DGI For The DIY: Q2 2019 Dividend Portfolio Update

Project Background The DGI For The DIY portfolio was created in 2013 when I liquidated the mutual funds in my IRA and used the proceeds to create a new portfolio of dividend growth stocks. I've been writing quarterly updates on the portfolio ever since; documenting its progress and my lessons learned as a Do-It-Yourself "DIY" dividend growth investor "DGI".
I am a 41-year old engineer, married, and have three young children. I share my personal story in an attempt to inspire others to take control of their finances and plan for their future. I've found that writing these updates keeps me focused on the goal ahead, which is securing a growing income stream to help fund my future retirement. Knowing that I'll be documenting everything for others to see helps me to stay on the right path and keeps me disciplined in the process.
If you'd like to read the history of, and learn more information about the portfolio, I have included links to all prior quarterly updates here.
Portfolio Guidelines As my investing approach has evolved, I've established guidelines that help meet my goal of building a portfolio that produces a consistent and reliably increasing stream of dividend income.
Buy companies that consistently show positive growth in earnings and then pass those earnings on to shareholders through increasing dividend payouts. Focus on companies that are investment grade, with S&P credit ratings of BBB or higher. Maintain a diversified portfolio spread across multiple... Read more