「行きすぎた投資家って何？配当金を武器に描く自由な未来と、成功の裏側を大公開。」
「挑戦する投資家がたどり着く配当ライフ」
2025/1/24
When starting out in investing, most people rely heavily on "other people's advice." I was no different. In the beginning, I consumed investment-related content from influencers on X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube, paying close attention to their recommendations. However, I now rarely refer to such sources. The reason is simple: in today’s world of overwhelming information, failing to filter and select what’s truly important can drown you in noise and make you lose sight of what matters. This article explores how to navigate the sea of information, identify "truly essential insights," and develop an investment style tailored to your own goals. 1. The Risks of Information Overload From social media to YouTube, investment advice is everywhere. For beginners, this abundance of information can lead to several pitfalls: ① Being Easily Influenced by Others Constant streams of opinions from influencers or analysts can make it hard to discern what’s accurate. Worse, the pressure to act quickly—driven by the fear of missing out—often leads to impulsive decisions. Example: ② Following Advice That Doesn’t Fit Your Situation Most investment advice is designed for a broad audience, which means it often isn’t practical for people in specific circumstances. Example Scenarios: Lesson: Don’t blindly copy someone else’s investment style. Instead, tailor your approach to align with your personal goals and circumstances. 2. Why I Don’t Rely Solely on Index Investing Index investing—such as regularly contributing to funds that track the S&P 500 or global markets—is often touted as an ideal, low-risk, and efficient investment strategy for most people. While I ...
2025/1/22
Lessons Learned from Short-Term Trading Failures In my previous article, I shared my experience of losing $140,000 in short-term trading, where my initial investment of $300,000 dwindled to just $160,000. At the time, I was chasing quick profits, reacting emotionally to market fluctuations, and repeatedly making poor decisions like panic selling. These mistakes taught me the harsh realities of stock trading. Mentally exhausted, I found myself at a crossroads: should I give up on investing entirely, or should I search for a new, more sustainable approach? Despite the setback, I knew I needed to grow my assets, so I decided to give investing another try. That’s when a chance encounter with a book completely transformed my perspective, leading me to adopt a stable, income-focused investment strategy centered on dividend growth. For more details, you can read the full story here. In summary, my biggest mistake was allowing emotions to dictate my trades, coupled with a lack of proper risk management. Discovering U.S. Dividend Stocks After my experience with Japanese stocks, I sought a way to build wealth with less emotional stress. This search led me to a book I stumbled upon at a local bookstore: “How Even a Fool Can Earn Money with High-Dividend U.S. Stocks.” As I read, I learned about the potential tax hurdles with U.S. investments but discovered that foreign tax credits and filing annual tax returns could help offset them. What captivated me most was the appeal of high-dividend U.S. stocks and their ability to generate stable income over time. The Turning Point: The ...
Investing Time: The 5-Minute Habit to Unlock Your Future Through Certification
2025/1/21
Introduction: Viewing Time as an Investment When managing financial assets, you come to appreciate the power of compound interest—investing money and watching it grow over time. This mindset has profoundly influenced my life, leading me to realize that time is also an investment. When used wisely, it can multiply your knowledge and opportunities, much like compound interest. Pursuing certifications or acquiring new skills might feel like taking baby steps initially. But as these efforts accumulate and synergize, they yield significant long-term returns. In this article, I’ll explore how embracing the concept of “time as an investment” can open doors to a more fulfilling and rewarding future. From Zero Certifications in My 20s to a Turning Point in My 30s In my 20s, the only certification I held was a driver’s license. I believed that spending time on certifications was unnecessary, thinking, “If it’s not directly related to my job, it’s a waste of time.” But things changed in my 30s. After a few years at my current company, I found myself in an environment that encouraged certification. My first attempt was the Hazardous Materials Handler certification, pursued solely for work purposes. Passing the exam gave me newfound confidence and marked the beginning of a habit. Since then, I’ve consistently aimed to acquire at least two certifications a year, such as the IT Passport and the QC Examination. Just recently, I passed the Liquid Penetrant Testing exam, a great start to the year. Why I See Certifications as an Investment in Time 1. Time, Like Money, ...
Dividend Income Growth: Lessons Learned and Future Strategies
2025/1/20
Achieving Double Dividend GrowthDoubling your dividend income in just a year is no small feat. While this milestone is certainly rewarding, it also presents an opportunity to reassess the balance between risks and rewards. In this article, we’ll explore the factors behind this growth, the challenges encountered, and the lessons learned along the way. We’ll also touch on diversification strategies, the use of simulators for financial planning, and practical insights to help you achieve similar results. The Success of Dividend Growth: Key Highlights Comparing Last Year to This Year In January of last year, my dividend income was approximately ¥100,000. Fast forward to this January, and it has more than doubled to exceed ¥200,000. The following chart visually captures this remarkable growth. Factors Behind the Growth Sector Diversification in the Portfolio My current portfolio is well-diversified across the following sectors: While diversification has been successful, past over-concentration in specific sectors inflated returns temporarily. Moving forward, resilience during market downturns remains a priority. Leveraging New NISA Accounts for Stability Prioritizing Stability Over High Yields With new NISA accounts, I’ve adopted a strategy that prioritizes stability, even at the cost of slightly lower yields. Waiting for the Right Opportunities I’m currently updating my watchlist while waiting for market corrections to deploy capital strategically. Key criteria for selecting investments include: Remember, patience is a virtue—especially in investing. Enhancing Financial Awareness Through Simulators Simulators for Planning I’ve developed tools like dividend income simulators and household budget planners to provide actionable insights: These tools make financial management accessible and empower ...
