As I confessed earlier, I sold my shares of CCP earlier this month so I could move that money into my Solo 401(k) account in order to max it out this year. It is fairly rare that I sell a dividend stock, as it should be, and when I do, the money has never actually left the dividend account - before now. But I think I have a pretty good excuse: I am trying to max out my 401(k).

You may have seen my previous post where I was deliberating whether to include my index-fund retirement accounts in my monthly dividend accounts. I use a different investment strategy, index fund investing, for my long term retirement accounts. 

I have decided NOT to include my retirement accounts in my dividend journey.

The goal of my dividend journey is to motivate me to save as much as possible.

By showing myself the money that my money makes in a clear and countable way, I can see the tangible, current income that I am giving up when I make an unnecessary purchase. It's not theoretical. It's real cash in hand. I want to feel excited by the little paycheck I get when a dividend shows up.

8/1: General Mills - $19.60

Despite its crummy YTD performance, I've been quite enjoying the dividend from $GIS. News reports have been saying that big brands like General Mills have been pressured by retailers to cut their prices. I'm not sure if and when the situation will improve, but in the meantime I am putting my faith in many of General Mill's popular brands such as Annie's, Progresso, and Cheerios.

8/15 P&G - $20.69

P&G is another big-brand powerhouse having a little existential crisis at the moment. An activist investor is trying to stuff the board with one of its own. I'm not sure what to think of this (I received a proxy voting form in the mail but did not vote as I did not feel informed enough).

In the meantime I will sit back and enjoy my dividend.

8/21 Welltower, Inc -$26.97

Another nice dividend from Welltower! Welltower is a healthcare REIT (real estate investment trust). REITs are a great way to invest in real estate without being a landlord.

8/29: Skyworks Solutions -$3.20

Skyworks is a technology stock. They make semiconductors and I bought them because I think they will become a major player in the Internet of Things. This is my first dividend from them!

8/30 Dean Foods - $2.16

Yes, I bought a tiny amount of Dean Foods. Consider it a little milk to go with my GIS cereal. They were on my watch list years ago, but when the price shot up due to a buyout rumor, I decided they weren't worth it. When troubling news of Wal-Mart planning to sell its own milk surfaced, I bought a few shares. Money is tight right now but I can't resist a good sale- they are down almost 50% YTD.

Dean Foods sells its products under many different dairy brands across the country including Reiter, Meadow Gold, PET and Land O Lakes:

8/31 LTC Properties - $6.65

Like clockwork, my LTC dividend comes in at the end of the month. This is my only monthly payer.