Not business as usual

I was born and raised in a suburb of Stockholm, Sweden. For over 25 years, I have lived within Stockholm city limits. Sweden, as most people know, has not shut down its society. With the exception of the upper secondary and university education which are conducted at a distance, the younger children go to school as usual.

Swedes are good at obeying advice and guidelines, ie everyone who can work from home does so. This has led us to apply a kind of voluntary "quarantine". Because of this, large parts of Stockholm's inner city are almost deserted. Many shops and restaurants have closed, some temporarily and others permanently. The few people who go out use social distance.

The picture that life goes on as usual in Stockholm, Sweden, is not true at all.

Time to make a decision

The closer I get to the end of Q1, the more I think about what values ​​I can accept in the margin of error to consider that they are within the tolerances. Given that I trade in foreign currency, the American dollar, I am not only affected by the downturns and upturns of the stock prices. My trade is also affected by brokerage and exchange fees.

These costs affect my purchasing power and thus my portfolio value. The percentage unit I set when calculating my future compound interest rate is below the actual percentage unit. Now I just have to decide what tolerance values ​​I am willing to accept in the document that shows my future compound interest.

Impossible mission

In the midst of all this chaos that currently exists, we have received some smaller dividends. Our plan to buy over time is firm. This means that this money will be put to use.

How we will be able to make acquisitions without looking at the value of the portfolios is a much more difficult task than writing scripts for a Blockbuster movie.

Sometimes it's nice not being able to work from home

Since yesterday, the world's most perfect child's school has been teaching via a platform. During breakfast this morning, he said that everything except the microphone on my iMac worked just fine.

I quickly searched the iMac for a built-in microphone. After testing it, I thought everything was in order. Just when I was about to go, Junior says the microphone still doesn't work. Since I almost had one foot outside the door already, I asked him to ask his dad for help instead. When I put on my shoes, I hear a loud discussion from the office.

My husband: "How should I be able to test the microphone when both it and the camera are turned off?"

My son: "I turned off the camera and microphone because you only have underwear and a t-shirt on. I don't want my classmates to see you in underwear and hear your sour morning mood!"

I closed the door and left.

He has so much to say

On average, it is said that a woman speaks 20,000 words a day while a man reaches up to 7,000 words. Of course there are exceptions and our son is one of them. I'm not lying, he can barely handle a day without 35,000 words. How he gets along with friends, handles school and golf is beyond my grasp.

We constantly evaluate our decisions so that they are in line with the market

Last night we decided to make a change to our future savings. Over a couple of months, we have repaid half of our joint monthly savings on our mortgage. As of this month, we have decided to do as we previously did and invest all the money in the stock market instead.

From a long-term perspective, given the huge downturn we have seen, we feel that it is financially more advantageous to acquire shares than to repay the mortgage.

The winner writes the history

It will be exciting to see which governments will be declared winners after this pandemic. It is very different in the actions between the countries in Scandinavia.

Norway has a strong treasury due to its oil deposits, has chosen to shut down schools and preschools.

Due to its incredibly high tax burden, Sweden should also be financially strong. Sweden keeps schools and preschools open.

In addition to closed schools and preschools, Denmark has also closed its border.

No changes to the plan, for now

We will not deviate from our plan but will continue with our acquisitions despite the troubled times. No matter how sad it is to see our holdings lose in value, it is even more sad not to have a large war fund on such occasions.

For us personally, this would have been an excellent opportunity to trade down the share price on many of our holdings. A little light in the tunnel is that we expect larger dividends within the next 6 weeks so I expect that we will be able to make some good acquisitions in the future.

This might come back to bite me some day

Young master Dewlar's school has closed due to the Coronavirus. Classes will be held via computers from Tuesday, until further notice. YMD was overjoyed and saw an extended ​​weekend ahead. Unfortunately for him, he has the mother from hell.

I woke him up as usual, gave him breakfast and made sure he brushed his teeth, washed himself and dressed. Then I gave him the sheets of math that I compiled last night when I had received the information that the school is closing and it will take 2 working days before the platform for teaching is started.

Given that I am 50 years old, I must not expose my heart to excessive stress...

At the moment it is almost a blessing that the dividends conspicuous by their absence so that you have no reason to log into the bank and accidentally see the actual portfolio value. I don't think this downturn would have been just as quick and profound 15 years ago because most of the players during that time did their stock trading at the bank offices as opposed to today when you just press a sales button sitting on the couch.

