There can't be many traders who haven't at least considered the idea of telling the boss what they think of him, throwing it all in and going off to trade the stock market for a living. It's a big risk financially, and that uncertainty is what stops most from jumping ship. Is it really possible to trade for a living? The Dream

I have been trading for several decadesand was an exchange member and floor trader for 17years. You learn fast there or you go broke in ahurry. As you can see I managed to hold my ownfor a few years until I found the secret andstarted to become a successful trader. Everyprofessional trader I know knows the one greatsecret and that is to keep your losses small.

Time to look back 2004 is over, now we are in 2005. This is time to seriously look at performance of your personal investment, such as mutual fund, or individual stocks holdings, etc. Does your fund beat index last year? Does it beat index over past many years? How are you doing with your own stock investment comparing to SP&500 index? If the answer is "great", well congratulations. You have your own way of beating market and making big money already.

For years investors have been taught to lookinto the composition of a mutual funds. In otherwords the "experts" want you to take the time toanalyze the stocks within the mutual fundportfolio, categorize them by industry group andtry to understand the objective of the fundmanager. This is nonsense.

If you are a baby boomer, time is not on your side. Many baby boomers see retirement age fast approaching with little to nothing in the way of retirement assets that will allow them to actually retire and live a comfortable lifestyle. With the benefit of time in short supply, substantial investment performance in a shorter than normal time frame becomes strikingly important. Mutual Fund Advice

How often have you come across an advertisement or e-mail proclaiming to "teach" you the stock trading secrets that Wall Street Insiders don't want you to know? Usually included in the descriptions of these trading products are claims such as "Make 10K monthly in minutes per day", or "Learn the secrets of Professional Stock Brokers", etc. etc. So what are these "secrets" that they are SELLING?

Maximizing a stock market investment There are several factors an investor in the stock market should consider for a maximum return on an investment: 1. All stock purchases should be commission-free. 2. All stocks purchased should be from a company that has a history of raising their dividends every year.

Everyone who follows the financial news has heard of mutual funds and knows the stock market has generally risen (with various ups-and-downs) for over 200 years. In fact, by most measures, the stock market has made more money for more people, and done it more reliably, than any other investment over the past 100 years! If you want to accumulate substantial wealth, you must include stocks in your investments!

Three little pigs went to the market to stockup for the future. The first little pig liked chips so he went tothe DOW market. He was told by everyone youcould always rely on their products. They werealways good. The manager told him you could putthem away and forget about them.

When you invest in the stock market for ever-increasing cash dividend income, verses trying to make a buck in the stock market, your mindset will change. There will no longer be a fear of losing money in the stock market. With the right type of investment plan and investment choices all worries of losing money in the stock market will disappear.