How to Create $250 in Passive Income Each Month for Life

Passive income this high may take a while, but it’s doable, and the returns from this dividend stock could make the wait well worth it.

| More on:

Right now, is a time that many investors are seeking out passive income when focusing on investments. They want as much as possible as soon as possible. Yet that’s where many tend to stop when it comes to achieving their goals. And, frankly, saying you want a lot and you want it now isn’t a goal at all.

Come up with a number

If you’re eyeing up passive-income stocks and you want them to pay you often, then it’s time to consider reverse engineering this process. For this example, I’m going to assume you want monthly cash. Furthermore, I’ll assume that you want to eventually reach the goal of $250 per month in passive income.

I do say “eventually” here. That’s because investing isn’t an immediate result; it’s a process. The goal that one should have in mind isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme. It should be a long-term investment that can help you achieve your financial goals, whatever they may be.

Northland Power

Northland Power (TSX:NPI) is a stellar option when considering passive income. The company has already climbed 1,293% in the last two decades alone. That brings in a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.06%!

Northland stock focuses on clean energy and mainly on offshore wind farms. I’ve been touting this company as a strong choice given that the company can produce power without using land — land that humans desperately need, as our populations grow and we need space to live, work, and eat.

Finally, Northland stock is cheap trading at 14.03 times earnings, which puts it in value territory. Its dividend yield also sits at 3.08% as of writing. That’s certainly enough to bring in strong passive income in the long term.

The math

Now, to show you how to get to $250 per month in passive income. You could try to invest the amount you’d need to get that today, but it would be a massive investment. You would need to create passive income of $3,000 per year. With shares at $39, that would take an investment of $97,500 as of writing with dividends of $1.20 per share!

So, let’s take a bit longer. Let’s say you have $20,000 to invest in Northland stock. Then we’ll assume you’re willing to add $6,000 to it each year.

Shares OwnedAnnual Dividend Per ShareAnnual DividendAfter DRIP ValueAnnual ContributionYear End Shares OwnedYear-End Stock PriceNew Balance
513 $1.20 $616.37 $20,637.28 $6,000.00661.98 $44.47 $29,438.98
661.98 $1.21 $803.80 $30,252.91 $6,000.00796.38 $50.70 $40,374.37
796.38 $1.23 $977.25 $41,362.53 $6,000.00917.29 $57.80 $53,014.95
917.29 $1.24 $1,137.55 $54,163.76 $6,000.001025.79 $65.89 $67,585.85
1025.79 $1.25 $1,285.60 $68,882.71 $6,000.001122.94 $75.11 $84,344.73
1122.94 $1.27 $1,422.27 $85,778.04 $6,000.001209.75 $85.63 $103,586.30
1209.75 $1.28 $1,548.46 $105,145.41 $6,000.001287.19 $97.61 $125,647.50
1287.19 $1.29 $1,665.04 $127,322.69 $6,000.001356.17 $111.28 $150,913.34
1356.17 $1.31 $1,772.86 $152,695.77 $6,000.001417.51 $126.86 $179,823.64
1417.51 $1.32 $1,872.70 $181,705.30 $6,000.001472.01 $144.62 $212,880.61
1472.01 $1.34 $1,965.31 $214,854.26 $6,000.001520.38 $164.87 $250,657.55
1520.38 $1.35 $2,051.40 $252,716.66 $6,000.001563.26 $187.95 $293,808.71
1563.26 $1.36 $2,131.61 $295,947.43 $6,000.001601.24 $214.26 $343,080.65
1601.24 $1.38 $2,206.55 $345,293.72 $6,000.001634.87 $244.26 $399,325.01
1634.87 $1.39 $2,276.77 $401,607.74 $6,000.001664.61 $278.45 $463,513.25
1664.61 $1.41 $2,342.77 $465,861.45 $6,000.001690.91 $317.43 $536,753.31
1690.91 $1.42 $2,405.01 $539,163.26 $6,000.001714.15 $361.87 $620,308.72
1714.15 $1.44 $2,463.91 $622,777.12 $6,000.001734.68 $412.54 $715,620.34
1734.68 $1.45 $2,519.84 $718,144.25 $6,000.001752.8 $470.29 $824,331.10
1752.8 $1.47 $2,573.16 $826,907.94 $6,000.001768.8 $536.13 $948,314.30
1768.8 $1.48 $2,624.17 $950,941.80 $6,000.001782.92 $611.19 $1,089,705.80
1782.92 $1.50 $2,673.15 $1,092,381.96 $6,000.001795.37 $696.76 $1,250,940.77
1795.37 $1.52 $2,720.35 $1,253,663.83 $6,000.001806.35 $794.31 $1,434,795.54
1806.35 $1.53 $2,766.00 $1,437,563.99 $6,000.001816.04 $905.51 $1,644,435.37
1816.04 $1.55 $2,810.31 $1,647,247.88 $6,000.001824.57 $1,032.28 $1,883,468.83
1824.57 $1.56 $2,853.45 $1,886,324.26 $6,000.001832.1 $1,176.80 $2,156,009.90
1832.1 $1.58 $2,895.59 $2,158,907.27 $6,000.001838.73 $1,341.55 $2,466,748.66
1838.73 $1.60 $2,936.88 $2,469,687.14 $6,000.001844.57 $1,529.37 $2,821,031.95
1844.57 $1.61 $2,977.44 $2,824,010.83 $6,000.001849.72 $1,743.48 $3,224,955.30
1849.72 $1.63 $3,017.40 $3,227,974.00 $6,000.001854.26 $1,987.57 $3,685,467.74

