Dividend income - September 2017

Last year in September, my dividend income broke a record. It was the first 3-digit dividend month ever! That was a great feeling to be honest.

This years September broke another record! The biggest pay check I've received so far.. and it's a 35% increase compared to last year. Seems like the snowball is starting to grow, even for me as a very small investor.


September 2017 earned me a $152.31 in dividends.

Here's the breakdown.

Dividend income

JNJ - $13.44
TGT - $17.36
AFL - $8.17

CVX - $10.80
TROW - $6.84
QCOM - $8.55
WFC - $13.65
WMT - $2.55
ADM - $7.36
F - $6.75
BA - $11.36
VLO - $10.50
AMGN - $10.35
MSFT - $3.51
VTR - $16.28

Total: $152.31 (pre tax)
Net received: $129.46

Comparison with last year (gross)

September 2016: $113.61
September 2017: $152.31

This is a 34% YoY increase.

Thanks for reading.
How was your September?

Dividend income & raise - July 2017

July is usually a slow month for me.
This year was no different. However, I'm still very satisfied with the year over year growth.

Dividend income

KO $15.54
GE $9.60
CSCO $8.99
GPS $10.35
VIAB $4.60

Total July: $49.08 (pre tax)
Net received: $39.71

Comparison with last year (gross)
July 2016: $39.71
July 2017: $49.08

This is a 23.6% YoY increase. Could be better, could be worse, right? :)

Dividend raises

OHI increaseed their quarterly dividend from $0.63 to $0.64.
This is a 1.59% increase. Due to this change, my YOC is now at 7.65%.

Update on goals
My goal is to receive $1000 in gross dividends in 2017.
With month 7/12 being over, I'm curious to see how I'm donig.

Gross dividends received so far: $534.15, while it should have been $583.33.
That means I'm currently behind schedule, but with consistent investing (and blogging..) I should be able to reach the goal!

How was your July?

Thanks for reading!

Dividend income & raise - November 2016

November was another nice month.
No all time record this time, but still very satisfied with the result of the small portfolio!

T - $23.52
PG - $8.70
OHI - $28.67
ABT - $3.90

Total November (gross): $64.79

Comparison with last year
November 2016: $64.79
November 2015: $73.56

This is a 11.92 YoY decrease.

Reasons for this, are 2 sold positions that both paid dividends in November: KMI & CAT.
KMI was sold after they cut their dividend and CAT was sold after a disappointing Q2 ' 16 earnings report.

Dividend raises

On November 18th, UNP increaseed their quarterly dividend from $0.55 to $0.605.
This is a 10.00% increase. Due to this change, my YOC is now at 3.70%.

Double digit increase! Really happy with this news.

How was your November?
Thanks for reading.

Dividend income & raises October 2016

October is usually a slow month.
However, we still managed to get a great YoY increase.

Dividend income

KO $14.70
GE $9.20
CSCO $5.46
UNP $4.40
GPS $10.35
VIAB $4.60

Total Octoer: $48.71 (pre tax)
Net received: $41.40

Comparison with last year (gross)
October 2015: $22.73
October 2016: $48.71

This is a 111% YoY increase. Boom! Loving the double up. :)

Dividend raises

Quite a few this month!

On October 13th, OHI increaseed their quarterly dividend from $0.60 to $0.61.
This is a 1.67% increase. Due to this change, my YOC is now at 7.29%.

On October 26th, AFL increaseed their quarterly dividend from $0.41 to $0.43.
This is a 4.88% increase. Due to this change, my YOC is now at 2.73%.

On October 26th, CVX increaseed their quarterly dividend from $1.07 to $1.08.
This is a 0.93% increase. Due to this change, my YOC is now at 4.01%.

Update on goals
My goal is to receive $750 in net dividends in 2016.
With only 2 months to go, 2017 is well in reach.

Net dividends received so far: $547.64, while it should have been $625.
Still behind, but it will be a close race!

I hope to deploy a little bit of fresh capital after the elections, which may be just in time to reach the goal, but nonetheless I'm very proud of the result the portfolio have given me so far!

