I have a rule
if it's over 8 pages, don't post until you've read all the posts (if it's under 8 pages you should have already done that (although most do not.))
first thing is, there are some egregious errors posted here on the cost of trading forex with IB.
Secondly, what is your preoccupation with being flat at 17:00? In ES it makes sense to get flat before overnight kicks in, but not as far as I know in forex. Accrued interest is a bitch, but not really a concern enough to adjust a position on.
Thirdly, all I trade is my account balance. I have huge unrealized profits and losses and they mean nothing to me until I get flat, and then the measure of success is the new account balance.
fourthly, journals are a waste of time, but I had nothing better to do on the Fourth of July than waste somebody elses time
currency trading has been profitable for me with a small account at IB, but I doubt if it would be if I limited it for some unknown reason to "Daytrading" like a common ES trader. The moves usually occur in a matter of minutes, but they can be during the day or late at night.
Like the man said, "Isn't that the funniest thing you ever saw? (I guess you had to be there.)"