It’s going to take 30 years, but by the time you reach retirement, you will then be able to look forward to $250 every single month from this stock, which you can see below. That’s based on historical growth in share price as well as its dividend. Meanwhile, you could end up with a portfolio of $3.7 million!

Fool contributor Amy Legate-Wolfe has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

More on Dividend Stocks

Rocket lift off through the clouds
Dividend Stocks

They’re Not Your Typical ‘Growth’ Stocks, But These 2 Could Have Explosive Upside in 2026

These Canadian stocks aren't known as pure-growth names, but 2026 could be a very good year for both in terms…

Read more »

happy woman throws cash
Dividend Stocks

Beat the TSX With This Cash-Gushing Dividend Stock

Here’s why this under-the-radar utilities stock could outpace the TSX with dividend income and upside.

Read more »

Real estate investment concept
Dividend Stocks

1 Incredibly Cheap Canadian Dividend-Growth Stock to Buy Now and Hold for Decades

Down over 40% from all-time highs, Propel is an undervalued dividend stock that trades at a discount in December 2025.

Read more »

man looks worried about something on his phone
Dividend Stocks

Is BCE Stock (Finally) a Buy for its 5.5% Dividend Yield?

This beaten-down blue chip could let you lock in a higher yield as conditions normalize. Here’s why BCE may be…

Read more »

TFSA (Tax-Free Savings Account) on wooden blocks and Canadian one hundred dollar bills.
Dividend Stocks

The Perfect TFSA Stock With a 9% Payout Each Month

An under-the-radar Brazilian gas producer with steady contracts and a big dividend could be a sneaky-good TFSA income play.

Read more »

Retirees sip their morning coffee outside.
Dividend Stocks

Premier TSX Dividend Stocks for Retirees

Three TSX dividend stocks are suitable options for retiring seniors with smart investing strategies.

Read more »

a man relaxes with his feet on a pile of books
Dividend Stocks

What’s the Average RRSP Balance for a 70-Year-Old in Canada?

At 70, turn your RRSP into a personal pension. See how one dividend ETF can deliver steady, tax-deferred income with…

Read more »

monthly calendar with clock
Dividend Stocks

An 8% Dividend Stock Paying Every Month Like Clockwork

This non-bank mortgage lender turns secured real estate loans into steady monthly income, which is ideal for TFSA investors seeking…

Read more »