Post Your Wins

[LivingAlmostLarge]

I think dividend stocks have a good place in a portfolio too. But I want more aggressive growth

[disneysteve]

Here's my latest example of something I've posted about before.

A group of friends is going to Vegas in January for one guy's 60th. I made my hotel reservation 2 weeks ago. Total cost of $870.

Today, I checked the rates again and was able to rebook the same room for a total of $810 so I did and cancelled the original reservation.

I'll keep checking every couple of weeks as the trip gets closer. I won't be at all surprised if I'm able to drop the price again. But just saving $60 is good with me. That'll pay for a meal or two while I'm there.

[Fishindude77]

I just understand that dividends aren't really income, they are return of principal.

I don't quite get your thinking, but whatever floats your boat.
The description of income is ....... money or compensation received in exchange for services, goods, labor or investments.

That is exactly what the dividends from a dividend stock are. You invest money with a company and they reward / pay the investors via dividends.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Here's my latest example of something I've posted about before.

A group of friends is going to Vegas in January for one guy's 60th. I made my hotel reservation 2 weeks ago. Total cost of $870.

Today, I checked the rates again and was able to rebook the same room for a total of $810 so I did and cancelled the original reservation.

I'll keep checking every couple of weeks as the trip gets closer. I won't be at all surprised if I'm able to drop the price again. But just saving $60 is good with me. That'll pay for a meal or two while I'm there.

you mean one meal.

[disneysteve]

I don't quite get your thinking, but whatever floats your boat.
The description of income is ....... money or compensation received in exchange for services, goods, labor or investments.

That is exactly what the dividends from a dividend stock are. You invest money with a company and they reward / pay the investors via dividends.

Yes they pay a dividend but if you get a $100 dividend, the value of your stock drops by $100. It's not free money on top of your existing investment. Interest is but a dividend isn't.

If I own $10,000 of stock and get a $100 dividend, I then own $9,900 of stock and have $100 cash. I don't have any more money than I started with. The dividend has just returned $100 of my principal to me.

[disneysteve]

you mean one meal.

Or less. I believe the plan is to go to Fogo de Chao one night which will cost me more than $60.

[Fishindude77]

Yes they pay a dividend but if you get a $100 dividend, the value of your stock drops by $100. It's not free money on top of your existing investment. Interest is but a dividend isn't.

If I own $10,000 of stock and get a $100 dividend, I then own $9,900 of stock and have $100 cash. I don't have any more money than I started with. The dividend has just returned $100 of my principal to me.

Technically, you are correct that the value of the company goes down by whatever amount they pay out.
However, that is not always reflected in stock prices. The average buyer / trader doesn't nitpick the monthly financial statements.

Your $10,000 worth of stock may still be able to be sold for $10,000 or more after the dividend.

[disneysteve]

Technically, you are correct that the value of the company goes down by whatever amount they pay out.
However, that is not always reflected in stock prices. The average buyer / trader doesn't nitpick the monthly financial statements.

Your $10,000 worth of stock may still be able to be sold for $10,000 or more after the dividend.

It simply doesn't work that way so I'll agree to disagree here. I'd encourage you to watch the stock price on the ex-dividend date and see what happens.

[disneysteve]

Here's my latest example of something I've posted about before.

A group of friends is going to Vegas in January for one guy's 60th. I made my hotel reservation 2 weeks ago. Total cost of $870.

Today, I checked the rates again and was able to rebook the same room for a total of $810 so I did and cancelled the original reservation.

I'll keep checking every couple of weeks as the trip gets closer. I won't be at all surprised if I'm able to drop the price again. But just saving $60 is good with me. That'll pay for a meal or two while I'm there.

This story gets better. I looked again last night and was able to rebook for $703. So I've now saved $167 off the original reservation.

Unless you book a room that can't be cancelled (like the pre-paid rates usually), don't ever just settle for your initial price.

[disneysteve]

I guess this counts as a win. When my wife and I bought our last cell phones, we did the free financing where they bill monthly on the phone bill. Last month was the last payment on one phone so this month our bill dropped by $19.10. This month is the last payment on the other phone so next month it will drop another $15.35. That lowers our monthly bill going forward by $34.45 total.

[james.hendrickson]

I guess this counts as a win. When my wife and I bought our last cell phones, we did the free financing where they bill monthly on the phone bill. Last month was the last payment on one phone so this month our bill dropped by $19.10. This month is the last payment on the other phone so next month it will drop another $15.35. That lowers our monthly bill going forward by $34.45 total.

DisneySteve - there are two wins here. First you're keeping a eye on your stuff, which is a win. And, second you got the cell phone bill reduced. Great work.

[disneysteve]

DisneySteve - there are two wins here. First you're keeping a eye on your stuff, which is a win. And, second you got the cell phone bill reduced. Great work.

Obviously I knew exactly when each device would be paid off and how much the bill would drop but it's nice to see it happen. As it turns out, my wife just replaced her phone but we paid for it upfront this time so it won't show up on the bill. My phone is still hanging in so hopefully I won't have to buy another one for a while longer.

[james.hendrickson]

Its amazing how much telephones and automobiles have become integrated computer systems. I remember back when they were mechanical.

[kork13]

I definitely had a win today ... I primarily wear running shoes, and as I wear them down, I just cycle them down from runners --> daily wear --> lawn/chores --> into the trash or worm for very dirty/wet/etc. tasks. I only really wear one type of shoe: Brooks Adrenaline GTS. I've worn the same style of shoes for over a decade, and I love them.

Today, I took my 10y/o son to find some new soccer cleats (he's growing like a weed). As we're walking toward the sports section, we passed by the clearance shelves .... And sitting there is the store's entire stock of Adrenaline GTS 23's (the style from 2 years ago). They had 2 in my size for slightly more than 50% off, so I snapped them up! They'll keep me covered for at least the next couple years, and getting them for $55 apiece was an absolute steal!!

[disneysteve]

I definitely had a win today ... I primarily wear running shoes, and as I wear them down, I just cycle them down from runners --> daily wear --> lawn/chores --> into the trash or worm for very dirty/wet/etc. tasks. I only really wear one type of shoe: Brooks Adrenaline GTS. I've worn the same style of shoes for over a decade, and I love them.

Today, I took my 10y/o son to find some new soccer cleats (he's growing like a weed). As we're walking toward the sports section, we passed by the clearance shelves .... And sitting there is the store's entire stock of Adrenaline GTS 23's (the style from 2 years ago). They had 2 in my size for slightly more than 50% off, so I snapped them up! They'll keep me covered for at least the next couple years, and getting them for $55 apiece was an absolute steal!!

Nice. I also use Brooks Adrenaline and have since 2014. Great find. The "new" models are rarely more than cosmetically different with maybe some small incremental structural adjustments. Every time I buy a new pair, I buy the previous model as it's always $20-30 less than the current model.