01
Mindset & expectations
What day trading is (and isn’t). Survival first. Why most accounts fail at risk, not “entries.”
Rules-based · Risk-first · Education only
MNQ & MES day trading education for newer traders who want clear chart rules and a risk-first process.
A calm MNQ/MES process: key levels, wait until 9:45 ET for the opening range, trade real breakouts, and know when not to trade. No signals. No income promises.
Education only — not financial advice. Trading involves risk of loss.
Wins and losses
Both teach. Process over highlight reels.
No signals
You learn the rules — you don’t outsource decisions.
Risk-first
Stop, size, and daily limits before the entry.
Education only
Not financial advice. No performance guarantees.
Fit check
Who this is for — and who it isn’t
Skeptical buyers welcome. If you want shortcuts or guaranteed income, this isn’t it.
✓ Built for
- Newer day traders who want structure before size
- People willing to define rules and journal honestly
- Traders who care more about process than “calls”
- Anyone who needs a clear no-trade filter
✕ Not for
- Anyone seeking trade signals or copy-trading
- Income promises, “quit your job” pitches, or guru culture
- Traders who refuse stops or position sizing
- People looking for financial, tax, or investment advice
The playbook
Get the MNQ & MES day-trading guide
A complete rules-based process: key levels, why trading starts at 9:45 ET, how to confirm a real break, the 50% retracement entry, stop placement, and 1:1 targets — with diagrams and a one-page rules summary.
One-time purchase · instant PDF on Gumroad.
- 15m opening range & 9:45 rule
- VWAP, PDH/PDL, Asia & London
- Premarket bias process
- >50% body break + 50% retrace
- Stop beyond breakout candle
- 1:1 risk-to-reward model
What’s inside
What’s inside the day-trading guide
Built for MNQ/MES day traders. Focus stays on process, risk, and honest review — not signals or income claims.
02
The trading process
Pre-market prep → context → setup → risk → execute → journal. A loop you can repeat.
03
Chart context & levels
Higher-timeframe bias, key levels, ranges vs. trends — reading the map before the trigger.
04
Setup building blocks
How to define a setup in writing: location, trigger, invalidation. Examples to study (not signals).
05
Risk, size & daily limits
Stop placement, position sizing from R, max loss per day, and when to stop trading.
06
Execution & management
Entries, partials, trails, and avoiding the classic mistakes: chasing, moving stops, revenge sizing.
07
Journaling that improves you
What to record, how to grade process vs. P&L, and reviewing losses without ego.
08
Worked examples
Annotated chart walkthroughs: good trade, skipped trade, and a plan-break — with lessons.
Sample flavour
How the material feels
Short previews of the tone — calm, specific, and honest about when not to click.
Risk
“Define R before you define hope”
If you can’t name stop distance and dollar risk in one breath, you’re not ready to size. The checklist forces the numbers first.
Setups
“Location beats pattern”
A clean pattern in the middle of nowhere is still noise. Favour trades at levels you’ve marked in advance — then wait for your trigger.
Psychology
“No trade is a position”
Sitting out when context is unclear protects capital and confidence. The best traders aren’t always in — they’re selective.
Full guide
MNQ & MES day-trading guide
Key levels, the 9:45 ET open, trend breakouts, and the 50% retracement entry model — with diagrams and a one-page rules summary. Education only — not financial advice.
Inside the guide
Sample charts (MNQ / MES process)
Schematic examples from the playbook — key levels map, the 9:45 opening-range rule, and the breakout + 50% retracement entry.
FAQ
Common questions
Do you provide trade signals or alerts?
No. The Chart Trader is education: rules, risk process, and how to think about charts. You make your own decisions.
Is this financial advice?
No. Everything here is educational only and is not financial, investment, or trading advice. Markets involve risk of loss. Do your own research and consider your situation carefully.
Who is the guide for?
Newer day traders (and anyone rebuilding discipline) who want a structured gate before entry. It’s intentionally simple so you’ll actually use it.
What markets do you cover?
The process (context → setup → risk → review) is market-agnostic. Examples and emphasis may lean toward liquid day-tradable instruments — edit this answer once you lock your focus (e.g. US equities, futures, FX).
Can I lose money day trading?
Yes. Day trading involves substantial risk of loss and is not suitable for everyone. Many traders lose money. Never trade with money you can’t afford to lose. There are no performance guarantees.
Risk disclaimer
Educational content only — not financial advice. The Chart Trader (@ChartTraderCT) provides educational materials about day trading concepts, risk management, and chart analysis. Nothing on this page or in any related materials constitutes a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any security, futures contract, forex pair, crypto asset, or other instrument. Trading and investing involve a substantial risk of loss and are not suitable for every investor. You can lose some or all of your capital. Past results — including any examples, screenshots, or hypotheticals — do not guarantee future performance. No earnings, income, or performance claims are made. You are solely responsible for your own trading decisions. If you need advice, consult a qualified licensed professional.