I prefer to either watch 5 minute charts or Daily charts. In short term trading I look to see if price is at support or resistance. I usually look for trend lines to find S/R. I enter at any time in which price is at a S/R level. I exit with a close past entry bar or previous dip for my initial stop, a close past the most recent dip is my trailing stop. Keeping losses small but allowing for a few big gains is what it is all about. Trading big moves are my favorite but in trades that may last a few years technical go out the door. I diversify by holding different trades, not by holding different things for any one trade. My methods for big trades is about fortitude and remembering reality.
S&P 500 futures was my favorite instrument to watch for a long time but I would trade anything.
I have a finance degree and am pursuing a business career, but as soon as I can comfortably save up the many thousands I need, I will start trading with real money. I have been studying, practicing, watching and waiting to trade since I began my senior year in college, 2007. I will go heavy into trading my own money after I navigate through some life events such as paying off debt, earning a master's degree, getting a house. I used to feel bad for delaying things but now that I understand how I can trade, I would rather do it when I have plenty of money to work with. Monitoring my 401k should be enough action for now.
The Hulk is my favorite superhero, and second would be the Transformers. I love all mammals because no matter how big they are, they still act like big babies when you scratch and cuddle them. I love dry red wine, italian cheeses (formaggio d'talia) and spicy italian sausage or mexican chorizo. I love Texas style slow cooked brisket and ribs. I love fried chicken, vietnamese spring rolls and chinese fried rice. I love german seasoned pecans and chocolate covered nuts. I love deserts such as american ice cream, american cheesecake, italian cream cake, mexican tres leches cake and mexican flan. I love my wife because she makes everything better.
In the end, I would retire early to hand out on different tropical beaches. There are many things I would dabble in, especially if it involves animals.