The Money Press Method is an options trading course created by Preston James that teaches a diagonal spread strategy for generating weekly income. For just $7 shipping, you get a 121-page book, two DVDs, and access to Preston’s trading system—but you’ll also face a $129/month upsell for trade alerts and need at least $10,000 in trading capital to start. The program promises “market-neutral” income regardless of whether stocks go up or down, but user reviews tell a different story about actual results.
If you’re looking for ways to make money online and stumbled across this options trading program, you probably want to know if it actually works. Preston James markets this as a simple system for collecting weekly premiums by selling put options, but options trading isn’t like building an online business where you control the variables. One bad week in the market can wipe out months of small gains, and you’re competing against Wall Street algorithms with your own money at risk.
This review breaks down exactly what you get with the Money Press Method, what real users are saying about their results, and whether the strategy holds up in 2026’s volatile market conditions. You’ll learn about the hidden costs beyond that $7 book, the risks Preston doesn’t mention upfront, and how this compares to other ways of generating income online that don’t require risking thousands of dollars in trading capital.
What Is the Money Press Method?
The Money Press Method is a diagonal spread options trading strategy designed to generate weekly income from the stock market. Preston James created this system and markets it through Traders Edge Network as a way to earn consistent cash flow using put options.
Overview of the System
The Money Press Method uses a specific options trading structure called a diagonal spread. You start by buying a long-term put option that expires 3-6 months out. This acts as your downside protection. Then you sell weekly at-the-money put options to collect premium income.
The strategy aims to profit from theta decay when stocks stay flat or go up. Each week, you collect money from selling the short-term put. If the stock price stays above your sold strike price, that option expires worthless and you keep the full premium. You then repeat this process weekly.
Your risk is defined because the long put caps your maximum loss. The system requires a trading account of around $5,000 to start. Preston James claims you can manage these trades in under 60 minutes per week.
Origin and History
Preston James developed the Money Press Method and promotes it through his company, Traders Edge Network. The program started as a low-cost ebook priced at $7. James later expanded it into a full course called Money Press Mastery with additional training materials and videos.
James positions himself as a trading expert who discovered this “overlooked” strategy. He also has connections to Prosper Trading Academy. The marketing focuses heavily on generating “consistent weekly income” and “weekly paychecks” from options trading.
How It Differs from Other Trading Programs
The Money Press Method uses put diagonal spreads while similar strategies like the Poor Man’s Covered Call use call diagonal spreads. Both work on the same principle but in opposite directions. Your Money Press trades are put-based, which means you’re looking at different market setups than call-based systems.
Traditional covered calls require you to own 100 shares of stock, which needs significant capital. Vertical spreads expire all at once. With the Money Press Method, you hold one long-term option and cycle through multiple short-term options before needing to reset. This gives you more opportunities to collect premium without constantly rebuilding your entire position.
Core Options Trading Strategies Taught
Money Press Method centers on diagonal spreads using put options to collect weekly income while holding longer-dated puts as insurance. The strategy aims to generate consistent premium income regardless of market direction, though the “market-neutral” claim has limitations in volatile conditions.
Understanding Diagonal Spreads
A diagonal spread is an option spread that combines different strike prices and different expiration dates. In Money Press Method, you buy a longer-term put option (90-180 days out) at a lower strike price, then sell shorter-term weekly put options at higher strike prices to collect premium.
The “diagonal” name comes from how the position looks on an options chain—your long and short positions sit at different strikes and dates, forming a diagonal line. This differs from vertical spreads (same expiration, different strikes) or calendar spreads (same strike, different expirations).
Preston’s version is essentially a Poor Man’s Covered Put. Instead of owning 100 shares outright, you control them through the longer-dated put option at a fraction of the cost. You then sell weekly options against that position to generate income.
The mechanics require Level 2 or 3 options approval from your broker. You’ll tie up capital based on the difference between your strikes, plus margin requirements that vary by broker. Most implementations need $2,000-$5,000 per position minimum.
Selling Weekly Options for Income
The income generation happens through selling weekly put options at or near the current stock price. When you sell a put option, you collect the premium immediately—this is your weekly income goal.
