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!
Healthy Oat and Date Slice - Thermomix Method
Healthy Oat and Date Slice - Thermomix Method
This Healthy Oat and Date Slice is so quick and easy to prepare! Filled with oats, chia seeds and dates... it's the perfect clean eating treat!
Course: Slices
Cuisine: Healthy Recipes
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 10 serves
Author: Bake Play Smile
Ingredients
- 300 g pitted dates
- 500 g water
- 1 1/2 tsp bi-carb soda
- 2 tbs honey
- 180 g quick (or rolled) oats
- 2 tbs chia seeds optional
- 2 tbs LSA (ground linseed, sunflower seed and almonds) optional
- 50 g dark chocolate, to drizzle
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180 degrees (or 160 degrees fan forced).
- Grease and line a 18 X 28cm rectangular slice tin and set aside.
- Place the dates into the Thermomix bowl and chop on Speed 10, 20 seconds. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and repeat.
- Add the water and cook on Reverse, Speed 3, 6 minutes, 90 degrees.
- Add the bi-carb soda and mix on Reverse Speed 2, 2 seconds.
- Add the honey, oats, chia seeds and LSA and mix on Reverse, Speed 4 until combined (us the spatula to assist).
- If the slice is a little too dry or wet, simply add more oats or water.
- Press the mixture firmly into the slice tin.
- Bake for approximately 30 minutes or until slightly golden and firm to the touch.
- Allow to cool in the tray.
- Drizzle over the dark chocolate.
Notes
This slice is not overly sweet. It will stay soft as it has a similar texture to a dense banana bread.