2025/1/18
Investing consistently brings both small wins and challenges every week. Over the past week, market fluctuations and new opportunities reminded me of the depth and excitement of investing. Moments like receiving dividend payouts are particularly rewarding—they are tangible proof of the work and strategies put in. Considering how investments contribute to everyday life and enrich it is one of the greatest joys of being an investor. For a more detailed view of last week’s developments, you can read this article: [“Weekly Asset Management Report | Achieving ¥1.9 Million in Dividends”]. Now, let’s dive into this week’s updates on asset management and other relevant topics! Asset Fluctuations and Key Factors Rate of Change: +0.74% (Week-on-Week) This week saw a modest increase in assets. Key contributing factors include: Key Market News Dividend Income Report This week, I received a total of ¥158,175 in dividends, highlighting the sustainability of my portfolio. Source Amount (JPY) AllianceBernstein ¥35,886 Pictet Biotech ¥21,768 Other High-Dividend Stocks ¥100,521 Dividend-Driven Purchase: A New Washing Machine A portion of the dividends was used to purchase a Panasonic Top-Load Washing Machine (NA-FA10K3) for approximately ¥120,000. This high-performance washing machine is perfect for handling the large volume of laundry that comes with raising children. The confidence to make such a significant purchase came from knowing that dividends were covering it. This purchase reinforced the idea that investments can directly enhance day-to-day life. This Week’s Stock Purchases Below are the stocks and funds I added to my portfolio this week, along with their investment rationale: Stock/Fund Sector Investment ...
"Why a Dividend Investor Aiming for $30,000 in Annual Income Holds Ripple (XRP): 3 Key Reasons"
2025/1/17
As an “extreme investor,” I’ve been steadily building wealth through dividend reinvestments. But here’s a little secret: I’ve dipped my toes into cryptocurrency. For me, cryptocurrency is an experimental venture, a way to explore a completely new asset class. Among the cryptocurrencies out there, Ripple (XRP) has caught my attention. In this article, I’ll share why I’ve chosen Ripple, what makes it unique, and what you need to know before diving in. 1. What is Ripple (XRP)? Ripple is a type of cryptocurrency, primarily designed to revolutionize international money transfers. Think of it as “a super-fast digital solution for sending money overseas.” The Strengths of Ripple (XRP) The Weaknesses of Ripple (XRP) 2. Where Can You Use Ripple in Real Life? While Ripple’s real-world use is still limited, there are several scenarios where it’s making strides: Domestic Use Cases 3. Ripple vs. Cash: Why Does Tax Come Into Play? You might wonder why using Ripple as payment triggers tax implications, unlike cash. Here’s the difference: Key Differences Between Cash and Ripple Why Does Tax Apply? Using Ripple for payment is considered a “disposal” or “sale” of the asset. For example: 4. Why I Hold Ripple I’ve been holding Ripple since 2020. Here’s why it appeals to me: 5. Important Considerations: Tax Implications When Using Ripple Using Ripple = Selling It When you use Ripple for payment, you’re effectively selling it. This means any profit generated from the price difference is considered taxable income. Example Scenario: If such gains exceed 200,000 yen in a year, you’ll ...
2025/1/17
Lessons Learned from Losing $30,000 in Short-Term Trading Introduction In my previous article, "The Making of an Extreme Investor: From Saving Obsession to Financial Freedom", I shared my journey from a cautious saver to an ambitious investor. In this sequel, I delve into my experience with short-term trading—starting with beginner's luck, experiencing significant losses, and ultimately uncovering lessons that shaped my long-term investment strategy. 1. Beginner’s Luck with Short-Term Trading: My Experience with Tera Stock I first ventured into short-term trading after studying technical analysis. Convinced that “reading charts” was the key to success, I used MACD and moving averages to select stocks. My first pick was Tera, a now-delisted stock priced between $3 and $4 per share, making it an appealing low-risk option for a beginner. Luck was on my side—within days, the stock gained over 10%, and I pocketed a profit of $1,000. This initial success made me believe, “Earning an income outside my salary is easy!” and thus began my trading obsession. Example:"When I first saw the unrealized profit of $1,000 on my smartphone, I was so excited I kept checking it over and over. That night, I treated myself to an expensive steak dinner, feeling like I had cracked the code to wealth." 2. Spiraling Losses: From $30,000 to $16,000 Encouraged by my initial success, I increased my trading capital to $30,000. But soon after, my winning streak ended, and I began losing money. Whenever I incurred a loss, I would panic and sell, thinking, “I’ll make it back with another ...
How Dividend Income Can Support Your Family's Future: My 9.66% Portfolio Strategy
2025/1/16
Hello! Today, I’d like to share insights from my experience as an “extreme investor” with a portfolio achieving a 9.66% annual return. This article explores the concept of using dividend income to cover education costs, drawing from real education expense data and incorporating my unique investment approach. Let’s dive into how dividends can become a powerful force to secure your family’s future.
The Limitations of Wage Increases and How Dividends Can Stabilize Your Life
2025/1/15
Wage increases, or "base-up" adjustments, have become a hot topic. In 2024, the wage hike rate reached a remarkable 5.17%, the highest level since 1991. While this may appear to signal better living standards, the reality is that rising costs and tax burdens often overshadow these benefits.This article explores the potential of dividends as a complementary approach to achieving financial stability, beyond relying solely on wage increases.
2025/1/17
The Current Inflation Landscape Inflation is taking a significant toll on our daily lives. Rising prices for groceries, utilities, and fuel are directly impacting household budgets. For instance, grocery shopping that once cost around 8,000 yen now typically exceeds 10,000 yen, underscoring the tangible effects of inflation.