In the world of options trading, these two terms are often thrown around interchangeably, leading to massive confusion for individual investors. In this episode, we cut through the wordplay to define exactly what these maneuvers mean for your portfolio.

We explore how an adjustment acts as a broad category for any tweak to a current trade—whether you're adding contracts, bolting on new spreads, or changing the overall structure. You'll also learn why a roll is a specific subset of adjustments used to move a trade vertically in price or out in time. Using real-world examples like a MasterCard call spread, we debate whether you should "continue a fight you're already losing" or simply stick to your original trading plan.

Tools & Concepts Discussed: Vertical rolls, time rolls, credit vs. debit rolls, and index vs. individual stock volatility.

Are you clear on your "line in the sand" before you click the trade button? When a trade moves against you, do you prefer to adjust the structure to lower your risk, or do you prefer to roll it out and wait for more time? Subscribe to the Options Trading Podcast for more step-by-step guidance!

• Adjustments are the Broad Category: An adjustment is any change made to a trade's structure, such as adding contracts or turning a spread into a condor to change the delta or theta.

• Rolling is a Specific Subset: A roll involves closing a current position and opening a new one with a later expiration (roll out) or a different strike price (roll up/down).

• Vertical vs. Time Rolls: Traders can perform vertical rolls to move strikes further from the money or time rolls to give the trade more room for theta to kick in.

• Credit vs. Debit Strategy: It is generally recommended to roll for a credit rather than paying a debit. Paying a debit for a roll means taking money out of your pocket for a gain you haven't yet realized, which can be wasted if the stock continues to move against you.

• Asset Type Dictates Strategy: Indexes are often better candidates for adjustments because they move slower and more predictably, while individual stocks (like MasterCard) can have "5-standard deviation moves" that make adjustments futile.

"An adjustment really is continuing the same trade; rolling it from one month to the next is often just continuing a fight that you're already losing."

• 1:26 – Definitions: Why "adjustment" is the big category and "roll" is the subset.

• 5:04 – The Mechanics: Vertical rolls (price) vs. time rolls (expiration).

• 8:36 – The MasterCard Case Study: When to get out vs. when to move the trade.

• 11:40 – The Debit Trap: Why you should avoid paying to roll a losing position.

• 14:40 – Index vs. Stocks: Why standard deviation moves change your adjustment logic.

Confused about your next move? Share this episode with a fellow trader! Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and tell us: do you prefer rolling for time or adjusting for price?

Choosing your very first options trade can be a paralyzing decision, but it doesn't have to be. In this episode, we break down the three fundamental strategies every beginner should consider: covered calls, naked puts, and credit spreads. We share personal stories—from landline calls to brokers to the evolution of a "24% a year" blog—to illustrate how these strategies perform in real-world bull and sideways markets.

You'll learn why the covered call is often the "gateway" trade that gets nervous investors into the pool, why naked puts are like "hunting for bargains," and why credit spreads are eventually the superior choice for small accounts and diversification. We also provide an honest reality check on the risks, including the "10-year war" of holding stocks during a crash.

Tools & Resources Mentioned: The Passive Trading Book, blogger platforms for journaling, and the concept of "Black Friday" stock shopping.

Are you ready to move past the "options are too risky" myth? If you could only master one strategy for the rest of your life, would you choose the simplicity of a covered call or the flexibility of a credit spread? Subscribe now for more simple, step-by-step guidance!

• The "Big Three" for Beginners: New traders really only need to master three strategies: covered calls, naked puts, and credit spreads. Each offers a different entry point depending on your capital and risk tolerance.

• Covered Calls as a "Gateway": This is often the best "first trade" because it is easy to conceptualize. If you already own stock, selling a call allows you to generate income (often 2% a month) while you wait for the stock to be called away or the option to expire.

• Naked Puts as Bargain Hunting: Selling a naked put is essentially getting paid to wait for a stock you want to buy at a lower price. It is more capital-efficient than a covered call but requires "hunting for bargains" on quality companies you actually want to own.

• The Evolution to Credit Spreads: While harder to conceptualize initially, credit spreads are often the "end game" because they free up capital, allow for diversification (bullish and bearish trades simultaneously), and provide more ways to adjust the trade if the market turns.

