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Tuesday, November 30, 2021

Welcome again in my RRSP portfolio Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS)!

These days, it's looking bad for stock markets, and not only for the TSX. Obviously, the value of my different investment portfolios is down. My non-registered portfolio closed today session at $131,014.59, my US portfolio at $4,320.99, my RRSP portfolio - stocks only - at $61,902.58 and my TFSA portfolio at $124,076.43

A stock market "correction" is never fun to watch, but this kind of event occurs from time to time. Unfortunately, it's part of the game while investing in stocks. Over time, you'll eventually get used to it. Those corrections are part of the reason why it's important to keep a portfolio diversified in different sectors, different companies, and also, it's part of the reason why it's nice to always have a cash reserve available on hands when the price of stocks drop like that. I currently have a cash reserve, yes, but that money means to be my only savings. Now you understand why I don't have much in savings... Just too many occasions to make nice bucks over the TSX.

I would like to put in a 2k inside my Canadian margin account to help secure it. I have a debt of 48k on my margin account. I think I will be able to do so because this upcoming Friday is payday. I am also thankful that I was smart enough not to buy anything on Black Friday or Cyber Monday. 

I had a few dollars available in my RRSP, enough to buy one extra share of Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS), so I taught, why not? I am enjoying National Bank Direct Brokerage's $0 commission fee to the max. What National Bank Direct Brokerage is offering to Canadian investors is quite a huge deal. I can now invest whenever, no matter how small the amount of money that I have at my disposal, and that's quite awesome. This is how basically I built my investment portfolio, by investing from time to time. But now, what's new is that I can invest whatever amount I want because commission fees how now have no impact on me, thanks to National Bank Direct Brokerage. The single thing that I really dislike about National Bank Direct Brokerage is that they don't show the investment portfolio's value in real-time but that's a small inconvenience for a $0 commission fee so I live with it.

We were expecting it, however, it's always fun when it officially announced: Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) increased its dividend distribution! BNS is the first Canadian bank to announce a dividend increase. It's being expected that all the other Canadian banks will follow the lead this week! So get ready for dividend good news all week long! This is basically Christmas before Christmas! :-)

And guess what, I hold more than just Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) in my very marvelous portfolio. I also hold on to some Canadian Imperial Bank Of Commerce (CM), Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD), and Royal Bank of Canada (RY) shares. Canadian banks are easy to hold and quite profitable. It should be included in any individual's investment portfolio while investing in other sectors as well.

With today's BNS dividend hikes, my annual dividend income is now set at $10,657.97. My dividend income, excluding the dividend earned inside my RRSP, is now at $8,962.61, the equivalent of $746.89. This dividend income of mine is slowly beginning to show off some real bones. We are now in serious business. With the upcoming dividend increase for the other banks I own, I should be at least on a $750, and certainly more, but it's hard to tell.

While enjoying great news for my dividend income, I received earlier today some price alerts coming from my Yahoo Finance application for a few of my stocks which go as the following: 

K-Bro Linen Inc. (KBL): reached  52 Week low at $33.88
TFI International Inc. (TFII): down 4.94% to $128
LifeWorks Inc. (LWRK): reached a 52 Week low at $25.05
Saputo Inc. (SAP): reached a 52 Week low at $28.69

Other than that, today at BNN Bloomberg, Ryan Bushell Top picks included all stocks that I have in my investment portfolio: K-Bro Linen Inc. (KBL), Pembina Pipeline Corporation (PBL), and New Flyer Industries Inc. (NFI).

Sunday, November 28, 2021

A recap of my experience switching broker from TD Direct to National Bank Direct Brokerage

I was grocery shopping today with my mom and I spotted some turkeys, which I didn't have in a really long time. The price for a Butterball frozen turkey - the best turkey EVER by the way - was ENORMOUS: $63.99. And that's before taxes! So the delicious Butterball stays where it was in the freezer... I don't care about turkey. But wait, I also saw some ham at $43... and not even half of a big ham... The price for groceries here in New Brunswick is not cheap at all. 

One day, my mom bought a small bag of clementines for $8... She wanted to please me, but I told her not to buy anything high price. I can sacrifice my clementine for instead apple or banana, which are way cheaper fruits. If you buy fruits that are out of price, you are giving the impression that you actually accept to buy items at a high price, and it's not my case, even if I really like orange, clementines, and grapefruits. 

Generally speaking, I find that everything is cheaper in Montreal. However, it's possible to buy groceries at a fair price here where I am in New Brunswick, it's just that you cannot buy everything you want. You need to buy what is on sale and plan your meals accordingly. Nothing too complicated. You need to do what you need to do in order to save a few bucks where you can, and that includes commission fees for trading.

Currently, in Canada, we now have two brokers how are offering a 0$ commission fee for trading: National Bank Direct Brokerage and Desjardins Online Brokerage. National Bank Direct Brokerage was the first institution in Canada to offer this opportunity to investors. Desjardins Online Brokerage followed the lead shortly after the National Bank Direct Brokerage historic move. National Bank Direct Brokerage made its announcement during the summer while I was away on vacation in New Brunswick. 

At the time, we didn't have Internet at home in New Brunswick, so I couldn't do anything. When I came back from my vacation, I immediately took action. In my mind, it was all clear. I had to take advantage of the National Bank Direct Brokerage offers, and ASAP! I had been using TD Direct brokerage services since something like 2007-2008. I actually began to invest in stocks shortly before the 2008 stock crash. Since that time, I had been paying $9.99 per buy and sell trading operations. I just prefer not to even try to calculate the amount of money I spent on trading fees over the years...

I quickly realize that National Bank Direct Brokerage was now a real game-changer. And here is how goes my process from switching from TD Direct to National Bank Direct Brokerage. 

