Hedging is an important part of my trading strategy, but not in the way you might think. I’m not trying to make a lot of money on the downside, and I’m not looking to reduce my portfolio’s Delta to zero. Instead, my goal is to slow my account down when uncertainty creeps into the market. If you think about Delta like a car’s speedometer, the higher your Delta, the faster your account moves—both up and down. When key moving averages break, I use hedging to tap the brakes. That way, if the market pulls back, I don’t give up all my gains, and if it rebounds, I still make money—just not as much as I would without hedges. My post in our discord from Monday Feb 24th. Wednesday I adjusted my hedges and locked in some profits. I f you want to see how my charts are set up, download my guide on Gumroad If you haven’t read my blog on moving averages , go check that out too. How I Hedge: Put Debit Spreads on SPY and QQQ I hedge my trading account, not my long-term portfolio. My go-to strategy is at-the-money put debit spreads on SPY and QQQ when the market closes below a key moving average. Here’s how it works: I buy an at-the-money put with 30-45 days to expiration. I sell a put $5 or $10 lower than my long put to reduce the cost of the hedge. This creates a put debit spread, which profits when the market declines and reduces my portfolio’s Delta. For example, let’s say this SPY put debit spread reduces my Delta by 10. That means my account is now moving slower—whether the market goes up or down. If I want to slow it down more I'd buy more than 1 spread! When Do I Take Profits on My Hedges? I don’t hedge just to hold onto a hedge forever. I use weekly support and resistance levels and moving averages to determine when to exit. On Friday morning, I posted in Discord that I was taking off one-third of my hedges. Why?Because I wanted to lock in some profits. I can always add them back! Could the market gap down on Monday? Maybe. Could it bounce back? Also possible. I don’t try to predict the future— If I can lock in wins to the downside that's a win. The Super Collar: Hedging Individual Positions Hedging isn’t just for the whole account—you can hedge individual stocks, too. If you own 100 shares of an underlying stock, you can: Put on a put debit spread to protect against a drop. Sell a covered call to collect credit, which can offset the cost of the put debit spread. This is what I call the Super Collar. It’s a way to reduce your Delta on a stock position while getting paid to hedge. The trade-off? You risk getting called away at your covered call strike. But if the stock tanks, you’ve got some downside protection. I've been using this strategy on Google, updating my trades in Discord in real-time. When Google pulled back, my Super Collar made money, softening the hit to my shares. Without a hedge, my losses would have been at full speed. Why I Love Losing on Hedges The perfect outcome? Losing on my hedges. That means the market rebounded, and my portfolio is making money again. But in weeks like this, hedging gives me a way to reduce my risk and even make a little money when the market dips. Most investors just take the full hit—this strategy keeps me ahead of 99% of them. Happy trading Good Kids! -$Maxwell

When you zoom out and look at the weekly chart were back where we were last week. Friday’s sell-off was a perfect test. A test of patience. A test of discipline. A test of whether you’ve been playing offense or  just blindly selling premium because it worked before. A lot of traders failed  that test. GKT? We were ready. Why? Because We Play the Long Game. Selling premium is a powerful strategy—when used correctly. But let’s be real: most traders only sell puts without understanding what they’re really doing. They think: "Easy money. It’s just free income, right?" Wrong. Selling premium means you’re short volatility. So when vol spikes like it did Friday, your P/L gets wrecked. Unless… you already knew this could happen and positioned accordingly. The inner circle ?We talked about hedging.We talked about risk management.We talked about mindset. I posted this to our free discord earlier this month. Did I know this exact pullback was coming? No. Was I prepared  for a market like this? 100%. If you’re still trading blind, that’s on you.I break this down inside the Inner Circle every week: Join here . It’s cheaper than a Starbucks coffee. What’s In Your Portfolio? Let’s talk about how I actually trade—because most people are playing a losing game. If you ONLY hold growth stocks, Friday hurt.If you ONLY chase high IV trades, Friday hurt. We don’t do that here. Here’s what I was holding: SO  – Sold puts Thursday. Closed them same day . ED  – Bought off that blue line? You know I love my moving averages. SCHD  – Solid dividend ETF. Held up well. VZ  – Buy, hold, collect dividends, sell covered calls. Easy. T  – Pyramid strategy hit two levels before it ripped 45% . You’re welcome. 