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REDDIT

18 year old beginner

Hi everyone,

I'm an 18-year-old beginner trader looking for honest advice and constructive criticism.

My goal isn't to get rich quickly—I just want to become consistently profitable and make a small monthly profit over time. I'm a student, so my trading budget is only around €100–200.

So far, I've practiced on a paper trading account, and I recently opened my first real funded account. On my first trade, I accidentally bought at a higher price than I intended because I made a mistake with my broker's order settings. It was a good lesson, and I'm trying to learn from it.

My current strategy ("First 5 Minutes Method")

I wait for the first 5-minute candle after the market opens.

I mark the high and low of that candle.

Then I wait for a breakout.

If the price breaks above the high, I look for a bullish trade.

If it breaks below the low, I look for a bearish trade.

I also:

Research the company before trading by reading news and articles.

Try to understand how recent events might affect the stock price.

Always use stop-losses to manage risk.

I know the basics of derivatives, including knock-out certificates, although I'm still learning.

I understand that no strategy wins all the time, and I know I will make mistakes as a beginner. I'm here to improve, so I'd really appreciate any advice on:

What I'm doing right or wrong.

How I can improve my strategy.

Risk management tips.

Common beginner mistakes I should avoid.

Any books, courses, or resources you would recommend.

Thanks in advance for taking the time to help—I appreciate any constructive feedback!