Here’s how the weekly cycle works:
- Monday or Tuesday: Sell a weekly put expiring Friday
- Tuesday-Friday: Monitor the position and stock price
- Friday: Option expires worthless (ideal scenario) or gets assigned
- Following Monday: Repeat with a new weekly put
You’re targeting weekly option premiums between $100-$400 per contract depending on the stock and strikes you choose. Preston recommends trading 3-5 positions simultaneously to diversify risk and smooth out income.
The strategy relies on time decay working in your favor. Options lose value as they approach expiration, especially in the final week. If the stock stays above your strike price, the option expires worthless and you keep the full premium without assignment.
The problem is that one bad week can wipe out multiple weeks of gains. If the stock drops hard, you might collect $200 in premium one week then lose $2,000 the next.
Market-Neutral Approach
Preston markets Money Press Method as a market-neutral strategy that works whether stocks go up, down, or sideways. The theory is that your protective long put limits downside risk while your weekly short puts generate income regardless of direction.
This claim doesn’t hold up in reality. A true market-neutral strategy has equal profit potential in all directions. Money Press Method profits most when stocks stay flat or rise slowly, struggles when stocks drop moderately, and can lose big when stocks crash quickly.
The “neutral” part comes from having both long and short positions that theoretically offset each other. Your short weekly put loses value when the stock drops, but your long protective put gains value. In practice, the gains on your protective put rarely match the losses on your short put because of different strike prices and time decay eating into your long position.
Implied volatility also crushes this strategy during market panics. When volatility spikes, both your long and short puts increase in value, but since you’re net short (you sold more contracts than you bought), you typically lose money as volatility rises.
Role of Protective Puts and Calls
The protective put is your insurance policy in Money Press Method. You buy one longer-dated put option 10-20% below the current stock price, giving you the right to sell shares at that strike if the stock crashes.
The protective put serves two purposes:
- Limits maximum loss if the stock drops sharply below your long put strike
- Satisfies broker margin requirements for selling weekly puts without owning shares
Your protective put costs $500-$2,000 depending on the stock, strike, and time to expiration. This upfront cost eats into your weekly premium income. If you collect $200/week selling weekly options, it takes 2.5-10 weeks just to break even on your protective put cost.
Preston recommends holding the protective put for 90-180 days, selling 12-24 weekly puts against it during that period. You’re aiming to collect enough weekly premiums to cover the protective put cost plus generate profit.
Money Press Method doesn’t use protective calls in the main strategy since you’re working with puts only. Some advanced variations discussed in Weekly Options Windfall add call spreads, but the core book strategy focuses exclusively on put diagonal spreads.
Who Is Preston James and What Is Traders Edge Network?
Preston James, known as “The Pirate,” founded Traders Edge Network after more than 30 years of active trading experience since 1993. The company focuses on teaching options trading strategies to traders at all skill levels through courses like the Money Press Method guide.
Background and Experience
Preston James started his trading career in 1993 and has spent decades refining his approach to options trading. Unlike many Wall Street professionals, Preston didn’t come from a traditional finance background. He played college football as a walk-on linebacker, which taught him the value of hard work and persistence.
His nickname “The Pirate” reflects his unconventional path in the trading world. Over the years, he developed strategies that focus on selling weekly options to generate income. He created the term “Money Press” to describe his method of trading options on a regular basis.
Preston has built a reputation for both trading profitably and teaching his methods clearly. Other trading professionals have praised his ability to spot opportunities and execute trades effectively.
Approach and Philosophy
Traders Edge Network aims to make trading simple and accessible for everyone, regardless of experience or education level. The company’s mission centers on teaching effective strategies that produce results without taking excessive risks.
Preston assembled a team of traders and educators who can both trade profitably and explain their methods clearly. This combination sets Traders Edge Network apart from many trading education services where instructors may excel at one but not both.
The Money Press Method and other courses from Traders Edge Network emphasize step-by-step guidance, risk management, and trade adjustments. Money press method reviews from students mention gaining confidence and structure in their trading approach. The company offers various products including the 1% Solution Guidebook, Weekly Options Windfall Home Study Course, and one-on-one mentoring sessions.
