How much have I earned and lost in 2017?

How much have I earned and lost in 2016?

My objective for 2017 was to maintain my existing portfolio and receive $10,000, and achieve a stock to cash (exclude emergency funds) allocation ratio of 50:50. I met my target. It is also a milestone for me to have finally reached $1,000/month of passive income. It has been 14 years since I dreamt of hitting this target. It had been a combination of work hard to increase my earned income, to learn how to pick stocks, and to cultivate patience and will-power.

Income was $11,800 (this is based on received, will be $12,800 if based on ex-date), which was largely due to increase in portfolio and better bank interest rates for interest income from Bank of China 2.5%, UOB One 2.43%, Hong Leong Finance 1.7%, CIMB Fastsaver 1%, Singapore Savings Bonds 1.1%. I picked up $29 worth of coins (about 100 coins, of which 40 coins are 5 cent coins, which is still $2). Every coin adds up.

Average dividend yield is 4.56% (based on ex-date). After some rebalancing this year and using retirement calculators, I decided that my objective for 2018 is to increase my average yield by 0.5%, and then maybe another 0.5%/year for another 2 years, to 6%, but I will reassess this at the end of 2018. This will need to be supported by increasing REITs to 50% of my portfolio. Currently, the ratio is about 23%, I will implement this by rebalancing and capital injection at the right prices over 3 years, from 23% -> 33% -> 43% -> 50%.

I also started investing in Vanguard ETFs through Autowealth, adopting a dollar cost averaging approach, but I select which day of the month to deposit my money to buy, hoping to catch low points in a month. I started with $5,000 in Aug 2017, and contribute $400/month. It is currently returning an insane annualised yield of 15%, which I don't believe is sustainable, hence I am taking it slow and steady.

Unrealised profits which is nice to see but cannot eat:
Autowealth = S$260
Singapore Stocks = $20,000
Although we are not at the end of the year yet, I don't foresee much variation over the next few weeks. I will update again if there is a sudden market crash or something.

Objective for 2018: Increase REITs by 10%, increase portfolio yield by 0.5%, increase income to $14,000.

Chart of humble beginnings

Lifetime accumulated dividends and interest, net of losses = $49,000

Portfolio income "methodology": Assuming that I continuously invest $36,000/year or $3,000/month,
In 3 years, accumulated dividends and interest = $100,000, $1,600/month
In 7 years, accumulated dividends and interest = $200,000, $2,200/month
In 10 years, accumulated dividends and interest = $300,000, $2,700/month

Compounding is awesome. Every coin adds up.