303.98% YOY growth was achieved compared to December 2017.

The portfolio generated $46.74 worth of dividend income during December 2018.

$390.19 is the final amount of dividend income received in 2018 (Up 571% over 2017).

One of the most memorable parts of my trip to Costa Rica was the plant life. All of the plants and trees there seemed like they were ten times the size of what they’d be here in Canada. It was out of control but incredible to see. 

Now I have my own dividend growth garden reaching an absurd level of growth—571% yoy growth to be exact. I have never observed year over year dividend growth like this before (since 2012).

Dividend income received increased by $332.05 compared to 2017, and total dividend income for the year ended up at $390.19 compared to $58.14 in 2017.

In addition, the portfolio generated $46.74 during December 2018, which was up 303.98% compared to December 2017.

Overall, dividend income exceeded the target set in the mid year financial goals for 2018. 

A more detailed overview of the numbers is included below:

Key numbers | Dividend Income Update 19 – December 2018

Dividend income earned in December 2018: $46.74

Total dividend Income earned in 2018: $390.19 (Up $332.05 | 571% increase over 2017)

Total dividend income in December 2017: $11.57

YOY growth compared to December 2017: 303.98% increase (Up $35.17)

How many stocks paid dividends in November 2018: 5

Commentary on the December 2018 Dividend Income Results

I am very happy with what I was able to accomplish in 2018 with dividend investing. I earned $390.19 and increased the forward projections to over $500.

Obviously I was coming from humble beginnings after my year off. But after only two years of working and saving again, I have been able to build the portfolio back to where it was. 

It’s wild—the extra income is already starting to resemble the cash flow machine I aimed to create.

I still need to be patient because I have years of saving to go. However, year 3 of dividend investing will be exciting. A foundation has been built, and more cash will be in my brokerage accounts each month as a result of my efforts over the past 2 years. 

It’s also important to have some sort of insurance so nothing can derail the plan at this point. I must continue to build up emergency cash in an interest paying account to avoid selling assets. Plus it’s comforting to have cash on the side in these markets.

In turn, the strategy for 2019 is to focus on only the best quality dividend stocks, to build a larger cash reserve, and to continue being consistent with dollar cost averaging into positions. The goals are to earn $670 in dividend income, and to reach at least $800 in forward dividend income in 2019. Of course, I will aim to make purchases less frequently to save money on fees. 

Concluding Thoughts

To have it on record, we just experienced the worst December for the markets since the great depression. That’s crazy AF!

It’s even more wild because I asked for a correction in October. It was actually the day after that the cannabis market began to collapse, then the rest of the market seemingly went with it. What a year 2018 was for the markets. I wish I was still trading sometimes because I don’t recall volatility like this before.

Anyways, this just goes to show that dividend investing works in any market. 

Even with it being the worst December for the markets since 1931, I still managed to pull in $46.74 in dividends. Yes, the value of my portfolio took a hit. It felt like my savings weren’t making an impact at times. But I ended up doing alright. 

In conclusion, I am looking forward to carrying the momentum that was created in 2018. I never want to look back from this level again! 

Look out for 12 more dividend income updates to come in 2019. Hopefully I can hit $100 per month sometime this year.