As many investors approach retirement, they often turn to dividend-paying stocks for income. However, dividend payments often signal that a company’s growth has slowed, and paying dividends is a strategy to attract investors rather than fuel expansion. The funds used for dividends could instead be reinvested to grow the company or buy back shares, both of which can increase shareholder value more effectively. The Stars Model, on the other hand, has consistently delivered 25% annual returns over the past 15 years, outperforming the S&P by 12 percentage points. Rather than relying on dividend stocks with lower returns, investors can take control by selling 3% of their portfolio and creating their own dividend while still benefiting from outstanding growth. Investing smarter means staying focused on strategies that maximize returns and long-term wealth creation.