Costs, Upsells, and Refund Policy Overview
The Money Press Method starts with a low entry price but includes several upsells to consider. The initial book costs $7 for shipping, and you may encounter additional monthly services ranging from $129 to higher-tier mentorship programs.
Book and Materials Pricing
You’ll pay a $7 shipping and handling fee to receive the Money Press Method guidebook. This gets you a 121-page physical book plus instant digital access. The package includes two bonus training videos: the Money Press Method strategy training and “How to Get Started On $10,000 or Less.”
The promotional materials claim this is essentially free, with the $7 covering printing, duplication, and shipping costs. You get immediate downloads while waiting for the physical book to arrive in 7-10 business days. The full tutorial bundle has a stated value of $79, though you only pay the shipping fee.
Monthly Subscription Services
The main upsell is the Weekly Options Windfall alerts service at $129 per month. This subscription gives you trade alerts and access to weekly live webinars. A more premium option called Weekly Options Windfall Insiders exists at a higher price point.
Higher-tier mentorship programs are also available beyond the basic alerts service. These cost more than the $129 monthly option, though specific pricing isn’t publicly listed. The company has offered these services for nearly 10 years according to their customer service information.
Refund Policy and Guarantees
The refund policy for the $7 book is straightforward. You can request your money back for any reason and keep the guidebook and DVDs. The company describes this as a “Better Than Risk-Free” guarantee.
However, the higher-ticket mentorship programs have more restrictive refund policies. Getting refunds on monthly subscription services like Weekly Options Windfall appears more difficult according to available information. You should contact their customer service at (801) 733-4190 if you have questions about refunds on premium services.
User Experiences and Real Reviews
Most users report losing money with Money Press Method, especially during volatile markets. Reddit discussions show roughly 83% negative sentiment, while independent platforms reveal a pattern of oversimplified expectations versus harsh trading realities.
Reported Results from Users
Users consistently report significant losses when following Preston James’ strategy. One Reddit subscriber who started in June 2024 described “huge losses, especially lately” after implementing the Money Press Method. Another trader on the Better Business Bureau lost 30% of their account value within a year following the system.
The weekly premium collection sounds like passive income on paper. In reality, users lose hundreds or thousands when stocks move against their positions. One Redditor gave a specific example of losing $280 per contract in a single week when a stock dropped 3-5%. You collect maybe $200 in premium one week, then lose $2,000 the next when the market tanks.
The pattern is clear: stable markets produce small gains, but volatile periods wipe out months of profits in days. This isn’t the side hustle or passive income Preston markets it as.
Independent Reviews and Ratings
Independent review sites rate Money Press Method poorly. The strategy scores a 2.1 out of 5 based on outdated materials (from 2021), lack of verified performance data, and misleading marketing claims.
The company’s own Terms of Use state testimonials are “not representative” and income claims are just “estimates.” That’s a massive red flag for a system requiring $10,000+ of your own money at risk. Preston shows trade entries dating back to 2011 but provides zero profit/loss data. Just dates, tickers, and strikes—no actual proof the system works consistently.
Several reviewers warn the $7 book leaves out crucial details about assignment risk, time decay, and how volatile markets crush both sides of your spread simultaneously.
Community Feedback
Trading communities overwhelmingly discourage the Money Press Method. Across Reddit threads in r/options and r/investing, experienced traders call it “oversimplified” and warn beginners it’s not actually “just collecting money” like Preston claims.
Multiple community members report late or confusing trade alerts from the $129/month Weekly Options Windfall service. One subscriber complained that Preston rambles about random topics during Friday webinars “that do not matter when you are losing money.” When users complain about losses, Traders Edge Network responds defensively rather than addressing the poor results.
The consensus from people with actual street smarts for earning through options: this isn’t a reliable online business model or money-making method. You’re competing against Wall Street algorithms with a strategy that hasn’t been updated since 2021.
Pros, Cons, and Potential Risks
The Money Press Method has some legitimate strategy elements but comes with significant drawbacks and serious risks that Preston James doesn’t emphasize upfront. Understanding both sides helps you decide if this approach fits your risk tolerance and financial goals.
