Looked one up in two minutes. Royal Dutch Shell gives a yield of 4.3%. http://ycharts.com/companies/RDS.B/dividend_yield http://ycharts.com/companies/RDS.B/div

Looked one up in two minutes. Royal Dutch Shell gives a yield of 4.3%. http://ycharts.com/companies/RDS.B/dividend_yield http://ycharts.com/companies/RDS.B/dividend_yield In 2010, it's yield was 6.5%. It isn't inconceivable in 18 months time it'll be back near 6%. It's all about timing. I'm sure there are other high dividend stocks which are similarly non-risky, high yielding and produces a non-volatile source of income. 6% is on the high side, but isn't impossible. You also don't have to look for USD denominated investments. The Commonwealth Bank of Australia (Australia's largest bank), gives a dividend yield of close to 5%. https://www.commbank.com.au/about-us/shareholders/shareholder-information/dividend.html https://www.commbank.com.au/about-us/shareholders/shareholde... The share price had risen over 50% over the past 4 years so if you had bought it 4 years ago instead the yield would be much more attractive. Yields are low currently only because the entire market is currently on the high side of the cycle. When it turns back down, that's when you go in and pick up your 6%, which may be 18 months from now (though could be more, or less). EDIT: If you're really going to do this I recommend diversifying your investment into 3-4 high dividend stocks in different industries - since dividends do vary as the economic cycle in each industry moves up and down.