Curated Educational Materials to Deepen Your Trading Knowledge
Learning Objectives:
Discover high-quality books for technical analysis and trading psychology
Find reputable online courses and educational platforms
Join active trading communities for peer learning
Access free tools and resources to enhance your skills
Build a continuous learning plan
Time: Reference as needed | Prerequisites: None | Difficulty: All levels
Essential Reading (Books)
Technical Analysis Foundations
1. Technical Analysis of the Financial Markets by John J. Murphy
Why read: Comprehensive encyclopedia of technical analysis, covers every major concept
Best for: Beginners to intermediates, complete reference book
Key topics: Chart patterns, indicators, trend analysis, market structure, inter-market relationships
Length: 600 pages, dense but well-organized
How to use: Read chapters 1-10 for foundations, then use as reference for specific patterns/indicators
Cost: ~$50 hardcover, ~$30 Kindle
2. Japanese Candlestick Charting Techniques by Steve Nison
Why read: Definitive guide to candlestick patterns from the Western expert who introduced them
Best for: Visual learners, pattern recognition enthusiasts
Key topics: Single candle patterns, multi-candle patterns, Western + Eastern integration
Length: 300 pages with extensive diagrams
How to use: Study one pattern per day, practice identifying on charts
Cost: ~$40 hardcover
3. Technical Analysis Explained by Martin J. Pring
Why read: Academic but accessible, strong emphasis on market psychology behind indicators
Best for: Systematic thinkers who want to understand "why" indicators work
Key topics: Trend determination, momentum, sentiment, volume analysis, cycles
Length: 800 pages, encyclopedic
How to use: Read selectively based on indicators you use (e.g., Chapter 12 for MACD)
Cost: ~$60 hardcover
Trading Psychology and Discipline
4. Trading in the Zone by Mark Douglas
Why read: THE book on trading psychology, addresses fear, greed, discipline
Best for: All traders, especially those struggling with emotional decision-making
Key concepts: Probabilistic thinking, accepting uncertainty, detachment from outcomes
Length: 220 pages, highly readable
Impact: Many traders cite this as "the book that changed everything"
How to use: Read 1 chapter per week, journal about how concepts apply to your trading
Cost: ~$20 paperback
5. The New Trading for a Living by Alexander Elder
Why read: Complete trading system covering psychology, analysis, and risk management
Best for: Traders wanting holistic system, not just technical patterns
Key topics: Triple screen trading system, money management, discipline
Length: 300 pages with practical exercises
How to use: Follow the "Study Guide" questions at end of each chapter
Cost: ~$35 paperback
6. Market Wizards by Jack D. Schwager
Why read: Interviews with top traders, learn from their successes and failures
Best for: All levels, inspiring and educational
Key insight: No single "correct" method, but all successful traders have discipline
Series: Market Wizards, New Market Wizards, Stock Market Wizards
Length: 400 pages per book
How to use: Read 1 interview per week, extract principles applicable to your style
Cost: ~$15 each paperback
Risk Management and Position Sizing
7. Trade Your Way to Financial Freedom by Van K. Tharp
Why read: Comprehensive coverage of position sizing and expectancy (the math of profitability)
Best for: Traders ready to think systematically about risk and reward
Key concepts: Position sizing strategies, expectancy formula, system design
Length: 400 pages, some math required
How to use: Calculate your system's expectancy, apply position sizing formulas
Cost: ~$30 paperback
8. The Mathematics of Money Management by Ralph Vince
Why read: Advanced mathematical treatment of optimal position sizing (Kelly Criterion)
Best for: Advanced traders comfortable with algebra and statistics
Key concepts: Optimal f, drawdown analysis, risk of ruin
Length: 250 pages, technical
Warning: Dense math, not beginner-friendly
Cost: ~$60 hardcover
Market Understanding and Realism
9. A Random Walk Down Wall Street by Burton G. Malkiel
Why read: Academic perspective on market efficiency, helps you avoid scams
Best for: All traders, builds healthy skepticism of "gurus"
Key concepts: Efficient market hypothesis, index investing, evaluating systems
Relevance: Understand why technical analysis works (inefficiencies) and its limitations
Length: 450 pages, accessible
