Dividends for Jun 2026 - Towards 5k a Month

Here are my dividends for Jun 2026:

So I collected $2,051 in dividends for this month.  

In case you are wondering, some stocks are repeated because I have 2 brokerage accounts.

Here are my monthly dividends over the last 8 years:

Here are the dividends I collected every year until the current day:

My total dividends collected from 2019 till now: $140,154

Here is the progress of my average monthly dividends over the years:

There are only 6 data points for 2026 so far, and the average dividend for 2026 will likely change as the year progresses. 

I plan to first receive $2500 (achieved), then finally $5000 in dividends every month on average.

By simple projection of the above chart, I will only hit my target of 5k a month in dividends after 2027.

Additionally, I share the interest I received from the various banks for the deposits this month:

Also, in this month, I made $10.40 from my side hustle - GrabFood delivery. 

All in, I made $2061.57 this month from dividends, interest, and food delivery.

Onwards!    

    

 

 

I doubled my STI portfolio!

Today, as the Straits Times Index reached another all-time high of 5,433.49, my CPFIS portfolio also doubled. 

I used the CPFIS to invest in the STI ETF during COVID.

By the rule of 72, since I took around 6 years to double my investment, then 72/6 = 12% average annual returns.

I think this is pretty decent, STI = Super Terrific Index!

This is a nice milestone in my investment journey, hence this blog post.

Screenshots to commemorate this occasion are below:

Here are the transactions invested during Covid times - around 2020/2021.

Here are the dividends, collected along the way. 

Here are more details of the transactions:

Onwards!

Planning for Retirement

I saw an interesting headline in my feeds but it was blocked by the paywall.

Fortunately, the National Library app allows one to access news articles for free.  

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/opinion-features/how-i-knew-i-was-ready-retire-50

Here's an infographic of the article:

I thought the item about 'intentionally fill the calendar' is useful. It is best to have some routine to stick to, be it exercise or work. 

However, the author is an EY Partner, considered to be a very successful person. He was able to retire at 50. I wonder how many will be able to retire at 50 like him.

Portfolio Returns for June 2026

I felt it would be good to track the returns of my portfolios regularly since they fluctuate frequently depending on the stock market.

Here are the movements for this month. This is the first time I noticed that in terms of simple returns, my BCIP(STI ETF) portfolio gives better returns than the SPY/VUSD portfolio. This is because I have held the BCIP(STI ETF) portfolio for a longer time. 

Movement for the Robo-Advisors:

                                            

Below are the time-weighted returns of the Income Funds. 

Additionally, I think it will be interesting to see the breakdown of my portfolios in percentages (below). 

Market trends from the last 30 days: 

• The main event is the signing of the US-Iran war peace deal

- MOU signed June 19 in Geneva, but it's a framework, not the final deal

- 60 days to negotiate the permanent settlement (nuclear program, sanctions, IAEA/UNSC resolutions)

- Hormuz reopens immediately (pending mine clearance)

- Iran reaffirms no nuclear weapons under NPT; broader nuclear program still unresolved

- ~$24B in frozen Iranian funds unfrozen, half upfront

- Lebanon ceasefire included, but Israel isn't withdrawing from southern Lebanon

- Already a dispute brewing over whether US must release funds before next talks begin

- Already there are talks of US hardliners and Israel's dissatisfaction to the deal

 

Dividends for May 2026 - Towards 5k a month

Here are my dividends for May 2026:

                                    

So I collected $3,422 in dividends for this month.  

In case you are wondering, some stocks are repeated because I have 2 brokerage accounts.

Here are my monthly dividends over the last 8 years:

Here are the dividends I collected every year until the current day:

My total dividends collected from 2019 till now: $138,102

Here is the progress of my average monthly dividends over the years:

There are only 5 data points for 2026 so far, and the average dividend for 2026 will likely change as the year progresses. 

I plan to first receive $2500 (achieved), then finally $5000 in dividends every month on average.

By simple projection of the above chart, I will only hit my target of 5k a month in dividends after 2027.

Additionally, I share the interest I received from the various banks for the deposits this month:

Also, in this month, I made $9.50 from my side hustle - GrabFood delivery. 

All in, I made $3,726 this month from dividends, interest, and food delivery.

Onwards!    

    

 

Portfolio Returns for May 2026

I felt it would be good to track the returns of my portfolios regularly since they fluctuate frequently depending on the stock market.

Here are the movements for this month. USA portfolio went up sharply, because I took advantage of the SP500 all-time highs to sell off some of my bad-performing stocks. So as to do rebalancing. 

