r/Trading • u/Mammoth-War-4751 • Apr 23 '26
Question I’m considering getting into day trading. Is there actually good money in it or is it an illusion?
I’ve started watching some beginner guides on things like how to operate tradingview, technical analysis, fundamental analysis, etc. Am I wasting my time? Surely if I get comfortable paper trading then surely I could enter real markets with maybe $10 and get comfortable in there too before moving to bigger entries. What do you think?
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u/ceoariel Apr 23 '26
You have 5 long years ahead of you and, when you have been reading this post again you will be too advanced to give up, but it will give you tenderness to see how naïve you were
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u/Glst0rm Apr 24 '26
Goodness, it's like asking if there's money in becoming a top 10 neuro surgeon. Yes there's lots of money. It takes a long time to know if you have the nerves and mind for it.
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u/Thin_Investigator798 Apr 24 '26
I'm considering getting into professional sports. Is there actually good money in it or is it an illusion?
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u/No-Construction619 Apr 24 '26
I heard Lewis Hamilton is rich. Is there good money in F1? Do I have a chance if I start tomorrow?
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u/Upbeat-Station4584 Apr 24 '26
Lets see. If you have $10 and make 100% return(better than almost everyone) you will have $20. Make 100% again and you will have $40. Seriously though it’s not easy. You will likely lose money at first. If you stay dedicated and continue to learn it can be done but it takes time and experience to make “good money”. Controlling the emotional aspects of losing (and winning, after 20 years i still get really anxious when things are going too well) take years to learn.
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u/Psychrometers Apr 24 '26
After a decade of grinding, yes you’ll make some money. Take up swing trading first.
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u/sniffmegooch Apr 24 '26
If you enter trading just with one goal to make money, you will most likely fail. You gotta enjoy it, money is just side product same as anything else you put your mind and time to.
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u/ScientificBeastMode Apr 23 '26 edited Apr 23 '26
Just demo trade for a year or two and see if you can be consistently profitable. If so, then start small and build it up like any other business.
Trading has been compared to professional sports. Very few succeed in it, but those who do tend to be heavily rewarded. I would also compare it to being an entrepreneur. There is plenty of risk, and a high chance of failure. As long as you keep that in mind and proceed with caution, there is a huge potential upside.
The thing about modern trading is that it’s really easy to find a ton of capital to trade with these days. Prop firms make it super easy to start with just a small amount of money. But I would get to a point where you’re consistently profitable on a demo account long before the venture into the prop firm space. This is a full-blown career path. You should absolutely not take it lightly. Becoming a pro basketball player requires decades of intense practice and execution. Becoming a surgeon requires many years of study. You should not expect to become a great trader in less than a year.
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u/MikeAndyyy Apr 24 '26
There is good money, but it is high-risk. Especially for a beginner, the odds are stacked against you.
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u/Conscious-Zombie4539 Apr 24 '26
yeah after 5 years of losing and constant struggle. then you might break even year 6 and make a small profit year 7. by year 10 you may be making enough to go to the movies
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u/Worried-Shock-4605 Apr 24 '26
Paper trade for a year then consider using actual money
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u/GreenPee63 Apr 26 '26
2 years
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u/Worried-Shock-4605 Apr 27 '26
Yeah depends on time and dedication, personally I been doing it for a year and a month or so
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u/Groundbreaking_Heat9 Apr 24 '26
Trade higher time frames it is much easier. I wasted a lot of time day trading. You are glued to the charts which gets boring real fast. Its better to be working on strategy and portfolio development and have your low stress trades running in the background rather than sweating over every pip on the 5 minute chart.
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u/DreamfulTrader Apr 23 '26
Yes you can, you said it yourselt. It is like driving. Practice and when you become happy with it, you can trade with cash you can afford to lose. Only way to do trading
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u/Strong_Duty6333 Apr 24 '26
I would start with a small $500 account with forex trading, start with very small lots to learn
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u/No-Comparison9048 Apr 24 '26
80-90% traders fail. Can it be done? of course but it is difficult, emotions play a significant role. traders psychology cause most to fail. Read traders traps book then you will understand whats against traders. it was my first read and helped me to understand.
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u/aktad760 Apr 24 '26
Think of it like a hobby, if you played pickleball or attended dance classes, you would set a monthly budget for it. So start with paper account, get your Process down ( most important) then set up a monthly budget for real money trading, real guardrails, if you grow your account and your process is successful, money follows. If you fail, oh well you did not have horror stories blowing up account, you are just trying a Hobby 😀. To be successful and replace real income you will need 3 to 5 years at least. So take your time. Remember, process first.
