Spread Trading: An Introduction to Trading Options in Nine Simple Steps

CHAPTER 43

The Launch

Nate closed his notebook/binder/notes/whatever with a satisfying thump. “That’s it,” he announced. “We’ve gone through everything I had hoped to teach you.”

Lon glanced at Shorty, who was suddenly grinning from ear to ear. “I’m exhausted,” Lon said, “but Shorty looks pretty pleased with himself over there.”

“Well, I am!” Shorty laughed. “Not long ago Lon and I were just making stuff up, and now we know how to spread trade like experts.”

Nate laughed but Aaron was quick to object. “Okay, okay, you do have a good foundation, but you’re not exactly experts. After all, you haven’t actually made any trades yet, and besides, there are a lot more trades we haven’t taught you at all.”

“Don’t rain on my parade, Aaron.” Shorty wagged a finger at him. “We know the option instruments and how they work, strike prices, option chains, the technical indicators, a basic idea of the option industry—and a lot more. Plus, we can do, what, five spread trades on our own? I feel fabulous. For the first time, I really feel like I can reach financial independence.”

Even Lon had to nod at that. “That’s right,” he said. “I’m mostly thinking about what I don’t know, but even so, I feel more confident about handling my money now than I ever have before.”

“That’s because now you know how to do it without fear of losing your shirt,” Nate pointed out. “I can’t emphasize enough how important this whole concept of spread trading is. The average investor in the stock market is ruled by fear, ...