Cost: ~$20 paperback
10. Reminiscences of a Stock Operator by Edwin Lefèvre
Why read: Classic trading memoir (fictionalized Jesse Livermore biography), timeless lessons
Best for: All traders, entertaining and educational
Key insights: Market patterns repeat, psychology drives prices, speculation is hard
Length: 300 pages, reads like novel
Historical: 1920s context, but principles still apply
Cost: ~$15 paperback (often free on Kindle)
11. Think & Trade Like a Champion by Mark Minervini
Why read: Learn the Volatility Contraction Pattern (VCP) from a US Investing Champion
Best for: Traders focused on momentum breakouts and growth stocks
Key concepts: VCP setup, SEPA (Specific Entry Point Analysis), trend templates
Length: 250 pages with chart examples
How to use: Study the VCP criteria, practice identifying on charts daily
Cost: ~$30 paperback
Online Courses and Video Education
Free High-Quality Courses
1. TradeDots YouTube Channel
URL: youtube.com/@TradeDots
Content: Indicator tutorials, strategy videos, market analysis, algorithm explanations
Best for: TradeDots users wanting to maximize platform usage
Format: 1-5 minute short videos to 5-10 minute tutorials, organized playlists
Update frequency: Weekly new content
Cost: Free
2. Investopedia Academy
URL: investopedia.com/academy
Content: Free articles + paid courses ($199-299 per course)
Free resources: Comprehensive glossary, tutorials, simulator
Paid courses: "Become a Day Trader", "Technical Analysis", "Options for Beginners"
Best for: Beginners needing structured curriculum
Quality: High production value, beginner-friendly
3. Khan Academy - Finance and Capital Markets
URL: khanacademy.org/economics-finance-domain
Content: Financial markets basics, stocks, bonds, options (no technical analysis)
Best for: Complete beginners learning market fundamentals
Format: Short video lessons + quizzes
Cost: Completely free
4. TradingView Education Center
URL: tradingview.com/education
Content: Charting tutorials, indicator guides, pine script programming
Best for: Learning TradingView platform, creating custom indicators
Format: Articles, videos, interactive examples
Cost: Free
Trading Communities
Reddit (Free, Large Communities)
1. r/StockMarket (2M+ members)
Focus: General stock market discussion, news, analysis
Quality: Mixed, but large enough for diverse perspectives
Best use: Read, don't blindly follow recommendations
URL: reddit.com/r/StockMarket
2. r/SwingTrading (200K+ members)
Focus: Multi-day trading, technical analysis, strategy discussion
Quality: Higher than average, less meme-driven than r/WallStreetBets
Best use: Strategy ideas, chart reviews, learn from others' mistakes
URL: reddit.com/r/SwingTrading
3. r/DayTrading (500K+ members)
Focus: Intraday trading strategies, broker discussions, education
Quality: Moderate, mix of beginners and experienced traders
Best use: Platform reviews, strategy discussion, risk management tips
URL: reddit.com/r/DayTrading
4. r/TechnicalAnalysis (50K+ members)
Focus: Pure technical analysis discussion, chart patterns, indicators
Quality: High, serious discussions with less noise
Best use: Chart pattern identification, indicator strategy refinement
URL: reddit.com/r/TechnicalAnalysis
5. r/RealDayTrading (140K+ members)
Focus: Professional day trading education, real strategies, no pump and dump
Quality: Very high, strict moderation, verified traders
Best use: Learn institutional approach to day trading, strategy refinement
URL: reddit.com/r/RealDayTrading
Note: Wiki is comprehensive, read before posting
Avoid: r/WallStreetBets (entertainment, not education), r/pennystocks (pump and dump territory)
TradingView Community (Integrated with Platform)
1. TradingView Ideas
URL: tradingview.com/ideas
Content: User-submitted chart analyses on stocks, forex, crypto
Features: Follow top authors, see most popular ideas, filter by asset
Quality: Variable, but "Editors' Picks" are high quality
Best use: See how experienced traders analyze same stocks you're watching
2. TradingView Public Chats
Access: TradingView Chat icon (bottom right of platform)
Content: Real-time chat rooms for specific assets or strategies
Quality: Mixed, can be noisy, but find good rooms and it's valuable
Best use: Ask specific charting questions, get second opinions
Discord Communities (Active, Real-Time)
Pros: Real-time interaction, tight-knit communities, often more serious than Reddit Cons: Overwhelming for beginners, fast-moving, some have paid tiers
