When To Start Trading With Real Money?

If you feel that you just have to trade with real money I suggest just buying a couple shares when trading. Trade very very small. If you want options trade something like $X or $BAC or $UNG. something with low volatility and just trade 1 or 2 options. Prove that you can be successful for at least 2 months. Focus mainly on risk management that way when you are ready to really start trading your mindset is already set properly. Don't worry so much about profits rather focus on managing losses and trading quality set ups. If you can do that then I promise the money will follow. If you can be consistently profitable playing extremely small then the only thing keeping you from making good money is your position size. Just my opinion.