January Traders Meetup in Denver!

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Hello Spirit Animals!

The icy grip of winter is abating just a bit. But you've been anything but cold if you've been riding any commodities contracts, stocks, or ETFs related to the metals & mining spaces! Wowzy.

Are we seeing the blowoff top this week?

For the rest of you traders, how has the first month of 2026 trading treated you? Let's talk about it!

Join your fellow trader Spirit Animals this week in Wash Park at Reivers Bar & Grill on Thursday evening.

~ Sean

P.S. As always, check the meetup app when you're on the way to make sure there haven't been any last-minute location changes (it happens!). If you're lost, text me: 312-498-4519

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I'm frequently 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 like options trading, swing trading, trading ideas, and/or my take on markets and trading philosophy, sign up for my free daily e-letter!