😊 KO  – My Coca-Cola play is up 15%. (Yes, I won’t shut up about it.) SPYD  – Dividend ETF. Cash flow and  diversification. you can see my inner circle has been in this one a while (2 different buys) EPD  – At all-time highs. If you missed my blog on MLPs, read it now : Click here. And let’s not forget super collars on our existing positions—because having protection on my GOOGL  shares felt real good  on Friday. Did you see what TLT  and GLD  did?Market tanks, bonds and gold spike.Flight to safety. We knew this would happen. Stop Trading Like a Gambler. Start Trading Like a Casino. I get it. Growth stocks are sexy. The premium is juicy.But let’s be real—most traders aren’t building wealth. They’re taking wild bets.They’re treating this like a casino.They’re ignoring the strategies that actually build freedom. Look around. The market just handed you a lesson. Did you learn it? We sell puts for income.We rent out shares with covered calls.We build portfolios that last. And I teach all of this—for free—inside my put selling mini-course.If you haven’t taken it yet, fix that today: mrmoneymaxwell.com/action . Next month, I’m teaching how I rent out my shares using covered calls.You should sign up: mrmoneymaxwell.com/income . See you next week.Or sooner, if you’re in the Discord: goodkidstrading.com/join . Happy trading good kids . $Maxwell

The markets are sitting at all-time highs again. SPY and QQQ keep breaking records. The VIX? Practically asleep. We have to be careful selling too much premium at all time highs when volatility are low. A year ago, the headlines were screaming “uncertainty, inflation, and recession risk.”  Now? Everyone’s bullish, chasing momentum, and piling into tech stocks like it’s a sure thing. But here’s what You needs to understand: 🔹 The best trades aren’t made when everything looks obvious. 🔹 The market always cycles. If you only make money in one environment, you’re in trouble. 🔹 Low volatility means cheap options—and that’s where smart traders get to work. So what am I doing? I’m crushing earnings trades in Good Kids Trading Discord. Just a few of my winning trades, it's been an amazing couple of months. Goodkidstrading.com/join to get access. How I’m Making Money Selling Puts on Earnings Gaps Lately, I’ve been selling puts on quality stocks that gap down on earnings. It’s a simple, math-based  approach: ✅ Find a company I don't mind owning 100 shares of. ✅ Wait for an overreaction (good earnings, but poor guidance, causing short-term fear). ✅ Sell a cash-secured put  at a strike price where I’d love to buy shares. ✅ Get paid immediately for the obligation. 👉 This is exactly what I covered in my Put Selling Mini-Course. If you haven't signed up you should. Click here to get started today Either I keep the premium if the stock bounces, or I get the stock at a discount. I’ve been doing this on solid companies that the market is temporarily punishing. And next week? It’s a shortened trading week because of the holiday—meaning fewer trading days, but still plenty of opportunities to collect cash flow. The Power of Small, Repeatable Wins There are 252 trading days in a year. Think about this: 💰 If you make just $25 a day  in options premium, that’s $6,300 a year. 💰 If you make $50 a day , that’s $12,600 a year. 💰 If you make $100 a day , that’s $25,200 a year. That’s real  passive income—without taking huge risks, without staring at charts all day, and without needing some “perfect stock pick.” This is exactly what I teach in my free Put Selling Mini-Course . What Comes After You Get the Stock? The Covered Call Game Begins. Selling puts is great for entering trades. But what do you do when you actually own the shares? That’s where covered calls come in. If I sell a put and end up with stock at a discount, I can immediately start renting out my shares by selling covered calls. Real estate investors rent out houses. I rent out my shares. And this is exactly why I’m teaching the Covered Call Mini-Course in March. ✅ Learn how to generate cash flow on stocks you already own. ✅ Master the art of strike selection for max profit. ✅ Discover how to hedge against downturns—without selling. ✅ Finally create a system that pays you without extra work. Want to Learn? Join the Free Mini-Courses. 