First blog post

This is my first post i have been investing since 2001 it has been a slow ride and bumpy from time to time but the end results will be worth it when i get there. Of course as allows my life and hopefully my posts will point to my life in Christ. I hope you all will enjoy my journey as we do this together

April 23 Dividend and Portfolio Review

Well May is underway that means it’s time for my April review and see how I did. One thing I know is that my dividends keep coming in no matter what the market does.

To start off the first thing is I crossed over $400,000 this month in portfolio value on Apr 17. It did fall below but rebounded and finished the month above that amount. It took about 2 years and some change but I did it. Now we get to see how long it takes for the next $100,000.

First time an April has been over $1000.00. RITM and MO paid me on the same day so that was a huge payday. That’s my record 2 months in a row over $1000.00

This month was 19.2 percent more than last year. Through the same time frame as last year I am up 7.44 percent. Which crept up from last months 5 percent. 3 companies I have reinvestment set on. MPW, RITM, and MO they added $61.66 a year to my dividend total. Next month I’m going to start tracking buys.

The top 10 Peg and ABBV swapped. MO and USHYX swapped. Top 10 rose $7,708.18. The top 10 value made up 63.38 percent of my total value. Last month was 62.91 percent.

Portfolio value rose $9,211.76 the majority of my gains came from the top 10 stocks. No new stocks added to my portfolio just continue to add to what I have right now. Raises should start picking up again. I don’t know what the market will do but I do know that I will continue to add money to my account.

Total portfolio value $403,061.16
Forward annual dividend $13,363.75
Trailing 12 months of Dividends $12,828.90 Expected dividend as of 2023 $12,816.90
Net worth as of Mar 23 $593,984.63
Sells None
Bought RITM, MPW, DHI, KR, DUK, BAC, LYB. Dividend raises none
Future goals
Future portfolio value of $500,000.00
Forward annual dividends of $15,000.00
Future net worth $750,000
This month I went over $61,600.00 in lifetime dividends.
As I wrap this months report up I’m very pleased with everything. This shows that no matter what you can do the same as I have done and the earlier you start the better off you will be. Just constant buying good quality stocks that raise their value and raise their dividends.

MAR 23 Dividend and Portfolio Review.

Well the first quarter of 2023 is done. It was up and down for the market. But man the last few days have been up. But no matter what the market does my dividends keep coming in. And they did that again in March

As you can see I was just shy of $1700.00. Next year I will be well over that barring any surprise dividend cuts. This is my highest month by far. As one of things I wanted to do was build up what I have, you can see the payments on most are not that small. I want to keep growing these payments up. For a comparison my after tax military retirement is a little over $1800 a month. So soon I will be earning more than that.

This months total 12.4 percent higher than last March. For the first quarter I am 4.09 percent higher than last year.

As far as my portfolio no raises to report this month. Should start again soon. The last couple of days of March pushed my portfolio to a new record closing high for an end of the month. My portfolio value rose over $13,000 this month. My PADI increased by $135.00 dollars. my net worth climbed and is now within striking range of $600,000 again.

As far as sells I only sold RITM in my taxable to move it to my Roth.

As far as the top 10 nothing moved up or down except the value. As a percentage my top ten moved to 62.91 percent of my total portfolio value . That is up from last months 61.09 percent.

Total portfolio value $393,849.40
Forward annual dividend $13,178.90
Trailing 12 months of Dividends $12,659.48 Expected dividend as of 2023 $12,884.12
Net worth as of Mar 23 $593,984.63
Sells RITM
Bought RITM, FDUS, MPW, KDP, RILY, LYB, NXST.
Dividend raises none
Future goals
Future portfolio value of $400000.00
Forward annual dividends of $15,000.00
Future net worth $750,000
This month I went over $58,100 in lifetime dividends.
As I wrap this months report up I’m very pleased with everything. This shows that no matter what you can do the same as I have done and the earlier you start the better off you will be. Just constant buying good quality stocks that raise their value and raise their dividends.

Feb 23 Dividend and Portfolio Review

February is done and March is beginning. The stock market is down but my dividends keep rolling in. The market can be up and down but it’s nice to know my dividends are reliable. They come in no matter what the market does.

