My investing strategy is simple: I like buying stocks that pay me. Dividend stocks, to be specific.
I’ve always had the mindset that when I buy something — whether it’s property, equipment, or a stock — I want to have it forever. That’s been true since I was a kid. I’ve always liked the idea of building something once and letting it serve me indefinitely. That mentality has carried through into adulthood and shaped how I view wealth building as a whole.
For me, investing isn’t about chasing hype or timing the market. It’s about building a system that quietly works for me in the background — something that one day provides fuck you money. That freedom, that security, that ability to step away from the rat race knowing I built something that takes care of my family… that’s the ultimate goal.
Why I Focus on Dividend Stocks
Since I like to buy and hold forever, company stability is the first thing I look at. Has the company been around a long time? Is it profitable? Are they running in the black? Once I’m confident the business is solid, I look at the sector it’s in.
I’ve never been big on “fluff” markets. I’m a utilitarian person — I believe in the value of things people need, not just things they want. That’s why I gravitate toward industries like utilities, construction, mining, railroads, transportation, and logistics. These aren’t flashy, but they’re essential. Nobody wakes up excited about a CN Rail upgrade or a new water utility expansion, but those things keep the country running.
That’s what I want to own — companies that aren’t going anywhere because the world literally can’t function without them. They’re not going to skyrocket overnight, but they’re stable. They pay me regularly, and I can sleep well knowing they’ll still be around next decade.
I also pay attention to the dividend payout percentage — how much it pays, and how often. That’s one reason I like REITs. By law, they’re required to pay out dividends monthly. Smaller checks, sure, but that monthly compounding adds up faster than quarterly or annual payouts. The goal is simple: have those dividends continuously buy more shares, and let that snowball build over time.
Automation and the “Set It and Forget It” Approach
I use M1 Finance to automate my entire portfolio. Each payday, a set amount is automatically transferred into my account and distributed according to the percentages I’ve set.
I’ve built it hierarchically — broken down into sectors like Energy, Tech, Consumer, Financials, Real Estate, and Bonds. Each sector has its own mix of stocks with target percentages. If a particular stock or sector dips below its target, M1 automatically buys more of it. In other words, it’s buying low and balancing things out without me needing to lift a finger.
This system lets me completely detach from the day-to-day noise of the market. I don’t need to obsess over charts or headlines. It’s structured, automated, and designed to keep running — because remember, my goal is to build it once and let it serve me forever.
Growth Stocks and Strategic Bets
That said, I’m not blind to innovation. While I prefer dividend-paying companies, I do hold some growth stocks like Amazon and Meta. The reality is that most technological innovation right now is coming from these blue-chip FAANG companies, and it’d be foolish to completely ignore them.
I view them as strategic long-term bets — a way to capture upside while my dividend stocks provide the foundation. They’re not the core of my portfolio, but they’re the sparks that can accelerate it over time.
The Power of Compounding
All my dividends are automatically reinvested through M1’s system, following the same allocation logic as my weekly deposits. I think about compounding both as a mathematical principle and as part of my broader life philosophy.
Right now, I’m in the building phase. Everything I earn, I’m putting to work — because until I’m done building, I can’t use it. I see it like constructing a machine: it doesn’t produce much at first, but once it’s complete and operating efficiently, it’ll keep generating for years without needing constant input.
Looking Ahead
If I project out 10 or 20 years, success for me means that portfolio can cover my basic needs. It doesn’t need to make me rich; it just needs to give me freedom. The ability to step away from a traditional job and know my family is secure — that’s the endgame.
If I can build this system large enough to replace my full-time income, great. But even if it simply covers my core expenses, that’s real success to me. Because at that point, I’m no longer trading time for money — I’m living off something I built.
That’s what dividend investing is about to me. It’s not flashy, it’s not trendy, but it’s real. It’s a slow, disciplined, long-term approach to freedom — one that keeps paying you long after the work is done.
KON Investing 