thanks for all your responses so far.
why would i need 25k to start with, why cant i start small with lets say 1000 us and work my way up ?
i have been looking at Suncor Energy Inc. (SU) for example, was 2 days ago at 31.44 US, right now we are at 32.20, if i bought 1000 us and i choose to sell right now, i would be making 24 US minus 7 US fee roundtrip, im making 18 US, is my math off or what im a missing, are there restrictions of money i need to deposit somewhere before i can start trading, wheres the catch ?
Why don't you goggle a lot of the free info. It will give you an over view.
I copied and pasted a preview of some of the stuff you will find if you avail yourself.
Day TradingOverview
When you continuously buy and sell investments within a very short time, perhaps a few minutes or hours, and rarely hold them overnight, you're considered a day trader. The strategy is to take advantage of rapid price changes to make money quickly. The risk is that as a day trader, you can lose substantial amounts of money because no one can predict how or when prices will change.
Requirements for Accounts that Actively Day Trade
FINRA has implemented account requirements for accounts that actively day trade. The amendment updates FINRA Rule 2520. This rule sets the guidelines for investment accounts that use the trading strategy commonly known as day trading.
The amendment establishes new requirements for customers who actively day trade (known as pattern day traders).
The rules only affect customers who are classified as pattern day traders. The FINRA definition, under rule 2520, defines a pattern day trader as "any customer who executes four or more day trades within five business days, provided the number of day trades is more than 6% of the total trades in the account during that period". Scottrade defines a pattern day trader as any customer who executes four or more day trades within five business days.
In addition to this new definition of a pattern day trader, the following amendments went into effect on Friday, Sept. 28, 2001:
Higher equity requirement. The minimum equity requirement for pattern day traders is $25,000.
Clarification on the term "day trade". Redefines the term "day trade" to treat the sale of an existing position held from the previous day as a liquidation, and the subsequent repurchase of that position as the establishment of a new position not subject to the day trading margin requirements.
Day trading buying power. Day trading buying power is calculated based on the customer's account position as of the close of business on the previous day. The amendments limit day trading buying power to four times the day trader's maintenance margin excess.
Margin account requirement. All patterned day trades must be placed in a margin account. Trading in a cash account is limited to available settlement date balances in accordance with Regulation T and FINRA Rule 2520.