Get Rich with Dividends by Marc Lichtenfeld: An Honest Review
by Marc Lichtenfeld · reviewed by Arthur Gold
The verdict
A clear, beginner-friendly case for dividend-growth investing built around a simple, repeatable system. Light on nuance for advanced investors, but one of the easier on-ramps to income investing.
Best for: New and income-focused investors who want a calm, systematic approach to dividends and compounding
The verdict first
Marc Lichtenfeld’s Get Rich with Dividends is one of the more approachable introductions to dividend-growth investing. Its strength is a single, memorable framework — the “10-11-12 System” — that gives beginners a concrete way to think about yield, dividend growth, and compounding instead of chasing whatever stock is in the news. If you already run a dividend portfolio, much of it will feel familiar; if you don’t, it’s a calm, well-paced place to start.
We review the book on its own terms. You don’t need to buy anything else to get value from it.
Who it’s for
New investors and income-focused readers who want a systematic, low-drama approach to building a dividend portfolio and reinvesting for compounding. It’s especially suited to people who find most market commentary noisy and want a patient, rules-based alternative.
Strengths and limitations
The framework and the emphasis on reinvestment are the book’s best features — they turn an abstract idea (compounding) into something you can actually follow. Its limitations are the flip side: experienced investors may find it basic, and any specific yields, tax figures, or example stocks should be treated as dated to the edition you’re holding.
Strengths and limitations
What works
- Explains dividend-growth investing and compounding in plain English
- Gives a concrete, repeatable framework (the '10-11-12 System') rather than vague advice
- Emphasizes reinvestment, patience, and yield-plus-growth over chasing hot stocks
What doesn't
- Advanced investors may find it basic and a bit repetitive
- Examples and specific figures date over time — treat any numbers as of the edition you read
- It's an approach book, not a live buy list; you still do the selection work
Dated material
Specific yield examples, tax figures, and any named stocks reflect when the edition was written. Confirm current numbers before acting on any example.
If you want ongoing research after the book
You don't need to subscribe to anything to benefit from this book. But if you'd like a research service to build on it, the one I currently prefer is The Oxford Income Letter.
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FAQ
Do I need to join a newsletter to benefit from this book?
No. The book stands entirely on its own. We mention an income newsletter below only because it's a natural next step for readers who want ongoing dividend research — it's optional, not required.
Is Get Rich with Dividends a get-rich-quick book?
No — despite the title, it argues the opposite: slow, systematic dividend-growth investing and reinvestment over years. The 'get rich' is a function of compounding and patience, not quick wins.
See my current preferred research service, The Oxford Income Letter →