I’m a serial tinkerer with trading strategies, particularly in index options trading. In most cases, I’ll start with a simple concept and iterate from lessons learned along the way.

Headlines.

We all read them and they mess with our heads. It takes steadfast resolve to listen to the message of price action when everything else we read tries to trick us into doing the wrong thing.

The best way to keep ourselves...

[9/7: stop moved to 260. We're already #FreeRiding on this one. So whatever we sell the remaining position for is pure profit!]

Today's trade leans against a significant support level that we believe will hold. But because the stock...

[9/7: updated stop to 180. We're already #FreeRiding, so whatever we sell for is pure profit!]

It's time for the small caps to make a stand. The time is now. If they don't, it could be 'goodnight' for a long time.

...

I make quick decisions.

Is that because I’m a trader? Or am I a trader because I make quick decisions?

You might have seen some of my tweets about an impressive trader I met earlier this week. I felt the encounter was too good to keep to myself – so here’s the full story…

[10/19/23 Update: moved stop to 125]

If stock markets are about to recover and start another leg higher back towards all-time highs, I have a hard time imagining a scenario where Google (Alphabet) $GOOG doesn't at...

I imagine it’s not uncommon for people to realize sooner or later that the person they thought they were is not at all who they really are. Perhaps not even close.

This week will be an opportunity for me to practice the art of giving up control. It will also be an incredible opportunity to practice acceptance and patience.

I’m in the process of creating a formal “business plan” for one of my trading strategies.

In 2002, I went through an...

For a swing trader like me, earnings season is always tough. I often find myself in a situation where my favorite setups have a looming earnings release on the nearby horizon, introducing binary risks that make me uncomfortable.

And this...

Friday is April monthly options expiration day.

It used to be a big day. Back in the day (...

On Monday evening, my family ordered some takeout barbeque from the local joint here in town. Everything was delicious and I went to bed that night feeling just fine.