Trading Mindset - Live vs. Demo

By Doug West

Of the nearly 1000 people we have taught how to trade the mini-Dow or S&P emini index, nearly all were able to successfully trade our simple index strategy on their demo accounts (we only know of 2 exceptions that reportedly could not even get consistent on the demo. One man claimed that every single trade he made was a loss. In my mind that would be as hard to do as to make profit on every trade). Yet, some have a problem going from demo to live trading!

If your day trading strategy is consistently successful on your demo account, then what is the difference when you go live? Mindset! It all boils down to that in your trading (in my opinion this is true of life in general, but you see the results immediately in trading - especially day trading).

I really hate to call what we do as index traders, day trading. That is only because of the negative connotation the term brings to mind. Stock trading is what most people think of when they hear the term day trading. Regardless of what type of trader you are, you will have to come to terms with the fact that each trade depends on YOU. What frame of mind you are in at the time you place those trades will have a HUGE impact on how many of those trades are successful.

Most traders think that it all boils down to the technical and/or fundamental analysis of the markets. This is where they spend all their time and money, but they never get around to working on the mindset. They feel the real key is in becoming a great market analyst. However, the world is FULL of good market analyst (just watch CNBC or Bloomberg for examples) who are not able to trade. They too didn't have the right mindset and had to take jobs instead.

So what is the right mindset for a trader (or day trader)? That would take volumes of articles to answer. A good start is to read Mark Douglas' book "Trading In The Zone". Don't end your mindset training there, but it is a good start.

Another good exercise is to keep a traders diary. Write down what you were thinking and how you were feeling as you made your trade. Do this immediately after the trade so that you can be as accurate as possible. Do this on winning trades and on unsuccessful ones too. You should notice that on your winning trades everything felt easy and sure. Once you notice the difference, don't enter trades unless your mind is in the correct frame!

It's amazing how the human mind is able to pick up on the overall mood of the market. Douglas calls this being "In The Zone". We have always referred to it as getting a "Market Feel". Some traders have felt that it was impossible, while others gain that market feel advantage rather quickly. The difference is always in the mindset of the person. Some people are naturally much more in tune with their emotions, and they don't let them effect their mind while trading.

Many traders get hung up in all the technical tools that are available today. They reason that if they can just add the right tools, they will become successful traders. After working with hundreds of traders over the years, I can tell you for certain that you will NEVER be successful unless you have the right mindset.

About the Author:

Mini-Dow Index Trading Made Simple. Discover how to build your trading income. Get Doug's Debt-Free Report. Read his blog here.

Pros and Cons to Negotiate Debt Settlement

By Dillon Azungen

Are you drowning in debt and considering debt negotiation? Debt negotiation has a bad connotation but does it affect your credit that badly? There are pros and cons to debt negotiation and there are alternatives. Here are some things to consider which will help you decide if debt negotiation is right for you.

First, you need to educate yourself on debt negotiation since there is a lot of misinformation out there. Debt negotiation is also known as debt arbitration or debt settlement. A third party negotiates with creditors and lenders on a payment plan and decreased interest. The creditors will put further credit to you on hold so you won't be able to use your credit cards until after your debt is repaid. After that, it is up to the creditor to decide if you should regain credit approval and if so, how high of a limit.

Lenders will usually only lower your rates and give you a break on fees if there is a reason. If they can be shown you're personal finances are not in a position to make the agreed upon payments then they will usually negotiate. They would prefer to negotiate rather than turn your account over to a collection agency.

Some people think that your credit report is unaffected by debt negotiation. This is not the case however. Your negotiation is reported and shows as such on a report. This is why debt negotiation should be used only if you can't otherwise pay off your bills. If you're finding yourself paying your lenders late and incurring fees then this will hurt your credit rating more than negotiation. And if you end up declaring bankruptcy then this can be even worse.

Before debt negotiation you should first find help with your budgeting and learn about other options by seeking a credit counseling service. A credit counselor can give you the information you need to help reduce your payments and get your finances back on track. They will tell you what will affect your credit rating, what will not and recommend what steps you should take. They can also help you with credit consolidation.

