5 steps to bring in $1,000 per month in passive income

It could be income aplenty for investors following these steps.

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Key points

  • Generating passive income is something that anyone can do
  • Having a plan is key to making it a success
  • Five steps you can take to generate income are listed below

If you're wanting to generate passive income with ASX shares, there are a few key steps to follow to make this a reality.

5 steps to growing your passive income

First up, you'll want to invest in shares that pay sustainable dividends. This means looking for companies with strong earnings, manageable payout ratios, and positive long term outlooks. Some examples on the ASX could include Dicker Data Ltd (ASX: DDR) and Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES).

Next, it's important for investors to build a diversified portfolio. Don't just invest in one or two ASX shares, spread your risk across a variety of sectors. This will help you weather any ups and downs in the market and increases your chance of generating stable passive income.

The Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF (ASX: VHY) could be just the ticket for this step. It provides investors with easy access to a diverse group of high-yield ASX dividend shares.

Thirdly, it could be worth thinking about franking credits. These are tax credits for Aussie investors who receive dividends from ASX shares. You will probably want to look for shares that pay fully franked dividends so you can maximise your after-tax return.

Moving onto the next step, it could be smart to reinvest your dividends instead of withdrawing the payouts. Doing this allows you to buy more shares in the companies you already own (sometimes at a discount). This will help you to compound your returns and increase your passive income over the long-term.

Finally, it is important to monitor your portfolio regularly. This includes keeping an eye on the performance of each share, making changes if necessary. This will help you to maximise your passive income and minimise your risk.

All in all, if all goes to plan, by following these steps, once you have grown a portfolio valued at $240,000 and have an average yield of 5% across your portfolio, you will be generating $12,000 of passive income a year (the equivalent of $1,000 a month) with potential to grow further in the future.

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Dicker Data. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Dicker Data and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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