I received an interesting magazine (or, maybe better described as a catalogue) in the mail this morning entitled "Home Business Connection". It was apparently sent to me because my name is on some mailing list. Beautifully designed and bearing a price tag of $5.95 per copy, I was tempted to open and read what it was all about. It is mostly full-page ads of 'home business' ideas…one after another, covering every possibility from the proverbial 'stuffin' envelopes' to much more sophisticated endeavors. Of course, each was headlined with bold declarations of being the "world's greatest home business" with promises of getting fabulously rich quick "absolutely guaranteed"! (www.hbcmagazine.com) As I read through some of the ads (many were actually feature articles about certain types of home business), I couldn't help but compare all of them to my 'home business'.

A: Besides the obvious — some money, you'll need some time to learn the fundamentals and practice trade (we call it 'paper trading'). Some folks prepare themselves to start trading real money in a few weeks, but I really recommend that no one start until they have about 3-6 months of practice. Along with some money (minimum $5,000 – optimum $10,000), you'll need a good Windows PC with at least two monitors (preferably 3), a high speed Internet connection and the following personal qualities: An open mind; good common sense and average intelligence with the ability [and strong] desire to learn. You must have good Patience and discipline. A good dose of humility, too, will be a great asset. An ego, or traits of stubbornness or thinking you 'know it all' or at least, 'know better' will not lend themselves to your success as a trader. Neither will 'luck'. The only traders I've every seen who were 'lucky' were those who had paid the price for real success. So, with some money and a couple of hours per day…and real desire to succeed, just about anyone can become a successful emini or forex trader.

emini-forex-trader.com launches blog

A: I fully understand what you say. Everyone has heard about the stock market all of their lives, yet, only about 80-million —of the 300-million Americans take advantage of the opportunities the market offers everyone. Most are either "too timid" (as you've explained) or have never taken the time to learn something about participating in the 'market'. Trading the e-mini is not only the perfect place for one to start, it will probably be the only way you'll ever want to be 'in the market' …..once you learn how. Being afraid of something usually results from not understanding it, or assumptions based on things we've heard from others. For example: stories of people "…loosing their shirt in the market."  Bad news…. always travels faster and further than good news. How many times have you heard people tell how they bought a stock and, immediately it went 'south' on them! Tragically, most folks know nothing more about the stock market than that you …just buy a stock and then hold and hope that it goes up in value (over time). We are constantly indoctrinated by the 'insiders' of the stock market —the mutual funds and stock brokerage houses —that INVESTING with Diversification is the only way to 'be in the stock market'. And, of course, they want you to turn your money over to them to invest it and manage it for you with all of their professional expertise. They will never tell you anything about trading…or, especially 'self-trading', other than laugh at you if you tell them you'd like to do your own trading.

Investing is strictly a passive exercise, where the investor never has any control over his investment, other than being able to call his broker and tell him to "….get me out of that!" On the other hand, a trader has constant and intimate control of his situation…at all times. He is merely a click of his mouse away from executing any command he wishes.

Investors are always at the mercy of the market! Traders always are in total control of their money!