Let the Day Trading Begin...

I know, I know.  Many of you may be thinking.."Day Trading! Day Trading?!? What is a title like that even doing on a dividend investment site whose focus is quality, dividend growing companies!" :)

Why I Need to Average $150 a Month in Dividend Income

Airborne.  For those of us affiliated with the military, we recognize the above picture as our fellow high-speed paratroopers exiting a C-130 aircraft as part of an airborne operation.

We also realize, (though the average civilian may not), that this skill, given its additional requirements and inherent risks, affords us the opportunity to make an additional $150 a month should we maintain our airborne currency status.

While I Was Out...!

Good afternoon investors and faithful readers, :)

This has been the longest drought in my writing since DividendPartisan was launched back in January 2011.  As a result, I feel I should first apologize for my extended absence in posts - my apologies. Secondly, I also thought it would be appropriate, however, for me to provide an explanation of what has been going on in my life - both personally and with investing (of course) - during my summer hiatus.  I hope you'll find it interesting and informative.

So, with that, here's what's been going on:

The Best Website for Your Financial Plan

As many of my readers know, I recently got married (about 5 months ago now).

Well, Investopedia has an interesting article entitled, "The No. 1 Reason Why Couples Fight."  Any guesses on what the number one reason is?....

Money.  Yep, I'm sure many of you guessed it.  Money.

Since our wedding my wife and I have had several in depth "money" discussions, but fortunately we have yet to fight over this topic.  In fact, thankfully we've  been able to sincerely and candidly (but still lovingly) discuss this area of our lives and appear to be for the most part on the same page with each other.  Thank the Lord!

Nevertheless, despite these conversations, we both didn't have what I would call a clear "financial plan" I think.  In fact, we've recently found ourselves spending almost all (and even more than) what we were making some months (despite my job and her part time job.)  This, as you can guess, makes it difficult to invest..

Fortunately, however, I believe we have found an answer.  The answer came to us in a single website - a website that will allow us to develop a comprehensive financial plan and monitor our progress- everything from spending, budgeting, goal setting, investing, you name it.  And the best part - it's completely free as well.  If you haven't used this program yet, you need to...

Investment Advice From an Unusual Source

Sometimes you never know where you'll come across quality investment advice.  Sometimes it may be hard to find; other times it may be easy.  Sometimes you may not even be actively looking for it...But, if you have trained yourself to - as the saying goes - "know it when you see it,"  you may find it in unusual places without even looking.  Otherwise, you may miss it altogether...

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 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.

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.