Crushing $8,000 in Projected Dividend Income

Posted on December 17, 2016 by DividendDiplomats

December 2016. Almost 6 months after I posted about crushing over the $7,000 mark, I have now jumped over the next rung on the projected dividend income high jump bar. It couldn’t have come at a better time, when weeks are frustrating with traffic pile-ups from snow, working later hours for “the man” and the holiday season upon us. To say I didn’t think I was going to reach this goal would be a lie, I knew I would get here. I just knew it. Luck has quite a bit to do with it, but I had faith and confidence in the actions I was doing, that I would get to the new height. In this post I will share what I did to arch the back over the $8,000 in projected dividend income bar!

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What it Feels Like Maximizing 401(k) and Health Savings Account (HSA) 4 Months Later

Posted on December 5, 2016 by DividendDiplomats

Now that we are entering December, it has been four full months at least since I have begun my maximization for tax-efficient investment vehicles. I have now been able to experience what it feels like to see my earned-cash be invested in the stock market on a bi-monthly basis, knowing where my end goal is. This article dawned on me when I updated my portfolio’s cost basis, share ownership and forward dividend income as I push through the last month. So what does it feel like and what have I learned from maximizing these investment accounts? Let’s find out!

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How My Stock Portfolio has Skyrocketed

Posted on September 8, 2016 by DividendDiplomats

Finally, a fun title, right? Labor day has just ended and I am writing this article, as I have recently updated my portfolio and just smiled at what has occurred. As the community may remember, I have been writing about my new strategies that I have put in place on my portfolio, and the results are quite pleasing. This article, I am hoping, will show you the actual impact on my portfolio from the actions I have taken and to also share my progress towards financial freedom. Remember – I am trying to keep as much money in our pocket from our income, to maximize the amount of assets we can buy, to decrease this thing called “time” that we are counting down towards financial freedom! Continue reading →

Lanny’s Recent Purchase – Citizens & Northern (CZNC)… Again.

Posted on August 22, 2016 by DividendDiplomats

Two months ago was my last individual stock purchase. The market was showing signs of distress and on Thursday, August 28th, a purchase was made. This has been a familiar face to not just me, but both dividend diplomats and the price was right for an additional purchase. The position I further enhanced was primarily due to industry knowledge, yield and direction financial institutions are heading. Let’s find out why I purchased more shares in Citizens and Northern (CZNC)!
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Strategy Adjustment – Taxes… (Series, Part 3)

Posted on August 15, 2016 by DividendDiplomats

Welcome back! After the first two posts, I can see now the heat coming from the articles and the insight that individuals are also providing through their comments. We all want to save on taxes, reduce the liability, invest more money and keep more of that money, which we earn through our sources of income. Here we are… Part 3 to reduce taxes and invest MORE. This is possible everyone, VERY possible. The first portion of my strategy was to maximize my 401(k) with my employer, which will result, in this first year, a savings of OVER $5,000 and the second portion of the strategy led to tax savings of over $1,000 MORE! However, as you guessed it, it does NOT end there.

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Lanny’s Q2 2016 Goals Update

Posted on July 17, 2016 by DividendDiplomats

6 Months are officially in the books and we are nearing the July month end. 2016 is flying – some highs and some lows, but all are experiences to learn from, that’s for damn sure. There has been a lot of progress, set backs and steps taken forward in order to achieve goals, have a balanced life and new experiences. I set lofty goals back in December of 2015 for my 2016 year and the first 6 months/half year should provide a solid indication if I am on track to achieve the goals established, let’s see the big update!

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Bert’s April Savings Rate Summary

Posted on May 29, 2015 by DividendDiplomats

This has been the busiest month for me, by far, since Lanny and I began the Dividend Diplomats’ Savings Challenge last year. I found myself having many new inflows and outflows this month, which can be both a good and a bad thing. The question is, with all of this new activity, was I still able to achieve a savings rate of 60% of this month?