It took me decades to "know thyself", but I finally figured out that I needed stocks that pay dividends, preferably rising dividends, in order for me to hang in there on the dips. I have not been able to locate a listing of stocks with rising dividends but am gradually beginning to compile a list of my own. The following stocks all raised their dividends through the Nixon (1973-1974), Reagan (1982), and Bush (1990) recessions.

The Fabulous Forties (number of years of rising dividends in parentheses): Proctor and Gamble (44), Genuine Parts (44), MMM (41), Old Kent Financial (41), Johnson and Johnson (40)

The Thrilling Thirties: Cinncinati Financial (39), Coca Cola (37), Tootsie Roll (34)(also give annual 3% stock dividends), J.P. Morgan (33), Pfizer (32), Philip Morris (32)

brucedoe