🔹 Start with Put Selling:   mrmoneymaxwell.com/action 🔹 Then Master Covered Calls in March:   mrmoneymaxwell.com/income The markets are at all-time highs. Volatility is low. The window for cheap, high-probability trades is there, but we have to be careful and not overconfident. Are you going to take advantage of it? See you in discord! Happy Trading Good Kids, -$Maxwell

The Truth About Dividend Stocks How many times have you looked at a dividend stock and thought, Man, I wish I could get paid NOW instead of waiting months for a tiny payout? Dividend stocks have a reputation as boring. Hey, I get it—they aren't like the sexy growth stocks like PLTR, OKLO, or NVDA. But I see dividend stocks as a way to generate passive income … and I freaking love making money with just a couple of clicks. Worst case? I own a high-quality company at a great level. So many dividend investors sit around waiting for their stock’s ex-dividend date , hoping for a payout. But here’s the thing— why wait around for a quarterly dividend when you can generate cash flow on demand? That’s exactly what I did this past week with Merck (MRK) and PepsiCo (PEP) , and I want to show you how. The Strategy: Selling Puts for Extra Cash Flow I used to think the only way to make passive income from stocks was to buy and hold forever , waiting for those little dividend payments to trickle in. But then I realized something: Why not get paid immediately while still owning great companies?  That’s when I discovered selling puts on dividend stocks during earnings —and it changed everything. Most traders sit on the sidelines during earnings, waiting to see if a stock will soar or crash. But I love earnings season because it gives me opportunities to sell puts at a discount  and create my own dividends. Here’s what happened: MRK and PEP both gapped down after earnings. I waited for the drop , identified key moving averages, and sold puts at those levels. Within a 1 hour , MRK bounced, and I closed my put position for a quick profit. PEP took two days , but same result—closed for a win. Why This Beats Traditional Dividends The Problem with Traditional Dividend Investing You’re waiting months  to get paid. You need a ton of capital  to see meaningful returns. The stock price could drop—wiping out your gains. Instead, I’m generating multiple “dividends” in a week  using a smarter system. You can do this alongside your long-term holdings  and stop playing the waiting game . The Capital Efficiency Play Instead of locking up thousands of dollars buying shares , I’m using a fraction of my buying power to generate high-probability income. And if the stock keeps dropping? I get assigned at a discount—on a stock I already wanted to own. Win-win. Want to Follow These Trades? I break down these trades in real-time inside Good Kids Trading.  If you want to see these trades before they happen , don’t sit on the sidelines. 👉 Join the Discord now   and start trading smarter today. Plus, if you want to learn how to do this step-by-step , my FREE Put Selling Mini-Course  inside Mr. Money Maxwell  walks you through everything. 👉 Get access here If you want to stop guessing  and start generating cash flow immediately , this is where you need to start. This strategy is part of the system I use to trade passively, think like a casino, and stack cash flow consistently.  If you’re tired of just hoping  your stocks go up, it’s time to start trading smarter. Let’s make your money work harder for you. Happy Trading Good Kids, -$Maxwell