• The Importance of Stock Selection: High premiums are often a trap; they usually signal high volatility and a higher likelihood of the stock "burying" you. Success depends on picking stocks you wouldn't mind holding for the long term if the trade turns into a "war".

"The slow and steady trader, the one managing risk, will beat the gunslinger in the long run."

• 0:40 – The Coaching Call Question: What is the easiest strategy to learn first?

• 3:15 – The "Taxi Driver" Story: How 25% monthly returns in old books set the hook for covered calls.

• 7:12 – Why Brokers Push Covered Calls: The psychological safety of "getting in the pool".

• 11:57 – The Volatility Trap: Why chasing high premiums on naked puts can lead to assignment.

• 13:12 – The Credit Spread Shift: Why small accounts eventually move to spreads for diversification.

• 19:15 – The "Long War": A warning about the .com crash and the danger of not cutting losses.

Ready to stop guessing? Share this episode with a friend who's been too scared to trade options! Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and tell us: what was the very first options trade you ever made?

We all know the Oracle of Omaha is a legendary investor, but does his wisdom apply to short-term options trading?

In this episode, we break down Warren Buffett's most famous quotes and analyze them through the lens of an options trader. We discuss why looking for "one-foot bars" over "seven-foot bars" is the secret to high-probability trading, and why sticking to your "circle of competence" can save your portfolio. We also debate where we disagree with Buffett—specifically regarding holding periods and diversification—and how to adapt his principles to generate cash flow today.

Whether you are a value investor or selling puts for income, this conversation reveals how to simplify your strategy and get your money working for you.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why you should look for "one-foot bars" (the KISS principle).

• The importance of trading what you know.

• Why "holding forever" might not work in the age of AI.

• The harsh reality of making money while you sleep.

Resources Mentioned:

• Get your free copy of the Passive Trading book: passivetrading.com/freebook

Do you agree with Buffett's rule on never losing money? Subscribe and let us know your thoughts!

• Look for the "One-Foot Bars": Don't overcomplicate trading with complex Greeks or obscure data. Look for the "layups"—trades with high probability and less stress (like the 90% probability put).

• Stick to Your Circle of Competence: Your watchlist should reflect what you know. If you work in oil, trade oil. If you eat fast food, trade those companies. You have an edge in industries you interact with daily.

• Adapt to Reality: The market will not adapt to your risk tolerance. You must be willing to change your strategy (or sit on the sidelines) when the market environment shifts.

• Income vs. Holding Forever: While Buffett loves holding forever, options traders often benefit from trimming positions and compounding gains actively rather than passively waiting for decades.

• The Ultimate Goal: "If you don't find a way to make money while you sleep, you're going to work until you die." Options trading allows for theta decay (time value) to work in your favor overnight.

"If you cannot explain your strategy to a 10-year-old, then it's too complicated... I don't look to jump over seven-foot bars. I look around for one-foot bars that I could step over."

• (01:50) The "One-Foot Bar" Rule: Why simplicity beats complexity in trading.

• (04:02) Circle of Competence: Why your watchlist should be unique to you.

• (07:23) Adapting to Reality: Why you can't force a strategy on a market that doesn't want it.

• (16:47) Voting vs. Weighing Machine: Short-term price action vs. long-term value.

• (21:29) The Debate on "Holding Forever": Does this apply to the modern options trader?

• (40:04) Making Money While You Sleep: The ultimate goal of passive trading.

If you enjoyed this breakdown of Buffett's wisdom, please leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts. Share this episode with a friend who needs to stop overcomplicating their trades.

We've all heard of the "TACO" (Trump Always Chickens Out) trade, but there's a new, more powerful government-driven strategy in play. This episode reveals a simple yet potent playbook for what we're calling:

The New Trump Trade (Not TACO).

We explore the simple thesis: when the U.S. administration takes a direct ownership stake in a company, we should consider trading right alongside them. This isn't just a theory; we're seeing the results in real-time. We'll look at the government's involvement with Intel (INTC) and how that stock has nearly doubled, and then dive into a watch list of rare earth and materials companies like MP Materials (MP), Lithium Americas (LAC), and Trilogy Metals (TMQ) that have seen explosive returns since the government stepped in.

