Just peeking in ~ I doubt many here remember me, but I was curious how things were going for everyone.
Fair’s fair; I’ll share as well, and report [I]actual, unambiguous, financial results[/I] of my forex days! In short: I have not lost money on Forex since I began studying it in 2010. That said, I haven’t made anything either! Two solid years of… no change. Did about a year of serious study on demo accounts, mostly using a scalping technique that did quite well for a neighbour. The result was this: a few percent gains in a typical week, then every 8 or 10 weeks I would screw up and erase most or all of the gains. Reasons varied: technical blunders, momentary ill~advised trading; things like that. It was stressful and difficult (for me) to do right, kept me up at night (trading the London open from California) and I never quite got used to it.
As it was… instead I started Yet Another Small Business, along with three tiny businesses already owned. Small business is not terribly different than trading, in many ways: elements of risk, involvement with the greater economy and so forth depending what you are doing. It has just been easier and less stressful. Even so, I’ve kept my eye on trading now and again, having promised myself to get better at VSA methods someday. Analytically it was one of the few methods that seemed to make clear, immediate sense, although my VSA trades were rare (twice a week at best). If there was learning taking place, though, it was glacially sloooow. Looking back I wish I had stuck with it, though would 50 trades a year be enough to distinguish any kind of ability from luck, good or bad? Not sure about that.
So here’s the question: how has the past year or so been for everyone? Typical, usual, “nothing new under the sun” markets just as any other typical year? Or quirky, unpredictable, unusual, or difficult in any way?
Incidentally, in spite of the hours spent, and one forex market simulator purchased (200 USD) ~ it has been a solid investment in knowledge, regardless of trading result. The difference between financial ignorance and a basic education: a ‘wealth’ unto itself.
Looking back, I’m quite happy with the time and hours spent here; it was ‘worth it’ in a big picture sort of way, lack of personal financial improvement notwithstanding.
Happy trading! I wish everyone the best, and all success.