To find a credit counseling service search the internet or the yellow pages. Be careful since there are some that are not as helpful or legitimate as others. There are some that are supported by the government which are legitimate and should be researched first. A legitimate service will usually have a free consultation face-to-face and will be upfront about their services and fees. Don't sign anything until you are comfortable with their terms.

Don't think that since debt negotiation will tarnish your credit report that you should give up and let your account go to collection agencies. Ignoring the problem will make things much worse.

About the Author:

Dillon Azungen continually publishes detailed articles on information much like how to negotiate a settlement with creditors. On his site one might discover his publications on how to negotiate a settlement amongst creditors and how to negotiate debt settlement yourself.

Different Rewards For Rewards Credit Cards

By Gray Rollins

Because of the many benefits and privileges offered by using the credit cards, it has now become indispensable in the economic growth of the business commerce. Almost all banks are now promoting the use of different kinds of credit cards in our daily necessities but the major concern is which credit card one should choose. If you want to get the most out of your credit card, choose the rewards credit card. It has a lot of benefits and ways to get back your money in the form of rewards.

When you look for a rewards credit card, you should learn important details about the credit card such as the charges and fees, interest rates, hidden charges after redeeming the rewards, and many more. Also, make sure that the rewards offered are beneficial to you. There are some rewards that may not be applicable in your lifestyle and profession. Make sure also that the rewards are true as promoted and advertised because some banks are just using this kind of promotion to draw more clients.

If you love to travel then the rewards cards that offer kickbacks for traveling will be your best choice. These types work by taking a portion of what you spend and coverts it to miles that can be redeemed at certain airlines for travel vouchers. You can track your earnings and calculate how many miles you need to earn to take a special trip.

You can really rack up the miles if you use your card to pay your bills each month, then pay the credit card bill off each month. You will still be spending the same amount you are just using the card to pay the bills and then use the cash to pay the credit card. By paying off the card each month, you avoid the finance charges and it is a win-win situation.

Some rewards credit cards on the other hand, offer rewards in the form of gas cards. Some gas stations are affiliated with the credit card wherein you can use your rewards as payment for the gasoline and save on the increasing prices of gas.

Most people would like to avail the rewards credit card that offer cash back bonus in every purchase made. This way the cardholder could get back the money they spent in purchasing. Some credit cards return in cash a percentage on all the purchases made, while some give a percentage cash back bonus on purchases such as 8% cash back for purchases over $200.00.

For people who rate rewards credit cards, the American Express Preferred Rewards Gold Card is always on top because of its great rewards and benefits. It offers a wide range of choices for the reward conversion. And because it is accepted worldwide, the reward and the account update can be accessible anywhere. Aside from worldwide acceptance, it also offer rewards for travel, entertainment, events, shopping, and many more.

You can use your rewards credit cards in many ways and you can also enjoy the rewards as well as you use your card in your purchases. Just make sure that you pay the amount due on or before the due date to avoid interest charges.

About the Author:

If you want to get the very best rewards credit card, then there is no better card than American Express Rewards. Visit us and we'll expedite your application and get you a decision in less than 60 seconds!

Free Credit Repair Service - It Does Exist And Where?

By William Blake

Free credit repair services defy the notion that nothing in life is free. It is possible to find credit repair service that offer their services free of charge. There are not many of them and to work for you they require that you meet certain guidelines that they have established. To locate a free credit repair service is not an easy task. It will take some searching, but they do exist.

Sometimes if you luck out, you may come across someone that is just learning how to start a credit repair service and they are able to help you at no cost. This type of free credit repair service helps not only the customer but also the person trying to get their feet wet in the business.

Of course a person like this is not easy to come by. But it doesn't hurt to talk to others who may know of someone starting up their own business. This is a situation that you will have to search for but it may prove to be worth your effort. It could be a great savings for you.

Another Option

If you have a business or service that you can provide maybe you can barter for the services of a credit repair company. Put an ad in the newspaper or advertise on line to see if anyone would be willing to provide credit repair service in exchange for your services.

If you have a skill or a talent you may be able to use that to your advantage. Offer to give lessons and teach your skill in exchange for help repairing your credit. You may be surprised at the positive results that come from a little creative thinking.

