This week we’ll be looking to acquire equities held inside the Timothy Plan High Dividend fund.

Why not just buy the fund? Well, we do. It’s a great fund.

So why buy the equities outright?

It’s sort of like owning vs. renting, except in this case renting is probably the easier, smarter approach. By purchasing TPHD, you have access to a professionally managed portfolio with a nearly-guaranteed rate of return, for a small fee (expense ratio is like 0.57%, pretty decent). A good rule of thumb with ETF’s is to look for expense ratios under 1%

(That’s not to say that it can’t be worth paying more for a managed fund, but that’s going to be rather subjective).

The advantages to outright ownership of shares will be keeping a greater share of the dividends, as well as the ability to unload specific equities. Also, options.

Overall, we like having both ETFs as well as the equities held by them. Matter of fact, we often buy equities that are inside of our favorite ETFs. If it works for the pros, it should work just as well for the amateurs, amirite?!

1. KMB - $136.67/share, 3.57% yield, weekly options. Kimberly Clark makes, among other things, toilet paper.
   
   If you’ve ever worked a job that involved stocking restrooms, then you are familiar with these products. Or if you’ve ever had to take a dump in a public bathroom, for that matter.
   
   
   

2. KMI - $19.08/share, 6.05% yield, weekly options. Energy infrastructure is all you need to know.
   
   Kinder Morgan, Inc. operates as an energy infrastructure company primarily in North America.
   
   
   

3. ATO - $117.18/share, 2.69% yield, monthly options. Natural gas. All you need to know.
   
   Atmos Energy Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the regulated natural gas distribution, and pipeline and storage businesses in the United States
   
   
   Btw, the italicized things are copied/pasted from Fidelity. You’re welcome.
   
   

4. ITW - $250.33/share, 2.24% yield, monthly options. Illinois Tool produces exactly what it sounds like. Tools.
   
   Like, every sector you can think of. If it’s a tool, they make some form of it. Commercial/industrial tools, we should say. Not so much your hand-tools for home stuff.
   
   ALTHOUGH, some car guys out there with their own lifts and whatnot probably have some product from Illinois Tool. Probably.
   
   
   

5. ED - $97.70, 3.38% yield, monthly options.
   
   Consolidated Edison, Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in the regulated electric, gas, and steam delivery businesses in the United States.
   
   It’s easy to forget that steam pipelines are a thing. A major thing, actually. Look it up, you’ll be pleasantly surprised. Or bored to death.