If you need to generate income from your investments, selecting securities or funds based on their current interest or dividend payouts might solve the immediate problem. But a strategy of increasing dividend income might work out better over the long term.

Discover 9 top dividend stocks with 10%+ 5-year return potential based on my valuations and in-depth analysis. Click here.

February is the shortest month, but that doesn't mean income investors don't have much time to find great stocks. Three Motley Fool contributors believe they have identified fabulous dividend stocks to buy this month.