This isn't about capitalism at its best; it's about playing the market that we have. Are you ready to follow the ultimate smart money? Subscribe for more unique trading playbooks.

• The New "Trump Trade" Thesis: The core idea is simple: if the U.S. government takes an ownership stake in a public company, investors should consider "following the smart money" and buying shares or long-term options, as the company is now a strategic national asset.

• The Intel (INTC) Example: The playbook started with Intel, which the government partnered with to secure the U.S. chip supply. Since the government's involvement, the stock has nearly doubled, proving the thesis that these companies "are not going to fail."

• The Rare Earth Materials Watch List: The strategy has expanded as the government seeks to secure domestic supplies of rare earth metals. A watch list of companies the government has already bought into includes:

  • MP Materials (MP): Up from ~$30 to ~$89.

  • Lithium Americas (LAC): Up ~66% in two weeks.

  • Trilogy Metals (TMQ): Up from ~$2 to ~$8 in two weeks.

• The Government Will Set Price Floors: The administration has announced it will buy more companies in other industries and, significantly, will set price floors for these commodities. This is great for company profits (though not capitalism at its best) and provides a strong tailwind for the stocks.

• How to Play It: Stocks or LEAPS: Investors can trade these companies by either buying the stock outright for a long-term hold (aiming for 3x, 5x, or 10x returns) or by buying long-dated LEAP options (6+ months out) to control the position with less capital.

"The Trump trade that I'm discussing... is that the companies that the administration buys or takes a piece of are could be very excellent traits... we should be trading right alongside the government."

• (00:40) The Old "TACO" Trade: A quick review of the old "TACO" (Trump Always Chickens Out) trade, which was based on him bluffing about tariffs.

• (03:52) The Fed Playbook (Market Context): A brief look at the current market environment, with the Fed signaling rate cuts, which provides a bullish tailwind for the stock market into the end of the year.

• (04:48) The New Trump Trade Explained (Intel): The episode reveals the new playbook: follow the government's investments. It starts with the Intel (INTC) deal, which has seen the stock nearly double.

• (08:23) The Rare Earths Watch List: The host unveils the new watch list of materials and mining companies the government is investing in, including MP, LAC, and TMQ, and their explosive returns.

• (14:52) How to Trade These Stocks: A discussion on the best ways to play this trend, such as buying the stock for a long-term hold or using long-dated LEAP options for a cheaper entry.

What do you think of this 'New Trump Trade' playbook? Let us know your thoughts in the comments. If you found this insight valuable, share this episode with a friend who is looking for new trade ideas.

Enjoying our unique take on the markets? A 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify helps us grow the show.

You can't trade without a broker, but having the wrong one is like trading with one hand tied behind your back. With all the consolidation and new players in the industry, how do you choose the right one for your options strategy? This episode is a complete review of the current landscape. We're talking about:

Option Trading Brokers Reviewed.

We'll break down the pros and cons of the biggest names in the game, from the undisputed champion of platforms, Thinkorswim (now at Schwab), to the pro-level (but difficult) Interactive Brokers. Learn why tastytrade's value may have changed since its acquisition and discover some lesser-known, low-cost brokers like eOption and TradeStation. We also discuss the rise of Robinhood and why, for serious options sellers, a desktop platform is still king.

Don't just pick the first broker you see. This is your guide to finding the right fit for your trading style. Did you know your commissions are almost always negotiable? Subscribe for more essential trading tips.

• Best Overall Platform: Schwab (for Thinkorswim): Despite a potentially slow setup process, Schwab is rated #1 primarily because it offers the Thinkorswim (TOS) platform, which is considered the most powerful and comprehensive tool for options analysis.

• Best for Professionals & Low Cost: Interactive Brokers (IBKR): IBKR offers the best fill prices and is the only major broker that does not use "payment for order flow." It's also the best choice for international traders. However, its software is notoriously difficult to learn, and customer service is lacking.

• The "Trader-Focused" Brokers (tastytrade, TradeStation, eOption):

  • tastytrade: Built for options sellers but has seen a decline in value since being acquired by a private equity firm and the original founders departed.