First, I call TD Direct, asking if there were any upcoming changes in regard to their commission fees, and if they were planning to do like National Bank Direct Brokerage. I learned that nothing had been announced in that regard and TD Direct didn't expect to abolish their commission fees at the present time. Unfortunately.

Next, I called National Bank Direct Brokerage. I asked if their $0 commission fee was just temporary, like a promotion or something - or if it was for the long run. I knew the answer to that question, but I just wanted to make sure... And the answer was the one that I expected, this wasn't a promotion for a limited time, it was for the long run. Basically, it's how things were going to be from now on with National Bank Direct Brokerage. The National Bank Direct Brokerage's broker told me that I needed to call TD Direct to make sure everything was ok regarding my margin account.

After that, I contacted TD Direct one more time, explaining that trades with National Bank Direct Brokerage were at a $0 commission fee, that I really liked TD, but I was thinking about switching over to National Bank Direct Brokerage. I explained to the broker that I needed to verify if I could proceed with the transfer and if everything was fine with my margin. The broker put me on hold, and told me everything was fine with my margin. I don't really know what they were looking for, but in my case, everything was ok.

Following this, I opened a broker account with National Bank Direct Brokerage. I already had a small investment with National Bank. I used that already existing account info to log in and from there I completed a PDF form online, on which I entered my info to proceed with the transfer "as is" of my investment portfolio from TD Direct to National Bank Direct Brokerage. The selection of "as is" is really important if you want to take everything you have at your current broker transfer as is over your new broker. "As is" means that you proceed with the transfer as is, without selling anything, without changing anything to your existing investment portfolio.

Opening a broker account with National Bank Direct Brokerage was quite easy and quick. My account was created within 48 hours. Following this, both National Bank and National Bank Direct Brokerage proceed with a credit check, which is mandatory for a margin account. It took a while for my margin account to be created. My non-registered Canadian margin account had been the last account to be transferred from TD Direct to the National Bank Direct Brokerage. 

It took me a good month to get everything transferred to the National Bank Direct Brokerage. I guess I got stuck at the time where the 0$ commission fee was a bit more well-known and I guess that many investors may have switched over the National Bank Direct Brokerage at the exact same time that I did.

I knew that an account of mine at TD Direct was about to get transferred to National Bank Direct Brokerage when the account at TD was no longer there. When an account is nowhere to be seen, it meant that the account will arrive the following business day over the National Bank Direct Brokerage. Following the arrival of one of my accounts over National Bank Direct Brokerage, I checked for those points for each and single investment:

-the list of actual stocks - to check if nothing is missing in that specific account;

-the number of stocks per investment;

-the initial value per share;

-the initial value of the investment.

Following the arrival of an account to National Bank Direct Brokerage, don't panic if you are missing one investment or more. It usually takes 48 business hours before you'll receive everything. It took more than 48 hours for my non-registered portfolio, but I let it go, and I received everything in a matter of a couple of days. If you notice that you are missing an investment, I would suggest that you wait at least 48 business hours before calling National Bank Direct Brokerage.

While proceeding to an "as is" transfer from let's say TD Direct to National Bank Direct Brokerage, don't perform any trades at TD Direct. It's important that you don't change anything because you just don't know exactly when the transfer of assets will be made. When you decide to actually switch brokers, don't proceed to any trades until your transfer is done and completed.

Also, when you decide to switch brokers, save all statements for the previous years and the current years, all past tax papers, etc. Save everything you can because once your account goes transferred over from let say TD Direct to National Bank Direct Brokerage, it's most likely that your account will get closed at TD Direct once everything got transferred over National Bank Direct Brokerage.

I am currently at the real end of this whole transfer process. I asked TD Direct to reactivate my accounts so I can have access to my upcoming tax papers for 2021 via their eServices, which is their service to receive all of your statements online. I don't want to receive anything by mail. TD Direct was able to reactivate my accounts. Everything is now in order. Overall, my switch from TD Direct to National Bank Direct Brokerage went smoothly.

There are just a few things that I don't like with National Bank Direct Brokerage: very long delay before being able to talk to a broker over the phone. And secondly, with National Bank, you don't see the value of the investments that you hold in your portfolio in real-time. There's always that 15 minutes delay, so the value that you see of your stuff online with National Bank Direct Brokerage is never totally accurate. That's for me a major turn-off. However, if you place a buy order, you'll have the value in real-time of the stock you want to buy. When the new acquisition is in your portfolio, the value that shows up is not in real-time. 

I find this to be really insulting. It's like National Bank Direct Brokerage is screaming right in my face: YOU ARE JUST A F SMALL INVESTOR AND YOU DON'T DESERVE BITCH TO SEE YOUR INVESTMENT PORTFOLIOS VALUES IN REAL TIME.

Saturday, November 27, 2021

Enjoying a quiet Black Friday in the New Brunswick country

Black Friday is now behind us. I didn't spend any money on Black Friday deals. I have to say, fact that the TSX closed this past Friday session on a much lower note got me to stay in my saving mode. It didn't feel right to spend money on my little self while I was losing thousands of dollars on the stock market. It's part of the game, but it's never fun to see my portfolio value going down. This past Friday, my non-registered portfolio closed the session at $133,999.41, my US portfolio at $4,407.81, my RRSP portfolio - stocks only - at $62 743,47 and my TFSA portfolio at $127,497.50. Quickly like that, I estimate my net worth to be somewhere in the $329,000. Basically, I am currently experiencing a loss of more or less -$10,000. Nothing catastrophic, but like anybody, I like to be on top of my game. It was quite nice to be, for a little while, on a net worth of $340,000.

