Category: Investments
From Dirt to Dividends 6: Use Verimculture & Blue Chip Companies to Supplement Your Homestead
I’m feeling mighty wealthy today. That is because I have dividends coming in from all sorts of high yield products, such as closed-end funds and preferred shares. Currently, I am still working; however, I will retire, and my dividends will continue to pour into my accounts one day. With dividends incoming, I can spend my…
From Dirt to Dividends 5: Use Composting & Dividends ETFs To Supplement Your Homestead
Life is good on our wealthy homestead, so welcome back. Here, we live off the land while becoming rich on dividends. It’s not a bad deal to convert nature into cash flow. This piece is part five of the From Dirt to Dividends series (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4). Previously, we have…
Investing for Interest 107: Series “I” Bonds For You and I
This year will be a challenging time for both savers and investors. The bond markets predict a recession, and the stock market is already pricing in the effects of inflation, high-interest rates, and limited commodities. We can’t speak with certainty about what will happen in the next one or two years, so we must hedge…
From Dirt to Dividends 4: Use Community Farming & Mortgage REITs to Supplement Your Homestead
Just because we are off on our homestead doesn’t mean we have to be alone. In fact, homesteading is all about community and teamwork. Welcome back to the From Dirt to Dividends series (part 1, part 2, part 3), where we discuss moving away while becoming rich. Today, I will explain how we can use…
From Dirt to Dividends 3: Use Insects and Business Development Companies to Supplement Your Homestead
Do you want to spend your retirement in a major metropolitan city with smog, cars, noise, and rude people? I sure as heck don’t. That’s why I am planning my escape from the city now. However, just because I plan to retire to a homestead doesn’t mean that I will be broke. In fact, I…
How We Plan to Retire on Dividends 3
I am six months closer to retirement since I published the last article in this series. My dividend portfolio is a shining example of what can happen when you decide to focus on something truly. I am (with my lovely wife, of course) going to achieve $1,000 in dividends this month. Now, let’s take a…
Dividends vs. Social Security
If you are under 50, don’t fall for the social security trap. You still have time to save yourself and build a fantastic retirement. “What is this trap?” you ask. If you are planning for social security to be your primary source of retirement income, you are in the deadliest trap of them all. You…
From Dirt to Dividends 2: Use Livestock and Closed-End Funds to Supplement Your Homestead
Going off-grid is a fantastic accomplishment. However, building a homestead close to the city is just as awesome. You get the benefits of farm living and still have a Wal-Mart nearby. This is part 2 of my Dirt to Dividends series (Part 1), where I discuss growing our farm and retirement nest egg concurrently. Today,…
Tiny Dividends: Can You Retire on Dividends from Index Funds?
Today’s topic will make you think, so put on your exploration hats. I have never seen a subject like this before, so we are charting new territory and hunting some sacred cows. Let’s begin. Typical index fund retirement. The standard index fund retirement involves savers (not investors) piling their money into various index funds. Most…
From Dirt to Dividends: Use Gardening and Preferred Shares to Supplement Your Homestead
Homesteading is about freedom from the world (large) and the daily grind (small). However, there is one thing that we will never be free of—money. Thus, we need to prepare financially before we run off into our homesteading haze. You must be thinking, “what a weird article.” In my last article, “How to Defeat Creator’s…
TSP vs. Dividends
In a perfect world, all investing options would be equal. The universe would understand your intent and spit out the results of your wish. Unfortunately, that is not the case. We must micro-manage our investing habits to get the best results. The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) versus a standard brokerage account is a touchy subject…
Retirement Plus: Use Dividends to Supplement Your Retirement
How is your retirement looking? Do you have cash flow that also increases with inflation? Do you depend on the government to supplement your 401K with social security? How much money do you need the day you retire? Does that amount look the same 20 years into retirement? Retirement is a sensitive subject for most…
Easter -Nest- Eggs: Build a Dividend Growth Nest Egg
I used to love searching for easter eggs during the Easter Season. My mom would lay out many eggs around the yard or church, and we would run around looking for candy-filled eggs. Childhood memories bring us these incredible feelings of joy and happiness. I am grateful to my parents for ensuring we had moments…
Emergency Escape: Build a High-Yield Emergency Fund
Building an emergency fund is one of the most critical aspects of creating a financially secure lifestyle. Sadly, most Americans do not have $1,000 in savings to cover a minor emergency. Today, I want to cover some reasons to have an emergency fund and how we can use our emergency fund as an investment vehicle.…
It’s Raining Money: How Dividends Can Change Your Life
I’m about three months away from hitting my third anniversary as a dividend investor. I have had many experiences in my life (especially as a US Marine for 23 years), but none are as transformative as dividend investing. Today, I want to talk through some of my experiences with dividend investing, how it’s changed my…
Blue Yield: The Magic of High-Yield Blue Chip Stocks
Income investing is my favorite way to interact with the stock market. I enjoy finding great high-yield products at a discount. When I buy these securities on sale, my dividend yield (income) increases. However, most people will not become income investors. The average person will invest in low-fee index funds, leading to massive gains but…
Income Portfolio vs. USDC: The Battle for 9%
Investing is about getting a return on your investment, therefore ensuring the velocity of money, compounding, time, and intellect all work in your favor. The more you learn, study, and grow, the better your chances are to get “lucky.” When we think about investing, sometimes we come to decision points that lead to vastly different…
Rich & Free: Build an Investment Portfolio in 8 Steps
Building an investment portfolio from the ground up can be a daunting task for anyone. There are so many questions that one has to answer before investing their money. “What is my risk tolerance?” or “How much income do I need?” are some of the first questions that you need to ask yourself before beginning. …
Investing for Interest 106: My Favorite High-Yield Savings Account
One of the best ways to start your journey from non-saver, to a saver, to an investor is by opening a high-yield savings account (HYSA). In fact, my first passive income payday was from my favorite high-yield savings account. Welcome back to the Investing for Interest series (101, 102, 103, 104, 105). I have recently…
Investing for Interest 105: The Hunt for Baby Bonds
Investing in bonds can be difficult because companies usually sell them in $1,000 or more increments. Thus, we typically turn to US Treasuries or Bond funds to allocate bonds. However, some bonds trade in denominations of $25, $50, and $100—making them accessible to the average investor. Welcome back to the Investing for Interest series (101,…
