Roaming Returns

Tim & Carmela

Most nomads just relocate their hustle—freelancing, content grinding, or trading time for money on the road.We’re Tim & Carmela, the Income Investing Nomads.On Roaming Returns, we break down how to build hybrid income streams—dividends, value investing, strategic flips, and tax-smart strategies—that decouple your time from your income.So you can fund your freedom, travel full time (even in a van), and stop deferring your life.No hype. No one-size-fits-all dogma. Just real numbers, tested strategies, and honest conversations about how to make work optional.  New episodes drop every Thursday.

  1. 6D AGO

    135 - Our Biggest Investing Mistakes of 2025 And How They Sparked Process Upgrades

    This episode is our yearly investing accountability report — the “Whoopsie Daisies” review where we openly break down the trades and decisions that didn’t go to plan. We cover: Dividend suspensions and cuts that blindsided us (and what we do now when income goes to zero).Selling too early on winners and how we’re changing our  profit-taking rule so we stop prematurely ejecting from huge runners. (Last year's keep going up! WTF) High-yield ETF experiments that didn’t  behave the way they should (and which YieldMax ETFs aren't absolute garbage). Overpaying for great long-term holdings (UPS, LYB, TRMD) and how we use valuation, bands, and DCA to repair a bad entry without panic-selling.How we manage risk with a max position-size rule and why that one rule prevents a single holding from turning into a portfolio hostage situation.This is our real process for how we navigate investing to reduce risk and keep compounding even when the market humbles us.  ***NOTE*** We did live streams on Thursday 12/18/2025 (today) and Friday 12/19/2025 on Our YouTube Channel to show where we allocated our $150,000 in condo sale proceeds. Watch the replays below. Thursday 12/18 Livestream --> watch here Friday 12/19 Livestream --> watch here Questions? Email Tim at debrine9@gmail.com Want FREE weekly market updates, Tim's top 10 dividend picks, and our portfolio updates delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to our email list. Stay connected. Follow us on social! **DISCLAIMER** Ticker metrics change as markets and companies change, so always do your own research. The content in this podcast is based on personal experience and is for educational purposes, not financial advice. See full disclaimer here. Episode music was created using Loudly.

    54 min
  2. DEC 12

    134 - Exactly How Much Our High-Yield Portfolio Paid Us In Q4

    This episode is our Q4 dividend update for the Vanning Portfolio—our main income engine as we transition into living off dividends full-time. We share every number openly so investors can follow along, compare progress, and see how an income-first portfolio adjusts in real time to dividend cuts, bad news, market swings, and valuation changes. Here’s what we cover: • Q3 vs Q4 dividend totals Q3 brought in $5,561.84, while Q4 delivered $5,497.18, a small dip mostly caused by weaker payouts from four weekly income ETFs (AMZY, CONY, USOY, YMAX). • Full-year income We collected $21,760.81, averaging $1,813.40 per month—right on target for our income plan as we prepare to scale using our condo sale proceeds next week. • Portfolio moves this quarter Sold: RWAY, RYLD Started: BMY, ULTI, WPAY, WLKP Adjusted DRIPs, shifted risk, and monitored payout sustainability. • Valuation alerts Overvalued: AB, BMY, CONY, JEPQ, NBXG, QQQI, QVCGP, UAN & WNTR Deeply Undervalued (15%+): YBTC, WLKP, LFGY, KRP, IEP, CWH, ARLP • The DRIP Strategy We now have DRIP turned off on 14 investments, positioned to become pure profit within 24 months if trends continue. • Stocks flashing turnaround potential Yes, even IEP and MPW are showing early—and shocking—signs of recovery. We also walk through:  • How we track dividend trends to catch red flags early  • When we pause a position, trim, or pivot entirely  • How to align buys with value, safety margins, and 2026 macro trends  • What we’re watching next as income becomes our primary paycheck If you're building an income-focused portfolio you actually want to live off, this is the blueprint—warts, wins, pivots and all. Dividend Spreadsheet Buy-Up-To Price Spreadsheet Questions? Email Tim at debrine9@gmail.com Want FREE weekly market updates, Tim's top 10 dividend picks, and our portfolio updates delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to our email list. Stay connected. Follow us on social! **DISCLAIMER** Ticker metrics change as markets and companies change, so always do your own research. The content in this podcast is based on personal experience and is for educational purposes, not financial advice. See full disclaimer here. Episode music was created using Loudly.

