I have a goal to reach $30,000 in annual dividend income in the future. And passive income from ASX dividend shares is exactly what I need to reach my objective.
There are many different types of assets that can produce income such as property, savings accounts, term deposits and bonds. For me, ASX dividend shares are the way to go.
I'm not just trying to buy the ASX shares with the highest dividend yield. Nor am I sticking with ASX blue-chip shares for my dividend goal. I believe there are businesses that are a bit smaller which can provide plenty of capital growth and dividend growth over time.
How I'm building towards my passive income dividend goal
It would be great if I were handed $1 million tomorrow so that I could invest and instantly reach my goal.
My actual strategy is to invest a monthly amount, however much my household has saved that month, into the most compelling ASX dividend share at the time that I can see.
I have a watchlist of individual businesses on the ASX, as well as listed investment companies (LIC). Some of the businesses that are currently in my portfolio include Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co. Ltd (ASX: SOL), Brickworks Limited (ASX: BKW), Rural Funds Group (ASX: RFF), Fortescue Metals Group Limited (ASX: FMG), Duxton Water Ltd (ASX: D2O) and Bailador Technology Investments Ltd (ASX BTI).
Sometimes performance can be quite variable in the short term. Just look at the share prices of Fortescue and Bailador over the past year.
Each investment has a different dividend yield. But, let's say that the investment I make each month comes with an average dividend yield of 5%. Investing $1,000 that month would add an extra $50 of annual income. Investing $2,000 in a month would add $100 of extra income.
If the business paying me $100 of annual income in year one grows its dividend by 10%, then in year two I'd get $110 of annual passive dividend income from that investment.
Investing month after month, year after year will help me reach my $30,000 goal of income.
How long it takes will depend on how much I invest and how well those investments grow. I can control how much I invest, but I view it as important to spend money on things that make my family and me happy. I'm not trying to save every last dollar.
If I've chosen a good investment, then I just need to be patient and let it grow over time, including through volatility. The less tinkering the better. Compounding is a very powerful force if it's allowed to run its course.
Foolish takeaway
Receiving $30,000 of annual passive dividend income still seems like a long way off. But, I believe that if I just keep regularly investing I will get there, it's just a matter of time. Regular readers may know that I sometimes cover the shares I buy, so I'll be writing about where I'm seeing value for my own dividend-focused portfolio.
