Lanny’s August Dividend Income Summary

Okay, when does time slow down?  Never.  However, we have to do everything we can, to make sure we get the most out of each minute!  This marks 8 months of the calendar year down, with 4 months left.  The dividend income figures relating to my 2017 goals haven’t been hit yet, but I am doing what I can to reach the next ledge.  For the purpose of this post, another month down means another month of dividend income has been received and reinvested.  This August was a very solid one, at that, and I am excited to dive into the details with the community.

dividend income

Dividend income

This month I received a total of $407.99.  Ah, yes, I crossed four hundred dollars at least!  This will go down as the best August month I have ever had.  Remember, as a dividend investor, milestones are always reached throughout your journey.  You’ll see a fair share of companies that paid out a dividend below, but the true source of this dividend income is staying committed and consistent with investing into the vehicle of the stock market.  What a long journey it’s been, and I said before, it’s also time to take back control with dividend income investing.

The sore thumb in this picture is the massive dividend income I receive from AT&T (T) at almost $80.  Since I reinvest dividends, this actually ends up acquiring over 2 shares, at the most recent share prices.  Nothing better than adding forward income automatically, with no fees, emotions and being able to pick up partial shares, as well.  Also, you’ll find quite the punch from Citizens & Northern (CZNC), which is an efficient community bank in Pennsylvania.  Crossing $400 is a very solid mark in my eyes, as I traditionally have been posting into the $300’s, such as last month and the comparable month of May (i.e. month before a quarter end).

Similarly, I have split out between the individual stock amounts and the retirement accounts, as the ” – R” indicates a retirement account dividend (or the furthest column to the right).  I separate these two, as I like to know what portion of my dividend income is coming from those retirement accounts that I cannot touch until 59.5 (barring any other usage rule I could use).  Here, it shows that I received a solid total of $181.50 (up from $152 last year due to dividend reinvestment & dividend increases)  or 44.9% of my income from retirement accounts and the other 55.1% was from my individual taxable account portfolio.  Additionally, this shows from retirement accounts that I’m all ready for my set it and forget it mentality to keep that income going.  To see my portfolio – one can go to our portfolio summary page.

Dividend income year over year comparison

2016:

August div

2017:

Hmm… the comparison is quite interesting.  Thought I am up $47.40 on an annual basis or 13%, not all was great here.  First, HCP had a spin-off of QCP, which has not produced great results and National Grid’s (NGG) dividend, due to currency effects, has been a moving target.  The main drivers here have been additional investments in CZNC and CVS Pharmacy (CVS).  Those companies have helped off-set these other items mentioned, to which, results could have been even better.

To improve this month going forward, I believe Bert has CVS on his August dividend stock watch list, and that’s always on the radar, due to being a smaller position in the portfolio.  Dividend increases and reinvestment will/should produce better results as well, but nothing like fresh capital to jolt some energy here.

Dividend increases

One of the best parts of the article.  I was able to record three companies that increased their dividend in the month of August.  First, Kraft (KHC) did not stray too far away from what they usually do and a solid 4% increase here.  Scott’s Miracle Gro (SMG), also stayed consistent with a 6% increased.  Canadian Imperial (CM) came through with another increase this year, their 2nd so far announced in calendar year 2017.  All in all, very straight forward and they stayed in their lanes.  Kraft really has been showing their consistency lately with the % that they grow their dividend.  In total, $12.18 was added to my forward income and this would take an investment of $348 at 3.5%, in order to produce those same results.  I’ll take it!

Dividend income conclusion & Summary

Overall, dividend income was strong and a few dividend increases were received.  As a dividend income investor, there really aren’t many more things you can ask for.  What I am seeing here is that I need to continue to invest into high quality companies when I find them undervalued and the “numbers” will follow suit.  If CVS somehow declines a few percentage points, they would definitely be catching my eye, no doubt.  However, a 13%+ increase year over year is nothing to scoff at, and I am extremely happy and fortunate for the positives here!

As I discussed with my updated – normal monthly expenditures at the moment, this $407.99 would cover ~42% of my average $984 monthly expense for my house, including utilities.  Looking to boost my dividend income, as my auto loan is over and unlocking this new cash flow source should be very beneficial and timely.  In similar fashion –  all of the investing from last year and moves this year, show being frugal to save 60% of my incomethat every dollar counts, has helped me in achieving lofty goals that I set in place for my 2017 year.  LET’S GO!!!!

