I talk to a lot of people who say options get over their head very quickly, and it doesn’t need to be that way. Most people get confuused with all the terminology like the “Greeks”, three-legged, clipped-winged butterflies, and different things like that. Keep It Simple Stupid is the way to go: just because you can do all those different kind of options trades doesn’t mean you should.
I really think the easiest way to use options is simply look at it as a cheaper way to own the stock. Take Apple (AAPL) at $99 a share for example: if you are buying 1000 shares, you have to lay out $99,000; or you could buy 10 slightly in-the-money contracts and it’s a whole different ballgame cause you’re still participating in the price movement.
If you see bullish or bearish after you’ve done your analysis on the underlying stock, you get some in-the-money, near-the-money, or out-of-the-money strikes. Really, beyond that, things are actually very simple.
See for yourself:
Week 6: September 6 – 9
Date | Qty. | Trade | Buy | Sell | In/Out | Cost | Gain/Loss | |
9/1 | 10 | SEP 9 SPY 215 P | 0.83 | 17.49 | 847.49 | view chart | ||
9/9 | 5 | SEP 9 SPY 215 P | 0.93 | 27.48 | 13.74 | 27.52 | view chart | |
9/9 | 5 | SEP 9 SPY 215 P | 1.25 | 27.48 | 13.74 | 187.52 | view chart | |
9/6 | 3 | NOV 18 SPY 210 P | 2.73 | 24.48 | 831.24 | HOLDING | ||
9/6 | 3 | NOV 18 SPY 210 P | 2.68 | 24.48 | 816.24 | HOLDING | ||
9/6 | 10 | BABA 100 P | 0.52 | 0.35 | 34.98 | 537.49 | -204.98 | view chart |
9/6 | 10 | SEP 16 FB 128 P | 1 | 1.62 | 34.98 | 1,017.49 | 585.02 | view chart |
9/7 | 100 | SEP 7 SPY 219 C | 0.19 | 0.26 | 169.98 | 1,984.99 | 530.02 | view chart |
9/7 | 30 | VXX 33.5 P | 0.24 | 0.47 | 64.98 | 752.49 | 625.02 | view chart |
9/7 | 10 | SEP 7 SPY 219 C | 0.15 | 0.09 | 34.98 | 167.49 | -94.98 | view chart |
9/7 | 3 | NOV 18 SPY 210 P | 2.49 | 24.48 | 759.24 | HOLDING | ||
9/7 | 30 | NTDOY | 30.3 | 36.4 | 19.98 | 918.99 | 163.02 | view chart |
9/8 | 20 | SPY 219 C | 0.24 | 0.33 | 49.98 | 504.99 | 130.02 | view chart |
9/8 | 10 | TWTR 19 P | 0.2 | 0.39 | 34.98 | 217.49 | 155.02 | view chart |
9/8 | 40 | SPY 218 P | 0.26 | 39.99 | 1,079.99 | view chart | ||
9/9 | 20 | SPY 218 P | 1.16 | 24.99 | 0 | 2,295.01 | view chart | |
9/9 | 10 | SPY 218 P | 1.25 | 17.49 | 0 | 1,232.51 | view chart | |
9/9 | 5 | SPY 218 P | 1.65 | 13.74 | 0 | 811.26 | view chart | |
9/9 | 5 | SPY 218 P | 2.05 | 13.74 | 0 | 1,011.26 | view chart | |
🚀 | 7,453.23 |
Week 7: September 12 – 16