While spending the past couple of weeks in New Brunswick, I had been able to easily put money aside. I really want to take this opportunity to save as much as I can. I have three bank accounts, with 3 different institutions. What I like to do is to put savings between my three accounts. In one account, I currently have $945, in my second one, $1,500, and in my third one, $4,111. This makes a total of $6,556 in savings. I already paid my rent for December so that amount in savings is fixed. For December, I think I will be able to easily save another $2,000, thanks to the 3 paychecks that I am expecting during that month. 

The reasons to build up some savings are multiple. We should all have emergency funds, and we should all have some savings aside. I am not a good example on that matter, but I am trying. The reason why I am trying so hard to save money at this time is that I want to contribute a bit more to my RRSP. But even more than that, I want to save money to invest inside my TFSA portfolio. For 2022, the TFSA contribution limit is $6,000.

Wednesday, November 24, 2021

Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. (ATD.A) announced an increase in its dividend distribution and that's great :-)

Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. (ATD.A) announced an increase in its dividend distribution. However, it doesn't move much my annual dividend income. A little gain is always welcome, no matter how little. May big businesses like ATD.A are not super generous with dividends, but our great Canadian banks help to create good and stable dividend income. And talking about banks' fabulous dividend distribution, today is the payday for Royal Bank of Canada (RY)'s investors. Tomorrow, I should receive RY juicy dividend in both my TFSA and RRSP portfolio.

These days, Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD) trades in its highest value ever. I have the Yahoo Finance application on my smartphone. I like it because I received price alerts. It actually makes it easier for me to follow all of my stocks. I also like the Yahoo Finance application because it makes it easy to read the latest news concerning all the stocks that I hold, and I hold on to a lot so I need this kind of tool.

Yesterday, my non-registered portfolio closed the session at $136,520.10, my US portfolio at $4,467.72, my RRSP stock only portfolio at $63,117.53, and my TFSA portfolio at $128,314.68. My results are a bit lower compared to the extraordinary good results of November 8.

I read this article on the Global News website regarding trading inside your TFSA portfolio. You should be careful with what you do inside your TFSA account. Here's why. I was already aware of this. You should not excessively trade inside your TFSA portfolio. However, those rules are not explicit enough. We mostly hear stuff from the media about this here and there, but we never heard about explicit rules coming from the government on what investors are allowed to do or not with their TFSA. A part of the problem is on the shoulders of the federal Liberal government who, like usual, is not taking it

I double-check this Derek Foster's stock, Altius Renewable Royalties (ARR). One thing catch my attention: this stock is based in Newfoundland! I love everything related to Newfoundland. One of my favorite stocks, Fortis Inc. (FTS) is based in Newfoundland. Knowing this, I taught: why not invest in a few shares of Altius Renewable Royalties (ARR) for my RRSP portfolio? I had a few bucks available in there coming from my dividend distribution... However, I am not set on my decision yet.

No one writes about Altius Renewable Royalties (ARR) absolutely nowhere. There's just no feedback online about this investment.

Tuesday, November 23, 2021

Between To be or Not to be a home owner, I prefer to be a Dividend Queen without a castle

A bit earlier in November, I was reaching my highest net worth ever, welcoming a $340,312.77 net worth. Following those good results, a reader asked what's next, if I was looking to buy a house. It's a good question that certainly can be addressed. A 340k net worth is a nice amount, but for me, it's not enough to own a home. Add to that my age, 41. For a person my age, my net worth is quite small. Despite it all, I am not looking forward to work until late in my 70s if you see what I mean.

Owning a house or condo involved a lot of money spending, for insurance and maintenance, among others. For some people, it's something important to own their home. It's not something that matters to me. Owning a home involved a lot of financial stress, It's a responsibility, and also, it can come with some major problems. 

You might believe that insurance will have your back in case something happens to your beloved home. Well, let me tell you that things could turn out to be much more difficult than you might believe. I will just tell you a couple of true stories. I will start with this one: in my little town, where I am spending the next couple of months in New Brunswick, a senior couple had a problem with their heating system. Unfortunately for them, the problem results in several thousand worths of damages to their property. They had insurance, but their insurance refused to pay because the damages were related to their heating system. Their insurer claims that their insurance doesn't cover the heating system...

Back in Montreal, I know two persons whose condo had suffered from water damage coming from a fire. For both cases, even if they didn't have a fire in their condo, their condo was no longer habitable because of the water damage. For one individual, rebuilding was a super long stressful process. The construction workers who were working on site were incompetent. Eventually, the condo got rebuilt, but it wasn't perfect, and it was extremely stressful from the beginning to the end. For the other individual, they had to take a lawyer because the insurance want to pay, but the insurance doesn't want to pay the real amount that is needed to rebuild.

Don't ever think that it's actually easy to deal with insurances, even in Canada. Because it isn't. Homeownership is made for rich people, not for the middle class. In the close future, it's simply going to be harder and harder. And sincerely, you need to be completely out of your mind to pay a 300k, 400k, and more for a condo... It just doesn't make any sense at all. I way prefer to have a $340,000 portfolio, mostly in stocks, from which I earn an income. Owning a house won't bring in any dividend, it will only make me spend even more money.

And that's why I decided to be a Queen without a castle.

Where I live in New Brunswick, we have here and there abandoned houses. In recent years, we have at least 3 houses, located close to where I live, that had been abandoned. One, it's a guy with a family that left the home trash. A few vehicles had been left there as well here and there on the lot. The house is probably nonhabitable in its current state. More than vehicles, a few cats had made their apparitions. We never had a problem with domestic animals in this area before. But now, from time to time, I see this bad boy, that I also spot earlier this summer: 





This little buddy also has a little grey friend that appears to be a bit younger. I don't know if you can spot him in here:


I just saw those two cats who seem to be living outside. It's a bit sad to watch because once winter will hit for real, those little cats will suffer. I personally adore cats but I suffer from allergies so I cannot even get close to them, even if I would like to.

