Trading is stressful, so you’ll need to manage the stress. Supplements keep your mind sharp and body healthy. Multivitamins, Vitamin D, and Ginseng are worthwhile investments. Ginseng will keep you alert and very focused. It keeps you alert like caffeine but gives you more brainpower. Speaking of caffeine, I love K-cups, and the Keriug brewer. For a while I thought it would only make weak coffee, but certain brands like Peet’s changed my mind. Also, the newer brewers allow you to brew stronger cups through strength settings.

Chances are you’ll spend a lot of time at home since you live in your office. I use Bowflex free weights to work out at home. You can do so many exercises with them and they are compact and well designed.

I will say there is some amount of luck in trading, but more so than luck I would suggest having some kind of spirituality. There is an uncanny rhythm to the market that suggest something supernatural is in place. Having some prayer / mediation / mindfulness time will help you focus and look at your positions from a distance you wouldn’t normally see.

Since trading gives you so much flexibility with time, it’s a good idea to create a side business that is also flexible. The reason you want a flexible side business is that markets can change quickly and you need to be able to react if you need to. Since you will have a lot of money tied up in your investments and trades your trading business must take priority. Many times I have lost tens of thousands of dollars simply because I was doing something else while markets moved. I delayed making necessary adjustments. Don’t delay!

So what kind of side business is best? Whatever you are interested in. Whatever your interests are, I’m sure you could create a blog about that interest. Blogging is a great side business and is the perfect compliment to trading. Flexibility is key.