Very easy - have sufficient money in your account so that all purchases are paid in full, doing this will let you day trade and be a "true" day trader.

You can open a margin account but in the securities industry ALL trades are posted to the account as of the settlement date however, margin requirements are calculated as of trade date.

If you don't have sufficient money in your account you should not be day trading, this is the reason some "day traders" should not and do not day trade securities.

I agree with the "old Guy" if you realy want to be a trader, especially a day trader, you should have enough money in your account to cover all purchases. Yes you can open a margin account but your margin account will be calculated on the trade date and you still need enough money to trade.

NO, this is NOT the reason some trade currencies and commoditiesw

Okay,

How is it possible to be a day trader with freeriding?

I know there are different types of day trading ( swing trading, etc..) But, if it takes 3 days for your funds to settle with the stock than you can't be a true day trader executing multiple trades a day, unless the three days have already elapsed.

Is this why some day traders invest in commodities and currencies?

Please help me understand...

Thanks!