Stock Market Freshman vs. Senior Apple just had earnings. The stock popped, and options sellers started sweating. This was the hedge I encouraged some of my students who've own AAPL for a while to take. Getting paid to setup insurance is AMAZING, try that in real estate. "Yes I'd like some homeowner's insurance please pay me." Would get you laughed out of the room. This is what that trade looked like on the chart: Chance (an admin in our discord ) did just this. He put on an insurance policy on his shares and he took it off for a winner! This was just one of his hedges :) So many of my students asked me: “What if I lose my shares?” I heard it over and over this week: “You don’t understand. I’ve made so much money on this stock… this trade is my baby!” I get it. It’s easy to feel attached to a stock when it’s made you money. But here’s the truth: Getting married to a stock is a mistake good kids don’t make. And next week, Google reports earnings. I already had some Good Kids ask me after taking the trade from the Good Kids Trading Discord  "Should I roll my covered calls? What if Google takes off?" My answer is instead of stressing, I have a plan.Because I’ve done this before—and I know exactly how to get back into a trade if needed. Experience Taught Me This Lesson (Again and Again) A few years ago, I was watching an interview with Stéphane Bancel, CEO of a small company that was working on DNA-based cancer vaccines. It sounded groundbreaking. So, long story short—I made a speculative investment in Moderna at $19 a share.This was three months before COVID changed everything. Over the next two years, Moderna went from $19 to $500. I sold my initial investment at $40, then started selling calls on the rest. The volatility was insane, but the premium was too good to ignore. Then, Moderna got added to the S&P 500. That gap-up forced me to get called away at $335 per share. At first, I thought I left money on the table.Moderna kept climbing. I sold puts to try and get back in. But it kept running. Eventually, I had to accept the reality—I made more than most and needed to move on. Today, MRNA is back at $40. That sell at $335? Yeah… that feels pretty good now. I made $316 per share.  This wasn’t the first time I learned this lesson, it's going to happen to your too... Which brings us to Google earnings next week. How This Applies to Google (Any Stock You Own – TSLA, NVDA, PLTR, HOOD) So here we are—Google earnings are coming up next week. You already know how this plays out.Traders are already starting to panic: "But what if Google explodes higher? I don’t want to lose my shares!" Listen… We bought Google at $170, right off the blue line on my chart.Just like I teach in my system. We've sold covered calls and collars over and over (all for credits) and might get called away at $205. But here’s the key:I don’t care if I get called away. Why? Because I already have a plan. ✅ I can sell puts to get back in at a discount. 📌 Have you taken my free mini course on Put Selling ? ✅ I can buy a few shares at a time—pyramiding back in. 📌 Did you read my blog on pyramiding ? ✅ I’m locking in profits near highs and trading like a business. 📌 Do your charts look like mine?If not, download my free guide on Gumroad   This isn’t just about Google. It’s the same playbook for Tesla, Nvidia, Palantir, Robinhood—whatever stock you own. This isn’t about luck. It’s about having a process and executing it. What Most Traders Get Wrong Most traders get panicked about getting called away. “BUT WHAT IF GOOGLE GOES TO $5,000 A SHARE?!” Come on, friends. Gimme a break. If it does, it's going without me, and that's alright! Let the shares go. We know how to get back into stocks. (I just told you above) Tell you what, If you get called away? Just buy back 5 or 10 shares. You still have exposure—but not an oversized emotional attachment. Stocks Are Tools, Not Trophies Freedom comes from shifting your mindset. It’s okay to be called away. ✅ Buying low sounds easy—but most traders don’t actually do it. ✅ Selling high seems obvious—but emotions get in the way. It sounds so simple: "Buy low, sell high."But if it were really that easy, everyone would be rich. Until you have decades of experience, you can lean on me to help you skip some levels—to make trading passive and remove emotions from your decisions. That’s why I built a system around this. ✅ Want to get paid to wait for your favorite stocks? Put Selling Mini-Course ✅ Want to cash in on stocks you already own (without emotional attachment)? Covered Call Mini-Course – Drops in March Trade smarter. Trade profitable. That’s the $Maxwell Way. 🚀 Want to generate income on stocks you already own?  Sign up for my next free minicourse trade smarter, not harder: mrmoneymaxwell.com/income Happy Trading Good Kids, -$Maxwell This is for information and educational purposes, this is not financial advice I am not a financial advisor and the stock market has risk, you are responsible for your decisions.

