Dividend Income Update - January 2017

Welcome to my first dividend income update for Year 2017. 

Each month I post dividends received to keep track of earned passive income. Opening a new position or adding to an existing position on a regular basis causes increases in income on a monthly or quarterly basis.

January 2017 Dividends -  

General Electric (GE) - $3.36
Cisco Systems Inc (CSCO) - $14.04
W.P. Carey (WPC) - $15.84
Macy's Inc (M) - $11.58
Nike Inc (NKE) - $3.62
Disney (DIS) - $15.60
Flushing Financial Corporation (FFIC) - $8.56
Wal Mart Stores Inc. (WMT) - $7.97
PepsiCo Inc. (PEP) - $9.75

Total dividends received during the month of January 2017 = $90.32

This has been an approximately 55.8% increase as compared to January 2016 (Dividends = $57.96)  

Thanks for reading!

2017 Goals

Hi All.

We are 3 weeks into the New year and I've spent a considerable amount of time going back and forth with my goals for the year. 
I'd like to outline goals on all fronts - family, finance, fitness, spiritual and career. I do plan on reviewing them on a quarterly basis.


Family Goals - 
1. Cook a meal once a month
This would definitely help my spouse. The day of choice would be Saturdays.

2. Date night once a month
This would make a total of 12 date nights in 2017. Not bad!! My wife would love the alone time. 

3. Spend time with my kids

4. Buy a house
This goal is tied to a favorable job change & relocation. We would be looking at houses ranging from $250K - $350K. If we do buy a house, my finance goals of investment would drastically alter. 


Finance Goals -  
1. Contribute $18,000 towards the 401K
I plan on contributing 18% - 20% of my weekly check towards the 401K. My mode of investing is via the Vanguard 500 Index Admiral (VFIAX) that has a quarterly distribution.

2. Earn $2,500 in dividends and $3K (over 12 month period)

• In 2016, I accumulated $1,176.60 via dividends and my dividend stock portfolio would pay $1,661.42 in dividends over a 12 month period.
• In 2017, as per fair calculations of dividend re-investment, dividend growth and dividends on 401k, Roth IRA, Loyal3 investments, I will target earning $2,500 via dividends and approx. $3,000 in dividends over a 12 month period. 

3. Invest $5,500 in Roth IRAs
I invested the max amount last year and plan to do so this year as well. I need to open a ROTH IRA for my spouse this year. 

4. Contribute and Invest HSA dollars
I have an HSA account and added $1K last year. 
This year I plan to contribute $3K and also invest the money.

5. Contribute $2K in taxable brokerage accounts - Loyal3, Scottrade and TD Ameritrade accounts

6. 529 plans
Plan to invest $3K and $1K in 529s for my 2 kids. 
I do not have any money in 529s as yet.


Fitness Goals - 
1. Run 400 miles thru' the year
I ran 400 miles in 2016. This goal challenged me last year and will definitely push me this year as well. 

2. Ban on Cola consumption
This one is going to test on many levels. My consumption in 2016 was a 32oz, once a week at work and a can of cola on the week-ends. This year I plan to substitute the cola with orange juice.

3. Run a Half marathon 
I've never run a half marathon before. In 2015 and 2016, I've run a 5K, 10K and a 10 miler. This year, lets say I'll run the half under 2 hours 30 minutes.


Spiritual Goals - 
1. Read Bible daily
This one is tough!! I would be happy if I can spend 15 minutes every day reading from the Word.

2. Pray w/ family once a week
This normally takes 30 minutes - opening prayer, 2-3 songs, read a chapter and close with prayer.


Career Goals - 
1. Add a certification
I do plan on adding another certification. Being in IT, its important to constantly learn and add to skills.

2. Obtain a job in OH, or NC, or Texas
I am not entirely sure as yet but these states are probable candidates. We would love to buy a house in one of the above. 


A total of 17 goals that encompass every area of my life! Which one do you think would be the easiest to accomplish and which would be the toughest. 

The goals that I've set would most certainly push me to greater heights and it would be fun to review the progress made quarterly.

Thank you for reading! 

Review 2016 Goals

It's goal review time and I am already a couple of weeks late ! We were vacationing in Las Vegas and Phoenix, AZ from 23rd December - 4th January and had a good fun time with friends. 
I would like to review my goals and the progress made in 2016. 


2016 Goals -

The following were my 2016 goals:

1. Contribute towards a 401K for the first time
2. To earn $1200 through dividends 
3. Increase projected annual dividend income to $1500. 
4. Contribute fully towards a ROTH IRA
5. Run 500 miles through the year.

My foray in the US stock markets began in October 2014 and my blogging commenced in February 2015 and hence I am continually improving in the setting of finance goals. Let's delve further in the actuals!