Ticker Dividend
APPL $81.85
ABBV $291.85
DHI $23.00
OMF $180.00
USHYX $99.84
SBUX $66.25
NXST $6.75
Total dividend $749.54

Smaller month but the dividends pack a punch. This month is down YOY compared to last year. It is down 15.12 percent. For the first 2 months I am down 3.83 percent. Next quarter will rise again as this is the last quarter where T shows up as past dividends paid for last year. Sold some others to move into my Roth. Currently outside of one mutual fund I have no other monthly payers.

My PADI increased by $274.15. Most of that was due to $179.54 in raised dividends. This is one of my better months for dividend raises. Total dividend raises so far for this year is $287.33. Dividend raises were received by PEG, OMF, NXST, KO, PPL, and FDUS.

On Feb 21 my PADI went oved $13,000.00. It took a little over 7 months. We will see how long the next $1000.00 dollars take. My portfolio value fell this month.

You can see the top 10 above the total value of the top 10 is $232,505.12. My top 10 makes up 61.09 percent of my portfolio. Up from Januarys 60.73. The only position switch was ABBV and PEG.

22 years of investing. The results are worth it. If you have not taken that step and started do it. Don’t put it off.

Total portfolio value $380,560.73
Forward annual dividend $13,043.03
Trailing 12 months of Dividends $12,472.10 Expected dividend as of 2023 $12,768.88
Net worth as of Dec 22 $560,747.99
Sells none
Bought LYB, NXST, FLO.
Dividend raises PEG, OMF, NXST, KO, PPL, and FDUS.
Future goals
Future portfolio value of $400000.00
Forward annual dividends of $15,000.00
Future net worth $750,000
This month I went over $58,100 in lifetime dividends.
As I wrap this months report up I’m very pleased with everything. This shows that no matter what you can do the same as I have done and the earlier you start the better off you will be. Just constant buying good quality stocks that raise their value and raise their dividends.

Jan 23 Dividend and Portfolio Review

Well Jan is over and the dividends are accounted for. The market goes up the market goes down but those dividends keep rolling in. They rolled right in and got the year started right.

Ticker Dividend
PPL $39.38
MO $336.67
MPW $34.54
KDP $37.20
USHYX $96.09
RITM $229.39
ONL $0.50
Total $773.77

Not a lot of companies but they pack a punch. A big punch. PPL cut it’s dividend then gave us a raise again so it’s lower than last year but overall I’m ahead. This month was 10.3 percent higher than last years dividend.

You can see the Top 10 above PEG and ABBV swapped places, MSFT moved up one and USHYX moved up 1, Mo dropped 2. Top 10 is still a high percentage of my overall portfolio. Nothing else is threatening to join the top 10 at the moment.

Overall pretty pleased with this month. Nice gain for the month. Purchases were PPL, AAPL, WBA, TROW, KR, NEE, CHRYY, FDUS. Those were my main buys this month

Dividend raises were impactful this month CVX, NXST, and VLO. First time VLO raised since 2020. This month $53.08 added in future dividends. Total for year is $107.79. Seems like I’m off to a good start in the dividend raise category this year. Hope it can continue.

My portfolio grew by $20,000 this month hopefully the growth can continue. But if not I’ll stack more dividends at a lower price. Looking forward to next month, dividends will be less but should grow the rest of the year barring any dividend cuts.

Total portfolio value $387,989.61
Forward annual dividend $12,768.88
Trailing 12 months of Dividends $12,605.22 Expected dividend as of 2022 $12,768.88
Net worth as of Dec 22 $560,747.99
Sells none
Bought PPL, AAPL, WBA, TROW, KR, NEE, CHRYY, FDUS.
Dividend raises. CVX, VLO, and NXST
Future goals
Future portfolio value of $400000.00
Forward annual dividends of $15,000.00
Future net worth $750,000
This month I went over $58,100 in lifetime dividends.
As I wrap this months report up I’m very pleased with everything. This shows that no matter what you can do the same as I have done and the earlier you start the better off you will be. Just constant buying good quality stocks that raise their value and raise their dividends.

December 22 Dividend and Portfolio Review

The year is ending. The market was down this year and even went down on the last day. The good news is my dividends continue to roll in. My portfolio was down just a smidgeon this year but I’m not worried, as long term it is set for success.

