Just to reiterate, the analysis assumes you can purchase a two-week option that is 5% in-the-money.

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Essentially, an investor can just put money in an age-based investment option within a 529 college savings plan account and the money manager will automatically change the allocation of stocks and bonds to a mix that is less heavy in stocks and more heavy in bonds and cash as college draws near for the account beneficiary.

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One of Sarkozy's proposals would allow people who get snagged by France's wealth tax the option of investing their money in small and medium-size companies instead of forking it over to the taxman.

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If the stock price climbs, that option liability grows larger as all of the outstanding stock options move more in-the-money and become more valuable.

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Or, if you think the market is overvalued now and want a place to park money for a time, consider the Guaranteed Option offered in plans run by TIAA-CREF.

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