Date | Qty. | Trade | Buy Price | Sell Price | In/Out | Cost | Gain/Loss | |
9/12 | 3 | NOV 18 SPY 210 P | 2.63 avg. | 5.25 | 12.24 | 789 | 773.76 | view chart |
9/12 | 10 | SEP 23 SPY 210.5 P | 2.09 | 17.49 | 2,107.49 | HOLDING | ||
9/12 | 20 | AMD 6 C | 0.2 | 0.11 | 49.98 | 424.99 | -229.98 | view chart |
9/12 | 16 | SEP 23 AAPL 101 P | 0.555 | 21.99 | 909.99 | HOLDING | ||
9/12 | 20 | VXX 35 P | 0.16 | 0.26 | 49.98 | 344.99 | 150.02 | view chart |
9/12 | 100 | SPY 218.5 C | 0.16 | 84.99 | 1,684.99 | view chart | ||
9/12 | 50 | SPY 218.5 C | – | 0.23 | 47.49 | 307.50 | view chart | |
9/12 | 50 | SPY 218.5 C | – | 0 | 0 | -842.50 | BAGGED | |
9/13 | 100 | AAPL 110 C | 0.17 | 0.53 | 169.98 | 1,784.99 | 3,430.02 | view chart |
9/13 | 10 | VXX 37 P | 0.36 | 0 | 17.49 | 377.49 | -377.49 | BAGGED |
9/14 | 100 | AAPL 110 C | 0.46 | 84.99 | 4,684.99 | view chart | ||
9/14 | 50 | AAPL 110 C | – | 0.67 | 47.49 | 960.02 | view chart | |
9/14 | 25 | AAPL 110 C | – | 0.75 | 28.74 | 675.01 | view chart | |
9/14 | 25 | AAPL 110 C | – | 0.75 | 28.74 | 675.01 | view chart | |
9/14 | 20 | NFLX 96 P | 0.45 | 0.53 | 49.98 | 924.99 | 110.02 | view chart |
9/14 | 20 | SEP 14 SPY 215 C | 0.12 | 0.14 | 49.98 | 264.99 | -9.98 | view chart |
9/14 | 40 | SEP 14 SPY 215 C | 0.1 | 0.15 | 79.98 | 439.99 | 120.02 | view chart |
9/14 | 25 | SEP 14 SPY 212.5 P | 0.15 | 0.25 | 57.48 | 403.74 | 192.52 | view chart |
9/15 | 45 | AAPL 115 C | 0.33 | 43.74 | 1,528.74 | view chart | ||
9/15 | 25 | AAPL 115 C | – | 0.57 | 28.74 | 546.96 | view chart | |
9/15 | 20 | AAPL 115 C | – | 0.5 | 24.99 | 295.57 | view chart | |
9/15 | 9 | NOV 18 AAPL 95 P | 0.5 | 16.74 | 466.74 | HOLDING | ||
9/16 | 10 | NOV 18 AAPL 95 P | 0.42 | 17.49 | 437.49 | HOLDING | ||
9/16 | 15 | FB 129 C | 0.21 | 0.38 | 42.48 | 336.24 | 212.52 | view chart |
9/16 | 25 | TSLA 205 C | 0.11 | 0.12 | 57.48 | 303.74 | -32.48 | view chart |
9/16 | 25 | AAPL 114 P | 0.11 | 0.11 | 57.48 | 303.74 | -57.48 | view chart |
9/16 | 15 | SPY 214 C | 0.17 | 0 | 21.24 | 276.24 | -276.24 | BAGGED |
9/16 | 25 | SPY 214 C | 0.07 | 0 | 28.74 | 203.74 | -203.74 | BAGGED |
9/16 | 30 | SEP 23 AAPL 112 P | 0.62 | 32.49 | 1,892.49 | HOLDING | ||
🚀 | 6,419.06 | |||||||
Week 8: September 19-23
Date | Qty. | Trade | Buy Price | Sell Price | In/Out | Cost | Gain/Loss | |
9/12 | 16 | SEP 23 AAPL 101 P | 0.555 | 0 | 21.99 | 909.99 | -909.99 | BAGGED |
9/16 | 30 | SEP 23 AAPL 112 P | 0.62 | 0.75 | 64.98 | 1,892.49 | 325.02 | view chart |
9/19 | 35 | TSLA 215 C | 0.96 | 1.26 | 72.48 | 3,396.24 | 977.52 | view chart |
