If you want to become a profitable trader but are intimidated by the thought of juggling day trading with a busy schedule or demanding career, then I have the solution for you.

As an active-duty military bomb tech, I've been trading long enough despite having to work Monday to Friday (the only time the market is open) to make all the mistakes and know what it takes to become a successful trader with a busy schedule. During my time in the military, I developed a trading system that fit my desire to trade the financial markets, even if that meant finding good trades after hours. 

While day trading can be an exhilarating and potentially lucrative venture, it requires constant attention to the charts, which can be overwhelming if you're already juggling a demanding job. Even if you're goal is to quit your job and become a full-time trader, you shouldn't jump ship without a lifeboat. There's another approach you can take that is easier and still makes a lot of money.

Oh...and it's a hell of a lot less stressful too.

Unlike day trading, where you buy and sell options within the same day, swing trading allows you to hold your positions for several days or weeks. This means that you don't have to monitor the market every second, making it a much more manageable trading style if you're working a 9-to-5 job. Before we dive in, you should know that I don't trade futures, the currency or forex markets, commodities, or even penny stocks; I trade options because I enjoy trading the companies I know and use every day.

If you want to skip ahead and get my exact trading strategy and system, I reveal everything in my book on Amazon.

With that said, let's explore why this style of trading may be the better choice for you if you're someone with a full-time job who wants to become a part-time trader on the side to create an additional stream of income.

What to Avoid When Trading with a 9-5 Job

Day trading sounds exciting, doesn't it? But when you work 9-5, day trading can be tough. Here are three reasons why:

Trading While Distracted

Trading with a full time job makes it nearly impossible to do this one crucial thing: focus on trading. 

With limited time for trading and plenty of distractions, it can be difficult to make informed decisions and keep up with the fast-paced market. The pressure to finish trading before returning to work can lead to rushed decisions and potentially costly mistakes, and this pressure compounds if you've just recently decided to start trading. It's not easy to stay focused on the market when your mind is preoccupied with other tasks, such as preparing for an afternoon meeting or finishing up work before the end of the day. 

I still remember sneaking off to hide in the bathroom just so I could check my profit and loss (P&L) or check in on an alert that just pinged my phone. Trying to follow my trading plan and enter just one good trade a day still felt like trying to work two day jobs at the same time.

Not exactly a recipe for long-term success.

This is why I recommend avoiding trading during work hours. Just because the New York Stock Exchange is only open during a specific time of day doesn't mean you can't submit orders after trading hours when you have more time to yourself (more on this in a bit). 

Chasing Big Profits

The allure of making the big bucks is something that appeals to most of us. However, when it comes to being a day trader, this leads to a gambling mindset that leads to rash and impulsive decisions. It's easy to get caught up in the excitement of hot market news and feel like you need to act fast to capitalize on the opportunity. Unfortunately, more often than not, decisions fueled by greed end up being costly mistakes. Trading requires a level of discipline and patience that can be difficult to maintain when you're constantly chasing after the next big thing. It's important to remember that successful trading is a long-term game and that slow-and-steady wins the race.

By pivoting to a swing trading approach, you're allowed to deploy strategies that work in your favor over time by providing a steady stream of small wins and more predictable account growth. If you're new to trading, this method is the low-hanging fruit you should be going after. By using more forgiving options strategies like the one I'll introduce you to in a bit, you can immediately begin stacking the odds in your favor for becoming profitable. 

This ultimately leads us towards a truth that's hard for most to swallow: if you want to avoid losing money, you should avoid buying options -- that is -- at least until you become proficient at timing the market. Here's why... 

Buying Options

Many new traders start trading options with a strategy that makes the most sense: buying options. 

You buy Call Options when a stock is supposed to go up. You buy Put Options when a stock is supposed to go down.

Simple right? Not quite.

Here are three compelling reasons why those learning how to trade -- especially with a day job -- should steer clear of buying options.

