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

Everyone loves presents on Christmas Day. As a kid, I remember the excitement of running to the den on Christmas to see what Santa brought. What did he leave under the tree? Did he remember the LEGO set I asked for at the last minute? (Sorry, Mom and Dad—maybe taking me to see Santa right before Christmas wasn’t the best idea!) That pure excitement as a child is something special. But what if you could channel that same joy and anticipation into your life through the stock market? You see, for me the stock market is very similar to opening presents on Christmas day, even the trades that don't go as I planned. In the spirit of Christmas (this was posted on Christmas Eve) I want to open up this mindset to all of you as well. The stock market is an incredible vehicle to build wealth. And when you follow the Good Kids Trading way , the profits (or presents , if you will) can bring the same joy and freedom. Building simple and passive strategies are the real presents in this journey called life. When you start making money in the market while you are focused on the other things in life you too will find the Santa Claus mindset. The excitement and relief of when your money starts working for you! Creating this mindset really isn't hard from a logical standpoint, but it does require us to rewire our brains and our habits which isn't always easy. Sort of like staying on the nice side of the naughty or nice list as a child. Patience : Going to fast, trading too much risk, and pushing your expectations are common temptations that lead to bad results. Time, small steps, and practice builds confidence and results. You don't expect a child to go straight to riding a bike without training wheels! Stop trying to trade and invest like you are a BMX stunt rider when you haven't been on a bike in 15 years. Preparation : Just like Santa checks his list twice, traders need to stick to their plan. Whether it’s rolling options or collecting dividends, strategy beats impulse every time. When you let emotions take over, you've turned trading into gambling. Discipline : Freedom comes to those who stay the course, even when the market tests their resolve. Staying disciplined isn't always easy, but if you build a strong enough why for what you want to do with the money you are making in the market your WHY becomes strong enough to help you in harder times. Shiny object Syndrome : Every year some random toy becomes all the rage. And everyone has to have it, but in truth that shiny object is nothing more than you falling into the comparison trap. Same thing with the market... High-yield dividends and “hot stocks” are the Stanly cup of trading. EVERYONE wants one, but as soon as it comes time to clean that thing... All of a sudden you start regretting ever buying it. Decisions out of Fear : Don’t trade out of fear. Have you seen the videos of the Grinch stealing all the presents? The sheer panic on the children's faces? You might think it's silly as an adult, but then you panic sell a stock that has bad news, or you panic and close covered calls for big losses instead of following your plan. Don't let the grinch (or emotions) steal your Santa mindset. Presents you don't want: We all have gotten that candle for Christmas, no doubt a regift. Sometimes trades don't work out, sorta like a present none of us want. Dealing with losing positions aren’t always lumps of coal—they are part of the process. At GKT we like dividend stocks, and we like selling premium because they help us when we think we're about to unwrap a nice watch and instead we end up with an electronic thesaurus. Here’s how to reframe bad trades: Dividends as Stocking Stuffers Each payout is a gift, reinvesting itself into a brighter future. Don’t ignore their quiet power. Rolling for Hope (Opportunity) Like regifting, rolling options takes something stagnant and gives it new life. Collect credits, extend time, and position yourself for success. The Magic of Time Just as Santa works year-round for one night, the market works its magic over time. Belief isn’t just for kids—it’s for traders who know that patience builds wealth. The True Gift of Trading As adults, Christmas isn’t just about the presents—it’s about the joy and freedom of giving and enjoying watching others excitement. The stock market offers the same: a chance to unwrap freedom, to turn money into a tool instead of a goal, and the most passive way to make income. This holiday season, ask yourself: Do I have a mindset to set me up for success? Are my trades setting me up for longer-term joy? The Good Kids Trading way isn’t just about profits; it’s about building a life you don’t need a vacation from. That's my Christmas wish for all of you! Merry Christmas and Happy Trading Good Kids, -$Maxwell