How was your month of August?  On target to finish the year strong?  Experience some of the shake up that I had mentioned above?  Anything that you feel you could be doing differently, in order to progress in your journey to financial independence?  I would love to hear what everyone has to say, or if there are questions I can answer, please comment below!  Thank you everyone for stopping by, good luck and happy investing!

-Lanny

50 thoughts on “Lanny’s August Dividend Income Summary

  1. Hi Lanny,
    Congrats on a new milestone! I would love to reach it one day as well (it will take a while, though). One month closer to taking back control indeed! I received dividends from 3 companies this month (O, PG & T) and I can see that you have all of them in your portfolio!
    Keep on going!
    -BI

    • BI –

      Everything that’s worth having, is worth working hard for, right? You’ll get there and you’ll be blowing by me as well.

      That’s awesome and I do have all 3 and… LOVE all 3. Keep adding to them when you can : )

      -Lanny

  2. Another milestone! Top.

    That is nice income you already have there. And great growth.

    I appreciate the detailed YoY comments to get a better feel if what DGI is. I have a little dividends income in August.

    • Amber –

      Thank you very, very much. Yep, I like to do the comparison to see where the increases come from, dissect how they grew (increases vs. reinvestment vs. both). Always nice to learn how you get from A to B, and if it’s the best way to do that or to change your actions. Learning, always.

      -Lanny

    • Stashing –

      Thank you and it is nice, that’s for sure. My internet just went up a little bit from prior year, so could use some more dividends from them to cover the expense : ) Looking forward to their end of the year dividend increase!

      -Lanny

  3. Very solid month, congrats on breaking through to another milestone! I gotta wait for a couple more that only pay out on the last day before I can report.

  4. The month isn’t even over, and here you’re showing your great results 😉
    Interesting to see the small differences between both years, and how new additions can have such a great impact.

    • Divnomics –

      Too funny. Last dividend came in last week and thought – heck, what am I waiting for, right? I wish there was more coming and more dividend announcements, agh! Huge impact though, from new additions. That’s not to mention reinvestment and dividend increases as well, always keep that in mind.

      -Lanny

  5. Congrats!

    Big fan of CVS right now. Feel like it’s been beaten down and ripe for a larger investment.

    That AT&T reinvestment is looking really good, too.

    I just paid off my auto loan a few months ago! Taking those monthly payments and investing them feels pretty great. Enjoy it.

    • Nick –

      Agreed on the CVS front. They’ve stayed flat around this price for a while, that’s no doubt.

      That reinvestment of AT&T cracks me up each and every time, turning shares each and every quarter : )

      WOW, love another person bringing the good vibes on paying off the auto debt. Feels good then, eh? Does it feel like it’s gone?

      -Lanny

      • Definitely feels good!

        Feel like it’s gone? Yes and no. Haha

        I don’t really see my bank account going up because, instead of the money being pulled for the car payment, it automatically goes into my brokerage account.

        It’s definitely noticeable when I go to make a stock purchase, though!

    • CG –

      I know, milestones are here to be celebrated, but what’s weird, is I’m looking ahead to do and be better, we can do this, we need to do this haha. Looking forward to adding another 0 at some point!!

      -Lanny

  6. Can it be we’re starting to report our August numbers already? Time waits for no one. Great total for August. You are correct in saying that the DGI path is always full of milestones and it’s important to celebrate each as they come. I guess I’ll start reporting on SBRA soon too after their merger with CCP. There has been so much activity with those health REITs in recent years. HCP/QCP and VTR/CCP/SBRA. Oh well. Keep up the good work!

    • Hut –

      I know.. : ( Time, it’s so valuable and yet, just when we think we are close to having more, it goes by faster with life, as it compounds to new heights. So interesting.

      As with Sabra – welcome to the family – they’ve been up to quite a bit as of late – they have a great dividend policy s well, welcome, welcome! I’ve owned them now for years. Looking forward to what else they do. Did you receive quite a bit of appreciation?

      -Lanny

      • I got shares plus some cash from the CCP merger though it shows my cost basis higher than the stock price in my account so SBRA is in the red. Not sure how the cost basis was calculated.

    • Doug –

      Phew, yep, I am hoping to stick true to your statement for $400 to be the next level, will be a nice rung for my foot to step on, but want to be higher, so will be staying hungry! We got this Doug, the only way we know how.