1. Timing the Market

For beginners in the stock market, timing the market can be a daunting task. Long options, which involve purchasing options that are expected to move in the trade's favor, require a level of expertise that those new to trading typically don't possess.

Stocks spend the majority of their time range-bound, meaning they remain stagnant and do not experience significant price movements. This is because the stock market's primary function is to match buyers with sellers, and when there is sufficient trading volume (in other words, a lot of trading activity), supply and demand are considered balanced.

As a result, stocks can remain range-bound for extended periods until one side takes control and sends the price trending up or down. For newbies, it can be challenging to accurately predict when this will occur, making it difficult to profit from a long (buying) options strategy that requires trending market conditions.

2. Time Decays Value

When it comes to long options, time is not on your side. This is because long options are subject to time decay, which means that the longer you hold onto the option, the more its value decreases. As a result, the probability of making a profit also decreases over time.

This is because options have an expiration date, and as that date approaches, the option loses value at an increasing rate. Therefore, if you hold onto an option for too long, you may find that it has lost so much value that by the time it moves in your favor you've barely made any profit.

3. Accessibility for a Small Trading Account

To mitigate the risks associated with buying options, one strategy is to purchase higher delta options that are in the money and have longer expiration dates. However, this approach can be costly, especially for those who are just starting with a small account.

When it comes to making a purchase, there are often a variety of options available to choose from. However, some options may come with a higher price tag than others. In the case of these particular options, their higher cost can be attributed to their inherent value and the time value they possess. 

Instead, there's an options strategy that addresses all of this, making it the perfect beginner's strategy for those trying to juggle trading with their 9-5.

Becoming a Profitable Trader

Putting Time On Your Side

For those who are constantly on the hunt for strategies that can maximize their time and trading efficiency, selling credit spreads is a game-changer that can revolutionize your trading experience. Unlike the high-risk game of buying options, which demands you to be nothing short of a market timing wizard, selling credit spreads empowers you to leverage time as your ally. 

Instead of being shackled by the need to predict a stock's timing and trajectory with pinpoint accuracy, selling credit spreads opens up a world of opportunities to generate profits even when the stock becomes rangebound.

The only requirement? The stock needs to stay above or below the spread, depending on the type of spread you're selling.

This high-probability strategy is so straightforward that even novices can consistently reap profits from it. It's all about betting on where the stock won't go, rather than rolling the dice on its direction and timing.

When you sell a credit spread, you receive an upfront premium for shouldering the risk of the trade. This means you can earn money over time without being glued to your screen or making frequent trades. It's akin to renting out a room in your house - you enjoy a steady stream of income with minimal effort.

Selling credit spreads allows you to generate income from trading without demanding your constant attention. This frees up precious time for you to focus on other aspects of life or business. It's an ideal strategy for busy professionals or those seeking to diversify their income streams.

By selling credit spreads, traders trade with time on their side. It's not just about making money; part of trading is about optimizing your time to help you take advantage of trading signals to produce financial freedom without sacrificing your time freedom. Embrace this strategy today and watch as it transforms your trading experience from stressful guesswork into a streamlined, profitable process.

A High-Probability Trading Strategies

While you're already stacking the odds of success in your favor by selling credit spreads, you'll be even more successful if you learn how to analyze market trends and align your entries during the corrective move of a prevailing trend.

Trading the trend is a strategy used by investors to identify opportunities where the stock price is likely to continue moving in a certain direction, either up or down. By analyzing market trends, you can identify moments when prices are consolidating or pulling back within a trend, which offers lower-risk entry points for your trades.

The beautiful thing about credit spreads is their ability to create large profit zones.

The image above shows you that by selling credit spreads on pullbacks (in bullish stocks) or rallies (in bearish stocks), you'll realize a profit -- often maximum profit -- as long as the trend continues. With time on your side, the probability of profit increases.

