I think your friend really conveyed very wise advice. Because that's how it has to be. Moreover, because trading has risks that we cannot predict, it is highly inadvisable to trade with borrowed money. It will really disturb you during your trading activities and I'm sure you won't feel calm in analyzing when the money you use is actually not money you can afford to lose. Because you have to pay off the loan on time, you will be racing against time and sometimes you will be rushed in your trading activities. And if that happens then you might not even get a profit in your trading and the opposite could happen.
If there is an opportunity to make extra money or there is a job that can be done that can bring you money then it is better to do it. And collect enough cold capital for you to trade again if you are ready to take the risk again.
but your experience reminds me of an acquaintance and friend of mine who has also taught me several analytical techniques in trading. He is also a full-time trader, he makes trading his job. But I remember him telling me that I should not follow in his footsteps. Because according to him it takes years to get to the stage where we really understand the market and can get maximum profits. In essence, becoming a trader is really not easy. It requires a long time of dedication so that we can truly become pro traders. Currently my friend is still a trader but he is also building his own business in the real world. Because he once said that being a full-time trader is more mentally tiring.
I think it makes sense to start trading only if you already have some substantial savings. And you can allocate a part of that money for trading so you stay safe in case you lose the money you are trading with and still have funds to live on. Or you can start trading if you have a stable job or another steady source of income from your assets or business. If you have enough time to focus on trading then you can give it a try.
But if you are just starting out you should always begin with a small amount of money to figure out your strategy. So if you want to start trading you should not delay it too long but definitely do not start with large amounts.
Not all people would be having the patience on saving up first before they will be that doing trading. As much as possible they would be trying out to make use right away of their available funds at the time that they would be wanting up to do trade. Whenever you are planning out to touch up trading then of course you would be needing up that capital for you to start on. Is it okay to trade without source of income? Of course its not, because this is where you would be pulling your capital with your trading and we do know that profitability will always be in question because there's no assurance that we will be able to make profitable trades, specially when you are just that still starting or still newbie then it will be that mostly on the losing side. How you would be able to sustain it out if you dont have a day job or income source? Its just common sense in regarding into this manner because capital is we do all we do need up.
Proper financial management is needed when you are touching up investment or trading on which you will be that needing up to be careful on your spending. Just like on the most common rule when doing investment is that we should be that only making use of the amount on which we can afford to lose. Never ever compromise your life savings on which this is the most important.