A great place to start is with close friends and relatives. If someone in your family has previously or is currently working for a company that offers the service of credit repair they may have learned a few things on the job that will enable them to be of help to you. Ask them if they would be willing to give it a try. You may be able to really benefit from their experience and knowledge.

If there is no one who has a job related to credit repair maybe there is someone who has needed such a service in the past. Through their personal experience they may have acquired sufficient knowledge to be able to work with you to repair your credit. They can teach you what they know and down the road you may have the opportunity to do the same for another person who finds himself in a similar situation.

About the Author:

Are you tired of barely keeping up with your credit card debt? Get some simple credit card tips on the Debtopedia website. Get a free copy of my report "Secrets Of Credit Card Debt" at http://www.debtopedia.com

What To Consider Before Consolidating Your Debt

By Glen Stroude

There are many advantages to consolidating debt. But before considering it as an option, one must first understand what it is and how it works. If the method fits your requirements, it should be taken up as a way to manage your finances.

Debt consolidation works by pooling all your debt into a single amount. This amount is taken on by a single creditor, normally a credit counseling firm, who will liaise with the creditors of your various loans. You will then pay off the firm through periodic payments.

On the surface, there are no significant differences, but consider the advantages that debt consolidation may provide.

Firstly, you only need to make a single payment off your total debt each month. This is easier to manage for most people, as different payments each month can be extremely stressful. Late payments and undesired phone calls from creditors chasing their debt could be a thing of the past.

There is also an attractive proposition offered by credit counseling firms. They often provide lower interest rates for customers willing to consolidate their debt through them. If your own research shows that these rates will lower your overall debt, the method should be given due consideration.

With the lower interest rate comes periodic payments which could be significantly lower. This could result in a lengthier process of clearing one's debt, but it also provides extra money each month that can provide for other needs, such as bills and necessities.

When your debt is consolidated, your exposure to debt is considerably reduced. Financially, it is also a better managed situation. Your credit ratings will experience a positive impact as a result. And this can only be good in the eyes of financial institutions that might be in place to offer you future loans, if required.

If your finances need some housecleaning as a result of a worsening debt situation, consolidating it could offer advantages that can improve the situation. It will assist in managing your finances, and provide some order and discipline to repaying your loans. With the worsening global economic conditions, that is something that cannot be ignored.

About the Author:

Glen Stroude discusses the need to manage and learn how to consolidate debt. His site provides a resource for those who need free debt consolidation services.

Debts - Which To Pay Off First

By Ian Pelham

Prioritizing Debt

Chances are, if you're in trouble with debts you are finding it hard keeping on top of the payments for all your debts. Only some expenses can be reduced and your income can be stretched only so far.

In this situation you have no option but to delay, or not pay some of your monthly debt repayments as become due. There are hard choices to make about which bills you should pay first. This is especially difficult when you risk things such as your home, utilities, car and even your personal possessions.

Following the rules in this chapter may make the difference between keeping or losing important property.

Do Not Take On More Debt To Pay Off Old Debt.

A short-term fix can lead to long-term problems.

Instead of delaying or eliminating certain debt repayments, you may be tempted to take on more debt to repay old debts. This is generally a bad idea. When you should and should not refinance, consolidate or take out new loans is discussed in a later article.

Your main strategy in dealing with too much debt is deciding which debts to pay first, which you can refuse to pay, and which you can put off until later.

It is easy to be intimidated by the creditor who screams the loudest for their money but they are not necessarily the most important creditor to pay. Many times creditors who scream the most for their money do so because they have no other way to get their money.

More worrying are those creditors who make some noise but then very quickly take action to recover their money in the form of legal action to take away your home, car, gas, electricity, etc.

Pay off creditors who can take the quickest action to hurt you, not those who yell the loudest and call the most often.

The money you do have should be used for the most important things for your family such as food, clothing, a roof over their heads and utilities.

It would be great if there was a recommended 'list' dictating the order in which your debts should be paid, but unfortunately there isn't. Your situation will be different to someone else's. The guidelines in this article should be used as reference points only as you make your decisions.

Debts with collateral are top priorities.

