It’s dividend income update time. One of my favorite times of the month as I get to review my previous month of passive income received from my dividend income portfolios.

Without rehashing the wild ride we experienced in the market so far this year, I could find comfort in one thing, my dividends. As we all know, the market may move up and down irrationally and seemingly on a whim while our dividends remain much more stable, reliable and predictable. Sure, dividends may not increase every year and a cut or elimination is even possible but the odds are greatly reduced when you diversify among different companies and sectors and focus on dividend quality (free cash flow, EPS and payout ratios). Forget chasing the high yield unicorns and focus on the boring lower yielding but sustainable dividends. In the long run you’ll be better off. With that being said, let’s take a look at my February 2017 dividend totals.

Dividend income from my taxable account totaled $281.33 up from $241.34 an increase of 16.6% from February of last year.

Dividend income from my ROTH account totaled $189.71 up from $149.31 an increase of 27.1% from this time last year.

Dividend income from my IRA account totaled $49.01 down from $87.62, a year over year decrease of -44.1%.

Grand total for the month of February: $520.05 an increase of 8.7% from February 2016.

Brokerage Account

ROTH Account

IRA Account

I have to say I’m quite pleased with my February totals. Who can complain about an 8.7% year over year increase even when companies change their monthly dividend distribution schedule as was the case with HCP not paying this month. The proof of our dividend investing strategy rests in these real results. After all, dividends don’t lie. It’s real cash being returned to investors. With patience and consistency these results and better can be achieved.