$1.1K With VXX

Yesterday my first (complete) real trade since taking a break from the markets. A success. There will be many more. I think I have finally mastered the concept of using real money for high confidence trades and paper + research for theoretical.

A short on VXX at the approximate levels indicated selling about $4000 in stock and buying back -1.1K later (after commissions). I held the trade for 39 trading days. It was definitely not the best trade in the world. I could have sold more short, I could have added to my short on that second peak, I could have traded between the peaks, I could have waited to buy back and squeeze a bit more profit from the market. I could have traded VIX options instead (need to look at strategies and compare to historical data first). The point is simply: stay safe and get better a little bit at a time. There are so many ways to trade, so much uncertainty, and so many ways to mess up. Bringing the flight home and not panicking is a big accomplishment for a novice trader. Not being tempted to get out early. Sticking with the plan although I could see the second peak coming and didn't know how volatility would go.

As a bonus, enjoy the following volatility instrument comparison:

P.S: I have been thinking lately about starting a fund of some sort. Will look into the legal requirements of this.