I never said you were dumb, Skalpz. Just clueless. There's a distinct difference.
Some of the things I do,or do not do, in my trading:
1. Always use stops. Stops are there to prevent massive market movements from taking the rug out from under you. Not using them is insane, and gambling with your account balance.
2. Never adjust your stops once you've set them, unless it is to lock in profit. When the price looks like it's going to hit your stop loss, it's emotionally tempting to remove it or move it. No one wants to take a loss. But stops exist for a reason.
3. I place my stops at lines of considerable resistance (actually a few pips beyond them). These would be MA lines, fibos, etc. Or, if I know of a particularly large option protection in the neighborhood.
4. I never average up or down UNLESS there is a significant rejection off of a resistance line in my favor. And even then, I only do it with a tight stop. Regardless, I this rarely occurs - all the stars must be aligned for me to consider doing it.
5. I never use more than 60% of my account in my trades, and no one trade is ever more than 10%. I've been thinking of tweaking that to 7%, but we'll see.
6. I never long and short the same pair for reasons discussed with you ad nauseum.
7. I do not trade the news.
8. My trades are short term technical, long term fundamental.
9. If I do not believe in the fundamental move of a trend, I do not trade that pair until I do.
10. I always listen to those with opposing viewpoints on trade direction if they have something to offer, and I dismiss the viewpoints of those who never state why they believe what they do, outside of "I just believe it".
Those are the 10 rules of my trading. Anyone here is welcome to discuss or offer improvement suggestions. Even you, Skalpz. I do not consider myself a forex god, or even an expert. I am constantly learning.
But I will say one thing about myself. I've been trading for three years now, and other than a total of 4 months, I've paid my mortgage with my monthly trades each month, as well as bought nice things for myself and my wife throughout my trading time. Last year (2005), I made more than I did at my corporate job. I think I do ok for myself.
This is probably the first and last time I will volunteer so much info about myself.