The interest rate you can get from the banks these days is abysmal, it makes it very hard to save or live off cash.
Some investors may want to invest in 'riskier' assets like shares, but only want to choose the bluest of blue chips.
Here are three ideas for blue chips with big dividends:
National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB)
National Australia Bank is one of the big four banks, but I think it's the most forward-looking bank out of the four. It is regularly the first bank to adopt to new business technology such as its agreements with Xero Limited (ASX: XRO) and REA Group Limited (ASX: REA). Indeed, today it was revealed that NAB customers will be able to make payments inside Xero's ecosystem.
If the Australian property market does continue to go backwards NAB will be affected, but perhaps less so compared to the other big banks because more of NAB's loans are done with businesses as opposed to individuals.
NAB is currently trading with a grossed-up dividend yield of 9.65%.
Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS)
Telstra is Australia's largest telecommunications business, but its share price has suffered a battering in recent times due to NBN troubles and more competition.
However, today's price could be the new low and the share price may grow in the future as 5G and the Internet of Things becomes widespread.
Telstra may have to reduce its dividend a little further if its earnings drop over the next year or two and management keep to their promise of the payout ratio remaining at a sustainable level.
However, at the moment the grossed-up dividend yield is currently 8.6% based on an annual dividend payout of 22 cents per share.
Sydney Airport Holdings Ltd (ASX: SYD)
This is the company that runs Sydney's main airport, which is experiencing huge growth thanks to a tourism boom and population growth.
Sydney Airport is an integral piece of infrastructure and pays out a solid, growing dividend.
At the moment it has a dividend yield of 5.05%.
Foolish takeaway
Of the three shares I would wager that Sydney Airport Holdings will deliver the biggest returns due to its strong underlying growth, even if the rising interest rates do cause a few problems. However, I'm not a huge fan of any of those businesses due to either their high valuations or low growth prospects.
