Well for me, it was pretty much a baptism of fire.
Never traded before in my life and around May of 2016 ended up with some funds that I though I could put to good use. Was looking at ETFs for a while at the beginning of the year in anticipation of said funds. Thought of putting it into OOO, (Oil ETF). Somehow found Hotcopper and ended up down the rabbit hole.
If it wasn't for some early guidance I would have been eaten by the hookah smoking Cat for sure. So must thank @TheArchitect for taking time out personally to email me on any questions I had. Also there are others in the STT. Too many to mention in fact but I feel blessed that I some how stumbled upon this little nook that we have in what seems a battle zone at times. It's kind of like a safe zone where you can patch wounds and restock ammo and discuss tactics and view unchartered maps and so forth. Fallout 4 Vault for the gamers who'll get it.
Thankfully I've managed, in the short time I have started to trade, to not just take the losses on the chin but to totally divorce myself of emotion when trades are still live. This is based on the learnings from the STT Knowledge Libraries. The only outburst I have had in the time I've been trading is MOX doing a backflip a few weeks ago.
This is... not really a skill I suppose but more of a necessity if we choose to follow the path which we all seem to be on in here. Though some journeys will differ no doubt, the goal is common. Though the blood may boil and tensions run high occasionally, Strength in numbers and knowledge rules "in here".
I could keep going on but I know you want to know. In May I started trading. By August I had 30% gain but then Brexit hit. I decided not to sell but buy more. By September I had 50% up. Sold a few bought a few. Then Trumpit! Followed same strategy with Brexit. By end of year was 75% in green. Rebalanced a few for profit. Sold a few dogs for tax time.
By beginning of year things went down hill on remaining portfolio. Then my accountant says dont worry because since you've been living OS you wont need to pay any tax on your profits. Woohoo. BUT!!! and this is a big one. "You wont be able to claim losses and now that you have moved back to Australia, the shares are valued at the date that you moved back. "Fuclk!!"
Suffice to say I've done some calcs and I haven't lost money but I've haven't made very much either. I'm calling that a win for my first try because my profit is the training I've had in the last 13 Months for some of the best people out there doing it.
If it wasn't for you guys.. and the effort that you put in and the love that you give to... basically green little shit$ like me, I would have been nothing but a smashed avocado on toast for the market this year.
Thank you. Every single one of you and even the ones I didn't mention. You know who you are.
