One Mooer's Story
Share my trading journey as a fulltime Mum
Hi all, I'm Sera 😁 I'm from Sydney, Australia 🇦🇺 some of you guys already know me as @MooMamaLlama! I'm 44, a proud mum full time, with a long time interest in markets and finance. I found Moomoo after trying multiple apps in 2021 and haven't looked back.
Hi all, I'm Sera 😁 I'm from Sydney, Australia 🇦🇺 some of you guys already know me as @MooMamaLlama! I'm 44, a proud mum full time, with a long time interest in markets and finance. I found Moomoo after trying multiple apps in 2021 and haven't looked back.
>>The sectors I focused on
I began as a novice in crypto, and after some big losses, along with good harsh lessons in volatility and time management, decided it wasn't for me and stocks would be much better suited to my style and hours 😁
I began as a novice in crypto, and after some big losses, along with good harsh lessons in volatility and time management, decided it wasn't for me and stocks would be much better suited to my style and hours 😁
By 2022 I was looking into stocks over a few different markets. I am definitely a fan of ASX 🦘🇦🇺stocks, particularly the Mining/Energy sector, from the big guys in mining like Pilbara $PLS Group Ltd (PLS.AU)$ or Mineral Resources $Mineral Resources Ltd (MIN.AU)$ , to penny stocks in exploration and energy/ battery tech like Liontown $Liontown Ltd (LTR.AU)$ and Novonix $Novonix (NVX.AU)$ I still watch these over the years, following the news and hoping they'll all recover from recent downtrends…
Lithium prices being so low have hit many companies in this industry, but synthetic graphite and battery tech are coming along and commodity prices should hopefully rebound. An oversupply is currently keeping prices down…let's hope it's more temporary than not 😉
HK 🇭🇰 stocks in tech & EV sectors like Baba $Alibaba (BABA.US)$ , Nio $NIO Inc (NIO.US)$ and BYD $BYD COMPANY (01211.HK)$ have all been through my portfolio, along with many US companies.
In the US market 🇺🇲 I've looked into many industries... medical sectors, energy, defense, shipping and tech. I like a solid stock like Palantir $Palantir (PLTR.US)$ , Futu $Futu Holdings Ltd (FUTU.US)$ or even Zim $ZIM Integrated Shipping (ZIM.US)$ ...
But I also love an underdog like little known biotech/pharma co's, early stage tech for defense, or low key mining ops with JV potential.., which may be a problem sometimes but has done me well on some small cap or lesser known stocks. $LTR Pharma Ltd (LTP.AU)$ is one of those... with approval and release of Spontan, it has potential to disrupt the monopoly Viagra has very much established in this market sector. Its an almost instant nasal spray delivery, with 12min effect vs 45min with viagra..see what mean about disruption?! Something like that can be a game changed.
>>How did I start the trading journey
My grandpa was very much the first to talk to me about finances as a kid but, well, I was a kid… I had no clue the markets would try and eat me alive one day!
My grandpa was very much the first to talk to me about finances as a kid but, well, I was a kid… I had no clue the markets would try and eat me alive one day!
The initial catalyst to trade myself was the pandemic. The spark that started it…but what kept me going was sheer stubbornness also.After an initial period of good luck, then having my butt kicked across 2023 I realised even though I had a strategy, I was a bit of an emotional trader 😂
Once you acknowledge any losses as your own, take them as lessons, and recognise the Market doesn't owe you anything. It's easier to get back up, cut the emotion, learn from it, and trade better every day. Win or Learn!
It's not a total loss of you can learn from it.... think of it as the price of education ☺
So the interest in markets and finance was always kind of there, even though it was far from what I'd ever done. I've studied and obtained certs in Business and Accounting many many moons ago- hopefully aiming for diploma in Marketing, before falling pregnant with twins drastically changing my focus and direction! ![]()
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But even though those courses included finances, that's not really anything to do with stock markets. And honestly, I wasn't passionate about 'accounting' anyway! 😂 Once I started looking into trading I realised quickly that I do love the markets though!
That interest peaked in 2020-21 during Covid….with lockdowns, sickness, and everything that made us all collectively think about our futures at the time.
Now I have a baby granddaughter and my girls and niece are all older.... So I want them all to know it IS possible to do it for yourself, and the earlier you learn, the better![]()
Now I have a baby granddaughter and my girls and niece are all older.... So I want them all to know it IS possible to do it for yourself, and the earlier you learn, the better
That's a huge part of why I started in the first place, to pass on the knowledge that I never got at the age it mattered.
