No savings at 30? I’d aim for £24k in passive income a year from dividends!

Building a passive income portfolio from scratch takes time, but it’s not too late to start investing in dividend stocks at 30 with no savings.

The content of this article was relevant at the time of publishing. Circumstances change continuously and caution should therefore be exercised when relying upon any content contained within this article.

Young black woman walking in Central London for shopping

Image source: Getty Images

When investing, your capital is at risk. The value of your investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you put in.

Read More

The content of this article is provided for information purposes only and is not intended to be, nor does it constitute, any form of personal advice. Investments in a currency other than sterling are exposed to currency exchange risk. Currency exchange rates are constantly changing, which may affect the value of the investment in sterling terms. You could lose money in sterling even if the stock price rises in the currency of origin. Stocks listed on overseas exchanges may be subject to additional dealing and exchange rate charges, and may have other tax implications, and may not provide the same, or any, regulatory protection as in the UK.

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More.

Imagine earning £2,000 in monthly passive income from a portfolio of dividend shares. That sounds rather appealing to me!

But if I started investing in the stock market for the first time at 30 with nothing in the bank, could I still achieve this goal?

Yes, I believe so, thanks to the power of compound returns, which Albert Einstein reputedly dubbed the “eighth wonder of the world“. Let’s explore how this mathematical phenomenon works in practice.

Passive income stocks: our picks

Do you like the idea of dividend income?

The prospect of investing in a company just once, then sitting back and watching as it potentially pays a dividend out over and over?

If you’re excited by the thought of regular passive income payments, as well as the potential for significant growth on your initial investment…

Then we think you’ll want to see this report inside Motley Fool Share Advisor — ‘5 Essential Stocks For Passive Income Seekers’.

What’s more, today we’re giving away one of these stock picks, absolutely free!

Get your free passive income stock pick

Buying dividend stocks

First, I need to select dividend shares to buy. There are plenty of attractive options in the FTSE 100 and FTSE 250, as well as overseas investment opportunities.

I like to spread my portfolio across a variety of companies and sectors, mixing riskier high-yield opportunities with Dividend Aristocrats that have more reliable track records of delivering passive income.

Examples of stocks on my watchlist include:

StockDividend yield
AbbVie4.3%
Altria Group8.4%
Diageo2.2%
Investec7.3%
ITV7.4%
Vodafone9.8%

If I invested in these shares, I’d have exposure to a range of industries spanning pharmaceuticals, tobacco, alcoholic drinks, banking, media, and telecommunications.

A compounding snowball

With target companies in mind, here’s how a dividend investment strategy can yield long-term rewards.

I’ll need to start with a clear savings goal. For this illustration I’ve chosen a £250 monthly contribution — or a little over £8.20 a day. By adopting a disciplined approach, I think this is achievable.

Plus, I could take advantage of tax relief on pension contributions, if I were to invest in a self-invested personal pension (SIPP), to make the journey a little easier.

By reinvesting my dividends, I’d target a 7.5% compound annual growth rate on my portfolio. If I achieved that rate of return, the value of my stocks could balloon over time.

YearContributionsPortfolio value
5£15,000£18,133
10£30,000£44,165
15£45,000£81,538
20£60,000£135,192
25£75,000£212,218
30£90,000£322,800
35£105,000£481,544

As the numbers above show, time is my friend when it comes to harnessing the power of compound returns.

Starting with zero savings in the bank at 30, I’d end up with a portfolio worth over £480k by the time I’m 65. That’s over 4.5 times the amount I’d contribute during the wealth-building process.

If I secured an average 5% dividend yield from my stocks, I’d earn a little over £24,000 in annual passive income after 35 years!

Investing risks

There are risks associated with dividend investing though. In reality, it’s unlikely I’d enjoy a 7.5% annual growth rate every year as there will inevitably be periods of underwhelming stock market returns over a 35-year timeframe.

In some years, I might benefit from higher gains, but in others I’ll have to stomach losses. Volatility of this nature could delay my progress towards my final goal. Plus, my 5% target yield isn’t guaranteed as companies can cut or suspend their dividends, even if they’ve had unblemished records in the past.

Nonetheless, without taking on some risk, I won’t reap the potential rewards. Via diversification and careful stock picks, I can try to mitigate these risks. And, if all goes to plan, I’ll be earning a £24k annual passive income stream from a standing start.

Please note that tax treatment depends on the individual circumstances of each client and may be subject to change in future. The content in this article is provided for information purposes only. It is not intended to be, neither does it constitute, any form of tax advice. Readers are responsible for carrying out their own due diligence and for obtaining professional advice before making any investment decisions.

This AI stock is becoming a digital juggernaut in a £ 12.5 billion market!

🤖 Curious about the next big player in AI? 🤖

Our leading industry analysts have uncovered a trailblazing content platform that's revolutionising the industry with its unparalleled generative AI technology, setting new standards in creativity and efficiency.

Care for a sneak peek?

Trusted by global giants like Amazon, Disney, and Netflix, this innovative company is not just transforming digital media with AI-generated 3D content but is also capturing a significant share of a £12.7 billion market!

With a remarkable 62% gross margin, indicating exceptional profitability and operational efficiency, this company's growth trajectory positions it as a must-watch for savvy investors.

Best of all, we're offering exclusive access to the name of this game-changing stock, absolutely free!

Discover your free AI stock pick

Should you invest, the value of your investment may rise or fall and your capital is at risk. Before investing, your individual circumstances should be assessed. Consider taking independent financial advice.

Charlie Carman has no position in any of the shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Diageo Plc, ITV, and Vodafone Group Public. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.

We think earning passive income has never been easier

Do you like the idea of dividend income?

The prospect of investing in a company just once, then sitting back and watching as it potentially pays a dividend out over and over?

If you’re excited by the thought of regular passive income payments, as well as the potential for significant growth on your initial investment…

Then we think you’ll want to see this report inside Motley Fool Share Advisor — ‘5 Essential Stocks For Passive Income Seekers’.

What’s more, today we’re giving away one of these stock picks, absolutely free!

Get your free passive income stock pick

More on Investing Articles

Investing Articles

Just released: our 3 top small-cap stocks to consider buying in April [PREMIUM PICKS]

Small-cap shares tend to be more volatile than larger companies, so we suggest investors should look to build up a…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Here’s why Tesla stock just rocketed 22.7%! Is it time to buy?

This writer wonders whether the news that sent Tesla stock soaring yesterday is a true gamechanger for the electric vehicle…

Read more »

Investing Articles

2 quality UK stocks to consider buying as share prices rally

With UK stocks moving higher, it might look as though investors with cash on hand have missed their chance. But…

Read more »

Investing Articles

How much £10,000 invested in Lloyds shares is forecast to be worth in 12 months

Harvey Jones is looking past today's stock market volatility to see where Lloyds shares may stand in a year's time.…

Read more »

Investing Articles

How Warren Buffett stays ahead of the stock market

When share prices fall, everyone suddenly wants to be like Warren Buffett. But what’s the secret to the Berkshire Hathaway…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Cheap UK dividend shares to consider buying right now

We're only just past the first quarter of 2025, but it already looks like the year could be another good…

Read more »

Young Asian woman with head in hands at her desk
Investing Articles

What the heck is going on with the Barclays share price now?

The Barclays share price surged 25% as the market open on 10 April. Once again, the volatility’s been driven by…

Read more »

Middle-aged white man pulling an aggrieved face while looking at a screen
Investing Articles

What the devil’s going on with the HSBC share price?

The HSBC share price has actually been less volatile than some of its peers, despite its Chinese operations suggesting it’s…

Read more »