Hi k290.
When picking my portfolio I did specifically go for good yield - so many of the usual shares most South Africans would have, I do not. Shares like SAB, NPN, APN, richmont, all do not feature. I have a fair amount of property including oversea property - and in the shares there is a lot from the whole financial sector. Roughly - 30% property, 30% financial, 10% telcoms, 30% other. No resources/ no construction. I do have a little growth portfolio with a few of my favourite no dividend stocks like EOH, APN, PSG, DSY. I currently get around 5 - 5.5% after tax
The only etf's I have are in my TFSA - besides the property ones, the only others that pay a half decent dividend are the financial based ones - think they are around 3 - 3.5%?
Yeah, overseas holidays are going to be a problem on my budget! Luckily enough, I have travelled a fair amount - I spent my 20's in London. But we are planning to take a 21 day cruise (CT to Venice) - in about two years. It means cutting back the budget from R6K to R5K for a few months - no sweat.
As to how dividends are paid, I only clear that account out once a year - that money is then dividend up into 12, and that is how much I have for that year. Nice and easy, and no surprises.