There is one particularly important concept you should keep in mind while you are deciding which debts to pay first and which you may need to let go. This is the concept of "collateral."

Collateral is physical property that a creditor has the right to seize should you default on your payments to them. Usually collateral takes the form of your home (mortgage) and your car when you take out a car loan.

A creditor may also have collateral in your household goods, business property, bank account, or even wages. Collateral can take many forms. When a creditor has taken collateral for your loan, it has a "lien" on your property.

Determine which of your debts are 'secured' and which are 'unsecured'.

In nearly every case you should pay secured debts first. 'Secured creditors' are creditors who have collateral. They know that if you don't pay them back they can take the collateral from you and auction it off to try and recover their money.

Creditors without collateral are often referred to as "unsecured." It is usually hard for unsecured creditors to collect what they are owed unless you pay voluntarily.

The notion that 'secured debts' are the ones most vital to pay is a fairly simple one. The problem arises when you have a constant stream of debt collectors harassing you to pay unsecured debt, often distracting you from keeping the 'secured debt first' rule in mind.

It is extremely important to remember this concept as you make decisions about your financial future.

About the Author:

Ian is someone who has come through a very difficult time financially. He used credit debt consolidation to ease his situation markedly. Without good debt consolidation advice he would have certainly gone bankrupt.

My Mortgage is Upside Down! What Are My Choices?

By John Stanley

Some of us late on our mortgages, some not. Either way, many of us are stuck in mortgages we hate. Many Americans were lured by the attraction of refinancing into low low teaser rates in the ever appreciating market of yesteryear. We were told that when the time came for the payments to go up, we'de simply refinance again and PRESTO! We be in the money again! Well now the banks are in trouble, and nobody is lending money. Our predatory loans are coming back to haunt us, putting incredible strains on our marriages and bank accounts. What are our choices? Who can we trust?

I feel like I'm on a big hamster exercise wheel, running to try to keep up, but not going anywhere. The way I figure it, it will take me a decade of juggling payments just to break even with my original home value when I took out the loan! I need help, and I need it now. So whether they negotiate a deal with me, or I have to walk away from the loans, I need to know all of the options and the possible ramifications of my actions. Sometimes I think they'd be more willing to deal, if I just go ahead and miss a payment!

For me, "the straw that broke the camel's back" was when the home value finally plummeted a $100000 loss from the when I had taken out the loan. If figured that if the market were to suddenly recover tomorrow (yeah right), and the appreciation was at a healthy 8% a year, it would take me 10 years just to break even! In other words, it would take me a decade just to get back to the original appraised value when I took out the loan. It just doesn't make sense to beat myself up for another 10 years, and my dreams of retiring early, are definitely out the door. So what's the best move?

That was the dilemma. My mortgage was upside down, and I was stuck in the loan. Perhaps you are in the same position, and owe way more on your house than its currently worth. I sought out and talked to several real estate attorneys, CPAs and realtors for some professional opinions and to get a handle on my options. Here is what they told me, and I hope this information can help you analyze your personal situation.

1. Keep juggling the payments and keep the faith! This option is really subject to your income and monthly expenses. The question for me was if I was willing to hack it for 10 years. Who knows though . . . . it may take longer depending on when the market actually begins to recover. In reality, it will probably take MUCH longer. You know what they say, "You can't time the market!"

2. Loan Modification is another option. This is a fairly painless process where you contact your bank and they send you a hardship package. This is a big stack of forms where you try to look as poor as possible, documenting your income and expenses. You simply send the package in and wait . . . . . and wait. . . . . .and wait. Finally they'll give you a reply with a possibly lowered interest rate and terms.

3. Short Sale: This is sort of a pre-foreclosure sale. Your late on a few payments, and the bank takes a serious look at you and threatens foreclosure. You find a realtor to represent you and present the hardship package. The realtor prices the home at a substantial discount and finds a buyer. They present the offer to the bank, and the bank usually accepts the deal, which is a positive situation for all. The bank is always interested in short sale instead of foreclosure as it saves them 10s of thousands of dollars in hassle and legal fees, and allow both parties to move on to new business. You should remember that there are still negative ramifications for short sales, even if less damaging than those associated with foreclosures and/or bankruptcy. However, short sales do carry less negative effects than foreclosures. Short sale sellers are widely seen as more credit worthy than foreclosed sellers. Case in point, Fannie Mae recently adjusted their guidelines to dictate only a two year waiting period for a short sale seller to buy another primary residence, while they extended the waiting period for foreclosures to five years.

