Weekend Reading, Poll Results, and New Poll Question

Listed below are the results from DividendPartisan's poll question: Which stock is the BEST buy right now? (ABT, JNJ, MCD, PG, WMT) as well as some of the best investing articles from around the web for this past week.

Finally, I also announce an interesting new poll question that will run for the entire month of May.

The Three Levers to Reach $1 Million

 If you are similar to the average American, you do not have time to read lengthy articles that are not of interest to you.  You want valuable information, presented in a straightforward, to the point kind of way.

At the DividendPartisan, I personally understand that (and want it myself), and try with each article to keep it short but also interesting and of value to you as a reader.  That's why in my recent article on where I feel the stock market is headed, for example, I gave three facts, a summary statement, and then left the rest up to those who would like to delve deeper a discussion format.  I'm always willing to talk more in depth through comments and email, but won't write all of my thoughts in a 5000+word article.

As a result, I guarantee you now: I will always do my best to keep my articles concise and to the point (and...worth the few minutes it takes to read them).

Transitioning now, as I mention above, if you are in fact similar to the average American, then one of your goals may very well be to reach $1 million dollars someday.  Or if not that, then enough to retire. Or to help give back and bless others. Or to travel the world.  Whatever passion or particular goal you may have, you probably also have some aspiration or dollar amount attached to it.

That said, the remainder of this article will provide you with The Three Levers You'll Need to Pull in order to reach that destination.  For this particular example, that $1 million dollars.   Unfortunately for most of us though, according to research firm Spectrem Group, only 7% of American households ever get their investment portfolio's to reach seven digits.

This article, however, will help give you the starting tools you'll need to get there.  Chances are, you won't make it without them.  But if you know them and apply them, your path to $1 million will be greatly improved.

The Greatest Love...

Ponder this statement for a moment: "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." 

What an investment God has made for you and me.

Stop and consider this for a moment, What if it's all true? What if the God of the universe actually sent his son to die on our behalf that we might be rectified of our sins, purified of all our transgressions, and now looked upon as holy in God's sight if we just believe in Him?  

Tonight I'll close with two short notes:

First, a quick fact and a follow-up question: Fact - The amount spent annually on bibles is more than half a billion dollars.  As a result, the Bible is the best selling book of the year, every year.  Why is it that this book crushes (and I mean absolutely crushes) every other book there is in number of sales per year and it does it EVERY SINGLE YEAR?  Why is that?

Second, I'd ask each of us to reread the verse at the beginning of this post: "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." From that statement, think of how we as individuals should respond.

How should we honor the greatest investment that has ever been made?

Thanks for reading,

DivPartisan

"Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." ~ Ephesians 5:1-2

Quarterly Review: JAN-MAR

It is time for my Dividend Portfolio's first Quarterly Review of 2011.  This review will cover my portfolio's performance as well as dividend activity from January - March.  Additionally, this post marks my first quarterly review since the website 'DividendPartisan' was launched on January 10, 2011. 

The Best Investment I've Made

Now, as many of you know, I love investing. I really do.  I'm 25 years old, recently married, and very passionate about being a good steward of my wife and I's resources.

Well, a few weeks ago, we decided to make an investment.  This investment, however, was new and different. In fact, this particular investment even goes somewhat against how we normally define and think of dividends.

Nevertheless, I believe this is the best investment I've made in quite some time. 

This article will be slightly different than most of my posts, but occasionally I like to highlight investment topics outside of my "strict dividend investment philosophy."  :) However, I can assure you of two things: you will learn something new, and perhaps this article will spark an interest in you to make a similar investment decision.

Weekend Reading: 10-16 APRIL

As you know, I recently joined the Div-Net.  As a result, I would like to highlight some of the great articles that other members of the Div-Net have written this week for my Weekend Reading List. Below are the 6 investing articles I believe will be well worth your time, and will benefit you the most as a fellow investor:

The Div-Net

The Div-Net, short for The Dividend and Value Investing Network, is a network comprised of investors focused on three things: dividend investing, value investing, and a long-term buy and hold philosophy. Exactly what I am looking for as a Dividend 'Partisan.'

If you have not visited this site, you need to.  The Div-Net is a one-stop-shop location for reading and following some incredible dividend growth and value bloggers. The site posts articles on a daily basis with valuable information for us as investors; especially those interested in dividends.

There are qualifications that one's site must achieve before being applicable for membership, and I am thankful to say that as of a few days ago DividendPartisan was recently accepted as an Associate Member.

The Future of the Stock Market

As Dividend Partisans (those who show strong allegiance to a particular cause - in this case, Dividends), we should always be searching for two things: value, and quality dividend growing companies.

Oftentimes however, it is these particular companies we're searching for that make up the majority of the S&P500.  As a result, how the market performs as a whole will potentially be indicative to how our personal portfolio's perform as well.  Consequently, we shouldn't be too concerned with the day-to-day market swings; rather with where the overall market is headed in the longer term.

The rest of this article will discuss some thoughts about where the market is headed (Bull vs. Bear style).

In addition, however, it is intended to hear your thoughts on where the market is headed.  Are you bullish or bearish? Have you read anything lately to make you feel one way or another? What are your thoughts? I know many of you understand the market much better than me!

As illustrated in The Thinker above, let's put our brains together and come to some accurate market conclusions.

Dividend Portfolio Analysis: Part 2

When I updated my 'Portfolio' tab for the month of march, I also mentioned that I would do an in depth analysis of my Dividend Income Portfolio. From that assertion, this series began.

 For this post, I will review the highlights from my first post, Dividend Portfolio Analysis: Part 1, and will then spend the rest of the article addressing my portfolio's Dividends.  As Dividend enthusiasts, I hope you enjoy it; and I look forward to your comments.

Monthly Progress Review: March

It is time for my Monthly Progress Review.

Listed below is a summary of the dividends I received, as well as the purchases I made for the month of March:

Weekend Reading: 27-2 APRIL

Many of the quality investing blogs and websites I try and follow throughout the week all post a "Weekend Reading List" that highlight the best articles others have written in the past seven days. As a result, I have created my own list as well. Below are the few articles I believe will be worth your time, and will benefit you the most as a fellow investor:

Dividend Portfolio Update: April

At the start of each month I update my Dividend Income Portfolio highlighting the following: 

     * Current holdings 
     * Each holding's current yield 
     * Each holding's respective % of my portfolio
     * Each holding's % of my total income


     ** This month I have added two new features: 
               - Total Annualized Income 
               - Morningstar Portfolio Average Star Rating
                     *As stated in the site's title, my goal is to have a 5-Star Portfolio. Currently it's at 4.13.

See an updated list here for the month of April, or click on the 'Portfolio' Tab above.

On Tuesday I will post my Portfolio ‘Progress Update’ showing my income received as well as the purchases/sales I made for the month of March.

That’s all for now.  Thanks for reading,

DivPartisan