* Stock Analysis: AFLAC Inc. (AFL)

Linked here is a PDF copy of my detailed analysis of AFLAC Inc. (AFL) (alt.1, alt.2). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: Aflac Incorporated engages in the marketing and sale of supplemental health and life insurance plans in the United States and Japan.

* Up Next on The D4L Channel....

The walls came down! In last weeks episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Ty and his crew visited the D4L Channel for a complete renovation. Nothing was left but the foundation. No trip to Disney World for us. We'll keep the programing going while cleaning up the last few items.

* Hello Sunshine!

Last night I updated Dividends4Life's template. Though I liked the previous template, it had several short-comings that would be difficult to overcome. I am excited about the new template. It addresses most, if not all, of the old template's short-comings including:

* Weekly Carnival and Article Review - Mar. 28, 2008

Each Friday I highlight the Carnivals I participated in over the past week, along with any notable articles that I come across. For those readers not familiar with carnivals, it's where personal finance bloggers submit their best articles of the week with one blog serving as the host. The entries are separated into various categories such as Investing, Credit, Debt, Budgeting, Frugality, Wealth Building, Money Management, Financial Planning, Insurance, Taxes, The Economy, Real Estate, et. al.

* Do you Have The Frugal Gene

As I've branched out from my normal investing blogs to some more general personal finance blogs, I've noticed that many people have to work at being frugal. On the surface, this struck me as odd since I am naturally frugal (my wife says cheap). Sometimes I have to remind myself it may be me that has the defective "frugal" gene.

* You Can't Spend Earnings

You can't spend earnings. At first glance, this probably seems like an odd statement, possibly even incorrect. However, it is not only correct, but an important investing axiom for any type of investor. Let me explain.

* Dividend ETFs Feel The Pain

Conventional wisdom would tell you that funds and ETFs would be safer and less volatile than owning individual stocks, and there is certainly some truth in that statement. However, in my personal portfolio in 2008, my income EFTs and funds have been more volatile and produced lower returns. Through March 24th, my income stocks total YTD return is a loss of (-0.6%) versus a loss of (-1.9%) for my income ETFs/funds.

* Stock Analysis: BP Plc (BP)

Linked here is a PDF copy of my detailed analysis of BP Plc (BP) (alt.1, alt.2). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

* Coming Up on the D4L Channel...

This gang of high-energy outlaws has been on the run for some time. With their recent consolidation of power, they have been untouchable. But one of them has dropped his guard. Will the law nab him or will they continue to chase the ring leaders. Stay tuned and find out!

* Easter Egg Hunt

Easter is one of my favorite holidays. I have fond memories of Easter as a child and spending time with my own children. One of the Easter festivities that my kids enjoy the most, is an Easter egg hunt. I thought it would be fun if we had an electronic Easter egg hunt here at Dividends4Life.

* Weekly Carnival and Article Review - Mar. 21, 2008

Each Friday I highlight the Carnivals I participated in over the past week, along with any notable articles that I come across. For those readers not familiar with carnivals, it's where personal finance bloggers submit their best articles of the week with one blog serving as the host. The entries are separated into various categories such as Investing, Credit, Debt, Budgeting, Frugality, Wealth Building, Money Management, Financial Planning, Insurance, Taxes, The Economy, Real Estate, et. al.

* Tools To Calculate Investment Returns

The ability to track and calculate a total rate of return for your your portfolio, and subsets of it, is an important management tool. To calculate an annual and life-to-date rate of return for an individual stock, I will refer you to my article "The Winning Score - Part 2 of 2". This same technique could be used for calculating a return on an entire portfolio, or subsets of it; however, it would be extremely cumbersome and time consuming. Besides, there are much better tools to do it such as the one I use, MSN's Deluxe Portfolio at MoneyCentral (MSNDP).

* How To Increase Your Portfolio's Return

There is a way to increase your portfolio's calculated total return. In some cases this trick will double, triple, quadruple or increase it by even more. It is a simple trick that you may already be doing because it is easier to do than not. What is this trick? Not counting your sales/losses in the calculation of your total return.

* Dividends Are Gold in a Down Market

In a down-market when many people are rushing to buy gold, I already have mine. No, not that kind, but something much better! A stable stream of dividend income from solid companies. While everyone else is panicked about their portfolio's decline, I see the downturn as an incredible buying opportunity.

* Stock Analysis: Pfizer Inc. (PFE)

Linked here is a PDF copy of my detailed analysis of Pfizer Inc. (PFE) (alt.1, alt.2). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

* This Week on the D4L Channel...

Coming up next, the D4L Channel is invaded by a cash rich drug dealer. He's on the run, and he's not quite as quick and nimble as he once was. He has recently upped the ante in this high stakes chase. Can he avoid being sold down the river? Stay tuned to find out...

