You don’t need ten monitors or a Reddit account to make money with options. You just need a plan—and a little patience.
Let’s be honest for a second:
Most people talking about options trading online make it look like a full-time job.
They're glued to charts, spitting out terms like "gamma scalping" and "iron condors" at 7 AM, and they make you feel like if you’re not trading hourly candles, you’re wasting your time.
But here's the truth nobody tells you:
You don’t have to be a day trader to benefit from options.
In fact, some of the best strategies for regular people—busy professionals, side hustlers, even tired parents—are the lazy ones. The ones where you don’t obsess over every tick, but still make your money work.
And it all starts with just two tools:
Puts. And calls.
👀 First, What Are “Puts” and “Calls”—In Human Language?
Let’s keep it painfully simple:
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Call options = A bet that the stock will go up
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Put options = A bet that the stock will go down (or protection against a drop)
But you don’t have to just buy them.
Smart, passive investors use them in sneaky-smart ways to generate income, reduce risk, or even get paid to wait for a dip.
Let me show you how I do it—and how you can, too.
📉 1. Selling Cash-Secured Puts – Get Paid to Not Buy Yet
Ever looked at a stock and thought:
“I like it… but I want it cheaper”?
With a cash-secured put, you can literally get paid to wait for that price.
Here’s how:
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Choose a stock you want to own (example: Apple)
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Pick a lower price you’d be happy buying at
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Sell a put at that price
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Collect a premium (💰) up front
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If the stock drops there, you buy it at your discount. If not, you keep the money.
It’s like saying:
“I’ll buy Apple at $160. But you have to pay me $150 now just for being open to it.”
This is my #1 lazy strategy—I do it from my phone during coffee breaks.
📈 2. Covered Calls – Make Extra Income on Stocks You Already Own
Let’s say you already own 100 shares of a stock. You’re holding for the long haul, maybe getting a little bored.
A covered call lets you earn rent on those shares.
Here’s how it works:
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You own 100 shares of a stock (say, MSFT)
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You sell a call option at a higher price (let’s say $440)
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You get paid up front (premium 💵)
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If MSFT doesn’t hit $440 by expiration, you keep the stock and the cash
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If it does, you sell your shares at that higher price (which you chose)
You’re essentially saying:
“Sure, I’ll sell my shares—but only if the price goes way up. And until then, you have to pay me every week or month.”
I make hundreds a month doing this, and yes, I still nap on weekends.
🧠 Lazy Doesn’t Mean Reckless—Here’s What You Do Have to Know
You’re still dealing with risk. These are options, not lottery tickets. So here’s your lazy-but-not-stupid checklist:
✅ Pick stocks you’d be happy to own
✅ Only sell puts if you have the cash to buy
✅ Only sell calls if you’re okay letting the stock go
✅ Stick to boring, quality companies
✅ Avoid earnings weeks and wild volatility
🪴 Why Passive Options Trading Is the Ultimate Set-It-and-Forget-It Side Hustle
I don’t stare at screens.
I don’t try to beat Wall Street quants.
And I’m not trying to 10x my portfolio overnight.
But with a few well-placed puts and calls, I’ve quietly:
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Bought amazing stocks at discounts
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Earned hundreds a month in passive income
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Lowered my investment stress dramatically
This isn’t sexy, adrenaline-filled trading. It’s investing with training wheels, airbags, and a cup of coffee in hand.
TL;DR — The Lazy Investor’s Options Toolkit
| Strategy | What It Does | Who It’s For |
|---|---|---|
| Cash-Secured Puts | Get paid to buy stocks at a discount | Anyone with cash and patience |
| Covered Calls | Earn income on stocks you own | Long-term holders with 100+ shares |
Final Thoughts: It’s Okay to Be Boring If You’re Still Winning
If you think options trading is only for caffeinated Reddit bros and Wall Street wolves, think again.
There’s a quiet, calm way to use puts and calls that can fit into your life—without taking it over.
So if you want to:
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Earn more from your investments
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Get paid to be patient
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Protect your portfolio in crazy markets
…then maybe it’s time to stop scrolling, open up your brokerage app, and make your first lazy trade.
Trust me, your future self will thank you.
Probably while drinking a cold beer and not watching candlesticks dance
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