Am I though? A lot of people who know me tend to say something along the lines of : “You’re doing too much,” or “Do you think you’re overdoing it?” Some even question my sanity. I don’t necessarily disagree with them, but here’s the thing: Luck, good fortune, and opportunities don’t come from sitting on the sofa in your comfort zone. They come from showing up, taking action, and, yes, doing something. This week during GKT Virtual Coffee, I sold puts on three different stocks without even batting an eye. Two of the trades immediately went against me, and you know what? I didn’t think twice. I kept sipping my coffee and asked one of the good kids how he’s holding up out in LA. (Unfortunately, it seems like there’s a new fire out there every day.) But here’s the thing— this wasn’t always how I felt about trading or even options selling. When I first started out, I overanalyzed everything. I was full of fear and doubts, constantly asking myself, “What if?” It took years of showing up and testing my comfort zone to get to the point where I could look at a $500 strike put on UNH—a trade that obligates me to buy $50,000 worth of stock—and not lose sleep over it. Don’t get me wrong. It's still a test of my comfort zone. But I sleep well at night because I’ve put in the work. I trust my process. When people say, “You’re doing too much,” or “You’re so lucky,” it drives me crazy. Because they (you) can do this too. There’s nothing wrong with doing too much as long as you’re making progress. luck is where preparation meets opportunity I used to roll my eyes at runners until two of my friends peer-pressured me into signing up for a half marathon. At the time, I could barely run to the refrigerator without getting out of breath. Now? I log over 100 miles a month without even thinking about it. Am I lucky to have the time to put in those miles? You’re damn right I am. But I also put in the work. Maybe I am doing “too much,” but that’s only if you’re comparing me to someone else. And let me tell you—comparison is the thief of all joy. So, when I talk about selling multiple puts during a Zoom call, I don’t want you to compare yourself to me. What I do want is for you to ask yourself: How can I start building passive income using math-based strategies? How can I create a trading plan that fits my goals and makes sense for my life? Because here’s what I want for you: freedom, good fortune, and the confidence that comes from knowing your strategy works. So, let me hear it—what are you  doing to move closer to freedom? Shoot me a message, drop me a line. Tell me your story. And if you haven’t signed up for my free mini-course on selling puts , the link is always live. You can start anytime. The feedback has been incredible, and it’s humbling to see. I see so many of you out there grinding, pushing, and doing 'too much' right alongside me. And you're never going to hear me say "you got so lucky" or "why are you trying so hard." Because that's for everyone else.. not us! If you want more market insights from me, join my inner circle . Until next week, Happy Trading Good Kids, – $Maxwell

following the crowd is easy Hey Good Kids, $Maxwell here, and I’m about to drop some truth bombs. Buckle up, because this might sting a little. You see me posting about the stock market, sharing videos , and showing my trades in Discord . Maybe you’re thinking, “That’s great for him, but I’m different. The market is just too darn hard.” I get it. You’ve tried your hand at day trading, chasing the latest “can’t-lose” indicators, or signing up for funded accounts. You’ve probably even tried to 10x your portfolio in a month. And what happened? You got burned. You didn’t get the results you expected—or worse, the ones you were promised. Now, you’re stuck thinking $Maxwell and GKT are just more of the same. Let’s dig into this mindset. The Hedonic Treadmill: Why It’s Holding You Back Right now, you’re stuck. Stuck in the rat race. Grinding away at your W2 job, collecting a paycheck, and spending it on gadgets or experiences that promise happiness but never deliver for more than a quick dopamine hit. You know the drill: you buy the shiny new toy, use it for a week, and then it ends up in a drawer. A short burst of excitement, a couple of social media posts, and then... back to the grind. The next thing comes along, and the cycle starts all over again. That, my friends, is the hedonic treadmill  in action. And here’s the kicker—it’s robbing you of the capital and energy you could use to build a life of freedom. Doesn’t that sound harder than making a few long-term decisions that could change your life forever? The Stock Market and Life: They’re More Alike Than You Think Here’s the thing: the stock market is a lot like life. Predicting where a stock will be tomorrow or next Friday? That’s a coin toss. But knowing where a quality company might be in a year—or five years? That’s a different story. Think about your career. If you want to be a brain surgeon, you don’t just wake up one day and start operating. There was that old Holiday Inn Express commercial that joked about this idea. But in the stock market, too many people