Getting Started: Your Step-by-Step Dividend Plan
How to Start Building Dividend Income
MaxDividends Mission: Helping people build growing passive income, retire early, and live off dividends.
Getting Started: Your Step-by-Step Dividend Plan
Start Here: The MaxDividends Guide to Passive Income
We’re proud to say—we’re not just talking the talk. There are already dozens of people in our community living entirely off dividends today. And that number keeps growing every month.
Most of them started from scratch. Just like you. What got them there? Passive income. And more specifically—dividends that grow year after year.
That’s exactly what we focus on here: building rising passive income through dividend-paying companies that increase their payouts consistently and don’t cut. Many of these businesses have done it for decades.
— With respect to your wealth,
Max
Quick Intro
This guide is broken down into three steps. You can jump into any section—it’s designed to be flexible. But if you ask me (Max, founder of the world’s largest dividend investing community), I recommend going step by step:
Step 1 → Step 2 → Step 3
✅ Step 1: The Concept & Strategy
This section gives you the full picture. We broke it down into two parts:
➤ Quick Version
A few bite-sized articles with everything you need to get the big idea fast:
➤ Deep Dive
Two full eBooks from Max—totally free. Inside, you’ll find the thinking, strategy, and investing philosophy that helped shape the entire MaxDividends platform and community.
I ❤️ Dividends: Why I Believe Dividend Investing Is the Best Strategy
How Effective is the MaxDividends Strategy for Building Growing
✅ Step 2: Your Plan
Before you build anything great, you need a plan. That starts by understanding your goals—your “why.”
If you’re here, reading this, odds are you're already interested in creating passive income and looking for a smart way to make that happen. So let’s do this together.
Max’s Comments - Here’s how I (Max) did it:
I wrote down all of our family’s monthly expenses on a sheet of paper. Then I added some “nice to have” expenses—things we don’t spend on now, but might in the future. Then I added 30% more, just to be safe.
That gave me my target. The number I’d need monthly from dividends to cover life and still enjoy it. For me, it was around $12,000–$14,000 a month. That became my first big goal.
Yours might be different. But the key is this: set a number. Know what you’re aiming for.
Once you’ve got that number, it's time to map out how to get there.
Use the MaxDividends Passive Income Calculator. This is our custom-built planning tool.
It helps you project your dividend income based on your goals, starting point, and strategy.
👉 Just enter your numbers—and play with different options until you find the right combo for you.
And if you’re stuck? Email Max directly: max@maxdividends.app or ask in the MaxDividends community chat. We’ve got your back.
✅ Step 3: Take Action
Now it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get started. Build your portfolio. Buy your first dividend stocks with MaxDividends.
Your app access details were sent to you in a separate email right after you upgraded to Premium.
Follow your plan with the MaxDividends App – the best dividend investing app on the planet. You’ve got two great options:
Mobile Version (App)
Web Version
Inside the app, you’ll find three tools to help you move forward:
🔹 1. Best Dividend Stocks Lists
We’ve pre-picked top dividend-paying companies—all in one place. Use these lists to choose the brands and businesses you trust. Stick to your plan, and over time, you’ll build a powerful portfolio you can be proud of.
🔹 2. MaxDividends Idea Assistant
Don’t know where to start? We’ve got an in-app idea engine that gives you custom portfolio ideas based on your strategy and budget.
Just tap the rocket icon → pick your focus → get personalized picks. You can grab them all or pick your favorites and try again later with new filters.
🔹 3. Portfolio Assistant – Your Income on Autopilot
This is our hands-free smart assistant. Set your strategy → input your investment amount → get a custom selection of stocks.
The assistant will then track your progress, suggest buys/sells, and guide you all the way to your goal.
Looking for More Dividend Power?
Follow Max’s Portfolio – Weekly Guidance
If you’d rather not overthink it, you can simply follow Max’s trades. Max invests every single week and shares all his trades publicly every Friday.
If this style works for you, just mirror his moves and build your portfolio the same way—one solid dividend stock at a time.
Ongoing Support – We’re With You
The heart of MaxDividends is helping you reach your dividend income goals. Max and the team are always here to help. Got questions? Need guidance?
Don’t hesitate to reach out. We’ll work with you to build your plan and keep you on track. Email Max directly anytime: max@maxdividends.app
Max’s Comments - Here’s how I personally do it:
I stick with the first option (Best Dividend Stocks Lists) —hand-picking companies from our top dividend stock lists. I manage two main stock portfolios:
Developed Markets Dividend Portfolio – This is my primary one. I’ve invested around $1.3 million into it, and it’s currently worth about $1.7 million. The dividend yield on capital is roughly 6%.