Here are pictures of a house that I think is kind of abandoned. However, the lawn had always been taken care of for the time that I had been around. I never saw someone inside or outside this house. I never saw a car there. The roof seems to be perfectly fine, but the exterior of the house began to slowly suffer. I actually really like this house. I like the balcony. It's quite a big house. I wonder how it looks inside.



What do you think? Do you like this house?

Sunday, November 21, 2021

Those stocks that I hold inside my investment portfolio that you SHOULDN'T invest in

In his latest newsletter sent on November 18, Derek Foster shared an update of his investment portfolio. I always like to receive Derek Foster's newsletter. I particularly like to check on the Canadian stocks that he holds inside his investment portfolio. I like it when I see in there some stocks that I don't know. This time around, Derek had introduced a few newcomers. In that list, Altius Minerals Corp (ALS) catch my attention. In Stockopedia, Altius Minerals Corp (ALS) is ranked as a Super Stock and its StockRank is exceeding 90.

All good stuff, but I am not really willing to invest in ALS for my own portfolio, because of its overall chart:

It's looking like Altius Minerals Corp (ALS) never recover from the 2008 stock market crash. I try to avoid this type of stock. While searching for new stocks, I always check on their overall chart. What I name as being an 'overall chart' is the stock's chart value since its introduction to the TSX. Also, I am not a fan of mining-related stocks. For me, Altius Minerals Corp (ALS) is not really appealing.

I am having the exact same problem with Equinox Gold (EQX), which is another Derek Foster's stock.

The value of EQX didn't reach, up to this date, its old top value of August 2020. Knowing that so far for 2021, the TSX is on a spectacular +30% gain, it's quite strange to me that Equinox Gold (EQX) is not able to do better than this. Other than ALS and EQX, both Sandstorm Gold Ltd (SSL) and GoldMining Inc. (GOLD) have a rocky chart and don't seem to be paying any dividends.

Compare to Altius Minerals Corp (ALS) and Equinox Gold (EQX), I prefer my latest investment, Stelco Holdings Inc. (STLC). Of all the Canadian stocks that currently hold Derek Foster, Altius Renewable Royalties Corp. (ARR) appears to be the most interesting one. ARR hasn't been on the TSX for a very long time. So far, Altius Renewable Royalties Corp. (ARR) doesn't seem to be paying any dividends. For now, I am looking forward to invest in Altius Renewable Royalties Corp. (ARR) for my investment portfolio.

It's always fun to have a look at what other people hold inside their investment portfolio. I have an enormous investment portfolio, it's BIG BIG BIG. I like most of the stocks that I am invested in. Many of the stocks that I hold had been in my portfolio for many many years. It's the case, among others, of my investment in K-Bro Linen Inc. (KBL), Methanex Corporation (MX), New Flyer Industries Inc. (NFI), and Saputo Inc. (SAP). When it came to KBL, MX, NFI, SAP, I am on nice gain, but it's only because those stocks had been in my portfolio for a really long time. I don't recommend those stocks for newcomers to invest in now.

Dumont Nickel Inc. (DNI) is an investment that I made a really long time ago. It didn't turn well. I do not recommend it as an investment for your portfolio.

Andrew Peller Limited (ADW.A), Cascades Inc. (CAS), and ATCO Ltd. (ACO.Y): I like those two stocks, they are family businesses, a bit like SAP. However, I wouldn't recommend ADW.A, CAS, and ACO.Y as an investment for your portfolio. Those two are not sitting on valuable gains in my portfolio. ACO.Y is quite a rocky one and is quite difficult to hold. Aecon Group Inc. (ARE) is kind in the same position. I wouldn't recommend Aecon Group Inc. (ARE) as an investment for any portfolio. It's of a difficult holding.

I don't recommend Tilray Inc (TLRY) as an investment. Pot stocks are difficult to hold and TLRY is no exception to the rule. 

Logistec Corporation Class B Subordinate Voting Shares (LGT.B), Ovintiv Inc. (OVV): old investment of mines, no capital gain, I do not recommend.

Boyd Group Services Inc. (BYD) is super expensive. I am currently not experiencing a capital gain on that stock. 

CAE Inc. (CAE), I am doing great on that stock, I am on good capital gain because CAE had been in my portfolio for a long time, but I wouldn't recommend CAE as an investment. Difficult sector.

Otherwise, I am pretty happy with my holdings. I like most of my stocks.

Saturday, November 20, 2021

Welcome in my TFSA portfolio Stelco Holdings Inc. (STLC)!

These days, the TSX had been down a little, which unfortunately result directly in my portfolio results. My non-registered portfolio closed this past Friday session at $137,833.99, my US portfolio at $4,355.45 US, and my TFSA portfolio at $128,481.47. My stocks-only RRSP portfolio is the exception to the rule, closing the session on a higher note, at $63,586,80. This represents a gain of $1,048.66 for my stocks-only RRSP portfolio, compared to my latest investment portfolio update on November 8.

My annual dividend income is now at $10,571.86. I try not to focus too much on dividends, but I like to get an idea of where I am from time to time. If I exclude dividends coming from my RRSP, my dividend income from my non-registered and TFSA portfolio reaches $8,883.90, which represents the equivalence of $740.23 per month. It's not too bad knowing this amount covers my rent, and almost my cell phone bill for a month. Not that I need the money, but it's good to know.

