Strategies for Creating Monthly Income

Years ago, people would work for one company for most of their adult lives. When it was time to call it quits, they would receive a nice watch and a pension. Today, more people work for many different companies during their lives, and only a few get that gold watch. Even fewer get the pension that once went along with it.

Fortunately, with proper planning, investors can use a mix of different fixed-income products and create their own stream of monthly income to support themselves in retirement, or even in very early retirement.

Mutual Funds Designed for Monthly Income

The idea of living off your investments with a steady monthly income stream isn't new, and multiple financial firms offer mutual funds designed to produce that income stream.

When evaluating possible mutual funds as investments, take a close look at the ratio of stocks to bonds. Many funds that are set up to produce monthly income will include both, but funds that include a high percentage of stocks tend to be riskier than those that include mainly or solely bonds.

Of course, funds that include a high percentage of stocks also may have higher rates of return than funds with a high percentage of bonds. Your choice will depend on your tolerance for risk and on your overall financial goals.

Investing Directly in Dividend-Paying Stocks

Investors who are comfortable putting their money directly into stocks, rather than investing in mutual funds, can develop a regular income stream by investing in dividend-paying stocks.

Larger, well-established companies traded on the New York Stock Exchange often pay quarterly dividends. Companies in the energy or financial sector often pay strong dividends, as do public utilities.

If you choose your stocks well, you can enjoy the best of both worlds: regular dividend checks and a significant increase in stock price.

Parking Cash in Money Markets and Certificates of Deposit

Money market accounts and certificates of deposit (CDs) are very safe investments that can be used for monthly income. Both are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), which means you'd get your money back (subject to FDIC rules and limits) if your bank were to fail.

There are some disadvantages to these two methods of creating a monthly income stream. Both CDs and money market accounts typically have minimum deposit requirements. When you buy a CD, you can't withdraw your money until it matures, without incurring a penalty, which makes it the wrong investment for someone who may need immediate access to the cash.

Most importantly, the rates paid by both money markets and CDs are significantly less than what you would expect to earn from stocks or income-producing mutual funds. Therefore, someone who is looking to generate enough income on which to live shouldn't make these a primary choice.

Investing in Real Estate

Another option for creating a monthly income stream is investing in rental real estate properties. This requires significant cash up front, and you need to be able to maintain the properties on a professional level. You also have the option of hiring an agency to manage the properties, but that will cut into your income.

It's also possible to have a partner who handles the property management. While rental income can supplement your income, you also have the option of selling the properties for a significant profit if the market is good for sellers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)