hope to compile a list of rules to follow when trading in stocks...i'll start with some of my "rules", please post your own rules too!

1. Never, ever buy into hype.

When everyone is talking about XYZ, then you know that it's already too late to enter. E.g. everyone talks about stock market, then the stock market crashes. Everyone talks about commodities (e.g. gold), then commodities crashes.

2. Never, ever hold a loser.

Always know when to sell. When you have a stock that's losing money, make sure you sell and not diedie hold it as it goes all the way down.

i'll add more as i think of them

i'll add too....

1. Always ignore the market and other people and buy on what you think is right.

Sometimes you are the only one who is saying to buy A when everyone is saying to sell A. But you usually turn out to be the right one. Just make sure that your reasons are sound.

2. Make sure you do your calculations and have a plan.

Don't just buy into something and leave it there. Make sure you know what price to get out. If you have to think so much to buy that $100 shirt/bag/etc, then you should think damn long and hard when you buy a few thousand dollars worth of shares

3. Try not to buy on a Friday!

Classic example is: you buy on a Friday, then Dow closes deep red, and you spend the weekend worrying, and Monday gap down. Always True? No. Highly probable? Yes.

Speaking from personal experience

I'll add mine too

1. Practice splitting

If you intend to buy a stock, but you're unsure of what price, try buying half of your intended purchase first. E.g. if you wanted to buy 20 lots, buy 10 lots at X price, then another 10 lots another day/price.

Same advice goes to selling too. Reason being, you "lock in" the first price, so no matter which way the price moves after that, you have already guaranteed your position.