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

Generating $1,000 per month in passive income from ASX shares is a big target, but it is possible.

At an average dividend yield of 5%, an investor would need around $240,000 invested to generate $12,000 a year in dividends. That works out to $1,000 a month, before tax and before considering franking credits.

Getting there takes time, but I think there are five steps that can make the journey realistic.

Start with sustainable dividends

The first step is to focus on dividends that can last.

A high dividend yield can look attractive, but it is not always a good sign. Sometimes the yield is high because the share price has fallen and the market expects the dividend to be cut.

I would rather look for ASX shares with solid earnings, sensible payout ratios, manageable debt, and businesses that should still be relevant in five or 10 years.

That could include shares such as Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES), which has a long record of owning strong businesses and returning cash to shareholders. Dicker Data Ltd (ASX: DDR) could be another option for investors who want exposure to technology distribution and income.

The key is not just the dividend today. It is whether the company can keep supporting and growing that dividend over time.

Spread the risk

The second step is diversification.

Relying on one or two dividend shares can be risky. Even good businesses can have difficult years. A dividend cut from a major holding can quickly reduce passive income.

That is why I would spread money across different types of dividend shares.

An investor could also consider an exchange-traded fund (ETF) such as the Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF (ASX: VHY) or the Betashares S&P Australian Shares High Yield ETF (ASX: HYLD). They provide exposure to a basket of higher-yielding Australian shares, which can make diversification easier than picking every stock individually.

Pay attention to franking

The third step is to think about franking credits.

Many Australian companies pay fully franked dividends, which means tax has already been paid at the company level. For some investors, franking credits can improve the after-tax income received.

That does not mean investors should buy a share only because it is fully franked. The business still needs to be strong enough to support the dividend.

But when comparing two similar income options, franking can make a meaningful difference.

Reinvest before withdrawing

The fourth step is patience. If the goal is to eventually generate $1,000 per month, I would reinvest dividends while the income stream is still being built.

Reinvesting dividends allows investors to buy more shares, which can increase future income. It can feel slow at first, but over time the compounding effect can become powerful.

The longer an investor can leave the income machine to grow before drawing from it, the better the eventual passive income stream could be.

Keep reviewing the plan

The final step is to review the holdings regularly.

That does not mean trading constantly. But it does mean checking whether the original reason for owning each share still makes sense.

If earnings weaken, debt rises, or the dividend starts looking stretched, it may be time to reconsider. Passive income investing still needs active attention from time to time.

Foolish takeaway

A $1,000 monthly passive income stream is not built by chasing the highest dividend yield on the market.

I think the better approach is to build gradually, focus on dividend quality, reinvest along the way, and let the income base grow over time.

Once the portfolio reaches around $240,000 and can produce an average yield of 5%, that $12,000 annual target becomes achievable. The real challenge is having the patience to build it properly.

The post 5 steps to bring in $1,000 per month in passive income appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Dicker Data. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.