How do I build a dividend portfolio from scratch?

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Start with a low-cost dividend ETF core (SCHD or VYM) for 60–80% of the portfolio, add 5–10 individual blue-chip dividend growers as a satellite, and target a blended yield of 3–4%. Reinvest dividends until you need the income, monitor for cuts quarterly, and rebalance annually. Most investors over-complicate this — a 7-position portfolio held for a decade outperforms most active churn. A simple dividend portfolio has three jobs: deliver income, defend principal, and grow distributions faster than inflation. The cleanest way to do all three is core-and-satellite. The core (60–80% of the portfolio) goes into one or two broad dividend ETFs. SCHD is the standard for US dividend growth at a 0.06% expense ratio. VYM adds a higher-yield tilt. International exposure via VYMI or SCHY is optional and adds diversification. The satellite (20–40%) holds 5–10 individual blue-chip dividend growers — Dividend Aristocrats and Kings are the obvious universe. Pick across sectors: a consumer staple, a healthcare name, a utility, a financial, a tech/industrial. Equal-weighted positions of 4–8% each keep concentration risk in check. The maintenance is light: check the payout safety score on every position once a quarter, replace any that drop below 50, and rebalance to target weights once a year. HeyDividend automates the cut-risk monitoring so you only review when something actually changes.