    38 min
  3. DEC 5

    133 - Our Conservative Portfolio Q4 Dividend Update + Stock Insights

    This episode is our Q4 dividend income update for the conservative retirement portfolio — the portfolio built for stability, capital preservation, and reliable income. We compare Q4 dividend payouts against Q3 and break down exactly how much income this portfolio generated, how it has grown, and which holdings are pulling their weight. What we cover in this episode: • Total dividends collected this quarter: $4,532.11 (up 7.55% from Q3) • Full-year income: $18,416.86 — averaging $1,534.74/month • What we sold (AFG, half of ABR), what we took profits on (BTI, MMM), and why • New positions: AEF, KMB, DX • Which holdings are currently overvalued vs. undervalued • Early dividend warning signs and what decreasing payouts can tell you • Stocks to watch heading into our upcoming 2026 macro trends & stock picks episode • How tracking your dividends reduces research time and exposes risk early This episode is perfect for anyone building a retirement income portfolio, dividend investors, or anyone wanting to understand how to evaluate what’s working — and what isn’t — in a portfolio designed for long-term stability. We also walk through attached spreadsheets showing the full numbers and our valuation chart with:  ✔ Buy-up-to prices  ✔ Target prices  ✔ Undervalued opportunities heading into 2026  ✔ Stocks to avoid right now due to sentiment, fundamentals, or looming dividend risk If you're a conservative investor who wants a clear roadmap of what to add, avoid, or research before the new year,  this episode is your guide. Dividend Spreadsheet Buy-Up-To Price Spreadsheet Questions? Email Tim at debrine9@gmail.com Want FREE weekly market updates, Tim's top 10 dividend picks, and our portfolio updates delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to our email list. Stay connected. Follow us on social! **DISCLAIMER** Ticker metrics change as markets and companies change, so always do your own research. The content in this podcast is based on personal experience and is for educational purposes, not financial advice. See full disclaimer here. Episode music was created using Loudly.

    33 min
  4. NOV 28

    132 - Reviewing Our 2025 Macro Forecast - Spoiler: We Nailed It!

    This week, we’re reviewing the 2025 macro predictions we made back in December 2024 — and the results are honestly insane. We identified nine major macro trend themes heading into 2025 (plus a “miscellaneous chaos” category), and in this episode we break down exactly how each played out — the hits, the misses, and the monster trends that shaped the entire year. 🔥 BIG THEMES WE COVER: 1. Nuclear Energy We predicted a massive boom… and it actually happened. Nuclear went from policy talk to full-scale implementation. Old plants reopened, new ones broke ground, and nuclear ETFs hit triple-digit gains at their peak. 2. Electric Utilities Another home run. Utility stocks — the “boring ones” — saw year-to-date gains of 18% to nearly 40% thanks to the AI energy arms race. 3. Oil & Gas Right prediction, weird execution. Policy shifted, but OPEC responded with a full-on oil glut, keeping prices suppressed around $60. Cheap gas kept inflation muted, but energy stocks lagged. 4. Artificial Intelligence Hardware → application shift? Nailed. AI exploded across every sector, with Nvidia smashing earnings and multiple companies integrating robotics, automation, and new infrastructure. 5. Data Storage & Infrastructure Growth? Way above expectations. The data center boom is underway, and the best part is — the move hasn’t even peaked yet. 6. REITs (especially mREITs) We predicted mREITs would outperform equity REITs. Correct. Interest rate timing was messy, but the year still favored mortgage REITs by a wide margin. 7. Healthcare/Biotech A mixed bag. R&D exploded thanks to AI, but big pharma lagged. 2026 looks promising for targeted healthcare plays. 8. BDCs Everyone else said they’d boom. We said, “Nope, not this year.” And we were right. But 2026? They look loaded. 9. Finance & Crypto Crypto broke ATHs early, then cratered as fear took over. Financials split cleanly: big banks crushed it, regionals dragged. 📊 The Results - Spreadsheet Link We recommended 14 investments last year. • Equal-weighted return: 18.19% (beats the ~10% market average) • Without the OGN dividend implosion: 23.16% • If using sell signals we discussed: ~23–48% Every single pick was up at some point in 2025.  Our “big picture” calls were shockingly accurate — even with volatility, tariffs, rate swings, and AI bubble fears stirring chaos all year. 🎯 Bottom Line If you followed the macro logic — not the news cycle — 2025 was a killer year. Questions? Email Tim at debrine9@gmail.com Want FREE weekly market updates, Tim's top 10 dividend picks, and our portfolio updates delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to our email list. Stay connected. Follow us on social! **DISCLAIMER** Ticker metrics change as markets and companies change, so always do your own research. The content in this podcast is based on personal experience and is for educational purposes, not financial advice. See full disclaimer here. Episode music was created using Loudly.

