A Trader's Money Management System: How to Ensure Profit and Avoid the Risk of Ruin (Wiley Trading) [Hardcover]

Bennett A. McDowell (Author), Steve Nison (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 8, 2008 | Series: Wiley Trading (Book 335)

Money management may very well be the most important piece of the trading puzzle. In A Trader's Money Management System, expert Bennett McDowell provides time-tested techniques that can turn a losing trader into a winning one?and take the winning trader to an entirely new level. In revealing his personal approach to staying out of trouble in the financial markets and maximizing profits, he offers comprehensive insights into:

• The psychology of risk control as well as the finer aspects of setting stop-loss exits
• The value of managing trade size and consistent record keeping
• The process of putting together your own personal money management system

Unlike other books that focus on the complex mathematical theories behind money management, this book presents its system in straightforward, easy-to-understand terms that will allow you to quickly see how these concepts work and immediately benefit from the value of effectively managing risk.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Risk control tends to be the last thing that most traders focus on, perhaps because of the popular belief that it's their trading strategy that will generate great fortunes. But ultimately, a strategy alone won't create riches. A trader or investor needs to develop discipline, a strong financial psychology, and a sound money management system to maximize profits and keep them out of financial danger. In A Trader's Money Management System, veteran trader Bennett McDowell offers readers an expert guide to the most important elements of money management in trading.

McDowell shares his personal money management system, with the ultimate goal of helping you design your own system, customized to fit your risk tolerance, your experience level, and financial needs. He identifies the six types of risk to consider every time you make a trade—trade risk, market risk, margin risk, liquidity risk, overnight risk, and volatility risk—covering each in detail.

In easy-to-understand terms, the author then breaks down his system into five key elements. He first explains the psychology of risk control, telling what issues to look for and how to address them in order to more effectively implement your money management system. McDowell then details a variety of stop-loss approaches and gives you tips on how to make sure you adhere to them when they're hit. He follows with a discussion of trade size, showing how to determine how large or small your trade size should be so that you are not overextending your risk. McDowell then covers the crucial element of record keeping, and explains how it pays significant dividends. Finally, he shows how to design a realistic personal plan—one that you will continue to use and profit from.

This book also equips readers with two valuable tools: A one-month free trial of Trade Size Calculator software and The Trader's Assistant recordkeeping materials. The trial Trade Size Calculator software is downloadable at www.traderscoach.com (see Appendix A for details), and The Trader's Assistant recordkeeping materials can be photocopied directly from the book. These two tools complement the text and together provide a complete package that will deliver better results to your bottom line.

From the Back Cover

Praise for A Trader's Money Management System

"I am pleased to strongly recommend this excellent book, A Trader's Money Management System. If you are picking up this book, congratulations, since you have taken the first steps in following in the footsteps (by using proper money management) of successful traders."
—Steve Nison, President, Candlecharts.com, and author of Japanese Candlestick Charting Techniques

"Bennett McDowell demystifies money management for traders in his new book. With these simple, time-tested strategies, a trader will decrease the time it will take to become profitable."
—Adrienne Toghraie, President, TradingOnTarget.com

"Bennett McDowell does traders a HUGE favor in this valuable book by emphasizing the extreme importance of risk control and its vital place in a sound trading plan. Further, he provides knowledge of and access to specific tools, which enable the trader to implement his ideas simply and effectively. His simple straightforward treatment of a complex and often boring subject is a breath of fresh air and a worthwhilecontribution to this important element so crucial to the achievement of successful trading results."
—Edward D. Dobson, President, Traders Press Inc.

The best-kept secret to trading success: money management

Money management may very well be the most important piece of the trading puzzle. In A Trader's Money Management System, expert Bennett McDowell provides time-tested techniques that can turn a losing trader into a winning one—and take the winning trader to an entirely new level. In revealing his personal approach to staying out of trouble in the financial markets and maximizing profits, he offers comprehensive insights into:

• The psychology of risk control as well as the finer aspects of setting stop-loss exits

• The value of managing trade size and consistent record keeping

• The process of putting together your own personal money management system

Unlike other books that focus on the complex mathematical theories behind money management, this book presents its system in straightforward, easy-to-understand terms that will allow you to quickly see how these concepts work—and immediately benefit from the value of effectively managing risk.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 210 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (July 8, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470187719
• ISBN-13: 978-0470187715
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 0.8 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (87 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #104,124 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #19 in Books > Business & Investing > Industries & Professions > Insurance > Risk Management

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing, painful to read March 22, 2010

By Bobik

Format:Hardcover

This is one of the worst books I have read about trading/financial markets.
It might have been an interesting 5-page article in a magazine but almost 200 pages is just very painful for the reader. It's not really about money management except mentioning that stops are important - well, we know that by now. Just a few examples about other things that are very annoying in the book (in pretty random order):

[x] The author talks about 7 types of risk (as mentioned in other reviews) but there is not real value in this categorization and the "explanations" are a waste of time, e.g.:
"Overnight risk. For day traders, overnight risk presents a concern of what can happen overnight, when the markets are closed, can dramatically impact the value of their position. [...]" Zzzzzzz - tell me something new.

[x] In every chart there is advertising for the authors trading system that he tries to sell, e.g.: "THE ART CHARTING SOFTWARE WORKS ON ALL TIME-FRAMES!". By page 5 you know the author has this "fantastic" system but he goes on and on and on about it on every page and every chart.

[x] The author never explains on how to do it... he only says that this and that is important, like "Have a plan.", "Find a winning trading system", ... My grandma could have given me more helpful advice.

30 of 36 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Skip this expensive appetizer and go straight for the main course May 29, 2009

By demago

Format:Hardcover

I'm glad I checked out this book in the bookstore before buying it. I would be seriously pissed off paying so much for what is really just a sampler, just enough to whet the appetite. The bulk of the book is trading 101 on money management, and the little bit that goes beyond the basics is covered in much greater depth in the Vince or Balsara books. In itself there's nothing wrong with an intro book, but at this price it's just greedy. It just proves Elder true when he says that most of the money of the "losers" in trading doesn't go to the "winners" but to the trading industry. If you're serious about trading you're going to want to move on to the more meaty books anyway, so don't waste your money and go there straight away. So I'd say, read Balsara first (very readable) and then move on to Vince (quite a bit of algebra, but actually quite basic by quant standards -- anyone with good high school math and willing to make the cognitive effort will be OK).

Note also that most 4 and 5 star reviewers have only a track record of one review (or if it's two, it's to give rave reviews for the author's other book). What a coincidence, so many first-time reviewers.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Thinking about Trading? August 25, 2008

By Joe Z

Format:Hardcover

Read this book before you lose your life savings or a portion thereof. I would venture to guess that most "non professionals" play in markets without a plan or system. It may be true that more people lose money in the market than make money in the market, especially in 2008. Well, if you fall into this category you need to read and use this book before you make another trade. Money management discipline is more important than stock picking!

This book is an easy read. It will, in a clear and concise manner, guide you to create your trading system for money management ("preservation"). Learn your strengths and identify your weaknesses. Understand your risk psychology and how to develop a "Traders Mindset" that fits you. Entry rules, stop-loss exits, risk-of-ruin tables, tracking systems and risk management rules, it is all here. It's well laid out and worth the investment in your financial future. I am glad that I bought and am using this book. Highly recommended!