To kill two birds with one stone

In mid-February 2020, Denmark's largest bank, Den Danske Bank, introduced negative interest rates for some of their private banking customers.

To to be able to take part in from this, one must, beside living in Denmark:
Have a savings capital of DKR 750,000 if you do not have a Nemkonto at DDB
Have a savings capital of DKR 1,500,000 if you have a Nemkonto at DDB

There must be many Danes with large savings capital, which represents a big cost for DDB to get them to make such a drastic decision. It may be an opportunity for some Danes to make some acquisitions in a heavily price-adjusted stock market and at the same time avoid negative interest rates.

Own your faults

I always try to teach the world's most perfect child to own his own faults. Yesterday we received foreign tax from 2018. We had decided to move a large part of the amount to Nordea as they will refund the tax within 6 weeks.

For tax reasons I cannot withdraw the full amount so there was a larger amount left in the account. I invested part of the remaining amount because I am strongly driven by the fact that money must work all the time. Unfortunately, I counted wrong and the transfer could not be completed. It felt very hard to have to admit that I was wrong. It is not easy to practice what you preach.

Many doctors will be put to the test in the future

How heartless and unfair it may sound, it's all about math. The greater the outbreak of the Corvid-19 virus, the more brutal health care priorities we will experience. I do not envy those doctors who in the future will have to make unpleasant and cruel decisions regarding these priorities.

We who stand aside must do our best to understand that doctors make the absolute best decisions based on difficult medical situations. We must also keep in mind that they are also people and suffer from the decisions they make, even if they do not show it.

I've never seen so many red numbers at the same time

My entire depot shines redder than Santa's Santa costume. Although I am long-term in my investments and this is really a good opportunity to acquire additional holdings at a more fairly price, you must have a psyche of steel right now when you log into your accounts. I have increased my holding in, among others, NEWT and SCM.

Time brings everything to those who wait, I have to hope

It is so frustrating not to have a money chest when it is really needed. Actually, I would have had some extra cash through the refund of my foreign tax from 2018 but it is delayed. This, in combination with a meager dividend, provides a very modest money chest. This at a time when, in our opinion, many securities are worth buying.

What happened?

Exactly 23 days ago was the first time Junior was allowed to go to school by himself. Much has happened during these 23 days, apparently he and one of the girls he had over a "study day" decided to meet and go to school together.

He is mine baby boy, not hers babe. My husband has forbidden me to mention anything to the world's (maybe not so) most perfect child.

An annual tradition

Every year at this time you hear all people talk about the same thing, the final tax. It is those who get residual taxes who are annoyed or angry depending on the size of the amount. The opposite is the people who get money back. This group makes me puzzled. It's like they "get" money from the state.

The reality is that it was their money from the beginning that the state borrowed from them for free for a very long time. I am one of those losers who lent money to the state for free.

The experiment part XIII

One year into the experiment, the outcome of the change begins to become clear.

I estimate that it will take another year before I reach halfway, after which the pace will increase significantly.

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Little praise to Nordnet

Last night, 2 representatives from Nordnet contacted me via Twitter because they had found out about my dissatisfaction with Nordnet's customer service. Unlike the customer support's poor handling of my question, these two PR persons were very professional in their response. They improved my view of Nordnet, hats off to Nordnet.

The hunt continues

I expect to reach the same amount as for the entire 2017 dividends already on the last March this year. It would be great if the dividend development were as successful as 2018 every year.

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Monthly follow-up

After all the dividends of the month have finally entered the account, it is obvious that the outcome did not reach the forecast. Even though I knew I would not reach the goal, it still feels a little extra sad when it is set in stone. Although I want to reach the forecast every month, it is most important that I reach the forecast on an annual basis.

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How to make a customer feel unwelcomed

This year marks the first time that Nordnet will ensure that the foreign withholding tax is refunded to our account. When I spoke to customer service on Nordnet in this matter just over 2 weeks ago, they informed me that the money would be in my account on February 28 or 29.

After logging in to the account and having it confirmed that the money was not refunded, I called Nordnet. I got to talk to a young man on customer service who has a lot to learn about customer service. He informed in a very unpleasant way that they have no idea when they will pay out the money, quote "You have to wait and see" unquote.

Exciting to see where it stops

From sitting in a long uphill in the roller coaster we have obviously reached the top and are now on the way down. Why does the journey up to the top takes so much longer time than the fall back to the bottom. The advantage of an adjusted market is that the yield increases on acquisitions.