    46 min
  5. NOV 21

    131 - If We Started Investing Over… This Is EXACTLY The Portfolio We’d Build

    Ready to build a portfolio that actually works in today’s market — not 1985’s? In this episode, we break down a complete modern starter portfolio for new investors AND experienced investors who want a reset for 2026. We take the outdated 60/40 model, call it the trash panda it is, and replace it with a diversified, income-strong, resilience-focused allocation built for real market conditions — inflation, rate cuts, volatility, and all. We cover: 🔥 The 7-Category Modern Portfolio Blueprint 15% MLPs15% REITs10% BDCs20% Dividend Growth Stocks10% Muni Bonds15% CEFs15% Covered Call ETFs (“your paycheck bucket”)📊 What You’ll Learn: Our new and improved 60/40 strategyHow to avoid redundancy between ETFs, CEFs, and individual stocksThe best tickers and examples inside each categoryHow these pieces work together to create income streams from multiple directionsHow a $10,000 portfolio using this model could generate 11.7% yieldHow to deploy dividends, DRIP strategically, and accelerate compoundingHow to adjust allocations based on your personal risk profileIf you want a simple, diversified, income-driven blueprint to start investing — or rebuild your portfolio the right way — this episode is your roadmap. Questions? Email Tim at debrine9@gmail.com Want FREE weekly market updates, Tim's top 10 dividend picks, and our portfolio updates delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to our email list. Stay connected. Follow us on social! **DISCLAIMER** Ticker metrics change as markets and companies change, so always do your own research. The content in this podcast is based on personal experience and is for educational purposes, not financial advice. See full disclaimer here. Episode music was created using Loudly.

    1h 6m
  6. NOV 14

    130 - The Truth About Gold: Overrated, Overhyped, or Essential?

    🔥 Is Gold Actually a Smart Investment — or Just an Overhyped Security Blanket? This episode breaks down one of the most controversial topics in investing: whether gold really deserves a place in your portfolio. Despite decades of advice telling investors to hold 3–10% in precious metals, the data tells a VERY different story. We dig deep into: ✨ The biggest myths about gold  📉 Why gold underperforms stocks again and again  💰 The hidden costs investors never account for  📊 100-year return comparisons  🧠 The psychology of fear, scarcity, and “safe haven” bias  🚫 Why modern investors — especially income-focused or minimalist lifestyles — should think twice This isn’t an attack on gold. It’s a reality check backed by history, math, and real-world data. If you’ve ever wondered whether gold is a smart hedge… or just a shiny distraction… this episode is for you. Questions? Email Tim at debrine9@gmail.com Want FREE weekly market updates, Tim's top 10 dividend picks, and our portfolio updates delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to our email list. Stay connected. Follow us on social! **DISCLAIMER** Ticker metrics change as markets and companies change, so always do your own research. The content in this podcast is based on personal experience and is for educational purposes, not financial advice. See full disclaimer here. Episode music was created using Loudly.

