As I grow older I am starting to realize two things
- My memory is starting to disintegrate. I'm starting to lose what I used to do or people I've known my entire life.
- I suffer from some form of autism. I can't sit still or read an entire book without taking a break or giving up after 30 minutes.
Instead of trying to fight my brain I decided to start documenting stuff on my blog.
Today's entry: When I started dividend investing.
I was the summer of 2013 or 2014 (I forgot), I was working my normal shift of
- Monday: 6:00 am-8:00 pm
- Tuesday: 6:00 am-8:00 pm
- Wednesday: 6:00 am-8:00 pm
- Thursday: 6:00 am-8:00 pm
- Friday: 6:00 am-8:00 pm
- Saturday: 6:00 am-6:00 pm
Back then I was 30 or 31 making 50k a year (which was the most money i've ever made), but I was struggling with life. Day in day out going to the grind. Work, make money, spend money, etc. I used to watch house hunters just to hate the people on there for having that much cash. During Spring of 2013 or 2014, I was assigned to a DC detail to help install computers, routers and switches for a new government building. Work was five days a week 8am-5pm. When I was ordered back my supervisor at the time asked why I wasn't putting in my 6-8 and if I really wanted my job. At that point something inside me snapped. I got home, got drunk, i remember breaking my radio, and started googling how to kill my boss.
Somehow or another I came to the Dividend Growth Investor webpage, then Dividend Mantra, then Divhut, then Divgro, Afrugal family's journey, etc. As I was half drunk I copied all these links and sent it to my email. So yes I started learning how to invest by being drunk and unable to comprehend what I was reading.
After a month of hesitation I bought my first share of Coca Cola (KO). And I've been on that journey since. I've made a bunch of mistakes and done things I've regretted deeply. I'm still learning from you bloggers and am always willing to learn from others. Even if I don't write anything on your board know that I am lurking all your buys. I'm still working those crazy hours but now I get saturdays off. I'm getting paid 80k instead of 50 and I'm in my mid 30s with a portfolio near 250k. I'm behind many bloggers in term of pay/wealth but I learned over the years that I can't race with other people. I can only jog at my own pace and hope I get there in time. That's all I have to say.
Craziest thing I've done for dividend investing
My company finally gave me Saturdays off. With that new found freedom I took a job at Walmart working 10 am-7pm on weekends. Why do you ask? So I can buy walmart start at 15% discount. Since this walmart is new they will hire anyone. I have a feeling they will someday fire me for a full time staff so I'll move on. I heard McDonalds hire weekend part-time and also have the employee stock purchase plan
Tallies of time I left writing this post-5x