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This resolved faster than I expected

I had every intention to avoid my father for a long time. This had become a bit tricky considering he visits me at my job several times a week. Fortunately, he has had a lot to do with his work in recent weeks, so his visits have been few. After trying to find a number of credible reasons why we can't help my uncle (my uncle is not built for this) with his investments, it was resolved by itself. Sometimes a downturn in the stock market is good.

Overview of holdings

Since it was expensive during most of February, our new acquisitions have not changed our chart significantly.

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I need candy, good candy

We have decided to reduce the eating of sweets. Therefore, we have not bought any new sweets lately. For obvious reasons, only the absolute worst candy is left, AKA emergency sweets.

Last night the world's most perfect husband half took out the last jar of candy and burst out bitterly, quote "Oh just good candy!" unquote. I think he might have to go to the grocery store and buy some GOOD candy for tonight. After all, I have a cold.

Don't communicate things you can't keep

When I wrote (I'm afraid Nordnet will disappoint me) that I was doubtful that Nordnet would pay the foreign tax as promised, it really felt like pushing at an open door. It's not always fun to be right.

How can I as a woman get a man-cold?

My husband had a horrible cold last week. For the first time in our 25-year relationship, he did not complain once. He kept it together and worked, with a cheerful mood.

For some unclear reason, we usually do not infect each other. However, this time was different. Now I also have to hold it together when most of all I want to lie on the sofa, be taken care of and feel sorry for myself.

It's always a competition.

Dilemma

Even my stubborn husband has come to realization and now sees several buying opportunities on the stock exchange. He wants to buy in the downturn but at the same time does not want to log into his account. How he is going to succeed with that achievement I have no idea. Maybe he has magical powers I am unaware off.

It has been a hard week's work

This week I have been incredibly effective at my day job. I have never before finished all company declarations this early in the year ever. To top it,  all the annual reports have also been submitted. It almost feels a bit empty.

I'm afraid Nordnet will disappoint me

Tomorrow we will receive our first repayment of the foreign withholding tax on our account at Nordnet. The refund we will receive relates to the payments we made in 2017.  It will be exciting to see if this works.

When I contacted Nordnet in this matter 2 weeks ago, they said that the payment would be in my account the 28th of February. Personally, I am extremely doubtful about this, but I hope I'm wrong. Tomorrow I know for sure.

Money must work

There is much to suggest that a war fund should be kept during these times. I practice buying over time instead. Since I am a long-term investor in dividend shares, I hope this is the right strategy. Yesterday I acquired NEWT and OCCI. My husband AKA the mule is waiting a bit.

It does not look good

Today we finally got some dividends. CEFL, MORL and SMHD gave a little money. This is by far the most boring month ever when it comes to dividends. There are several factors that contribute to this.

One of the factors is that my document shows a higher result than reality. The light at the end of the tunnel is that many of our dividends have a payday on February 28. There will be great pressure on March to save the Q1's results.

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As stubborn as a mule

The stock market decline that started yesterday and continued today has made some of our planned acquisitions even more worthwhile if you look at the dividend. The plan was that we would acquire some securities already yesterday, but the world's most perfect husband who predicts further declines (sales) wants us to wait a bit. Given that my hubby's attitude to sales is "it must be at least 50% off" I predict that it may take a while before he starts investing on the stock exchange again ...

Unwelcome visit

Many countries are fortunately taking medical measures to stop the spread of the Coronavirus. 

Unfortunately, other concerns can come from this situation. Many companies have slim warehouses and apply Just in Time (JIT). As a result of China's shutdown, many warehouses may be empty in the near future.

Combined with several countries applying zero or even minus interest rates, inflation is likely to knock on many doors in the near future.

My bad

I made a big mistake. I downloaded the Sonos app to the world's most perfect child's phone and logged him into the system in the apartment. Being able to stream music everywhere seems to be a need that Junior was unaware of that he had, before I opened Pandora's box.

Nowadays we have a horrible version of youth rap song that follows the offspring everywhere, even in the shower. I have never been a pre-teen mom before so this is a trial and error thing for me.

Caught with one's hand in the cookie jar

It will be an exciting future given China's shutdown due to the Corona virus. In our industry, many of our suppliers claim that their products are manufactured in Scandinavia. The main reason is, I suppose, to raise the status of their products.

Made in Scandinavia sounds better than made in China. Recently, we have been notified of delivery delays with reference to the Corona virus. It is now that you separate the wheat from the chaff.

