As I do not have much to write about, maybe it's time for a personal update.

1. a) Financial markets

As I stopped leverage aeons ago, I was unaffected by developments in the financial markets. As interest rates rose, my REITs and Business Trusts shrank, but my dividends were not hit that badly, so I can afford to hold. If I do have a worry, it's the US-based office REITs, but I'm well diversified and don't have double-digit yields this year. My interpretation of bank failures is that they may be a signal to the Fed to stop raising rates. As I'm not really vested in the US, my concern is about contagion to local banks. But that risk is also small. I don't think local dividends investors will need to really be too concerned about the markets. Just stay calm and collect dividends this month.

1. b) Career

I'm ramping down my work in the law firm and focused on...