Movement for the Robo-Advisors:

                                            

Below are the time-weighted returns of the Income Funds. 

Additionally, I think it will be interesting to see the breakdown of my portfolios in percentages (below). 

Market trends from the last 30 days: 

• Equities rallied strongly, led by AI and tech

• U.S. indices like the S&P 500 and Nasdaq climbed sharply, powered by enthusiasm around AI infrastructure and semiconductor demand.
• Mega-cap tech companies such as NVIDIA, AMD, and Microsoft were key drivers.
• However, gains became increasingly concentrated in a small group of stocks, which can make markets more fragile.
• SP500 reached all-time highs

• Inflation fears returned

• Stronger-than-expected inflation data caused markets to worry that central banks may delay interest-rate cuts.
• Investors began repricing the “higher for longer” interest-rate scenario.

• Oil prices surged due to geopolitical tensions

  • Crude oil prices jumped above $100/barrel amid Middle East supply concerns.
  • Rising oil prices increase inflation pressure and can slow consumer spending.
  • Energy stocks outperformed while broader markets weakened late in the month.

 

 

Dividends for Apr 2026 - Towards 5k a month

Here are my dividends for Apr 2026:

                                    

So I collected $870.78 in dividends for this month.  

In case you are wondering, some stocks are repeated because I have 2 brokerage accounts.

Here are my monthly dividends over the last 6 years:

Here are the dividends I collected every year until the current day:

My total dividends collected from 2019 till now: $134,680

Here is the progress of my average monthly dividends over the years:

There are only 4 data points for 2026 so far, and the avg dividend for 2026 will likely change as the year progresses. 

I plan to first receive $2500 (achieved), then finally $5000 in dividends every month on average.

By simple projection of the above chart, I will only hit my target of 5k a month in dividends after 2027.

Additionally, I share the interest I received from the various banks for the deposits this month:

Also, in this month, I made $37.9 from my side hustle - GrabFood delivery. 

All in, I made $1,186 this month from dividends, interest, and food delivery.

Onwards!    

    

Portfolio Returns for Apr 2026

I felt it would be good to track the returns of my portfolios regularly since they fluctuate frequently depending on the stock market.

Here are the movements for this month. 

For the Robo-Advisors, all recovered from last month.

                                            

Below are the time-weighted returns of the Income Funds. 

Additionally, I think it will be interesting to see the breakdown of my portfolios in percentages (below). 

Market trends from the last 30 days: 

• US and Iran are in ceasefire and in talks to end the war
• Iran declared the Straits of Hormuz open, but the US blockade is still in effect
• Ships started passing through the Straits of Hormuz

 

Chasing 5Fs of Success

A while back, this article appeared in CNA:

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/5cs-new-singapore-dream-cash-condo-car-credit-card-country-club-forward-sg-3909151 

Clearly, the 5C's of yesteryear are outdated. Nobody chases country clubs and credit cards anymore. Condo and car still yes, but I think more and more people realize there are other things more important.

I propose to replace this with the 5Fs:

The 5F Pyramid

1) Financial Freedom

The foundation.

Goal: Money works for you instead of you working for money.

• Build investment income
• Remove bad debt
• Increase savings rate
• Own productive assets
• Target FIRE milestone

Question: Does this decision increase future freedom?

---

2) Freedom of Time

The outcome of wealth.

Goal: Control your calendar and energy.

• Design ideal work schedule
• Buy back time through systems
• Reduce low-value obligations
• Focus on deep work and family time

Question: Am I spending time on what matters most?

---

3) Fitness

The engine.

Goal: Build the body and mind that can enjoy freedom.

• Strength and calisthenics
• Cardio and mobility
• Healthy body fat range
• Quality sleep
• Mental sharpness

Question: Will my future self be stronger because of today?

---

4) Family

The heart.

Goal: Convert success into shared security, love, and legacy.

• Presence with spouse and children
• Financial protection
• Education planning
• Family experiences
• Values and character

Question: Will this strengthen the people I love?

---

5) Fulfilment

The summit.

Goal: Live with meaning, contribution, and inner peace.

• Purpose-driven work
• Mentoring others
• Spiritual growth
• Creative projects
• Service and contribution

Question: Why does this matter beyond myself?

I don't know about you, but after a stroke of epiphany, I realize the above 5Fs are what I have been chasing for all this time. 

14 Pots of Gold for Financial Independence - Progress and Updates

In my previous article, I set up my 14 pots of gold together with ChatGPT and Claude.

You can check out the previous article here:
https://financeopti.blogspot.com/2026/04/my-14-pots-of-gold-for-financial.html

Here is my status as of today:

 I have only completed 2 out of the 14 pots.

