I guess it would be helpful to define DRIP. Its a dividend reinvestment program. It usually takes a phone call to set it up, and any dividend that is paid is automatically converted to shares of that company. Its compounding interest with stocks. Conventional wisdom is you reinvest your dividends until the time comes when you need the income flow that dividend stock provide.

Altria (MO) is a great dividend payer but it also is raises an interesting question. Are you ok investing in a tobacco stock, even if you don't agree with tobacco and realize the effects it has.