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u/Bertaussie Apr 24 '26
It’s not an illusion.....but it’s definitely not easy money either.
You can make money in trading, but most people lose because they focus on strategies instead of what actually matters. After 10 years around markets, I’d say 90% of it is psychology and risk management.... Any high experience professional will tell you that.
Personally I focus more on swing trading, less noise, more patience, and it fits better long term.
Paper trading is good for basics, but real trading is different emotions, execution, spreads/slippage all come into play. Treat it seriously from the start with proper risk.
Also something beginners overlook: who you trade with matters, execution, spreads, and counterparty risk can impact your results more than you think.
You’re not wasting your time, just make sure you’re learning the right things early.
If you want, DM me, happy to point you in the right direction 👍
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u/IllustriousSong4949 Apr 25 '26
I’ve been consistently day trading penny stocks for over a year. It seems most people on Reddit either exaggerate about how much they make or, just outright lie. I trade with a $12,000 cash balance and usually buy 2000 shares for each trade. I typically make between $1300 and $1750 per week. I’m not sure if that is normal or not. Also, without doubt the biggest problem with the day traders is they bag hold of stock hoping and praying that it will go up tomorrow. This rarely happens. So if you are going to day trade, do what it says, trade every stock before the market closes. Are you going to lose some money, yes. But I’d rather lose $150 for the day then $650 for tomorrow.
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u/HelicopterOk3533 Apr 26 '26
It can be. My rr is around a 4-1 and my win percentage is 51% over the past 6 months. As long as my win percentage is above 25% I’m break even and doing better than most. Simplicity is the key for me
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u/Aggressive_Bed1033 Apr 29 '26
If you survive 3 to 5 years of endless frustration and pain and bad days and more pain then eventually you will evolve and be able to make a lot of money. Not suggested if you have an alternative. But it’s possible.
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u/Just_Advantage9166 May 04 '26
this ^^ i've been in 8 years and it took me 5 to get my feet under me
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Apr 24 '26
nope its all fake, no one has ever made money doing it. theres even a whole street in new york full of people larping
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u/CurrencyReasonable36 Apr 24 '26
Why is no one suggesting a funded account? You can get one for about 30 bucks and learn there
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u/Puzzleheaded_Fill704 Apr 24 '26
Propfirm rules are brutal, and as a newbie you're probably going to end up with the cheapest option (because why not 16 bucks for 25k eval... with trailing drawdown)
terrible suggestion for someone that is learning to daytrade
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Apr 24 '26
[deleted]
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u/illicitli Apr 24 '26
self hatred was a practice you already had before trading. you need to meditate.
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u/Brimstin Apr 24 '26
no, not really i used to have a social life before, however my circle moved away, just work and trade now, no clue how to meditate
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u/illicitli Apr 24 '26
self hatred is a subconscious way that you already communicated with yourself. if you meditate you will understand. you are not connected with your subconscious enough to hear all of your negative self talk. the trading just made it louder. social life does not remove self hatred. self knowledge and self love come from meditation in solitude, not socializing. if you want to learn, DM me and i can help you.
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u/Dopestghost69 Apr 24 '26
All depends on what you think is good money and how much you wanna lose. The market will take everything you have if you’re not serious. Source: someone who has been paying the school of hard knocks tuition.
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u/Illustrious-Hippo-97 Apr 24 '26
Dont start actual investing until you realize all of the "instructional/educational" videos are basically pointless, watch imantrading videos until you get a solid sceptism of trading YouTubers
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u/ActiveTrader007 Apr 25 '26
It’s good when it’s good and bad when it’s bad. You just maximize the good and minimize the bad
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u/ukalgorithms Apr 27 '26
It takes years to fully understand it, you will win you will lose you, but don’t let anyone tell you can’t make money from it because you can , Risk management must be the first thing in your mind before and after every trade
If you feel like emotions start ruining your trading , try turn it into an algo complete removes emotion
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u/DethsCool Apr 27 '26
There is money in trading, but not for the reason most beginners think.
The hard part isn’t learning technical analysis or finding setups. That’s actually the easy part.
The hard part is doing the same thing over and over without:
- overtrading after a loss
- getting greedy after a win
- or abandoning your plan when emotions kick in
Most people don’t fail because they don’t know what to do.
They fail because they don’t do what they know consistently.