How to evaluate Discord communities:
Free tier should offer value (not just "pay for signals")
Active education channels (not just trade callouts)
Experienced moderators (check track records, transparency)
Clear rules against pumping/dumping
No promises of guaranteed returns
Recommendation: Search "technical analysis Discord" or "swing trading Discord", trial free tiers, stay 1-2 weeks before committing to paid
Free Tools and Platforms
Charting and Analysis (Free Tiers)
1. TradingView (Free Plan)
URL: tradingview.com
Free features: 3 indicators per chart, basic drawing tools, community ideas
Limitations: 1 chart layout, no alerts, ads
Best for: Starting out, testing TradeDots indicators before upgrading
Upgrade: Pro ($14.95/month) unlocks 5 indicators, alerts, multiple layouts
2. Yahoo Finance
URL: finance.yahoo.com
Free features: Real-time quotes (15-min delay for some), basic charts, news, financials
Best for: Quick price checks, fundamental data, earnings calendars
Limitations: Basic charting, no advanced indicators
3. Finviz (Free)
URL: finviz.com
Free features: Stock screener, heat maps, news aggregation, basic charts
Best for: Sector rotation analysis, quick screens, visual market overview
Elite tier ($39.95/month): Real-time data, advanced screeners, backtesting
Paper Trading (Practice Without Risk)
1. TradingView Paper Trading
Access: TradingView Paper Trading button (top of chart)
Features: Simulated trades on real-time data, order types (limit, stop, market)
Best for: Testing strategies with TradeDots indicators risk-free
Limitation: Doesn't simulate slippage or real execution delays (be conservative)
2. Thinkorswim (TD Ameritrade - Now Charles Schwab)
URL: tdameritrade.com/tools-and-platforms/thinkorswim
Features: Professional-grade paper trading, options support, full backtesting
Best for: Serious simulation before live trading
Requirement: Free TD Ameritrade/Schwab account (no funding required for paper trading)
3. Webull Paper Trading
URL: webull.com
Features: Paper trading built into mobile app, real-time data
Best for: Mobile traders, beginners wanting simple interface
Limitation: Less advanced than Thinkorswim
Paper trading best practices:
Trade as if real money (full risk management, position sizing, stops)
Minimum 100 trades before going live (build statistical sample)
Track performance in journal (same as live trading)
Don't dismiss paper trading as "fake" - it's essential training
Market Data and Calendars
1. Earnings Whispers
URL: earningswhispers.com
Free features: Earnings calendar, confirmed dates, EPS estimates
Best for: Avoiding earnings announcements if you don't trade them
Limitation: Some data behind paywall ($49/month)
2. Finviz Economic Calendar
URL: finviz.com/calendar.ashx
Free features: Economic releases (GDP, CPI, Fed meetings), dividends, splits
Best for: Tracking macro events that move markets
Update frequency: Daily
3. TradingEconomics
URL: tradingeconomics.com
Free features: Global economic indicators, forecasts, historical data
Best for: Understanding macro context for trading decisions
Podcasts and Audio Learning
Top Trading Podcasts (Free)
1. Chat With Traders by Aaron Fifield
Focus: Interviews with professional traders (stocks, futures, forex)
Quality: High, guests are vetted for legitimacy
Length: 60-90 min per episode
Best for: Learning diverse strategies and trader journeys
Frequency: Weekly
2. The Investors Podcast - We Study Billionaires
Focus: Investment principles, Warren Buffett approach (not day trading)
Quality: Very high, academic rigor
Best for: Long-term perspective, understanding market fundamentals
Frequency: 3x per week
3. The Meb Faber Show
Focus: Quantitative strategies, backtesting, systematic investing
Quality: High, data-driven discussions
Best for: Traders interested in statistical approaches
Frequency: Weekly
4. Better System Trader
Focus: Algorithmic trading, backtesting, system design
Quality: Technical, for advanced traders
Best for: Learning to build and test systematic strategies
Frequency: Weekly
Blogs and Written Content
High-Quality Blogs (Free)
1. StockCharts.com - Chart School
URL: stockcharts.com/school
Content: Free technical analysis education, pattern library, indicator guides
Best for: Deep dives into specific indicators and patterns
Quality: Very high, equivalent to textbook chapters
2. TradingView Blog
URL: tradingview.com/blog/en
Content: Market analysis, indicator tutorials, trading tips
Best for: Staying current with TradingView features, learning charting
