If you’re on a tight budget, sometimes you have to compromise on the products you buy. Maybe you eat fast food instead of going to a high-end restaurant. Maybe you buy second-hand furniture instead of new furniture.

But such compromises are not necessary in investing. Even if you don’t have a lot of money, you can find great stocks — many of which offer exceptional dividends. Here are my picks for the smartest shares with dividends to buy for $150 right now.

1. Ares capital

You can get two parts of The capital city of Ares (ARCC 0.94%) for less than $44. And you get a lot of bang for your buck. with this stock.

Ares Capital is a top business development company (BDC). It provides financing to middle-market businesses that typically generate between $100 million and $3 billion in annual revenue.

As a BDC, Ares must return at least 90% of its dividend earnings to shareholders in order to be exempt from income tax on its profits. The company has paid stable or increasing dividends for 15 consecutive years. Its forward dividend yield is currently 9%.

Ares Capital has generated the highest total returns and dividend growth of any large publicly traded BDC over the past 10 years. Since its inception in 2004, the company’s cumulative total return has exceeded 1,000%, compared to approximately 674% for S&P 500.

2. Enbridge

You will not be able to buy two shares of Enbridge (ENB -0.21%) for an additional $45 off the original $150, but you can buy one. If you do, you’ll get part ownership of one of the best midstreams in North America energy companies.

However, Enbridge is more than just a midstream energy company today. It still operates natural gas pipelines and storage facilities in the US and Canada. But thanks to recent acquisitions, the company is now also North America’s largest natural gas utility and expanding renewable energy operations.

What about dividends? Enbridge has increased its dividend for an impressive 29 consecutive years. Its forward yield is 6.2%.

Investors should also be able to count on steady dividends from Enbridge going forward. About 98% of the company’s cash flows are contracted or part of cost-of-service agreements that reduce volatility. Enbridge has minimal exposure to commodity price fluctuations. This excellent dividend payer is well positioned to succeed in both rising and falling markets.

3. Real estate income

After buying two shares of Ares Capital and one share of Enbridge, you’ll have more than $60 left over from your original $150. It is enough to raise a part of Real estate income (A 2.00%)seventh largest globally real estate investment trust (REIT).

Realty Income has something in common with Ares Capital: As a REIT, it must return at least 90% of its profits to shareholders in the form of dividends. It also has a dividend history similar to that of Enbridge, with 30 consecutive years of dividend growth.

Of course, Realty Income’s forward dividend yield of 5.58% isn’t as juicy as Ares and Enbridge’s yields. However, REITs offer a nice advantage for income investors by paying dividends monthly, not quarterly.

You shouldn’t worry about the sustainability of Realty Income’s dividend. About 90% of its total rent is quite resilient to economic downturns. The company’s real estate portfolio is also highly diversified, with over 1,550 clients representing 90 industries.

Do you want more? Realty Income also has great growth prospects. The REIT has a major opportunity to further strengthen the US net lease market. It is also targeting expansion into Europe, which boasts a total addressable market of $8.5 trillion.