This approach is similar to surfing, where you'll aim to catch the wave at the right moment and ride it for as long as possible. By trading the trend, you can take advantage of market movements and potentially earn profits by buying low and selling high or shorting high and covering low. However, it's important to note that trading the trend requires careful analysis and risk management to avoid losses.

Trading After Market Hours

Many traders don't consider the possibility of trading in the evening after work once the market closes. Trades indeed need to open during market hours, but there's a workaround for those of us who are too busy to sit in front of a computer all day to place trades. 

Some brokers and will allow you to use what are known as bracket orders. When it comes to trading with a busy schedule, bracket orders are a KEY time management tool; perhaps the ONE thing you need to be taking advantage of if you're a busy bee who wants to trade. 

Here's how these orders work and how they can help you create a stress-free trading system that jives with your day-to-day. 

Once you've completed your research on potential trading opportunities, it's time to place your trade. Every trading setup should be defined by an entry and exit, including an exit at a profit target or an exit with a small loss (known as a stop loss). Many focus on the profitability of the trade, but a stop loss is just as important if you'd like to avoid losing a lot of money over time.

With these three criteria (entry, exit (profit), and exit (loss)) you can submit a bracket order within your brokerage account. 

If you're new to trading stocks and options, you might be tempted to use a trading app like Robinhood. I don't recommend this platform for serious active traders. Currently, they don't even support bracket orders. For U.S. residents I recommend opening a Schwab account and downloading thinkorswim®. If you don't live in the U.S. then TastyTrade will also allow you to do this. 

• In thinkorswim® the bracket order is known as a "1st Triggers OCO (One Cancels the Other)"

• In TastyTrade, the bracket order is known as an OTOCO (One Triggers an OCO)

Essentially, when you submit one of these orders after hours, the order waits until the next trading day to be submitted. As long as the trade is still meeting your entry conditions, your broker will open the position automatically. This "triggers" the OCO portion of the trade, meaning the position will also close automatically as soon as either your profit target or stop loss is hit. When one of those conditions is met, the "other" is "canceled" so the trade closes without leaving any open orders in the market. 

By using this simple system for placing trades, trading has become stress-free and manageable. 

If you're enjoying this article, then you'll really dig my book. You can pick it up on Amazon (available in paperback and digital format).

How To Save Time Trading With A 9-5 Job

One Platform. One System. Every Tool

Thinkorswim® is an exceptional trading platform that stands out among its competitors. It is specifically designed for U.S. residents and offers an all-in-one solution for trading. One of the most significant advantages of using thinkorswim® is the ability to set alerts and build stock scanners that can be turned into automated watchlists.

This feature is extremely beneficial if you want to save time during the weekend when researching trading opportunities. By setting alerts, you can be notified when a stock is ready for possible entries, which will help you save time during the week.

Once you have confirmed your entry into a trade, they can take advantage of a bracket order. With this type of order, the broker will take over and manage the trade automatically. This means that you can step away from your computer and focus on other aspects of your life, such as pursuing your dream career or spending quality time with loved ones.

With the ability to automate trades, you can have more flexibility and freedom to live your life while still being able to enjoy a part-time trading career. This feature is particularly useful if you have a busy schedule or want to achieve a better work-life balance.

By using bracket orders, you can have peace of mind knowing that your trades are being managed efficiently and effectively, even when you are not actively monitoring them.

Overall, Thinkorswim is a powerful trading platform that offers a comprehensive solution if you want to streamline your trading process and maximize your profits.

Growing a Small Account 

It Takes Time To Grow The Account

Growing a small account is not an overnight process. It takes time, patience, and discipline to achieve success in the world of trading. Many new traders enter the market with high expectations and hope to make quick profits. However, this approach often leads to disappointment and frustration.

To grow a small account, you must develop a sound trading strategy and stick to it consistently. This involves conducting thorough market research, analyzing trends and patterns, and managing risk effectively. It also requires a willingness to learn from mistakes and adapt to changing market conditions.