9/19 | 25 | VXX 36 P | 0.65 | 0.72 | 57.48 | 1,653.74 | 117.52 | view chart |
9/19 | 10 | FB 131 C | 0.6 | 0.22 | 34.98 | 617.49 | -414.98 | view chart |
9/19 | 30 | WFC 47 C | 0.14 | 0.18 | 64.98 | 452.49 | 55.02 | view chart |
9/19 | 10 | SEP 23 SPY 210.5 P | 2.09 | 0.61 | 17.49 | 2,107.49 | -1514.98 | view chart |
9/19 | 10 | FB 130 C | 0.62 | 0.41 | 34.98 | 637.49 | -244.98 | view chart |
9/20 | 20 | WFC 47.5 C | 0.07 | 0.3 | 49.98 | 164.99 | 410.02 | view chart |
9/20 | 22 | DEC 16 SPY 230 C | 0.28 | 26.49 | 642.49 | 189.02 | view chart | |
9/20 | 24 | DEC 16 SPY 230 C | 0.3 | 27.99 | 747.99 | 160.02 | view chart | |
9/22 | 50 | DEC 16 SPY 230 C | 0.39 | 47.49 | 1,390.48 | 512.03 | view chart | |
9/20 | 5 | OCT 21 FB 130 C | 2.04 | 2.93 | 27.48 | 1,033.74 | 417.52 | view chart |
9/20 | 25 | SEP 30 WFC 47 C | 0.5 | 0.62 | 57.48 | 1,278.74 | 242.52 | view chart |
9/21 | 9 | SEP 30 SPY 213 P | 1.53 | 1.72 | 33.48 | 1,393.74 | 137.52 | view chart |
9/21 | 10 | NFLX 98 C | 0.51 | 0.33 | 34.98 | 527.49 | -214.98 | view chart |
9/21 | 18 | AAPL 112 P | 0.43 | 0.49 | 46.98 | 797.49 | 61.02 | view chart |
9/21 | 20 | SEP 21 SPY 212 P | 0.35 | 0.52 | 49.98 | 724.99 | 290.02 | view chart |
9/21 | 10 | VXX 35 P | 0.29 | 0.45 | 34.98 | 307.49 | 125.02 | view chart |
9/21 | 8 | AAPL 111 P | 0.29 | 0.19 | 31.98 | 247.99 | -111.98 | view chart |
9/21 | 10 | SEP 21 SPY 216 C | 0.09 | 0.15 | 34.98 | 107.49 | 25.02 | view chart |
9/21 | 20 | SEP 21 SPY 211 P | 0.04 | 24.99 | 104.99 | -104.99 | BAGGED | |
9/21 | 50 | SEP 30 SPY 214 P | 1.64 | 47.49 | 8,247.49 | view chart | ||
9/21 | 10 | SEP 30 SPY 214 P | 2 | 17.49 | 332.51 | view chart | ||
9/21 | 10 | SEP 30 SPY 214 P | 1.94 | 17.49 | 272.51 | view chart | ||
9/21 | 10 | SEP 30 SPY 214 P | 1.88 | 17.49 | 212.51 | view chart | ||
9/21 | 10 | SEP 30 SPY 214 P | 1.82 | 17.49 | 152.51 | view chart | ||
9/21 | 10 | SEP 30 SPY 214 P | 1.74 | 17.49 | 72.51 | view chart | ||
9/22 | 100 | SPY 217.5 C | 0.35 | 84.99 | 3,584.99 | view chart | ||
9/22 | 50 | SPY 217.5 C | 0.43 | 47.49 | 310.02 | view chart | ||
9/22 | 50 | SPY 217.5 C | 0.46 | 47.49 | 460.02 | view chart | ||
9/22 | 8 | NFLX 96 C | 0.71 | 0.6 | 31.98 | 583.99 | -119.98 | view chart |
9/22 | 10 | VXX 33 P | 0.22 | 17.49 | 237.49 | -237.49 | BAGGED | |
9/22 | 10 | VXX 33 P | 0.1 | 17.49 | 117.49 | -117.49 | BAGGED | |
9/22 | 10 | TSLA 210 C | 0.55 | 0.25 | 34.98 | 567.49 | -334.98 | view chart |