    32 min
  7. NOV 7

    129 - Our Twist on Dollar-Cost Averaging to Buy More, Risk Less, and Earn Faster

    Most investors treat Dollar-Cost Averaging (DCA) like gospel — same amount, same time, no questions asked. We don’t. This week, we dive into our “Dynamic DCA” strategy — a smarter, more flexible way to lower your cost basis and grow income faster. By knowing our dividend stocks so well, we can turn off DRIP when they’re overvalued and pile in when they dip into buy zones. It’s still incremental, still disciplined — but driven by valuation and timing, not automation. 💡 In this episode we cover: ⚙️ How “Dynamic DCA” works (and why it beats traditional DCA for dividend investors)💸 The tradeoff between lump-sum investing vs. incremental investing🕒 Why DCA only smooths volatility if your horizon is 10+ years📊 10 real examples from our portfolio — THTA, UPS, SPMC, UAN, TGT, LYB, CMG, OZK, ADM & ES — and how Dynamic DCA changed our cost basis🧠 How we combine value investing, macro awareness, and micro strategies to churn capital and grow monthly income faster💥 Why “waiting for the perfect price” is a myth — and why cash reserves (like THTA) are your secret weaponIf your goal is to reach monthly income freedom faster, this episode will change how you think about DCA forever. Questions? Email Tim at debrine9@gmail.com Want FREE weekly market updates, Tim's top 10 dividend picks, and our portfolio updates delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to our email list. Stay connected. Follow us on social! **DISCLAIMER** Ticker metrics change as markets and companies change, so always do your own research. The content in this podcast is based on personal experience and is for educational purposes, not financial advice. See full disclaimer here. Episode music was created using Loudly.

    36 min
  8. OCT 31

    128 - Why We Happily Overspend on Halloween 🎃 (The Psychology + Money Stats)

    Why do we spend billions on one spooky night? This episode traces Halloween’s evolution—from Samhain and Roman festivals to All Hallows’ Eve—then flips the mask to reveal the behavioral psychology behind today’s $13B spend.  We unpack: 🎃 Origins to Modern Mashup: Samhain → Roman Feralia & Pomona → All Saints/All Souls → American trick-or-treat💵 Follow the Money: Costumes, décor, candy, parties; average spend per celebrant; why the total keeps hitting records🧠 Psych Drivers: Nostalgia, social proof, sanctioned escapism, scarcity, and why fear = dopamine (aka paid thrills)🧪 Marketing Playbook: Limited drops, seasonal urgency, “keep up with the neighbors,” and pet costumes (yes, really)✅ The Real Goals: Experiences hit harder than stuff, memory-making outlast thingsIf you love history, consumer psychology, or just need to justify that 12-foot skeleton…this one’s for you. Questions? Email Tim at debrine9@gmail.com Want FREE weekly market updates, Tim's top 10 dividend picks, and our portfolio updates delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to our email list. Stay connected. Follow us on social! **DISCLAIMER** Ticker metrics change as markets and companies change, so always do your own research. The content in this podcast is based on personal experience and is for educational purposes, not financial advice. See full disclaimer here. Episode music was created using Loudly.

    45 min

Ratings & Reviews

4.5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Most nomads just relocate their hustle—freelancing, content grinding, or trading time for money on the road.We’re Tim & Carmela, the Income Investing Nomads.On Roaming Returns, we break down how to build hybrid income streams—dividends, value investing, strategic flips, and tax-smart strategies—that decouple your time from your income.So you can fund your freedom, travel full time (even in a van), and stop deferring your life.No hype. No one-size-fits-all dogma. Just real numbers, tested strategies, and honest conversations about how to make work optional.  New episodes drop every Thursday.

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