A few days ago, I made a small investment in Stelco Holdings Inc. (STLC). The money came from some of my TFSA portfolio dividend distribution. Inside my TFSA portfolio, Stelco Holdings Inc. (STLC) is on a gain of 2.82%, which is a nice start. I wouldn't invest thousands in STLC, but I could eventually invest a bit more in this stock. Also in my TFSA, my gains in crypto ETFs are at $422. Not enough to sell for profit, but at least today, both Bitcoin and Ethereum are looking like they only want to

Currently, I also have enough to make another small investment inside my RRSP portfolio. I was thinking about Empire Company Limited Non-Voting Class A Shares (EMP.A). It's an investment idea that is coming from Susan Brunner. This is a rocky stock, but I think it's a good pick for the long term. Here again, it will only be a small investment. 

Here in New Brunswick, we recently received our first snow, and the result was looking gorgeous, but I took my pictures while quietly watching from outside the show falling...


So much snow!





Those had been taking a few days later:





Thursday, November 11, 2021

Celebrating Remembrance Day in New Brunswick

 I wasn't working this morning, so I was able to attend our local Remembrance Day celebrations.









Monday, November 8, 2021

I am not on my HIGHEST net WORTH EVER: $340,312.77

It's now official, my net worth - on the date of today - exceeds $340,000. I am only missing $9,688 to get into the 350k game. I may be able to close the year 2021 on a $350,000, or maybe close by enough to say that I am almost on the $350,000. At now over $132,000, my TFSA portfolio is also at its highest value ever. It's quite fun to watch. My ETF investments involved in Ethereums and Bitcoins are on a record high, but I am still holding for now.

My dividend income should increase as well, because banks are now authorized to increase their dividend distributions. Earlier today, iA Financial Corporation Inc. (IAG) made a super great announcement: an increase of 29% in their quarterly dividend. Soon enough, banks should also follow the same vibe and increase their dividend distribution.

PFB Corporation (PFB) had been in my TFSA since this past August, but it soon no longer be from my portfolio! PFB Corporation (PFB) had been acquired by The Riverside Company. Unfortunately, it seems like The Riverside Company is not trading over the TSX. However, I will get a nice compensation + special dividend distribution out of this. Luckily, since I hold PFB Corporation (PFB) inside my TFSA portfolio, I won't pay any taxes on this payout. I always really like PFB Corporation (PFB), its too bad it won't be from my portfolio by the end of the year.

Historic of my Total assets and Net worth values on date of November 8, 2021

So far for 2021...

Total in assets: $388,421.37/Net worth: $340,312.77 - HIGHEST  NET WORTH VALUE EVER!
November 8, 2021

Total in assets: $387,068.51/Net worth: $338,959.91
November 5, 2021

Total in assets: $384,785.92/Net worth: $336,781.52 
October 20, 2021

Total in assets: $382,580.80/Net worth: $334,576.40 
October 19, 2021

Total in assets: $379,263.95/Net worth: $330,680.17
October 14, 2021

Total in assets: $364,072.52/Net worth: $315,407.64
July 26, 2021

Total in assets: $358,867.59/Net worth: $311,858.22
June 15, 2021

Total in assets: $354,774.64/Net worth: $307,559.30
June 10, 2021

Total in assets: $348,042.77/Net worth: $300,799.45 - FIRST TIME I EVER REACHED 300k in net worth, on May 26, 2021

Total in assets: $346,583.88/Net worth: $298,486.93: May 20, 2021
Total in assets: $349,651.45/Net worth: $298,435.31: May 7, 2021
Total in assets: $347,002.53/Net worth: $297,614.64: April 16, 2021
Total in assets: $338,188.16/Net worth: $287,914.75: March 11, 2021
Total in assets: $333,970.92/Net worth: $283,675.99: March 9, 2021
Total in assets: $328,881.12/Net worth: $279,611.57: February 10, 2021
Total in assets: $326,670.02/Net worth: $278,758.37: February 8, 2021
Total in assets: $324,891.52/Net worth: $276,979.87: February 4, 2021
Total in assets: $322,236.52/Net worth: $274,318.36: February 3, 2021
Total in assets: $327,639.01/Net worth: $274,298.23: January 19, 2021
Total in assets: $316,192.85/Net worth: $268,180.14: January 7, 2021
Total in assets: $313,003.95/Net worth: $264,915.22: January 6, 2021
Total in assets: $310,587.36/Net worth: $262,498.63: January 5, 2021

2020
Total in assets: $310,392.38/Net worth: $259,661.24: December 31, 2020
Total in assets: $307,812.05/Net worth: $259,070.79: December 24, 2020
Total in assets: $306,444.25/Net worth: $258,948.73: December 4, 2020
Total in assets: $304,701.39/Net worth: $257,331.58: November 27, 2020
Total in assets: $300,956.84/Net worth: $253,587.03: November 24, 2020
Total in assets: $298,903.01/Net worth: $251,533.20: November 23, 2020
Total in assets: $296,643.60/Net worth: $249,158.71: November 20, 2020
Total in assets: $294,514.87/Net worth: $247,145.87: November 11, 2020
Total in assets: $291,172.40/Net worth: $243,802.59: November 10, 2020
Total in assets: $287 803.13/Net worth: $240 433.32: November 9, 2020
Total in assets: $277,872.92/Net worth: $226,678.26: August 5, 2020
Total in assets: $276,627.27/Net worth: $227,745.47: June 6, 2020
Total in assets: $263,304.63/Net worth: $211,395.63: April 29, 2020
Total in assets: $241 461,13/Net worth: $194 558,29: March 13, 2020
Total in assets: $282,640.61/Net worth: $235,284.72: February 21, 2020
Total in assets: $304,955.72/Net worth: $257,187.44: February 12, 2020
Total in assets: $296,200.07/Net worth: $250,595: January 16, 2020
Total in assets: $292,715.58/Net worth: $244,970.41: January 9, 2020

