Hi guys,

I have been investing for about 4 years now. I became interested in technical analysis after not selling some winners when they rolled over and buying some losers on the way down. Over the past 6 months I have been studying up on short term trading. I followed Tim and Tye over here from the HG short term board, and I have read several of the books that Tim recommended there, including Weinstein and Tharp. I've been paper trading during that same time period as a way of applying my knowledge.

Six months ago, I signed an agreement to sell my business, and it looks like the happy day will finally come this week, and I will be entering my temporary retirement, moving to my little place out in the country, and doing nothing but pursuing my passions, horses and the stock market. I am only 49 years old, so I am fairly certain this will not be permanent retirement for me, but who knows?

So I'm going to be popping up with newcomer questions. I have no illusions about knowing everything I need to know. In fact, the more I learn, the more I realize I don't know, and the more I want to learn. I have never shorted a stock. I have never bought or sold options, and I don't know if I will. But I truly have a passion about stocks and the stock market.

So here are a few questions to get started:

1. Do you like using seperate accounts for short term trading and long term investing?
2. Do you use different brokers for these accounts or have seperate accounts with one broker? I currently use Scottrade.
3. What percentage of your cash/stock portfolio (excluding real estate and other items in your net worth) do you dedicate to short term trading?
4. Are there any "tools" in your "toolbox" that you really like, such as charting services, newsletters, websites, etc.?

Thanks for sharing all you do.

CBaker100