BDCBDG,
First of all if you really want to be a trader, never give up. It will be a bumpy road, but it can be done.
The info below will save you some time since I spent a lot of time researching and trading to get it.
If you can get into MBF, that would be fantastic for you. Mark is one of the best traders and has close to 75 traders, most of whom are very successful. I rigorously studied his ACD system and read his book cover to cover at least 10 times. I highly recommend you getting his book.
I am in somewhat similar shoes as you. I really want to be a trader, but can not do it full time until I earn grub stake and prove to myself that I am good enough to survive in this business. I have a 9-5 job, and trade during night (3am-7am EST) European morning session. I started in forex, but then switched to futures when I realized what forex market makers truly are. If you do not get anything else from my post, START WITH FUTURES, nothing else. There are 2 great equity contracts to trade on Eurex exchange DAX and DJ Euro Stoxx futures. My schedule sucks, I go to bed at 9pm and wake up at 2:30am. If you want it bad enough you will do anything in your power to accomplish your goal.
The system that I use is called Woodie CCI. It has over 16 years of track record, free and there is a large community of traders using it every day on various instruments. It is perfect for short term day trading, but it can also be used on larger time frames as well. Go to
www.trading-naked.com ,click on library and download CCI document by Jeff Gannon. Then go to Woodie's site
www.woodiescciclub.com and start learning and trading.
Bets of luck,
redduke