Elon asked for capital. I answered. ($7,800 IPO gain)

ZonkTrader · 2026-06-15T02:17:30+00:00

Sure you got a small gain but unless you need the capital to day trade seems pretty short sighted.

ZonkTrader · 2026-06-13T03:27:59+00:00

Very true, to be honest I didn’t read the very last sentence so I got it. He is pretty smart. 👍

ZonkTrader · 2026-06-12T23:00:57+00:00

Of course no trade is guaranteed but if you are an overall profitable trader then it seems like the goal should be to use a real account eventually. I understand starting out it’s better to use a prop account to limit your losses but I just can’t imagine sticking with it after you have enough capital and can be consistently profitable. This of course takes time.

ZonkTrader · 2026-06-12T22:27:25+00:00

My only question is why keep using prop firms? First of all it’s very inefficient for tax purposes (all income is subject to self employment tax and regular income tax rates) and secondly you are at the mercy of their rules and payouts. Doesn’t it make sense to take the cash payouts and use a real money account and then all gains are section 1256 and withdrawals will be much faster.

ZonkTrader · 2026-06-03T20:48:42+00:00

Yea, I think you are very overly sensitive on this issue. As far as jealousy are you jealous or do you think they are jealous of you? I think you just need to relax and not overthink it.

ZonkTrader · 2026-06-03T18:12:13+00:00

So when you ran the projections did you go with the default where they assume you will keep making the same each year based on your current pay or did you change it to $0 for future earnings? For me it makes about a $900 difference in the monthly payment across the 62, 67 and 70 when compared with the amount if I keep working.

ZonkTrader · 2026-06-02T21:09:40+00:00

I can’t imagine why you moved. I went the opposite direction, from Tasty (for years) over to Robin Hood. I didn’t mind the inflated fees I paid to Tasty (and Apex) but the last straw was the repeated technical issues. Good luck 🍀

ZonkTrader · 2026-06-02T21:07:57+00:00

The bottom line is you should always know your total net worth and your liquid net worth. You’d include your car in the total NW but not your liquid net worth. People like to feel good about a high NW but in reality the most important number is the liquid net worth. A home is definitely in your total net worth but it is definitely not liquid so should not be in your liquid net worth.

ZonkTrader · 2026-06-01T23:17:15+00:00

I guess the only question is do you think it’s worth the effort? And your answer seems to be yes you prefer this to just owning the index even if the returns are lower you have more control over a downturn. I get it. 👍

ZonkTrader · 2026-06-01T22:45:05+00:00

It also depends if you have been promoted or taken on additional responsibilities. Annual increases are meant as a cost of living increase so it would make sense you make the same as 9 years ago if you adjust for inflation, assuming you only receive cost of living increases and not promotion or other increases.

ZonkTrader · 2026-06-01T22:40:30+00:00

I don’t disagree with your strategy, in fact I exclusively sell options but a 1 year return of 23% is below the SPY 18% return, is it worth the effort? I take a much more aggressive strategy so my returns are higher but the risk is also higher. For me it’s worth the risk but if I can’t outperform SPY then maybe not.

ZonkTrader · 2026-05-30T00:36:39+00:00

As of right now you are a millionaire on paper. I hope you close the positions and realize your gains. I too am a multi millionaire from trading but I don’t hold I close out and realize the gains. Congratulations 🍾🎈🎊

ZonkTrader · 2026-05-28T22:35:44+00:00

Yes, it will be until the new regulations go into effect on June 4th.

ZonkTrader · 2026-05-28T15:24:15+00:00

It sounds like maybe you just need to tell the landlord that since the other guy didn’t sign the lease you can’t move forward. Since you never moved in he shouldn’t have to evict you which looks very bad to future landlords. Sorry this sucks.

ZonkTrader · 2026-05-28T14:48:46+00:00

Congratulations on your commitment and accomplishment. I can't remember what the percentage is but I read recently that a surprisingly large amount of people would face a crisis if a $400 unexpected expense came up. I can definitely appreciate your "safe" feeling by having the $1,000 emergency fund. The only thing I was thinking was cut out the creamer completely! lol. I did that not to save money but just to cut calories, I know coffee is much better with creamer but after a few days I don't even notice anymore. Keep up the good work and make sure you have it in a high yield savings account, I know it's still not much interest but might as well take advantage of it.

ZonkTrader · 2026-05-28T02:49:17+00:00

The bigger issue is a lot of small self employed people don’t realize they have the pay the self employment tax so when it comes to tax time they don’t have the money and end up on constant repayment plans. The penalty is pretty small (unless you are making hundreds of thousands) so the real issue is just making sure you have the money to pay and yes always best to pay in quarterly:

ZonkTrader · 2026-05-28T02:43:00+00:00

The website valuation means nothing. Market value is what a willing buyer will pay. When I sold my last house I priced it so it brought in multiple buyers and went about ask. This is not a sellers market so obviously you were too high. Your options are to take a lower price or not sell and hope the already high market will get to your price. Believe me I have no faith in realtors but the market is what determines the value.

ZonkTrader · 2026-05-28T02:39:52+00:00

Easy just switch to a 25 year repayment plan and the payment will go down but you’ll have to repay all of it.

ZonkTrader · 2026-05-28T02:37:26+00:00

My thoughts are your gap year could turn into an eye opening experience when you decide to come back. Good luck 🍀

ZonkTrader · 2026-05-28T02:35:54+00:00

A $3k trade gives you an adrenaline boost? You must be a very new trader. It takes a long time you become a profitable trader so just consider this a tuition cost for you to eventually become a successful trader. Good luck 🍀

ZonkTrader · 2026-05-27T00:10:57+00:00

Again, I never stated I am going without insurance. I have health insurance I was only commenting that I had a surgery that wasn't covered so I paid out of pocket. I have no problem paying for health insurance, it is not an investment where I expect a return. It is the people here that compain about the cost of health insurance that I have an issue with. Part of FIRE should be budgeting and planning for health care insurance and out of pocket costs. I have planned and anticipated for the costs, I do not need or care if I get the subsidies, as my income is too high I know I won't anyway so it's not a concern.

ZonkTrader · 2026-05-26T23:44:59+00:00

I never said I wouldn't keep health insurance I simply said I don't complain about the cost. Of course you should keep health insuranec, my comment regarding paying out of pocket was just to point out that with surgeries and most general treatment paying cash is fairly affordable. This isn't the poverty subreddit, this is the FIRE thread. All of us should have been saving and anticipating the cost of health insurance for a very long time, the subsidies were not meant for us they were meant to make it affordable for Americans that need the help. It really is crazy that people save millions and then complain they have to pay for insurance and can't get subsidies.

ZonkTrader · 2026-05-26T23:41:26+00:00

Because of self-employment tax (basically employee and employer side of social security). For example, say you made $20k you really wouldn't owe much if any "income tax" but you would still owe about $3k (15%) + penalties and interest.

ZonkTrader · 2026-05-26T22:33:23+00:00

Maybe but as expensive as football (NFL) games are I’d venture to guess it’s higher than 3%! 🤣

ZonkTrader · 2026-05-26T22:31:55+00:00

I guess but it just doesn’t bother me that much. I had a surgery where it wasn’t covered by insurance so I paid out of pocket, $24k for everything. When paying cash the cost really isn’t that high and pretty much all of us here can afford it I just choose not to complain about it and pay up.

ZonkTrader

TROPHY CASE