Weekly Roundup - January 23, 2016


This past week was definitely not a quiet one for the markets.  Through the close on Wednesday the S&P 500 had declined another 1.1% bringing the YTD decline to 9.0%.  Oil dipped down below $26 during the week as well.  However, things turned on Thursday and Friday with the S&P 500 posting the first back to back gains of the year adding 2.6%.  Oil staged an even more remarkable comeback climbing over 9.2% on Friday alone to get back over $32 per barrel.  We're definitely in an unstable period for the markets but all I know is that the dividends just keep rolling in providing a bit of calm in the storm.  I haven't been able to take advantage of the turmoil so far this year but hope to get in on the action soon.

I had finished up a job last Saturday and was luckily able to stay home until this past Thursday when it was time to head back to work.  Since I work in the oil field there's no declining work right now because who knows when more will come along.  So I'm back to work near my alma mater and even better is it's just a couple hours from home.
Blogging/Writing

Since I was home I hardly got any writing done although I am just about finished with my series that should hopefully be posted this week on Seeking Alpha.  While I didn't get much writing done that didn't mean the ideas stopped coming.  Unfortunately I have a huge back log of drafts and ideas for posts that I need to work through but now that I'm back at work there should be ample time to write.

Self Improvement

I finally got started on getting back into better shape because I've seriously let my body go over the last few years.  And by let my body go I mean completely lost it.  I know the why and it's not a surprise at all but enough is enough and I need to to do something about it.  I started the 24 Day Challenge from Advocare and have started eating better while at work too.  My diet has been the biggest thing holding me back because it's usually about convenience whenever I'm at work because I'm usually short on time and the cooking equipment is subpar to say the least.  That's the reason but it's no excuse for what in all actuality is my laziness.

I've also started a quick workout routine that includes yoga and kettlebell exercises and once the weather clears up will likely include running as well.  I'd much rather get back into a gym and throw some weights around but it just doesn't make sense financially given the instability with my job at this time.  Just 3 days into my new program before I left to go back to work I was already down about 3 pounds which is a great start.  Unfortunately there's a lot more to lose but we all have to start somewhere.

On to the Roundup

In case you missed them, here's the posts from Passive-Income-Pursuit this past week.
Also, be sure to sign up to receive posts via email and to follow me on Twitter@JC_PIP so you don't miss anything.  I also started a Facebook page to give people another option for keeping up to date on posts and happenings with the blog.

Once again I'd like to say thanks to each and every one of you that read, commented, and shared posts from here this past week.  I think this dividend growth investing and financial independence community is amazing and the openness from everyone is awesome.  Thanks again!

Now on to the links!

Eight Years Dividend Growth Investor by Dividend Growth Investor

"Satisfaction" Sucks.  Do Something You Love by Retire29

Canadian Banks - US Investors Should Look Out for this Threat by Roadmap2Retire

Ask the Readers: Time to Say Goodbye? by Income Surfer

Seven Things I Know for Sure About Dividend Growth Investing by Dividends in Hand

Which "Always Buy" Stock is the Cheapest? by Dividend Diplomats

Getting Defensive with Defense Stocks by DivHut

My Lessons from the Market Downturn by Financially Integrated

Dividend Aristocrats Part 47: AbbVie by Sure Dividend

The Rise of Dividend Growth Investing by Freedom35

Quarterly Review: Q4 2015 by DivGro

6 Powerful (And Low Risk) Financial Maneuvers that Put Extreme Frugality to Shame by Retire Before Dad

When We're Not on the Same Page About Money by Our Next Life

Also, if you're looking for investment ideas, A Frugal Family's Journey keeps a list of stock analyses and recent buys from fellow bloggers.

I hope you all have a great weekend!

Image courtesy of Gubgib on FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

Comments

  1. Thanks for sharing JC. I did some selective buying on Wednesday and Thursday, but most of my potentials aren't quite to my buy levels. I am glad you were able to spend some time at home this week. I was wondering, in your oil patch....are most of the wells being pumped? or are the e/p companies just drilling the well and leaving the oil/gas in the ground still?

    I hope you have a great weekend. Take care
    -Bryan

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bryan,

      Interested to see what you decided to pick up. I agree there's a lot of companies that are on the fence of being excellent purchases but aren't quite there yet. There's also some that I think are at good enough values to initiate positions in.

      I honestly can't tell you about whether the E&P companies are producing these wells or not. My guess is that the majority of the wells that have been drilled over the last 6 months are not being fracked and brought online but are just being drilled and with production put on hold until the oil price recovers.

      Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  2. Thanks for including my article, JC. Things are looking interesting in the market, but I am holding off on big buys after a bit of nibbling last week.

    Have a great weekend
    R2R

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. R2R,

      I'd love to be participating right now but cash flow is still tight as we get back on track financially. I'd be doing some nibbling as well if we had some available capital but would do my best to hold off on burning through any cash stockpile. Well that'd be my plan but it's always been my plan and I've rarely stuck to it.

      Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  3. JC - As always, thanks for sharing the roundup, and of course, our two collections. Hope you have an enjoyable weekend my friend. AFFJ

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AFFJ,

      You too. I'm back at work but at least I'm relatively close to home and the drilling is rather easy as well. Even better I've been getting paid since Thursday but we just got started tonight with actually doing something. Nothing like easy money!

      Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  4. Mind and body both have to be in good shape. It's amazing how much better you feel physically when you are in shape and how that somehow manifests itself into a more positive mental well being as well. Greta start to your weight loss. Keep it up. Thank you for the DivHut mention as well. Have a great weekend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DivHut,

      Being in good health is vital for those pursuing financial independence and it's something that I've slacked on for far too long. It really is amazing how quickly your overall attitude and body can improve once you start treating it right.

      Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  5. Thank you for the mention PIP.

    Taking care of your health is a very important thing, that is often ignored by young investors in the accumulation phase like us. The thing is that the power of compounding could show its face 30 - 40 years from now, and the decisions we make today will pay dividends. So you are doing the smart thing by taking charge of your health, so that 30 -40 years down the road, you may have less expenses on healthcare.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DGI,

      Completely agree on health being extremely vital. I consider health, both physically and financially, to be priorities 1A and 1B. Your health is very similar to how compound interest works. It might not seem like there's much going on at first but it can deteriorate quickly years down the road due to your decisions today.

      Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete

Post a Comment