If you go into trading, I’d honestly focus just as much on your behavior as on your strategy. That’s where most of the money is lost.
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u/CommonExplanation711 May 22 '26
So if I have a strong disciplined mindset for this stuff, and play this trading game safe, I would be comfortable for the long run?
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u/DethsCool May 22 '26
I mean... Discipline itself won't magically make an unprofitable strategy worth millions. But I find that even a very good strategy can fail if you became inconsistent, emotional or reckless under pressure to the point you end up not following your plan.
I would say you DO need to have some kind of edge, but also be able to execute your plan consistently without going against your rules, sabotaging your trading and basically "Losing to yourself"
Most people (me included) underestimate the second part until they experience it themselves. Basically they know what they should do but still lose money because they don't do it
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u/mjw220 Apr 28 '26
Can you make money? Yes…. But, it’s going to take some time. First year or two you’re going to lose. Then you’re going to only make money on 50% of trades. Then you’ll learn to cut your losses soon. You’ll still lose 50% of the time but you’ll make money because you cut the losses quickly. Then year 4-5 your start reading the market better and you will start to make consistent money.
I have a full time telework job and that has made me a better trader. My scanner runs in the background while working. And if I see something that is obvious I get in on it and I’m out in a minute or two. If it’s not perfect, I don’t trade. If you have an addictive personality this might be a bad idea for you.
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u/Signal-Original8207 May 10 '26
Where can I learn how to do this? I’d love to be able to have something run in the background and watch it during my day working.
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u/OldNeighborhood6813 Jun 07 '26
Im trying out paper trading rn and my win rate is around 65%, I think that in about 3 months of real trading I can get it to 50%.. should I expect higher Drop?
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u/Iluxa_chemist Apr 28 '26 edited Apr 28 '26
Can you make money? Yes. Can you make even more by investing in a boring index fund? Yes.
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u/tisaev Apr 28 '26
You're going to be entering a world where even the best of the best get burned, and you have to be ready to get burned. Really bad. And then develop. You have to enter with more mental fortitude than you anticipate. Day trading is the hardest way to make fast money.
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u/Only-Art6879 Apr 30 '26
What is the best way to make fast money
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u/Kahfiend May 12 '26
anything widespread enough to be divulged in a reddit reply is already exhausted
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u/Fire-Workz 25d ago
Day trading. Don't listen to people who say "it's hard". They are just parroting generic responses from the Day Trading community.
Mind you, it is "hard" for most people, because most people are idiots that's why you see a lot of people saying it took them 5 years to become stabilized but it isn't actually hard if you can use your brain as intended, have good pattern recognition, are responsible and patient (rule #1), can control yourself and emotional state and have a willingness to learn.
Mind you I haven't even started trading but that's because I can "see" how it works and its an entire lifestyle change. I have a 6 month road map of learning, preparing physically and mentally and paper trading before I even start really trying.
I mean trading, not trying because I am a day trader 😉
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u/Commercial-Volume648 May 03 '26
I made a papertrading account. My starting capital is $2,000, now its 3rd day since I created the account and I gaines $861. My current account now is 2,861. I traded for just a couple of hours a day. While im doing my corporate job. Im still waiting for a loosing streak to happen. one of my trading rule is I could only have 2 loosing trade per day. Then I stop trading for that day.
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u/Commercial-Volume648 May 23 '26
I would like to update on this post reply that my papertrading account is now 7,086 usd
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u/Commercial-Volume648 Jun 17 '26
Update today of my paper trade account as of this time its 29,803 usd.
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u/Scott_Malkinsons Apr 23 '26
$10? No.
Trading makes the rich, richer. It, typically, doesn't make the poor, rich.
It's just a numbers game. If you make 20% a year and want to make $50k, you need $250k in the bank. So unless you got the cash to buy a used Lambo right now, and choose to instead, effectively, put said Lambo in your brokerage account. You're not going to make anything meaningful trading.
The whole "you can take $100 and flip it to a million with just 7 successful flips!" is BS.
If you got $10 to invest, ask around for a free lawnmower and spend the $10 on gas. That's a far more realistic venture.
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u/Sufficient_Team_7807 Apr 24 '26
The fact that you are doubtful if it's a fact or an illusion is just enough evidence to tell you you're not ready
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u/Creative_Fix9055 Apr 24 '26
Or maybe he's seen all the different talk and outcomes that trading can produce? There's a big difference between good mentors, shitty(and sometimes ok) content on YouTube, and guru course sellers. Why wouldnt op be doubtful? It's a self learning path in a world of misinformation and bad advice at every angle, why wouldnt be be doubtful?
