Thursday, March 1, 2018

February Review / March Preview, 2018

Hanging Out Gremlin here to discuss this past month.  February was a strong month.  I got to watch enough Olympics to be tired of winter sports, minus hockey, until the next go around.  Speaking of hockey, it was also one of the best gold medal games I have ever seen.  Onto the real world, there are a lot of challenges going on right now.  The little one has learned to roll and is getting more engaged every day.  Some point soon, in say the next 10 years, I am sure he will intentionally try to make me mad.

On the home financial front, I have continued trimming finances, and the wife has done a fairly good job with that as well.  I am still able to continue stockpiling fresh cash with dividends in the effort to make new purchases.  The goal for the next few months is to pad my main accounts with cash so I am able to act should a very nice opportunity arise.

February:

This month I made no new purchases in any account.

Last month I brought in a total of $233.83 in dividends ($28.49 taxable, $59.14 Roth, and $146.2 IRA).  This is an increase from last year ($225.94 total) by 3.5%.  The percentage would be higher, but Discover (DFS) has switched its payout month to March.

In terms of dividend increases, I realized* five this month from from O, Abbott Labs (ABT), AT & T (T), Omega Healthcare (OHI), and my employer (B**).  The raises range from 1% to 11%.  I have now realized 7 raises thus far this year.

Next month I will realize 11 raises from Amgen (AMGN), Archer-Daniel's Midland (ADM), Dominion Resources (D), Dunkin Donuts (DNKN), Eaton Corp (ETN), Union Pacific (UNP), Waste Management (WM), YUM! Corp (YUM), Prudential (PRU), 3M (MMM), and T-Rowe Price (TROW).  The increases range from 4% to about 20%.  Next month will be nuts.

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

March:

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 on just one income!

My next buy will likely be this month (in March).

Next month should produce around $375 in dividends, which is a 32% YOY increase.  Boom.

My portfolio page is currently up to date.

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

8 comments:

  1. $233 is awesome stinks about Discover moving but it helps another month and it all works out in the end. Keep it up

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    1. D and H,

      Thanks for the comment. It is rather annoying that some companies bounce between months, but as long as the cash keeps flowing I can let it slide!

      - Gremlin

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  2. I missed the hockey game, but I heard it was a great one as well. I wish I would have watched more of the Olympics this year. Oh well. Regardless, amazing results Gremlin. I can't believe you are going to receive 11 dividend increases in March. That is freaking insanity! Take care.

    Bert

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    1. Bert,

      It was a great game indeed, but there will be other Olympics - and we can say that unless we plan to compete. 11 increases is nuts, it stunned me too. Thanks for the comment!

      - Gremlin

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  3. Looks like a good month for you in terms of income. I never liked when companies changed their payout schedules. Kind of messes up year over year calculations but as long your annual total is larger than the previous year you know you're on the right track. Nice to see a lot of dividend increases will be hitting my portfolio in March too. Keep up the good work!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Keith,

      Thanks for the comment! It is annoying when the payout month changes, but you're totally spot on that is just a road bump.

      - Gremlin

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  4. Build those assets Grem!! Nice income for February! $233 #doinworkson! I agree with you on the Winter Olympics. it's been fun. See you in 4 years. Lol

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    Replies
    1. MH,

      Thanks for the comment! It is nice having my money doing the work for me. The Olympics was fun, see the winter ones in 4 years, in the mean time - World Cup is this summer!

      - Gremlin

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