4. Deed in Lieu of a Foreclosure. This is the second to the last resort for you, and a solution the bank doesn't particularly like. This is an option where you hand over the house and the bank has to sell it to recover their costs. As part of the deal, the bank let's you off the hook for the loan, and promises to never come after you for any outstanding debt. All of this is negotiated by your rep, and it's all settled by contract.

5. Foreclosure: This is the final option and if you like to go to court, then this is the option for you. In foreclosure, the lender first sends you a summons to appear or foreclosure complaint. The borrower responds to prevent foreclosure and explains the problems at a hearing. The borrower can this point you can still pay the full amount and get the house back during this redemption period. After the redemption period is over, the lender sells the property a public sale or auction and getting as much as they can (or settle for). Any excess goes to you, the original owner/borrower. If the sale amount is less than the loan amount, and in your case it probably will be, you will still owe the balance to the lender. This amount is determined as a result of deficiency proceedings.So as you can see, as we go down the line, the options get worse and worse! As far as my situation, I have to walk away from at least 3 houses. I'm losing a hell of a lot of money, but I'm getting my life back.

About the Author:

Follow my story!? Follow my story and see what happens at HouseShortSale.org. You'll learn lots and find resources for your own situation.

Get The Best Insurance Coverage You Can Afford.

By Susan Tanner

What is insurance? Insurance is the transfer of risk to a company you give your hard earned money to out of your pocket each month. With the way today's economy is, we need to find ways to get the best bang for our buck. I will give you a few tips on how to get the lowest rates possible.

Auto insurance is mandatory in several states, and is often an unavoidable part of driving, so it's important to do your research to get the best quote for you. One good way to find a good insurance company is by asking people like you, such as family and friends, where they buy their automobile insurance. Make sure you check with people who are your age and have similar driving history.

Searching the Internet is another way to get an idea as to how much insurence is. Some companies even offer a comparison of other companies rates so you can see where you would save the most money. The best part is, if you sign up with an company via the Internet as to with someone in the office or over the phone, that company may offer a discount for doing so. This saves that company money in man hours and even paper so they pass that savings on to you.

Some people only need what is required by law, so a good starting point is to look at the coverage required of you by state law, and use that information to determine what you need. However, if you are still paying off your car, or if you have a lien holder, the price will be higher because you will be required to carry more insurance, including both comprehensive and collision coverage, most with deductibles smaller than $500. It might be possible to talk with your lien holder to reduce the amount of coverage they require.

Always remember to ask your insurance representative where you can save more money. In fact, ask him multiple times. A broker may not offer you discounts that you qualify for unless you ask, because insurance companies are there to make money. You can receive discounts for conditions such as driving quality, education, auto clubs, employment, or if you have a child in your home.

There are other ways to find and keep cheap auto insurance. One of the most important is to be a safe driver. Keeping a clean driving history will make sure you get the rates that you deserve. With each ticket and accident, you are asking to have your rates raised. Remember, sometimes rates get raised if the accident was not your fault.

Think when you buy your car. If you buy an expensive death trap of a vehicle, your insurance will go up a lot. The safer and more inexpensive your vehicle is, the lower your insurance rate will be. Make sure you buy a car that is reliable and reasonably priced with good safety ratings.

Make sure you shop around for your insurance. Know what kind of insurance you want and need, research for better quotes, ask lots of questions about discounts, be a safe driver all the time, and make sure you think your decision over. Following these simple steps can go a long way in ensuring you get the best rates and coverage for your dollar.

About the Author:

To find out exactly how I got car insurance rates, visit my website about auto insurance

?Foreclosure Homes for Sale: A Good Investment Opportunity

By Michael Geoffrey

Many times, you will see advertisements for foreclosure homes for sale with the list available by calling a toll-free number or going to an internet website. Those looking for the opportunity to buy homes that have foreclosed on, may be interested in these lists, but paying for them mat be questionable.

