non-qualified options

Non-qualified options (or "NQOs") are like a kind of special treat at the store. When you're at the store you can buy things like candy and toys, but sometimes the store has special treats that you can also buy. With non-qualified options, you get something special that regular employees don't always get. These options can let you buy shares in a company at a cheaper price than they would normally cost, and they give you the chance to make more money if the company's stock rises. It's like finding a special discount at the store: you get something special when you buy it.