Been digging through some older trades and realized something worth sharing: you can actually build a solid options trading portfolio with just $100. Most people think options are expensive, but if you hunt for the right setups, the entry costs are tiny.

I've been watching three stocks that had unusual call activity back in the day. First up is Palantir—AI play, strong fundamentals, and the CEO is genuinely interesting. The company's got multiple revenue streams and commercial customers are growing like crazy. The calls were dirt cheap, like under 20 cents. That's literally pocket change for a potential double.

Then there's Ares Capital, a BDC that just prints dividends. 9%+ yield, massive portfolio, and they're basically the biggest direct lender in the middle market. The call options were even cheaper than Palantir—we're talking under a quarter. With options trading with $100, you could grab two or three of these without blinking.

VF Corp is the turnaround story nobody's watching close enough. Yeah, they sold Supreme at a loss, but the new CEO knows what he's doing. The stock was beaten down hard, which means the calls were laughably affordable. I found some September calls for like 26 cents. For options trading with $100, that's practically free money if the thesis plays out.

Here's the thing about cheap options trading with $100: the math is beautiful. You're not risking much, but the upside is there if you pick stocks with real catalysts. Between all three of these, you'd spend maybe $60-70 total. Less than a couple of coffees. Not every trade works, but when you're playing with this kind of capital efficiency, even a couple of winners covers your losses.

The key is finding stocks with unusual options activity—that's where the smart money leaves breadcrumbs. Check the technicals, understand the business, and don't overthink it. Options trading with $100 is totally viable if you're patient and selective.