In a remarkable journey shared on Reddit’s r/Dividends, a user recounted how he transformed his savings into a thriving portfolio that now generates $13,470 per year through dividend stocks. Three years ago, he committed most of his savings to dividend growth stocks, navigating the complexities of investing while learning valuable lessons along the way.
Initially, this investor found himself drawn to growth stocks like Apple, only to lose patience and sell at a loss. “I thought only day traders made money in the stock market,” he reflected. However, he shifted his focus to dividend investing, steadily contributing small amounts—even during tough times like the market downturn in early 2020.
During the pandemic, when his income dipped, he seized the opportunity to “buy the dip,” later balancing his investments with growth stocks to accelerate his gains. Despite the challenges, this strategy ultimately led him to build a diversified portfolio with a yield of about 3.84% across 69 stocks.
Here are some of the top holdings in his successful dividend portfolio:
- AvalonBay Communities (NYSE: AVB) – A leading REIT generating significant dividends.
- Realty Income Corp (NYSE: O) – Known for consistent monthly dividends, it boasts a track record of raising payouts for 30 consecutive years.
- Exxon Mobil Corp (NYSE: XOM) – This oil giant has a long history of dividend increases, currently yielding over 3.1%.
- Enterprise Products Partners LP (NYSE: EPD) – A midstream energy company with a robust 7% dividend yield.
- Chevron Corp (NYSE: CVX) – Another strong player in energy, yielding around 4.3% with decades of payout increases.
- Pembina Pipeline Corp (NYSE: PBA) – A Canadian company offering a 5% yield and reliable quarterly dividends.
- Altria Group Inc (NYSE: MO) – Despite industry challenges, this stock yields a remarkable 8% and has a long history of dividend increases.
- Franklin Resources Inc (NYSE: BEN) – A financial services firm yielding about 6%.
- Main Street Capital Corp (NYSE: MAIN) – A business development company with a strong monthly dividend history.
- Verizon Communications Inc (NYSE: VZ) – This telecom giant yields about 5.9%, with a solid track record of dividend increases.
- Genuine Parts Co (NYSE: GPC) – With a dividend yield of 2.9% and 67 consecutive years of increases, it’s a favorite among income investors.
This investor’s journey exemplifies how patience, strategic investment in dividend stocks, and a long-term perspective can yield substantial financial rewards

hii Aditi Sahu this side..
As an author and writer specializing in investment and finance , I am dedicated to delivering insightful articles and news stories that inform and engage the investment community . My focus is on providing timely and relevant content that covers market trends , innovative strategies , and key financial development . My goal is to equip investors with the knowledge and insights needed to make informed decisions and succeed in a dynamic financial environment.