1. Contribute towards a 401K for the first time: I did post about my first time 401k in December '16. Better late than never!! Starting mid June '16, I had 15% deducted and towards early November until year-end I had bumped my contribution from 15% to 18%. My total contribution for Year 2016 was $8,181. Its a start and may not be much for a soon-to-be 39 year old but I do plan on maxing out my 401K in 2017. All of my holdings are in the index fund VFIAX which has expense ratio = 0.05%. Conclusion: Goal accomplished.
2. To earn $1200 through dividends: I've been keeping track of this goal on my 'Dividend Income' page. My dividend growth portfolio earned dividends $1,176.60 thereby narrowly missing the goal. Conclusion: Goal failed!!.
3. Increase projected annual dividend income to $1500: My portfolio's in my taxable accounts, ROTH IRA and 401K will pay $1,661.42 in dividends over the next 12 months. Conclusion: Goal accomplished.
4. Contribute fully towards a ROTH IRA: I did contribute monthly from April - December, maxing out my Roth IRA. Purchased some T, OHI, MDT and HAIN. Conclusion: Goal accomplished.
5. Run 500 miles through the year: This isn't a finance goal. However I do like staying fit and hence the goal. In 2015, my fitness goal was to run the Louisville Triple Crown - a series of 5K, 10K and 10 mile in the Feb-March time frame. Once completed, I wasn't a regular runner. So in 2016, in addition to running the Triple crown, my goal was to run 500 miles thru' the year. I ran a total of 400 miles in 2016. I'm happy that this goal helped keeping me active thru the year. Conclusion: Goal failed!!.

Conclusion - 

I am happy at the progress made in 2016 - commenced contributing to the 401k; maxed out the Roth IRA and had a 100+ % increase in dividends earned in 2016 ($1,176.60) vs 2015 (earned $553.41)

I invested a total of $25, 081 in 2016.

• 401K = $8,181
• Roth IRA = $5,500
• Loyal3 = $9,000
• TD Ameritrade Taxable Account = $300
• Scottrade Taxable Account = $1,000
• HSA = $1,000
• Robinhood = $100

Look out for my next post - Goals for 2017 where I will attempt at setting goals that will push me even more.

Thank you for reading! 

Recent Buy - MDT and OHI

I purchased 20 shares of Medtronic PLC (MDT: NYSE) on 12/21/16 for $71.4664/share. This purchase is for my ROTH IRA. 

This purchase diversifies my holdings in the Healthcare sector. I already own positions in JNJ and AbbVie Inc. The recent drop in MDT provided an opportunity to buy a few shares. I would also snap up the next dividend payable on Jan 13 since the ex-dividend was 12/21 i.e. my purchase date. 

Dividend Yield = 2.40%
Annual Payout = $1.72 
Payout Ratio = 37.6%
Dividend Growth = 39 years
52 Week High = 7/15/2016| 89.27
% Off 52 Week High = -19.94%
Beta (5 Yr) = 1.0
Payable = $0.43 - QRTR
Transaction fees = $7.00 

This purchase adds $34.40 to my annual dividend income, based on the current $0.43 quarterly dividend.


I purchased 45 shares of Omega Healthcare Investors Inc. (OHI: NYSE) on 12/28/16 for $30.3864/share. This purchase is for my ROTH IRA. 

This purchase diversifies my holdings in the Financial/REIT sector. I already own positions in W.P. Carey Inc and HCP. The recent drop in OHI provided an opportunity to buy a few shares.  

Dividend Yield = 8.02%
Annual Payout = $2.44 
Payout Ratio = 73.7%
Dividend Growth = 7 years
52 Week High = 9/07/2016| 38.09
% Off 52 Week High = -20.22%
Beta (5 Yr) = 0.5
Payable = $0.61 - QRTR
Transaction fees = $7.00 

This purchase adds $109.80 to my annual dividend income, based on the current $0.61 quarterly dividend.

My dividend stock portfolio will pay $1542.21 in dividends over the next 12 months.

Next steps:  (coming soon)

• Update my portfolio page 
• Review 2016 goals
• Goals for 2017

Dividend Income Update - December 2016

Welcome to my dividend income update for December 2016. 

Each month I post dividends received to keep track of earned passive income. Opening a new position or adding to an existing position on a regular basis causes increases in income on a monthly or quarterly basis.

December 2016 Dividends -  

Wells Fargo & Co (WFC) - $7.60
Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) - $8.00
Emerson Electric Co (EMR) - $13.44
3M (MMM) - $13.32
Unilever (UL) - $7.76
Target (TGT) - $8.24
Microsoft (MSFT) - $11.20
Kroger (KR) - $4.20
Boeing Co. (BA) - $10.90
McDonald's Corp (MCD) - $7.68
Coca-Cola Co. (KO) - $9.13
Barrick Gold (ABX) - $1.00
Starbucks Corp (SBUX) - $4.56
Intel (INTC) - $0.71
401K - VFIAX - $49.33

Total dividends received during the month of December 2016 = $157.07
My dividend income in December 2015 was $56.72 and only $7.50 in December 2014.

Total dividend income received in 2016 = $1,176.60

Thanks for reading!