  • eOption: A great, low-cost "no-fluff" broker with excellent customer service, ideal for traders who use separate charting software.

  • TradeStation: A new player with an interesting monthly membership fee model for commission-free trading, but its different platforms are still being integrated.

• Robinhood is Built for Phones, Not Complex Trading: While Robinhood is growing fast and adding features like SPX trading, its mobile-first focus makes it difficult to analyze and execute complex options strategies like iron condors. Most serious traders prefer a robust desktop platform.

• Pro-Tip: Your Commissions are Negotiable: Don't accept the default commission rate. Once you have a track record or a decent account size, call your broker and ask for a better rate. They can almost always go lower.

"When you're just starting out, I think people try to pick the perfect broker. It's like, No, don't worry about it... in the first, maybe even 50 trades or 100 trades, we're not even trying to make money... We're just trying to learn the skills."

• (01:52) #1 Broker: Schwab / Thinkorswim: A breakdown of why the Thinkorswim (TOS) platform makes Schwab the top choice, despite its overwhelming initial appearance and the fact that most traders only use 5% of its features.

• (05:13) #2 Broker: Interactive Brokers (IBKR): An overview of the pros (best pricing, no payment for order flow, international access) and cons (difficult software, poor customer service) of IBKR.

• (09:20) The tastytrade Story: The history of tastytrade, its acquisition by a private equity firm, and why the departure of its founders has led to a decline for what was once a top broker for option sellers.

• (13:28) Low-Cost & Niche Brokers (eOption / TradeStation): A look at two smaller brokers: eOption, known for low costs and great service, and TradeStation, which offers a unique monthly membership for commissions.

• (16:53) The Robinhood Factor: A discussion on Robinhood's rise, its mobile-first limitations for serious options trading, and its focus on crypto and tokenization.

Which broker do you use for options, and what's your favorite feature? Let us know in the comments.

If you know someone just starting out and looking for a broker, share this episode with them. Enjoyed this broker breakdown? A 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify helps us reach and empower more traders.

The Federal Reserve has officially started a rate-cutting cycle, and Chairman Powell has telegraphed that more cuts are likely on the way. For traders, this is a time to be "licking your chops." This episode is all about:

The FED Playbook.

We dive into the historical data to see what has happened in the 11 previous times since 1980 that the Fed has cut rates multiple times in a row. Discover why, in the absence of a major recession, the market has historically seen double-digit gains 12 months later. We'll explore which sectors—from defensive stocks and small caps to banks and homebuilders—tend to perform best during these cycles.

This isn't a guess; it's a playbook based on decades of market history. Is it time to "back up the truck" and load up? Subscribe for more deep dives into the market forces that matter.

• The Fed Has Signaled a Cutting Cycle: Fed Chairman Jerome Powell has clearly telegraphed that a rate-cutting cycle has begun, with potentially one or two more cuts expected before the end of the year. This removes a significant amount of uncertainty for the market.

• History Shows Strong Market Performance: In the 11 times since 1980 that the Fed has initiated a multi-cut cycle without a recession, the S&P 500 has been up an average of 14.5% twelve months later. The market was also higher, on average, three and six months after the first cut.

• The "Goldilocks" Scenario is Here: The current environment of a stable economy, manageable inflation (around 3%), and a Fed that is actively cutting rates is what many describe as a "Goldilocks" scenario for the stock market.

• Expect Broad Market Leadership: Historically, Fed cutting cycles tend to broaden market leadership beyond just the tech sector. Defensive stocks (like consumer staples) tend to gain early, while cyclicals (like banks, homebuilders, and small caps) often perform better later in the cycle.

• The Playbook Says: Be in the Market: Based on the strong historical precedent, the playbook for this environment is to have exposure to the stock market to capitalize on the expected upward trend. While a 10% pullback is always possible and healthy, fighting the long-term trend in this environment would be a mistake.

"The Fed lowering rates multiple times in succession has happened before. History repeats itself. So what is the playbook? Well, let's take a look at what has happened before."

• (00:52) The Fed's Clear Signal: The episode kicks off with the news that Fed Chairman Powell has clearly telegraphed a rate-cutting cycle, removing market uncertainty.