The majority of these foreclosure home lists make you pay before you are given access to the list itself. All too often the home that you were interested in purchasing by means of the foreclosure homes list has already been sold or auctioned.

People looking to buy a home or investors looking for a bargain are constantly checking out lists of foreclosure homes for sale, as well as finding them listed in the newspaper. Checking the local courthouse every week or so can also uncover some of the homes that will be foreclosed upon once the action has been approved by the court.

Before you buy any foreclosure home, you should take advantage of any opportunity to inspect the home yourself. You will want to check to see that everything in the house is operating correctly and determine whether the house can be lived in or sold. In most states the value of a home is determined based off of the estimates of three separate appraisers. Try to get a hold of their appraisals of the foreclosure home since they will have noted any problems that the home has.

Not All Disclosures Are Easily Accessible

Foreclosure homes are not guaranteed like most homes sold by a real estate agent. The person who is interested in buying the foreclosed property might not be able to get much information at all about the home they are interested in, especially if the property is being sold for tax assessment.

It would also be wise to speak with the neighbors and other individuals who live nearby the property you are interested in purchasing, this being especially true if you are not familiar with the area. Their comments might affect how you feel about the property. Information regarding drainage or flooding problems, for example, may not be available from other sources and probably will not be evident on the day of the home auction.

Even if you are expecting to save a lot of money by purchasing a foreclosure home or other property, you need to consider whether or not these savings will be greater than the possible losses you could incur by buying a property with unexpected problems. You can enable yourself to make the best decision possible by collecting as much information as you can before deciding on whether or not to make a purchase.

About the Author:

Before deciding to cut up credit cards to help you get out of debt, you need to understand how it can hurt your credit. Find out what you need to know first on the Debt Smackdown website at http://www.debtsmackdown.com

American Express Black Card - The Legend

By Gray Rollins

Credit cards have been one of the conveniences of banking nowadays in the growing institution of commerce. American Express, under their strictest standards, invites private individuals and businessmen whose income and credit ratings are higher than most of the ordinary cardholders, to avail the exclusive American Express Black Card which is officially known as the Centurion card. This card is the finest credit card (and most expensive) in the banking industry.

When certain criteria are met an invitation from American Express will be sent along for the Centurion credit card. The requirements are quite different from the other credit cards you may have had in the past. This credit card charges $2500 for their annual fee and there is another fee that must be paid which is an initiation fee of $5000 for the first year.

The black credit card started from a legend which states that American Express issued the black credit card to its cardholders; most of them are celebrities and well-off personalities, allowing them to avail high class products and services from high class establishments. The fact behind this rumor was the information card issued by the American Express to cardholders containing important American Express Travel numbers and hotel assistant services numbers.

When the Centurion credit card was first heard of there were a number of rumors that surfaced about the mysterious black credit card. One was that if you had one of these types of cards you could buy anything you wanted to buy. There never was actually anyone who had this card but they had friends who had seen someone using one of them.

In the year 1999, when the rumor was so controversial, American Express grabbed it and used it in the creation and development of a new card. In addition to their credit cards, they made such card with the exclusive features of high end privileges and benefits like no other cards available worldwide. The card was known as Centurion Card and it was only offered to Platinum cardholders who met the strictest criteria.

The Centurion card is an invitation only card in many countries where the exclusive credit card was the Platinum card. If the Centurion card is not available in one of these countries, the Platinum card is still the card that is considered the exclusive "by invitation only" card.

Because of its expensive charges, from its introductory annual charge of $1000, it has now been raised to $2500, only those who are rich and financially powerful individuals and celebrities are qualified to avail it. Among the first recipients of the Centurion Card was Jerry Seinfeld, a comedian and a former spokesperson of the American Express.

Centurion Card became famous around the business industry because of the urban legends in circulation. The rumors about the black credit card continue to circulate to all people concerned. Although the rumor was not true, new rumors and tales would still come up. This will make the Centurion Card more controversial and the promotion would generate more applicants as well.

About the Author:

If you want to learn the exact steps it takes to qualify for the American Express Black Card, check out BlackCardToday.com - they've got it nailed down to a science.

