Wow… October is over, isn’t it? World Series baseball has SPIKED and our beloved Cleveland Indians are making some history vs. the Cubs. What a great way to end October and intro to November! The cold and warm weather also keep battling on who is getting the last laugh, as it has swung from 75 to 50 back to 75 a few times over the last week. However, we all know that the cold always wins towards the end of the year here in Ohio! Enough about baseball and weather, you are here for dividends, so let’s see what I was able to rake in for the month in the dividend income investing world!
Dividend income
This was a record October month, I received a total of $370.48 Very solid and right on par where I thought I would and currently spread across 12 different entities for the month:
With the 12 different entities paying me above, this is greater than the 10 at this point last year. When doing the comparison, as you’ll see below, the new guy is Kraft-Heinz (KHC), as this was pre and post the acquisition, as well as a small $1.12 for the spin off of BHP Billiton (BBL) of SOUHY. Not too bad and I know Bert beat me to the punch to post the article – congrats big Bert! He explains more on KHC as well.
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” this time). 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 $33.01 or only 8.9% of my income from retirement accounts and the other 91.1% was from my individual taxable account portfolio. $33.01 is up from $29.63 last year and this shows from retirement accounts shows 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
2015: 
2016: 
From looking above, all dividends are up outside of Glaxo Smith Kline (GSK), those punks! However, all else – dividends are up, such as Philip Morris (PM) and Canadian Imperial (CM), Bert has a few of these guys too. How? One may ask that question. There is an easy answer to this question. Through dividend reinvestment and dividend growth, I have been able to further propel this portfolio. The compounding effect of these two events are intense and can be seen easily above! It is an amazing feeling seeing the impact these two actions have on the portfolio. Overall, my growth was $30.67 or 9%, greater than last year. I’m happy with this, but also pretty ticked that Bert dominated this month vesus my growth. Bert, I’ll stomp you, maybe not November, but without a doubt in December, BRING IT!
dividend increases
Do you see the impact of the dividend growth and increases above? I am in awe by the shear impact this had on my portfolio, in one single month! It is incredible and am damn well fortunate to see consistent months with solid/consistent increases. Aflac (AFL) and AT&T (T) came in with expected dividend increases, literally, right on the money. Then Visa (V) actually increased their dividend at a higher rate than last year. V’s increase was something not expected, as you normally see a high dividend growth, low yield wind down the growth after multiple periods of growth, and do not normally expect an increase greater than last year. Let’s just say I had no complaints this month, at all. To add $17.10 in forward income, I would have to make an investment of $489 given a 3.50% yield. Thank you stocks, excited for November!
dividend income conclusion & Summary
Though it was only 9% growth year over year, I looked above and know that it is truly from dividend growth and reinvestment, hands down, outside of Kraft being included to offset the Glaxo decline. I know that consistency and time in the market will continue to increase this income year, after year and out of the 12 companies above, 6 had dividend increases (not calculating any foreign currency translation). Very lucky and fortunate! Now, just to turn that 6 to a 12…
As I discussed with my NEW updated – normal monthly expenditures at the moment, this $370 would cover 38% of my average $984 monthly expense for my house, including utilities; up from last year and covers all of my utilities and house insurance. All of the investing from last year and moves this year, show being frugal to save 60% of my income, that every dollar counts, has helped me in achieving lofty goals that I set in place for my 2016 year. However, we all know that I am VERY excited for 2017 to come!
How did your October turn out? Bring in a good amount of dividend income? What do you see from my progress above? Any comments, tips, insight or further suggestions are always appreciated! Hope everyone enjoyed October, has a plan of attack on those leaves, as well as are progressing towards the final months towards their 2016 goals! Thanks again and talk soon.
-Lanny
Solid month Lanny. You’re pushing on $400 for a fairly slow month of dividend payments which is impressive. Wow, nearly 40% expense coverage with a slow dividend month is great. Keep adding to great companies at good valuations and the dividends will take care of themselves. All the best in November.
Very Good for an off month. You will hit 400 in no time. You have that dividend machine well oiled and moving smoothly
Great example of dividend growth! Keep the snowball rolling.
Ambertree –
Thank you : ) The snowball will be rolling, especially come winter ; ) Appreciate the stop by and have a nice weekend!