Will Santa fix the sleigh for the rally? Let’s talk about what happened this week. After riding a wave of new all time highs, steady gains and low volatility, the market finally took a breather this week. SPY ended the week down right over 2% QQQ - tech ended a little closer down 3% on the week The Fed cut rates by 0.25%—no big surprise—and Chair Powell hinted that we might not see more cuts until 2025. Everyone kind of expected this. The 'dreaded' dot plot from the meeting: We also had the looming threat of a government shutdown. But here’s the thing: none of this was really “new” info. So why the sudden drop? In my recent posts, I’ve been pointing out the euphoria, the FOMO, and how the market kept drifting higher with barely any pullbacks. Meanwhile, I sat tight, keeping trades small because we were extended so far above key averages. In other words, I was just waiting for volatility to come back. Look at how Volatility spiked on Thursday and how much it faded (pulled back on Friday) Here’s my take: people who chase stocks higher on emotion tend to panic-sell just as fast. After a long, mostly one-way ride up, even a hint of uncertainty can trigger profit-taking. This isn’t weird; it’s just human nature at play in the market. As soon as we got a reason—however thin—people started selling, and that selling snowballed. Look at the Fear & Greed Index: it swung from “Greed” at the end of November to “Neutral” by December 10th, and then all the way to “Extreme Fear” by December 19th. That’s exactly when I started stepping in. This is the heart of the Good Kids Trading (GKT) approach. We don’t need to understand every headline’s deeper meaning. We just know that high fear usually means better pricing for option sellers. When volatility’s low, I hold back. When volatility spikes, I lean in. This change in conditions last week finally opened the door to new trades. On Friday morning, I started selling premium—just enough to take advantage of the moment. Some trades closed profitably by lunchtime. Others I rolled and they’re now in better shape than before the pullback. If you missed this opportunity? Don’t sweat it. You'll have enough chance. Markets are like a roller coaster; there will be more dips and rises ahead. The point today isn't to brag about how well we did. It's to help you be ready for the next time when fear is high and prices are better. Sure, the market could’ve kept falling on Friday, or might still go lower on Monday. But I’m okay with that. I focus on strategies like selling puts on stocks I don’t mind owning, or setting up put ratio spreads and 1-1-1 trades. When the market gives you a shot, you take it. That’s the GKT way. Next week is Christmas, and volume might be lower. That doesn’t mean nothing will happen—it just means liquidity will be thinner and we should stay alert. Keep that in mind if you’re trading around the holidays. To everyone in this community, I appreciate your participation. I know this season can be joyful for many and difficult for some. Please remember that you’re never truly alone here. We’ve built a supportive network, and I’m grateful for each and every one of you. Enjoy the holidays, and let’s look forward to more learning and opportunity in the new year. growing together. Reach out if you need anything, and let’s look forward to what’s next. Merry Christmas, and here’s hoping Santa’s good to all of us! Happy Trading Good Kids, -$Maxwell

The market has been on fire this year. Many stocks are soaring, and maybe (hopefully) your portfolio is looking pretty solid. But what about the losers? Come on, I know you have a couple in there. I have a few positions that are just dogs this year. Should you sell your losers? Instead of looking at these loser with a degree of hate and dread, which is part of my normal routine if i'm being honest.... What if we can get rid of them and reduce our taxes. Doesn't that sound nice? We wont have to look at this loser and we can pay less taxes. The end of the year is the perfect time to think about tax loss harvesting. This is a good way to trim losing positions and reduce your taxes. First, if you aren’t aware: What Is Tax Loss Harvesting? I am not an accountant or a CPA. I’m not licensed, nor am I claiming this is financial advice. That said, I’ve been using tax loss harvesting for years, just as a guy who’s been in the stock market for decades. Tax loss harvesting means selling a stock or investment that’s at a loss to offset gains in other parts of your portfolio or to reduce your taxable income. Think of it as reducing some of your profits by getting rid of a stock that’s stinking up your portfolio. When you sell at a loss, you can: Offset capital gains from your winning trades. Deduct up to $3,000 from your income (if you have no gains). Carry over excess losses into future years. Here’s how I think about it and why it matters right now: The market has been strong. Your winners may have triggered gains. Year-end is the deadline for claiming losses this tax year. If you don’t act, you’ll miss out on the chance to save—and that might be okay. Maybe you shouldn’t cut a position. It’s up to you. Here's My Process for Deciding: Review My Portfolio:  I look for any positions that are significantly down. This is easy since I see them regularly. Ask the Big Question:  Do I still believe in this stock or ETF? Can I write a paragraph explaining why I think this position will be higher in 2025? I’m serious here—actually write it out. Then give it the sniff test. Sometimes we’re just fooling ourselves, holding onto a stock because we don’t want to admit we’re wrong. Consider the Wash Sale Rule:  I’m not a CPA, so check with yours. Generally, if you buy the same or a “substantially identical” stock within 30 days, you can’t claim the loss. In my case, these losers have usually been around a while, and I’m not planning to buy them back soon anyway. Common Mistakes to Avoid: Bias and Emotional Attachment:  Wanting to be right and refusing to admit you’re wrong can trick you into holding onto losing positions. Don’t marry your stocks. You are not the stock, and a stock moving in the wrong direction is not a personal attack. Recognize when you’re clinging to a loser simply because it’s “yours” rather than because it makes sense to keep holding. Ignoring the Wash Sale Rule:  If you buy the same or a similar stock within 30 days, you can’t claim the loss. Ignoring Tax Brackets:  If you’re in a lower tax bracket, the benefit might not be huge, but every bit helps. Why It’s About Freedom This strategy isn’t just about saving money; it’s about giving yourself more freedom. Freedom to make smart, math-based decisions without getting stuck in emotional trades. Take a look at your portfolio. If you’ve got some losers, ask yourself: Does this position still make sense for me? Could selling now help my bigger financial goals? Let's end the year strong! And as always: Happy Trading Good Kids -$Maxwell