Options Trading Journey: $6K to $100K - Week 23

Week 23 Performance Overview

• Current Account Balance: $9,276
• Core CPI inflation data rose month over month
• PPI came in cooler than expected
• Markets brushed off tariff headlines ahead of August 1st deadline
• Bitcoin whale sold for over $9.5B in profit causing a slight dump in crypto sector
• Managed positions in $TSLL, $OSCR, and opened new positions in $LUNR and $MSTX
• Realized gain of $1,351.94 (up +$175.39 from Week 22)

Portfolio Performance

Moving forward I will also provide my portfolio performance on a weekly basis. Some context: prior to focusing on options selling, I used this Schwab portfolio for regular trading, often making poor investment decisions. Looking back, we all learn through experience. Last year, I took a significant loss on a penny stock ($BBIG), which impacted my all-time performance. Currently, I'm down about $1,950 despite contributing over $11K in deposits (last column). I began focusing exclusively on the wheel strategy in early 2024, which is why the past 1-year (+45.14%) and YTD (+25.00%) performance metrics are what truly matter for tracking this journey.

Market Recap

This week's headlines included Core CPI inflation data rising month over month, while the PPI came in cooler than expected. The markets brushed off tariff headlines ahead of the August 1st deadline. In the crypto sector, a Bitcoin whale sold for over $9.5B in profit, causing a slight dump across cryptocurrencies. With earnings season upon us, we can expect increased volatility in the coming weeks.

My Week 23 Trades

$LUNR

I opened a $10 strike cash secured put based on chart analysis, identifying a demand zone around the $9-10 area. My interest in $LUNR is primarily due to its IM-3 launch schedule for early 2026 and the potential for additional NASA contracts before the end of 2025. I was able to close the position a few days later for a net profit of $15 within the same week.

• 07/15/2025 Sell to Open:
  • LUNR 07/25/2025 10.00 P
  • Quantity: 1
  • Credit: $19
• 07/17/2025 Buy to Close:
  • LUNR 07/25/2025 10.00 P
  • Quantity: 1
  • Debit: -$4
  • Net Profit: $15

$TSLL

I had previously rolled both of my $TSLL contracts down from $10 to $9.5 strike. This week, I closed one of the contracts for a debit of $1, bringing my total net profit for that trade to +$51 according to Schwab realized gains from all the previous rolls.

• 07/16/2025 Buy to Close:
  • TSLL 07/18/2025 9.50 P
  • Quantity: 1
  • Debit: -$1.00
  • Total Net Profit: +$51 (including previous rolls)

I later closed the remaining $9.5 strike contract on Friday for a debit of $9. This contract was previously rolled into Tesla's earnings week, but since it was up over 70%, I followed my playbook and closed the trade to await further opportunities. The total net profit from this trade and previous roll was +$27.

• 07/18/2025 Buy to Close:
  • TSLL 07/25/2025 9.50 P
  • Quantity: 1
  • Debit: -$9
  • Total Net Profit: +$27 (including previous roll)

$OSCR

I had opened a $12 cash secured put last week for a net credit of +$25. I closed that trade this week for a debit of $1, bringing my total net profit to +$24.

• 07/16/2025 Buy to Close:
  • OSCR 07/18/2025 12.00 P
  • Quantity: 1
  • Debit: -$1.00
  • Total Net Profit: +$24

I also rolled my $14 strike cash secured put to the following week (07/25) at a $13.5 strike to further derisk while bringing in a net credit of +$25.

• 07/17/2025 Buy to Close:
  • OSCR 07/18/2025 14.00 P
  • Quantity: 1
  • Debit: -$12
• 07/17/2025 Sell to Open:
  • OSCR 07/25/2025 13.50 P
  • Quantity: 1
  • Credit: $37
  • Net Credit from rolling: $25

As the week progressed, OSCR continued to drop, so I took the opportunity to sell more cash secured puts, targeting the demand zone around $13-14. I opened an $11.5 strike cash secured put expiring 07/25 for a net credit of +$20.

• 07/17/2025 Sell to Open:
  • OSCR 07/25/2025 11.50 P
  • Quantity: 1
  • Credit: $20

I also opened an additional cash secured put at an $11 strike for an additional net credit of +$24.

• 07/18/2025 Sell to Open:
  • OSCR 07/25/2025 11.00 P
  • Quantity: 1
  • Credit: $24

$MSTX

When news broke about a Bitcoin whale selling for over $9.5B, it caused a sector-wide pullback. I saw this as an opportunity for a cash secured put, but gave myself enough room as I expect BTC and MSTR to have further downside in the near future. I believe that with new crypto treasuries coming to market and the US government passing and recognizing crypto legislation, there will be increased demand in the future. I opened a $31 strike cash secured put on MSTX for a net credit of +$25, giving myself enough room to roll as needed in anticipation of further downside on MSTR.

• 07/18/2025 Sell to Open:
  • MSTX 07/25/2025 31.00 P
  • Quantity: 1
  • Credit: $25

What I'm Holding Now

As of July 20, 2025, here's what's in my portfolio:

• 1 cash secured put on $OSCR at $13.50 strike (07/25 expiry)
• 1 cash secured put on $OSCR at $11.50 strike (07/25 expiry)
• 1 cash secured put on $OSCR at $11.00 strike (07/25 expiry)
• 1 cash secured put on $MSTX at $31.00 strike (07/25 expiry)
• $2,752.20 Cash reserves awaiting potential market pullback opportunities
• Weekly $100 deposit on Wed and Fri splits

Looking Ahead

With earnings season upon us, I'll be closely monitoring my open positions, particularly the $13.5 strike OSCR position, which I may need to roll down and out as needed. I'll continue to use the options scanner to identify new opportunities while managing my existing positions. The market's reaction to upcoming earnings reports and the approaching August 1st tariff deadline will be key factors in my trading decisions in the coming weeks.