      -Lanny

  7. Excellent work, Lanny. I have a couple more dividends I’m waiting on this week before knowing my Aug. total, but I expect to be in the $400s as well. I share CVS, PG, and O with you. Happy to see 3 dividend raises for you in August… always nice to get a single raise, let alone three!

    • Engineering –

      Waiting on more dividends is a good thing obviously. And damn, crossing the $400 mark is legit and awesome. Yep, August was nice and September should be better, mark these words now!!!

      -Lanny

  8. Awesome work summiting the $400/month Lanny. What did you find most helpful in your quest to save 60% of your income? I’m working toward saving 40% and even that is challenging!

    Best for the march toward December!

    • WF30 –

      Thanks for your comment. What I find most helpful is this and brace yourself.. CHALLENGE EVERYTHING! Literally – every monthly fixed cost – fight it and see what you can do. Utilities – think smarter to be more efficient at home i.e. gas, electric, water. Internet – battle them. Insurance? Put up the gloves!

      Also – making food at home has saved a ton of money. Side hustles always a plus. But most helpful – is above.

      -Lanny

  9. Nice stuff Lanny! It’s always great to cross a milestone. Soon you’ll reach levels when a hundred dollar increase can happen from one month to another, especially with such dividend increases…

    • Roadrunner –

      Time to get speedy like your name says it. Time to go after these milestones with passion and dedication. Let’s do it and get after it as hard as we can!

      -Lanny

      PS – Can’t wait for September divvy increases

    • Time –

      Appreciate the comment as always. Weird seeing that % growth, doesn’t seem real, but what’s funny, I want it to be better and I need to keep doing the right things to make that happen. Looking forward for us all to prosper, been a shaky market too, that’s for sure.

      -Lanny

  10. Great results and AT&T is definitely working for you and increasing with every payout:) I would love to be able to purchase partial shares but alas its not possible with my broker.

    • Robot –

      AT&T better keep working hard for me, and can they finally surprise us with more than a 2% dividend increase this late fall?!

      I am sorry to hear on partial shares, very lucky, but as long as you own an investment that produces cash flow – you are in a good spot!

      -Lanny

  11. Great month! That’s what I’m working towards, each of us cranking away one milestone at a time! Do you tend to put the highest yielders in your retirement account or is there another way you decide? I need to add some T or VZ, that’s next!

    • Ace –

      Thank you for the comment. One milestone at a time, a month down but another one up. Another milestone to grab.

      I try to put the highest yielders in there if I can, however, AT&T, as you’ve seen is in my taxable account. What pulls my overall yield down in my retirement account is my 401k overall stock market index fund. But yep, you got it!

      Let’s keep grinding and crossing milestones.

      -Lanny

  12. I’ll follow suit with everyone else and say congrats on reaching the $400 milestone! It is definitely a nice number to look at and I’m sure that you’ll be knocking down the $500 mark in no time. Both of your portfolios are really starting to pick up steam and generate some nice income for the both of you!

    • Dilligent –

      Haha, all good and appreciate the comment.

      I hope, being ballsy here, I can be closre to… $600 next year – remember this post! haha

      Looking forward to tomorrow and still trying to kick ass today.

      -Lanny

  13. Lanny, excellent month in August and congrats on passing the $400 mark. Next up is slashing that $500 milestone.

    It’s always fun when you can make enough in dividends to buy one whole share of a stock and T earned you 2 shares and it’s only gonna keep growing from there. Great report man.

  14. Hi Lanny,
    Congrats on the $400+ income, a 10% increase over last year! It’s great watching your income get higher and reach new thresholds. I like receiving AT&T dividends in particular as they partially pay for my phone bill.
    Best wishes,
    -DL
    Note – The 2017 breakdown graphic seems to be missing – I can only see the 2016 showing the $360.59 total.

  15. HCP has been a pretty big disappointment. I’m sure they’re much better off now without the Manor Care albatross, but for anyone who was a pre-spinoff shareholder it’s been pretty crappy.

    Oh well. So it goes.

    Nice month!

  16. Nice work crossing the $400 mark in one month. I am too, waiting for QCP to declare a dividend. At least I don’t have too many shares so I wouldn’t make much from it anyway. I think T is one of my highest dividend payers as well. Nice to see it being so consistent. Quarter ending month coming up! Get psyched!

  17. That’s a great chunk of change to say the least. I’m getting closer to the three digit mark. I could get there much more quickly if I focused on holding just one or two companies, but I’m trying to diversify. Onward and upward!

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