Your welcome aces27.
Your dilemma is valid. I have very controversial views on it, which many may not like. We have grown up listening to our elders cause they were the first point of gyan to us. Nothing wrong with it. Infact that is the best way at early stage of our growth. Now when we are adult, we have to challenge this belief. We need to check their input or for that matter input for its applicability in current and future world. With new reality, which in majority of cases we understand better then our father, their gyan may not be relevant anymore.
I refer to it as "Belief verification" exercise which might have to take up from time to time.
When someone says that stock trading is gambling, you loose money in it, only way to make money is slog like donkey and trade your time for money. But look around it, majority of rich people have their own business. If is upto individual to take trading as business and as any other profession like engg, medical, accounts etc... or treat it like a hobby/ addiction /gamble etc.
To me, this profession has got so much money that many other professionals will get confused counting zeroes in it. Even a tiny drop of that can take of our generation.
It is very close to the perfect business for financial freedom. You can leverage it to any heights without depending on anybody else.
Only limiting factor is WE, the trader / investor. I got into this field leaving well cushioned mid mgmt level position in corporate world cause of various advantages that it bring. I would rather put in the effort on road that takes me to where I want to go, rather then putting effort on a dead-end road.
Return of 30%, looks great for non-trader person, but that a pro-trader will ask the question "In what Time period". On annual basis, it is trainee's traders reward number.
But please don't think that it is easy.It is really really tough and frustrating battle field here. It is battle with yourself, with your subconscious mind, who knows you much better your own conscious mind. Day in and day out. Majority of traders are looser are just breakeven traders. Main reason is that they don't put in the effort where it is required, and they don't improve on themselves in terms of discipline, self control, their money mindset, their risk mgmt skills etc.
So you got to assess pros and cons and select your own path. If it is learnt in structured way, with same dedication like one would give to any other profession, then success is possible. When they can do it, then you can too.
Happy Trading/investing.