How Much Do You Need to Invest to Make $300 a Month?

Are you still relying on one income source? It’s time to diversify. Here’s how much you need to invest to make $300 a month.

| More on:

Image source: Getty Images

There is a misconception that there are no fixed returns in the stock market. By investing in high-quality dividend stocks that give at least a 6% dividend yield, you can start earning $300 a month from the next quarter. While your end goal is clear, the next figure you need to complete the equation is when you want to start earning this $300 and how much you can invest at the moment. Once you have these two figures, we can work around various permutations and combinations to achieve our $300/month goal. 

Dividend stocks that can give you up to 6% average yield 

If you want to start earning $300 as soon as possible, you need to invest $60,000 in stocks that can give you a 6% dividend yield. Now is a ripe time, as many dividend stocks are trading at their lows as interest rate hikes have made their balance sheet debt expensive. 

TC Energy 

Oil and gas pipeline operator TC Energy’s (TSX:TRP) stock is under pressure because of a lawsuit and an over-budget pipeline. But the company has several income-generating pipeline projects that make up for any weak projects. TC Energy could grow its distributable cash flow in the coming years as its gas pipelines become operational. These pipelines will open Canada’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) reserves for export in Europe and Asia. 

Invest in more than two stocks  

While TC Energy is a good stock, it carries energy infrastructure risks, like delays in project approval and fluctuation in oil and gas prices. Thus, it is better to diversify your investment in other sectors that are unaffected by the factors which affect TC Energy. 

A good dividend income stock is CT REIT (TSX:CRT.UN). It enjoys the status of a trust, as well as Canadian Tire. So Canadian Tire outsources the development and maintenance of its stores to CT REIT and even pays rent at a 1.5% lease appreciation per year. The REIT doesn’t have to look for a tenant. It already has 100% occupancy before developing a project. As CT REIT is a trust, it distributes a major portion of its rental and sales income to shareholders to enjoy its no-tax benefit. It is the only REIT that grows its distribution by more than 3% annually. 

Another good stock for diversification is Power Corporation of Canada (TSX:POW). POW is a financial services holding company with insurance, wealth management, real estate investment, and private equity businesses in its portfolio. All these firms perform differently in different market situations, balancing each other’s weaknesses and strengths. POW gets dividends from its asset holdings, which it passes on to its shareholders.

Like the above two stocks, POW increases dividends annually at an average rate of 7%. However, it paused dividend growth for six years after the 2008 Financial crisis affected all financial services. 

How much money do you need to invest to make $300 a month? 

If you are looking to earn $300 per month from next quarter onwards, you can invest up to $60,000 in the above three stocks in the following order. 

Stock TickerInvestmentShare PriceDividend per ShareShare CountDividend Income
TRP$30,000$52.23$3.72574$2,135.28
CRT.UN$15,000$15.56$0.90964$865.86
POW$15,000$37.69$2.10398$835.80
Total    $3,836.94
How to earn $300 a month in passive income

TC Energy stock is trading below $53. If you invest $30,000 in it now, you can buy 574 shares and lock in a 7.1% yield. With a $3.72 annual dividend per share, your dividend income could come to $2,135/year ($177.94/month) from this stock alone. Similarly, a $15,000 investment in the remaining two stocks can give you a cumulative dividend income of $1,701/year or $141.8/month. Your average yield from the three stocks comes to 6.3%. And this income will keep growing as all three stocks have a record of growing dividends. 

But if you don’t have $60,000, you can invest $4,000 annually for the next 15 years and accumulate shares of the above stocks. If you are using this method, try to buy stocks when they are at their 52-week low to lock in a higher yield. 

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

Fool contributor Puja Tayal 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

Dividend Stocks

Got $1,000? Here Are My 3 Top Stocks to Buy Right Now

These three TSX stocks would be an valuable addition to your portfolio due to their impressive underlying business, healthy growth…

Read more »

edit Close-up Of A Piggybank With Eyeglasses And Calculator On Desk
Dividend Stocks

How Much Money Do You Need To Retire Worry-Free? 

Are you unsure how much money you should save to retire worry-free? Here is a guide to help you plan…

Read more »

analyze data
Dividend Stocks

Is Fiera Capital Stock a Buy for Its 10% Dividend Yield?

Fiera Capital stock is down 44% from all-time highs increasing its dividend yield to 10.2%. Is the dividend stock a…

Read more »

Senior Man Sitting On Sofa At Home With Pet Labrador Dog
Dividend Stocks

TFSA Investors: Turn $7,000 Into $20,000 by 2030

Investors can consider holding undervalued growth stocks such as Pet Valu in their TFSA right now.

Read more »

Supermarket aisle with empty green shopping cart
Dividend Stocks

Is Now the Right Time to Buy Dollarama Stock?

Dollarama stock trades at a fair valuation despite its market-thumping gains in the past decade. Is the TSX stock still…

Read more »

protect, safe, trust
Dividend Stocks

How to Earn Safe Dividends With Just $10,000

Earn reliable income with relatively safe stocks like Fortis.

Read more »

edit Person using calculator next to charts and graphs
Dividend Stocks

2 Dividend Stocks to Beat Inflation

These two TSX dividend stocks can be excellent holdings to beat inflation, even as inflation cools down.

Read more »

dividends grow over time
Dividend Stocks

TFSA: Invest $20,000 and Get $860/Year of Predictable Passive Income

Looking for safe passive income that will grow and build wealth inside your TFSA. Check out this four-stock portfolio of…

Read more »