* Money Market Rates - How Low Can You Go?

Back in March I wrote "MMA Rates are Falling, What are You Going to Do?" Then my best money market earner was AmTrust Direct at what I described as a "measly 3.75%". In less than three months, AmTrust Direct is now at 2.75% and is no longer my best earner. That honor now goes to ING at 3.00%. This somewhat surprised me since ING has traditionally been my lowest account.

* Weekly Carnival and Article Review - May 30, 2008

Each Friday I highlight the Carnivals I participated in over the past week, along with any notable articles that I came 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.

* Are Transportation Costs Getting You Down?

There once were twin boys that were very different. One had a positive outlook on life while the other was negative about anything he encountered. At age 5 the parents took the boys to see a psychologist to try and understand how twins could be so different. After several sessions the psychologist tried to "cure" both boys. He placed the negative boy in a well-lit room full of candy, pastries, toys and anything else a 5 year old boy could ever want. The positive boy was placed in a dark room full of rancid horse manure.

* This Sword Has Two Edges!

Last Saturday in my article "You Can't Beat the Herd by Following the Herd", I promised to share a MSN Stock Screen that helped me identify some exceptional stocks, and got me into some trouble.

* Home Depot Makes It Seven In a Row

After the market closed on May 22, 2008 Home Depot (HD) announced that its board of directors declared a first quarter cash dividend of 22.5 cents per share. The dividend is payable on June 19 to shareholders of record on the close of business on June 5.

* Stock Analysis: PepsiCo, Inc. (PEP)

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

* Next Week on the D4L Channel...

Some say it is a fake; it is not genuine; it is not the real thing. Well, it may not be the Hope diamond, but it is certainly not cubic zirconium. The Hope diamond is old and dusty, and it may have seen its best days. The new guy is not the new kid on the block. He is a sleeping giant and is proving to be a formidable adversary. The question is not can blue take red, but can blue find a way in my dividend portfolio? Stay tuned...

* You Can't Beat the Herd by Following the Herd

"You can't beat the herd by following the herd." If you have read this blog for any period of time you have likely seen me use the above statement.

* Weekly Carnival and Article Review - May 23, 2008

Each Friday I highlight the Carnivals I participated in over the past week, along with any notable articles that I came 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.

* When Is Enough, Enough

I am reminded of the old story about a farmer that said to his wife, "I told you 'I love you' when we got married and if anything changes, I'll let you know." Most of us require a little more frequent feedback than once-in-a-lifetime. The same is true with my dividend investments.

* The First Steps To Investing

I am not a licensed professional and I don't know your specific situation, so I can't tell you how to invest. However, you can listen in on the advice I will give my kids when they go out on their own.

* The Power of 5/15 in Dividend Investing

As a kid I loved math. Unlike classic literature where I had to correctly interpret symbolism that I rarely ever noticed, math was one of the few subjects that had a definitive answer - it was either right or wrong. I took great comfort in that. Dividend investing takes advantage of certain undeniable math principles.

* Stock Analysis: Sysco Corp (SYY)

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

* Coming Up on the D4L Channel

With approximately 50,000 employees and 400,000 customers they are big. The biggest in North America. They have one mission that is to satisfy one of our basic needs, and they are very good at what they do. But are they good enough to win a spot in my dividend portfolio?

* Who is Jeremy J. Siegel and Why Should We Listen to Him?

Jeremy James Siegel, known as Wizard of Wharton, was born on November 14, 1945 in Chicago, IL. He has undergraduate degrees in Mathematics and Economics from Columbia University, and has a Ph.D from MIT. Currently Mr. Siegel is the Russell E. Palmer Professor of Finance at the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. Considered an expert on the economy and financial markets, he frequently appears on CNN, CNBC, NPR and is a regular columnist for Kiplinger's.

* Seven Important Reasons for Dividend Investing

With all the other investment strategies out there, why should investors consider dividend or income investing? Based on articles that I have previously written, presented here are seven important reasons for dividend investing:

* To Infinity and Beyond!

