRADING AVAILABILTY IS $0.00 RIGHT NOW. CANT WAIT FOR MONDAY.

SEEL$ 4.12$ 4.43
$4.32​
$0.20​
40
$8.00​
4.85%
SEEL$ 4.17$ 4.43
$4.31​
$0.14​
40
$5.60​
3.36%
SEEL$ 4.19$ 4.43
$4.32​
$0.13​
10
$1.30​
3.10%

If you are a Cash-Only TD-Ameritrade/Thinkorswim customer you are NOT restricted by Pattern Day Trade Rules... They only pertain to Margin Accounts... I was told three times that I was subject to PDT but once I spoke with the right department I was told that I wasn't just as I was insisting... The pity of it is the amount of money I lost due to holding trades I knew I didn't need to hold but was afraid of a 90 day suspension... It cost me thousands of dollars in lost profits, and at least a few profitable trades turned losses, over time... I've made up to a dozen round trip trades a day without issue ever since... Call and confirm, however, rather than simply taking my advice on the matter...

Or were you referring to being out of available trade funds for the day...???
 

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