May Review / June Preview, 2018

Tired Gremlin here to talk about May and peer forward into June.  Kids make you tired, that is a straight fact, if you're not tired you should own stock in Starbucks (SBUX) or Dunkin Donuts (DNKN).  Between work, home, hobbies, and everything else that fills the air it was nice to recently have a long weekend.  I've heard it said people cannot catch up on sleep, but that doesn't mean we won't try.

Looking past rainy and busy May, June is a big month.  My favorite sporting event starts- the World Cup.  Its my birthday - a bittersweet reminder that I am not 23 anymore.  The weather has finally gotten nice, minus the rain, so its high time to spend more moments outside.

May:

This month I made one purchase, adding shares of Kimberly-Clark Corp. (KMB) in my IRA account.

Last month I brought in a total of $267.98 in dividends ($57.07 taxable, $62.91 Roth, and $148.00 IRA).  This is an increase from last year ($246.08 total) by 8.9%.

In terms of dividend increases, I realized* 4 raises from the Gap (GPS), Ameriprise Financial (AMP), Kinder Morgan (KMI), and General Dynamics (KMI).  The increases ranged from5% to about 60%.  This includes KMI coming back to life.  I have now realized 27 raises thus far this year.

Next month I will realize five raises from the Pepsico (PEP), Sonoco (SON), Unilever (UL), Johnson and Johnson (JNJ), and Exxon Mobil (XOM).  The increases range from 5% to about 15% (mostly around 5-7%).

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

June:

The mortgage continues, so at least part of our 'rent' counts towards our house. Our debts currently outstrip our assets (I choose not to count the house as an asset).  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 (for now).

June has 1 wedding on the calendar and the start of the World Cup.  Between the World Cup and my annual net-worth review, I should have more updates than usual.

My next buy will occur after the closure of the Dr Pepper Snapple (DPS ) - Keurig / Green Mountain merger (should be this month).

Next month should produce around $372 in dividends, which is a 24% YOY increase.

My portfolio page is currently up to date.

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