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All That Just To Stay About The Same: Growing a Small Trading Account with Caution


Transparency in Growing a Small Trading Account

Growing a small trading account is a marathon, not a sprint, and today’s SPY trading session proved that even breakeven days offer valuable lessons. I ended the day slightly above breakeven after two trades—a 10% loss followed by a 12% gain—demonstrating the importance of caution in choppy markets. My goal with this post is to offer transparency on how to scale a small account, using my session as an example, and share actionable tips for aspiring traders.

Economic News: Initial Jobless Claims and GDP Update

Today, the U.S. reported initial jobless claims at 218,000 for the week ending May 24, 2025, slightly above expectations of 215,000, signaling a stable but mildly softening labor market. Meanwhile, the second estimate of Q1 2025 GDP growth was revised down to 1.3% from 1.6%, reflecting slower consumer spending and raising concerns about economic momentum.

Today’s SPY Trading Session: A Breakeven Day in a Choppy Market

SPY gapped up and experienced a sharp 3-minute sell-off, prompting me to wait patiently for the 15-minute range to form. The price dipped below the range, and I spotted a color change entry to test a continuation toward the 200 EMA. Hidden in a wick-based candle, the signal led me to enter SPY 5/29 590 puts at $1.77, but the proximity to the 20 EMA as a bounce area stopped me out at $1.58, resulting in a 10% loss.

Recognizing the bounce, I flipped my position after a tail formed off the 20 EMA. I entered SPY 5/29 591 calls at $1.96, aiming for a 15-minute range reclaim, and exited at $2.20 for a 12% gain, recouping my loss. 

I took two trades, so I stepped back to observe for the rest of my trading window. Later, a second push broke below the 20 EMA, testing the 200 EMA, and a clear 15-minute breakdown retest opportunity emerged—highlighting the patience needed in choppy markets.


Key Observations:
  • The hidden color change near the 20 EMA led to a losing trade, showing the risk of unclear signals.
  • Flipping to calls after the bounce secured a small profit, but choppy conditions required caution.
  • Patience could have capitalized on the later 15-minute breakdown retest, a missed opportunity.

Post-Trade Reflection: Staying Disciplined in Tricky Zones

This session underscored the importance of caution when trading in tricky zones between key levels like the 20 EMA and 200 EMA. While I recouped my loss, I missed a potentially larger move by not waiting for the later retest opportunity. For small accounts, managing risk and accepting small gains (or breakeven days) is crucial to staying in the game. Moving forward, I’ll prioritize clearer signals and patience, especially in choppy markets.

Growing a Small Account: Steps to Scale with Caution

Scaling a small account in volatile conditions requires discipline and risk management. Here’s how I’m doing it, with tips for other small-account traders, inspired by today’s session:
  • Stick to Clear Signals: Avoid entries with hidden signals, like my wick-based color change, and wait for confirmation to reduce risk.
  • Limit Trades Per Day: I capped the number of trades at two to avoid overtrading, a crucial consideration for small accounts where capital preservation is paramount.
  • Use Tight Stop-Losses: My stop-loss limited my loss to 10%, ensuring one bad trade didn’t derail my account.
  • Be Patient for Retests: Waiting for setups, such as the 15-minute breakdown retest, can lead to higher-probability trades with better risk-reward ratios.

The Power of Transparency: Breakeven Days Build Resilience

Transparency means sharing the reality of trading—some days, like today, you’ll just break even. My 12% gain offset a 10% loss, leaving me slightly ahead, which is a win for a small account in a choppy market. Small-account traders focus on consistency and risk management; these breakeven days build the resilience needed for long-term growth.

Key Takeaways for Aspiring Traders

Today’s session highlighted the importance of caution and patience for small accounts. Here are actionable takeaways:
  • Avoid Unclear Entries: Skip trades with hidden signals near key levels, such as the 20 EMA.
  • Cap Daily Trades: Limit yourself to 1-2 trades to maintain discipline.
  • Protect Capital: Use tight stop-losses (e.g., 10%) to minimize damage.
  • Wait for High-Probability Setups: Look for clear retests, such as the 15-minute breakdown, for more favorable entries.

Video Review: Learning from Recorded Sessions

I recorded today’s session to analyze my decisions in real time. Watch the video below to see the SPY price action, my entries, and the missed retest opportunity. Reviewing recordings helps you:
  • Spot Risky Entries: See where I entered too early near the 20 EMA.
  • Identify Better Setups: Learn from missed opportunities, like the 15-minute retest.
  • Refine Discipline: Build habits to manage choppy markets effectively.
Check out the video to apply these lessons to your trading!

Conclusion

Today’s SPY trading session was a grind, but staying cautious left me slightly above breakeven. Growing a small account means prioritizing discipline over chasing big wins—use clear signals, tight stops, and patience to build steady growth.

How do you manage choppy markets with a small account? Share your strategies in the comments or connect with me on X for more trading insights!

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