Submitted by Universe789 t3_127my8g in personalfinance
I bought some dividend stocks on margin + cash last year.
The original plan was using cash from a heloc to buy the stocks and use the dividends to pay the Heloc down. Once both were paid, I could DRIP the stocks to compound the monthly dividend.
With the recent drop in stock price, I'd like to buy the dip to increase my dividend. But that money would only go toward paying back the HELOC if I transferred it into the account. More immediately I could buy more on margin, but I want to avoid extending when the margin will be paid off.
Total balance in margin is $1900. Again, the dividend stocks are on a DRIP, and payout monthly. So I've been selling the DRIP shares as I receive them to pay down the margin balance - about $123/MO. Which means that amount could be paid off in 1 yr without coming out of pocket.
I have the cash to pay off the remaining balance, but could also put that same amount toward paying down other debts, but not pay them off. I could leverage more of the Heloc, or borrow an equivalent amount from my 401k as a lown, paying myself interest.
Based on my current finances, I would not be hurt regardless of which way I play it, and any move I make would take maybly 1 yr to get back to this position or better.
so I'm more looking for input on which more would be the best.
cephalus t1_jeeulbp wrote
You really need to figure out if you are investing for your future or gambling.