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Be Your Own Boss: Trading E-mini Futures for a Living

March 4, 2020 by Daniels Trading| Futures 101

According to the 2019 World Happiness Report, the United States ranks 19th internationally in terms of “happiness.” Six metrics were used to craft this ranking: income, freedom, generosity, life-expectancy, trust, and social support. Although the United States didn’t come in dead last, countries such as Finland, New Zealand, Iceland, and Canada ranked well ahead of the U.S.

At first glance, one may think that the 19th ranking is skewed because of generally disenfranchised individuals. The truth is quite the contrary. Studies conducted by Gallup, the Lumina Foundation, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation show that more than 50 percent of professionals harbor negative sentiments toward their jobs. Feelings of being underemployed, underpaid, and working a dead-end “gig” were the most common reasons given.

If these sentiments sound familiar, then it may be time for you to investigate a career in the markets. And, if generating a regular income is your goal, trading E-mini futures for a living may be just what the doctor ordered. Below are a few of the lifestyle benefits that attract legions of new traders to E-mini futures every year.

Freedom

As anyone who has worked a full-time job will tell you, the grind can be exhausting. Remember, there are only 168 hours in a week. Assuming a standard eight hours of sleep per night (for many, that is a pipe dream), only 112 waking hours remain; not a whole lot of time if you are on the job 40+ hours per seven days!

One of the key benefits of trading E-mini futures for a living is that your work schedule is what you make it. The high degree of personal freedom is possible because of the following

  • Extended market hours: E-mini futures are available for trade on a 23-5 basis. Aside from a daily 45-minute break, the markets are open for business.
  • Consistent volatility: In the case of E-mini equity index futures, such as the E-mini S&P 500, there are periods every day that regularly exhibit pricing volatility. Two such times are the minutes surrounding the traditional NYSE open (9:30 a.m. EST) and close (4 p.m. EST). In fact, some futures professionals actively trade the NYSE open/close and little else.
  • Product diversity: The E-mini lineup of products on the CME has something for everyone. Regardless of your expertise or interests, there is very likely a suitable E-mini product.

Flexibility is one of the most frequently cited upsides of trading E-mini futures for a living. You are truly free to conduct your professional life any way you see fit.

Personal Fulfillment

No doubt about it: The concept of self-reliance can be daunting. Many people enjoy the security of traditional full-time employment, no matter how tough it is to get out of bed in the morning. For others, however, the payoff isn’t worth the pain.

Successfully trading E-mini futures for a living can be an extremely fruitful endeavor. Below are two of the biggest rewards:

  • Personal gratification: Generating a consistent income in the markets is no small task. Pride and self-fulfillment are some of the byproducts of accomplishing this goal.
  • Financial independence: Futures are leveraged products, meaning there is a chance of earning extraordinary returns. Although active trading is certainly not a “get rich quick” scheme, it can be a viable way to boost your income.

Being financially independent and self-made are two of the largest benefits professional traders enjoy. Although achieving success is no small feat, it is possible. Through proper planning, due diligence, and dedication, establishing a career in the markets is a great way to be your own boss.

Start Trading E-Mini Futures for a Living with Daniels Trading

Though the term “happiness” is a catch-all, generic label for personal well-being, “unhappy” is an emotion that most people can relate to. If your unhappiness is rooted in the workplace, trading E-mini futures for a living may be the remedy.

For more information on how to get started in futures, contact the industry pros at Daniels Trading. With more than two decades in the markets, the team at Daniels Trading has the experience and know-how to help make your venture into futures a positive one.
Micro E-Mini Comparison Guide

Filed Under: Futures 101

About Daniels Trading

Daniels Trading is an independent futures brokerage firm located in the heart of Chicago’s financial district. Established by renowned commodity trader Andy Daniels in 1995, Daniels Trading is built on a culture of trust committed to the firm’s mission of Independence, Objectivity and Reliability.

Risk Disclosure

THIS MATERIAL IS CONVEYED AS A SOLICITATION FOR ENTERING INTO A DERIVATIVES TRANSACTION.

THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN PREPARED BY A DANIELS TRADING BROKER WHO PROVIDES RESEARCH MARKET COMMENTARY AND TRADE RECOMMENDATIONS AS PART OF HIS OR HER SOLICITATION FOR ACCOUNTS AND SOLICITATION FOR TRADES; HOWEVER, DANIELS TRADING DOES NOT MAINTAIN A RESEARCH DEPARTMENT AS DEFINED IN CFTC RULE 1.71. DANIELS TRADING, ITS PRINCIPALS, BROKERS AND EMPLOYEES MAY TRADE IN DERIVATIVES FOR THEIR OWN ACCOUNTS OR FOR THE ACCOUNTS OF OTHERS. DUE TO VARIOUS FACTORS (SUCH AS RISK TOLERANCE, MARGIN REQUIREMENTS, TRADING OBJECTIVES, SHORT TERM VS. LONG TERM STRATEGIES, TECHNICAL VS. FUNDAMENTAL MARKET ANALYSIS, AND OTHER FACTORS) SUCH TRADING MAY RESULT IN THE INITIATION OR LIQUIDATION OF POSITIONS THAT ARE DIFFERENT FROM OR CONTRARY TO THE OPINIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS CONTAINED THEREIN.

PAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT NECESSARILY INDICATIVE OF FUTURE PERFORMANCE. THE RISK OF LOSS IN TRADING FUTURES CONTRACTS OR COMMODITY OPTIONS CAN BE SUBSTANTIAL, AND THEREFORE INVESTORS SHOULD UNDERSTAND THE RISKS INVOLVED IN TAKING LEVERAGED POSITIONS AND MUST ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH SUCH INVESTMENTS AND FOR THEIR RESULTS.

TRADE RECOMMENDATIONS AND PROFIT/LOSS CALCULATIONS MAY NOT INCLUDE COMMISSIONS AND FEES. PLEASE CONSULT YOUR BROKER FOR DETAILS BASED ON YOUR TRADING ARRANGEMENT AND COMMISSION SETUP.

YOU SHOULD CAREFULLY CONSIDER WHETHER SUCH TRADING IS SUITABLE FOR YOU IN LIGHT OF YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES. YOU SHOULD READ THE "RISK DISCLOSURE" WEBPAGE ACCESSED AT WWW.DANIELSTRADING.COM AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HOMEPAGE. DANIELS TRADING IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH NOR DOES IT ENDORSE ANY TRADING SYSTEM, NEWSLETTER OR OTHER SIMILAR SERVICE. DANIELS TRADING DOES NOT GUARANTEE OR VERIFY ANY PERFORMANCE CLAIMS MADE BY SUCH SYSTEMS OR SERVICE.

GLOBAL ASSET ADVISORS, LLC (“GAA”) (DBA: DANIELS TRADING, TOP THIRD AG MARKETING AND FUTURES ONLINE) IS AN INTRODUCING BROKER TO GAIN CAPITAL GROUP, LLC (GCG) A FUTURES COMMISSION MERCHANT AND RETAIL FOREIGN EXCHANGE DEALER. GAA AND GCG ARE WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARIES OF STONEX GROUP INC. (NASDAQ:SNEX) THE ULTIMATE PARENT COMPANY.

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Risk Disclosure

THIS MATERIAL IS CONVEYED AS A SOLICITATION FOR ENTERING INTO A DERIVATIVES TRANSACTION.

THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN PREPARED BY A DANIELS TRADING BROKER WHO PROVIDES RESEARCH MARKET COMMENTARY AND TRADE RECOMMENDATIONS AS PART OF HIS OR HER SOLICITATION FOR ACCOUNTS AND SOLICITATION FOR TRADES; HOWEVER, DANIELS TRADING DOES NOT MAINTAIN A RESEARCH DEPARTMENT AS DEFINED IN CFTC RULE 1.71. DANIELS TRADING, ITS PRINCIPALS, BROKERS AND EMPLOYEES MAY TRADE IN DERIVATIVES FOR THEIR OWN ACCOUNTS OR FOR THE ACCOUNTS OF OTHERS. DUE TO VARIOUS FACTORS (SUCH AS RISK TOLERANCE, MARGIN REQUIREMENTS, TRADING OBJECTIVES, SHORT TERM VS. LONG TERM STRATEGIES, TECHNICAL VS. FUNDAMENTAL MARKET ANALYSIS, AND OTHER FACTORS) SUCH TRADING MAY RESULT IN THE INITIATION OR LIQUIDATION OF POSITIONS THAT ARE DIFFERENT FROM OR CONTRARY TO THE OPINIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS CONTAINED THEREIN.

PAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT NECESSARILY INDICATIVE OF FUTURE PERFORMANCE. THE RISK OF LOSS IN TRADING FUTURES CONTRACTS OR COMMODITY OPTIONS CAN BE SUBSTANTIAL, AND THEREFORE INVESTORS SHOULD UNDERSTAND THE RISKS INVOLVED IN TAKING LEVERAGED POSITIONS AND MUST ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH SUCH INVESTMENTS AND FOR THEIR RESULTS.

TRADE RECOMMENDATIONS AND PROFIT/LOSS CALCULATIONS MAY NOT INCLUDE COMMISSIONS AND FEES. PLEASE CONSULT YOUR BROKER FOR DETAILS BASED ON YOUR TRADING ARRANGEMENT AND COMMISSION SETUP.

YOU SHOULD CAREFULLY CONSIDER WHETHER SUCH TRADING IS SUITABLE FOR YOU IN LIGHT OF YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES. YOU SHOULD READ THE "RISK DISCLOSURE" WEBPAGE ACCESSED AT WWW.DANIELSTRADING.COM AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HOMEPAGE. DANIELS TRADING IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH NOR DOES IT ENDORSE ANY TRADING SYSTEM, NEWSLETTER OR OTHER SIMILAR SERVICE. DANIELS TRADING DOES NOT GUARANTEE OR VERIFY ANY PERFORMANCE CLAIMS MADE BY SUCH SYSTEMS OR SERVICE.

GLOBAL ASSET ADVISORS, LLC (“GAA”) (DBA: DANIELS TRADING, TOP THIRD AG MARKETING AND FUTURES ONLINE) IS AN INTRODUCING BROKER TO GAIN CAPITAL GROUP, LLC (GCG) A FUTURES COMMISSION MERCHANT AND RETAIL FOREIGN EXCHANGE DEALER. GAA AND GCG ARE WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARIES OF STONEX GROUP INC. (NASDAQ:SNEX) THE ULTIMATE PARENT COMPANY.

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