How was your October?

Thanks for reading!

Dividend income - September 2016

September broke records! Both good and bad records.

Unrelaized gains
At 9/1 the total unrealized gains on the portfolio were at $2328.
At 10/1 the total unrealized gains on the portfolio were at $1773.
That's a 23% loss, but obviously it's not that important. Price is just a number.
Value is what we care about!

New dividend income record
Much more interesting is the alltime high on dividend income.
I'm very pleased to announce my very first 3-digit monthly dividend income!

September 2016 earned me an amazing amount of $113.61 in dividends.

Here's the breakdown.

Dividend income

JNJ - $12.80
TGT - $16.80
AFL - $7.79
MCD - $4.45
CVX - $10.70
TROW - $6.48
QCOM - $7.42
WFC - $13.30
WMT - $2.50
ADM - $6.90
F - $6.75
BA - $8.72
VLO - $9.00

Total: $113.61 (pre tax)
Net received: $96.57

Comparison with last year (gross)
September 2015: $67.62
September 2016: $113.61

This is a 68% YoY increase. Wow!

Dividend raises
On September 28th, MCD increaseed their quarterly dividend from $0.89 to $0.94.
This is a 5.62% increase. Due to this change, my YOC is now at 3.97%.

Update on goals and Q3 result
My goal is to receive $750 net dividends in 2016.
As we are at the end of Q3, I'm afraid I am behind on schedule..
Net dividends received so far: $493.09, while it should have been $562.50.
It should still be possible to reach the goal, but it will be hard.

New to the series is the quarterly dividend income graph.

There's a 62% growth compared to Q3 2015. Looking good!

Thanks for reading.
How was your September?

Dividend income - August 2016

August was a great month!
It's not an all time record, but I'm very satisfied nonetheless.

T - $23.52
PG - $8.70
OHI - $28.20
CAT - $9.24
ABT - $3.90

Total August (gross): $73.56

Comparison with last year
August 2016: $73.56
August 2015: $59.11

This is a 24.4% YoY increase!

There were no recent dividend increases for my portfolio unfortunately.

How was your August?

Thanks for reading.

Editted at 12/15, because BA didn't pay in August, but in September

Dividend income & raise July 2016

In contrary to June, July is a slow month. Not many companies pay their dividends.
Despite that, it was a good month compared to last year!

Dividend income

KO $14.70
GE $9.20
CSCO $5.46
BA $10.35

Total July: $39.71 (pre tax)
Net received: $33.75

Comparison with last year (gross)
July 2015: $22.73
July 2016: $39.71

This is a 175% YoY increase. I think I'm in love with this compounding strategy! It's amazing to see these results in just 12 months of steady investing.

Dividend raises

On July 14th, OHI increaseed their quarterly dividend from $0.58 to $0.60.
This is a 3.45% increase. Due to this change, my YOC is now at 7.17%.

That makes OHI my first position that is reaching the 10% YOC. Reaching 10% in 10 years is great, but if the company keeps raising dividends at this pace, we will reach 10% YOC in just 5 years!

Update on goals
My goal is to receive $750 in net dividends in 2016.
Time flies, as 2016 is already over for 58%. Only 5 months remain!

Net dividends received so far: $339.73, while it should have been $435.
I'm way behind and I'm a little bit concerned about this goal, but I will keep investing as good as I possibly can.

How was your July?

Thanks for reading!

Dividend income & raise - June 2016

June was a great month, despite Great Brittain choosing to leave the EU.
As a matter of fact, the portfolio achieved its alltime high dividend income!
Hopefully my first 3 digit income, soon. :)

Here's the breakdown.

Dividend income

JNJ $12.80
TGT $15.68
AFL $7.79
MCD $4.45
CVX $10.70
TROW $6.48
QCOM $7.42
WFC $6.46
ADM $6.90
UNP $4.40

Total June: $89.58 (pre tax)
Net received: $76.14

Comparison with last year (gross)
June 2015: $54.02
June 2016: $89.58

This is a 66% YoY increase. Once again, I'm very happy with this progress!

