November Review / December Preview, 2017

Turkey Trot Gremlin here to discuss November.  As we speak it is high time for the holidays; the Turkey Festival of Winter Fattening is in the rear view mirror and the Big Red Suit Display Case is on the horizon.  This means getting gifts for my nieces / nephews and seeing the family for a second time (or 1st if I missed them prior).  Hockey is now in full swing (though sadly the Olympics will be a bit short on that end), football is winding down.  It is a great time of year.  Time to be frugal and continue to workout without using a gym, make lunches for under $2 every day, and generally skimp on unneeded luxuries.  Having a kid helps out with this a lot.  This is the last month of 2017 coming up, and I view it as a strong springboard into an even better 2018.

November:

This month I made no new purchases.

Last month I brought in a total of $240.04 in dividends ($36.25 taxable, $58.34 Roth, and $145.45 IRA).  This is an increase from last year ($235.86 total) by 1.8%.  Affecting this change were several stocks moving their payment to December including Discover (DFS), and some companies such as Dunkin Brands (DNKN) not paying out early like they did last year in November.

In terms of dividend increases, I realized* three this month from from American Express (AXP), Omega Healthcare (OHI), and Verizon (VZ).  The raises range from 1.6% to 9%.  Thus far for 2017, I have realized 44 dividend increases!

Next month I will realize six raises from McDonald's (MCD), Microsoft (MSFT), Starbucks (SBX), Union Pacific (UNP), VF Corp (VFC), and Emerson Electric (EMR).  The increases range from 1.3% to 20% - most being in the 6-10% range.  This will propel me to a total of 50 increases, 1 initiation, and 1 cut I discussed earlier this month.

* I only count increases when realized, because until that money is delivered any statements or declarations are simply conjecture.  

December:

The mortgage continues, so at least part of our 'rent' counts towards our house. Our debts currently outstrip our assets.  Outside of our house, we still have very low interest auto debt (1.9 and 1.5% for our cars).  Both my car and house are receiving slightly out-sized payments monthly.  We are effectively eliminating debt, while still building and assets.  Even with a new Gremlin in the lair. This is a long game, and I am nothing if not patient.

I should be making a buy in December, unless the Mr. Market goes bonkers.

Next month should produce around $348 in dividends, which is a 32% YOY increase.  I anticipate ending the year with a YOY increase of 75%, thanks mainly to my new IRA holdings.

My portfolio page is currently up to date.

Hope everyone has a great November.
- Dividend Gremlin
- Long all stock tickers mentioned

2017's Dividend Increases

Dividend Gremlin here to discuss this 2017's dividend increases that have been received.  At this point in the year no new increases are expected to hit my account, though some may still be announced before the end of the year for 2018.  At this point these increases are not the driver of investment income growth, and they can be easily forgotten about.  However, though their present impact is minimal, longer term their impact will be both easier to quantify and undeniable.  The real power of compounding is not comprehended until much later in the game, which means that those who do not foresee this in the present will miss out on it in the future.

So far this year I have received a record fifty (50) dividend increases from a total of forty (40) companies.  The increases range from 0.2% at the low end given quarterly by Realty Income (O) to 16% and over given by Discover (DFS).  Of note, four of my companies had multiple increases including Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS), CIBC (CM), O, and Omega Healthcare (OHI).  These increases reflect growth coming from a wide variety of industries, products, and businesses.  All told they have added approximately $175 to all my accounts in terms of forward projected income.  It would take an additional ~$5800 invested at a 3% yield to nominally achieve that.

In addition, I experienced spin off one company, YUM China (YUMC), establishing its first ever dividend; chronicled earlier here.  That was exciting news, but there was one sore spot with a singular dividend cut coming from problem child General Electric (GE).  GE started the year off with a dividend increase, only to cut the yield by 50%.  Even with that dividend cut, my projected income is still significantly higher than last year (my above $175 total reflects this change). 

My stock holding diversity shows, in a positive light, that when one company gets out of line and cuts its dividend the impact is minimal.  There are so many others working out there to boost my income regardless of GE's failure to even maintain its dividend.  This is the second most important part of investing, that the rest of your portfolio keeps moving even if some parts fall behind.

I have discussed these issues with friends, who usually just scoff at these increases as being mere chump change.  That is their prerogative, but it will not alter my methods or progress.  Sure it is chump change now, but get back to me in a few years, see how you feel then.  It is my sincere hope that those of you crazy enough to read anything I post see this logic, and put on your running shoes because this game is a marathon not a sprint.

- Gremlin
Long O, DFS, BNS, CM, OHI, YUMC, and GE (😒)

October Review / November Preview, 2017

Candied Out Gremlin here to talk about last month and this month.  Halloween came and went recently, Lil Gremlin got lucky to get dressed up and get smothered with all the attention.  Little dude stole the show of course.  Otherwise, this month has been crazy.  Got a new set of feet under the house, and a new series of challenges that comes with it.  My sleep cycle has certainly been altered, but its nothing I can't handle.  Everyone always warns new parents of the troubles, but so far its been exactly what I expected.  A great time, but far from perfect.  I am excited to make new memories and watch Lil Gremlin grow - which is for next month.

October:

This month I made one new purchase of Sonoco (SON) in my taxable account.

Last month I brought in a total of $68.22 in dividends ($68.22 taxable, $0 Roth, and $0 IRA).  This is an decrease from last year ($81.58 total) by 16%.  This change primarily reflects the changing payout month of Kraft-Heinz (KHC), a topic that is finally finished.

In terms of dividend increases, I realized* three this month from CIBC (CM), Scotiabank (BNS), and Realty Income (O).  The raises range from 0.3% to 4%.  Thus far for 2017, I have realized 41 dividend increases!

Next month I will realize three raises from American Express (AXP), Omega Healthcare (OHI), and Verizon (VZ).  The increases range from 1.6% to 9%.

* I only count increases when realized, because until that money is delivered any statements or declarations are simply conjecture.  

November:

The mortgage continues, so at least part of our 'rent' counts towards our house. Our debts currently outstrip our assets.  Outside of our house, we still have very low interest auto debt.  Both my car and house are receiving slightly out-sized payments monthly.  We will be effective at eliminating debt, while still building and assets.  Even with a new Gremlin in the lair. This is a long game, and I am nothing if not patient.

My next buy will likely be in December.

Next month should produce around $236 in dividends, which is a 1% YOY increase.

My portfolio page is currently up to date.

Hope everyone has a great November.
- Dividend Gremlin
- Long all stock tickers mentioned