Took out a loan to transition to full-time trading. 24 years old.

[wabu27]

Hi guys -

Just joined T2W. And posting my first thread.

As the title suggests, I am 24 years old and I took out couple high-rate loans to get my brokerage account over 25,000 so I can daytrade. I have traded since 2010 but only with small capital, so I'm a little nervous. I currently have a job in finance, but it does not pay nearly enough of what I think I can make.

Long story short, since this will be the beginning or the end of my trading life, for I have no desire to continue trading if I seem to lack talent, I'm hoping to have other people come along for the crazy ride and during that time provide me some constructive advice. I have lots to learn, so little time, and just one shot.

Loans hit my bank account today, and I deposited into my brokerage account.

My capital: $13,000
Loans: $25,000 with around 25% APR
My salary: ~$55,000 with bonus

Day 1:
Beginning of day: $38090.89
End of day: $37815.94
P/L: ($274.95); -0.72%

I originally posted on a different community site, but wasn't getting much replies. Maybe it's pretty dead over there? Hope it's better here.

This will be my journal for the record. Let the games begin. :clap::clap::clap:

 

[new_trader]

Borrowing money to trade?

Oh very dear, this can only end expensively.

 

[Pat494]

I don't agree borrowing to trade . I am surprised anyone is silly enough to lend for that. The 25% APR will crush you too. Say it was a mistake and pay it back soonest, especially as you are a beginner.

 

[jeffre4]

good grief this will not have an happy ending

 

[dbphoenix]

1999.

Plus ca change . . .

 

[Erasmus]

1999.

Plus ca change . . .

It was a lot easier in 1999.....

 

[Charlton]

Risk

The first thing you need to learn about is Risk.

 

[Mr Sept]

Trows a a towel at him.

 

[options-george]

Hi Wabu27
Clearly it seems you have shocked most people by informing us that you have borrowed money to use as a your trading capital. I will also join the herd and say that this is not a good idea.

Trading is hard enough as it is, without the added pressure of having borrowed funds.

Please reconsider your decision!

 

[sun11]

wabu27, When you were trading with small fund, you were profitable?
If you were, then may be this could work if you keep yourself stress free.

 

[dbphoenix]

Lemmings are stress free.

Db

 

[Hoggums]

Just going to add to the weight of opinion here. It is absolute madness to borrow money to trade - particularly such a large amount with such high interest rates.

Pay the money back now. Don't be foolish and greedy. Learn how to trade before jumping into the shark infested pit.

You've already started on a losing streak and the more you lose, the more scared & paralysed you are going to trade.

 

[Pat494]

Could be a wind up I suppose. I mean really !

 

[darktone]

This guy borrowed 3k from a credit card to get started.

He did ok..

-------------

Youve been trading since 2010 so im guessing youve an idea how important psychology is to trading well. Its 90% of it, at least, imho.
Get and keep a handle on whats going upstairs for you.

Trade small small small, taking the plays that make you feel uncomfortable. If youre any good youll soon start to feel comfortable in those situations, where everyone else is getting hurt. Thats where the money is.

Trading on borrowed money, not the best. If this is the only avenue for you, close it up if you do your 13k, pay down the loan and reevaluate.

Dont listen to anyone who tells you cant do it.

All the best.

 

[babyjake1961]

The market will get to know you carnally before you know it. Unless you were pondering on defaulting on your loan from the very start. Living in a credit society, that can later cost you.

 

[forker]

Wish you all the best, let us know how you get on.

 

[wabu27]

Day 2:
Beginning of day: $37815.94
End of day: $39109.89
P/L: $1293.95; +3.42%

Woke up late today.. and saw airline stocks up. Was watching airline stocks this week and I couldn't go along for the ride but not disappointed.
Made money on DUST today.
Made money on VSX but a little disappointed because even though I thought it would go up more, it wasn't a strong enough set up for me. If I had more cushion I probably would have left a position in it but since current capital is something I can't afford to lose, I exited early. And it went up. Lost psychologically but I saw the momentum and made gains so w/e.
Very disappointed in how I traded FB. Saw the overexaggerated drops and went in. Rode the second big wave about half of it down but not mad about that, I exited when I wanted to so w/e. Mad about the third big drop because I saw the bottom and went in, but with the last small drop exited my position because I got scared. Already lost all the gains I got from VRX and more, and didn't want to lose more capital. Watched FB shoot up. It was like -2.5% by that time. Thought it would recover a lot more but didn't like the setup and did not have the balls. Can't believe it ended up going positive during the end of the day (did not expect that much of a recovery), but the entry/exits I did on FB was very pathetic. Very disappointed on how I traded.
Frustrated from FB, played with SCTY. Knew it was going to hit positive before the close but sold it at .32 because I had to go into a meeting in 12 minutes. 2 minutes later hits .40. And like 2 minutes later hits positive. Not disappointed with how I traded with SCTY but just wished I was a little more patient.

Overall, i give 3 stars to how i traded today. Would give myself 2 but I made an okay gain today and followed my trading plans most of the time. Also 2nd day back in daytrading so ending it on a positive note relieves a tiny pressure off my shoulders.

 

[wabu27]

Much more replies at this site! Thank you!

(not sure how to quote people) @sun11 - when I traded small, i wasn't profitable but this was my conditions: $5000 capital. Goal of $1000 return a month to pay for rent, phone bills, living expenses, school things, etc. and under PDT restrictions. I would be able to meet that goal like 2-3 months but once I went negative or even short of my goal, it was pretty much downhill from there. However did practice daytrading in virtual accounts and did pretty well,
@darktone Who is the guy in the picture you posted? I love reading about people and would love to google him and read about him.
Yes, I agree to the importance of psychology and I think trading is basically a psychological game. Thanks for your words, its really encouraging (really really truly). I also have a full-time job but hoping to make trading my sole revenue in the future.

 

[darktone]

His name is Bruce Kovner. Can read about him here.

Michael Marcus is another great read.

And Tom Baldwin.

Ditto Marty Schwartz lol

 

[Sonicscooter]

Not keen on the borrowing money part, i just don't borrow fullstop, but i'm with Darktone on this one.

You are easily young enough to recover if it goes tits up.

Good luck........