U.S. Dividend Portfolio – “$12,000 in 120 Months” – This is my public portfolio. I invest $3,000 into it every week and share all my trades every Friday. It’s built to demonstrate how consistent investing can generate $12,000 annually in dividend income within 10 years.
My Kids’ Portfolios – I manage three separate portfolios (one for each child), and I invest $300 quarterly into each. Here, I focus more on companies with strong capital growth potential.
All of these are long-term investments in financially solid, dividend-growing businesses.
How I Pick Stocks
I use the MaxDividends App with a few key filters:
15+ years of dividend increases
Financial Score of 90+ (ideally 95+)
MaxRatio score of 8+
5Y and TTM Payout Ratios under 70%
Fairly or undervalued vs peers
To make this even easier, we created two key sections in the app:
What’s Next?
Track your portfolio progress inside the MaxDividends app. You’ll see:
Current status
Passive income forecast
Timeline to your goal
How your plan is shaping up
Everything is right there—your full dividend journey at a glance.
Extra Fuel for Your Advanced Dividend Journey
Join the Community
And don’t go it alone. Our dividend investor community is packed with smart, helpful folks who are on the same path as you. Whether you’re just starting or already living off dividends—you’re in good company.
Ask questions, share wins, and celebrate your progress. And when you hit your income goal, we’ll celebrate that too.
🎉 Let us know you’re on the journey with MaxDividends!
And if you’ve got questions—Max is just an email away: max@maxdividends.app
Let’s get to work.
— The MaxDividends Team
Don’t have access? Check your subscription status and upgrade if needed.
MaxDividends Community
MaxDividends Mission: Helping people build growing passive income, retire early, and live off dividends.
We follow our time-tested strategy for tapping into overlooked dividend plays that can make your portfolio more resistant to recessions and other market panics and pack on consistent gains for years to come.
MaxDividends Idea
“Retire early and live on dividends. Because no one wants to work forever.”
👉 My Own High Yield Dividend Growth Story
With MaxDividends Community you’ll always be part of a winning team and stop viewing the future as an uncertainty. Worry will fade, replaced by confidence and peace of mind. You’ll focus on doing what you love while your passive income continues to grow.
Choosing a strong environment is the key to achieving outstanding results. If you surround yourself with people who dream bigger than you, you increase your chances of reaching greater heights. Surround yourself only with those who will support you on your path to success.
Ready to Give It a Try?
Check Your Subsription Status & Upgrade to Premium.
If you have any questions, feel free to email me at: max@maxdividends.app
MaxDividends is a Bestseller on Substack!
Hundreds of premium members have already discovered the benefits of the community and app, earning passive income through dividends with MaxDividends. Their passive income keeps growing!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What You’ll Get by Joining MaxDividends Premium
The most important thing our MaxDividends community members value us for
Freedom & Independence
No boss, no schedules—complete control over your time. Ability to work on passion projects or simply enjoy life without financial stress.
Passive Income That Grows Over Time
Dividend-paying stocks provide a steady, rising income stream. Unlike traditional retirement funds, you don’t need to sell assets to cover expenses.
Protection Against Inflation
Dividend growth investing ensures your income keeps pace with inflation. Companies that increase payouts help maintain purchasing power.
Stress-Free Investing
No need for active trading or daily market monitoring. Long-term buy-and-hold strategy minimizes stress and decision fatigue.
More Time for Family & Personal Goals
Spend more time with loved ones instead of working 40+ hours a week. Pursue hobbies, travel, and personal development without financial pressure.
Health & Well-Being Benefits
Less work stress leads to better mental and physical health. More time for fitness, proper sleep, and healthier lifestyle choices.
Avoiding the Corporate Rat Race
Escape office politics, toxic work environments, and endless meetings. Focus on meaningful activities instead of chasing promotions and pay raises.
Living Life on Your Own Terms
Ability to relocate, slow travel, or move to a lower-cost-of-living area. No restrictions on how you spend your day—whether it's reading, volunteering, or building a new skill.
Leaving a Legacy
Build generational wealth and leave assets for your family. Teach the next generation financial independence by leading by example.
Financial Security & Peace of Mind
A well-built dividend portfolio provides stability even during economic downturns. No fear of outliving your savings—passive income keeps flowing.
Many who already joined say it’s the best financial decision they’ve ever made—because money becomes a tool for freedom, not a source of stress.
Ready to Give It a Try?
Check Your Subsription Status & Upgrade to Premium.
If you have any questions, feel free to email me at: max@maxdividends.app
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MaxDividends continues to be recognized for its consistent effort, commitment to quality, and the loyalty of its growing community of partners.
With Max Dividends Premium, you unlock:
🔹 MaxDividends Stocks of the Week
Top 10 undervalued, high-yield, ultra-high yield, and dividend growth stocks every week.