actually believe it’s possible. They think, “If I just find the right strategy, I’ll be rich overnight.” Newsflash: that’s not how it works. The stock market becomes easier when you shift your perspective. Financial freedom becomes achievable when you stop chasing instant gratification. It’s about recognizing that the latest gadget or toy is stealing from your future and deciding to prioritize your long-term goals. Trade the Good Kids Way: Small, Mechanical, and Often Let me share an example. Putting money in quality stocks pays off over time. I know $5,000 is a lot of money, but even $500, or $200 would be an AMAZING WIN! Does wealth happen overnight? Of course not. But over time, it added up. That’s the power of simple, consistent investing in quality companies. And Nvidia is just one example. This approach—trading small, trading mechanical, trading often—is the heart of the Good Kids way. It’s not flashy. It’s not complicated. But it works. Stop Believing the Lie You’ve heard the saying, “If it was easy, everyone would do it.”  But that’s a lie. It’s a misleading belief that keeps you trapped. The truth is, most people don’t do it because they’re stuck in the wrong mindset. Being stuck in the corporate grind, feeling like you have no time or no money—that’s what’s truly hard. All of that can change if you escape the comparison trap, ignore the marketers selling you things you don’t need, and start focusing on your future by saving and investing. Take Action: Build Your Life of Freedom This week, I want you to ask yourself: How can you start saving more? How can you use the strategies I share—for free—to build significant wealth? The insights I offer aren’t complicated. You’ve just been programmed to think they are. But they’re not. You can do this. I’m not special. If you haven’t started my free mini-course on selling puts, what are you waiting for? If you’re not in the Discord yet, why not? If you need more help, why haven't you reached out to me. This is your time 2025 is the year of action. Stop worrying about what others think or chasing the next dopamine hit. Start building the life of freedom you deserve. That’s the Mr. Money Maxwell way. Happy Trading Good Kids, -$Maxwell

What’s up, traders? I’m really excited this week because it kicks off one of my favorite times as an options seller: EARNINGS! Sure, we had Delta last week as an outlier, but look at this earnings calendar, and you’ll see that the banks lead us off on a busy couple of months. This is just January! I know the bears are getting louder. It's starting to make sense that we should have a pullback in the market, but the truth is no one really knows when or by how much. What I do know is that on Wednesday, JPM, WFC, GS, and BLK kick off one of the most consistent opportunities I’ve had for selling puts. As companies talk about guidance or report numbers the street wasn’t expecting, it presents us with a great opportunity to sell fear. 87% of the time, from 2016-2021, implied volatility was overstated! When you combine expected ranges, standard deviations, and some technical analysis like moving averages and weekly support, we take math-based trading and improve the confidence of our trading strategy. If you haven't already, you should sign up for my mini-course on put selling. It’s totally free, and there won’t be any upsells or gimmicks to get my best information. I’m giving you all this information over four weeks. You can start anytime! By the way, if you'd like even more in-depth weekly videos, be sure to check out my Mr. Money Maxwell Inner Circle ! One more thought on earnings season: I prefer to wait for opportunities post-earnings . Many Good Kids, myself included, have tried strategies for pre-earnings trades, trying to take advantage of the increased volatility. It's simply too hard. So, wait for the trades to come to you. There's no reason to force it. Let's wait for opportunities where we have an edge and then take them. In terms of the overall market conditions, inflation is proving to be more sticky than some anticipated. The Jobs report on Friday showed a much stronger job market, and bonds are being beat up badly. Yields on bonds are causing major headwinds on dividends. You all know I love dividend stocks, but I also understand and know better than to try to catch a falling knife. I’m stressing small trades and some patience as we work through the transition of a new president on the 20th. I look forward to 2025’s earning season kicking off Wednesday with JPM! Of course, I will be collaring the shares of JPM and BAC that I bought in last year’s banking crisis. There is no reason to make bets on FRC or SVB when you can buy quality banks at discounts. So that’s what I’m going to urge all of you to think about: What stocks, companies, and sectors are you interested in owning at lower levels, with the understanding you might need to hold these stocks for a little while? Have a great week! I hope to see you in our free Discord , but I’ll be back right here next week. Happy Trading, Good Kids! $Maxwell P.S. If you want more of my personal story, you should check out the podcast I did with Jeremy Hritz.

