Dividend Portfolio

In November I started my dividend portfolio with $1,000 in 9 companies. From November through January I had the dividends reinvested in each of the companies with plans to add more to this portfolio as I get older for retirement.  Below are the companies I have started my dividend portfolio with:

Conoco Phillips (COP) - 3.80%
Destination […]

Rebalancing my 401k for 2009

Today I changed what my 401k contributions purchase.  Previously they were purchasing 3 different mutual funds (2 mid-cap funds & 1 international fund).  I now have 100% going into a bond fund.  I’ve decided to give this fund a try because I would like to at least break-even in my 401k this year because I […]

How much do you have in your emergency fund?

I know most financial “guru’s” tell you to have 3-6 months income put into an emergency fund, but I’m wondering how much people actually have put away.  This number will definitely vary based on how conservative a person is with their finances.  I’m a pretty conservative guy.  Not as conservative as my wife, who wants […]

Mechel OAO (MTL), buying deal because of the value!

One of the companies that I have had my eye on dropped over 21% today.  This company has dropped from a high of almost $60 a share down to $2.57 a share today.  There is a billion ruble lawsuit against the company, but that only translates to about $30.3 million american dollars.  Unless I’m missing […]

Cash for stock investments

I’m trying to find so cash to invest in dividend stocks to start building a dividend portfolio.  Now is a great time to buy in to solid companies.   One of my goals right now is to build our family’s online savings account to $10k, we’re only at about $6.5k, right now.  After completing that task, […]

November 2008 Financial Highlights

 November 2008 compared to November 2007, profit margin dropped from 45.18% to 6.17%.  While 6.17% is still positive, my goal is 15% to 20% profit margin.  This would be how much money I have after all expenses are paid.
Revenue increased 16.40% during the past 12 months.  We’ve been trying to build a stronger cash position […]

November 2008 Financial Status

Below is my income statement & balance sheet for November 2008.  I’m a little late at getting it out but it’s out.  With this being the first time in months that I’ve tracked my finances I really don’t have much to compare them to at the moment.
Income for November was $1,730.50.  Misc. Income was from […]

HSBC online Savings Rate still 3.00% APY

My wife and I have had a HSBC online savings account for several years now.  She has had it before we got married.  A few weeks ago when the FED’s cut rates I was sure the HSBC savings rate would fall accordingly, but surprisingly it has continue to stand at 3.00%
FNBOdirect.com cut their rate from […]

Health Savings Account w/ a high deductible

Today I signed up for a health savings account with my employer and opted for the $2,600 deductible.  My premium is only $20 per month now.  I used to be on a $750 deductible and my premium was $60 per month.   The $40 difference in premium I’m transferring to my Health Savings Account (HSA) to […]

Camp out in Chicago - It’s union workers

Over 200 employees that work at Republic Windows and Doors factory in Chicago are having a sit-in.  They say they are not leaving without assurance they will be paid the severance and vacation pay owed to them.
Factory workers were given 3 days notice that the factory would be closing down.   Workers blame Bank of […]

DNP Select Income Fund (NYSE:DNP)

I’ve been watching DNP Select Income Fund for a while now.  Dividends have been paid since 1989 on a monthly basis.  They primarily invests in a diversified portfolio of equity and fixed-income securities of companies in the public utilities industry.  Today it closed at $6.58/share for a dividend yield of 11.85%.  This stock held nicely […]

Sharebuilder says “$9.95 real-time trades for EVERYONE!”