* On The Shelf Holdings

This page is now obsolete. To see my "On The Shelf" holdings please view the Dividend Stock Holdings page. On The Shelf Holdings are highlighted in gray.
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* Weekly Carnival and Article Review - Mar. 14, 2008

Each Friday I highlight the Carnivals I participated in over the past week, along with any notable articles that I come across. For those readers not familiar with carnivals, it's where personal finance bloggers submit their best articles of the week with one blog serving as the host. The entries are separated into various categories such as Investing, Credit, Debt, Budgeting, Frugality, Wealth Building, Money Management, Financial Planning, Insurance, Taxes, The Economy, Real Estate, et. al.

* State of the Dividend Address

Markets this year have been highly volatile and directionally down. This is depressing for short-term investors, but for us dividend investors it is an exciting buying opportunity! I have been able to increase my position in GE and initiate a position in JNJ. I have been able to increase positions in high yield securities like ACAS, AOD and several banks.

* On The Shelf

When we don't have an immediate need for something we put it on a shelf. This gets it out out sight and out of our way until we need it or otherwise evaluate its usefulness. Sometimes it is the first step to the garbage, while other times the item works its way back into our everyday life. I have expanded my investing process to include a shelf.

* A Strong Bias for Action

I love to play chess. The strategy, the conflict, the ability to maneuver and attack all invigorates me. There is a great adrenaline rush when when my opponent realizes he is losing and there is nothing he can do about it. Unfortunately, I don't experience this rush often. Though I love to play chess, I am not very good at it. The primary reason for my poor performance is that I love to attack relentlessly. I usually don't play with my head and end up making bad moves.

* Stock Analysis: Consolidated Edison, Inc. (ED)

Linked here is a PDF copy of my detailed analysis of Consolidated Edison, Inc. (ED) (alt.1, alt.2). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

* Next Week on the D4L Channel... 03/08/08

Coming up next week on the D4L Channel is the world premier of Super-Tanker. The intriguing story of a former fighter pilot who was accustomed to instant maneuverability, but now finds himself the captain of slow, steady super tanker that is not designed to change directions quickly. Will he learn to cope with the slow and steady super tanker? Tune in next week and see!

* Time is My Friend

It is good to periodically review the make-up of your portfolio and determine if it is meeting your expectations and is properly allocated. I've determined that I have too many bank stocks. There are currently six, in my dividend portfolio. If I want to limit my dividend stock portfolio to 25 equities, six bank stocks are too many. Three to four banks are appropriate for my portfolio. I have decided the weakest of the six must go. So who will be asked to leave. Let's compare based on March 6, 2008 closing data:

* Weekly Carnival and Article Review - Mar. 07, 2008

Each Friday I highlight the Carnivals I participated in over the past week, along with any notable articles that I come across. For those readers not familiar with carnivals, it's where personal finance bloggers submit their best articles of the week with one blog serving as the host. The entries are separated into various categories such as Investing, Credit, Debt, Budgeting, Frugality, Wealth Building, Money Management, Financial Planning, Insurance, Taxes, The Economy, Real Estate, et. al.

* My Top 3 Investing Mistakes

Monday, The Dividend Guy Posted "My Top 3 Investing Mistakes and a Challenge to Other Bloggers" and tagged me to list mine. There are only few things in life that I consider myself an expert in, but when it comes to making investing mistakes I have earned several PhDs.

* MMA Rates are Falling, What are You Going to Do?

Let me state the obvious: Since year-end, money market rates have been in a free fall. At the end of the year my best money market account (MMA) was earning 5.11% APY. That same account still has my highest rate, but it is now earning a measly 3.75%. So what's a guy to do? Here are a couple of actions that I have taken:

* Ready or Not, Here He Comes!

In the U.S., public companies have 60 days from the end of their fiscal year to file form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). For companies on a calendar year, day 60 was Friday February 29th - the day we filed my employer's 10-K. My staff and I celebrated with a small party Friday afternoon. Since this was the first weekend off in 2008 for most of my department, I threw in Monday as a free-day they could take off. I took it also.

* Stock Analysis: BB&T Corporation (BBT)

Linked here is a PDF copy of my analysis of BB&T Corporation (BBT) (alt.1, alt.2). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

* Classic Variety Week on the D4L Channel - Mar/02/08

This week on the D4L Channel we bring back classic variety programming. Here are a few items coming your way:

* Progress Update - Feb. 2008

It is the first Saturday in March, so it is time for the February goals/progress update. My goals were defined in this December 1, 2007 Investing Goals post. Below is an updated version of the table found in the original post.