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