It's possible to trade profitably on the Forex, the nearly $2 trillion worldwide currency exchange market. But the odds are against you, even more so if you don't prepare and plan your trades. According to a 2014 Bloomberg report, several analyses of retail Forex trading, including one by the National Futures Association (NFA), the industry's regulatory body, concluded that more than two out of three Forex traders lose money.
This suggests that self-education and caution are recommended. Here are some approaches that may improve your odds of taking a profit.
Prepare Before You Begin Trading
Because the Forex market is highly leveraged -- as much as 50 to 1 -- it can have the same appeal as buying a lottery ticket: some small chance of making a killing. This, however, isn't trading; it's gambling, with the odds long against you.
A better way of entering the Forex market is to carefully prepare. Beginning with a practice account is helpful and risk-free. While you're trading in your practice account, read the most frequently recommended Forex trading books, among them
Currency Forecasting: A Guide to Fundamental and Technical Models of Exchange Rate Determination, by Michael R. Rosenberg is short, not too sweet and highly admired introduction to the Forex market.
Forex Strategies: Best Forex Strategies for High Profits and Reduced Risk, by Matthew Maybury is an excellent introduction to Forex trading.
The Little Book of Currency Trading: How to Make Big Profits in the World of Forex, by Kathy Lien is another concise introduction that has stood the test of time.
All three are available on Amazon. Rosenberg's book, unfortunately, is pricey, but it's widely available in public libraries. "Trading in the Zone: Master the Market with Confidence, Discipline and a Winning Attitude," by Mark Douglas is another good book that's available on Amazon, and, again, somewhat pricey, although the Kindle edition is not.
Use the information gained from your reading to plan your trades before plunging in. The more you change your plan, the more you end up in trouble and the less likely that elusive forex profit will end up in your pocket.
Diversify and Limit Your Risks
Two strategies that belong in every trader's arsenal are:
Diversification: Traders who execute many small traders, particularly in different markets where the correlation between markets is low, have a better chance of making a profit. Putting all your money in one big trade is always a bad idea.
Familiarize yourself with ways guaranteeing a profit on an already profitable order, such as a trailing stop, and of limiting losses using stop and limit orders. These strategies and more are covered in the recommended books. Novice traders often make the mistake of concentrating on how to win; it's even more important to understand how to limit your losses.
Be Patient
Forex traders, particularly beginners, are prone to getting nervous if a trade does not go their way immediately, or if the trade goes into a little profit they get itchy to pull the plug and walk away with a small profit that could have been a significant profit with little downside risk using appropriate risk reduction strategies.
In "On Any Given Sunday," Al Pacino reminds us that "football is a game of inches." That's a winning attitude in the Forex market as well. Remember that you are going to win some trades and lose others. Take satisfaction in the accumulation of a few more wins than losses. Over time, that could make you rich!
Savory Sweet Swedish Meatballs
Savory Sweet Swedish Meatballs
Savory Sweet Swedish Meatballs are delicious tender beef meatballs in a hearty rich cream sauce with a hint of sweetness. They are the ultimate comfort meal and absolutely delicious served over Amish egg noodles.
INGREDIENTS
Meatballs
- Olive oil
- 1/2 medium onion finely diced
- 1 lb ground turkey or beef
- 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg
- Pinch of allspice
- Fresh ground pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 2 cups low sodium beef broth
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- Fresh ground pepper and sea salt
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley plus 1-2 tablespoons for sprinkling on top of dish
- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
INSTRUCTIONS
- Combine the onion, ground turkey (or beef), bread crumbs, egg, nutmeg, allspice, a few cranks of your pepper-mill, salt and parsley in a bowl. Mix with your hand or a spoon. Shape in to one inch balls. Spray to coat saucepan with olive oil. Add meatballs and brown on all sides for about 7-10 minutes on medium heat. Remove from heat, cover and keep warm.
- Using the same pan to make the sauce loosen the browned bits from the bottom. Melt the butter over medium low. Whisk the flour into the butter stirring constantly. Add the beef broth slowly to the flour mixture whisking constantly. Once the sauce has thickened add the sour cream whisking it in until it is well combined. Add the parsley, nutmeg and pepper & salt to taste. Return the meatballs to the sauce and simmer for 7-10 minutes. Sprinkle with 1-2 tablespoons fresh parsley.
NOTES
If the sauce becomes to thick just thin it with a couple of tablespoons of beef broth.
