September’s always one of the busiest months in the market, and this one is definitely no exception!
Volume surges, traders return from vacation, and things start moving fast.
Already this month, we’ve seen runners explode 100%, 200%, even 300%+ in a single session.
We saw one of those just this past Monday… and as big a move as it was, I wasn’t surprised.
Why? Because it followed my Monday Setup.
Don’t know about it yet? Listen up!
Every Monday, the market kicks back into gear after its weekend nap… And that reset creates a unique opportunity!
As the first session of the week gets started, there’s a specific pattern we look for, one that appears again and again with uncanny consistency.
And it has delivered some insane wins!
This Monday’s was incredible…
Eightco Holdings ran up 340%* (!) after dropping news that a big industry titan was joining its board of directors.
These are the kinds of morning spikes we hunt for every Monday!
Now I want to teach you how to spot them for yourself!
Watch the video below for the full trade breakdown and strategy tutorial for my Monday Setup.
If you know me, you know I love big trade action…
The one drawback is that with more action comes more temptation, more noise, and more opportunities to make emotional decisions.
If you’re not careful, this market will chew you up and spit you out.
Today, I want to break down a tool most traders overlook, especially when the market gets hot like this…
It’s not just for beginners. In fact, I believe every trader, at any level, should use this regularly to test new ideas, refine their edge, and protect their capital.
Table of Contents
Why Paper Trading Still Matters (Even if You’re Not a Newbie)
Look, I get it, the idea of “paper trading” sounds boring. No real money, no real risk…
So what’s the point?
Paper trading is one of the best ways to find your edge without bleeding your account dry.
Especially in a market like this, where plays are moving fast and traders feel FOMO every five minutes…
Paper trading lets you slow down, test, and learn, all without throwing real money at every shiny object on your screen.
Find Your Niche Without Losing Your Shirt
Every trader needs to find that thing they’re good at… Whether it’s morning panic dip buys, afternoon breakouts, VWAP holds… whatever.
But too many traders try to figure it out by testing everything with real money. That’s a fast way to drain your account.
Sure, small losses are part of the game, but they don’t have to be part of the learning phase.
Use paper trading to experiment, test different styles, and see what clicks with your personality and schedule, all without putting real capital on the line.
The StocksToTrade Paper Trading System
If you’re a StocksToTrade platform user, you’ve already got access to one of the most realistic paper trading tools out there.
And if you’re not already using it, here’s why it’s different…
Most platforms fill your paper trades automatically, even if the stock never traded that many shares at your price.
That’s not reality. That’s fantasy.
With STT’s system, your order only fills if the actual market volume trades at that price.
Want to sell 1,000 shares at $1.50? You’ll only get filled if 1,000 shares actually trade at $1.50.
No fluff. No fake fills. Just a real-world execution simulation.
STT also features real-time data, charting, technical indicators, alerts…the list goes on and on.
It has everything you need to stay ahead of the game, all in one place.
Get two weeks of both the STT platform and our Breaking News Chat service for $17.
Try STT + Breaking News Chat for 14 days and see why so many traders trust it.
When to Make the Jump to Real Money
So how do you know when you’re ready to go live?
Simple. When you’ve proven to yourself, on paper, that you can consistently execute a strategy and manage risk.
Let’s say you’re paper trading a late-day breakout setup…
You started with $1,000 and grew it to $4,000 over a few weeks?
That’s a sign. Now you’ve got a repeatable approach, and the confidence to match.
That’s when it’s time to scale into real trades… but slowly.
Want to Learn Short Selling? Paper Trading Is Your First Step
Now let’s talk about short selling.
I love it and I’ve been doing it for years. But it’s NOT, I repeat, NOT beginner-friendly.
Your downside is unlimited. One bad move can blow up your entire account.
That’s why I always say, never learn to short with real money. Use paper trading first.
But remember, not every stock is shortable, even if the chart looks perfect.
To simulate it properly, you need to check if shares are actually available to short.
I recommend using the free Interactive Brokers’ Share Locator Tool.
Search any ticker and you’ll see how many shares are available to short in the real world.
Once you’ve confirmed shares are available, go ahead and simulate the short in your paper account, preferably in StocksToTrade.
My Final Thoughts…
A lot of traders say they’re “testing strategies…”
But if they’re doing it with real money in a high-volatility market, they’re just gambling.
And if they’re paper trading without real market conditions (like short share availability), that’s not really learning.
Treat your paper account like it matters, because the habits you build there will carry over into live trading.
Don’t guess. Don’t gamble. Test, refine, and execute with precision.
This market is giving traders huge opportunities.
The question is, will you be ready when your moment comes?
Have a great day, everyone. See you back here tomorrow.
Tim Bohen
Lead Trainer, StocksToTrade
P.S.
When rates get cut, you’ll want these stocks on your list.
And these too…
This is exactly what you need for the hot September market.