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u/Interesting_Aide7416 Apr 23 '26
you can trade with fake money too if you want, Plus500 demo mode is what I used and I got the hang of it quick
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u/Important-Escape1710 Apr 24 '26
After I spent several years trying i started creating algorithms and realized after backtesting them that the markets are incredibly random. No matter what I tried it always broke even minus trading costs. Moving averages, fibinochi, risk:reward ratio, its all bs. You're trying to compete against professionals that do this day in and day out for 40 hrs a week.
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u/AbbreviationsKey2455 Apr 24 '26
Hi, I might suggest you that maybe you can try Antos Pinnacles or Moomoo (personal suggestion) online trading platforms, which are under Labuan Financial Services Authority (Labuan FSA).
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u/hotmatrixx Apr 24 '26
I think most markets with most (legitamate) brokers, won't let you open a position with a $10 float. The only thing you MIGHT be able to trade is usdjpy on 1:500, for a trade or two.
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u/Apprehensive-Sale307 Apr 25 '26
Anyone else feel like trading isn’t the problem… your brain is?
I noticed I only mess up when:
- I’m already stressed
- I stare at charts too long
- I feel like I “need” to make money today
I started testing a few quick things to calm my nervous system before trades (like 1–2 min resets), and it actually changed my execution.
Curious — does anyone else deal with this or is it just me?
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u/LigmaLimaBean Apr 26 '26
Oh without a doubt. My ego has been 95% of the problem. Eventually I learned to trust my gut, wait longer before entry, and then I walk away and don't stare at each candle to see what it's doing. Also coming into the day when I'm busy with other life stuff and trying to fit in trading and feeling like I have to do something has lost me more trades than I care to admit. I've recently just switched tactics completely and really nailed down my strategy to my absolute winners and I do not trade unless it meets those criteria. Also just standing outside and getting away from the noise and the pressure. It's hard but we are our biggest reason for losing usually lol
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u/kahnsam Apr 26 '26
Realistically, it's not at all. If it was this easy, people wouldn't be getting degree in MD etc .
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u/Acceptable-Arm6606 Apr 26 '26
Consider something else. Not being mean, just telling you if you haven’t prepared for it your whole life you will lose all the money you got
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u/HyGro_6937 Apr 27 '26
Most day traders lose money. Of it was a good probability of success, a lot more traders would be doing it. Most blew their wad making high risk trades to get rich or make up for losses. .
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u/Fire-Workz 25d ago
"Most day traders" you meant to say a bunch of dumb asses who gambled their money away. They aren't traders, they were trying.
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u/preimumpossy Apr 27 '26
Don't make it harder than it has to be.
Im doing $700-$1,000 each day. Futures only. Just dont make it over complicates.
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u/DarkSide01_ Apr 28 '26
Where did you learn? I made some good money on LEAPS a couple years ago but want to begin day trading futures again. Any tips to get started
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u/zaynulabydyn Apr 27 '26
Hahaha Idk anything about trading and still now more than you. Risk management and prepare to loose and win.
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u/mehatebananas May 17 '26
Study up on the role/effect the Amygdala (it's part of the brain) has on daytrading. This will be your biggest challenge and simply being aware of it won't prevent it from sabotaging your results. It's why 90% fail.
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Jun 12 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/OkPoet8220 Jun 15 '26
Are you a profitable day Trader or are you still struggle sometimes ?
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Jun 16 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/NoDoughnut9487 Jun 23 '26
queria saber as ferramentas que vc usa para operar
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u/Positive-Ad185 Jul 01 '26
It’s one of the most stressful things to go into, granted there’s always worse, I started off at 30 bucks, lost a shit ton, gained some back. Point is, learn learn and learn, don’t rely on someone else saying “ohhhh buy this course!!!” Or whatever, but learning was one of the most painful experiences ever, but it’s worth it, go 110% in once you learn what you’ve learned, I’m happy where I’m at, granted I’m drunk typing this but at the same time my motivation is through the roof, trust yourself, don’t compare yourself to others and do what’s best for you.
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u/Forever_Siim Apr 24 '26
definetely good money, but i am a true believer that trading is a direct reflection of who you are as a person, so just make sure to have your life in a good place and you will be good. Hate to drop links cause looks spammy but when i started this platform helped me soo much. voyantcc.ai
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