Whopping 83.2% increase in May Dividends in 3 years

Yes, you read that headline right. Actually, I had to take a second and step back and check the numbers for myself.

Since I started this blog, my dividends have been growing at a steady clip thanks to reinvestment of dividends and adding new cash to buy more stocks and index funds.

Investors often talk about the “snowball” effect: Once your snowball gets to a certain size, it quickly packs on more snow as it rolls downhill. I find this incredibly motivating.

Percentage Dividend Growth from May 2021 to May 2024

Let’s take a look at my dividend growth from May 2021 to present:

May 2021: $1,872.15

Dividend/Distribution/Rental Update: May 2021

May 2022: $2,875.82

Dividend Update: May 2022

May 2023: $3,274.58

Dividend Update: May 2023

May 2024: $3,430.21

As a percentage increase from May 2001 to May 2004, that’s 83.223% increase!

May Travels

Before I jump into May 2024 dividends, a quick update on what kept me busy this month. After sailing across the Atlantic ocean to Rome and visiting some friends in Switzerland, I spent some time in Italy and go on a bicycle to bike through the Austrian Dolomites into Slovenia and ending after a week in Trieste, Italy. What a ride! I encountered some rain along the way, but that did not dampen my spirits.

Biking in Austria towards Slovenia.

If you’re interested in what I brought with me for this several month romp through Europe, including the handy solar powered smartphone battery backup you see in the video above, you can review my post on “How to Pack like a Pro for 5 months in Europe?“.

May 2024 Dividends

My dividend total for May 2024 is: $3,430.21.

Not included in this amount is:

• Interest income of $25.32
• Rental income of: $826.38 USD ($1,132.97 CAD)
• Employment income

I added $9,990.43 this month of new money to my investment accounts to purchase more stocks and index funds.

Telecommunications

1. Verizon Communications – $45.75

Financial

1. POWER CORP OF CANADA – $177.19
2. NATIONAL BANK OF CANADA – $623.02
3. First National Financial – $126.58
4. Royal Bank – $469.92
5. Bank of Montreal – $1,297.84

Energy

1. EMERA INC – $125.56
2. Tourmaline Oil Corp – $49.77

Technology

1. ENGHOUSE SYSTEMS LTD – $13.00

Bonds

1. XSH – IShares Core CDN Short ETF – $4.95
2. ZFL-BMO Long Federal Bond ETF – $164.92
3. ZCS-BMO Short Corp Bond – $7.89

Other

1. BMO LADDERED PREFERRED SHARE INDEX ETF – $4.95

REITs

1. XRE-iShares S&P/TSX Capped REIT Index ET – $8.87
2. CI First Asset Canadian REIT ETF – $6.35
3. RIOCAN REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST – $74.46
4. Artis REIT – $8.10
5. SMARTCENTRES REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST – $122.10
6. CT Reit – $21.33
7. H&R Real Est Inv TR – $7.50
8. Choice Properties REIT – $25.84
9. Morguard Real Estate Investment Trust – $10.18
10. Northwest Healthcare Prop REIT – $7.44
11. Primaris REIT – $2.59
12. Canadian APT Pptys Reit – $24.17

Stuff I love (and you should too 😉

Below is a list of stuff I love. The list does contain paid referral links.

WealthSimple Trade: Trade stocks at no cost / zero commission. Great if you want to buy a small amount of shares in companies on a regular basis.

Questrade: A solid platform for investors looking to purchase individual stocks and ETFs. Fees are low to purchase stock compared to higher fees traditionally found to purchase shares through traditional big bank platforms and ETF purchases are free. My referral code: 815820681448330

Addy: This platform enables investors who don’t want the hassle of being a landlord and/or who can’t afford pricey residential real estate, to gain access to real estate investing for as little as a $25 annual membership (something Addy recently added to their platform in terms of an upfront membership fee – note there are properties you can access without paying the membership fee but you’ll have access to fewer properties to invest in). Click my referral link.

Wealthica: A secure way to track all your investments and progress in one place, including net worth, dividend, distribution (from Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITS) for example), and interest income, etc. They also produce handy visuals so you track your financial independence goals in a visual way. (I use Wealthica everyday and I highly recommend it for my Canadian friends/readers. Use my promo code: WDDividendDaddy10 and get 10% off the yearly premium subscription).

Simplii Financial: Tired of paying monthly fees for chequing accounts and paper cheques but still want easy access to bank machines at no cost? Simplii Financial allows unlimited bank machine transactions at CIBC bank machines and no cost banking.