2019
Total in assets: $288,237.52/Net worth: $239,582.44: December 31, 2019
Total in assets: $278,823.27/Net worth: $230,902.04: September 17, 2019
Total in assets: $271,896.19/Net worth: 226,137.05: June 24, 2019
Total in assets: $269 950.21/Net worth: $222 942.87: April 5, 2019
Total in assets: $251 634.94/Net worth: $206 278.84: January 18, 2019
Total in assets: $238 656.07/Net worth: $191 009.83: January 4, 2019

2018
Total in assets: $270 679.86/Net worth: $204 306.57: November 16, 2018
Total in assets: $332 750.88/Net worth: $232 609.15: August 3, 2018
Total in assets: $331 413.83/Net worth: $232 280.40: June 20, 2018
Total in assets: $326 085.75/Net worth: $226 801.92: June 3, 2018
Total in assets: $322 479.23/Net worth: $222 850.15: May 4, 2018
Total in assets: $319 644.86/Net worth: $217 246.23: March 16, 2018

2017
Total in assets: $318 544.64/Net worth: $221 989.65: December 29, 2017
Net worth on the date of November 17, 2017: $211 430.89
Net worth on the date of October 27, 2017: $212 633.39
Net worth on the date of September 29, 2017: $206 352.49
Net worth on the date of April 24, 2017: $204 277.66
Net worth on the date of March 31, 2017: $200 325.69
Net worth on the date of March 29, 2017: $198 299.73
Net worth on the date of March 18, 2017: $193 969.21

2016
Net worth on the date of December 30, 2016: $184 074.35

Net worth after debt on the date of January 1, 2014:
$101 172.99 (yes, finally, IN NET WORTH!).

On the date of February 16, 2011, the TMX hit the 14 000+ points, and I had exceeded the 150k in assets! (Not net worth yet).

On September 9, 2010, I reached $100,000 in assets! (not in net worth yet).

On the date of August 5, 2009, I reached my investment goal: I reached $50 000 worth of assets! (NOW, net worth).

On the date of December 5, 2009, I had exceeded the $60 000 in assets! (not in net worth yet). 

My investment portfolio on date of November 8, 2021

 Cold cash: $7,153.93

Stocks and Units investment portfolio $CAN 
Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS)
Methanex Corporation (MX)
Fortis Inc. (FTS)
Pembina Pipeline Corporation (PPL)
iShares S&P/TSX Capped REIT Index (XRE)
New Flyer Industries Inc. (NFI)
TMX Group Inc. (X)
K-Bro Linen Inc. (KBL)
TransCanada Corp (TRP)
Canadian National Railway Co (CNR)
Enbridge Inc. (ENB)
Emera Inc. (EMA)
Saputo Inc. (SAP)
Loblaw Companies (L)
Savaria Corporation (SIS)
WSP Global Inc. (WSP)
George Weston Limited (WN)
Power Corporation of Canada Subordinate Voting Shares (POW)
TOTAL: $140,256.70

Stocks and Units investment portfolio $US:
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK.B)
General Mills Inc. (GIS)
Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund (VONG)
Pfizer Inc. (PFE) 
TOTAL: $4,441.74 US: $5,493.54 CAN
 
Tax-free savings account (TFSA):
Dumont Nickel Inc. (DNI)
CT Real Estate Investment Trust (CRT.UN)
Canadian National Railway Co (CNR)
Exchange Income Corporation (EIF)
Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P. (BIP.UN)
Brookfield Renewable Energy Partners L.P. (BEP.UN)
Andrew Peller Limited (ADW.A)
Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD)
Boyd Group Services Inc. (BYD)
Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust (CAR.UN)
Data Communications Mgmt (DCM)
Morneau Shepell Inc. (MSI)
Royal Bank of Canada (RY)
Park Lawn Corporation (PLC)
Toromont Industries Ltd (TIH)
BCE Inc. (BCE)
Boralex Inc. Class A Shares (BLX)
Savaria Corporation (SIS)
Northland Power Inc. (NPI)
Calian Group Ltd. (CGY)
Canadian Utilities Limited (CU)
WSP Global Inc. (WSP)
Granite Real Estate Investment Trust (GRT.UN)
Cargojet Inc. (CJT)
Nutrien Ltd. (NTR)
TFI International Inc. (TFII)
Canadian Imperial Bank Of Commerce (CM)
SIR Royalty Income Fund (SRV.UN)
ATCO Ltd. (ACO.Y)
Aecon Group Inc. (ARE)
Brookfield Asset Management Inc. Class A Limited Voting Shares (BAM.A)
Metro Inc. (MRU)
Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. (ATD.A)
Fortis Inc. (FTS)
CGI Inc. (GIB.A)
TMX Group Limited (X)
Brookfield Infrastructure Corporation Class A Exchangeable Subordinate Voting Shares (BIPC)
Brookfield Renewable Corporation Class A Exchangeable Subordinate Voting Shares (BEPC)
Suncor Energy Inc. (SU)
Rogers Communications Inc. (RCI.B)
Telus Corp (T)
JFT Strategies Fund Class A Units (JFS.UN)
Bitcoin Fund The Class A units (QBTC)
Purpose Bitcoin ETF CAD ETF non-currency hedged units (BTCC.B)
3iQ CoinShares Ether ETF (ETHQ)
Tilray Inc (TLRY)
PFB Corporation (PFB)
North West Company Inc. (The) (NWC)
TOTAL: $132,098.91

