Hi I’m Josh, and I’m a finance guy who love’s to trade options. I cut my teeth on the floor of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, so I saw firsthand how the “sausage was made” – and it usually wasn’t pretty. As former insider, I saw the inner workings of how these firms and fund managers rob customers right in front of their eyes every month. I quickly realized that professionals only care about getting their fee's first while 95% of them underperform the overall market every year. In fact, th ...
…
continue reading
It fails many Americans!So says the father of the modern day 401(k).Do you mind if I share some of my insiderviewpoints why this is?Great!The 401(k) passed into law under the Revenue Actof 1978.The... Revenue Act?Hmm... What's more unusual is that IRS was incharge of the 401(k), which is the same governmentbody in charge of getting as much money fr…
…
continue reading
You’re a scam!That’s the reply I received back from aself-proclaimed “not your average financialexpert.”I had reached out to ask if he was open tohaving me on his weekday investing radio show.He copied and pasted the whole sales page for ourWeekly Options Income Course, saying he didn’tunderstand why I would need more exposure since Ican generate a…
…
continue reading
It's the internet of money...It's tough to understand how it works at first.But... so is how the FED keeps creating helicoptermoney.The future is here, and it will be a dancers dreamcome true the day they don't have to lug a heftybag full of singles to the bank teller.Only 8 years old… Bitcoin has become a gamechanger for finance.You probably remem…
…
continue reading
It's not savvy approach...... If you ask a professional.They'll laugh at you and mumble, amateur.Success in the financial markets doesn't work anydifferent than everyday life.We're trading something due to supply and demandevery day.Let's travel back to 1983.If you invested $100 into the S&P 500 ahead of oneof the largest bull markets in our histor…
…
continue reading
In 2008, I went down the rabbit hole.I thought I could make money in any market.A naive and unrealistic perception.I was starting to manage client accounts whileworking on a trading desk.And then, I was fired!It was time to go full time on my own.I tried to be superman, but realized it was only acustom.I lost money!I panicked!I became desperate.I n…
…
continue reading
So while I was walking back with my coffeeearlier, I was listening to a podcast.The guy on the podcast was talking about therecent discoveries related to turmeric such as howit can help lower cholesterol.They continued testing and found adding a littleblack pepper enhanced the body's consumptionof the turmeric by 1,000 times.A little fun fact of th…
…
continue reading
Today was the day the iPhone 7 was unveiled to theworld.I admit, I watched most of on my iPhone 6s Plususing Google's free internet at Starbucks duringmy mid-day break.While I walked upstairs to sit outside and drinkmy coffee while I streamed it, I noticed a dozenpeople watching the event on their devices aswell.There's a lot of excitement about th…
…
continue reading
A fellow Sizzler wrote in yesterday asking, "Youdon't discuss a lot about investing in stocks,why?"There's a good reason why and remember, this isjust my opinion.Very few probably know a high-level executive at apublicly traded company.However, let's pretend you lived next door to one.If you owned shares of the company and asked themany question re…
…
continue reading
I feel like a hypocrite saying this because Iloathe financial institutions, but I got back frommaking a deposit.The reality is that there are no other greatoptions available.It's similar to the current U.S. PresidentialElection.Good hearted people are working at these places,but the whole operation is made to nickel and dimeus slowly.I'm not sure w…
…
continue reading
When I first learned about options, I was studyingto take the financial industry exam to become afinancial advisor (Series 7).After I passed and scored high on the part relatedto options, I quickly realized I didn’t know howto trade options successfully after losing$2,000.00 on my first options trade.Despite being a licensed professional, thefinanc…
…
continue reading
I just got done reading the current positions thathedge fund manager Carl Icahn's filed with SEC.If you recall, he created a video a few months agowarning of a massive market crash.Well, it hasn't happened yet...He believes that the FOMC monetary policy hascreated a bubble with its low-interest rates.I don't disagree with him at all.Here's what has…
…
continue reading
