Another Dividend Increase (Telus)

This morning, Telus (Toronto: T, T.A) has announced that it was boosting its dividend again (that's the second time in the last year), from $0.525 to $0.55 per quarter, a 4.8% increase. I own Telus in my DRiP portfolio.

More Dividend Increases (EIF, JNJ, SU, PEP)

Three more of my companies have recently increased their dividend payments.

Exchange Income Corporation (Toronto: EIF) announced in early April that it was raising its dividend from $0.13 to $0.135 each month, a 3.8% increase. The company was also announcing the acquisition of Westower Communications, a company that designs, builds, maintains and services wireless phone and other communications towers throughout North America.

Last week, Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) announced a small 5.6% boost to the quarterly dividend, from $0.54 to $0.57 per share.

On Monday, Suncor (Toronto: SU) also announced an increase to the quarterly dividend, from $0.10 to $0.11 per share, a 10% increase.

Finally, this morning PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP) announced a 7% increase to its dividend, from $0.48 to $0.515 per quarter.

I own shares of EIF, JNJ and SU in my DRiP portfolio, whereas most of my PEP shares are in my RRSP.

Net Worth Update

As of May 1st, my net worth was $150 080 (up 3.7% from $144 699). If I exclude house-related assets and liabilities, my net worth was $106 667 (up 5% from $101 550). Being paid back for my business trip to Vancouver was a factor in this big increase, as was reduced expenses this month.

Assets ($207 064, up 1.4% from $204 217)

• Bank Accounts $3 837 (up 4% from $3 688)


• Emergency Funds $1 697 (up 240% from $495)


• RRSP Accounts $69 005 (up 1.8% from $67 784)


• Non-Retirement Investments $33 980 (up 0.9% from $33 686)


• Home $98 430 (stable)

Liabilities ($56 984, down 4.3% from $59 518)

• Credit Cards $1 868 (down 55% from $4 154)


• Mortgage $55 017 (down 0.5% from $55 280)


• Line of Credit $0 (stable)

Ratios

• Debt / assets: 0.275 (down from 0.291)


• House value / total assets: 0.475 (down from 0.482)

Liquidities are getting much better, with my business travel expenses paid back and the tax returns coming in. My emergency fund should be back to its normal level by the end of the month.

We had a little plumbing problem this month, and had to call a professional to fix it. That cost us a little under $300. I've also started getting quotes for the roof. I'll continue looking at all options before taking a final decision on this front.

Procter & Gamble Dividend Increases

Like clockwork, Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG) has announced its yearly dividend increase, from $0.4818 to $0.525 per quarter. That constitues a 9% increase, always a nice boost. I own shares of PG in my RRSP account.

Net Worth Update

As of April 1st, my net worth was $144 699 (down 0.2% from $144 958). If I exclude house-related assets and liabilities, my net worth was $101 550 (down 0.5% from $102 070). This slight decrease is due to the fact that I had a business trip to Vancouver in March, and I'm still waiting for my expenses to be paid back by my employer. These were paid using my credit card, so expect an increase there.

Assets ($204 217, up 0.2% from $203 811)

• Bank Accounts $3 688 (up 9% from $3 387)


• Emergency Funds $495 (up 3% from $480)


• RRSP Accounts $67 784 (up 0.4% from $67 515)


• Non-Retirement Investments $33 686 (up 1.5% from $33 176)


• Home $98 430 (stable)

Liabilities ($59 518, up 2.3% from $58 156)

• Credit Cards $4 154 (up 62% from $2 567)


• Mortgage $55 280 (down 0.5% from $55 543)


• Line of Credit $0 (stable)

Ratios

• Debt / assets: 0.291 (up from 0.286)


• House value / total assets: 0.482 (down from 0.485)

Liquidities are still tight, since I have to pay my credit card even if my employer hasn't paid me back the expenses for my business trip. So putting back the money into my emergency fund will wait a few more weeks.

Still quite busy, between work and my involvement with a non-profit group related to my hobbies. Summer is coming soon, so activities on that side will pick up soon. I'm also planning the renovation and maintenance work on the house for this summer. Some more landscaping, ongoing repainting of the outside of the house, and the big job for this summer -- the roof.