Do we have any "Day Traders" here?

As an out if work broker, I can tell you that all of the discount brokers (TD Ameritrade, E*Trade, Scottrade, etc) all have real-time trading platforms available to their clients. The main difference being the quality of the technology behind the platform and the  level of knowledge  of the customer service reps and quality of service provided. Another factor to consider is going to be the quality of the executions tht the broker provides. Are you orders sent to the market to be executed against the full liquidity of the market center when they are placed or are they held and bathe with other orders, which will definitely impact the quality of the execution.

It's completely different when it's the money you've shed sweat, blood, and tears for, instead of "play money."

The biggest thing to remember is to not get emotional, to set your own strict guidelines, and have the guts to stand by them when things go south.  I screwed myself recently on a trust that I used to play; the share price usually jumps a week before the dividend payout, but it suddenly dropped substantially a couple weeks early.  I panicked and sold off; had I waited and stuck by my guidelines, I would have seen that it would have risen again and I would have a profit.  Live and learn, I guess.

Regarding  lose out on money I'd say both of you can perform better by setting strict goals. Have an amount you intend to earn from an investments and pull out when you earn it and move on to the next investment. Regarding losses in the beginning set a reasonable amount you're willing to lose to chance making money and ignore the ups and downs unless you reach your set amount of loss