Building wealth through dividends isn’t an overnight success, but rather work that requires relentless discipline, patience, consistency, and the power of compounding. While many chase quick gains, the real magic happens when investors commit to a long-term strategy, reinvesting dividends and steadily growing their portfolios over decades.
One investor’s recent milestone proves just that: a $1 million portfolio generating $4,000 a month in passive income, all starting from humble beginnings of just $50 a month.
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The investor, who is nearly 40 years old, shared on Reddit that he began his journey at 20 but only started taking investing seriously in his mid-20s. His early contributions were modest, around $20 to $50 a month, but over time, he increased his monthly investments to an average of $300, and now invests approximately $2,000 to $2,500 monthly.
Despite market volatility, he said he’s focused on the long game: “It's hard to see my portfolio plummeting, but I then remember myself I'm playing a long game. I'm not in a hurry, the administration will change and markets will become green eventually. They did in the past every single time.”
The investor's portfolio consists of a mix of ETFs, real estate investment trusts, and blue-chip dividend stocks. Let’s take a closer look at each holding, why investors favor them, and their current dividend yields.
A $1 Million Portfolio Generating $4,000 a Month Dividend Income–Redditor Shares Top Holdings
Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF
Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (NYSE:SCHD) is a fan favorite among dividend investors because it tracks a high-quality index of U.S. companies with strong, consistent dividend payouts. It focuses on companies with solid fundamentals like high return on equity, low debt, and consistent growth. SCHD pays investors around 4.05% in dividend yield annually.
JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF
JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF (NYSE:JEPI) offers an attractive yield by combining blue-chip U.S. equities with an options overlay strategy that generates extra income. It's especially loved by retirees and income seekers who want stability and high cash flow without taking massive risks. JEPI generates around 7.88% in annual dividend yield.
Realty Income Corporation
Realty Income Corp. (NYSE:O) is a real estate investment trust that owns commercial real estate leased to big, stable tenants like Walgreens and FedEx. It has a legendary track record of paying monthly dividends for over 25 years straight. O is beloved by income investors for its predictability and real estate-backed stability and pays approximately 5,68% in dividends per year.
Ares Capital Corporation
Ares Capital Corp. (NASDAQ:ARCC) is a business development company that lends to and invests in middle-market companies, earning high interest in return. Investors love ARCC for its high yield and consistent income, even if it comes with slightly higher risk. ARCC generates around 9,49% in dividends per year.
Public Storage
Public Storage (NYSE:PSA) is the king of the self-storage real estate investment trusts, operating thousands of storage facilities across the U.S. PSA it's a favorite among long-term real estate investors because of its stable cash flow, low overhead, and high margins. The company pays investors approximately 4,13% in dividend income annually.
SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:SPY) is the original S&P 500 ETF, offering diversification across 500 of the biggest U.S. companies. It's not known for high yield, but investors hold it for long-term growth and market exposure. SPY generates approximately 1.33% in annual dividend yield.
Altria Group
Altria Group (NYSE:MO) offers a sky-high yield and stable cash flow from its tobacco empire. Despite regulatory headwinds, it continues to generate enormous profits and share them with investors. Some also speculate on growth via its cannabis and nicotine-alternative investments. MO pays 7,06% in dividend income per year.
PepsiCo
PepsiCo (NASDAQ:PEP) owns massive snack brands like Doritos, Quaker, and Lay's. Its diversified business model makes it recession-resistant, and it's a dividend aristocrat with over 50 years of dividend growth. Investors love its global reach, brand strength, and reliable, growing dividend payouts, which are now around 3,76% per year.
Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) is a healthcare titan with business lines in pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and consumer health products. It has one of the longest dividend growth streaks and is considered ultra-defensive. JNJ is a go-to for investors wanting both stability and a safe, growing income stream through dividends, which now sit at around 3.14% per year.
Verizon Communications
Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) provides essential telecom services, with a massive nationwide infrastructure and millions of customers. While growth is slow, its cash flows are enormous, and it pays a very generous dividend. VZ pays investors around 6,08% in dividends.
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