Quote from amazingIndustry:
Get it all, but above all, hurry up and start trading, because we need more people like you in the market place, the fishing grounds are getting harder and harder to harvest, a very warm welcome to you with a sweaty palm hand shake. Seriously dude, why you wanna piss your money away, I can assure you that you will lose money, at least in this stage. Turn off your broker interface and start learning the ropes in books and read, read, read. It sounds you are asking to be separated from your money. If its not hard earned then you are quite welcome to surrender it, if you worked hard for it, then do not be stupid and do your homework first, which you sound you have not done at all. This is the soundest advice you will get on this forum, believe me!!!
+1
agree with amazingIndustry
I responded to your earlier posts regarding platforms, datafeed etc... and gave some suggestions, however, that was with the assumption you already developed a trading plan with proven strategies. Which includes the markets and instruments you intend on trading
At this stage, you should keep your costs down, and by all means preserve your capital until you are ready.
There is no shame in learning, what is shameful is trading your capital away prematurely.
Equities, futures, forex, options... may be a bit too ambitious to start with. Focus on one Asset class/instrument and add slowly as you master each...
Avoid Faster timeframes, 5 minutes is just too noisy, focus on the Daily/weekly, then you can move down to 60 min, 15 min, etc...
Considering your available capital you may consider Forex or Futures to avoid the PDT.
IF you choose forex, don't make the mistake of so many by over leveraging, or trying to scalp it. Start with one pair, i.e. EUR.USD, learn its characteristics, how it reacts to Support and Resistance, appropriate risk mgmt [stops].
If you choose futures, you may consider NQ in lieu of ES, due to lower margin, and ability to use multiple contracts.
It is infinitely easier to manage multiple contracts over uni-car [single contract]. It provides options in MM, averaging up, scaling out, Risk mgmt, etc... which you must determine for yourself in the sim stage
Select the minimum datafeed from IB necessary, learn TWS before you embark/rely entirely on a front end...
{$10} The US Securities and Commodities Bundle Non-professional Level 1 includes market data for stock, options, and futures products on: AMEX, CBOT, NYSE, NASDAQ and OPRA.
{free} IB FOREX (IDEAL PRO) (explain) FOREX Free IB Forex
I highly recommend BT [and sim is free for as long as you need in demo mode]
however, it is imperative that you fully understand how to configure and manage your trades in IB/TWS first. If ever you need to close a position for whatever reason, you need to be able to do so without hesitation in TWS as your last defense, NEVER completely rely on your front end.
Once you develop a strategy with positive expectancy, determine your risk/money mgmt techniges, etc... then, and only then trade cash, but what I refer to sim/cash. A sufficient amount to activate the psyche hurdles you will need to overcome prior to risking your Capital.
Avoid indicators, blogs, newsletters, "training programs", how to get rich in trading books, etc... you will far ahead of the crowd.
No book will teach you how to trade, that only comes with experience... at best these type of books will make you familiar with patterns and terminology, but not how to trade them... avoid all books which profess they will...
For all aspiring traders, the books on psychology are must reads... [Douglas, Livermore, Graham, Elder]
Study Investopedia, it is an excellent resource for information. Just keep drilling down links.
Here is a previous thread which contains a suggested reading list
http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&postid=3552903#post3552903
Study well, Trade smart