Capital Efficiency of Shares vs Options Buying 100 shares of stocks with market or limit orders? There’s a better way to profit and control your risk—it’s called selling puts. You get paid now to agree to buy a stock later at a price you like. Let’s break it down in today's blog! Buying 100 Shares: The Old, Expensive Way You want 100 shares of XYZ at $100 per share. It costs $10,000. Now you wait. Stock goes up?  Great, you make money. Stock goes down?  Ouch, you lose money. Meanwhile, your capital is stuck.  You can’t use it for anything else. Selling Puts: The Smarter, Cheaper Way Instead of buying outright, sell a put option. It’s a promise to buy 100 shares at a lower price (the "strike price"). Let’s say $95. Here’s the kicker: You get paid a premium for making that promise—let’s say $200. What Can Happen? Stock stays above $95: You keep the $200. You don’t buy the shares. Do it again. And again. Stock drops below $95: You buy the shares at $95. But you already collected $200 in premium. Your real cost? $93 per share. That beats $100! Why Selling Puts Is Great: Instant cash:  The premium is yours right now. Less money at risk:  Instead of tying up $10,000, your broker typically requires only ~20% of the potential cost. In this example, it’s ~$1,900 to sell the put versus $10,000 to buy the stock. You pick the price:  You decide the strike price. Win-Win:  Either you get paid, or you buy the stock at a discount. Time is on your side:  Options lose value over time. This is called "theta decay," and you profit from it. Let’s Compare Scenario Sell 1 Put ($95) Buy 100 Shares ($100) Capital Used ~$1,900 $10,000 Premium (Income) $200 $0 Break-Even $93 $100 Stock Up? Keep $200 Make $500 Stock Down? Buy at $93 Lose $500 Dividends None Eligible Selling puts offers immediate income, lower capital requirements, and more control over your entry price. When to Just Buy Shares There are times when owning shares outright makes sense: Dividends:  You need to own shares to collect them. Big Upside:  If you think a stock will skyrocket, buying shares gives you unlimited upside. No Assignments:  Selling puts means you might have to buy the stock. Want to Learn More? Join My FREE Mini-Course! This Friday, 1/10/2025, I’m launching a FREE mini-course  all about making your first options trade. I’ll break down strategies like selling puts step-by-step, show you how to pick the right trades, and teach you how to maximize your buying power. It's FREE and I'll cover all my best information: sign up now!  Don’t miss your chance to start trading smarter and take control of your financial future. Click here to sign up! Ready to Trade Smarter? You have the knowledge—now take the first step. Join my free course , and I’ll help you unlock the potential of options trading. Happy trading good kids! -$Maxwell

Is this your trading strategy? Looking for insights on this week’s market? Join my Inner Circle  for just $99 a year you get weekly updates. It cost less than a cup of coffee a week this week's video includes: Update on the market, look at interest rates and bonds. My 2025 plan (6 stocks and ETFs I’m watching). 5 upcoming ex-dividends and 1 earnings trade I’m tracking this week. It’s a bargain, and it helps keep the lights on at Good Kids Trading. Sigup up here ------------------------------------ Now, let’s jump into one of the biggest mistakes many traders make: Buying short-term options. Stock options are powerful tools. They let you limit losses, protect profits, and control large stock positions for a fraction of the cost. But… They can also blow up your account faster than any stock trade if used recklessly. So, why do new traders love short-term options? Because they’re cheap. They’re tempting. And when you win, you feel like a genius. But here’s the reality: Most short-term options expire worthless. That “cheap” $100 option? It’s playing right into the market makers’ hands. They’re betting against you with probabilities and time on their side. Here’s the problem: You need the stock to move a lot. And it needs to move quickly. Time decay, also known as theta decay , is relentless. It eats away at the value of your options every second. Even if you win occasionally, the losses from all your other trades often wipe out those gains. And when you finally hit a big winner? Fear and greed kick in. You sell too early—or hold too long. Emotional trading is a lot like gambling. So, do I buy options? Rarely. Instead, I prefer to sell them. Selling puts, for example, flips the odds in your favor. Time decay works for you—not against you. Selling puts puts time decay on your side. I’m hosting a mini-course on January 10, 2025, to walk you through how I sell puts. This strategy is simple and effective. And it’s how I built the foundation of my trading success. Here's a quick video explaining the mini course: Ready to start trading the right way? Join the Mini-Course  and take the first step toward confident, math-based trading. We're getting started on January 10th! Happy trading Good Kids, -$Maxwell

