Stock Trading
Started with $1,500. Doubled in six months.
Then built a rules-based system to repeat it. I learned how to trade stocks and I did it well.
No options. No guru signals. Just timing, risk control, and discipline.
How I Got Started Swing Trading
I Started at Work
Claims adjuster by day. Lunch-hour trader by choice. Built a watchlist, hunted momentum, locked into swing trading. Doubled my account in six months. Then I sold positions to fund education until I closed the loop on the missing piece. After that, I repeated the results for 4+ years.
I tested my general strategy against about 500K other traders in the CNBC Portfolio Challenge.
CNBC’s Portfolio Challenge forced end-of-day market orders—no intraday limits, no automated stops. Under those constraints, I still returned 69% in ~60 days (top ~2%). Doing it the ‘hard way’ made the discipline stick.
I tested my strategy again using another portfolio
I took over an account during COVID after it fell from 300K to 200K. I pushed for active risk management, not passive ‘long haul’ talking points. IMHO — ‘we’re in it for the long haul’ often means they don’t know what to do or won’t do the work.
I almost got my Securities License until I started reviewing the books
I considered getting licensed (Series 6/63/7), but the exams certify compliance, not discipline. Passing a test doesn’t make you a skilled, rules‑based trader. Results do. Certification means you can read a Disclaimer to a prospective client.
So I couldn’t just get certified and pretend that’s enough. I can’t fake honesty. I'd know better and warn folks against common strategies. - I got licensed in half a dozen things before I got access to the securities books. Then I walked away from all of that. I didn't want to be in a position that often leads to taking advantage of folks for a commission.
Maybe you hear from your advisor; ‘we’re in it for the long haul.’ It happens because they still collect 1–2% a year while ‘managing’ your money—but too often they won’t do the work, move the money or even know where to move it to. They don't "manage" anything! That's my beef with them.
Isn't that sad? - Rich Advice: No one cares more about your money than you do! - I don't want to manage anyone's money. But I'm happy to teach folks some basic investing.
Buy low, sell high... and they all lived happily ever after. Done.
But seriously. Brokers are just broker than you. They don't know shit! Give me a results‑based opportunity, then stand back and watch me go.
I ran a Discord channel for traders
So being kind of pissed off at traditional investors and being a "real" guy, I took over the account and started trading with it. I even joined a Discord channel for traders but that fell apart after about 6 months. So I stepped up again. I launched a Discord channel for traders without doing any marketing or having any monetization in place or anything. Yeah, I did everything wrong on the marketing side. But I gave everyone free advice. I put my money where my mouth was and so when I made a "call" it wasn't in theory, I'd put my own money on the line. 10K here, 10K there, etc.
I had day-traders, swing-traders and long term investors all in the same Discord channel. Not necessary and I don't recommend it. You don't need to be "all things to all people." Instead, just do one thing really f0@7i#g well. That's it. Just do one thing like a pro.
Here's an example of one of my day-trades. Above that was some social proof of the help I gave to the group.
Proven System
This is a rules-based swing-trading system. Entries, exits, risk defined up front. I can’t promise you’ll double your money—your account size, risk tolerance, and discipline matter. But I can promise a clear framework that’s been tested and applied in the real world.
Free PDF Downloads
Downloading the Swing Trading Watchlist — curated swing-trading checklist and process.
Chris Daniel
With a Network Administration background, this former Insurance Claims Adjuster has a knack for investigations mixed with a touch of dark and self deprecating humor. Chris shares insights on social media strategies and insurance claims, blending technical know-how with real-world experience. Learn more about Chris and his projects on the About page.
Food For Thought
“Don’t let the opinions of the average man sway you. Dream, and he thinks you’re crazy. Succeed, and he thinks you’re lucky. Acquire wealth, and he thinks you’re greedy. Pay no attention. He simply doesn’t understand.”
- Robert G. Allen
- This quote reminds me to stay focused on my goals, no matter what others think. Success often comes from doing what others won’t.
Disclaimer: These are my personal socials, not the business ones. I’ve never put much into ‘personal branding’ because I’d rather focus on building strategies that actually work. You won’t see me chasing followers or posting every meal — that’s not my style.
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