Ticker Dividends
KR $62.40
V $7.76
LYB $80.92
VLO $80.36
MSFT $45.90
CVX $122.12
XOM $168.67
WBA $65.75
KO $44.00
TGT $3.24
NEE $32.30
DHI $23.00
DUK $104.52
FLO $41.37
FDUS $82.31
FDUS $57.16
R $63.86
USHYX $83.22
TROW $8.40
PEG $259.14
BAC $76.34
Total Dividend $1,512.74

This is my second highest month ever. The highest was June of 22. The 3rd highest was March of 22. I edged out March by about $2.00. The amazing thing is a $300 dollar special dividend was paid in June and I think I could blow past the June 22 total in June 2023. 4 dividends paid over $100.00. My main thing now is building more up than out. My 5 highest paying dividends account for almost half the monthly income.

This months dividend was 13 percent higher than last December. Quarter 4 of 22 was 2.84 percent higher than quarter 4 of 21. Year over year was 8.9% higher.

This month in the ROTH bought FDUS MPW and RITM. In taxable bought MSFT, KDP, KR, BAC, MGIC, AAPL, RILY, TROW. For the year including dividends recieved as cash I invested around $21,000 just in the taxable.

In the top 10 USHYX went from number 9 to number 8. SBUX jumped back in pushing BAC outside the top 10. All top 9 positions are over $15,000 dollars. Top 10 stocks make up 61.68% of my portfolio. Never did I imagine this when I started it just blows my mind. Brick by brick is how it is done.

Total dividend raises for the year was $511.95. Including the PPL dividend cut. I sold out of T before the Dividend cut or I would have had hardly anything. Hopefully my portfolio can become dividend driven and dividend raises will help bolster further growth in my dividends. Someday I see the day where my dividend raises are over $1000,00 a year. That would really drive my portfolio.

Total portfolio value $367,110.47
Forward annual dividend $12,552.06
Trailing 12 months of Dividends $12,552.06 Expected dividend as of 2022 $12,552.06
Net worth as of Dec 22 $560,747.99
Sells AQN
Bought KR, MSFT, FDUS, BAC, MGIC, AAPL, and TROW
Dividend raises. None
Future goals
Future portfolio value of $400000.00
Forward annual dividends of $15,000.00
Future net worth $750,000
This month I went over $57,000 in lifetime dividends.
As I wrap this months report up I’m very pleased with everything. This shows that no matter what you can do the same as I have done and the earlier you start the better off you will be. Just constant buying good quality stocks that raise their value and raise their dividends.

November Dividend and Portfolio Review 2022

November is done. One more month to go in 2022. The markets rise and fall but my dividends come in every month. Like clock work.

While November wasn’t a record month it was down a little because of special dividends paid last November. I am still on pace for my highest year ever in dividends.

Ticker Dividend
OMF $171.00
APPL $81.12
ABBV $275.51
RILY $125.00
USHYX $89.38
SBUX $66.25
NXST $4.50
Total $812.76

Small amount of stocks but they pack a big punch. This is a decrease over last year because RILY paid a special dividend. It works out to a -15.06 percent from last November. Total dividends year to date is up 8.38 percent I would like to keep my dividends growing better than 15 percent moving forward will take some work but I’m sure I can do it.

My total portfolio value rose 5.5 percent to close a month at its highest ever. Not many changes in the top 10 except 1 position switch. MSFT and MO swapped spots from the 6-7 positions. My top 10 make up 61 percent of my portfolio. I would like it to be around 50 percent but that snowball takes over and bam it goes. When I first started investing it was hard to imagine any stock getting to $10,000 dollars now I have 14 stocks over $10,000, useless tidbit but it’s interesting to me.

This month I sold MRCC, and AQN both were in my Roth. Purchased in the Roth AMZN, FDUS. Purchases in the taxable account was KR, KO, MGIC.

Only 1 dividend raise in NOVEMBER, DHI. I’m expecting my Dec dividends to come in around $1450.00

Total portfolio value $383,578.70
Forward annual dividend $12,365.81
Trailing 12 months of Dividends $12,353.60 Expected dividend as of 2022 $12,021.89
Net worth as of SEP 22 $522,485.55
Sells MRCC, AQN
Bought KR, AMZN, FDUS
Dividend raises. DHI
Future goals
Future portfolio value of $400000.00
Forward annual dividends of $15,000.00
Future net worth $750,000
This month I went over $55,840.00in lifetime dividends.
As I wrap this months report up I’m very pleased with everything. This shows that no matter what you can do the same as I have done and the earlier you start the better off you will be. Just constant buying good quality stocks that raise their value and raise their dividends.

OCT 22 Dividend and Portfolio Review

Oct is in the books 10 months down and 2 to go and the dividends keep rolling in no matter what the market does.