New Year's resolutions are pointless. You’ve seen it happen year after year—people start strong, but by January 4th, they’ve already slipped back into old habits. Studies show 92% don't follow through on their resolutions. Why? Because simply resolving to make changes doesn't work. If it was that easy you would have started already. Resolutions rely on motivation. And motivation fades fast. 2025 is the year to try something different. This year, let's build a real plan in 4 simple steps.  Let me (and the GKT community) help you! I'm talking about trading but this applies to life too.. Step 1: Know Your Why Before you do anything, figure out your “why.” Why do you want passive income? Why do you want to trade? It’s not about the money. Money is just a tool. What matters is what you’ll do with it. Spend more time with your family? Quit the job you hate? Travel the world? When it gets hard—and it will—that “why” will keep you going. Step 2: Face the Truth Take an honest look at your current situation. Where are you financially? Where can you cut back? How much can you save so you can trade and invest? This part isn’t fun, but it’s necessary. You can’t fix what you don’t face. Step 3: Start Small You don’t need to change your life overnight. Focus on one small, repeatable action. I admit I have a hard time with this one. This graphic always helped me. Instead of thinking about the profits from your trading, focus on the very next small step. Break it down into tiny rungs on a ladder! If you’ve been curious about trading, start with selling a put. It’s simple, beginner-friendly, and a great way to dip your toes into the market. Step 4: Commit to Action Forget motivation. Build a system. Create a mechanical, consistent plan that removes emotions and excuses. Systems are needed in all areas of our life. Think of the checklist and airline pilot uses.  Stop overthinking. Start moving. Every step no matter how small gets you closer to the life you want. Stop thinking and start doing. That's the beauty of our free community.  Say it with me: 2025 Is the Year of Action!  No more resolutions. No more analysis paralysis. This is the year you break out of your comfort zone, build a plan, and take action. http://mrmoneymaxwell.com/action That’s why I’m hosting a 4-week mini-course starting January 10th . If you’re ready to learn the strategies, techniques, and mindset to start your first options trade, this course is for you. 2025 is your year. Let’s make it count. Ready to start? Have a happy, healthy and profitable new year and as always happy trading good kids! -$Maxwell

Options trading gets a bad rap. Gambling. Quick wins. Losing it all. Taking huge risks. But you and I know the Good Kids Trading  way is nothing like that. Let me prove it to you in 4 weeks! I’m excited to announce something special.I’m hosting a 4-week mini-course  to show you how to make your first options trade —the $Maxwell way. Did I mention it's free? Subscribe here: Read more about the course here: http://mrmoneymaxwell.com/action The Strategy That Changed My Life Put Sales are my most profitable strategy. I get notifications daily that a put sale has closed, even while I'm chilling in the Bahamas: I'm starting with the bread and butter of many successful traders: selling a naked put .For the more experienced Good Kids you're already familiar with this is a simple, high-probability trade. But if you’re new to options, it can feel complicated—or even scary. That’s where I come in. I’ll break it down for you: What’s the risk? What does selling a put actually obligate you to do? What happens if the trade moves against you? For the experienced option's traders, don’t worry—I’ll go deeper.I’ll explain how I choose my strike prices, what factors I look at (from the Greeks to technical analysis), and how I set myself up for success. No Fluff, No Sales Pitches Here’s the deal:This course is completely free .No $2,999 follow-up pitch.No endless upsell rabbit hole. Just me teaching the strategy that helped me retire early and build passive cash flow . A Quick Note on the Markets It’s the week between Christmas and New Year’s—a perfect time to relax, enjoy family, and recharge. I’ll be doing the same. Inside weeks on SPY and QQQ, Volitity sold off, TLT is trying to go to zero :) My inner circle will still get 5 key points  and a few trade ideas for next week, but otherwise, I’m keeping it low-key.Let’s hope the Santa Claus rally keeps rolling, and we all end 2024 with strong portfolios . If you aren't a member, you can join here . It's $99 A YEAR... That's a bargain! Join Me in the New Year The mini-course kicks off on January 10th .Make 2025 the year you take control and make your first trade—on your terms. Click here to sign up! Until then, enjoy the holidays, recharge, and get ready for what’s next. Happy trading good kids! – $Maxwell