As we mentioned in our blog’s one year anniversary post a few days ago, my portfolio has crossed a couple of major milestones recently and I am very excited to finally share them with the community. Over the couple of months, I have crossed both $55,000 in Market Value and $2,000 in Projected Dividend Income. I still can’t believe it, as it seems like just yesterday I was crossed $40,000 in market value (last June) and $1,750 in projected dividend income (last August). Two round, iconic numbers in my eyes. It has been a fun journey between milestones, so lets take a look at how I got there.
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Category Archives: Monthly Summary
Our One Year Bloggiversary!
One year ago, today, on May 15, 2014 – the Dividend Diplomats were created. Two young guys in public accounting, after constant discussions of investing, financial freedom, dividend stocks and life without the chains – they came to a meeting of the minds. 365 days have past and WOW what a ride it has truly been. (Lanny) has been reading the dividend investing community blog-o-sphere for more than 5 years and (Bert) has done this now for going on 2 years. Two guys that grew up in two different areas on Northeast Ohio – Lanny from Akron and Bert from Cleveland, one being Catholic and the other, er, uhm, Jewish, one being 6’3 and the other being 5’8, they still shared many things in common, one of those being – deep hearted passion about dividend income investing and to have this income to push them toward crossing the line of financial freedom. Time to take a look back at 365 days…
Bert’s April Dividend Income
As a great band once said….”Another one bites the dust.” Another month bites the dust and we are now entering May. April was a crazy month that consisted of more transactions than I can remember for a while, the capstone of which was my investment in one of the largest railroad companies Norfolk Southern. Unfortunately though, I will not be reaping the dividend benefits from these transactions until next quarter. After seeing a minimal YOY increase of 8% in my dividend income in March, I am hoping that my investing throughout the first four months of the year will begin to show in April. Looks like it is time to dive in and review my April dividend income summary.
Lanny’s April Dividend Income
As time passes, so does a month of collecting dividend income. Four wild months are already in the books and the sun is shining here in Cleveland. Talk about a rarity these days. As spring is upon us, I think, it’s time to see what the 4th month of dividend income was able to bring and it marks 1/3 of the year being over. Now to the results
Bert’s March Savings Rate Summary
Each month Lanny and I challenged ourselves to save at least 60% of our income. This high savings rate will allow us to jump-start our dividend income snowball by allowing us to invest as much as possible now and allow the power of compounding interest to do the rest! Not only that, but I have found this exercise very beneficial as it allows me to take a hard look at my expenses each month and help me trim the “fat” of my expense outflow. I have had a very successful beginning to 2015, as I was able to save 60% of my income in both January and February. Can I keep the streak alive in March? Let’s dive into my March savings rate summary and find out!
Lanny’s Debt Update
Debt. What is debt? Is this America’s Horror Story? Is it chains strapped to your hands and ankles? Well, by definition, Debt is “An amount of money borrowed by one party from another. Many corporations/individuals use debt as a method for making large purchases that they could not afford under normal circumstances. A debt arrangement gives the borrowing party permission to borrow money under the condition that it is to be paid back at a later date, usually with interest.” Thanks Investopedia for that. Debt can be used in two ways – to pay for something that we use day in/day out as a liability that does not generate cash for us OR debt can be used to leverage buying an asset that produces a greater return than the cost of the debt itself. I have debt and I wanted to share an update where I stand based on today, Mid-April.
Lanny’s March Income & Expense Summary
As you have come to see from us Diplomats – each month we share our savings from the income and expense we have endured during the previous month. Our goal is to achieve 60% savings rate in an ever inflationary lifestyle from advertisers, television, peers and co workers. Though it is difficult, we know the combination of being frugal, saving and investing allows us to achieve our financial freedom goals faster, by still enjoying the benefits of life itself. Was I able to hit 60% this month? Let’s check out my income and expense summary from March!