The Smartest Dividend Stocks to Buy With $2,000 Right Now

If you’ve ever wondered what you could do with $2,000-besides setting it on fire or blowing it all at a casino in an unfortunate but predictable attempt to “win big”-the smarter play, in my humble activist-investor opinion, is to use that cash to buy dividend stocks. Yes, the kind of stocks that not only pay you for holding them but also allow you to sit back, relax, and watch as they quietly pad your bank account. But what should you buy? I’m glad you asked, and no, this isn’t some thinly veiled sales pitch for my latest stock tips. This is just me, your overly caffeinated financial guide, trying to make sure you don’t waste your time-or your $2,000-on something less… rewarding.

1. Enbridge

Enbridge (ENB)-you’ve probably heard of it, or at least you’ve seen those giant pipelines snaking through the North American landscape like metallic snakes, carrying vast quantities of oil and gas, which, in turn, fuel the world’s energy insatiability. Enbridge is a Dividend Champion, having raised its dividend every year for the past 30 years. It’s like the world’s most reliable cousin at family reunions, except this cousin is better at making money than any of us.

Currently yielding a forward dividend of 5.63%, Enbridge’s dividends are about as solid as the pipelines they manage. With $8 billion committed to renewable energy, the company’s balancing act of fossil fuels and green energy means it’s not just relying on yesterday’s technology to sustain its growth. It’s strategically planning for a world where pipelines aren’t just pumping fossil fuels but also green energy. I can’t help but be impressed by that kind of foresight-it’s the corporate equivalent of ordering a salad while also sneaking in some fries. Smart.

But, let’s face it, we all like stability, and Enbridge offers plenty of it. The company’s ability to deliver consistent earnings per share (EPS) and distributable cash flow (DCF) even through tumultuous periods-remember 2007-2009? Or the delightful chaos of the COVID-19 pandemic?-speaks to its operational resilience. While others trembled, Enbridge kept chugging along like the world’s most reliable, if slightly unfashionable, train conductor.

2. Realty Income

Realty Income (O)-now here’s a stock that’s been doling out dividends for 30 consecutive years. Think of it like that one friend who never forgets your birthday, no matter how hard you try to lose their number. But unlike your overbearing friend, Realty Income is a real estate investment trust (REIT) that actually delivers. With a 5.43% forward dividend yield, this REIT’s monthly dividend payments are a nice touch-especially for those of us who prefer a more consistent cash flow rather than the quarterly variety.

Realty Income owns a staggering 15,600 properties, rented out to tenants across 91 industries-grocery stores, restaurants, home improvement shops. It’s like your local strip mall but with a lot more stability. And get this: no single tenant represents more than 3.5% of Realty Income’s total rent roll, which means the risk is pretty spread out. If a pizza joint goes belly up, it’s not going to ruin the whole operation. Also, their cash flow, while not wildly exciting, has been positive every year since 2004 (except 2020, which we’ll kindly blame on a little thing called “the pandemic”).

Growth, you ask? Realty Income’s got that too, or at least it’s trying to. Targeting a $14 trillion market, 60% of which is in Europe, this company is eyeing some rather modest real estate expansion. But hey, with one main competitor in Europe, the playing field isn’t too crowded, which is a nice change of pace. Sometimes simplicity is all you need.

3. Verizon Communications

Verizon Communications (VZ)-now here’s a stock that’s the financial equivalent of the popular kid at school. It’s been raising its dividend for 19 years, which isn’t quite as impressive as Enbridge’s 30 years, but hey, 19 years of consistent growth in today’s world is practically a miracle. And with a mouth-watering 6.35% dividend yield, Verizon is like the bankable star you just can’t ignore.

But let’s get to the heart of why Verizon is a solid choice. Recently, the company raised its free cash flow guidance for 2025, which now sits in the range of $19.5 billion to $20.5 billion-quite the jump from the previous forecast of $17.5 billion to $18.5 billion. This is reassuring. Because, let’s face it, nothing says “we’re in good hands” like free cash flow cushion, and Verizon has that in spades.

The telecom market is, of course, fiercely competitive, but Verizon is holding its ground. It led the wireless services revenue industry in Q2 2025 and even managed to snag the best wireless network quality award from J.D. Power for the 35th time. No big deal, right? And with a pending acquisition of Frontier Communications set to close in 2026, Verizon is looking at near-term growth with a side order of 6G excitement in the future.

So there you have it: Three solid stocks that, in my opinion, could help you grow your portfolio while keeping your sanity intact. Sure, it’s all relative. But when you’re looking at stocks that not only pay you to hold them but also seem to have a plan for the future, I think it’s a good start. And really, isn’t that all we’re looking for in life? A little bit of reliability, a dash of growth, and the occasional quarterly check to remind you that, yes, you’re doing just fine? 🤑

2025-09-13 13:28

1. Enbridge

2. Realty Income

3. Verizon Communications

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