Bonus: Full access to the updated weekly list of MaxDividends stocks—boost your passive income and start living off dividends.
🔹 Top Dividend Insights
Get exclusive, high-quality dividend investment ideas and insights, handpicked to help you crush your financial goals, retire early, and live off dividends.
🔹 Roadmap to Live Off Dividends
A step-by-step weekly guide to achieving financial freedom through dividend investing.
🔹 Easy Peasy: Build Your MaxDividends Portfolio
Ready-made MaxDividends stock sets starting at $300, $500, or $1000 each week—making it easier to build a strong dividend portfolio.
🔹 MaxDividends Business Overview
Deep dives into the top dividend stocks we hold, including key metrics, business insights, perspectives, and expert consensus.
🔹 MaxDividends Portfolio: Goal → 120 Months to $12K/Month
My personal dividend portfolios with weekly updates, changes, and insights.
🔹 Community of Like-Minded Investors
Stay connected with me and other MaxDividends followers. Join the MaxDividends community chat to discuss ideas, share insights, set goals, and stay motivated. Support, accountability, and like-minded investors—all in one place!
🔹 Sunday Coffee ☕️
My personal life & business column, where I share:
Life moments & investing insights
Long-term investment philosophy
Thought-provoking ideas to help you succeed
But That’s Just The Beginning!
🎁 We’re giving you our MaxDividends App — FREE when you join Premium on Substack.
As an early adopter, you’ll not only get free access but also the chance to shape the product with your feedback, and our full support on your dividend journey.
This is your opportunity to track your passive income, optimize your portfolio, and be part of building the ultimate dividend tool.
🟢 What ELSE You’ll Get
Top Dividend Ideas
Unlock exclusive, high-quality dividend investment ideas available only for Premium members. These ideas are carefully curated to maximize returns, provide growing income, and accelerate your journey to financial freedom and early retirement.
By upgrading to Premium, you’ll gain access to:
Advanced stock recommendations tailored for dividend growth
In-depth research on high-yield dividend stocks with strong growth potential
Exclusive updates and insider insights to stay ahead of the curve
Undervalued Dividend Lists
With Premium access, you’ll get:
Undervalued Dividend Eagles (updated monthly)
Undervalued Dividend Kings (updated monthly)
Undervalued Dividend Aristocrats (updated monthly)
These lists highlight the most promising undervalued dividend stocks with strong growth potential, helping you maximize returns on your investment.
Dividend Insights
Gain exclusive insights:
Top 5 MaxDividends Ideas of the Month
Top 3 Most Promising Dividend Ideas of the Week
List of Dangerous Dividend Stocks (updated monthly) – avoid risky picks
These carefully researched ideas will guide you in making smart, informed decisions to build wealth with dividends.
If you have any questions, feel free to email me at: max@maxdividends.app
🟢 And even MORE!
Unlock the best dividend tools available, created by the MaxDividends Team:
Dividend Screener: Find your own hidden gems—uncover undervalued dividend stocks with high growth potential.
Dividend Portfolio Tracker: Keep track of every aspect of your passive income and optimize your portfolio.
Dividend Checker: Check the financial and dividend score of 19,000+ companies worldwide to make data-driven choices.
MaxDividends Premium gives you all the tools you need to build, track, and grow your passive dividend income to retire early and live off dividends.
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“Love the concept and the execution. If you are into building a portfolio that will generate ever growing income for you, subscribe to Max Dividends. I did.“
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“A useful substack for those that invest in stocks that pay dividends or are looking to get into such a strategy. Includes education and actionable ideas.“
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What Premium Partners Are Saying
And many others
“You are serious and trustwhorty”
“Developing an additional source of retirement income.”
Thought I would share - I was able to create an Ultra High Dividend portfolio w/15 companies today that would net me a $4,200+/month income. I just retired this month and have a current income of $10,230/mo., will be $12,500/mo. in '27 so another $4200/mo. would be nice! Love the app, had a lot of fun creating a portfolio today!
Thanks for all the hard work putting the MaxDividends! You guys have done all the heavy lifting.
Someone's sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago. ― Warren Buffett.
Learn the MaxDividends Way
Start Here
🔑 Explore the Premium Hub (exclusive — upgrade to unlock)
Guides & Step-by-Step
Deep Insights
📖 I ❤️ Dividends: Why I Believe Dividend Investing Is the Best Strategy | E-Book
How Effective is the MaxDividends Strategy for Building Growing Passive Income
Help & Support
Got a question about dividends? Ask Max, your AI Dividend Assistant!
Didn’t get the answer you need? Reach out: max@maxdividends.app or team@maxdividends.app — we’ll help you out.
Love the explanation. Thanks!