RSP investment portfolio: 
Emera Incorporated (EMA)
Ovintiv Inc. (OVV)
Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD)
Telus Corp (T)
Royal Bank of Canada (RY)
Savaria Corporation (SIS)
Thomson Reuters Corporation (TRI)
Park Lawn Corporation (PLC)
Richards Packaging Income Fund (RPI.UN)
Toromont Industries Ltd (TIH)
CAE Inc. (CAE)
CGI Group Inc. Class A Subordinate Voting Shares (GIB.A)
Boralex Inc. Class A Shares (BLX)
Quebecor Inc. (QBR.B)
Logistec Corporation Class B Subordinate Voting Shares (LGT.B)
Brookfield Renewable Partners L.P. (BEP.UN)
Leon's Furniture Limited (LNF)
Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS)
Brookfield Renewable Corporation Class A Exchangeable Subordinate Voting Shares (BEPC)
Cascades Inc. (CAS)
JFT Strategies Fund Class A Units (JFS.UN)
AirBoss of America Corp. (BOS)
Suncor Energy Inc. (SU)
Total: $62,538.14

CIBC Dividend Growth Fund + CIBC Emerging Markets Index Fund + CIBC Monthly Income Fund: $3,604.26

Energy and Base Metals Term Savings (Indexed term savings): $577.30

Natural Resources Term Savings (Indexed term savings): $502.45

NBI Income Fund: $1,363.16

Manulife Fidelity NorthStar GIF CAP
Manulife Simplicity Growth Portfolio 
Maritime Life CI Harbour Seg Fund
Maritime Life Fidelity True North Seg Fund
Manulife GIF MLIA B World Invest
Total: $8,942.07

Other various: $25,745.26

TOTAL: $103,272.64

Social Capital at Desjardins Membership share: $35
Online money: $110.65
Savings + Stocks, units, mutual funds + Tax-free Savings account + RRSP:
On the date November 8, 2021
$388,421.37

Sunday, November 7, 2021

What it's like to live in a small town in New Brunswick: plenty of savings and no expressos

This past Friday's post title was quite hilarious. I am enjoying my time in New Brunswick. The weather is colder at times, but we have some nice days and it becomes warmer when the sun is out. You can say that I am enjoying New Brunswick's woods!



Moses like this kind of destroyed spot:

You can see how thin the woods are. You can see through the mountain. It's because that area had been butchered when my father was just a little boy and was hunting with his own father. This is just an illustration of how long it takes for a forest to take its full maturity, +75 years if you want solid grow woods. 






The last roses of autumn, still looking pretty enough to be on this blog. I like this light shade of ghosty rose.



I was quite happy with this past Friday's results for my portfolios. It's nice to have my non-registered portfolio in the $140,000 range. These days, both Bitcoins and Ethereums are doing super great. I still hold on to my precious ETFs Bitcoins and Ethereums. Currently, inside my TFSA, I hold units of Bitcoin Fund The Class A units (QBTC), Purpose Bitcoin ETF CAD ETF non-currency hedged units (BTCC.B), and 3iQ CoinShares Ether ETF (ETHQ). With those investments, I am on a gain of $535. I do not need money or am in a rush so for now, I am going like the usual, I am holding and I will sell when my gains will become juicier.

Fact that I had been living in New Brunswick for the past couple of weeks really helped me to reduce my expenses, even if I have my rent to pay for my Montreal apartment. There's just no place to spend my money around here where I am in New Brunswick. It's not like in Montreal where everything is just next door. If you want just a simple example: today, I took a long walk to reach the "city" to visit a downtown coffee shop. It was a long walk, but I like to take long walks so it was ok, and the weather was nice. I was craving for a real expresso. So I walk all the way to the coffee shop, but once there, the coffee shop was CLOSED. It happens that they are closed on Sunday... It's the only place that I know of to get a decent coffee around here. It was annoying, but at least, I had done my walk for the day. I am missing my Montreal expresso, but it's not that awful.

My family has a Keurig machine. I discover a very good coffee in K-Cup pods: it's the Nabob 100% Colombian Coffee. I also like Nabob Coastal Blend. I would like to try the Nabob Bold Midnight Eclipse Coffee but I didn't find it. I like Nabob's K-Cup pods because they are not made from plastic, they are 100% compostable, and you get quite a decent coffee. So I am not suffering from coffee starvation :-)

At least not for now.

Friday, November 5, 2021

I am on my highest NET worth EVER: $338,959.91 - SHIT!

A few hours ago, I updated my investment portfolioAt now $338,959.91, my net worth is now super close to the $340,000. If I get lucky enough, I may be able to close the year 2021 on a $350,000 net worth - I would like that a lot. In my US portfolio, I had received dividend distribution for General Mills Inc. (GIS). Following what, I had a tiny little amount to invest. I decided to invest the small amount available in Pfizer Inc. (PFE). My newest investment made in Pfizer Inc. (PFE) closed today's session on a +2.21% gain. Also in my US portfolio, my investment in Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund (VONG) gains so far 10.07%. Those US stocks are quite powerful. It's not easy however to find something great to invest in at a fair price, especially in the US.

Other than my US portfolio, my Canadian stocks are doing quite well. Everything is nice and easy with a TSX sitting on a fantastic 21,455.82 points. In a past post, a reader came with a reasonable question, asking why I hold so many stocks. My answer to that is: why not? The Canadian stock market contains many valuable assets. I try to have a well-diversified portfolio, in different sectors, in different companies. Personally, I don't want to miss out on anything. By that I mean, I wouldn't like to miss the opportunity to invest in a super good stock only because: oh, I cannot invest in this or this, because it will increase the number of companies that I hold inside my portfolio... You can simply resume this by: I love stocks and I invest in absolutely everything I want, when I what to.

And talking about stocks and new investments, Susan Brunner came with a new list of stocks to invest in during the month of November. In that list, we find a stock that caught my attention before: Empire Company Limited Non-Voting Class A Shares (EMP.A). I consider EMP.A as a future investment. 