9/22 | 10 | TSLA 210 C | 0.4 | 0.57 | 34.98 | 417.49 | 135.02 | view chart |
9/23 | 10 | OCT 21 FB 130 C | 1.5 | 17.49 | 1,517.49 | HOLDING | ||
9/23 | 10 | SPY 217 C | 0.2 | 34.98 | 217.49 | -234.98 | BAGGED | |
9/23 | 20 | VXX 34 P | 0.4 | 0.5 | 49.98 | 824.99 | 150.02 | view chart |
9/23 | 60 | SEP 30 SPY 212 P | 0.23 | 0.36 | 109.98 | 1,434.99 | 670.02 | view chart |
9/23 | 20 | AAPL 113 P | 0.1 | 0.5 | 49.98 | 224.99 | 750.02 | view chart |
🚀 | 3,000.67 |
Week 9: September 26 – 30
Date | Qty. | Trade | Buy Price | Sell Price | In/Out | Cost | Gain/Loss | |
9/26 | 50 | SPY 212 P | 0.53 | 0.83 | 94.98 | 2,697.49 | 1,405.02 | view chart |
9/26 | 50 | OCT 7 SPY 213 P | 1.25 | 1.53 | 94.98 | 6,297.49 | 1,305.02 | view chart |
9/26 | 5 | OCT 21 FB 130 C | 1.42 | 2 | 27.48 | 723.74 | 262.52 | view chart |
9/27 | 20 | FB 129 C | 0.55 | 0.49 | 49.98 | 1,124.99 | -169.98 | view chart |
9/27 | 10 | SEP 28 SPY 216 C | 0.25 | 0.38 | 34.98 | 267.49 | 95.02 | view chart |
9/27 | 10 | VXX 33 P | 0.35 | 0.49 | 34.98 | 367.49 | 105.02 | view chart |
9/28 | 5 | AMZN 225 C | 2.2 | 13.74 | 1,113.74 | view chart | ||
9/28 | 1 | AMZN 225 C | 2.47 | 10.74 | 13.51 | |||
9/28 | 1 | AMZN 225 C | 3.2 | 10.74 | 86.51 | |||
9/28 | 1 | AMZN 225 C | 3.5 | 10.74 | 116.51 | |||
9/28 | 1 | AMZN 225 C | 3.8 | 10.74 | 146.51 | |||
9/28 | 1 | AMZN 225 C | 4.2 | 10.74 | 186.51 | |||
9/28 | 50 | OCT 7 TWTR 23 P | 0.75 | 47.49 | 3,797.49 | view chart | ||
9/28 | 12 | OCT 7 TWTR 23 P | 1.19 | 18.99 | 497.61 | |||
9/28 | 12 | OCT 7 TWTR 23 P | 1.1 | 18.99 | 389.61 | |||
9/28 | 12 | OCT 7 TWTR 23 P | 1.08 | 18.99 | 365.61 | |||
9/28 | 13 | OCT 7 TWTR 23 P | 0.95 | 19.74 | 227.91 | |||
9/28 | 20 | SPY 216 C | 0.45 | 24.99 | 924.99 | view chart | ||
9/28 | 10 | SPY 216 C | 0.8 | 17.49 | 320.02 | |||
9/28 | 5 | SPY 216 C | 0.88 | 13.74 | 195.01 | |||
9/28 | 5 | SPY 216 C | 1.05 | 13.74 | 280.01 | |||
9/29 | 50 | SPY 216 P | 0.52 | 47.49 | 2,647.49 | view chart | ||
9/29 | 15 | SPY 216 P | 1.35 | 21.24 | 1,209.51 | |||
9/29 | 15 | SPY 216 P | 1.5 | 21.24 | 1,434.51 | |||
9/29 | 10 | SPY 216 P | 1.99 | 17.49 | 1,443.01 | |||
9/29 | 5 | SPY 216 P | 0.74 | 13.74 | 91.51 | |||
9/30 | 100 | VXX 34 P | 0.18 | 84.99 | 1,884.99 | view chart | ||
9/30 | 50 | VXX 34 P | 0.48 | 47.49 | 1,410.02 | |||
9/30 | 50 | VXX 34 P | 0.41 | 47.49 | 1,060.02 | |||
9/30 | 5 | OCT 14 TWTR 22 P | 0.65 | 13.74 | 338.74 | HOLDING | ||
🚀 | 12,476.54 | |||||||
* C or P = Calls or Puts for that week unless noted
* In/Out = Total Commissions In & Out For The Trade