Everything in real estate runs in cycles, and the current cycle is no different. Historically, when you see periods of time when prices dropped really low, or interest rates were really high, people thought that real estate investing was unwise. There were years in the 1980s when interest rates were very high (13-18%), yet investors still made money during that time. In fact, they made more money than they did before because the uneducated people did not know how to take advantage of the opportunity. Why? Because their primary method of investing (getting a loan) was no longer feasible.

After determining the trend of the stock and clear areas of support and resistance, a trader selects strike prices and expiration dates, and determines if the risk/reward ratio is in line with their personal trading rules. Once the trade is placed, then ideally the stock will stay in the expected range and the options expire worthless. In this scenario you keep the entire net credit. However, as with all option strategies, there are times when the trade does not work out as expected. Unexpected news, broad-market surges that pull the stock up or down with it, or other factors can cause the stock to breakout of its sideways trend and cause the Iron Condor trader anxiety.

Traders must be prepared for this scenario. You never adjust a trade simply to adjust it; you need to have a plan of action if your trade does not go as expected. While the great majority of Iron Condor trades may be profitable, one losing trade can erase the profits from numerous previous trades. Fortunately, for the astute trader there are numerous techniques that traders can utilize to help mitigate loss or repair Iron Condors.

The little extra touch that goes into the presentation of the property can dramatically alter its perceived value. When the presentation is properly executed, properties move faster, and sell and rent for more. This all leads to more profits for the investor. As a real estate investor, you have invested the time; now, just spend those few extra hours on the fine tuning that makes a big difference in your bottom line.

One of the more popular option strategies is the Iron Condor. The Iron Condor’s popularity stems from the cash flow and potential monthly income it can generate. The Iron Condor is simply the combination of two of the first strategies that beginning traders learn:, the bull-put spread and the bear-call spread. These two credit spreads are used in different market conditions. If the broader markets are at least moderately bullish and your underlying stock is also moderately bullish, then the bull-put spread is a viable option strategy. Conversely, if the broader markets are at least moderately bearish and your underlying stock is also moderately bearish, then the bear-call spread is a viable option strategy. These two basic credit spreads serve as the basis of numerous trades that option traders make, as they can capture profits in both market conditions.

The power of a quote should never be underestimated. Sometimes quotes serve as simple inspiration, allowing individuals to find motivation or maintain a positive attitude in turbulent times. Other times, quotes change the direction of lives by inspiring new careers, changing bad personal habits, and helping put importance on things that truly matter. Quotes can also transform the mindset of an individual so they fundamentally see the world differently than they ever had before.

Commercial real estate is one area of real estate investing that is often overlooked. Many individuals bypass even investigating commercial real estate, simply because the topic intimidates them. This is unfortunate because commercial real estate can be a tremendous source of cash flowa primary reason many investors get involved with real estate in the first place. Many who have braved the world of commercial real estate have found they are able to generate more cash flow and wealth through commercial real estate then through any other real estate strategy, and that commercial real estate t is actually fairly straightforward and easy to learn.

Never limit yourself because of a lack of knowledge, or fear that an area of investing is too big for you. By learning the basics of commercial real estate, you can determine if this is an area that interests you, and one that might work for you.

The key for any option strategy is to know the market conditions that need to be present to use the strategy, to know how to execute the strategy, and to know whether the strategy fits within their risk parameters. When a trader anticipates a move to the upside, there are several strategies that the trader can utilize. For example, a trader may buy the stock, purchase a call, or use a bull-call spread. Correspondingly, when a trader anticipates a move to the downside, they may short the stock, purchase a put, or use a bear-call spread. The choice in strategy often depends on the trader’s personal trading rules, based on their risk tolerance and financial objectives.

There are also market conditions that many traders encounter when they anticipate a large movement in the price of a stock but are unsure of what direction the price will go. For example, the earnings report of a stock may be coming up, and a trader’s analysis indicates that a potential large movement may occur based on what the earnings report shows. A trader may also encounter a very volatile market and want to use option strategies that will allow them to profit from a rise in volatility. In these situations, some of the most widely used option strategies are the straddle and strangle.

The end of each calendar year marks the time that many individuals reflect on what they have accomplished during the past year and set goals for what they wish to do in the coming year. For people that have a clear vision of what they want to accomplish in life, the setting of goals for a coming year is an exciting time. They can take the time to measure what they have accomplished, analyze what still needs to be done, and outline the steps they will take in the coming year to get them closer to what they want in life. For those just starting out on a newly formed vision, the setting of goals is an essential activity. Goals can give direction, provide motivation, and help you create the working template of what you want to accomplish and who you want to be.

The key for any option strategy is to know the market conditions that need to be present to use the strategy, how to execute the strategy, and whether the strategy fits within their risk parameters. There will always be a little terminology to learn with any strategy, but once you get the basics down, you will discover the terminology becomes easier and easier with each strategy that you learn.

“Take this job and shove it. I ain't working here no more”

You may never have heard of David Coe, or even heard the lyrics to the song, but undoubtedly the reference will be familiar to you as it has become part of our culture. There are countless scenes in movies and television shows where characters emotionally tell off their bosses. These characters have reached their limit, and leave a job despite having no viable opportunities in front of them.

Oftentimes, when these scenes are played out on the screen, those watching laugh and cheer on the person quitting in such a rage—perhaps because we admire the temerity of such an individual or in part relate on all too real of a level. While we might not have fanaticized in graphic detail on how we might quit our present jobs (or maybe far too many of us have), it is likely that anyone reading this newsletter has dreamt, planned, and is working on ways to get out of our current line of work. After all, there is nothing in the Rich Dad philosophy that celebrates remaining in the E quadrant for life.

Recent years should have illustrated clearly the fallacy of the “safe and secure job,” but that mindset undoubtedly will remain for millions of workers in America. Even if we assume for arguments sake that a person’s job is safe, the fundamental problem that so many individuals have in building wealth is that they simply are earning a paycheck. Individuals in our society often put long and tedious hours into the earning of that paycheck, and usually create a lifestyle to match the earnings of that paycheck. They invest their time into their core value of security, create a lifestyle to match their earnings, and get caught in the proverbial rat race of life.

The key for any option strategy is to know in what market conditions to use the strategy, how to execute it, and whether the strategy fits within their risk parameters. There will always be a little terminology to learn with any strategy, but once you get the basics down, you will discover it becomes easier and easier with each strategy that you learn.

Al Davis spent his entire life doing what he loved. Upon graduation from college, he started coaching at Adelphi College, and spent the next sixty years involved in football. He is the only person to ever serve in professional football as a scout, personnel assistant, assistant coach, head coach, general manager, commissioner, and team owner. He was rewarded for his lifetime of service with induction to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1992.