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!
big easy style saucy creole shrimp
big easy style saucy creole shrimp
It's got flavor, sauce, beer, rice and more beer - but only in bread form...which if you are asking me, is really the best form.
INGREDIENTS
- 8 ounces fresh chorizo sliced (may also use ground if needed)
- 1/3 cup flour use gluten free if needed
- 1/3 cup canola oil
- 1 small onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced or grated
- 2 stalks celery chopped
- 1 green bell pepper seeded + chopped
- 1 ounce can stewed tomatoes 14
- 1-2 tablespoons creole seasoning depending on your taste
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 ounce beer 12
- 1 1/2 pounds raw shrimp peeled + deveined
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire omit if gluten free
- 1 tablespoon Louisiana style hot sauce
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon cajun seasoning
- steamed white or brown rice for serving
INSTRUCTIONS
- In a medium size soup pot, brown the chorizo over medium high heat. Remove from the pot and drain on a paper towel lined plate. To the same pot, add the oil and flour, whisking until combined. Cook for 10 minutes or until the roux is lightly golden. Add the onion, garlic, celery, green pepper. Cook for another 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add tomatoes, 1 tablespoon creole seasoning and the smoked paprika, cook another minute. Slowly pour in the beer, add back the chorizo and bring the mixture to a low boil, simmer for 10-15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, heat a skillet over medium high heat. Once hot add the butter. Toss the shrimp with the cajun seasoning and place in the hot skillet. Sear on both side for about 4 minutes per side or until pink and cooked through. Remove from the heat. Now add the shrimp, Worcestershire and hot sauce to the creole mixture. Simmer another 5 minutes.
- Serve the shrimp over a bowl of hot rice with a side of [beer bread |
