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[piper65]

How much time do traders apply to trading forex? Do you sit watching the screen for hours at a time? How much time do you need in the morning to prep-read news, calculate pivots etc.?

I have been trading in a demo account. On a $5000 account, I am up $1100. I look a little at charts, but mostly I look for currencies that have a big spread (high/low). Then I place limit orders near lows. If I have a fill when I get a chance to check my account, if I am in a profit, I sell. I don't always check my account every day. (Also haven't used stops yet.) In coming out ahead, somehow I think this is pure dumb beginners luck. I have had some losses and some mistakes (buying things I was checking quotes etc.) I don't even get to check my account on a daily basis. I am a SAHM (stay at home mum) and my bosses make it difficult to make time to work for extended periods of time. I don't exactly punch a clock. I am on duty all the time. Sometimes are easier than others (nap/bedtime) but not always.

I have received some material that I am trying to go through. I am looking for strategies that fit this. I can't daytrade (ie. sit at a screen for a long time).
Any suggestions are welcome.

Thanks.

[Rhody Trader]

The nice thing about forex is that you can trade as frequently or infrequently as you like. I actually vary between day and longer-term trading depending on what kind of time is available to me. There are some times of year I can spend hours in front of the screen, while at others I cannot. I simply adjust the timeframe I use for my trade selection. This is easy once you know what you're doing. You have to have a firm understanding of how the risks and trade potential changes as you change your position holding period, though.