Benefits of the Money Press Method
The diagonal spread strategy is a real options trading approach used by experienced traders. It’s not a complete scam like some programs out there.
The $7 entry price is low compared to other trading courses. You get a physical book, PDF copy, and DVD training without a massive upfront investment.
The protective put structure does limit your maximum loss on paper. If you bought stock outright and it crashed, you’d lose everything. The Money Press Method gives you a defined risk floor.
Weekly income potential exists in stable markets. When stocks trade sideways or up gradually, you can collect premium consistently. Some users report success during low-volatility periods.
The strategy doesn’t require you to predict the market direction perfectly. You can profit if the stock stays flat, goes up, or even drops slightly. That’s more flexible than just buying stocks and hoping they rise.
Preston has been in the trading space since 2003. That’s over 20 years of experience, which beats buying a course from someone who started trading last year.
Critical Drawbacks and Red Flags
Zero verified performance data is the biggest red flag. Despite claiming trade history back to 2011, there’s no profit/loss information. You can’t evaluate if this trading strategy actually works long-term.
The $7 book is just a gateway to the $129/month Weekly Options Windfall upsell. That’s $1,548 per year on top of your trading capital.
Materials are outdated from 2021. Options markets have changed significantly, especially with 2023-2026 volatility. You’re learning from five-year-old content.
User reviews are overwhelmingly negative. About 83% of Reddit comments report losses or warn against the system. Multiple users lost 30%+ of their accounts following Preston’s alerts.
The “market-neutral” claim falls apart during real volatility. When markets swing hard in either direction, both sides of your spread can lose value simultaneously.
No refund policy is clearly stated beyond the $7 book fee. Once you’re in the $129/month program and losing money, you’re on your own.
The training oversimplifies complex risks. Assignment risk, time decay, and implied volatility changes can destroy your account, but Preston barely covers these scenarios.
Risk Management Essentials
You need at least $10,000 to trade this strategy properly. Anything less prevents proper diversification and increases your risk of total loss.
Time decay works against your protective put while you’re trying to collect premium. Your insurance policy loses value every day, eating into your profits.
Assignment risk means you can be forced to buy 100 shares of stock at the strike price if your weekly put goes in the money. That can lock up all your capital instantly.
Market cycles matter more than Preston admits. This strategy works best in low-volatility, range-bound markets. During 2022’s bear market or 2023’s volatility spikes, diagonal spreads got crushed.
You’re competing against professional traders and Wall Street algorithms. They have better data, faster execution, and more capital than you. That’s not a level playing field.
Options approval from your broker requires Level 2 or 3 trading permissions. If you’re brand new to options, you won’t even qualify to execute these trades.
Risk management isn’t just buying a protective put. You need position sizing rules, stop-loss triggers, and portfolio diversification. The Money Press Method doesn’t teach these essentials properly.
How the Money Press Method Compares to Other Models
Options trading requires significant capital and market expertise, while other online business models let you generate consistent income with lower risk and startup costs. The Money Press Method needs $10,000+ to start, but alternatives like affiliate marketing and lead generation can launch with under $500.
Alternatives for Earning Passive Income
You have several ways to make money online that don’t involve risking trading capital. Affiliate marketing lets you promote existing products and earn commissions without inventory or customer service. You create content, drive traffic, and collect payments when people buy through your links.
Lead generation builds digital assets that generate consistent income monthly. You rank local service websites in Google, then rent them to businesses that need customers. Once a site ranks, it produces leads on autopilot. Your upfront work is building and ranking the site, but there’s no daily monitoring like options trading requires.
Online business models like these give you more control. You’re not competing against Wall Street algorithms or worrying about market crashes wiping out your account. A ranked website keeps producing value even during economic downturns. Your risk is mostly time investment rather than capital loss.
The Money Press Method collects weekly tolls from selling options, but you can lose those tolls plus thousands more in a single bad trade. With affiliate marketing or SEO-based businesses, you rarely lose money once you’re established.
SEO and Affiliate Marketing Potential
SEO stands for search engine optimization, which means getting your website to rank high in Google search results. When you rank for profitable keywords, you get free traffic that converts into income. Unlike the alerts service from Weekly Options Windfall at $129/month, SEO skills let you build assets that appreciate over time.
