Do you want to replace your entire wage with dividends? It's definitely possible to do it with ASX dividend shares.
I think having excess cash in the bank making interest at less than 1% just seems like a missed opportunity.
Before the coronavirus, wage growth was low and switching jobs seemed like the only way to get a good wage increase. These days ASX dividend shares may be the best way to boost your income.
The type of ASX shares that you could be looking at depends on how much dividend income you're trying to make and how quickly.
You need to replace your wage fairly soon
You could be at a stage in life where retirement is coming up soon. Perhaps you are in a physical job and you won't be able to do that for much longer. If this kind of situation describes you then high dividend yields could be the answer. But whatever you pick still needs to have a bit of potential growth too.
If you're at retirement age and you aren't rolling in money, you could be eligible for the pension or part pension which could help supplement your income needs.
Maybe you have $100,000 or $200,000 to invest to boost your income. The overall ASX share market is not a bad option for dividends, with a long-term investment in Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS). The UK share market also has a solid dividend yield, which we can access through Betashares FTSE 100 ETF (ASX: F100)
There are also some listed investment companies (LICs) with big dividend yields like WAM Research Limited (ASX: WAX) and Naos Emerging Opportunities Company Ltd (ASX: NCC). Both of these LICs have grossed-up dividend yields of more than 9% and have paid reliable dividends over the past several years. They both look at smaller shares which have more growth potential than blue chips. A $100,000 portfolio with a 9% dividend yield makes $9,000 a year before accounting for income tax.
You have longer to replace your wage
You may not have an urgent need to build your income. In that case it's probably better to go for ASX dividend shares that have good yields but are still generating growth over the long-term.
ASX blue chips like Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) and Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) have been two good options that combine dividends and growth. Real estate investment trusts (REITs) like Rural Funds Group (ASX: RFF) are also solid income options. Infrastructure shares such as APA Group (ASX: APA) can also be reliable dividend payers.
However, some of the best ASX dividend shares could be ideas that have a solid starting yield, keep growing their dividend and can make capital gains over the long-term.
I'm thinking about shares like Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co. Ltd (ASX: SOL), Magellan Global Trust (ASX: MGG), WAM Microcap Limited (ASX: WMI), Future Generation Investment Company Ltd (ASX: FGX) and Brickworks Limited (ASX: BKW).
Foolish takeaway
I'm aiming to replace my work earnings with dividends over time with many of the businesses I've named above. The younger you are the easier it is to plan ahead for your portfolio and benefit from compound interest. It just takes time. Plan ahead to replace your earnings. I think a monthly investment plan is a good routine. Eventually you'll reach excellent wealth and dividends.
