Red, White, and Yield: Our 4th of July Investing Special

As Americans fire up the grills and light up the skies this 4th of July, there’s one kind of freedom that doesn’t come with fireworks: financial freedom. And in the world of investing, that freedom often comes down to a simple but important choice, dividend growth vs. monthly income.

At Surgevesting, we’ve spent the past year experimenting, studying, and investing real money into both sides of this debate. And today, we’re sharing what we’ve learned, just in time for Independence Day.

The Great Dividend Showdown: SCHD vs QQQI

In one corner, you’ve got the classic, SCHD. Known for its strong dividend growth, low volatility, and reliable quarterly payouts, SCHD is a favorite among long-term investors. It focuses on companies with a consistent history of increasing dividends, like PepsiCo and Texas Instruments.

In the other corner, the flashy new contender, QQQI. With its monthly payouts and AI-driven active management, QQQI has quickly become a fan favorite. It recently won Best New Active ETF at the 2025 ETF.com Awards and has gained a cult-like following among income investors.

So which is better?

Why We’re Holding Both

Here’s our 4th of July take: America wasn’t built on either-or thinking. It was built on both-and.

We like SCHD for long-term growth and increasing payouts over time. But we also love QQQI for that sweet monthly cash flow that shows up like clockwork. It’s the best of both worlds — and that’s the Surgevesting strategy.

This Independence Day, Buy Your Freedom

While most people are spending the 4th of July watching fireworks, we’re also watching dividends hit our accounts.

It’s not about flexing.

It’s about knowing your money is working while you celebrate.

That’s freedom.

That’s Surgevesting.

And whether you’re just starting with $100 or building a $200K portfolio like some are doing with SPYI and QQQI, the message is the same: Own your future. Build it now.

Bottom Line

• Dividend growth? Still essential. SCHD stays in our portfolio.

• Monthly income? More relevant than ever. QQQI’s consistency is unmatched.

• Financial freedom? Starts now. Not later.

Happy 4th of July.

The content is for informational purposes only, you should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.

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