Trade from Home
Whether it's trading in the evenings after work or a full-time occupation, there are certain websites, tools and tips which can make the whole thing easier.
The advantages of being your own boss in this environment are balanced by the costs of taking all the risks and liability yourself. Many day-traders have lost their shirts during/after the last dot com boom but for the skilled traders the work-life balance and the fiscal rewards are immense.
Large Screens, Fast Computers
This is something obvious which is often overlooked. If you miss even half a second when making a trading decision then the price could have changed, and you're costing yourself money. With the price of extremely quick PCs falling to very affordable levels it's advisable to get the fastest computer you can. Just boosting up the processor and RAM will improve performance, and widening your broadband connection is another good idea. See sites such as Dell (UK) for a range of products.
The amount of viewing area available is another crucial factor; if you're constantly swapping windows around then this is also a bad use of your time. Extra large flat screen monitors (19+) are now under $200/ $300, or if you have the space why not consider two monitors working side by side to create an authentic trading environment - the area of screen immediately available for you to see and use is the important factor.
Also, if possible dedicate the use of the pc to trading only, this will aid discipline and concentration. On this point, having a clear working space and a decent ergonomic set-up i.e. a chair that won't give you back problems and screens at the right height make a large difference. Taking regular breaks is essential to keep some balance in the day and to avoid diminishing returns from staring at a screen for too long. If distractions and random personal emails get in the way of your trading then your concentration has gone out of the window and disciplined plans will fall apart.
A Trading Mentality
Planning
Work out exactly your approach to the market and stick to your plans. This might need to be revised according to new information, but this would be a positive change. If you alter your trading plans on an ad-hoc basis then you've torn up the road map, and you'll be much more likely to make badly thought-out decisions. Research should occupy the significant part of your time, covering both the big picture and the minutiae.
Tracking
Keep a detailed account of all trades using Excel is ideal for this purpose. Be honest with yourself about recording the exact facts and figures, then analyse the content. After a while this information will be valuable as you learn where mistakes are being made and therefore how to streamline your trading strategy. Using this method, a loss-making trade has the benefit of also being a paid-for trading lesson. The level of itemization should be high for these records, down to time of day, news events that are occurring and your confidence for the trade.
Calendars
Knowing the dates of company results, or when the new inflation figures come out for example, is essential. These releases of information form the basis of many people's opinions about the state of the market, so this should be taken into account within a trading plan. A good resource is the financial directory at the link below. Individual stock details should be investigated on a variety of sites to keep in touch with developments.
Available Funds
Work out exactly the amount you'll need, and what you expect to make. Doing this will help you stick to these limits and avoid chasing losses, making last-minute transactions. Don't keep more than you need to in your trading accounts. It's easy to move money around online and you might as well keep the funds where they earn you interest. NB. Certain spread betting providers do pay interest on balances held with them.