Something today reminded me of a mentor (English teacher, older guy retired a few years later) that I had in high school. One of the key things he told me was, “Never get serious with a girl whose mother you would not want to have relations with, if given the chance”. I think more than a few times that thought flashed before my eyes and it saved me from serious error, partly because it was memorable. I’m trying to think of any similar rules of thumb that might help us to avoid those trades or strategies that can severely set back profits, create anguish, and otherwise make things worse than they should be. Any ideas?

“Never get serious with a girl whose mother you would not want to have relations with, if given the chance”– I thought that was only my words!

There can be many similar things for trading. Here are some for critique.

1. If you don’t like someone’s way of life, don’t trade like him.

2. If you don’t like the dominant players of a market, don’t trade that market.

3. If you don’t like the rule makers of a market, don’t trade that market.

4. (I learned this one from Scott Brooks) If there is already a professional at the table, go somewhere else.

5. If you don’t like a country’s tax code, don’t trade in that country.

6. If a market hasn’t shown a lot of opportunities in the past, don’t trade that market.