Dividend raises

On June 8th, TGT increased their quarterly dividend from $0.56 to $0.60.
This is a 7.14% increase. Due to this change, my YOC is now at 4.09%.

Update on goals
My goal is to receive $750 net dividends in 2016.
With the first half year already in the books, I'm afraid I am behind on schedule..
Net dividends received so far: $300.24, while it should have been $375.

Due to a recent car accident, I had to buy another (used) car.
Good news however: the accident did not harm me in any way.
I'm very happy to be alive, as it was an accident at the highway due to aquaplaning.

Bad news: it was an old car, so my own costs to replace it, are not insured. That's why I have to refill my emergency funds, lowering the amount I could invest for the next 10~11 months.
But after all, that's just money and my health is a lot more important than that!

How was your June? Thanks for reading!

Dividend income - May 2016

May was a great month! I love posting messages like these.

T - $23.52
PG - $8.70
OHI - $26.10
CAT - $9.24
ABT - $3.90

Total May (gross): $71.46

Comparison with last year
May 2016: $71.46
May 2015: $22.56

This is a 317% YoY increase.
Looks like this strategy is working out quite well!

How was your May?

Thanks for reading.

Dividend income & raises, April 2016

April was another great month for me!

Dividend income

KO $14.70
WMT $6.50
GE $9.20
CSCO $5.46

Total April: $35.86 (pre tax)
Net received: $30.48

Comparison with last year (gross)
April 2015: $13.53
April 2016: $35.86

This is a 265% YoY increase. That's the power of steady investing, combined with the power of compounding. Great to see the total amount received getting more than doubled!

Dividend raises

On Arpil 14th, OHI increaseed their quarterly dividend from $0.57 to $0.58.
This is a 1.80% increase. Due to this change, my YOC is now at 6.93%.

On Arpil 28th, JNJ increaseed their quarterly dividend from $0.75 to $0.80.
This is a 6.67% increase. Due to this change, my YOC is now at 3.12%.

Update on goals
My goal is to receive $750 in net dividends in 2016.
One third of this year is already over! Can you imagine? Time flies!

Net dividends received so far: $163.35, while it should have been $250.
Looks like there is lots of work to do. Fortunately, I should receive a bonus which will be partially used to purchase some new stocks, this month.

Stay tuned!

How was your April?

Thanks for reading!

Dividend income & raise - March 2016

March was a nice month for me, in terms of dividends received.

Dividend income

JNJ $12.00
TGT $15.68
AFL $7.79
MCD $9.79
CVX $10.70
QCOM $6.72
WFC $4.50
ADM $6.90

Total March: $74.08 (pre tax)
Net received: $62.67

Comparison with last year (gross)
March 2015: $53.22
March 2016: $74.08

This is a 39% YoY increase. Great progress once again!

Dividend raises

On March 8th, QCOM increaseed their quarterly dividend from $0.48 to $0.53.
This is a 10.42% increase. Due to this change, my YOC is now at 3.40%.

Update on goals
My goal is to receive $750 net dividends in 2016.
With the first quarter in the books, we are way behind on schedule.
Net dividends received so far: $127.36, while it should have been $187.50.

I have to invest consistantly in order to fix this issue in time!

How was your March?
Thanks for reading!

Dividend income & raises February 2016

February was a great month. Several dividend raises, multiple stocks paid dividends and best of all: it was a much bigger paycheck than last years February!

T - $23.52
PG - $8.62
OHI - $18.81
CAT - $9.24

Total February (gross): $60.19

Comparison with last year
February 2016: $60.19
February 2015: $22.56

This is a 267% YoY increase. Nothing to complain about, I would say.

Dividend raises

This section of the monthly dividend update is my favorite.
What's not to like about receiving these increasing paychecks, right?

On February 17th, TROW increaseed their quarterly dividend from $0.52 to $0.54.
This is a 3.85% increase. Due to this change, my YOC is now at 2.83%.

