Just some thoughts...

Today I am simply reflecting on a few things in life that I try to remind myself of often, some of them daily. It's an eclectic list. Some of the ideas keep me focused. Some are purely for pleasure. A few may not make any sense at all.

- I'm glad I woke up today. It could be worse. 

Slow down. Relax.

- My family is healthy and happy. Everything else is a bonus.

- Opportunity abounds. We just have to take advantage of it.

- When it comes to investing, I always, always, pay myself first.

- I am fortunate I have the freedom to do most of what I want. Collect wine. Invest. Travel. Write.

- The power of compounding interest and dividends can be amazing.

Enjoy simple pleasures

- ITunes University offers a lot of free "education."

- Tomorrow is a clean slate, a fresh start. Make the most of it.

- Don't be in a hurry. Enjoy small pleasures when they come along.

- Most of what is worried about seldom comes to fruition. 

I look forward to each morning. What can I accomplish today? Who can I help, teach, or encourage? How can I make my life, my family's life, someone else's life just a little bit better today?

Take a few minutes each day to ponder......... 

The thoughts and opinions presented here are mine. Nothing here is meant as financial advice or a recommendation to purchase a specific investment. Do your own due diligence. Pictures are mine.

More thoughts and ramblings on twitter @MattBellWrites

I Love Dividends

Having been an investor since I was a teenager I have employed many types of investing. But I always find myself being the most comfortable with dividend growth investing. I love the idea of getting paid by great companies while I own their stock and getting a raise from those companies every year in the form of  dividend growth. 

While investing in dividend growth stocks is no guarantee of financial success I feel comfortable having history is on my side. Research by investment firm Dreyfus indicates dividends have made up over 50% of the total market returns since 1926.

A beautiful vacation view paid for with dividends.

As much as I enjoy following my investments, I find owning and holding dividend stocks of great companies gives me not only peace of mind but time to pursue other interests when I don't feel like watching the stock market or I want to take a week or two off from my investment "homework."

Over the years dividends have helped purchase cars for our family, pay for vacations, or just provide some extra money for whatever we needed. Perhaps even better, it adds to my funds for purchases of new or additional dividend stock. Dividend investments will continue to make up the majority of my investment portfolio.

The opinions presented here are mine and not meant as financial advice or a recommendation to purchase a specific investment. Do your own due diligence. Pictures are mine.

 More thoughts and ramblings on twitter @MattBellWrites