ETF Portfolio Update for September

This is the latest I have posted my monthly update and I’m not even going to come up with a list of excuses for it, I’m just going to push forward and make sure that I don’t make a habit of it.

The portfolio is performing well, increasing each month like clockwork, and the dividends are improving every month but to be honest I have been a bit frustrated with the progress. Sure, $30,000+ is nice and $200 per month in dividends is cool but it’s not life changing.

I started the ETF portfolio to improve my monthly income and improve my quality of life, as we all know that Money is Choices! Well, $200 per month hasn’t given me too many more choices. After two years I had hoped for more.

But I know this is simply the ebb before the flow. Building a freedom machine is a battle where doubts, the system, friends, family and the demons who depend on your slavery all fight to ensure your failure.

We have to keep pushing forward as there are no other logical options. Slavery and obedience to a system that is run by horrible filth is death.

Choose Life. Choose Freedom. Choose Choices!

ETF Dividend Payments in September

September was the monthly paying ETFs again. Technically it should also include SCHD as they actually send payments out towards the end of the month but the brokerage account in Australia (NAB) I buy SCHD with is ridiculously SLOW to send out dividend payments so I will receive it in October.

JPEQ paid out $45.32, FEPI distributed $37.38, MSTY paid out $20.84, HYLD sent out their first payment of $0.93, and QQQI gave me $29.02, which is a total of $133.51 for the month of September.

This time last year the portfolio made $53.37 in dividends for the month of September which is a 150% increase YoY (year on year).

The rolling 6 month, monthly dividend payment was $184.99 last month. It has grown by $5.77 per month to $190.76. I try to keep the average increase above $10 so I’m not happy with the $5 increase. Definitely need to improve on this number.

The ETF Dividend Portfolio for September

This month the ETF dividend portfolio has increased to $33,027 up from $31,819 in August which is an increase of about $1,208. New contributions were $1,247.88 which means the market didn’t help AT ALL! Not good enough Mr. Market. A little help would be appreciated.

I only added 2 JEPQ (listed as JPEQ in Australia) shares again this month rather than the usual 5 as I’m wondering if there are better options. The money I would normally give to JPEQ went to QQQI with $249.76, SCHD received $417.47, HYLD got $93.80, I bought $235.74 worth of VHY, and I added $64.87 ATEC (Australian technology ETF).

If you’re wondering how I can buy in such small lots like $60 or $90 and pay brokerage, well, I don’t pay brokerage with those accounts. Those ETFs would be held in my Betashares Direct account which is $0 for buys and $0 for sells. They have been a game changer for me. I no longer have to save up $500 to make a purchase as I’m not thinking about brokerage costs. If I have a spare $50 sitting around I’ll buy shares with it. Australians should definitely look into them.

Just as a note, the ticker symbols ending in .AX are Australian listed ETFs and those without them are US listed ETFs. The US listed prices and average cost per share are in US dollars but everything else like market value and total dividend income are in Australian dollars.

Here’s what the ETF portfolio looked like at the end of August 2025…

See the ETF Dividend Portfolio from August.

What to Expect in October

I have been thinking about selling my largest ETF position (JPEQ) lately. It’s sitting at about $7,000 now and is paying about $45 for a month, but if I put that into the Neos run QQQI I think I would make closer to $70 for a month. That’s an extra $25 per month.

I really do like JEPQ but the main reason for having this ETF portfolio is to increase my monthly income. We can’t fall in love with stocks or hold onto positions for emotional reasons. If there are better options that get us closer to our goals faster then we should pursue them.

For now I have limited myself to one or two new shares per month of JPEQ until I make a final decision. I may simply stop buying it and hold it or maybe I’ll end up selling out of it and putting the money into QQQI.

How has your freedom making machine been going this year? What’s your 6 month rolling monthly dividend average for your ETFs? (total dividends paid over the last 6 months, divided by 6 equals your average).

Total ETF + REIT + Managed Funds Portfolio for September

Total Index Funds portfolio value (VHY, MSTY, VGS, GEAR, JPEQ, FEPI, QQQI, SCHD, NDQ, ATEC, HYLD and IVV): $33,027 up from $31,819.

Most recent dividend payment (September): $133.51 down from $155.21 in August (Monthly dividends from JPEQ, MSTY, FEPI, HYLD, and QQQI)
Dividends paid in September 2024: $53.37 which is a 150% Increase YoY (Year on Year)
6 Month Dividends Monthly Average: $190.76 up from $184.99 last month
Dividends paid in 2025 so far: $1,516.15 (this time last year it was $429.89)
Dividends paid in 2024: $725.85
All dividends paid in 2023: $102.68
All ETF dividend payments since starting the ETF portfolio: $2,376.57

ETF Dividends Goal 1: $2,000+ per year.