Ticker Dividend
KO $42.68
PPL $39.15
MO $326.90
MPW $33.07
KDP $34.60
AQN $44.28
ONL $0.50
SPKky $69.47
Ushyx $92.62
CHRYY $59.64
RITM $167.12
Total $910.03

As you can see I pulled in $910.03 dollars I’m extremely excited about this. Next September will be real close to $1,000.00. This is progressing nicely and building a nice portfolio that covers my bills now and in the future.

My portfolio value rose by over $30,000.00, it is still less than when the year began but gains like that I love. I also like lower prices so I can buy more stocks also.

3 dividend raises were V, XOM, and ABBV. XOM has been on a tear and it has really risen this year.

Top 10 had lots of changes this month ABBV swapped places for the the second spot with PEG, BAC rentered the 10th spot pushing SBUX out. MO moved from 8 to 6 spot. MSFt fell from 6 to 7 spot. CVX moved from 9 to 8 and USHYX fell from 7 to 9. Top 10 makes up the majority of my portfolio that’s ok though.

Bought WBA, KR, DHI, NXST, DUK. Wide range of buys this month

This OCt dividend income was 6.24 percent higher that last OcT. Year over year so far is 10.81 percent I would like it higher but I will take it. Looking forward to November my dividend income will drop as to special dividends being paid out last year. I should bring in about $801

Total portfolio value $363,539.47
Forward annual dividend $12,351.89
Trailing 12 months of Dividends $12,496.81 Expected dividend as of 2022 $12,248.77
Net worth as of SEP 22 $522,485.55
Sells
Bought WBA, KR, DHI, NXST, DUK. Wide range of buys this month
Dividend raises. V, XOM, ABBV.
Future goals
Future portfolio value of $400000.00
Forward annual dividends of $15,000.00
Future net worth $750,000
This month I went over $55,000.00 in lifetime dividends.
As I wrap this months report up I’m very pleased with everything. This shows that no matter what you can do the same as I have done and the earlier you start the better off you will be. Just constant buying good quality stocks that raise their value and raise their dividends.

September Dividends and Portfolio Review

September is done and gone. We have completed 3 Quarters of the year. Time flies when you are collecting dividends. The market dropped big time in September. But my dividends came in like clockwork.

Ticker Amount
KR $60.58
V $6.45
VLO 80.36
LYB $77.35
MSFT $41.13
XOM $162.23
WBA $64.80
CVX $122.12
TGT $3.24
MGIC $40.00
NEE $32.30
DUK $102.51
FLO $40.59
R $63.86
USHYX $72.55
FDUS $45.87
FDUS $8.92
TROW $7.20
BAC $75.90
MRCC $50.81
PEG $256.68
Total $1,415.45

As you can see September was a good month very happy with it. This September Was 9 percent higher than last year. Quarter over quarter is negative 6.2 percent. This was due to some special dividends last August. Year over year is 11.28 percent. Close to the 15 percent I want to maintain. Hopefully we can finish year around that.

Portfolio value Dropped a bunch. Net worth dropped. But what goes down must come up again. Had 2 raises this month MSFt and SBUX. Purchase AMZN, FDUS, AQN, TROW, and DHI. SBUX entered the top 10 holdings bumping BAC. My 2 newest stocks paid for the first time TGT and Trow.

Looking forward to OCT I should be around $900.00 dollars for the month

Total portfolio value $332,550.50
Forward annual dividend $12,168.73
Trailing 12 months of Dividends $12,443.35 Expected dividend as of 2022 $12,396.37
Net worth as of SEP 22 $522,485.55
Sells
Bought AMZN, FDUS, AQN, TROW, and DHI. Those were my main buys this month.
Dividend raises. SBUX, MSFT.
Future goals
Future portfolio value of $400000.00
Forward annual dividends of $15,000.00
Future net worth $750,000
This month I went over $52,700.00 in lifetime dividends.
As I wrap this months report up I’m very pleased with everything. This shows that no matter what you can do the same as I have done and the earlier you start the better off you will be. Just constant buying good quality stocks that raise their value and raise their dividends.

August 2022 Dividend and Portfolio Review

Another month down and another report to give. I love writing these and reading yours. It looked like for a bit the market was going to surge higher but has ended the month on a down note. That is ok because lower prices mean more shares. More shares means more dividends as long as there is no cuts.

