What happened to my Share Portfolio

Late in the year 2013 I had to cash in all the stocks and shares I held personally, so I would have enough cash for a deposit of our new house, and also to pay the horrendous stamp duty, which was also due.  It was a sad thing to do, but I just reminded myself that it was just savings, that was one of the reasons for having the shares in the first place.

When left school, a very good friends father died. He left various share portfolios for his wife and children which he had amassed during his lifetime as his pension. He worked overseas so it was the only way he could have UK income should he need it.   My friend cashed in her shares and purchased a flat with no mortgage.  But what really impressed me, was that the portfolio which her mother received produced a annual dividend income of £35,000 for her to live on, without the need to sell any shares.  30+ years on £35,000pa is still a good income. So this has always stuck in my mind as what I should try to aim for, even if it seemed impossible.


So I decided to start again. I still had my trading account with Selftrade. (https://selftrade.co.uk).

I just needed a plan to follow.

My Plan
1.  Invest for dividend Income
2.  Try to Invest up to £1,000 of new money each quarter

I don't believe in being rigid with plans, but I thought this would be a nice simple plan to try to stick to. If you are interested in how I did, I shall let you know in the following pages.

Rustic White Painted Hall Storage Unit and Bench

If your hallway is looking a little bland and requires some much-needed storage, the Rustic White Painted Hall Storage Unit and Bench could be the perfect solution.

Designed to look and feel like a classic and will be an incredible feature of a hallway or even a utility room or cloakroom.

www.hampshirefurnituresolutions.co.uk

 Many homes lack not only coat hanging space in their home, but seating to easily slip on shoes. Providing both, together with two bottom drawers which are ideal for gloves, hats, and footwear. Your hallway will immediately be free of clutter and welcome for guests.


 At the top of the unit, is a shelf, perfect for items such as bags or ornaments. The hanging area will keep all of your coats and scarves crease free, and make a great place to hang guests jackets for your parties or coffee mornings.



If you have little ones, the bench makes a perfect seat for them to put their shoes on before school and wait to head off for the day ahead. One of the drawers could even be used for their school supplies and bag, to prevent a mad rush on a morning to look for a lost satchel.

This is from the Hampshire Furniture, sister website (yes they have two, with different furniture), www.hampshirefurnituresolutions.co.uk 

UK Companies Ex-Dividends, how to find them

I have an interest in investing in shares.  I have done most of my life.

I am not a share trader.  This is someone who either buys and sells or sells and buys shares over a very short period to make a profit.

I am a share investor. This means I purchase a share for the long term, hoping it will increase in value over a long period.  A good and well-run company share price will over a long time go up in value.  It will have its share price downs too. But the trick is to be patient and stick it out.  Ideally buying when the share price is low.  

Of course, I don't have a crystal ball, but if there is a well-run company has a share price that has dropped, I try to find out why it has dropped and I will then decide if I agree with the reason or not.  If I don't agree, I will purchase shares in the company.  My best purchases have come from this method. 

 An example of this was my current best buy.  Persimmon plc.  This is a house builder, not a type of company I would normally buy shares in as the share can be too volatile.  Before the Brexit vote, the share price was about £21 a share. Immediately after BREXIT, the share price dropped to under £13 a share due to panic about house prices dropping.  I didn't agree, people in the UK (Persimmons customers) will still need to buy houses in the UK, and I also know Persimmon was sitting on a lot of cash which they are giving back to the shareholders each year.  Long story, short story the share price is now (at the time of writing this blog) over £26. 


But this is not why I am writing this blog - Dividends.  This is why I will choose a share.  A well-run company is in the position to pay dividends.  Some pay them 4 times a year and some 2 times. I am not reliant on the share price going up to make a profit. If I can get a regular dividend I am happy.  The increase of share price is just the icing on the cake!

This is the website where I go to find out about the up coming dividends from UK companies  :  www.dividenddata.co.uk

Eco Torch to Light up your Garden

Eco Torch

This Swedish style pine fire log comes complete with a fire lighter, and will make your summer nights very stylish. It brings with it the warm and welcoming glow of a campfire, without all of the hard work.

www.greenolivefirewood.co.uk

Not only is it perfect for the garden, but ideal for camping too. Place a pan or kettle on top to cook or boil. Or use to heat marshmallows with family and friends.  It will burn for several hours depending on the size of the log, and on the weather and wind. Completely portable, and easy to use. I love the originality of it!

I found this on the Green Olive Firewood Co website:

www.greenolivefirewood.co.uk