During March, 2000, SG applied "rule 13" (a rule they can effectively use to wipe out all or most of your "paper profits") across the board, reducing many accounts to zero or near zero. Then they announced that all accounts would be immune from "rule 13" until May, 2000. This seemed like a guaranteed golden opportunity to double your money and more within a few weeks. I was tempted to put money into SG, but resisted the temptation. I don't know how many people fell for the "guarantee" and how much they put in. Anyway, during early April, 2000, SG again applied a "version" of rule 13 that reduced all or most accounts, some to about one thousandth of their former value.
Many "money-making opportunities" are unworkable or outright scams. Some become scams after starting out honest. Some fail because they grow too fast. Some fail because of poor management. Some fail because of the heavy hand of government. You can never completely avoid traps and scams. But, by understanding money-making programs (Money Skill #10), risk management (Money Skill #24), diversifying (Money Skill #25), rational buying (Money Skill #32), rational selling (Money Skill #33), minimizing your losses (Money Skill #28), and discipline (Money Skill #27), you can make a great deal of money despite all the potential pitfalls.