I come from no money, I grew up in an ultra low class neighbourhood. My parents were not investors and had all their assets held at the mercy of our government in Superannuation accounts. My kids need to know while yes, Super is important for retirement, it's not the only option for growing and compounding assets for life. The best first investment you will ever make is educating yourself 👩🏼🎓
>>My trading style
My style is a little mix of everything these days. I began with the ideals of investing, saving, growing…
Market crashing changed those ideals, realising day and swing trades were putting my capital to better use than holding assets through a long downtrend. I still trade a lot of the same assets, but in a different way. More flexible, and more patient. If I want to hold something long term, I look for bottom-fishing indicators… an obvious one is after a big dip, close to support, but I'll look at longer term charts 4hr and daily as well. If it often bounces nicely from the same price range (solid support range), if it's at a 52wk or all time low, is below multiple moving avg's, or is reliant on other factors like commodity prices pushing it down which look to rebound, I'll take another look. I want a low entry price for long term holds so I can sleep at night 😉
My style is a little mix of everything these days. I began with the ideals of investing, saving, growing…
Market crashing changed those ideals, realising day and swing trades were putting my capital to better use than holding assets through a long downtrend. I still trade a lot of the same assets, but in a different way. More flexible, and more patient. If I want to hold something long term, I look for bottom-fishing indicators… an obvious one is after a big dip, close to support, but I'll look at longer term charts 4hr and daily as well. If it often bounces nicely from the same price range (solid support range), if it's at a 52wk or all time low, is below multiple moving avg's, or is reliant on other factors like commodity prices pushing it down which look to rebound, I'll take another look. I want a low entry price for long term holds so I can sleep at night 😉
I've been banging on about Novonix and Liontown for years, even though both have had a long overall downtrend. Anyone lucky enough to find these guys last month picked up a bargain. Pilbara is hopefully going to be a much longer term now with Lithium companies all getting a boost of late after a loooong downtrend. Good ride up with some pullback now after earnings release… adding more and watching! 👀
For short term trades I look for volatility and volume 📊, coupled with news and good chart indicators📉📈.
I picked up Zena intended as a swing trade over a day or 2 but followed for weeks, taking some profit and re-entering lower, then taking profit again.
>>Recap of My Trades
These days I'm more impressed when my portfolio has better progressive or compounding gains as opposed to those few amazing trades that don't come every day… I am a bit more cut n dry on my price targets, sometimes leaving meat on the table but it's much better taking a smaller profit than none. Very tired of getting in too early, cutting losses on something still trending down, then re-entering lower after a loss.
In that case even a profitable trade is only making up for a loss…. Which is no good for overall growth!
Either I can hold conviction on price target or I'll wait longer to buy in.
This I've been trying to do more consistently. Including on papertrade, which I am proud to say has done bloody well recently! This week also kicked off well with added NVX and LTR last cpl weeks. I have hung around the top 10 plenty but it's nice to be on top at #1!!
These days I'm more impressed when my portfolio has better progressive or compounding gains as opposed to those few amazing trades that don't come every day… I am a bit more cut n dry on my price targets, sometimes leaving meat on the table but it's much better taking a smaller profit than none. Very tired of getting in too early, cutting losses on something still trending down, then re-entering lower after a loss.
In that case even a profitable trade is only making up for a loss…. Which is no good for overall growth!
Either I can hold conviction on price target or I'll wait longer to buy in.
This I've been trying to do more consistently. Including on papertrade, which I am proud to say has done bloody well recently! This week also kicked off well with added NVX and LTR last cpl weeks. I have hung around the top 10 plenty but it's nice to be on top at #1!!
You can see on my Trend Analysis there have been many times it went up fast only to come right back down……on those highs I should have been taking more profit! But in YTD, 9 & 12-month frames there's consistent growth. I'm happier about that!
First lot of Zena was weeks ago at 2.7, more at 3.8, took a little profit high 4s, back in 4.1 then more bought at 5.11 so my avg went up a fair bit, about 4.55, out at 6.3 So one of the more comfortable runs I've had 😉 This latest clip for 9mth range, includes overnight price changes in US market and today's ASX changes, and shows what a difference few DCA additions make..from 77% to 118% overall position.
Sure it would have been better profits to buy 500 shares of Zena right off the bat at 2.7…but it was very speculative at the time so a much less comfortable position if things didn't go to plan…!
As more, even better news was released I've consistently added before bigger 10-20% overnight/day gains.
Apart from Zena, I've had a few good months overall, consistently finding good entry points and a meaty exit point. Found a few screensaves from recently above.
As more, even better news was released I've consistently added before bigger 10-20% overnight/day gains.
Apart from Zena, I've had a few good months overall, consistently finding good entry points and a meaty exit point. Found a few screensaves from recently above.
>>My Views on ASX Stocks & US Stocks
Generally, although full of ‘exceptions’, the U.S market moves faster 🏃 , with more volume, and has wayyy more trading hours in the day! 🕒
I'm generally pretty loyal to the ASX 🦘🦘but for someone like me needing more flexible trading hours, U.S market🇺🇲 is full of potential, at times I'm able to sit and watch 😉
>>About My Risk Management Strategy
Some stocks I'll set a mental stop loss before pulling the trigger (depending on type of stock/chart patterns) as I've set stop losses way too high or simply jumped out early many times before.
