2013 3rd Quarter Dividend Updates

I save as much of my capital as I can every month in order to invest it into equities and index funds that will one day cover my expenses so that I can break out of Shawshank.  How am I doing now?  I noticed a drop in growth in my dividend income this quarter.  This was due to some purchases that I made after the ex-dividend date, meaning I didn't receive any income from those companies this quarter.  It is unfortunate but I'm not going to let that stop me.  My time line is not "4th quarter 2013."  My time line is "the future."  I picked up good quality companies at great prices.  I will be holding this portfolio for years to come so one missed quarter won't even be a blip on my radar.

Here are the dividends I received in quarter three 2013:

KO	$8.60
PM	$6.86
T	$15.22
COP	$21.16
KMI	$11.82
NSC	$10.54
INTC	$16.47
AFL	$5.64
AAPL	$18.43
SBSI	$14.73
JNJ	$10.42
MCD	$18.37
O	$6.72
PEP	$8.83
VNQ	$9.05
VBINX	$15.45
VTSMX	$13.44
VFIAX	$68.21

Total:  $279.96

This is a 13% increase over quarter two 2013 of $247.99 and brings my 2013 total up to $715.10.  My goal is to hit $1000.00 in dividend income for the 2013 calendar year.  I'm 71.5% of the way there.  I'm very confident that I will hit my goal.  Just looking at the math side of things I'll make at least $279.95 in quarter four plus any new purchases.  Very exciting!

August - September Expenses

I'm still around!  Haven't fallen off the earth yet, but some days that doesn't sound too bad.  The work cycle is back in full gear and will continue until winter break in December.  I shouldn't complain but that doesn't mean I won't.

I've been doing alright on the financial front.  The last few months have been gang buster on the income side.  I'm pretty sure this year will be the most money I've ever made and hopefully saved/invested.  Let's break into it.

Income
Paycheck:  ¥340,736
Part Time Job:  ¥33,104
2nd Part Time Job:  ¥25,585
TOTAL INCOME:  ¥399,425

August was a huge month for bringing in money.  I was on summer vacation from my main teaching gig so that allowed me to work more at other jobs and to increase my income.  This is nothing new and if you've kept up with my blog this is something that I've wanted to do for a while.  Normally I go home to the states but this year the GF and I took a short trip to Singapore, but for about six or seven solid weeks I had open wide and free.  Rather than using all that time playing video games, or watching movies (which I did do), I made some more money.

Expenses  (In Japanese Yen):

Rent	50000
Eating Out	42983
Groceries	14778
Transportation	9470
Bills	12552
Entertainment	4576
Misc	500
Alcohol	13632
Bike	5410
Medical	2550
Present	315
Travel	39860
Clothing	2000
Missing	225
Lodging	33448
Fees	460

Expenses ballooned this month as, like I said, I had lots of free time.  I didn't spend all my time working and did spend a lot of time with friends which led to beers and a few nights out on the town.  Still all of that taken into consideration I feel pretty good about my expenses here.  Travel and lodging really bumped my expenses for the aforementioned trip to Singapore.

TOTAL EXPENSES:  ¥236,520

TOTAL SAVINGS:  ¥166,666
SAVINGS RATE:  41.37%

My savings rates for the last few months have been:


July-August:  58.68

June-July:  52%

May-June:  64.07%

June-July:  52%

April:  47.34%

March:  42.85%

February:  65.43%

January:  47.36%

My average savings rate for the year is now:  52.43%.  My goal for the year is to hit 55%.  I've been saying this all year as my savings rate has slowly inched up, but I think I will hit this savings rate before my January 14th when my financial year ends.