Saturday, December 27, 2008

TRADING RULES

Some of the rules were quite pertinent to stock trading, with the substitution of an occasional word. In honor of Sir Seeker, I offer some Rules of Trading:
1- Every takeoff (buy) is optional. Every landing (sell) is mandatory.
2- Flying (trading) isn't dangerous. Crashing is what's dangerous.
3- It's always better to be on the sidelines wishing you had bought the stock that is up there, rather than down there wishing you hadn't bought that stock.
4- A good landing (sell) is one from which you can walk away. A "great" landing (sell) is one after which you can use the plane (money) again.
5-Learn from the mistakes of others. You won't live long enough to make them all yourself.
6- Good judgment comes from experience. Unfortunately, experience usually comes from bad judgment.
7- Keep looking around. There's always something you've missed. (earnings report about to be released? Ex-dividend?)
8- Never let an aircraft (stock) take you somewhere your brain didn't get to five minutes earlier. (Refer to Rule 1: do you know where/why you are going to sell?)
9- There are 3 simple rules for making a smooth landing (good exit). Unfortunately, no one knows what they are.
10- You start with a bag full of luck (money) and an empty bag of experience. The trick is to fill the bag of experience before you empty the bag of luck (money)

Sunday, December 7, 2008