That is a question we've all had, and I receiveseveral times a week.I remember asking myself this the first time afterseeing the calls I bought the day before drop to a90% loss on my first trade.It went to become a max loss that wiped out mysmall $2,000.00 account at the time.Forward to today after hundreds of thousands oftrades, research and exper…
…
continue reading
A few days ago, I was watching the women'sgymnastics.What they can do is incredible.Team USA dominated this event.As I was watching them, something stood out to me.I've seen it some of the other events as well.These girls practice the same routine over andover again to a point they can do it in theirsleep.I saw these girls do the same routine as a …
…
continue reading
Earlier today I noticed a large option trade hitthe tape in the Financial ETF (XLF).The trade was a block of 18,430 August $24 putsbought to open for 20 cents.The total volume was 24,090 contracts at thatstrike vs. an open interest of 6,363 contracts.Now, I don't pay too much attention to largecontracts traded in ETF's because there's not muchedge …
…
continue reading
And is the biggest Ponzi scheme in theworld.In fact, it's experiencing a $32 trillionshortfall right now.This swindle was sold to good, unsuspecting,God-fearing, salt-of- the earth, trustingAmericans who thought their government wasalways going to take care of them.Just like most Ponzi scheme's the first inusually come out fine.However, you and I a…
…
continue reading
Slumps suck!That's how things are for me right now.There's just not much opportunity with how Iapproach trading options right now.And the few opportunities that have popped uphaven't worked in my favor.The financial markets are a great equalizer.Just like in sports, players go on streaks.However, at the end of the season, their averagesnormalize be…
…
continue reading
Earlier today, I stumbled upon an article titled,"Stocks Your Parents Should Have Bought the YearYou Were Born".Now, this article was for the baby boomers,because I wasn't born yet.One example they provided is if my grandparentshad bought $1,000 worth of stock in GeneralElectric in 1943 and held it to now, it would beworth $197k + dividends.However…
…
continue reading
Many experts thought Japan would curb theirmonetary stimulus program, but they decided earlythis morning to approve $130 billion fiscal.All this helicopter money should concern youbecause I'm very concerned.With markets just right off all-time highs andwith every extended bull run in the books, buyinganything in the market right now I believe is to…
…
continue reading
If I told you that I generated a 1200% ROI, you'dbe skeptical...And you should, I would be as well.For some, though, it makes their buttholes puckerup.However, It's unlikely you will achieve those sameresults if you invest into the same opportunity Idid.Because you're right, I'm not you.You could do worse or even better, but even doingworse isn't t…
…
continue reading
This might be a shocker, but they don't relysolely on the stock market.They usually have a stake in other businesses,real estate, etc.Having a skill set or business outside of tradingthat can help generate income is a must in myview.Having a valuable skill set or something creatingside income will take a tremendous amount ofpressure off you when yo…
…
continue reading
We have been told to follow the trend, right?That's all you need to do to be successful in themarket.Trends provide valuable input in other parts oflife, but not so much when it comes to thefinancial markets because they are random andefficient.There are many stable companies you can invest inlike Microsoft, but the street only lovescompanies with …
…
continue reading
Just curious…Do you often talk to yourself?I ask because I'm always talking to myself.They say smart people do talk to themselves moreoften, but who knows because there's no one toverify it. (Queue the pun music)Today, I found myself doing a tribal chant aroundmy Macbook saying "don't be a dick for a tick".Might be a little odd if you haven't heard…
…
continue reading
Nicole and I were watching the news last night.They reported that a 74-year-old doctor died afterhe was hit by an SUV while out for his morningjog.The driver supposedly lost control of the SUV,rolled over and landed on its roof instantlykilling him.What happened to this individual is very sad andunfortunate news.However, are you going to avoid jogg…
…
continue reading
This past Friday, Nicole and I were at a friendssurprise birthday party.While at the party, I got to talking to a couplewho are about to married in a few months.They are about the same age as Nicole and I andlive in the building next to us.Later in the evening and a few wines later thewife to be asked me what I do for a living.I told her I inspire …
…
continue reading