If I invest 12k a month, I will be able to complete all 14 pots in 2 years time (2028).

There is a new pot for VHYD (high dividend ETF), which I need to set up. 

Enjoy the journey!

Onwards!

My 14 Pots of Gold for Financial Independence

In my last article, I talked about 10 pots of Gold for Financial Independence to derive 5k a month in dividends - https://financeopti.blogspot.com/2026/02/my-10-pots-of-gold-for-financial.html

I realized it is better to run through this plan with Claude and ChatGPT to evaluate how sound this plan is.

After several iterations and asking the AIs to double-check each other, here is the latest result:

This takes into account:

• My current age
• The amount of income I can earn roughly from part-time work

Some advice from Claude:

Treat the part-time income as "portable ballast"

As long as you're working, your effective ballast is higher than the 22% shown. If you stop working at, say, 55, you should proactively shift toward the 27% ballast version of the plan. Build a rule: "If part-time income drops below S$15k/year for two consecutive years, rebalance toward the FIRED-at-45 defensive plan."

Consider when work income becomes unreliable

Part-time work at 45 is easy to sustain. Part-time work at 60+ often isn't — health, industry changes, or just not wanting to anymore. The ballast sleeve should be sized assuming work income ends in your early 60s, not "for as long as possible." That's why I kept ballast at 22% rather than dropping to 18% — it gives you the glide path into full retirement without needing another major restructure.

Income Funds at S$100k is still the weak link

Even with part-time income cushioning, I'd keep the Income Funds allocation trimmed. Over 40 years, NAV erosion is still the biggest hidden risk. Monitor annually.

Additionally, I asked Claude to explain the differences between Ballast, Income and Growth:

Why all three matter together

A portfolio with only income assets looks great until:

• Dividends get cut in a recession (your S$5k/month becomes S$3.5k/month)
• Inflation erodes the real value over 20 years
• No growth means the portfolio slowly loses purchasing power

A portfolio with only growth assets looks great until:

• A bear market hits in year 1 of retirement and you're forced to sell at the bottom
• You need monthly cash flow that equity appreciation doesn't provide
• You can't psychologically handle a 40% drawdown while living off the portfolio

A portfolio with only ballast looks safe until:

• 3% inflation eats the 3% yield, giving you zero real return
• Over 40 years, purchasing power is cut in half
• You run out of money because the portfolio didn't grow

The three sleeves aren't redundant — they each protect against a different failure mode.

I must say the analysis is very detailed.

It is even able to tell me I need to invest 12k per month to hit the desired allocation targets in 2 years time, considering portfolio growth and all.

This is likely not the final final, but may be subject to further revisions. At least it provides a roadmap to aim for.

Onwards!

Dividends for Mar 2026 - Towards 5k a month

Here are my dividends for Mar 2026:

                                    

So I collected $5,256.76 in dividends for this month. 

 
In case you are wondering, some stocks are repeated because I have 2 brokerage accounts.

Here are my monthly dividends over the last 6 years:

Here are the dividends I collected every year until the current day:

                          

My total dividends collected from 2019 till now: $133,809

Here is the progress of my average monthly dividends over the years:

There are only 3 data points for 2026 so far, and the avg dividend for 2026 will likely change as the year progresses. 

I plan to first receive $2500 (achieved), then finally $5000 in dividends every month on average.

By simple projection of the above chart, I will only hit my target of 5k a month in dividends after 2027.

Additionally, I share the interest I received from the various banks for the deposits this month:

                                        

Also, in this month, I made $0 from my side hustle - GrabFood delivery. 

All in, I made $5,448.71 this month from dividends, interest, and food delivery.

Onwards!    

    

Portfolio Returns for Mar 2026

I felt it would be good to track the returns of my portfolios regularly since they fluctuate frequently depending on the stock market.

Here are the movements for this month. The most significant drop is Crypto.

For the Robo-Advisors, all also dropped from all-time highs. 

                                            

Below are the time-weighted returns of the Income Funds. 

Additionally, I think it will be interesting to see the breakdown of my portfolios in percentages (below). 

Market trends from the last 30 days: 

• The most significant event is that the US and Israel attacked Iran, which has huge implications for the world
• US killed the Iranian Supreme Leader via missile strikes on 28th Feb 2026
• Iran retaliated and launched missile strikes on US bases in the neighboring GCC countries
• Israel also attacked Iranian oil fields, which resulted in Iran attacking Qatar's oil fields
• Qatar has said the oil fields could take years to recover, which may result in a shortage of oil supply for years