Latest Insights in Stock Market Investing
Wartime Option Strategies: We Can Still Make Money
click ↑ 4 Featured Covered call writing and cash-secured puts are low-risk option-selling strategies that can be implemented even in challenging market environments. In the 1st quarter of 2026, the US has been experiencing uncertainty and volatility exacerbated by a...
Comparing the Protection from ITM Covered Calls versus Adding Protective Puts (The Collar Strategy) + New Member Discount Coupon
click ↑ 4 Featured In bear, volatile and uncertain market environments, covered call writers turn to ITM call strikes and protective puts to create greater protection to the downside. In this article, the pros & cons of each hedging technique will be analyzed...
BCI PODCAST 168: Collar Trades, the rationale for maximum gains and losses
Collar trades are covered call writing + protective puts. There is a floor and a ceiling on each position. The option side should result in a net credit when structuring our trades. The stock side will result in a gain, loss or breakeven. This podcast will show...
Shorter-Dated Options Offer More than Greater Annualized Covered Call Returns
click ↑ 4 Featured Covered call writers know to avoid the "shiny object" of long-dated options total dollar premiums and to annualize the initial returns to get a fair assessment as to how much cash flow we are generating. But is that the only benefit of shorter-dated...
Ask Alan #240: Covered Call Strike Selection with the “Wheel” or Put-Call-Put (PCP) Strategy
Hi Alan, I love your put-call-put strategy, using both covered calls and puts. I know you use out-of-the-money puts, but do you also use out-of-the-money calls? Thanks for your help. Lloyd Free Resources:...
What is the “Square Root of Time Rule” & How Does it Impact Option Expiration Date Selection?
click ↑ 4 Featured You're selling 4, 1-month covered call contracts for the $100.00 strike and generating $1000.00 in premium. Pretty good, right? But wait a minute ... if I sell 4, 6-month $100.00 strikes, I can make $2,500.00. Seems like a no-brainer to get $2500.00...
Factors Impacting Strike Selection with High Implied Volatility (IV) Stocks
click ↑ 4 Featured When using high implied volatility (IV) stocks and ETFs in our covered call and cash-secured put portfolios, there are tremendous opportunities to score significant returns, but with significant risks to the downside. We must be particularly focused...
Can We Use 2 Standard Deviation Implied Volatility When Portfolio Overwriting?
click ↑ 4 Featured Portfolio overwriting is a form of covered call writing where share retention, capital preservation and generation of modest cash flow are specified goals. We are looking to generate an additional option premium income stream while retaining the...
BCI PODCAST 166: A 6-Income Stream Monthly Cash-Secured Put
This podcast will disprove a myth about selling cash secured puts: "The maximum return is the initial put premium" This is false because it ignores potential exit strategy opportunities. In this video, 6 income streams were realized by rolling-up the put strike...
Podcast
- 126. Analyzing the Status of a Rolling-Down Trade
- 124. Dividends and After-Hours News Causing Exercise of OTM Call Strikes
- 123. Implied Volatility, IV Rank and IV Percentile Defined and Practical Applications
- BCI PODCAST 122: Should I Roll-Out My Deep In-The-Money Call Option Mid-Contract?
- BCI PODCAST 121: What is a SPAC (Special Purpose Acquisition Company)?
- 120. Using the Nasdaq-100 Volatility Index (VOLQ) in Covered Call Writing Decisions
- 119. Establishing Our Cost-Basis for Long-Term Holdings
- 118. Adjusting Our Portfolio Mix to Achieve Diversification and Cash Allocation
- 117. When a Covered Call Strike Moves $1000.00 In-The-Money
- 116. How to Execute a Covered Call Trade with a Buy/Write Combination Form
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Our Journey and Mission
The Blue Collar Investor was founded with a simple mission: to empower everyday individuals with the knowledge to invest wisely in the stock market. Our blog focuses on demystifying stock options, providing readers with the tools they need to succeed. We believe that anyone can learn to invest effectively, regardless of their background or experience.
Our story began when our founder Dr. Alan Ellman, realized the lack of accessible resources for average investors. Determined to bridge this gap, we created a platform that offers comprehensive guides, expert tips, and real-world strategies. Today, The Blue Collar Investor is a trusted resource for thousands of readers seeking to enhance their financial literacy and achieve their investment goals.