If you’ve spent any time researching the stock market or trading stocks, you’ve no doubt heard about Forex trading.  Forex is the trading of currencies in the global currency market, and you do it through pairs of global currencies.  However, trading Forex is also one of the more difficult and complex types of trading you can do, but it can be very profitable if you master it.  Here is what you need to know to get started trading Forex.

Training

The first thing you need to do is get a how to trading guide that can show you the basics of trading Forex.  Someone like me could really use that.  Study this guide and really start to understand how the market works.  Learn the basics of currency pairs and other jargon unique to the Forex market.  Also, learn about popular trading strategies like the carry trade, which utilizes differences in interest rates between two currencies to make a profit.  Once you’ve done some reading, you’re ready for the next step.

The next step is using a practice account to put what you read to practice without risking real money.  In this account, you use play money to make real trades.  This gives you a sense of real trading without the real risk.  This allows you to practice your strategies and see how you do before moving onto real trading.   See what works for you and learn what doesn’t, and hopefully you won’t repeat those issues with real money.

Practicing for me would be key since I am not that familiar for Forex.  Hands on learning is also the best method for me.  I think I would test myself out with fake money for a month or more before trying my hand at the real thing.  Always good to be on the safe side.

 Executing

Finally, when you’re ready to execute, you can move to real money Forex trading.  It is important to remember the risks involved when you trade in the Forex market.  First, the market is open 24 hours a day and major price movements can happen while you’re sleeping.  As such, it is important to use limit orders to hedge your risk.  Second, when you place your trade, your position is leveraged.  And while this can help you make bigger gains, it can also exaggerate your losses.  So as you get started, make sure that you take these into consideration when placing your trades.