<prompt> Human: Heres a link to a 90 day chart of the equity in my Scottrade account. My goal is point out that, sometimes, risk is required in order to make appreciable changes in ones life. While this subreddit is typically very conservative, I wouldnt mind seeing some intelligent discussion in high risk, high reward instruments like the stock options which have afforded me this return.  <response>: You can tell how distorted peoples brains have been by the past eight years of market gains when post like these call this sub very conservative. Traditionally, a 8020 allocation would be considered bullish, while people here regularly recommend 20-somethings skip bonds entirely. The SP 500 is up 18 ytd. There is certainly no need to go investing on margin or trading options to see an appreciable change.The intelligent discussion on the instruments you mention is that professionals with supercomputers are going to beat you to the punch every time. Using these techniques as an inexperienced individual is simply gambling. While yes, its possible to win a lot that way, its also very possible to lose a lot. The market can stay irrational longer than you can stay solvent. 