Big quarter-end baby! September 2019 marks the official close of the 3rd quarter, as we march into the last quarter of the year. This month typically bears heavy fruit and is a great appetizer for what’s to come through the 4th quarter, especially December. Though the investment activity isn’t busy as we’d like it to be, via limited stock purchases, the dividends continue to flow and reinvest to produce additional income going forward. Without further-ado, time to jump into my September Dividend Income results!
Dividend Income
I received a total of $2,184.75 of dividend income in September. A record September (never gets old), primarily based on the mutual fund dividend payments on the quarter-end and just the sheer volume of payers this month. Each month, luckily, I have been able to have a record month throughout 2019, each beating the prior year’s comparable month. Additionally, my wife earned $841.14 this month. Since we were married in October, I believe that will be the month that I will incorporate ours together and have a true comparison going forward, from a year-over-year basis. Therefore, combined, we earned almost $3,025.89 for the month!
Further, the 401(k), Health Savings Account (HSA) and all dividends are automatically invested/reinvested and helps take the emotion out of timing & making a decision.
See – Tax Strategy – Part 3 to Reduce Taxes & Increase Investment.
The dividend increases adds quite a bang to the portfolio, as well. As you saw from my recent post in July, dividend increases added almost $200 for the year through June! I will update this again, at the next quarter-end (middle October), to show you how critical this can be for YOUR portfolio.
See – The Impact of Dividend Increases through June of 2019
Here is the breakdown of dividend income for the month of September!
Very interesting! 30 different companies paid me within the taxable account and I had to extend/expand the upper right arena to hold them all. Obviously, this is a great problem to have. BHP Billiton (BBL) was the one taxable company that paid me a dividend over 3 digits this month, at $118.47. Further my new investments within Cummins (CMI), LyondellBasell (LYB) are really coming in with significant dividends.
Further, I had 10 dividend aristocrats that paid me during this month and that is a feat in and of itself. This is thanks to adding 3M (MMM) to my portfolio recently. Further my mutual fund from my old 401k, VINIX, almost came in with $600 for the quarter! I am nervous/anxious to see what this will look like come December. Time will show me, that’s for sure.
Here, it shows that I received a total of $935.35 (up from $757.77 last year) or 43% of my income from retirement accounts and the other 57% was from my individual taxable account portfolio. This % for retirement accounts increased by 12% from last year. Why? Larger dividends from VINIX, VYM, VGK and then my HSA was converted, with far more income than VITSX from prior year, as you’ll see below.
See – Maximizing your Roth for 10 Years… Then Set It & Forget It!
Dividend Income Year over Year Comparison
2018:
2019:
A dividend increase, year over year, of $448… This is a staggering 26% growth rate from prior year. This is happening at THIS LEVEL. I cannot believe it, but I know it’s true. In the words of Kurt Angle, “It’s Damn True”. Well, first, there are 30 companies from my taxable account, versus 24 in the prior year. That alone would set the stage for high dividend income. McDonald’s (MCD) has been growing that dividend steadily, as well as many others within the portfolio, outside of one cut from Kraft (KHC).
In addition, I mentioned earlier the mutual/exchange traded fund income has been extremely powerful and strong, compared to prior year. The dividend increases are really making an impact across the board.
New investments, versus prior year, are 3M (MMM), UPS (UPS), Cummins (CMI), LyondellBasell (LYB), the breakup of DowDuPont into Dow (DOW), Corteva (CTVA) and DuPont (DD). Talk about a mouthful. Dividend income is coming through all sorts of crevices this time around.
In total, this September was higher by $448 or 26%. At this rate, $2,750 for next year? Is this possible? Yes, as last year’s growth was 28%. Therefore, this has been consistent and I believe I can achieve these 2020 dividend income results.
Dividend Increases
September may not have as many dividend increases for me, as other months, but September makes it up in IMPACT. The Dividend Growth Rate is real, folks. 4 dividend increases, added $60 going forward. Look at that and all 4 are consistent dividend players on my team. Since owning them, they have never, ever missed a beat.
