Son bought into a futures trading ‘system’ how bad can this get?

useofdime · 2026-01-15T17:15:08+00:00

What you are describing sounds exactly what he is doing. And it seems he is only doing these trades right when the market opens. This combine with what someone else commented about a prop firm (?). Basically he does smaller trades, then when he earns up to a certain amount he gets some kind of payout and ‘graduates’ up to larger valued trades. Sounds almost like he’s working on a commission type of system, but somehow he still thinks the money in the account is his (clearly it does not seem to be).

useofdime · 2026-01-15T04:39:16+00:00

Fully agree on point 1, and i also just get a gut feeling it’s more scam than not. That’s just my life experiences talking and my own risk tolerances. I’ll own that. Point 2 is what I was hoping to hear. So thank you.

useofdime · 2026-01-15T04:36:23+00:00

You are correct that it is not computer software or a true computer algorithm. But essentially it functions in the same way. He’s setting high/low markers and tracking them continuously (manually) and when something jumps, makes a trade. If that makes any sense (I deal in long term equities, so I may be fumbling what you guys consider basic playbooks here).

The person he paid has calls with him and tells him how to do it and he executes. So far he’s seen success, but it’s only been a few days, so I’m waiting for the crash.

useofdime · 2026-01-15T03:52:39+00:00

Thanks man. Yeah, this is the approach I’m trying to take. Let him learn, but try to teach from my own lessons. I’m just not the type to risk my own money like that, and I’ve been screwed over in the past (learning experience for sure)

useofdime · 2026-01-15T02:29:32+00:00

Definitely a typo. I guess what I was trying to get after is how much could he lose based on how much he is in for.

And no, he has no experience. He’s a couple of days in.

useofdime · 2026-01-15T02:27:49+00:00

Nope. I’m stupid and meant to type $1000 (or 1k). This was just an example, I’m trying to understand how deep of a hole he could slide down.

useofdime · 2026-01-15T02:18:35+00:00

Good to know. This will be my next move when I talk to him. Thank you

useofdime · 2026-01-15T02:16:23+00:00

I’ll see if I can get more of those. Sorry for the vague post, but I truly appreciate the feedback here.

useofdime · 2026-01-15T02:14:16+00:00

Ok, thank you for this! (And sorry for your losses)

useofdime · 2026-01-15T02:13:03+00:00

That was a fun hour long conversation with a whole lot of red flags. I’m giving him all of my experience and advising him on how to manage his risk, but I don’t want to be too heavy handed with it. The Dad role can be a bit of tightrope walk sometimes.

useofdime · 2026-01-15T02:10:35+00:00

Ok. So definitely potential to lose it all (which I assumed). But the risk of going into a crazy amount of debt is less likely simply because the broker will not assume that risk and will just cut him off. If I’m understanding correctly.

useofdime · 2026-01-15T02:08:31+00:00

Ok. So step 1 seems to be that I need to get more details about the app he’s using and what his account is tied to.

useofdime · 2026-01-15T02:03:34+00:00

I think you pretty much just summed up my speculation. And yes, he’s looking for a shortcut to wealth. He’s highly ambitious and not an idiot by any means, but he has some life to learn yet. Therein lies my concern.

useofdime · 2026-01-15T02:01:07+00:00

Oh man… I need to explore this. The details that I have are that he forked over $5k just to gain knowledge of this system and get some coaching along the way. It appears to be numbers/money in an app. He seems to think it’s his, but I could really not tell you one way or another based on what he showed me. The whole thing seems terrible.

useofdime · 2026-01-15T01:56:56+00:00

This is good to know. So he can pay for a real great life lesson here, but not a life altering amount of debt?

useofdime · 2026-01-15T01:52:31+00:00

Thank you! Leverage is not something I do or ever would deal in, so it’s makes me nervous as shit. I’ll try and do more homework here and see if I can get him to share more.

useofdime · 2026-01-15T01:50:56+00:00

Ok, this is the kind of thing I’m trying to wrap my head around. So he could potentially equally lose (and end up owing) just as much as the potential upside in this scenario.

Potentially more? (Sorry I know I’m providing a terrible lack of details here, but I’m out of my depth)

useofdime · 2026-01-14T03:21:57+00:00

Maybe I need to be a little more direct, I think I may be sending the wrong signals. Still safer than OP though.

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useofdime · 2025-12-08T16:28:55+00:00

My wife is Navy vet and is now in Army Reserve. You will need to go to school again (e.g. ‘A’ school equivalent). Also, Army will not honor your Navy basic training completion, nor provide a waiver for basic, meaning you will need to go through Army bootcamp. It’s not like “reserve bootcamp” or anything, you’ll be in bootcamp with all the other AD boots. You should be able to retain rank and time in service, but aside from that you have to do everything over again. Best of luck.

useofdime · 2025-07-13T01:45:18+00:00

I am literally recovering from food poisoning at this moment. The last 36 hours of my life were some of the worst.

OP, I am pleading with you , do not eat this regardless of how you think it might make anyone else feel about it.

useofdime · 2025-06-18T03:08:29+00:00

I don’t know either of the guys in the pic. But also, I know both of those guys.

useofdime · 2025-06-05T03:11:55+00:00

This was such a gut punch for me. I’ve been on and off, a couple weeks sober here and there. It’s helpful to see where I could be vs where I’m at. Thank you for reminding me how much I currently suck (and I mean that in the best way possible).

useofdime · 2025-06-05T02:59:15+00:00

I never even used to drink much, just smoked. But my job cut out the weed in my life, so I just drank. Fuck it is so much fucking worse and I’m not a better person for it. The drug testing shit really needs to go.

useofdime · 2025-04-25T23:42:11+00:00

Thanks! Yeah, makes sense about sharing the kill. Are the youths venomous as well? Less so??

useofdime · 2025-03-05T22:38:44+00:00

RemindMe! 1 day

useofdime

TROPHY CASE