This has truly been an exciting year, and I wanted to take a minute to thank everybody for your support and make a couple announcements for 2009.

First, let's take a look at the year in review.  As the market comes to a close on the last trading day of 2008, the markets will end the year down about 35%.  This makes 2008 the biggest financial decline since the 1930's!  Gas has seen a high of $145 a barrel, and within 6 months, fallen about 70%.  Foreclosures hit an all time high, and some of the largest investment banks, lenders and insurance companies have gone broke.  Whew!  Needless to say, these have been the wildest market conditions many of us have ever seen.   

Even through the toughest of financial times, professionals continue to spot and take advantage of opportunities.  The volatility in the markets, coupled with huge volume, has yielded many shot-term trading opportunities.  With volatility and volume predicted to stay at a higher than average level in 2009, I believe we will see many more incredible trading opportunities.  

I want to throw out a question to everybody- What will you do to make 2009 your most prosperous year yet?

Too often, new year's resolutions dissolve within a couple months.  People make promises to themselves that end up falling to the wayside.  Why not make 2009 a totally different story?  Why not spot and take advantage of opportunities, and then get the support to ensure you succeed?  If you're looking to get in shape, join a gym and commit X number of hours to working with a personal trainer.  Want to learn how to trade?  Get a trading coach and learning a trading strategy.