-Lanny
Nothing wrong with your dividend total for an otherwise “slow” month. That’s the beauty of being a dividend growth investor… you can experience year over year growth with little or no new fresh capital being added. Simple dividend growth and reinvestment can move that snowball along just fine. Always nice to read these reports. Like you, I can’t believe that October flew by so quickly. Look forward to seeing a strong 2016 finish!
Hut –
Thanks for the pump up. I really don’t expect any further dividend cuts/decreases, so this should start really taking off and I’d be shocked to heck if I don’t cross $400 in October next year.
It was a blur and the Tribe losing still makes me upset, ugh, I’ll get over it… next year haha. Thanks again and talk soon!
-Lanny
Great numbers! Regarding GSK: isn’t the Glaxo dividend only affected by the bad currency exchange rate (GBP/USD)?
From http://www.gsk.com/en-gb/investors/shareholder-information/dividend-calculator/ :
2nd Quarter 01/10/2015 19 pence
2nd Quarter 13/10/2016 19 pence
I think they didn’t changed the dividend. On the other side, should the dollar weaken you’ll get an “increase”.
Thanks for posting your motivating numbers!
Cheers
DivRider
Rider,
thank you very much for the info, I do really appreciate it. Then, the question is, when will the currency swing in our favors?!?! BAH!! Would love that, eh?
And of course – it’s funny, I want the numbers to be bigger, so it’s a reminder that I am not there yet, and that I need to keep running harder. Here we go, time is on our side, let’s keep moving.
-Lanny
Pretty solid dividend income considering it’s a lower month. Gotta love Visa’s HUGE dividend increase!
Tawcan –
Thanks for the post, as always. It’s okay it’s a lower month, YOY it was bigger and that’s the big piece, as you know. VISA was awesome, so pumped, now.. only wish I had more shares, right? Haha, it’s funny, the bigger div increases are always on the positions I have a lower investment in! Agh!! Hope that tide turns…
-Lanny
Congrats on a great month! This month is also a low month for our portfolio relatively, just means you get to end the year strong 😀
MrSLM –
Of course and you are right, the December month will be monstrous I believe. Very excited to finish the yield on a damn strong note. Need to keep the push on, keeping warm though as the winter creeps up.
-Lanny
Awesome snowball you got there Lanny, nice job! Good luck for the next month 🙂
Tristan
Tristan –
Thank you very much. I wish I could have gotten back to the comments sooner, still mourning my Cleveland Indians… it’s been tough, feel empty…
BUT, at least the dividends don’t stop rolling, right? Much appreciated, we need to keep pushing each other.
-Lanny
The rivalry between Bert and Lanny, love it! Please do keep beating and challenging each other on occasion, you both will end up benefiting from it!
Talking about (positive) rivalry, think this is the first month we will actually end up with more dividend income then either of you, which is a first I think. We should be coming in around €550 this month, very happy with that as you can imagine.
Let’s keep that snowball rolling 😉
CF –
Haha, glad you like it. Any new motivation helps and continuous motivation – this is one that will last quite some time, that’s for sure.
Uh oh!!! HERE YOU GO CF!!! NICE JOB, KILLED IT. Just dominating, YOU keep the snowball rolling. LETS GOOO!!!!
-Lanny
Lanny, you just made my day 🙂 . But I have a gut feeling that you guys will still beat us by a mile in the next two months!
Nice month man. I just purchased my first stock ever in signet jewelers and trying to get to your level!
Andre,
Thanks for coming by – nice job for buying stock! Pretty good years of dividend growth. Any big reason why you like them or what is the biggest reason?
-Lanny
We’ve been watching and rooting for the Cubs (Sorry, bro!), most midwesterner around the quadcity would root for Cubs.
Another solid month, I admire your raises!
Cheers!
Viv –
Damn.. so tough, so so tough. I do believe most would root for the Cubbies, an amazing game 7. I can’t wait to be healthy and to start the new year.
And thank you again, I really appreciate it!!
-Lanny
Look at your growing dividend income stream. Great job man!
Nice job Lanny. I like how you called attention to the power of DRIP investing. Those dividends really add-up if they are re-invested. Congrats on another fine month.
IH,
Thanks for the post, as always. DRIPing is hilarious when you begin to start seeing those positions really build and they “really” start reinvesting in quite a few more shares. It’s awesome, that’s when it becomes really fun.
-Lanny
Congrats on record Oct passive income, in a slow month and the growth is also nice. Nice set of companies providing the fuel. Keep it up.
Race –
Thank you very much, it was a record for October for month, that I cannot deny. December should be fun, though : )
-Lanny