Lanny’s May Dividend Income

As time passes, so does a month of collecting dividend income. Five 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 5th month of dividend income was able to bring.  Now to the results

dividend income

Dividend Income

This month, I received a total of $206.54.  This was another record May month that I have ever had, especially in comparison to last year’s dismal $78.29 in income, huge jump!

Capture

Similarly, I have split out between the individual stock amounts and the retirement accounts, as the ” – R” indicates a Roth IRA dividend (or the furthest column to the right, I forgot the “R” on O).  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 total of $45.44 or 22% of my income from retirement accounts and the other 78% was from my individual taxable account portfolio.  To see my portfolio – one can go to our portfolio summary page.

Comparison

Now, I look back at 2014 May’s total.  The total then was $78.29.  From a pure percentage stand point, a growth rate of 163.81% isn’t too shabby if you ask me.  If I keep that up, this time next year will be over $338, I wouldn’t doubt that that is where it will be.  Fairly spread out and not one huge dividend payment like I had last month with PM.  Having a total of 10 soldiers out there this month feels great, given it’s a slower month for me usually.  It’s my own little organization that is bringing money to my door and, I’m keeping that one unlocked!  This essentially would cover more than all of my utilities for the month, good to know that I’m taken care of here.  My investments into health care REITs last year and even more recently in my bigger HCP stock purchase late at the end of May – really come into play for the May dividend income stream – really looking forward to what the future has in store from here.  Of course, my large purchases into Caterpillar should help pave the way for future/higher income streams, loving it!

Dividend Income Increases

Nothing too wild from this standpoint.  I didn’t own, outside of Pepsi (small $4.94 bump in overall projected income for me), many of the companies in our post about the aristocrat increases expected in May.  June should be a fun month as Target is on the list to set to increase in June, wonder if it’ll be as strong as last year’s dividend growth!

Conclusion & Summary

As I discussed back then with my normal monthly expenditures at the moment, this $206 covers 22% of my average $942 monthly expense for my house, including utilities.  This covers my utilities and even the majority of a grocery bill if that would be the case.  Also, this is close to my current 1/2 payment of my mortgage or 1/2 of a monthly property tax assessment (damn you county!).  All of the investing from last year and moves this year, show being frugal to save 60% of my income help me in achieving lofty goals that I set in place for my 2015 year.  I am looking forward to the Month of June, as the quarter ends are my favorite and really want to beat my last year’s total of June dividend income of $753   How did everyone’s May go?  Surpass and crush your prior Mayl?  Marching closer to covering your monthly expenses?  Would love to hear about it, post on below and share your stories and thoughts, thanks!

-Lanny

27 thoughts on “Lanny’s May Dividend Income

  1. Lanny,

    ~164% is a great yoy increase, congratulations! We agree that having the income spread over 10 sources is great. We hope you do see the same increase next year at this time. Thank you for sharing and keep up the great work.

    All the best.

    FD

    • FD,

      Thanks! I appreciate the comment and the positivity. I really do think I can keep that growth rate for just one more year, as the $ amount to add isn’t overly “substantial”. Just takes focus, dedication and action, right ? How do you feel about the markets this year so far? Talk about opportunities popping up! Loving it.

      -Lanny

  2. The best posts; dividend income! Looks like you had a great May, congrats! I think I had a pretty good month as well, considering. Keep up the trek towards your goals!

    – HMB

    • Money Bags,

      Thanks for coming by! This is a great time of the month. Not traveling so I’ll be able to read everyone’s post which is nice. Not too bad and glad I was able to clip the $200 mark. That should be my baseline for the rest of the year and hopefully the bar is set at $250 or $300 next year… how awesome would that be?

      Thanks again HMB, talk soon.

      -Lanny

    • Pollies,

      Thanks! Well – imagine big, because that’s what we do right? I mean, why the heck not? We have one goal and might as well give it what we have, because anything less would not be worth it.

