[GeorgeF]

1) The only real use of options is when you have a large gain but you do not wish to trigger taxes by selling. You can insure your gains by purchasing options. If it were not for taxation, much fewer options would be sold as people would just sell their positions. All other options tranactions are gambling or by people that cannot sell for other reasons.

2) People that sell you the options are 'sharps' and they are not doing it because they want you to be rich.

3) Try your local business library (it's free). It might be worth your while to go to buy a finance 101 text, perhaps last years from ebay or what ever. Their may even be an online course worth the effort.

4) Stocks are actually options. They are an option on the value of a company exceeding it's liabilities (debts).

5) Just for fun you might take buy an option for a few hundred $ (cost to you of 1 option = 100 x listed price) on a 2007 option and watch what happens over the next few years.

6) Good luck you will need it.