With the new year of 2026 fast approaching, I’ve decided to start another challenge.
This one is deliberately smaller than my previous ambitions of building a $100K or even a $1M portfolio. Not because those goals are impossible, but because this time I want something more contained, measurable, and—hopefully—easier to execute with discipline.
By the way, I should clarify one thing. I first reached a $25,000 net worth back in 2019.
Nevertheless, my current net worth is well above $25,000. The challenge here is not about net worth in general, but specifically about building a $25,000 stock portfolio. At the moment, my stock portfolio is still below that level, which is why this goal remains relevant and worth pursuing.
The target: a $25,000 stock portfolio built primarily through options trading.
I’m starting this challenge at the end of 2025 with a stock portfolio valued at $10,450. That already represents 41.86% of the $25K goal, so the gap is meaningful but not extreme.
The timeline I’m aiming for is 2–3 years.
Could this be achieved in a single year? Technically, yes. Practically, doubling the portfolio in 2026 would require either exceptional market conditions, excessive risk, or both. That’s not the base case I want to rely on.
For example, 2025 was an excellent year, with the stock portfolio growing by more than 30%, despite a few fundamentally wrong trades along the way.
A 2–3 year horizon feels plausible, assuming: Consistent options income; Some stock price appreciation; A smaller contribution from dividends
No guarantees, of course. Markets don’t owe us anything.
I’m skeptical about reaching $25K by the end of 2026. That would imply more than doubling the portfolio within one year possible, but unrealistic as a planning assumption.
Instead, the primary objective for 2026 is simpler and more defensive: Eliminate margin debt, currently around $4,300; End the year with a portfolio in the $15K–$16K range
If that happens, the foundation for compounding into $25K becomes much stronger in 2027–2028.
The plan is straightforward and intentionally narrow. I’m not trying to trade everything.
For 2026, the core strategy is:
- Weekly credit spreads on NVDA -Planned at least until April 2026, assuming liquidity and volatility remain favorable.
- Monthly credit spreads on BMY - Held throughout 2026 as a slower-moving, more defensive component.
The idea is to combine: High-liquidity, higher-volatility weekly income (NVDA); More stable, longer-dated monthly premium (BMY)
This isn’t about chasing maximum returns. It’s about repeatability and managing drawdowns.
Anything can happen.
Volatility can dry up. Stocks can gap. Margin amplifies both gains and mistakes. Past performance—mine included—means nothing for future results.
This plan assumes:
- Reasonable market conditions
- No catastrophic single-trade failures
- Ongoing discipline in position sizing
If those assumptions break, the plan will need adjustment.
I’m leaving this plan here as a reference point.
In a year, I’ll revisit it - compare expectations with reality, analyze what worked, what didn’t, and whether the $25K goal still makes sense under then-current conditions.
No hype. No promises. Just a structured attempt to grow a stock portfolio methodically using options.
Let’s see where this road leads.