My favorite this go around has to go to McDonald’s (MCD). Why? In such a competitive industry and with the health craze occurring/getting more intense each week, McDonalds continues to do what they do best, as well as stay innovative at the same time. When in Italy, I never thought I could see so many people swarm into McDonald’s for their snack, lunch, drink or just to catch up. Utterly and beautifully amazing. The trip makes me think different (in a positive way) about McDonald’s and am honored to be a shareholder.
Overall, $60.21 added would require an investment of $1,720 at 3.50% yield, in order to produce that result.
See – The Impact of The Dividend Growth Rate!
Dividend Income Conclusion & Summary
The name of the game is to apply what you learn through financial education. The next steps are to maximize every dollar for investment opportunities and live a balanced life. My plan is to show that dividend income can be a revenue engine. A revenue engine that allows you to take back control of your life. Dividend investing, once you learn the right way, becomes easier and starts to immensely make sense!
There is a nice adjustment to my most recent monthly expenditures article. Sadly, my property taxes increased by 14%. Therefore, my new average is $1,040 per month Therefore, my current dividend income would cover 200%+ of that amount. Two times over baby! In fact, this may be the first time my taxable dividends of $1,248 covers the monthly expenses! Wow. Just… wow. Dividend investing is insanely real, I can literally taste freedom. So. Damn. Good.
Accordingly, if I keep the same growth rate up, could I hit over $2,750 going forward? That should mean my other months are also catching up and this is going to be a steam engine of dividend reinvestment. Excited for the future, no doubt. Further, all of the investing from last year and moves this year, shows that my aim to save 60% of my income, and making every dollar count, has allowed promising results already this year.
Wow… only 1/4 of the year is left and what a year it has been. I can taste it, one month closer to the goal baby! Financial Freedom, Financial Independence, insert your freedom phrase here, awaits! Please share your thoughts, questions and feedback below! Excited to read how everyone did this month, as well. Thank you again, good luck and happy investing!
Holy Cow! Smashed the $3,000 mark combined! Congrats Lanny! That is a great YOY increase as well. Nice amount of dividend increases too. Keep up the amazing work! 😀
MDD –
Still surreal looking at the numbers. I do have to keep in mind a good bulk of that income is from retirement based accounts. I would really have to get the ladder going to start tapping those. Therefore, still a lot of work to do.
Yes, you are right though – those dividend increases…. adding over $60 in one month makes me smirk and think, “Yep, this works!”. Wish more of us were dividend investors!
-Lanny
Wow just amazing across the board – everything firing on all cylinders! If you’re hitting 26% growth at these levels FI is coming soon!! Keep on inspiring.
-Divcome
DivInc –
Love it, appreciate the comment, as always. It is CRAZY seeing the growth rate %, at such high levels, but I know it’s not for lack of hard work, hard saving and consistent investing. Time plays a HUGE part, but making every dollar count is key!
-Lanny
I’ve been investing in the market since 1997 and have created a portfolio that I’m comfortable with. I also own 6 mutual funds. However, For the last year and and half I’ve been transferring cash from my mutual funds to purchase dividend paying stocks because I don’t want to pay fees. As a result, between what I had in stocks and with purchases from the transfers of cash from the mutual funds, I’m now collecting $45,872.00 in dividends per year across five accounts. I still have $500,000 thousand in mutual funds so I’m not done yet. The following are the stocks I own.
Aos
Bmy
Cci
Frt
Gild
Gs
Lyb
Ma
Met
Mrk
Pru
Rds.b
Sjm
Spg
Syf
Tap
Wbs
Wpc
Wrk
Aapl
Abbv
Adp
Amtd
Apd
Awr
Bac
Ben
Bp
Cah
Cat
Cinf
Cl
Cmcsa
Cvs
Cwt
D
De
Deo
Dov
Dow
Fdx
Gd
Gww
Hon
Itw
Jpm
Khc
Ktb
Leg
Lmt
Low
Main
Mcd
Mkc
Mmm
Nee
Nue
O
Sbux
Trow
Ups
Utx
V
Vfc
Vlo
Wba
Wfc
Wtr
Afl
Dis
Gis
Hrl
Jnj
Nwn
So
Aep
Ed
Ngg
Rtn
Tgt
Abt
Adm
Ba
Bk
Bti
Clx
Cmi
Cop
Cvx
Duk
Emr
Enb
Es
Fnlc
Gpc
Hd
Indb
K
Kmb
Ko
Mdlz
Mo
Msft
Pbct
Pep
Pfe
Pg
Pm
Psx
Syy
T
Td
Vz
Wmt
Xom
Lou –
Congrats and those are some BIG numbers, as well as a long list of high quality dividend paying stocks.