Don't put all your eggs in one basket

I have always believed that we are the only ones who are disloyal to the banks. The more blogs I read, the more enlightened I become that most people have deposits in different banks. The reasons for this are almost as many as there are people.

Various offerings of shares and funds, procedures for foreign tax repayment, how user-friendly the website is, terms for mortgages and so on. For us, it has always been primarily about the tax refund. The frustration over Nordea's user-hostile website has subsided. Whether their side has gotten better or if we are used to their standard is hard to say.

We will continue with Avanza, Nordnet and Nordea. However, Nordea will be our main bank, for now.

Mission impossible

My Google Sheet where I enter all the dividends in real time gives me an exact indication of how much we really receive in dividends. As surprised as I was of the end result from the January, I am as surprised today of how little we have received in February so far.

Reaching the February forecast feels almost impossible today. As I mentioned before, I have to wait until all the months in each quarter have passed in order for me to do a fair evaluation of the forecast vs the outcome.

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Cash cow

As a bank, to offer its customers private banking, provided that they have a certain balance on the bank, is brilliant. As a customer, becoming a private banking customer is not a significant improvement.

However, the winner is the bank, which immediately begins to process the customer with a variety of services such as insurances, active asset management, savings for children and more. Who doesn't want to milk the biggest cash cow? No one cares more about your money than you!

He seemed so happy

One of the bloggers I follow was incredibly happy the other day when he had finally reached the stipulated amount and would be able to take part in private banking at Avanza. I feel a little sorry for him considering that Avanza's private banking does not mean any major privileges. I really hope he doesn't get too disappointed.

This will take time

Today, the world's most perfect child's savings had reached $42. This meant that he could make his second acquisition. The choice fell on OXLC. His portfolio today consists of GLAD and OXLC.

If it is because the value of his portfolio is low with very small movements or if it is that he lacks a natural interest for trading is too early to say. It will be exciting to see his money tree grow.

You have to keep what you promise

I have complained a lot about Nordea here on the blog. Their user interface has almost driven me crazy. It's only their incredibly quick repayment of foreign tax that has enabled me to continue my acquisitions there.

This fall, the most perfect husband and I decided that all new savings would be invested in Avanza instead. This year it turns out that Avanza will only repay 85% of foreign tax instead of promised 100%. It made us go back to Nordea, immediately.

Sometimes you have to let things take their time

Reducing our influence over our companies takes time. Since I am not fond of change, the world's most perfect husband and I have decided to let things take their time. While we have time to get all the pieces in place, hopefully.

Either way, we have eighteen exciting and incredibly hard work-heavy months ahead of us. Some days I want to endure and others I want to fast forward to next summer. This will be a roller coaster.

I really hope my calculations hold

50% of February has passed and we have received just under 10% of the month's calculated dividends. According to my document we will receive another 10% next week.

If all calculations and quotations are correct, we will receive 80% of the month's total dividends during the last week. I sincerely hope that this will be the absolute worst dividend month of the year.

Hardly any dividends, but lots of unwanted changes

If the tidal wave of dividends that came in January has changed to a dehydrated river, then it happens all the more in my emotional life. Tomorrow, the world's most perfect child will have 3 friends at home on a "study day". Two of them are girls. How this has come about I am completely unaware of.

I consider myself a person who recently 😉 gave birth to him and he is a baby. My baby. This week has been full of new activities for me, he has started going to school himself and now this. There must be a limit to what a mother is expected to handle.

My uncle is not built for this

My father, who is currently indescribably happy about the development of his stock portfolio, wants me to help his younger brother as well. My uncle who is 72, has never taken a risk in his entire life, literally.

I will never risk my uncle's money on the stock exchange, he would not survive a bear market. Now I have to come up with a large number of excuses for not having time to help my uncle until we reach a bear market and my father's interest in helping his brother fallen. Tough times ahead.

No one told me that this would happen

The world's most perfect child goes in grade 6. Me or the world's most perfect husband has walked with him to school every day. Today he went to school by himself. He sang and chirped as he walked out the front door. I had to force myself not to run after him. It is crazy that something can be heaven for one person and at the same time hell for another.

Not much is happening

Just to give you an idea of ​​how slow February is as a dividend month for us, I enclose our chart below with exactly how much we have received so far in dividends. I'm starting to get skeptical if we pass the February forecast.

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I am grateful but far from pleased

It is said that January is the poorest month of the year. Personally, I do not agree, for us it is February and its sister months.

This month happens 4 times a year and you never get used to it. The fact that the worst month of the year comes immediately after the best month of the year makes the difference only clearer.