• $52.63 was received in January 2019.

• 86.23% YOY growth was achieved compared to January 2018 (Up $24.37) 

• $339.28 was reinvested in January (monthly savings + dividend income)
• This is the 20th dividend income update and the 1st dividend income update of 2019.

---

January 2019 started off well for the RTC portfolio. 

I earned $52.63 worth of dividend income which represents an 86.23% increase over January 2018. The majority of the income has already been reinvested via DRIP.

In addition, the holdings participated along with the increase that the overall markets experienced. The S&P 500 is up over 8% YTD at the time this post was written, and I’m doing a little bit better than that. Every time I check my accounts it seems like I have more money.

But now the problem is finding value. It’s becoming more difficult to find high quality dividend stocks at attractive prices. I was buying stocks like crazy in December because there was so much value available. I spent more than any other month of the year.

At least that buying led to the $524 worth of dividend income that is projected. It’s actually a significant contributor to my monthly savings considering that I saved $286.65 in January. Based on the $52.63 in dividend income this month, it increases what I can contribute to stocks by approximately 18%. 

This extra dividend income contribution, my increased savings goal and dividend raises is why I’m aiming to earn at least $670 this year. So far I’m not too far off pace as $52.63 per month works out to $631.56 a year.

Key Numbers | Dividend Income Update # 20 | January 2019 | $52.63

Dividend income earned in January 2019: $52.63

Total dividend income in January 2018: $28.26

YOY growth compared to January 2018: 86.23% increase (Up $24.37)

How many stocks paid dividends in January 2019: 4

$617.37 more must be earned to achieve the goal to earn $670 in 2019.

Noteworthy Points on the state of the Dividend Business

• January 2019 ended up being the 2nd highest month ever for dividend income. The highest ever before this was October 2018—$54.10 was earned.

• This was also the 2nd month above $50 in dividend income. Although next month will be lower, I anticipate that a new record for dividend income will be achieved in March.

• $43.40 was automatically reinvested through DRIP so income is already set to be higher by next quarter.

• The $52.63 received is only $5.51 less than what was earned during the entire year of 2017.

Concluding Thoughts

It will be important to put monthly savings to work along with the DRIP during the next few months so that income continues to increase. This will be the key to reaching the $670 target.

In truth, the only thing I wasn’t happy with in January was how much money I saved.

But overall this year is off to a great start. The portfolio is currently outpacing the S&P 500 YTD, $52.63 in dividend income was earned and the RTC blog had its best month ever.