What did you do and how long did it take you to build that portfolio?
-Lanny
Probably too many stocks,.. Depending on weighting, your probably just performing like the index (minus some of the high growth tech companies)
Hi Lanny,
I bought my first stock in 1997 and have been buying stocks ever since. My original goal was to average a thousand dollars a month in dividends. My new goal is to average a thousand dollars a week. I’m almost there.
Some would say that I have too many stocks but I like having a piece of a lot companies. At this point I cant say that there are any new companies that I’m interested in buying.
Lou
Hi Lou,
I wonder how many companies in total do you have?
Best wishes,
Wow what an amazing end to a quarter. Congrats Lanny! I love following your progress, keep up the great work!
Matt –
Lot of sweat went into it and makes me really happy you’ve been a loyal follower for so long! Likewise/back atcha!
-Lanny
Right on Lanny! Keep it up. I’m posting mine today. I broke $1700 last month
– John
CW –
SICK! Almost $2k, right on! Think about where you will be in 2020.
-Lanny
I don’t think setting records ever gets old 🙂 Congrats on the solid September showing. Got my very first LYB dividend last month. Always happy to have another company add to my dividend stack. Keep up the solid progress!
Same about LYB last month! 🙂
haha
I’m jumping in here to say – GO LYB!!!
-Lanny
DH –
Never gets old… as long as my expenses aren’t creeping up by 26%, this makes me happy!
Further, HECK YES! LYB has been a great payer, so far. Glad they increased their dividend this year, even with such a high yield. It’s quite interesting how bad the chemical/industrial/material companies were hit with the tariff/trade discussions. Keep it up too!
-Lanny
Wow, superb month! I just saw DivHut post about his $2K month and then I read yours next!
Very inspiring!
Thanks for sharing and best wishes.
HH&WG –
Appreciate you stopping by! Of course, let me know if you ever have any questions and DH is killing it over there as well!
-Lanny
Hi DD,
What a month! One day I will also receive such high numbers in dividend! My month was decent, I received a nice dividend from shell!
Cheers,
TLTI
TLTI –
Trust me, I had months of when I had $0-$10 in a month. It all takes time, consistency and sticking to the strategy. It’s hard, but there is plenty of proof it’s possible!
-Lanny
More than 2K in monthly dividends! And more than 3K when considering your wife’s income. Wow, that’s superb! Congrats, Lanny!
I share your view on MCD. I remember the times when analysts were more than pessimistic about their business. And yet MCD keeps on raising and rewarding their shareholders with a growing dividend. I’m loving it 🙂
-SF
Snug –
Thank you. I will start showing ours in total going forward for October’s results.
Yes, don’t you remember! They were so negative and they would just keep beating them down. Now… 2-3 years after that, look at them now. Who would have thought for being around so long, that the engine can keep running strong. Oh yes.. I’m loving it!
-Lanny
Lanny,
Nice, way to roll out your own red carpet. 2k in a month is more than more people save in a few months! Now if only the Browns step up to the plate for you.
– Gremlin
Gremlin –
Too funny. And yes… the Browns would be nice, not looking too hot right now (down 14-3, but still almost 3 quarters left). Let’s GO!!
-Lanny
Dang, those are some sheer amazing results. 3k combined is the stuff of dreams! We share no less then 8 companies and september has been my biggest month ever! Just posted my report and it just brings a smile to my face. 🙂
Keep inspiring!
Mr. Robot –
Thank you! So much is from retirement accounts, though, so there is so much work left to be done. I am pumped for yours and bringing a smile to your face means YOU are doing something right. Keep doing… THAT.
-Lanny
Congratulations on your dividends. that’s a great month for you.
D4L –
Thank you, I hope yours was beneficial/great for you as well. Each month, continues to be another push month, I am staying consistent and it is paying off.
-Lanny
Wow. That’s a hell of a month, Lanny! The growth is especially impressive considering your dividend base. Keep hustling!