With sufficient cash flow, margins aren't that dangerous, even in a downturn. For example, if you have $24,000 and invest $500/mo into an account, getting a $6,000 margin loan in january that you pay off throughout the year isn't really that dangerous.

The problem with margin trading as a retail investor is that they interest rate on the loan is ridiculous, between 6-9%. Making it almost worthless.

As it stands, the stock market is 50% being average, 49.9999% being unlucky.

But hey, at least we're making debt available to more people.