How I run my own House

What it is

The House is the author's own dividend portfolio, held in a taxable brokerage account. It is run for income: the payouts its positions make are the point, and how those payouts are handled is described below.

Phase 1: Spread (current)

The dividends my House positions pay are spread across the House's positions in proportion, so my weights stay at the targets I set. During this phase I hold JEPI and JEPQ as income tools: they pay monthly income while my SCHD purchases are still small.

Phase 2: Switch (planned)

Once the payouts from JEPI and JEPQ alone can buy 2–3 SCHD shares a month, I'll send all of their payouts into SCHD instead of spreading them. The only change is where their payouts go. JEPI and JEPQ do not fall below their target weights. Compounding stops on the other assets and is used to fund SCHD's growth instead, the rest of the portfolio's weights are maintained, and SCHD's weight is allowed to drift higher indefinitely.

The holdings

The House holds SCHD, JEPI, JEPQ, O, MAIN, VPU, and QQQ. Each has a card on this site marked 'In the House,' graded by the same rules as every other card.

Grading stays separate

JEPI currently carries a caution grade under this site's framework. I hold it for its role in my plan, and that role doesn't soften its grade.

Disclosures

I own the positions named here. This describes my own account only. It isn't a recommendation and doesn't account for anyone's goals, taxes, or risk tolerance. Plans can change, and I'll update and date this page when they do. Nothing here is investment advice.

Updated October 30, 2026.