Ticker Dividend
APPL $80.91
OMF $157.70
ABBV $272.82
DHI $18.90
USHYX $66.60
Rily $123.00
NXST $2.70
SBUX $61.25
Total $783.88

Not a lot of dividend paying companies but the amount packs a punch. Next year will be over $800.00 and I’m stocked. Friday August 26 my forward dividends hit over $12,000 again. Don’t plan on any sells so it should grow at a nice clip.

This month was lower than last year because of a special dividend a -32.39 percent lower. Without the special dividend it would be a 1.79 percent increase.

Portfolio review my portfolio value fell by 2.67 percent. Dividend raise was only 1 MO which added over $55.00 to my forward dividends. My top 10 was fairly steady with the 2 swaps being GOOG moved up to the 3 spot and ABBV falling to the 4 spot USHYX moved up to the 7 spot and dropped MO to the 8 spot. Still 13 stocks above $10,000. I once dreamed of getting 1 stock above $10,000 now to have that many seems surreal. Next year it could be even more and continue to climb as I add to positions. My number 2 spot is occupied by PEG which my mom inherited from my grandma and then gave it to me. When she gave it to me it had 408 shares. This was in 2019 it now has 475 shares. The value when she gave it to me was around $19,500 it is now worth around $30,000. Without adding anything except the reinvested dividends it has grown nicely.

Nothing to complaign about really my portfolio will grow again I just have to keep adding to it. One of these months we will have a month like November 2020 and the portfolio will explode upward again.

As I look forward to September I should get around $1350.00 in dividends.

Total portfolio value $365,365.41
Forward annual dividend $12,011.83
Trailing 12 months of Dividends $12,325.86 Expected dividend as of 2022 $11,822.75
Net worth as of MAR 22 $538,682.58
Sells
Bought MRCC, AMZN, OMF, KR. Those were my main buys this month.
Dividend raises. MO.
Future goals
Future portfolio value of $400000.00
Forward annual dividends of $15,000.00
Future net worth $750,000
This month I went over $52,700.00 in lifetime dividends.
As I wrap this months report up I’m very pleased with everything. This shows that no matter what you can do the same as I have done and the earlier you start the better off you will be. Just constant buying good quality stocks that raise their value and raise their dividends.

July 22 Dividend and Portfolio Review

July is done and gone. Looks like after being down the markets came back big the last 3 days of the month. But no matter what my dividends hit the account. My July dividend delivered results.

Ticker Dividend
KO $42.68
PPL $38.93
MO $302.86
MPW $30.46
AQN $43.15
KDP $30.56
USHYX $70.59
NRZ $165.15
ONL $0.50
Amount $724.88

Mo really delivered. What can I say these results speak for themselves. PPL cut its dividend then raised it this last quarter. If they can deliver 10 percent dividend raises for the next couple of years that position will grow. I’m just excited about what this will look like in OCT when I have 2 semi annual dividends pay.

This months dividend is 9.7 percent higher than last July. On a year over year the dividend so far is 20 percent higher. One of my goals is to try to keep it around 20 percent or higher.

My purchases this month were MGIC and RILY those were my main purchases. No stock sales this month. GOOG did a split so I own a lot more shares of it. DUK, WBA, and R raised their dividend. No cuts this month.

My portfolio gained back some of the losses from this year by gaining around 8 percent. Looking at my top 10 KR fell out and was replaced by BAC. I am now back to 13 stocks over $10,000 dollars. Once I dreamed of getting 1 stock to $10,000 to have that many over that is like wow. Almost like a kid in a candy store. AAPL is my largest position by far at over $50,000 just by itself hopefully the can continue to grow even if not at the pace it has the last couple of years. Even at its large size I still add to it from time to time.

Looking forward to August I should receive about $780.00 in dividends which is less than last year but I had 2 stocks pay a supplemental dividend which won’t be paying this year.

Total portfolio value $375,402.72
Forward annual dividend $11,853.87
Trailing 12 months of Dividends $12,701.51 Expected dividend as of 2022 $12,167.91
Net worth as of MAR 22 $538,682.58
Sells
Bought MGIC, RILY. Those were my main buys this month.
Dividend raises. DUK, WBA, R.
Future goals
Future portfolio value of $400000.00
Forward annual dividends of $15,000.00
Future net worth $750,000
This month I went over $51,500.00 in lifetime dividends.
As I wrap this months report up I’m very pleased with everything. This shows that no matter what you can do the same as I have done and the earlier you start the better off you will be. Just constant buying good quality stocks that raise their value and raise their dividends.