July Review / August Preview, 2019

Somber Gremlin here to discuss last and next month.  July started as a great month with family events and USA bringing it home during the Women's World Cup.  Add to that fun swimming, enjoying time with my son, etc. - it was a great beginning to the month - so good I had no time for more posts.  Additionally, work has been busy and affording me opportunities that I am constantly saying yes to.  Unfortunately, not all is smooth.

Normally I would not announce that I am a dad for the second time until our next baby, who is due in November, is born.  In this case we will be putting in extra time because our baby will be born with a heart defect, so this is that notice.  Now the prognosis is very good, which I am incredibly thankful for, but it will be a long road to a healthy existence.  It is something that will be a struggle, but it looks like she will have a normal life - just a different path to get there.  Going forward I plan to keep posting on the major items - monthly updates and new buys, but I probably won't add more than that.

All of that news being out there... how did we do for income last month?

July:

This month I made no new purchases this month.

Last month I brought in a total of $133.34 in dividends ($99.79 taxable, $23.25 Roth, and $10.30 IRA).  This is an increase from last year (81.72 total) by 63%, this is partially higher because Broadcom (AVGO) decided to move its pay out back a couple of days into August.

In terms of dividend increases, I realized* three (3) raises from LEG, Realty Income (O), and Cardinal Health (CAH).  The increases are from about 1% to about 5% (0.2% bump from O, their 4th of the year).  I have now realized 38 raises thus far this year.  I also realized one cut of approximately 33% by KHC.

Next month I will realize one raise from the Bank of Montreal (BMO).  The increase was 3%.

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

August:

The mortgage continues and I am putting extra cash towards the principal monthly - not a huge number, but every little bit counts. Our debts currently outstrip our assets (I choose not to count the house or cars as assets).  Outside of our house, we still have very low interest auto debt (1.5% for our car), which I am aiming to pay off by the end of the year.  Debt is being eliminated, and we are aggressively building and assets.

My next purchase will be in August.  This likely will be one the last purchases of the year due to the concerns I have listed in the opening part of this post.  Also my focus is on eliminating the auto debt before next year.

Next month should produce around $320 in dividends, which is a 14% YOY increase.

My portfolio page is currently up to date.

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