Since 2013, I’ve personally followed a straightforward buy-and-hold approach with my own portfolio. This is my general approach that I continue to follow.

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To enahance and build up my portfolio, I write covered calls and cash-secured puts (and the occasional vertical spread) on stocks I already owned or am very comfortable owning long-term. Any cash received from those option premiums is simply reinvested to add to existing positions or open new ones.

• When I write covered calls, I used shares I already hold and am willing to sell at the strike price if the option is exercised.

• When I write cash-secured puts, I do so on stocks I genuinely want to own at the strike price or better, with the full cash amount set aside in case of assignment. This is simply my way of trying to buy stocks I like at a lower net cost if assigned.

All of these options strategies—covered calls, cash-secured puts, and spreads—carry risks, including the obligation to buy or sell shares if assigned, the potential to miss additional upside, and the fact that premiums do not guarantee protection against losses. Options are not suitable for everyone.

This is simply a description of what I’ve done with my own money—everyone’s situation is different, and this is not investment advice. Please consult professionals when making any finanaical decisions.