Weekend Reading – August 3, 2013

We’re smack dab in the middle of summer. I actually miss summer a bit, because when I was growing up in Michigan summer was always the best time of the year. It was a time to enjoy every single day, not taking any of it for granted. It was full of 82 degree semi-cloudless days in which one was free on the weekends to go to a lake, the zoo, a baseball game or a day out on the town. Down here in Florida, summer is the worst time of year. It’s absolutely stifling out there today, ringing in at about 94 degrees with high humidity.

But, it’s still a wonderful time to be alive. Sometimes in the day-to-day repetition of the activities we all engage ourselves in (work, school, hobbies, family) we lose sight of just how beautiful life is. As I look outside right now, it’s sunny and I can feel the slight breeze of air conditioning hitting my face. I try to never lose perspective of just how great being alive is. Although I anxiously await the day I hit financial independence, I also try to revel in the now. I hope you do as well.

Here are some excellent articles from fellow dividend growth investors, frugalists and personal finance bloggers from the past week.

Digital Realty Trust (DLR): Trap or Value?
Dividend Monk analyzed DLR and concluded that the current price is attractive, and includes a reasonable margin of safety albeit not without inherent risks. I really enjoyed this analysis and I think it gives a fair and balanced view on this company. I initiated a position in the company not long ago, and overall I think today’s price at under $55/share is attractive for a long-term investor. Further price declines could be possible due to a large short float, however.

Eleven Dividend Paying Stocks I Purchased Last Week
Dividend Growth Investor has been busy buying up equity positions in high quality companies! This is good stuff. I really like his recent choices, given the lack of value in the market right now. I think all are great choices right now. Retailers remain trading for low valuations, the energy sector has a lot of value and REITs have taken quite a tumble (see above). Great choices here.

Dividend Update – July 2013
Passive Income Pursuit hit a little over $100 in dividend income during the month of July! That’s fantastic stuff. That’s $100 that didn’t have to be worked for, and will likely keep coming his way for the rest of his life as long as he remains invested. On top of that, that amount will also very likely increase well over the rate of inflation. Who doesn’t like that?

How Strong are my 2012 Predictions 18 months later?
The Dividend Guy goes over some of his stock picks, and it looks like he’s done very well so far. His U.S. picks are up almost 38%. Not too shabby!

You Can Spare us Both the Outrage
MMM wrote a great piece instructing the people that constantly complain on the internet that they should probably spend their energy doing something constructive rather than endlessly blame others for their perceived shorts and other issues. Good stuff and I wholeheartedly agree.

Placing a value on time
My Financial Independence Journey discusses a topic that I’m intimately familiar with: time and what to do with it. After all, my journey is all about seeking time, and the freedom that comes with it, as early in life as possible. It’s a great post and a great topic. I hope to write something very soon exploring some of the great things I look forward to once financially independent.

New Purchase – Omega Healthcare Investors (OHI) 
All About Interest is staying on a roll. He’s investing in this high quality healthcare REIT. A great choice, in my opinion. This is one of the few REITs I follow, outside of the two I’m invested in. I can’t imagine reduced demand for skilled nursing facilities going forward, especially with our population demographic right now. Great entry yield, backed by some solid historical growth.

Retire at 30: Can this be done?
Financially Integrated wrote a thought provoking post on Mr. Money Mustache’s ability to retire at such a young age and expounded on what kind of concessions are necessary to achieve this kind of financial success. While retiring at this age isn’t possible for me because I didn’t start until I was almost 28 years old, the point is that retiring extremely early in age is possible if you’re willing to avoid debt, live well below your means and wisely allocate your surplus capital.

Are You Saving for a House, Car or Vacation or Are You Saving For More?
Kraig reminded us all that life is more than just possessions. It’s about living your life and chasing after your dreams!

A Book You Should Read: The Richest Man in Babylon
Tim highlighted a great book. I read The Richest Man in Babylon a while back, and I agree with his opinion. This is a great book for reinforcing the basics: save money, invest wisely and avoid debt. They’re easy principles (I’ve repeated this twice in this post), but harder to follow in real life. I also agree with Tim that personal finance is a lot like losing weight, and wrote about that eery similarity a little while back.

Full Disclosure: Long DLR

Thanks for reading.

Photo Credit: Benoit Mahe