A reader wrote me this morning:

Mike, I have a deep passion for trading and am working my way back into it after going through some personal things (divorce, unemployment, etc). Would you be able and willing to meet with me for 30-60 minutes over a cup of coffee? I am a 53 year-old single dad raising 9 1/2 year-old twins, and have the characteristic of independent thinking and ability to stick to a plan/the rules. I understand that you are very busy with a lot of important things to do. However, if you were able to do this I would be most appreciative and thankful. I can meet you [at location], at your convenience. I would like to ask you a question, and it would be more effective if I could ask you in person. I know this is probably an unusual request, but I am hopeful that you will say yes. Thank you for your time once again. Sincerely, [name]

I immediately thought of an article I had just read “No, You Can’t Pick My Brain. It Costs Too Much and responded that if he wanted to just talk the weather, sports, sure, but that was clearly not his intent. I reminded him that I help clients in many ways:

1. Free content online [across thousands of online pages].
2. Books.
3. Film.
4. System courses.
5. In person training.

I said that he was welcome to write me in email his question. He replied:

I can’t afford to buy [training] right now as I recently wrapped up a 3 year divorce, got laid off, am currently unemployed… I have been following your website for about 5 years, have read Trend Following and am waiting for The Complete TurtleTrader to be delivered. When my life was in order I was able to purchase a few commodity self-study courses and open an account and did Ok at it (this was before I heard about Trend Following). I turned $5,000 into $43,000 in 8 months in 1999 (mostly Gold and Coffee), having studied for 5 years before I completed my first trade. My first rule of trading was and is to preserve capital. Due to some mistakes on my part and some things in my life that were out of my control I stopped trading in 2000. Would you consider being flexible about helping me purchase your course? Perhaps in exchange for the course I could work for you…and have $200/week taken out of my paycheck to pay for it. I am very attentive and understand how to get results when people need help and would absolutely be an asset to your company. I am trying to create a situation where I can begin achieving my long term goal of successfully trading for a living, and I am starting where I am at in my life right now. The reason why I wrote the email earlier today is because I believe that if you meet me in person you will quickly realize that I have a unique perspective that all successful trend followers have, along with some character traits that have been identified as key to a trend follower’s success. I have spent over $35,000 on Personal Development Training in the past (Commodities Education and Real Estate Seminars), so I understand the concept of investing money in the type of education that can be leveraged into solid or spectacular results. I’ve even asked a close friend of mine who grew up with [very famous trader] in [location] to introduce me to him, with the goal of working in his office and learning from him. However, [my friend] told me that [very famous trader] wouldn’t speak with me. I only share this with you to try and let you know that I am being as proactive as I can to create a foundation for success in trading. When I lived in [location] I founded a start-up venture called [firm name] (Mobile Marketing) and built a very qualified team of technical and marketing experts. We generated serious interest from C-level executives and other wealthy and influential individuals. However, I was not successful in raising the necessary capital to get it up and running. In 1995 I started a Fiber Optic Division for a business owner in NY, creating 19 full time positions and 3 part time positions in the process. We provided high-level services to [firm name] and received stellar reviews from [firm name]. My estimate is that this endeavor produced about $100M in revenue for the owner, while helping 22 people support their families for over 8 years. I share this with you so that you understand that I’m not just a freeloader trying to get your course for free. I am a single dad who has is at a difficult point right now, has an entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for trading, and is trying to lay a foundation for success as a trend following trader. Anyway, I’d like to reiterate my question and ask if you would be willing to hire me at your company, while providing me with a copy of your course so I can begin studying and assimilating the material as soon as possible? Or, perhaps you have a flexible idea of your own that you may consider. In any case, I really do appreciate your reading this unusual email and your time. Please understand that I didn’t take writing this email lightly or view it flippantly. Thank you again. Sincerely, [name]

I replied simply: “Read Linchpin. Trading is not what you should be doing just yet. Best, Mike”

Note: My response may have been short, but telling someone in that position to read ‘Linchpin’ before they do anything else is the best possible advice I could give. It starts there. Keep in mind that readers here run the gamut from brand new traders to college students to billion dollar funds — everyone comes to trend following through their own angle or experience level. I try to act as a clearing house for everyone. Also, my firm is not hiring.