Author: Tim Plaehn

Turn Any Stock into a Source of Steady Income

Turn Any Stock into a Source of Steady Income

My email inbox regularly fills with questions about how to reach a certain level of monthly retirement income. The notes typically come from retired or nearly-retired individuals who realize their retirement savings at the financial advisor-recommended 4% annual withdrawal rate will not produce the amount of income wanted or needed. I want to share one […]

Validation of Using Easy Covered Call Strategies

Validation of Using Easy Covered Call Strategies

I often refer to covered calls as the third leg of a balanced, income-focused investment approach. (Three legs because it takes at least that many to make any chair or table stable and functional—the others are cash flow with high-yield stocks like in the Dividend Hunter and stocks consistently growing dividends like those in my […]

Crane picking up a car in a junkyard

This Closed-End Fund is a Rare Junkyard Gem

Because I research and recommend high-yield investments, I often receive questions about individual closed-end funds, sometimes referred to as CEFs. According to CEF Connect, 285 closed-end funds yield between 5% and 28%. It is easy to understand why closed-end funds attract yield-hungry investors like moths to the flame. When asked about a closed-end fund, my […]

The end of the Covid 19 pandemic. Scissors cut yellow ribbons with text Covid-19 LOCKDOWN

Two Dividend Stocks That Proved to Be Pandemic Proof

The coronavirus pandemic put the ultimate stress test on income investments. Hundreds of companies cut or suspended dividend payments. Companies that did not cut dividends through the pandemic should be high on the list for income-focused investors—and companies that grew their dividends in 2020 deserve gold stars and a place in your portfolio. In February […]

Is This Closed-End Fund Living Up to Expectations?

Is This Closed-End Fund Living Up to Expectations?

Recently, I have found myself going down the rabbit hole leading to ETFs and closed-end funds (CEFs) that use covered call strategies. These funds offer the promise of investment exposure to major asset classes or indexes, plus a high level of dividend income. Closed-end funds aren’t generally my cup of tea as many remain murky […]

When Not to Sell Call Options

When Not to Sell Call Options

I’m often asked, “what are stock options?” by some of my newer readers. Stock options are derivatives based on the value of the stock and offer the trader the opportunity to buy or sell the stock at a stated price within a specific time. The most common option trades, especially for beginners, are covered calls. […]

Are Hotel REITs Attractive Again?

Are Hotel REITs Attractive Again?

Many investors are playing the recovery trade, looking for those stocks and companies that are not yet out of the pandemic woods, but should see a substantial improvement in their business results as the economy continues to open. Hospitality and travel-related companies are popular stocks for this investment strategy. However, with the hospitality-related REITs, shares […]