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!
COCONUT CREAM TARTS
Tart. I love that word. Just say it out loud. Tart. Tart. I just hear the word and I need one. Stat. And that’s likely the reason I don’t make them very often, because if I do, I have to eat one. I mean you can’t just let a tart sit there looking all tarty. And if there’s a coconut cream tart…oh man…I don’t stand a chance against a coconut cream tart.
This recipe makes 6 – 3 inch tarts, or 1 -10 inch tart.
INGREDIENTS
The Shortbread Crust:
- 1 1/4 cup flour
- 1/3 cup sugar
- pinch of salt
- 1/2 cup butter (cut into chunks)
- 1 egg yolk
- 6 inch mini 3 tart pans (or 1 large tart pan)
- The Coconut Cream:
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/4 cup cream of coconut
- 1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut
- 1/2 vanilla bean (split)
- 4 large egg yolks
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 pinch of salt
The Topping:
INSTRUCTIONS
The Crust:
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
- In a food processor, process the flour, sugar and salt for about 10 seconds.
- Then add the chunks of butter and process until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs.
- Add the egg yolk and process again until the egg is thoroughly combined.
- If you are making mini tarts (tartlets), separate the mixture into 6 – 3 inch tart pans, and press the dough into the molds, making the sides slightly higher than the centre. Bake for 12-15 minutes, making sure to prick them with a fork several times, as the dough tends to puff up. Watch them carefully, as they go from not done to overcooked very quickly!
- If you are making one large tart, press the mixture into a 10 inch tart pan (making the sides slightly higher than the centre) and bake for about 15-18 minutes. Again make sure to prick the tart with a fork several times while baking, and watch it carefully.
- The Coconut Cream:
- In a saucepan over medium heat, bring the milk, cream of coconut, coconut, and the vanilla bean to a simmer.
- Remove from heat, an let sit for 1 hour.
- In a mixer, beat together the egg yolks, sugar, cornstarch, and salt.
- Beat together until thick and pale yellow.
- After the milk mixture has sat for the 1 hour, reheat it until it is hot again.
- Once the milk mixture is hot, slowly pour it into the mixer, while the mixer is going at medium speed.
- Once the cream is mixed thoroughly, transfer it to a saucepan and cook it over medium heat, whisking constantly, until boiling, and the mixture thickens.
- You can strain the cream through a sieve to remove the shredded coconut, but I like to leave it in the cream. It’s delicious!
- Let the coconut cream cool completely before adding it to your tarts.
- Make sure to stir the cream well before using.
- Putting the Tarts Together:
- Once the tarts and coconut cream have cooled completely, fill the centre of the tarts with a scoop of the cream.
- Top with whipping cream.
NOTES
If you want your tarts to look extra special, you can sprinkle on some toasted coconut after you have assembled them. To do that, spread about 1/4 cup of sweet shredded coconut onto a baking sheet, and put it in a 350 degree oven for about 2-3 minutes. Just watch the coconut closely, as it turns brown very quickly. (Note: do not put your tarts in the oven, you are just toasting the coconut to put on top.)
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