Colorado Traders Meetup

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Is winter finally behind us? I'm not entirely convinced, but I'm open to the possibility.

Meanwhile, it's beginning to feel that winter is only just beginning in the stock market. Who could use a drink?

We're gathering next at Southern Sun in South Boulder. Great food, great beer, great location. Come join your Trader Spirit Animals as we try to make sense of the non-sense that is the market action of late.

Note: Southern Sun is a cash-only establishment. They have an ATM on site for those who need it.

~ Sean

P.S. Always check the meetup app upon arrival to check for any last-minute location changes. We'll be the group wearing the nametags. If you're having trouble finding us, text me at 312-498-4519

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Meetup.com has significantly raised the price for me to host this meetup group twice monthly in the past year. While I don't charge you to attend our meetups, perhaps you could support this group by trying out any of the tools I use. I'll earn a small commission, and that will go directly to supporting the continuation of this group.

I'm constantly asked by many of you what tools I use to manage my options trading. And I'm happy people ask because I have strong opinions on what works for me. Having the right tools can make all the difference in trading. Confidence in the markets comes from experience, strategy, and—just as importantly—using platforms that provide the speed, clarity, and insights necessary to execute trades efficiently. I rely on a handful of trusted tools to help me navigate the markets:

tastytrade
First up is tastytrade, my go-to brokerage platform. It’s built specifically for options traders, and it shows. The interface is incredibly intuitive, trades execute fast, and the customer service is top-notch. While it’s primarily focused on options, you can also trade stocks, futures, and even crypto. If you’re looking for a broker designed with options traders in mind, tastytrade is tough to beat.

TrendSpider
When it comes to charting, TrendSpider is my tool of choice. I love its clean charts and the ability to highlight key levels, set alerts, and annotate my setups. It also offers an incredible array of indicators, watchlist features, and automated analysis tools. If you’ve watched my weekly Live Options Jam Session, you’ve seen these charts in action—they help me stay organized and on top of market trends.

Trade-Ideas
For those trading on short, intraday timeframes, Trade-Ideas is an essential tool. It gives me real-time alerts based on customized parameters, dynamically updating watchlists, and deep scanning capabilities to spot opportunities as they develop. This platform is a must-have for traders looking to react quickly to market movements.

thinkorswim (by Charles Schwab)
One tool I use daily is thinkorswim, specifically its powerful Analyze tab. This feature allows me to visualize how my various options spreads will make or lose money across different price ranges. Having a clear, visual representation of my trades helps me better manage risk and make informed decisions before entering or adjusting a position. If you’re serious about options trading, thinkorswim’s analysis tools are invaluable.

YNAB (You Need a Budget)
This one isn’t a trading platform, but it’s been a game-changer for me. Keeping my daily finances organized has freed up mental space to focus on trading. When I know my bills and expenses are handled, I can focus on executing my best ideas in the market. YNAB makes budgeting simple, and honestly, it’s made a huge difference in my financial life.

If you’re interested in checking out any of these tools, I’ve included links where you can learn more. Having the right platforms in place won’t guarantee success, but they’ll give you the best shot at staying organized, executing trades efficiently, and ultimately, improving your results.