1, it will take at least two years to start to divine what the market is, and that is that it is people and decisions.
2. Simple systems work, but you have to keep at it, and learn where those systems work. A simple moving average crossover will work, but it will not work everywhere. It will take two years for you to divine where it works, and where you can execute at it.
3. The cost is time, there is no system, there is no automated framework, there is no structure that can be given to you and it works automatically. If you want to be free and you want to achieve what being able to trade will allow you to achieve. Its going to cost you time. And time is the most important thing in our existence. Minimum two years, sitting in front of the chart and learning. Its becoming literate in a different language.
4. Dont do funded programs! There are no emotions. Everyone in a funded program is fodder that will be burnt. Youre not using really emotions, and whenever you get out into the real wilderness, whats going to kill you is your emotions. You can simply trade micros. These are $1 per contract, and youre spending real money. Youre in the real market and youre learning. Again minimum two years.
5. When you start to make progress, no one needs to tell you. Trading is a singularly independent solitary endeavor. When you start to get better. Youll notice it yourself. Youll be able to see movements. Youll be able to see patterns. System isnt going to tell you that youre good. Only you will know.