Most investors obsess over what to buy.
In 2026, the real edge is when and where you buy it.

In this episode, we break down the valuation-driven framework we actually use to decide whether something is a buy — across:

• Individual stocks
• REITs
• BDCs
• Closed-end funds
• ETFs (including the S&P 500)

We walk through real examples like UPS, Realty Income (O), Main Street Capital, USA CEF, and VOO to show:

• How entry price impacts total return more than exit timing
• Why yield and dividends act as downside protection
• Which valuation metrics matter for each asset type
• How to spot overvalued “favorites” before they correct
• Where income investors can still find margin of safety

This episode isn’t about predictions or hype — it’s about having your own valuation framework, so you’re not relying on analysts, headlines, or hope.

If you’re preparing for a volatile 2026 and want to protect capital while still getting paid, this is our playbook.

Questions? Email Tim at debrine9@gmail.com

Want FREE weekly market updates, Tim's top 10 dividend picks, and our portfolio updates delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to our email list.

Stay connected. Follow us on social!

**DISCLAIMER**
Ticker metrics change as markets and companies change, so always do your own research. The content in this podcast is based on personal experience and is for educational purposes, not financial advice. See full disclaimer here.

Episode music was created using Loudly.

2025 looked like a great year on paper — but most investors didn’t experience those returns.

In this episode, we break down what really happened beneath the indexes, why passive investing masked widespread underperformance, and how a dividend-first, total-return strategy quietly outperformed the market.

We walk through:

• Why the S&P 500’s gains were driven by ~7 stocks
• Which unexpected sectors crushed it (utilities, REITs, commodities)
• Why many “obvious” AI and tech plays underperformed
• The biggest winners, losers, and surprises across 46 real holdings
• How dividends changed the math in flat and down positions
• Why total return matters more than price return
• How we rebalance without chasing winners or panic selling
• What these results mean for positioning in 2026

We also explain how we track everything manually using spreadsheets, why DRIP isn’t always your friend, and how income investing reduces emotional mistakes when markets get choppy.

If you care about real performance, not marketing returns, this episode will change how you look at your portfolio.

Questions? Email Tim at debrine9@gmail.com

Want FREE weekly market updates, Tim's top 10 dividend picks, and our portfolio updates delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to our email list.

Stay connected. Follow us on social!

**DISCLAIMER**
Ticker metrics change as markets and companies change, so always do your own research. The content in this podcast is based on personal experience and is for educational purposes, not financial advice. See full disclaimer here.

Episode music was created using Loudly.

How We Invested $150,000 for Monthly Income | Dividend Portfolio Breakdown

In this episode, we break down exactly how we invested a $150,000 lump sum across 2 portfolios with one primary goal: reliable monthly income without reckless risk.

We walk through how we structured the portfolios, why certain stocks and ETFs made the cut, and how we’re building a dividend stream that functions like a paycheck — with flexibility, downside protection, and upside optionality.

What we cover:

• How we split $150K across income and our conservative fallback portfolio
• Why undervalued dividend growers matter more than yield chasing
• Using covered call ETFs responsibly for income
• Preferred shares, utilities, packaging, semiconductors, banks, and data centers
• Turning DRIP on and off strategically based on valuation
• How we’re targeting $2,500+ per month in dividends in our income portfolio
• Backup cash flow plans if our income portfolio underperforms
• Where excess cash goes when there’s nothing to buy

If you’re trying to understand how dividend income actually works in practice, this episode lays it out step by step.

Questions? Email Tim at debrine9@gmail.com

Want FREE weekly market updates, Tim's top 10 dividend picks, and our portfolio updates delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to our email list.

Stay connected. Follow us on social!

**DISCLAIMER**
Ticker metrics change as markets and companies change, so always do your own research. The content in this podcast is based on personal experience and is for educational purposes, not financial advice. See full disclaimer here.

Episode music was created using Loudly.