Frequency: Daily posts
3. Investopedia - Technical Analysis Section
URL: investopedia.com/technical-analysis-4689657
Content: Free articles on every technical concept, clear explanations
Best for: Quick reference, understanding definitions
Quality: High, reliable source
4. SeekingAlpha (Free tier)
URL: seekingalpha.com
Content: Stock analysis articles, earnings transcripts, market commentary
Best for: Fundamental context for technical trades
Limitation: Best content behind paywall ($239/year)
Continuous Learning Plan
Beginner Path (Months 1-3)
Month 1: Foundations
Read: Technical Analysis of Financial Markets (chapters 1-10)
Watch: TradeDots YouTube foundations series
Practice: Identify support/resistance on 20 charts
Goal: Understand basic chart reading and terminology
Month 2: Indicators and Patterns
Read: Japanese Candlestick Charting Techniques
Apply: Set up 2 TradeDots indicators on TradingView, paper trade
Community: Join r/TechnicalAnalysis, post 1 chart analysis per week for feedback
Goal: Recognize 5 chart patterns and understand 2 indicators deeply
Month 3: Psychology and Risk
Read: Trading in the Zone by Mark Douglas
Practice: Journal every paper trade, review weekly
Calculate: Track win rate and avg R:R over 50+ paper trades
Goal: Understand emotional patterns, achieve 60%+ win rate on paper
Intermediate Path (Months 4-12)
Months 4-6: Live Trading (Small Size)
Read: The New Trading for a Living (complete)
Trade: Go live with 0.5-1% risk per trade
Tools: Use TradeDots AI App + 2 indicators consistently
Goal: Achieve consistency (20+ live trades following system)
Months 7-9: Refinement
Read: Trade Your Way to Financial Freedom (position sizing chapters)
Analyze: Review all trades, identify pattern in mistakes
Adjust: Refine entry/exit rules based on data (not emotions)
Goal: Improve win rate to 65%+, avg R:R to 2:1+
Months 10-12: Specialization
Identify: Your edge (trend following, reversal trading, breakouts, etc.)
Deep dive: Read advanced material on your specialized strategy
Community: Find Discord/forum focused on your specialty
Goal: Consistent profitability (3 consecutive profitable months)
Advanced Path (Year 2+)
Continuous Improvement:
Read 1 trading book every 2-3 months
Listen to 1 trading podcast per week
Review and refine trading system quarterly
Attend 1-2 trading conferences or webinars per year
Teach others (explaining deepens understanding)
Advanced Topics to Explore:
Options strategies (spreads, covered calls, protective puts)
Sector rotation systems
Multi-timeframe analysis refinement
Statistical backtesting and optimization
Algorithmic trading (if interested in automation)
What to Avoid
Red Flags in Trading Education
1. Guaranteed Returns
"Make $1,000 per day guaranteed" Scam
Legitimate educators emphasize risk, not guaranteed profits
2. Secret Strategies
"This one weird trick that market makers don't want you to know" Scam
TradeDots publishes complete algorithm, no secrets
3. Signal Services (Without Education)
"Just copy my trades" Not educational, doesn't build skill
Signals without explanations keep you dependent
4. Over-Priced Courses
$5,000+ courses with no better content than $500 alternatives
Many excellent resources free or low-cost
5. Fake Credentials
"I turned $1,000 into $1M in 6 months" Survivorship bias or lies
Verify claims with verified brokerage statements (rare)
6. Chat Rooms Focused on "Hot Tips"
Pump and dump schemes
No educational value
Often illegal
Trust legitimate sources: Books from established publishers, CMT-certified educators, platforms with transparent track records (like TradeDots)
Next Steps
Start Your Learning Journey:
Choose 1 book from "Essential Reading" based on your current knowledge level (beginners: John Murphy's Technical Analysis)
Set up paper trading (TradingView or Thinkorswim)
Join 1-2 communities (r/TechnicalAnalysis + TradingView Ideas)
Subscribe to 1 podcast (Chat With Traders recommended)
Commit to 30-day learning plan:
Read 20 pages per day (1 chapter per week)
Practice charting 15 minutes per day
Paper trade 2-3 setups per week
Journal every trade
Remember: Education is the best investment you can make in your trading career. The difference between profitable and unprofitable traders is not intelligence or capitalit's knowledge, discipline, and continuous learning.
See Also:
FAQ for specific platform questions
Glossary for quick term references
Complete Trading Workflows for applying learned concepts systematically