VYM
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
stock NYSE ETF

Why all these individual components instead of just VT? Also why the huge dividend focus with VYM and VIGI?

If you really love the dividend factor, which personally I think is only relevant when talking about individual equities, go with dividend growth over VYM.
VYM is gonna be a laggard over the long term. Good for income earners who don’t want to have to sell their shares and want slightly lower beta, but not appropriate for a 36 year old unless you’re actively using that income.

15% in bonds is pretty conservative for 36, and VYM is a pretty big holding for high yield dividend fund at 36 as well.

Most people, myself included, will say they wished they started sooner. Since you are about as young as you can be and be able to invest yourself, my next regret is I wish I also knew more earlier. If I had personal finance knowledge going into or even coming out of college, I know for a fact I'd be in a completely different financial state. Millionaire Next Door I feel is a must and I also liked Brian Preston's book, Millionaire Mission. Brian just about gives you a plan on how to literally use every dollar in your "arsenal of dollars" to set yourself up for financial success in life.
As far as what to invest in starting out. Keep it simple as you learn and grow. VYM and VYMI. I love that combo for a mix of growth/stability and income. You could also look at something like SPYI/QQQI for monthly income that's also fairly stable and able to grow.

[https://totalrealreturns.com/s/FDVV,SCHD,VYM?start=2016-01-01](https://totalrealreturns.com/s/FDVV,SCHD,VYM?start=2016-01-01)

Back as far back they all were in existence , FDVV is still winning in Total returns BUT only since 2024.

I’m looking for some serious guidance and portfolio inspiration after making the classic mistake of chasing yield in the last cycle. Like many others, I got absolutely burned by the high-yield/covered call adventures (thinking of MSTY/XYZ high-premium plays) and have realized that **total return and dividend quality** should be my focus, not just the fat monthly payout. Lesson learned the hard way.
I've liquidated my positions and now have roughly **$100,000 USD** ready to deploy.
**My Goal is Stability and Flexibility:**
1. **Steady Income Stream:** I need reliable quarterly/monthly income. I plan to use the bulk of this income for DRIP, but I also need the *option* to take some cash out occasionally for expenses without selling shares. I'm prioritizing safety and dividend *growth* over highest starting yield.
2. **Portfolio Size:** I know $100k isn't much in the grand scheme, but it's my foundational chunk. I need a focused, simple portfolio that can scale.
3. **Low Maintenance:** I prefer ETFs, but I’m open to a small basket of DGI stocks (Dividend Growth Investing).
**What would a good, post-hype, conservative dividend portfolio look like now?**
I'm thinking of something highly diversified, maybe broken down into buckets. Here is a rough, uneducated sketch—please tell me where I'm going wrong:
|Bucket|Allocation Target|Purpose|Potential Ticker Ideas|
|:-|:-|:-|:-|
|**High-Quality DGI**|40% ($40,000)|Core dividend growth & stability|SCHD, VYM, DGRO|
|**Broad Market/Growth**|30% ($30,000)|Total return engine for balance|VOO, VTI, QQQM|
|**International Exposure**|15% ($15,000)|Diversification, capture global yield|VYMI, SCHY, FNDF|
|**Income Layer**|15% ($15,000)|Safe, bond-like income for stability|BND, high-quality REITs, or maybe just T-Bills|
I'd love to hear some specific allocation suggestions or a simple 3-4 ETF model portfolio you would build with this capital right now. How would you balance that need for *income* with the necessary component of *growth* to protect the principal?
Any advice is appreciated. Thanks in advance for helping me build back better! 🫡

My dividend growth ETFs are SCHD/VYM/FDVV. Last I checked they seemed to cover most sectors and the overlap was minimal.

Broad market ETFs like VT or VTI.
Or if you want dividends you go with stuff like SCHD and VYM.
Basically, buy a basket of companies and just let it sit until retirement then worry about income

VYM

I would swap out SCHD for either FDVV or CGDV . and JAAA/JBBB for BND
[https://totalrealreturns.com/s/FDVV,SCHD,VYM?start=2020-01-01](https://totalrealreturns.com/s/FDVV,SCHD,VYM?start=2020-01-01)