My kids are now 13 and 11, and Disney is no longer cool. What a shame. I miss the movies like Toy Story and the quips aimed at the adults. One of my favorites was Buzz Lightyear’s line “To Infinity and Beyond!” My kids were toddlers when we first watched Toy Story and they had no clue what that line meant and the impossibility of achieving it.

* Weekly Carnival and Article Review - May 14, 2008

Each Friday I highlight the Carnivals I participated in over the past week, along with any notable articles that I came across. However, this week I have moved it to Wednesday since I will be out of pocket for the next few days. I do have articles scheduled to post while I am out, so hopefully Dividends4Life won't miss a beat. Next week, the Weekly Carnival and Article Review will move back to its normal Friday slot.

* Rising Dividends = Rising Returns

The research linking rising dividends with superior long-term returns continues. The latest is from a recent report from Ned Davis Research, described in the Wall Street Journal article "Look for Firms That Raise Dividends". Below are some highlights of the article:

* Stock Analysis: Harley-Davidson Inc (HOG)

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

* Tomorrow on the D4L Channel...

In their youth, they were feared. Their appearance, and the sounds they made were unlike any other in this world. Nearly alien. Like a swarm of locust, they would descend on a town wreaking havoc and fear on the good citizens. Their culture and behavior was neither civilized nor acceptable. They've changed, society has changed, and both met somewhere in the middle. They are older, graying, wealthier and much more subdued. Our culture has accepted them, but should I accept these former rebels into my dividend portfolio? Only one way to find out, stay tuned...

* Progress Update - Apr. 2008

It is the first second Saturday of the month, so it is time for a goals/progress update. Last week's launch of The Wealth, Money & Life Network put me a week behind. 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.

* Weekly Carnival and Article Review - May 9, 2008

Each Friday I highlight the Carnivals I participated in over the past week, along with any notable articles that I came 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.

* Stock Dividends - The Gift of Nothing

Have you ever been tempted to wrap up an empty box and give it to your spouse for your anniversary. You could say something mushy like, "this isn't an empty box, it is filled with all my love." I don't know how your spouse would react, mine would see through this ploy as me just trying to be cheap frugal.

* What's Your Retirement Vision?

Where there is no vision, the people perish.
-- Proverbs 29:18

* What's More Powerful Than Compound Interest?

Compound interest is what occurs when interest previously earned is added to the principle and is considered when calculating future interest - i.e. earning interest on interest. I remember the elation as a small child when I first grasped the concept of compound interest (ok, so I lived a deprived childhood, but it has been financially rewarding). With a constant interest rate your earnings spiral up each and every year. Consider a $100 deposit earning 5%, compounded annually. In the first year you will earn $5, $5.25 in year 2, $5.51 in year 3, $5.79 in year 4, $6.08 in year 5, and so on.

* Stock Analysis: The Coca-Cola Company (KO)

Linked here is a PDF copy of my detailed analysis of The Coca-Cola Company (KO) (alt.1, alt.2). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

* Stay Tuned for a Special Presentation on the D4L Channel...

Their lives had been intertwined since childhood. Through the years their relationship grew stronger and eventually led to marriage. But that's not where the story ended. There was no living happily ever after. The relationship had turned tumultuous. The fighting and bickering escalated until last January, when she packed her crimson bags and teddy bears headed out the door. He continued to watch her from a distance hoping things could be worked out. This weekend he arranged a special meeting to see if things could be worked out...

* Are There Cracks in Your Foundation?

So you think you are ready to start a little dividend investing? First let's do a quick home inspection and we'll start with the foundation. The foundation of any financial structure is an emergency fund. Life happens at the most inopportune times and it usually costs more than you anticipated. Below are some of the most pertinent Q&As related to an emergency fund:

* Weekly Carnival and Article Review - May 2, 2008

Each Friday I highlight the Carnivals I participated in over the past week, along with any notable articles that I came 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.

* Introducing The Wealth, Money and Life Network

It is with great pleasure that I announce the debut of The Wealth, Money & Life Network (WML-Net). Dividends4Life is proud to be a charter member of this new personal finance network. Managing your personal finances often can be an overwhelming task, but you now have access to a network that can provide you with encouragement and share general information on personal financial matters.