Personally I've a habit of getting in a bit too early. Predicting a rise, buying asap- instead of waiting for a dip - then seeing it fall a little instead and panic! 🤪 I've often jumped out with a loss..instead of waiting for the reason I bought in the first place. Lesson being focus on my target price instead of min by min chart patterns 😉
Also trying to recognise a Dip vs Downtrend… usually dependent on news or commodity pricing.
Personally I've a habit of getting in a bit too early. Predicting a rise, buying asap- instead of waiting for a dip - then seeing it fall a little instead and panic! 🤪 I've often jumped out with a loss..instead of waiting for the reason I bought in the first place. Lesson being focus on my target price instead of min by min chart patterns 😉
Also trying to recognise a Dip vs Downtrend… usually dependent on news or commodity pricing.
Ask myself, am I prepared to lose X amount to find where support is? Is it plausible that I recoup any current loss by using DCA? Or is it better to cut and run?
Generally my risk tolerance will follow lines of overall profitability. Time horizon as well. If I'm doing well in total p/l, I'm a little more tolerant of risk on something volatile or speculative.
If I've taken a hit on something I'm much more conservative for a while. I believe most of us do this whether we realise it or not. If we have a really good run, often some of us willl take a risk we maybe normally wouldn't, right?
Generally my risk tolerance will follow lines of overall profitability. Time horizon as well. If I'm doing well in total p/l, I'm a little more tolerant of risk on something volatile or speculative.
If I've taken a hit on something I'm much more conservative for a while. I believe most of us do this whether we realise it or not. If we have a really good run, often some of us willl take a risk we maybe normally wouldn't, right?
>> The Challenges & My Solution
Often it's not only the market itself that poses challenges, but life in general.
Socio-economic circumstances and global situations often play into decision-making. Commodity prices or policy changes can affect assets in a huge way, just as personal circumstances can also affect trading ability (ie. lack of time to watch something or lack of liquidity to conduct a fast trade).
Socio-economic circumstances and global situations often play into decision-making. Commodity prices or policy changes can affect assets in a huge way, just as personal circumstances can also affect trading ability (ie. lack of time to watch something or lack of liquidity to conduct a fast trade).
Managing your time is key. Real-time news is important, and conviction in the trades, be it long or short.
>> The words that I want to say to the newbie investors, and the younger MooMamaLlama!!
I've gone back and read old posts, including my first Mooers Story in 2022, to remember what I was feeling and thinking when I first started my trading journey!
I've gone back and read old posts, including my first Mooers Story in 2022, to remember what I was feeling and thinking when I first started my trading journey!
So my biggest advice to myself after reading those would be to take my own advice sometimes… meaning trusting your instincts while you are learning the ropes,and just be more patient.
Sometimes I was more easily swayed by ‘meme’ sentiment or comments, especially US markets, and fell into a few pump and dump stocks.📈📉
Of course,with the volatility there were some great trades and gains along the way, unfortunately there were also some fast and large losses as well. So after a great start I lost a massive chunk of equity in 22-23….and starting again almost from scratch sucks!!! There is something to be said for that experience though, it taught me I don't ever want to do it again 😉
Fundamentals are important, even if you like to use Technical Analysis for day trading or swing trades that is a good tool for entry/exit points on longer term investments.
So over the years I listen less to fickle advice and focus on facts.
My advice then would be very much the same now (even though i didnt want to hear that then!) - To slow down and learn. Keep trading and watching markets because experience is just as valuable as knowledge.
Disclaimer: Community is offered by Moomoo Technologies Inc. and is for educational purposes only.
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BSqueen : That “panic exit after entry” phase is so real. Your focus on DCA and mental stop-losses is next-level discipline.
GROW sky : Absolutely inspiring!
MooMamaLlama OP BSqueen : thanks! its not always easy I'll be honest and it's taken me a while to get here mentally, as self discipline isn't usually my strong suit!!
MooMamaLlama OP GROW sky : thank you![[undefined]](https://static.moomoo.com/nnq/emoji/static/image/default/default-black.png?imageMogr2/thumbnail/36x36 "undefined")
![[undefined]](https://static.moomoo.com/nnq/emoji/static/image/default/default-black.png?imageMogr2/thumbnail/36x36 "undefined")
MooMamaLlama OP BSqueen : I stuck to my guns on Pilbara![[undefined]](https://static.moomoo.com/nnq/emoji/static/image/default/default-black.png?imageMogr2/thumbnail/36x36 "undefined")
Instead of a panic exit when it dropped last week I grabbed more....keeping in mind why I originally bought it and my mid term target price of 2.8- 3... Meaning that quick drop went from a 'bad' thing to being an opportunity for DCA instead!
Certainly happy about that decision today!!
Moomoo AU : Thanks for the sincere sharing!!
MooMamaLlama OP :
105161579 : I was wrong before. I apologize
104304541 : good Mooma! #inspiring
shahmir920 :![[undefined]](https://static.moomoo.com/nnq/emoji/static/image/default/default-black.png?imageMogr2/thumbnail/36x36 "undefined")
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