That was a question I received from a media outlettoday for a piece they were writing.The writer asked if I had any recommendation onNintendo, Google, Apple or the video game ETF,GAMR?In the old days, I would have likely pimped myselfand forced a recommendation so I could be quotedbecause that's what they are looking for.What I wrote to them is ver…
…
continue reading
Earnings season is upon us, and usually, I receiveseveral questions asking the best approach tousing options to trade underlyings.Is it better to buy or to sell options?My answer is neither.There's no edge with trading earnings.It's taken a lot of experience and research for meto learn that.75% of the time, the market usually priced theunderlying m…
…
continue reading
Yesterday, right after the market closed.I headed over to a JP Morgan bank branch near myhome to speak with one of the private client repsnamed Jackie.I was looking at opening a new business creditcard to diversify the lines of credit we currentlyhave.She asked how they could earn more of my businesswith moving our main account to them.If I didn't …
…
continue reading
I was watching an episode two nights ago talkingabout if Great White sharks are trying to huntdolphins.If you're not sure why it's Shark Week on theDiscovery Channel this week. :)Researchers wanted to understand how; sincedolphins are faster than most sharks except forthe Mako, who can swim upwards to 40 mph.They were talking about the differences …
…
continue reading
This morning I was looking over positions afterthis recent market move. Nobody would have predicted this, and if they did,it was a lucky guess. That's how the markets work; they are random. However, I was glad that I managed the winners Ihad days before because they would have becomelosers today. I have a saying that goes like this, "When you'veear…
…
continue reading
That was a question Ronnie wrote me over theweekend. He thinks that Gold ETF (GLD) will run higher intothe end of the July. That's great, but who knows. The reason why I am telling you this is so youavoid this very costly mistake most make withtrading options. Not only do sell offs in the market like this givepeople a good old slap in the face, but…
…
continue reading
Yesterday, I found myself into a little debaterelated to Tony Robbins. If you're not sure who he is, he's a well-knownmotivational speaker. I read that over 30 people were burned at one ofhis seminars in Texas after walking on hot coals,which he calls a "fire walk" for one of hismotivational exercises. This "fire walk" is intended to help peoplecon…
…
continue reading
This morning someone asked me if I heard about thehedge fund manager who recently committed suicide.I didn't, but I was quickly was able to read thedetails on CNNMoney.Hedge fund manager Sanjay Valvani was found deadby his wife in an apparent suicide, which was lessthan a week after he was arrested oninsider-trading charges.His fund oversaw $8 bill…
…
continue reading
This past Saturday, I attended a trading eventhere in Chicago put on by TD Ameritrade. The event was about a mile away from where I live.One thing I've learned is that you need to behumble and willing to keep learning no matter whatlevel you're at. While walking around the event, I heard one of theexperts tell one of the investors, "it's aboutlimit…
…
continue reading
Every afternoon I take a break during lunch andhead over the Starbucks on Rush St. here inChicago. Without a doubt, this is one of the nicestStarbucks I have ever seen. It's two floors, and I love to sit outside on thesecond floor, drink my coffee and listen to apodcast. The area is a tourist hot spot because of theshops on Oak St. Every day, I see…
…
continue reading
Imagine you're on vacation with the family. Everyone is all excited because you're headingwest to see all the sights. All of a sudden, there's a cop behind you with itslights on. You pull over. The officer comes up to the car asking for yourlicense, insurance and registration. He runs your information. The officer comes back and asks for you to ste…
…
continue reading
You might have heard about this, but since readingthis article last week on CNN, I've been scared totake a number two. It's a little personal to share that with you, butto think nothing can happen to you sitting on atoilet reading the paper isn't true after hearingthis. So here's what happened. A man in Thailand was sitting on the toilet whenall a …
…
continue reading
I was just sitting out on our sundeck with Nicoleenjoying this beautiful day here in Chicago.Today is that day we take the time to remember ourfallen heroes here in the United States.America is great and always will because men &women who don't know you make the ultimatesacrifice to protect & keep our freedom.I honor those soldiers who lost their l…
…
continue reading