• (02:30) The Historical Playbook: A deep dive into the data from the last 11 multi-cut cycles since 1980, revealing that the market is up an average of 14.5% a year later when there is no recession.

• (09:27) The "Goldilocks" Scenario: An argument for why the current combination of a stable economy, manageable inflation, and an easing Fed creates a highly favorable "Goldilocks" environment for stocks.

• (12:41) Which Sectors Perform Best?: A look at the historical data on which sectors tend to benefit most during a rate-cutting cycle, including defensive stocks, banks, small caps, and homebuilders.

• (14:30) The Bottom Line: "Back Up the Truck": The host's concluding thought that the historical playbook for this scenario is clear: it's time to have exposure to the market and "load up the truck."

Are you bullish or bearish for the rest of the year? Share your take in the comments. If this episode helped you understand the Fed's impact, share it with a friend who is new to investing.

Enjoying our market analysis? A 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify helps us grow the show.

It's one of the toughest decisions any trader faces: your trade is a winner, but there's still more potential profit on the table. Do you take the money and run, or do you let it ride for a bigger gain? This episode is a candid, real-time debate about this very dilemma, exploring the topic of:

When To Exit a Winning Trade.

Using a live "Phoenix" trade on SPX as a case study, we break down the math and the mindset behind two different approaches. Is it better to lock in a solid 4.4% return early, freeing up your capital and mental energy? Or is it worth risking that profit for an additional 1.1% gain by holding until the end? We explore the psychology of never wanting to give back a profit, the concept of "velocity of money," and the danger of letting the word "need" creep into your trading decisions.

There's no single right answer, but understanding the variables is key to developing your own consistent style. What's your thought process on taking profits? Subscribe for more real-life trading discussions.

• It's a Trade-Off: Certain Profit vs. Potential More: The core dilemma is whether to lock in a guaranteed, solid profit now or risk that profit for a smaller, additional gain by holding the position longer. In the episode's example, the choice was between a certain $355 profit or holding for a potential extra $90.

• The Psychology of "Not Giving It Back": A powerful emotional driver for exiting early is the desire to avoid the painful feeling of a winning trade turning into a loser. For many traders, the goal of consistency means booking a win and moving on to the next opportunity without taking on unnecessary end-of-day risk.

• Risking Your Win: What's the Real Math?: A key question to ask is, "Am I risking my current profit to make a worthwhile additional gain?" In the example, the trader was risking a $355 profit to make an extra $90. Understanding this risk/reward ratio is crucial for making a logical, not emotional, decision.

• The "Velocity of Money" Concept: Exiting a trade early, even if you leave some profit on the table, frees up your capital and mental bandwidth to find and enter the next high-probability trade. This "velocity of money" can be more valuable than squeezing every last penny out of a single position.

• Beware the "Need" Mindset: A major red flag in your decision-making is when you start to feel you need to make a certain amount of money on a trade, perhaps to break even for the month. Trading from a place of desperation or "need" is a danger sign that you are likely to make a poor, emotionally driven decision.

"I think that's one of the worst feelings in trading... you have a decent profit... and then you give it all back."

• (01:56) The Live Trade Scenario: An introduction to the real-life "Phoenix" trade on SPX that sparked the debate: a winning position with the choice to exit early or hold for more profit.

• (07:36) The Psychology of Exiting Early: A deep dive into the mindset of a trader who prefers to take a guaranteed profit to avoid the pain of giving back a win and to maintain consistency.

• (12:16) The Math of Letting It Ride: A crucial look at the numbers. Is it a good trade-off to risk an existing $355 profit to potentially make an additional $90?

• (15:15) The "I Need This" Danger Zone: A warning about the psychological trap of letting your P&L for the month influence your decision on a single trade, and why trading from a place of "need" is a red flag.

• (26:07) The "Velocity of Money" vs. Holding to Expiration: A discussion on when it makes sense to exit a longer-term trade early to free up capital for a new opportunity, versus letting a safe trade ride to expiration.

What's your rule for taking profits on a winning trade? Share your strategy in the comments. If this episode made you think about your own exit strategy, share it with a trading buddy.

Enjoying these real-life trading discussions? A 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify helps us grow the conversation!