Affiliate marketing combined with SEO creates a powerful online business model. You write content targeting buyer keywords, rank in Google, and earn commissions when visitors purchase. The startup cost is typically just hosting and a domain name, maybe $100-200 per year.
The learning curve exists for both SEO and options trading. But here’s the difference: SEO mistakes rarely cost you thousands of dollars overnight. A bad blog post just doesn’t rank. A bad options trade can blow up your account.
You also control the variables with SEO. You choose your niche, create the content, build the links, and optimize the conversion funnel. With options trading, the market does whatever it wants regardless of your strategy.
Options Brokers and Platform Choices
If you decide to pursue options trading anyway, you’ll need the right broker. Money Press Method works with most major platforms, but some are better suited for weekly options strategies. TD Ameritrade’s thinkorswim platform offers advanced options chains and paper trading to practice without risk.
Interactive Brokers has the lowest commissions for active traders, which matters when you’re opening and closing positions weekly. Tastyworks was built specifically for options traders and includes profit/loss analysis tools that help you track performance better than Preston’s alerts service provides.
You need Level 2 or Level 3 options approval before you can execute diagonal spreads. Getting approved requires proving you have trading experience and adequate capital. Most brokers want to see at least $10,000 in your account before approving spreads.
Tips before you buy: open a paper trading account first and test the Money Press Method strategy for at least three months. Track every trade’s profit and loss. If you can’t make it profitable in a simulated environment, you definitely won’t make it work with real money.
Frequently Asked Questions
People often have questions about the cost, legitimacy, and real-world results of Preston James’ options trading program before they decide to invest their money and time.
Is this program legit, or does it feel like a scam?
The Money Press Method is a real educational product that teaches options trading strategies, specifically diagonal spreads for weekly options. Preston James presents it as a legitimate training program rather than a get-rich-quick scheme. However, like any options trading education, the program’s value depends on your willingness to learn and practice the strategies.
The biggest concern isn’t whether the program exists, but whether you can actually make money using the methods taught. Options trading carries real financial risks, and no strategy works 100% of the time.
What’s included in the PDF or training materials, and how easy are they to follow?
The main product is an eBook that covers the Money Press Method strategy in detail. You’ll learn about diagonal spreads, theta decay, and how to trade weekly options using Preston’s specific approach.
The materials explain how the strategy works when stocks stay within a certain range or go up in value. The training breaks down complex trading concepts into steps you can follow. That said, options trading itself isn’t simple, so you’ll need to put in effort to understand the material even if it’s presented clearly.
The book itself is advertised at $7, which is the initial entry price. This low price point makes it accessible for people who want to explore the strategy without a large upfront investment.
You should be aware that educational products in this space sometimes include upsells for additional training, coaching, or advanced materials. Before purchasing, check if there are any ongoing subscription fees or additional courses being offered.
What do real users say about their results on Reddit and Trustpilot?
Real user experiences vary widely based on their trading knowledge and how well they execute the strategy. Some people on Reddit have asked about the program, which shows there’s interest and curiosity about whether it actually works.
Finding detailed, verified reviews with specific profit numbers can be challenging. Many people who trade options don’t publicly share their full results, whether good or bad. The lack of widespread documented success stories should make you cautious about expected outcomes.
How quickly can someone realistically expect to see results, if at all?
The program focuses on weekly options trading, which means you’re working with short time frames. In theory, you could see results within weeks if you start trading right away. However, your actual timeline depends on how quickly you learn the strategy and how much capital you have to trade with.
Most beginners need time to practice and understand the mechanics before risking real money. You might spend several weeks or months learning before you feel comfortable executing trades. Even then, your results will vary based on market conditions and your skill level.
Is there a refund policy, and how smooth is the cancellation or return process?
Refund policies vary depending on where you purchase the program. You should check the specific terms before buying to understand your options if you’re not satisfied.
Digital products like eBooks sometimes have different refund policies than physical items. Make sure you know the return window and any conditions that apply. If you buy through a platform or marketplace, their buyer protection policies might also come into play.