On February 18th, KO increased their quarterly dividend from $0.33 to $0.35.
This is a 6.06% increase. Due to this change, my YOC is now at 3.39%.

On February 18th, WMT increased their quarterly dividend from $0.49 to $0.50.
This is a 2.04% increase. Due to this change, my YOC is now at 3.43%.

How was your February?

Thanks for reading.

Dividend income - January 2016

April was not the most lucrative month of all times, but every penny helps.

Dividend income

GE $9.20
WMT $6.37
Total $15.57 (net $13.23)

Despite the small amount of dividends received, it's still a 100% increase, as I did not receive any dividends in January last year.

Dividend raise

Over the last couple of weeks, I received several dividend raises! That's one of the best parts of this strategy, as we all know. All I did was waking up in the morning to receive these raises. They are small, but steady.

T raised their annual dividend from $1.88 to $1.92. +2.13%
OHI raised their annual dividend from $2.24 to $2.28. +1.79%

Thanks for reading!

Dividend income - December 2015

I love to write about dividend income.

December was a great month for me. Another alltime high! It's unbelievable, but reaching the first $100+ month of dividend income seems only months away! This is not a goal by itself, but after this point, the income seems to be substantial.

Dividend income

KO $13.86
JNJ $12.00
TGT $15.68
AFL $7.41
MCD $9.35
CVX $10.70
TROW $6.24
QCOM $6.72
WFC $4.50

Total December: $87.28 (pre tax)

Comparison with last year (gross)
December 2014: $0.58
December 2015: $87.28

This is a 15048% increase..
Of course there is a reason for this, as I did not invest that much in 2015.
My (Dutch) broker used to pay the dividends at the ex-dividend date. This means I received the December dividends in November, last year. After they switched to another clearing partner for US stocks, this changed. Unfortunately I am now paid, at the same time everybody else gets paid.

My goal was to receive $300 net dividends in 2015. This goal is totally crushed! Total net dividends received in 2015: $424.36. I am very happy about this. Let's set a more challenging goal for 2016.

How was your December?
Thanks for reading!

Dividend income & dividend raise November 2015

November was an amazing month. For the 5th (!) time this year, the dividend income has risen to an all time high. Loving the power of compounding over here!

T - $23.03
PG - $8.62
OHI - $18.48
KMI - $9.69
CAT - $9.24
WFC - $4.50

Total November (gross): $73.56

Total dividends received in 2015: $350.17 (net)

My 2015 goal for dividends is to receive a net total of $300 of them.
This obviously means the goal is reached! I have to set a more ambitious goal for next year.
I'm very excited with this progress to be honest.

Comparison with last year
November 2014: $55.02
November 2015: $73.56

This is a 33.70% YoY increase. Where can I sign up for more of those please?!

Dividend raises

On November 10th, MCD increased their quarterly dividend from $0.85 to $0.89.
This is a 4.71% increase. Due to this change, my YOC is now at 3.76%.

How was your november?

Thanks for reading.

Dividend Income & dividend raises - October 2015

Dividend income
October was not a very exciting month, in terms of dividend income.
2 of the 16 companies I am currently invested in, paid me their dividends.

KO - $13.86
GE - $9.20
Total October (gross): $23.06
Total dividends received in 2015: $287.65 (net)

My 2015 goal for dividends is to receive a net total of $300 of them.
With only $13 to go, I think it it safe to say I will be reaching this goal.
That makes me a happy person, especially if you compare this to what my local bank would have paid me.

If we compare this months result to last years, we were able to create a small increase.

October 2014: $22.08
October 2015: $23.06

This is a 4.44% increase.
It's not amazing, but with the power of compounding behind me, I'm still happy with this result!

Dividend increases
While it was a calm month on the dividend income, we cannot say this about dividend raises.

On October 14th, OHI increased their dividend from $0.55 to $0.56.
This is a 1.8% increase. Due to this change, my YOC is now at a very nice 6.31%.

