Q4 2023 Review / 2024 Preview

Gremlin here to discuss 2023. Its been a long year, and in the interest of everyone's time I will keep this intro short to a few highlights. First I have a new 'job', same company and I like it a lot. It does however take up more time, of which is already limited and some is going to be used on some extra education. Between that and everything else, I'll be dialing back down to 2 posts a year - semiannual updates. So on that front see you in July. 

Q4 2023:

Over the last quarter I added shares of my employer, Ames National (ATLO), Black Hills Corp (BKH), Bank OZK (OZK), Townebank (TOWN), and New Jersey Resources (NJR)  in my taxable account. I also added to Arrow Finanical (AROW), Interpublic Group (IPG), Flowers Foods (FLO), Realty Income, and ATLO in my retirement accounts. I also sold EMR in my retirement account. Their recent history of raises was not cutting it and I diversified the money out.

Last quarter I brought in a total of $1,549.46 in dividends ($810.22 taxable, $495.87 Roth, and $243.37 in my IRA).  In closing 2023, the dividend count was 18% higher than last year. 

In terms of dividend increases, I realized 12 raises from Leggett and Platt (LEG), McDonald's (MCD), Microsoft (MSFT), MSC Industrial Direct (MSM), Realty Income (O), Starbucks (SBUX), VZ, Broadcom (AVGO), John Deere (DE), Matthews International (MATW), and Exxon Mobile (XOM). The increases range from 0.2% to around 15% This brings my total raises to 66 on the year, 8 less than last year's final total.

Next half I will realize 14 dividend increases from Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), Amgen (AMGN), Scotia Bank (BNS), CIBC (CM), DE, Eastman Chemical (EMN), Norwood Financial (NWFL), O, OZK, Royal Bank of Canada (RY), Toronto Dominion Bank (TD), Waste Management (WM), Abbott Labs (ABT), and CVS. The increases range from 0.2% to around 10%.

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

1st half 2024:
 

The usual mortgage and other debts continue, and house maintenance, which is always a bummer. That said, I am finally in the positive net worth and its super nice.

The buys shall continue until financial independence improves - with monthly rolling buys of course.

My portfolio page is currently up to date.

2023:

• Invest a total of $9000 across all accounts. Challenge met.
  
• Receive $3800 in taxable dividends. Missed, had 3500.
  
• Get in slightly better shape, eat better - so lose a few lbs, workout weekly, and more salads.  I'll call this a tie.

2024:

I only have a few goals for next year, but here they are:

• Invest a total of $9000 across all accounts.
• Receive $4000 in taxable dividends.
• Get back to 2020 shape (not college shape but much closer to it than now).
  

I sincerely hope everyone has a great 2024.

Hope everyone has a great January, a better 2024, and a Happy New Year!
- Dividend Gremlin
- Long all stock tickers mentioned