Right. So, the thing is, everyone says you should be building passive income streams. It sounds so…responsible. Like adulting properly. I’ve been meaning to for ages. List of things to research: 1. Crypto (lost 12 units already, don’t ask). 2. Rental properties (terrifying). 3. Dividend stocks. That last one…feels slightly less likely to result in total financial ruin. I mean, it’s not glamorous, but it is potentially less stressful than, say, flipping houses. Which is why, after approximately 7 hours of staring at charts and consuming far too much coffee, I’ve landed on two. Two stocks that, if I can just resist the urge to check the price every five minutes, might actually deliver. Possibly.
Coca-Cola
First up: Coca-Cola. Honestly, it feels almost…safe. Like investing in oxygen. Everyone drinks it, or at least, someone somewhere is drinking it right now. They’ve been paying a dividend for 64 years. Sixty-four years! That’s…remarkable. It’s like they’ve mastered the art of not going bankrupt. Which, in the current economic climate, feels like a superpower. The yield is 2.59% right now, which isn’t going to make me a millionaire overnight, but it’s a start. And it’s gone up 46% in the last decade. Which, let’s be honest, is more than my savings account has managed.
It’s a surprisingly stable company, too. People still buy fizzy drinks even when the world is falling apart. Which says something about human nature, doesn’t it? Or maybe it just says something about sugar. Either way, it’s a reliable little earner. And they’ve got this amazing brand recognition. It’s like they own happiness. Which is clever marketing, if you ask me. It’s why Warren Buffett likes them, apparently. And if it’s good enough for Warren Buffett, it’s…probably okay for me. They outsource the bottling, which is smart. Less hassle. More profit. It all adds up. I’m trying not to think about the sugar content. Or the environmental impact. Focusing on the dividend. Yes. The dividend.
Lowe’s
Then there’s Lowe’s. Home improvement. Slightly more…involved than fizzy drinks. Requires actual effort. From the consumer, not me. Which is good. They’re second only to Home Depot, apparently. Which feels…competitive. I’m not a competitive person, generally. Unless it involves finding the comfiest sofa. But still. They’ve been paying a dividend since 1961. And they’ve been increasing it for over 25 years. It’s like they’ve figured out how to make money from people wanting to renovate their bathrooms. Which is a skill. A very lucrative skill.
The yield is only 1.67% right now, which isn’t spectacular. But the dividend has increased by 329% in the last decade. 329%! That’s…a lot. It makes my investment portfolio look positively pathetic. They’re focusing on professionals – plumbers, electricians, contractors – which makes sense. Those people actually spend money. Unlike me, who mostly buys books and coffee. They’ve got a huge physical footprint, which is good. People still like to go to actual stores, apparently. Even though I mostly shop online. It’s a confusing world. Their operating margin is 11% over the last decade, which is decent, even with all the pandemic-related chaos and supply chain issues. It just feels…solid. Reliable. Like a good pair of gardening gloves.
The Slightly Terrifying Reality
Look, I’m not expecting to get rich quick. These are mature companies. They’re not going to suddenly double in value overnight. But they’re steady. Consistent. And they pay a dividend. Which, let’s be honest, is a good thing. It’s not about outperforming the market. It’s about not panicking when the market crashes. And maybe, just maybe, earning a little bit of passive income. Which would be nice. List of things I will inevitably do: 1. Check the stock price every hour. 2. Read every negative news article about both companies. 3. Consider selling everything at the first sign of trouble. But for now, I’m going to try to be rational. And focus on the dividend. And maybe have another coffee. It’s a process. A messy, neurotic, slightly terrifying process.
Read More
- 2025 Crypto Wallets: Secure, Smart, and Surprisingly Simple!
- Wuchang Fallen Feathers Save File Location on PC
- Gold Rate Forecast
- Brown Dust 2 Mirror Wars (PvP) Tier List – July 2025
- HSR 3.7 breaks Hidden Passages, so here’s a workaround
- 17 Black Actresses Who Forced Studios to Rewrite “Sassy Best Friend” Lines
- Crypto Chaos: Is Your Portfolio Doomed? 😱
- Where to Change Hair Color in Where Winds Meet
- 20 Movies That Glorified Real-Life Criminals (And Got Away With It)
- ‘Bad Guys 2’ Tops Peacock’s Top 10 Most-Watched Movies List This Week Again
2026-02-19 10:23