Day Trading Journal

Growing a small trading account requires discipline, especially on Fridays when the temptation to overtrade can be high, and today’s SPY trading session was a perfect example with a modest 7% gain on a single trade.   My goal was a “one-and-done” day, focusing on a systematic trade to secure profits and set a positive mindset for next week.  This post offers transparency on how to trade a small account, using my session as an example, and shares actionable tips for small-account traders. Economic News: U.S. Employment Report, Unemployment Rate, and Trump-Elon Feud Today, the U.S. Employment Report for May 2025 showed nonfarm payrolls increased by 139,000 jobs, above expectations of 130,000 but below the prior month’s revised 147,000, indicating a stable but cooling labor market, while the unemployment rate held steady at 4.2%, in line with forecasts.  Additionally, the ongoing feud between President Trump and Elon Musk intensified this week, with Trump threatening to cut ...

Transparency in Growing a Small Trading Account Day trading is about building a strong foundation, especially when growing a small account, and today’s SPY trading was a perfect example of disciplined execution. I aimed for a “one and done” day, securing a 6% gain on a single trade to close the week, setting myself up for success next week. 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 small-account traders. Economic News: Consumer Spending and PCE Update Today, U.S. consumer spending rose by 0.2% in April 2025, below expectations of 0.3%, reflecting cautious household behavior amid economic uncertainty. The Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index, the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge, increased by 2.7% year-over-year, aligning with forecasts but signaling persistent inflationary pressures. Today’s SPY Trading Session: A Disciplined “One and Done” Day SPY opened wit...