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The last two income streams, and how all seven compare
Capital gains and dividends wrap up the series. See how all seven streams stack up against each other.
FinMeUp
October 15, 2026
A note from us to you
This week wraps up the 7 Streams of Income series. Paul-Gordon joined me to cover the last two: capital gains and dividends.
Both need capital to get started, that's the trade-off. But both also score well on the criteria that matter most for long-term wealth: they beat inflation over time, and they're about as passive as income gets.
Watch the full breakdown below, then scroll down to see how all seven streams compare side by side.
Watch: Capital Gains and Dividends
A few numbers worth knowing
Here's how all seven streams scored, out of 10, across our five criteria: inflation-beating, passivity, security, capital required, and tax efficiency.
Income stream | Score |
|---|---|
Earned income | 4/10 |
Profit income | 1/10 |
Rental income | Highest scoring |
Royalty income | 5/10 |
Interest income | 5/10 |
Capital gains income | 5/10 |
Dividends income | 5/10 |
Capital gains and dividends both lose points in the same two places: they need capital to start, and both are taxable. Where they earn points back is passivity and inflation protection, once the asset is bought, both keep working with no ongoing effort from you.
What this actually means for you
No single stream scores a 7, 8, or 9. That's the point. The highest scores come from combining streams, not chasing one perfect one.
If you're earning a salary, that's your secure base. From there, the next move is usually rental income for security, then layering in capital gains, dividends, royalties or interest depending on what capital and time you have available.
Catch up on the full series
Missed an episode? Here's the full series in order.
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Coming up
Asset classes, and how each one connects back to the income streams we've just covered.
Want help figuring out which income streams fit you? A quick call with one of our advisors is where that conversation starts.
Note: This newsletter is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. For personalised financial advice, you can book to speak to a financial advisor here (powered by a registered FSP: No. 51310).
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