With dedication and perseverance, you can gradually build your account over time, achieving long-term profitability and financial independence.

Expectation & Risk Management

Expectation management and risk management are two crucial components of successful trading. To preserve trading capital and withstand market volatility, it is important to establish risk-per-trade and account exposure rules.

Here are the risk management rules I recommend:

• Risk no more than 5% of your account per trade. Start with 1% and slowly increase your exposure to risk as you see consistent success.

• With all open trades accounted for, you shouldn't be risking more than 60% of your total account at one time. This ensures you don't blow your account if all trades end up losers -- a low-probability occurrence referred to as a 'Black Swan event'.

These rules help you make smart decisions to limit your losses and prevent you from taking on too much risk. By managing risk effectively, you can avoid significant losses and maintain a healthy account balance. Additionally, it's not uncommon to see more losses as you make mistakes during the learning process, so it's important to have a plan in place for managing these mistakes.

By combining effective risk management with a solid understanding of technical analysis, you can begin to see success in the markets.

Focus on Your 'WHY'

As a trader, it is crucial to have a clear understanding of your 'why'. Your 'why' is the reason behind your decision to become a trader and the motivation that drives you to continue despite the challenges you may face. When you focus on your 'why', you can withstand difficulties and trials that come with trading, and overcome them to achieve success.

It's important to remember that trading is not always smooth sailing, and there will be times when you experience losses or setbacks. However, if you stay connected to your 'why', you will have the resilience and determination to push through those tough times and emerge stronger on the other side. So, take some time to reflect on your 'why' as a trader and let it guide you towards achieving your goals.

Constantly learning

To achieve success, it is essential to have a continuous learning mindset. The financial markets are constantly evolving, and staying up-to-date with the latest trends, market news, and strategies is crucial to make informed decisions. This requires a commitment to ongoing education and research, including reading books, attending seminars, and following industry experts.

Additionally, it is important to analyze past trades and learn from mistakes to improve future performance. By dedicating time and effort to learning, you can increase their knowledge and skills, ultimately leading to greater success in the markets.

Keeping a Journal

A trading journal is an essential tool for any trader who wants to improve their performance in the market. By keeping a detailed record of your trades, you can learn from your mistakes and identify patterns in your behavior that may be hindering your success. A journal should include information such as the date and time of the trade, the asset traded, the entry and exit points, the reason for entering the trade, and the outcome.

By analyzing this data, you can identify areas where you need to improve, such as your risk management or your ability to read market trends. Additionally, a journal can help you stay accountable to your trading plan and avoid making impulsive decisions based on emotions. Overall, using a trading journal is a valuable practice for any trader who wants to become more disciplined, consistent, and profitable in their trading endeavors.

Backtesting - Super Charge Your Learning Process

If you want to accelerate your learning process and become a more successful trader, it's crucial to backtest your strategy and use simulated trading. By backtesting, you can analyze historical data to see how your strategy would have performed in the past, which can help you identify strengths and weaknesses.

This information can then be used to refine your strategy and improve your chances of success in the future.

Simulated trading, also known as Paper Trading in thinkorswim®, allows you to practice trading without risking real money. This is a great way to test out new strategies or techniques and gain confidence in your abilities before putting real money on the line.

By combining backtesting with simulated trading, you can speed up your learning process and stack the odds of success in your favor.

Learn More in My Book, Trading Stocks with a 9 to 5!

Ready to dive deeper into the world of trading with a 9 to 5 job? My book is the perfect resource for you. It goes into detail about everything we've covered in this article and provides you with valuable insights and strategies to help you succeed in the stock market.

If you're serious about improving your trading skills and creating an additional stream of income, grab a copy of my book today. It's packed with practical tips and techniques that are specifically designed for busy individuals like yourself.

To get your hands on a copy, CLICK HERE. I can't wait to see you take your trading journey to the next level!

To Your Success,

Jesse Seal