Cash In On Bailouts With Mini-Dow Trading

By Doug West

President Bush has been on the TV a lot lately. Too late for him to go down in history as a good president, but we will give him credit for trying. The Pres. has assured us all that we can grow our economy by spending more money. He even sent us each a few hundred to help us do that. One has to wonder if that was a set up for what was to come.

Next came the BIG bailouts for the banks and boys on Wall Street. Hey, where do we apply for some of that 700 Billion dollar pie? Well, don't hold your breath on that one (in a moment we will show you how to cash in on the bail out actions with simple mini-dow index trading)!

Let's see, if you are already in debt up to your ears - like the US government is, how is sending out free money going to stimulate the economy? And, how is that going to help the US government?

OH, don't forget our friends over at the FED. The Reserve! The agency that is owned by the bankers. That masquerades around like they are part of the government. What many folks still don't know is that they all pulled a fast one on us by sticking that word Federal in front of their name. The same thing the guy at Federal Express did when starting his company.

Frederick W. Smith founded FedEx. I clearly remember years ago when he was on 60 Minutes, he said that by the time folks figured out that he was not part of the government his company was already well on it's way to success! Can't blame his reasoning? What a PLAN! IT WORKED for the FED why not FedEx too?

Let's quote right from the FedEx web site:

"Federal Express was so-named due to the patriotic meaning associated with the word "Federal," which suggested an interest in nationwide economic activity. At that time, Smith hoped to obtain a contract with the Federal Reserve Bank and, although the proposal was denied, he believed the name was a particularly good one for attracting public attention and maintaining name recognition."

I'm sure Smith did want a relationship with the Federal Reserve - who wouldn't! These guys have the legalized right to print money! Think about it. It does not matter if it is a $1 bill or a $100 bill, it cost them about the same to make it (a few cents each). Then they "LOAN" that money at full face value to the US government. Full face value PLUS INTEREST! So now you know where the national debt comes from. We now owe that money - Plus Interest - to the FED. A private corporation controlled by international bankers.

So if you are thinking that Bush's plan to grow the economy by handing out $100 bills won't cost anything - Think Again! Where is that money going to come from? That's right - the good ol boys at the FED. These mystical folks seem to be able to pull money out of thin air! Just think, with today's high-tech world, the FED can just punch a button on a computer somewhere and release new funds to the world. Most of which never represents new bills being printed, but just credit in some bank or financial institutions account. Electronic numbers moving through nanoseconds of time and space.

Not only does the FED create money, they also have the ability to set their own interest rate!

- The Fed's Open Market Committee (FOMC), announces their interest rate decisions. This is NOT the interest rate that you and I can get money for, (why don't we all meet at the Fed Discount Window - wherever that is) but what the BIG boys who keep the whole world flowing receive. They in turn pump up the volume and pass the savings on to you and me right - WRONG! It could take weeks or even MONTHS after a cut to see any savings at the consumer level. So why do the markets get so active after an FOMC announcement?

The BIG boys are the ones who really move the market right (and they CAN line up at the FED window for a bailout). We just want a small slice of it. That's all. Remember that when you are trading (or practicing the FED move trade -after an FOMC announcement).

So how do you cash in on the bailouts without getting a slice of the pie? Index trading! With all these bailout moves, the FED buying stock and giving away billions of dollars, it has caused some GREAT moves in the market. Not so good for stock traders, but Wonderful for those of us that just trade and follow the overall index.

No matter what happens, we can all do well with Simple Mini-Dow Index Trading. I look for GREAT times ahead for Index traders. We might have to pay more for the things we need, (because of the FED printing out bailout money like candy these days) but at least we can stay home and earn the money to get them!

Remember those FOMC announcements mentioned earlier? Many times after an announcement, the market moves and moves BIG. Much like the market moves we have all been seeing here lately with the bailout manipulation of the markets. The FED won't give you a partnership deal like FedEx was looking for, but you can capitalize on their dealings.

Just follow an index and stay away from stock!

About the Author:

Mini-Dow Index Trading Made Simple. Discover how to build your trading income. Get Doug's Debt-Free Report. Read his blog here.