Monday, May 18, 2026
Stock options can be confusing, partly because there are many types of contracts: exchange-traded options, OTC options, and employee stock options that are part of compensation packages. As such, you might be asking, “What are stock options?” In this article, we’ll review all the types of stock options and examine how to include options in […]
I’m often asked, “what are stock options?” by some of my newer readers. Stock options are derivatives based on the value of the stock and offer the trader the opportunity to buy or sell the stock at a stated price within a specific time. The most common option trades, especially for beginners, are covered calls. […]
One-stock retirement. Those three words can stop you in your tracks, right? Is it a scam? A gimmick? Is it just click-bait? Well, not exactly. Over the years, several financial advisors floated this idea and once in a while it gets some traction. The concept suggests that investing modestly in just one stock could be […]
I am in the mood to ramble. (By that, I mean I’d like to share some thoughts about current broader themes affecting investing and the economy.) We have not seen this much uncertainty in the financial world since the Global Financial Crisis nearly 15 years ago. My work lets me follow the current financial news, […]
With the major U.S. stock indexes hovering around record highs, I often am asked about selling to lock in gains, and then waiting for the next downturn to reinvest. While I do not think a wholesale move into cash is the right move, I spend a lot of time considering what to tell my subscribers […]
When you think about, “What is options trading?,” many people will come up with words like “complicated,” “risky,” or “overwhelming.” But the truth is, trading options, especially the way professionals do it, can be one of the safest and most reliable ways to generate extra income for yourself and your retirement on a regular basis. […]
Last week Chuck Butler and I accepted a challenge from subscriber Charles F. “Describe life in the US 5 years into the loss of our currency reserve status. Winner, Losers, what does gov’t look like on different levels, our position in the world, let your imagination run wild. When I do this my thinking quickly […]
I get to communicate with a lot of investors. Many express fears about a potential stock market crash, primarily triggered by eyeball-seeking financial news sources. Sure, investors should plan for the next market downturn…but to use a fighter pilot expression, pulling the ejection handle is not the answer. After graduating from the U.S. Air Force […]
When buying options, it’s generally a good idea to keep the capital outlay to a minimum whenever possible, because options typically lose value at a regular rate due to time decay. As such, minimizing the option premium paid (the cost) is essentially the same as lowering risk. Using vertical spreads is one way to take […]
You can be your own capital gains calculator to prepare for your tax bill. Read on for how to calculate and minimize capital gains taxes.
