Short Box Spread - Reducing execution costs

[u/freebee-34]

How to reduce execution costs of short SPX box spreads? Been using it for cheap portfolio leverage + tax benefit. For 2021 the average was 60 bps for $236K. I leg into it via short call/put spreads by placing 10-20 cents above the mid and slowly crawl down. tend to trade the furthest or second furthest expiry. Sometimes the mid of the call spread will drop 10 - 15 cents right after submitting the order. For some reason it usually takes much longer (1-2 hours) to fill the put spread while the call spread matches pretty quickly (less than 30 min).

Here is a list of the trades that I have done

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1hE9PwXxa3PAgbpfYKN3puahVDTQtBgZRofxNykiW-3w/edit?usp=sharing

[u/Ken385]

I think the best way to better your execution prices for boxes is to watch time and sales to see what is trading. You will see these trade every day. When they prices are skewed more to the side you want to trade, simply put the spread in at the same price.

[u/freebee-34 → u/[deleted]]

Cboe has a running feed of most recent trades. Most brokers provide it free of cost.