On October 21st, KMI increased their dividend from $0.49 to $0.51.
This is a 4.1% increase. Due to this change, my YOC is now at a nice 5.86%.

On October 27th, AFL increased their dividend from $0.39 to $0.41.
This is a 5.1% increase. Due to this change, my YOC is now at 2.6%.

How was your October?

Thanks for reading.

Dividend Income - September 2015

September was an amazing month for me.
Another record is broken! The power of compounding is starting to show off.

Dividend income

CVX $10.70
TGT $15.68
JNJ $12.00
AFL $7.41
MCD $9.35
QCOM $6.24
TROW $6.24

Total September: $67.62 (pre tax)

Comparison with last year (gross)
September 2014: $13.08
September 2015: $67.62

This is a 517% increase!
Let's see if we are able to maintain that percentage in 2016.. ;-)

In order to achieve the annual $300 of net dividends, I should have received $225 by now.
The total net dividends of 2015 are currently at $268.05, so we are ahead of our goal. Looks like I could set a goal for >$100 in one month, somewhere in 2016. That would be a very appealing milestone to look forward to!

How was your September?
Thanks for reading!

Dividend Income - August 2015

August was a great month. As a matter of fact, it was my best month ever!
This is very exciting to me. I did not expect to have $50+ months within just 14 months.
I'm loving this and I hope to break records many more times!

It was the first time I received dividends from OHI (wow!) & KMI.

T - $23.03
PG - $8.62
OHI - $18.15
KMI - $9.20

Total August (gross): $59.11

Total dividends received in 2015: $210.57 (net)

My 2015 goal for dividends is to receive a net total of $300 of them.
Currently, I received an average of $26.32 per month.

If this continues, we are passing the goal!
Thanks to August, our expectation changed from failing to passing. Great news!

Comparison with last year
July 2014: $32.79
July 2015: $59.11

This is a 80.26% increase.
This is where the true power of compounding and steadily investing with fresh capital kicks in!
I'm very happy to see this is possible, even with a small income.

How was your August?

Thanks for reading.

Dividend income - July 2015

July was an OK month.
2 of the 13 companies I am currently invested in, paid me their dividends.

It was the first time I received dividends from GE.

KO - $13.53
GE - $9.20
Total July (gross): $22.73
Total dividends received in 2015: $160.33 (net)

My 2015 goal for dividends is to receive a net total of $300 of them.
We are 7 months deep in the year, meaning I averaged $22.90 per month.

If this continues, we are failing the goal!
However, August & December should be great months, so I still have confidence I could reach the goal.

The most interesting part to me, is the ability to start comparing to the result of last year.
I have been looking forward to this!

July 2014: $22.08
July 2015: $22.73

This is a 2.94% increase.
Last year my broker paid AT&T dividends in July. That's why the difference is not too big.
Looking forward to August!

How was your July?

Thanks for reading.

Dividend income - June 2015

June was a great month for me!

Dividend income

JNJ $12.00
TGT $14.56
AFL $7.41
MCD $9.35
CVX $10.70

Total June: $54.02 (pre 15% tax)

In order to achieve the annual $300 of net dividends, I should have received $150 by now.
The total net dividends of 2015 are currently at $141.01, so I'm a little bit behind, but I think it will work out just fine!

Being behind schedule gives me motivation to research new investment opportunities!

Dividend raise

Exactly 1 year ago, TGT was in big problems. The stock has had a huge downfall due to several problems. This gave me a very appealing entry point, as marked at the graph below.

TGT graph which indicates my point of entry

After that, things have gone very well for TGT. The stock value has risen from $58 to over $80 now. This makes TGT by far my best performing stock. Current price is +38%. Of course I'm keeping this winner!

The 7.69% dividend increase they announced recently, is just another example why this is a great stock to have.

TGT raised their annual dividend from $2.08 to $2.24.

Excited about next month

Getting into July next month will be very exciting for me.
Last year in July, my first dividends ever, were deposited into my account.
This means I'm able to start comparing dividend results to last year, which is something I have been looking forward to.

Thanks for reading!