Stealth Wealth Are you under the radar?

Allied Capital Corporation (NYSE: ALD)?  I’ve been looking for new places to put some of my money once I get out of my current holdings.  I’m looking for a somewhat more permanent home that pays dividends.  I want to start in January setting about half of my left over money into dividend paying companies and the other half into paying off one of my student loans.  This is the plan as of now, but if you know me then you know I’ll probably change this  “strategy”

Allied Capital Corp. pays a dividend of about 8.4% they have been paying dividends since 1987.  So I feel somewhat comfortable putting some of my money with them.

Also I’ve been looking at Alliance Bernstein Income Fund (ACG) and DNP Select Income Fund (DNP).  I don’t have much experience with income funds, but they seem like they would provide a steady dividend each month at around 7% - 8%.  One of my goals over the several years is to build up a portfolio that will pay enough dividends for me to retire if I wanted or start my own company.

Does any one know anything about income funds?  I haven’t found where either one I have listed charge me a fee directly for purchasing shares outside of the fee charged by my broker.  Am I missing something?

(I have invested in Advantage Energy Income Fund, but it was too high risk for me and I had Canadian taxes taken out each month.)