It’s time for our quarterly van life portfolio update (December, January, & February) — and this is the portfolio we’re using to support our lifestyle experiment: live off portfolio income while our long-term holdings compound in the background.

We run this strategy in two pieces:

1. Main Portfolio: long-term, reliable dividend/stability holdings designed to compound
2. Income Portfolio: higher-risk, high-yield positions intended to generate bigger payouts and stretch our runway (even if NAV declines)

This quarter is a unique comparison because condo proceeds were invested throughout the quarter, so it’s not a clean apples-to-apples versus last quarter — but it is a powerful snapshot of what happens when you deploy capital in real time.

In this episode, we cover:

• What stocks/ETFs are in each portfolio (main vs income)
• What changed: buys + sells and why
• Our month-by-month income results for Dec / Jan / Feb
• Yield trends we’re noticing (what’s paying less, what’s consistent, what’s volatile)
• What looks overvalued vs undervalued (watchlist + “safety margin” ideas)
• Which positions have DRIP turned on vs off and why
• Our strategy: use the income account to cover expenses while the main portfolio compounds
• The reality of what happens when an income month comes in lower than projected

📌 Spreadsheets Included:

1. Here's the ticker valuation spreadsheet for buy-up-to prices
2. Here's the dividend totals spreadsheet so you can review the numbers after listening

If you’re curious about building a lifestyle around cash flow, experimenting with high-yield income, and balancing risk while still playing the long game—this episode will give you real numbers, holdings, and decisions.

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Questions? Email Tim at debrine9@gmail.com

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DISCLAIMER Ticker metrics change as markets and companies change, so always do your own research. The content in this podcast is based on personal experience and is for educational purposes, not financial advice. See full disclaimer here.

Episode music was created using Loudly.

It’s time for our quarterly Retirement Portfolio update (December, January, & February) — this is our more conservative portfolio, built to stay steady and generate reliable dividend income.

In this episode, we keep it short, clear, and practical, because the portfolio didn’t need big changes (which is exactly what we want in a conservative account). We cover what we hold, what changed, what looks overvalued vs undervalued (watchlist-worthy), and where we have DRIP turned on or off.

We also break down the dividend results month-by-month and compare them to last quarter so you can see exactly what shifted — including why February came in lighter and the specific tickers that drove it.

In this quarterly update, we cover:

• What tickers are currently in the retirement portfolio
• What changed (and what didn’t) since last quarter
• What looks overvalued vs undervalued (ideas for a watchlist)
• Which positions have DRIP on vs off
• Dividend income results for December, January, and February
• Quarter-over-quarter comparison + what caused the dip
• Our 12-month dividend run rate and what it signals for the portfolio

📌 Spreadsheets Included:

1. Here's the ticker valuation spreadsheet for buy-up-to prices
2. Here's the dividend totals spreadsheet so you can review the numbers after listening

If you like conservative, income-focused portfolio tracking with real numbers and clear reasoning, this episode is for you.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Questions? Email Tim at debrine9@gmail.com

Want FREE weekly market updates, Tim's top 10 dividend picks, and our portfolio updates delivered right to your inbox?

Subscribe to our email list.

Stay connected. Follow us on social!

DISCLAIMER Ticker metrics change as markets and companies change, so always do your own research. The content in this podcast is based on personal experience and is for educational purposes, not financial advice. See full disclaimer here.

Episode music was created using Loudly.

We’re back with the real numbers from our 9-day drive from Pennsylvania to New Mexico—after sharing our estimated travel budget and plan in the last episode.

And the results were surprising.

✅ Estimated total: $1,356

✅ Actual total: ~$946 (and possibly lower if you account for unused groceries)

In this episode, we break down exactly what happened—where we spent more, where we spent less, and the real-world factors that no spreadsheet can predict.

Here’s what changed from the plan:

• Restaurants came in higher than expected
• Gas was lower than expected (better mileage than we planned for)
• Groceries were lower than expected (including a huge boost from a friend who was moving)
• We forgot a necessary expense in the original estimate
• We had to buy car fluids because one vehicle burned more oil than anticipated
• The trip took 9 days total, including 3 non-driving rest days
• Our average speed was only 50–55 mph, which stretched the timeline
• And “night driving”? That plan died within the first two hours
• We never activated our internet because the drive was long, stressful, and exhausting

This is the part nobody talks about: planning is useful—but reality is the final editor. If you’re budgeting for a road trip, a cross-country move, or any big lifestyle transition, this episode will help you think in ranges, identify the hidden line items, and build a plan that survives real life... or add buffers for the unexpected.

Roswell Photos --> HERE

_________________________________________________________________________________

Questions? Email Tim at debrine9@gmail.com

Want FREE weekly market updates, Tim's top 10 dividend picks, and our portfolio updates delivered right to your inbox?

Subscribe to our email list.

Stay connected. Follow us on social!

DISCLAIMER Ticker metrics change as markets and companies change, so always do your own research. The content in this podcast is based on personal experience and is for educational purposes, not financial advice. See full disclaimer here.

Episode music was created using Loudly.