"So what would you do with the money if you were to make $1000 from this trade?". Paul enquired from me.
"Well, let me win first. The losses I have had are quite much" I answered barely lifting my head from my computer screen.
It was another Monday and the only thing on my mind was how to double my money in the foreign exchange market. I liked to pronounce it in full, especially when I introduced myself as a 'foreign exchange trader' to females. I notice the little spark in their eyes, it's almost as if they fall in love immediately. Even those whom I didn't expect to know the meaning also liked the name. I later learnt that the word 'foreign' meant I was dealing in foreign currency and as such I should be richer than the average Nigerian earning in Naira. Perhaps that explained the extra lovey dovey the females showed me but I didn't mind. I enjoyed every bit of it.
What they didn't know is that I was barely surviving. I have made some money and likewise lost a lot too. I would have quit some months ago but I saw my mentor make over $2,000 on a trade I rejected because I was tired of the losses and didn't want to continue.
"You have been the cause of my losses" my mentor texted me after his big win.
"I made so much money from the trade you rejected"
That was the last signal he sent me and that was the last time I heard from him.
Paul on the other hand is my roommate, he didn't believe in Forex. To him, Forex is like gambling, filled with guess work. He always wished me success regardless because according to him "your win is my win".
"You have to make plans before money comes elsewhere you will waste it" Paul said. "If you fail to plan, you have planned to fail"
"Well, since you insist, I plan to get myself a car and a serious girlfriend. I will then buy a mansion in Lagos and begin to chill with the big boys" I said as my eyes lit up with hope.
Paul burst into a long laugh and I knew he would say I was daydreaming.
"Caught daydreaming again, is it?" He asked mockingly.
"Don't be offended o bro, you know your win is my win but come on, $1,000 is to small for such dreams".
"That's the problem with you Paul, you don't think big". I said.
"The reason for my losses is because I am trading with little amounts of money. If I can get $1,000 from Forex, I will immediately make it $10,000", I added confidently.
Paul looked at me intently,"is that how much you trust the market?" He asked.
"No, but I trust my analysis and I would be able to take more calculated risks. Which would bring greater rewards".
"Alright bro, I will lend you $900 so that you can add your $100 and fulfil your ideas. Make sure you pay back once U make the money".Paul said feigning seriousness.
I almost believed him but then I remembered that his dad just sent him pocket money about two weeks after he pleaded.
"Where will you get that kind of money from bro? Did you participate in a heist without telling me?" I teased.
"Not at all bro, it's my savings for the foreign exams I want to take next year". He said and I observed that he was actually serious.
"Paul, don't worry about me, I don't want to run into debts. Disregard my confidence, I am not so sure of my abilities in this market. I am just trying my luck". I said as honestly and persuasively as possible.
"I wasn't worried about you, just trying to raise more money because what I have here would not even be enough for the Japa process". He opened up.
"We will think of some other better business to start and make real money" I said. "We should be able to utilise such amount of money, it is huge"
Paul understood my point and agreed immediately.