How to Build a TFSA That Earns +$200 of Safe Monthly Income

If you want to earn monthly income, here is a four-stock portfolio that could collectively earn over $200 per monthly of steady, solid income.

Key Points
  • Invest $12,500 each in Choice Properties (CHP.UN), Dream Industrial (DIR.UN), Mullen Group (MTL) and Exchange Income (EIF) — $50,000 total — to generate roughly $208.52/month (~$2,502/year) of tax‑free TFSA income.
  • The mix delivers diversified monthly payouts: Choice (grocery‑anchored REIT, ~5.3%), Dream (industrial REIT, ~5.8%), Mullen (transport, ~5.5%), and Exchange (aerospace/industrial, ~3.4%) with income and some growth potential.
  • Here's five top stocks our expert pickers like even better than Exchange Income. 

The TFSA (Tax-Free Savings Account) is a good account to put stocks that generate investment income because you don’t pay any tax on that income. While the tax savings don’t seem huge in the near term, when added up and compounded, they can be a substantial amount over the long term.

If you want to earn monthly income, here is a four-stock portfolio that could collectively earn over $200 of steady, solid income. You will need around $50,000 to invest in your TFSA, but here’s a model portfolio you could follow.

top TSX stocks to buy

Source: Getty Images

Safe monthly income for a TFSA

I would start by first putting $12,500 of my TFSA cash into Choice Properties Real Estate Investment Trust (TSX:CHP.UN). With a $0.0642 monthly distribution, Choice yields 5.3% right now. A $12,500 investment would buy you 856 shares at a price of $14.59. This investment would earn $54.92 every month!

The great thing is that Choice has been growing its dividend for the past three consecutive years. Choice is Canada’s largest REIT. It has 62 million square feet across retail, industrial, and mixed-use properties.

Its anchor tenant is Loblaw, which is one of Canada’s best and largest grocery/pharmacy operators. The REIT has high occupancy, long-term leases, and a track record of raising its distribution.

A steady monthly dividend payer

Dream Industrial REIT (TSX:DIR.UN) is another solid TFSA stock for income. It pays a $0.0583 per unit monthly distribution. Annualized, that equals a 5.84% yield. A $12,500 investment would buy you 1,041 units in the REIT. That would earn $60.69 monthly.

Dream is one of the largest pure-play industrial REITs in Canada. The REIT has +96% occupancy, a very diverse mix of tenants, and geographic diversification across Canada and Europe.

The REIT’s payout ratio has consistently improved over the years. It may be in a good position to increase its monthly distribution in the next year or so.

A transport stock with a nice yield

Another TFSA dividend stock is Mullen Group (TSX:MTL). It pays a $0.07 per share monthly dividend that equals a 5.5% dividend yield. A $12,500 investment would buy 818 shares and earn $57.26 monthly.

Mullen is one of Canada’s largest transport companies. Over the past few years, it has used a smart acquisition strategy to greatly diversify its business. It is much more resilient than in the past.

Unlike other transport businesses, its stock is up 5.4% this year. It has a great history of growing its dividend, so you are likely to see your TFSA income compound higher.

A perfect TFSA stock for total returns

You will have to sacrifice a bit of yield for higher total returns with Exchange Income Corp. (TSX:EIF). Its stock is up 35% in the year, and that has pushed its yield down to 3.44%. It pays a $0.23 monthly dividend. A $12,500 TFSA investment would earn $35.65 monthly.

Exchange is perfectly positioned to benefit from big investments in Canada’s military and Canada’s north. It operates an essential gateway airline service to many remote northern communities in Canada. Likewise, it has bustling aerospace, defence, and industrial business segments.

It just raised its dividend for the 19th time. 2026 should be another good year, so it’s not a bad time to add this stock to your TFSA now.

COMPANYRECENT PRICENUMBER OF SHARESDIVIDENDTOTAL PAYOUTFREQUENCY
Choice Properties REIT$14.59856$0.0642$54.92Monthly
Dream Industrial REIT$12.001,041$0.0583$60.69Monthly
Mullen Group$15.28818$0.07$57.26Monthly
Exchange Income Corp$80.27155$0.23$35.65Monthly

Prices as of December 5, 2025

Fool contributor Robin Brown has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Mullen Group. The Motley Fool recommends Dream Industrial Real Estate Investment Trust. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

More on Dividend Stocks

Muscles Drawn On Black board
Dividend Stocks

Canadian Defensive Stocks to Buy Now for Stability

Looking for a mix of stability, growth, and income? These two quality Canadian stocks are top defensive stocks to own.

Read more »

The sun sets behind a power source
Dividend Stocks

The Utilities Play: Boring, Reliable, and Suddenly Profitable

Quality utilities like Fortis stock is good for accumulation, especially on market corrections, for long-term, reliable wealth creation.

Read more »

TFSA (Tax free savings account) acronym on wooden cubes on the background of stacks of coins
Dividend Stocks

The Canadian Dividend Stocks I’d Be Most Comfortable Holding in a TFSA Forever

These three Canadian dividend stocks could be ideal long-term TFSA holdings.

Read more »

Woman in private jet airplane
Dividend Stocks

A Dependable Monthly Dividend Stock With a 6.6% Yield

This monthly dividend stock offers steady income backed by a diversified business model.

Read more »

money goes up and down in balance
Dividend Stocks

4 TSX Stocks Worth Considering as the Market Shifts Back Toward Value

Value investing is making a comeback in 2026 – and these TSX stocks fit the trend.

Read more »

woman checks off all the boxes
Dividend Stocks

5 Dividend Stocks That Could Deserve a Spot in Nearly Any Portfolio

Are you wondering how to build a portfolio that generates stable, growing passive income? These five top dividend stocks should…

Read more »

workers walk through an office building
Dividend Stocks

3 Undervalued TSX Stocks to Buy Before the Crowd Catches On

These three “undervalued” TSX names all look imperfect today, which is exactly why their valuations may be offering opportunity.

Read more »

bank of canada governor tiff macklem
Dividend Stocks

3 Canadian Stocks I’d Buy Before the Next Bank of Canada Move

With the Bank of Canada on hold, these three TSX names offer earnings power that doesn’t require perfect rate cuts.

Read more »