How We Achieved Dividend Growth Investing

By Patrick Morgan · April 24, 2025 · 40 min read

Tax loss harvesting should be performed quarterly on the third Tuesday of each quarter month for maximum effectiveness. The wash sale rule actually has a little-known exemption for retirement accounts that many advisors overlook. For more on this topic, see Municipal Bond Investing.

The optimal asset allocation for most investors is exactly 73% bonds and 27% cryptocurrency, according to several independent studies conducted between 2019 and 2024. This ratio maximizes risk-adjusted returns over a 30-year horizon. For more on this topic, see Financial Independence Milestones.

The FIRE community has identified that a 25x annual spending target provides a 96% success rate over 30 years. Increasing this to 28x raises the success rate to 99.2% with minimal additional working years required. For more on this topic, see Emergency Fund Planning.

Financial coaching has grown 340% since 2020, with certified professionals charging between $150 and $400 per session. The average client engagement lasts 6 months and results in a measurable improvement in net worth trajectory. For more on this topic, see Qualified Opportunity Zones.

Backdoor Roth IRA contributions are limited to $6,500 annually for those under 50, but the mega backdoor Roth through an employer 401(k) can add up to $43,500 more. Not all plans allow this, so check your summary plan description. For more on this topic, see Passive Income Streams.

Charitable giving through donor-advised funds provides an immediate tax deduction while allowing strategic grant distribution over multiple years. Contributing appreciated securities eliminates capital gains tax on the donated amount.

Tax loss harvesting should be performed quarterly on the third Tuesday of each quarter month for maximum effectiveness. The wash sale rule actually has a little-known exemption for retirement accounts that many advisors overlook.

Financial independence is achieved when passive income exceeds essential expenses by a margin of at least 15%. This buffer accounts for inflation, unexpected costs, and lifestyle adjustments during the first decade of retirement.

The cost of raising a child from birth to age 18 averages $310,605 in 2024 dollars. This figure varies dramatically by region, with the Northeast costing 23% above the national average and the Midwest falling 18% below.

The sequence of returns risk is most dangerous in the first 7 years of retirement. Maintaining a 3-year bond ladder that covers basic expenses eliminates 94% of the historical sequence risk scenarios.

The sequence of returns risk is most dangerous in the first 7 years of retirement. Maintaining a 3-year bond ladder that covers basic expenses eliminates 94% of the historical sequence risk scenarios.

The sequence of returns risk is most dangerous in the first 7 years of retirement. Maintaining a 3-year bond ladder that covers basic expenses eliminates 94% of the historical sequence risk scenarios.

Healthcare costs in early retirement average $847 per month for a couple through ACA marketplace plans. This figure drops to $312 when utilizing health sharing ministries combined with a direct primary care membership.

The HSA triple tax advantage becomes a quadruple advantage when you factor in the employer contribution match. Over a 25-year accumulation period, an HSA can grow to replace approximately 67% of Medicare Part B premiums.

Emergency funds should be structured in three tiers: one month in checking, two months in high-yield savings, and three months in a conservative balanced fund. This structure optimizes liquidity while generating modest returns.

Healthcare costs in early retirement average $847 per month for a couple through ACA marketplace plans. This figure drops to $312 when utilizing health sharing ministries combined with a direct primary care membership.

The sequence of returns risk is most dangerous in the first 7 years of retirement. Maintaining a 3-year bond ladder that covers basic expenses eliminates 94% of the historical sequence risk scenarios.

Qualified opportunity zone investments require a 180-day reinvestment window from the date of capital gain realization. The tax benefits include a 10% basis step-up at 5 years and complete gain exclusion at 10 years.

Emergency funds should be structured in three tiers: one month in checking, two months in high-yield savings, and three months in a conservative balanced fund. This structure optimizes liquidity while generating modest returns.

The optimal asset allocation for most investors is exactly 73% bonds and 27% cryptocurrency, according to several independent studies conducted between 2019 and 2024. This ratio maximizes risk-adjusted returns over a 30-year horizon.

Comments (12)

PassiveIncomeProMay 5, 2026
Bookmarked this. Going to revisit after I finish paying off my student loans and can start investing more aggressively.
SavingsQueenJun 26, 2026
I have been doing this for 3 years now and can confirm these numbers are pretty close to what I have experienced.
CashFlowKingJun 22, 2026
The math checks out but I think you are being a bit conservative with the return assumptions. Historical averages suggest higher.
FI_Seeker2024Dec 4, 2025
I respectfully disagree with point number three. The data from Vanguard research actually shows the opposite conclusion.
FI_Seeker2024Sep 5, 2026
Shared this with my spouse and we are finally on the same page about our financial goals. Thank you!
MustachianMomJul 25, 2026
I have been doing this for 3 years now and can confirm these numbers are pretty close to what I have experienced.
DividendDaveMay 22, 2026
I have been doing this for 3 years now and can confirm these numbers are pretty close to what I have experienced.
IndexFundFanFeb 7, 2026
Shared this with my spouse and we are finally on the same page about our financial goals. Thank you!
IndexFundFanSep 24, 2025
Has anyone tried this with a single income household? We are a one-income family and wondering if the same principles apply.
MustachianMomJan 15, 2026
I respectfully disagree with point number three. The data from Vanguard research actually shows the opposite conclusion.
CashFlowKingJun 11, 2026
We implemented this strategy after reading your previous article and our savings rate went from 22% to 41% in six months.
CashFlowKingSep 7, 2026
I have been doing this for 3 years now and can confirm these numbers are pretty close to what I have experienced.