I just got done with my morning workout andwalking around the Farmers Market to get fresheggs and bacon for the week. I wasn't sure what I was going to talk abouttoday, but luckily there's the internet, andthings will find you. I was sipping my coffee and saw an article onMarketWatch talking about a high schooler whoturned $900 into $55K in just 12…
…
continue reading
While in line this morning waiting to order my cupof Joe, this lady walks up and asks if I would buyher a cup of coffee.Without hesitation, I said, No!She was a little shocked and asked again, but she received the same response.While walking away, I could hear her mumble a fewthings.Did I feel bad?Not at all.For her, though, she was in shock that s…
…
continue reading
While laying out by the pool drinking a PinaColada reading a few articles on my phone twoweeks ago in Mexico, I was reading about thissoftware that monitors Internet activity andthen compares the patterns to historical data.Apparently, it ACCURATELY predicts when politicalunrest or terrorist attacks are likely to occur.They base their reasoning on …
…
continue reading
This morning I was reading an email from my friendTom Sosnoff over at tastytrade.In his daily email to readers, he wrote a littleblurb about why people hire professionals tomanage their money, rather learning to do itthemselves.While our mission is the same as teaching activeinvestors how to creates success with tradingoptions, I don't entirely agr…
…
continue reading
I was sitting at my computer yesterday morningreviewing my positions.It was about 8:50 CST when all of a sudden, I gota ping from… Mr Prop.Who's Mr Prop?He's one of my institutional connections who workson a trading desk in New York.I have something very special to announce about MrProp, which I will share with you in a fewseconds, but he told me a…
…
continue reading
I was telling Nicole earlier that it seems likepeople's desperation are taking an extreme thesedays.Blame it on Obama?Calm down; I'm just Joshing you but, there was awedding crasher known as the 'bridal bandit' whoposed as a guest not to enjoy the free food, drinkand maybe a selfie, but to steal gifts and moneyfrom the bride and groom.She'd show up…
…
continue reading
Earlier today, I nearly spit out my La Croix allover my computer.I don't know if you saw this, but If not, you'regoing to get a kick out of this.One of the most recent technological advances isthe creation of a virtual reality sex suit.Yeah, now if you're into that kind of thing (Nojudgement) here's how it works.The kit uses a special headset and a…
…
continue reading
While drinking my morning coffee today, I wasreading through a few emails from readers, and Ithought this was interesting to share.Read this email and my thoughts will follow.===Josh, thanks for your e-mails - I enjoy readingthem!I'm always amazed at how much people rely on the"experts" such as doctors, lawyers, etc.You're right in today's world; t…
…
continue reading
Last Thursday, I was looking at my tradingplatform trying to find an opportunity.This market has been so dull and uneventful.It feels like you're sitting in a governmentoffice waiting to be called filled with 30 otherpeople and counting them down.Then all of a sudden out of the corner of my eye Istart to see Apple drop like a rock, again.That's a l…
…
continue reading
He's not the first or last person to think or ask that.I received an interesting question from a reader afew days ago.I wanted to share it with you because you mightrelate to it:"Which is easier? Making money from trading orselling stuff to a novice like me?"As I said, I think it's a fair question.And to be honest, I'd have to say they're bothhard.…
…
continue reading
I read an article recently that revealed thepopulation of human beings who are 65 and olderwill surpass those under 5 for the first time.It predicts this will happen before 2020, and thetwo age groups will continue in oppositedirections.Reason being, people, are living longer with moreadvanced research, medicine, and technology.While low fertility …
…
continue reading
Quick question..... What do options trading and the game show"Wheel of Fortune" have in common?Can you guess?The answer is if you study the probabilities andpredetermined outcomes of both it is possible tocreate predictable results.For example, Robert Santoli recently took home$76,000 from "Wheel of Fortune".Later he revealed he'd methodically stud…
…
continue reading
You have to wonder what direction our country isheading in when you hear things like this…Because in an age when crime and terrorism arerunning rampant in America and we fear for oursafety… we have a senator in Washington who wantsto change the names of certain places that offendpeople.Now to put this into context…Apparently there are nearly 1,500 …
…
continue reading