I’ve been conducting investment experiments over the past seven months. When the market is strong, I feel hopeful, thinking, 'I can retire like this,' but when it falls, I’m plagued by anxiety, wondering if I'll have to work my whole life or if I’ll lose all my assets. These have been turbulent days.
I entered the world of high-dividend stocks during a period when the market was on an upward trend. At that time, full of anticipation, I voraciously read online accounts from predecessors who had 'recouped their principal and were now receiving dividends like pensions.' However, after actually diving in, I painfully realized that everything comes down to 'timing.' Success or failure largely depends on the timing of entry, and above all, Japan’s tax system poses a significant barrier. Unlike successful overseas cases, investing in Japan tends to be structurally disadvantageous due to taxes.
In aiming for a dividend-based lifestyle, I’ve also picked up practical knowledge, such as deliberately not applying for double taxation relief to keep health insurance costs down. For salaried workers, there are times when applying would be better—there’s so much I’ve learned firsthand.
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Current Struggles and Urgent Goals
The goal of this investment diary is...