      -Lanny

  3. Awesome update and great year over year increase. You just have to love the DGI strategy as the dividend are so real and quantifiable. You can see where you were, where you are in terms of current income and even can project forward earnings. I see a few names in common too. I’ll be posting my results soon. Thanks for sharing.

    • DivHut,

      Thanks! It is great, the historical tracking is awesome and it shows you the different leaps you are taking at each interval. What’s cool is that it doesn’t take that much work – just a real method and game plan in the beginning and as long as you wash rinse and repeat it does the work for you. Excited to be able to have a nice calm morning to read everyone’s blog posts for the month!

      -Lanny

  4. Awesome month Lanny!! Woohoo!! 🙂 Happy for you to be seeing awesome progress. Keep it up bud and soon enough… BAM!! Remember Emeril Lagasse? BAM! LOL 😛
    Glad you’re keeping and logging your progress. It’s nice to see the results trending upwards. I love it. You take care my friend.

  5. Hey,

    Great post I really enjoy reading dividend updates. How much did you have to spend our first on those shares though to get this monthly return?

    Regards
    Simon

    • Simon,

      Thank you! Honestly – doesn’t take too long to build this up. AT&T and KMI have been great high yielders, with some sort of dividend growth rate – larger investments in there really jumpstart it. All about starting today and consistently following the plan! Thank you again.

      -Lanny

  6. Solid progress Lanny! 163% YOY increase is awesome. Just noticed that you guys got a profile picture up. Nice to put faces to the names.

    Covering 22% of your expenses via dividend is pretty good. Pretty soon you’ll be covering 50% of your expenses. 🙂

    • Tawcan,

      Small increases eh? Thanks for the comment on the picture – thought it was a funny one as we have KMI in the background – how funny is that stuff?

      If I could cover 50%… wow, I cannot even imagine. We have 24 days left of June and I’m eagerly looking forward to each day of Dividend income, that’s for sure. LETS GO!!!

      -Lanny

    • Roadmap,

      Thank you. Now if I can just keep the 160% growth rate up… think I can do it?

      Thank you, and it’s fun to write these posts because it gives not only a disclosure to everyone to see results of what we are discussing but also is great for me to evaluate and compare across periods and see the impacts of “what” had happened.

      Thanks again RM, talk sooN!

      -Lanny

  7. That’s how you do it, Lanny. Phenomenal YOY numbers here, things are really looking up. Keep at it, your progress is very inspiring my friend!

    • Ryan,

      Thanks! YOY is solid and funny – I’ll be able to maintain the growth rate I’m sure (maybe too confident, right?). We try hard and do the best we can – I think life sometimes gives us a bone every now and then to say – yep, you sacrificed and are trying to do more towards the “right” things in life… it’s tiring though, you know?

      Thanks again Ryan, one day/month at a time.

      -Lanny

  8. Nice work. I am jealous that you started this in your 20s. Time is your best ally for dividend growth. I am in my early 50s and I have just started seriously investing in DGI. I am seeing great results, but your portfolio will be unbelievable by the time you reach 50!

    Keep up the great work.

    • Thank you very much! What’s the best time to start? Yesterday, but what’s second best? NOW! And that is what you are doing you are killing it right now and doing what you are able to do, giving it 100% of what you’ve got. I know your portfolio in 5-10 years will be performing amazing if you are able to stay consistent with your approach and investing, no doubt in my mind.

      Thank you again, your motivation is great.

      -Lanny

    • DG,

      Thank you1 I do feel that way, a bit, it’s a great amount for an off month for us dividend income earnings. I appreciate it and my new shares from reinvestment are pumped! Looking forward to reading yours and everyone’s awesome months!

      -Lanny

  9. Greater than 160% increase, heck yea! That was just about the same increase as I had last month. This month was not quite as good year over year percentage wise but at over $250 I’m quite happy..

    Making money and not doing anything is a great way to live life!

    Keep up the great work!

    • AD,

      I’m bound to keep that 160% growth rate alive… haha, somehow someway, I’m going to do it!

      Over $250 is amazing, congrats!!! I can’t wait to read it, nice work over there, sweet.

      -Lanny

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