How to trade stocks as a full-time software engineer
I first started trading while having a full-time job; and it’s ridiculously hard to juggle both. Especially, if you’re picking weeklies, or any other short-term contracts because it requires me to look at the charts, and time&sales, etc. So the question is, can you trade stocks while working a full-time job?
The answer is yes! You can do a trading style called, swing trading or you can trade the first/last hour if your schedule allows it.
Option #1: Swing trading shares
Swing trading shares is the easiest form to trade. It does NOT require you to look at stock charts all day or days because shares move slower on both directions.
After you’re full-time job is done, catch up on the stock market, and make your purchase pre-market or after-market hours.
If you’d like to learn more about how to start swing trading stocks, take a look at this article to get started: A beginners guide to swing trading in the stock market
Option #2: Trade options with longer expiration dates
If you have the flexibility to purchase and sell options, but don’t have the flexibility to look at stock charts all day; try +30 days expiration contracts.
When you’re trading options with Webull, they tell you the number of days left for the contract in the Strike column. Anything less than 30 days is considered short-term.
Even though contracts may cost more, and move slower to become profitable; it saves you from getting out of a play too early, and gives you low theta. Low theta will make sure your contracts don’t lose value quickly if the stocks moves sideways.
Option #3: Trade options the first/last hour
If you do have the time, and flexibility to trade options the first or last hour of the market, you can potentially be doing scalp trading.
You can go in and out of plays within minutes, and go about your day.
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