Day Trading On Vacation? Do’s And Don’ts Of Trading & Traveling (2024)

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• July 20, 2023
• Optimus Futures

This article on trading and traveling is the opinion of Optimus Futures, LLC.

Trading while on vacation can be a tricky endeavor. You want to take time off to enjoy a well-deserved breather, yet you don’t want to miss any compelling market opportunities that may present themselves while you’re away.

Plus, there may be a few additional challenges such as timezone, vacation schedule, various technological hurdles that you may encounter.

So, it’s best to be prepared for any scenario in order to mitigate your risks and maximize enjoyment during your break.

In other words, you’re looking for that sweet spot between a relaxing vacation and staying in tune with the markets.

Can You Day Trade Successfully While On Vacation?

Many traders grapple with how to manage their day trading while hiking, sipping margaritas by the beach, or marveling at ancient ruins.

So, here are a few tips in the form of Do’s and Dont’s that may help you manage your trading in a smart and effective manner.

This way, you can enjoy your vacation without missing a beat in the markets.

Trading And Traveling – The DO’S

PREPARE YOUR COMMUNICATIONS

• Have Emergency Phone Numbers Ready: When trading away from home, your brokerage’s tech support, trade desk, and your broker are your best friends. Have their numbers ready in case you need to contact them. Make sure you can reach them from your vacation destination.
• Ensure Your Access to Support: Verify the operating hours of your brokerage’s customer service and how to reach them while abroad. If you’re trading in a different timezone, confirm they’ll be available if you need immediate assistance.
• Set Up All Communication Channels: This could include brokerage contacts such as email, instant messaging, or a dedicated app. It also means news and market feeds. Make sure you have the necessary notifications set up to keep you informed about critical updates.

PREPARE YOUR TECH

• Plan for Unforeseen Tech Emergencies: Have a plan of action in case you lose access to your trading platform, electricity, or internet. This could involve knowing the process for placing trades over the phone.
• Ensure Stable Internet Speed and Connection: Day trading requires a stable and fast internet connection. Before you travel, check if your accommodation provides such a connection. If not, consider alternatives like local SIM cards with data or portable WiFi devices.
• Bring a Secondary Backup Device: Having a backup device can be a lifesaver if your main device fails, gets lost, or is stolen. Bringing an additional device such as the Google Pixelbook Go can serve as a significant backup power source due to its USB-C ports. With a USB-C to USB-C cable, you can easily transfer power between devices, ensuring your main trading laptop stays charged. This secondary device can also serve as a backup for trading if needed.
• Use a VPN: If you’re traveling abroad, using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) can help keep your online activity secure and private. This is especially important when using public Wi-Fi networks, which may not be secure.
• Pack a Backup Battery: Always consider bringing a portable power bank like the HyperJuice 15,000mAh. This device, which features built-in USB-C and lightning cables, is ideal for keeping your essential gadgets like cell phones and wireless earphones charged. Plus, in a pinch, it can even power up your MacBook Pro. Its compact size and large power capacity make it a vacation must-have for any day trader.
• Constantly Monitor Battery Levels: Imagine opening a large position and running out of battery. If you’re relying on mobile devices for trading, keep an eye on battery levels. You don’t want to find yourself unable to manage a trade because your device has run out of power.
• Keep Your Devices Secure: Protect your devices with strong passwords and biometric security features. If your device is lost or stolen, it will be more difficult for someone else to access your trading account.
• Use Mobile Trading Apps: Many brokers offer mobile trading apps that you can use to monitor and manage your trades. These apps can be very useful when you’re on the go.
• Use a Travel Adapter: Different countries have different power outlets. Make sure to bring a universal travel adapter to keep your devices charged.

PLAN YOUR WORKFLOW

• Set Realistic Goals: You’re on vacation. Your primary aim should be to enjoy your time off.You might not have the time or energy to trade as effectively as you do at home. Hence, set realistic expectations.
• Prep Your Workspace: If possible, create a quiet, comfortable workspace where you can concentrate on your trades. This could be in your hotel room, a local coffee shop, or anywhere else where you can focus.
• Schedule Your Trading While Adjust for Time Zone: Just like planning for sightseeing or other activities, set specific times for trading during your vacation. Not only does this prevent trading from encroaching on your holiday enjoyment, but it’s also essential to consider the local time zone, especially if you’re in a different one than usual. Familiarize yourself with the opening hours of the markets you’re interested in, relative to your local time, and align your trading schedule to these hours accordingly.
• Set Up Alerts and Use Automation: Use technology to your advantage. Set price alerts on your trades and automate as much as you can. This will allow you to enjoy your vacation without constantly checking on your trades.
• Try Focusing on Longer Time Frames: Instead of focusing on minute-by-minute fluctuations, you might want to switch to longer time frames such as hourly or daily charts. Give yourself a break.
• Stay on Top of the News: Keep an eye on major financial releases or events that could impact your trades. There are various financial news apps that can send you alerts about major events. Use them.
• Limit Position Sizes: To limit risk, you may want to reduce your position sizes while on vacation. This can make your trades easier to manage while reducing the impact of losses if a trade doesn’t go your way.
• Maintain Balance: Remember, you’re on vacation. Try to balance your trading activities with rest, relaxation, and fun activities. Don’t let trading consume your entire vacation. And this leads us to the next important point…
• Take Lots of Breaks: Sitting in front of a screen all day means missing your vacation. Take regular breaks to rest and relax. After all, that’s what vacationing is all about.

Trading And Traveling – The DONT’S

• Avoid Leaving Open Positions While in Transit: Unless you’re a swing trader, it’s not wise to leave open positions (especially big ones) while you’re on a plane, tour bus, or on foot. You’ll end up spending all your time worrying about your position.
• Avoid Tech That Keeps You Glued to One Location: What’s the point of going on vacation if you’re going to be glued to your desktop for any reason, be it the use of a trading platform or access to reliable internet?
• Avoid Overtrading: This is a common pitfall for traders, and can be especially tempting when on vacation and checking the markets less frequently.Stick to your trading plan and avoid making impulsive decisions. Also, avoid trading large or overextended positions that put you at risk.
• Avoid Public Wi-Fi for Trading: Public Wi-Fi networks can be insecure and put your sensitive information at risk. It’s better to use a personal hotspot or secure VPN connection for trading.

The Bottom Line

The essence of successfully trading while on vacation is balancing relaxation and market engagement without sacrificing one for the other. It requires careful preparation in communications as well as technological and personal considerations.

Remember, when it comes to trading-related emergencies, your broker can be your best friend. So inform your broker beforehand so that he or she can help your prepare with the right tools and arrangements.

Last but not least, bear in mind that the whole point of a vacation is to take a break, so ensure to enjoy the downtime and don’t let trading dominate your time away.

There is a substantial risk of loss in futures trading. Past performance is not indicative of future results.