Following my reader question, I wanted to fully illustrate why it is worth it - despite what you may think - to invest the way I do, my own little way. I had been on this post since this past Friday, but I didn't have time to complete it sooner. Below, I disclose - by portfolio - my stock performances. I like to do this kind of exercise from time to time. Currently, my best performer is Brookfield Renewable Partners L.P. (BEP.UN) with a gain of +349.72% (that being on the date of October 29, 2021).

Here are my profits - and sometimes losses - per portfolio, for each of my holdings. For me, this illustrates the importance and power of diversification. This is exactly why I will never stock searching for new investments. You just never know what you might discover next. I don't want to miss any opportunities, that's all.

Stocks and Units investment portfolio $CAN 

Canadian National Railway Co (CNR): +313.29%
WSP Global Inc. (WSP): 227,50%
Methanex Corporation (MX): +243.69%
TMX Group Inc. (X): +218.90%
George Weston Limited (WN): +160.66%
Loblaw Companies (L): +154.90%
New Flyer Industries Inc. (NFI): +95.43%
Savaria Corporation (SIS): +95.00%
Fortis Inc. (FTS): +89.72%
K-Bro Linen Inc. (KBL): +80.34%
Power Corporation of Canada Subordinate Voting Shares (POW): +75.09%
Enbridge Inc. (ENB): +71.20%
TransCanada Corp (TRP): +64.62%
Emera Inc. (EMA): +59.64%
Pembina Pipeline Corporation (PPL): +51.15%
iShares S&P/TSX Capped REIT Index (XRE): +48.98%
Canadian Imperial Bank Of Commerce (CM): +36.22%
Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS): +36%
Saputo Inc. (SAP): +18.88%
National Bank of Canada (NA): +1.12%

Stocks and Units investment portfolio $US:
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK.B): +98.56%
General Mills Inc. (GIS): +34.23%
Boyd Group Services Inc. (BYD): +11.16%
Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund (VONG): +7.46% 

Tax-free savings account (TFSA):
Brookfield Renewable Energy Partners L.P. (BEP.UN): +294.66%
TFI International Inc. (TFII): +254.69%
Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P. (BIP.UN): +215.82%
WSP Global Inc. (WSP): +145.08%
Cargojet Inc. (CJT): +138.69%
Park Lawn Corporation (PLC): +134.86%
Toromont Industries Ltd (TIH): +134.13%
Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust (CAR.UN): +118.71%
Canadian National Railway Co (CNR): +113.09%
Calian Group Ltd. (CGY): +101.21%
Exchange Income Corporation (EIF): +86.27%
CT Real Estate Investment Trust (CRT.UN): +85.12%
Granite Real Estate Investment Trust (GRT.UN): +78.54%
Morneau Shepell Inc. (MSI): +75.19%
Northland Power Inc. (NPI): +73.38%
Brookfield Asset Management Inc. Class A Limited Voting Shares (BAM.A): +70.69%
Boralex Inc. Class A Shares (BLX): +66.16%
Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD): +64.93%
Royal Bank of Canada (RY): +47.25%
Brookfield Infrastructure Corporation Class A Exchangeable Subordinate Voting Shares (BIPC): +45.07%
Nutrien Ltd. (NTR): +37.78%
Brookfield Renewable Corporation Class A Exchangeable Subordinate Voting Shares (BEPC): +34.40%
Suncor Energy Inc. (SU): +27.56%
3iQ CoinShares Ether ETF (ETHQ): +22,77%
TMX Group Limited (X): +20.73%
JFT Strategies Fund Class A Units (JFS.UN): +18.06%
Bitcoin Fund The Class A units (QBTC): +17.04%
Canadian Utilities Limited (CU): +16.06%
Savaria Corporation (SIS): +15.54%
BCE Inc. (BCE): +13.32%
CGI Inc. (GIB.A): +13.15%
Telus Corp (T): +11.18%
Purpose Bitcoin ETF CAD ETF non-currency hedged units (BTCC.B): +10.60%
Metro Inc. (MRU): +5.90%
Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. (ATD.A): +5.36%
Rogers Communications Inc. (RCI.B): +3.43%
PFB Corporation (PFB): +3.27%
North West Company Inc. (The) (NWC): +1.02%
Aecon Group Inc. (ARE): -4.56%
ATCO Ltd. (ACO.Y): -5.41%
Fortis Inc. (FTS): -5,61%
SIR Royalty Income Fund (SRV.UN): -23.06%
Andrew Peller Limited (ADW.A): -21.18%
Tilray Inc (TLRY): -34.42%
Data Communications Mgmt (DCM): -99.50%
Dumont Nickel Inc. (DMNKF): -99,92%


RSP investment portfolio: 
Brookfield Renewable Partners L.P. (BEP.UN): +349.72%
Richards Packaging Income Fund (RPI.UN): +200.49%
Thomson Reuters Corporation (TRI): +183.10%
Park Lawn Corporation (PLC): +162.59%
Savaria Corporation (SIS): +138.96%
Toromont Industries Ltd (TIH): +131.73%
Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD): +113.48%
Emera Incorporated (EMA): +87.46%
CAE Inc. (CAE): +67.08%
Boralex Inc. Class A Shares (BLX): +66.60%
Royal Bank of Canada (RY): +63.42%
CGI Group Inc. Class A Subordinate Voting Shares (GIB.A): +62.31%
Telus Corp (T): +58.29%
Leon's Furniture Limited (LNF): +57.76%
Brookfield Renewable Corporation Class A Exchangeable Subordinate Voting Shares (BEPC): +28.93%
Quebecor Inc. (QBR.B): +26.52%
Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS): +26.04%
JFT Strategies Fund Class A Units (JFS.UN): +10.45%
AirBoss of America Corp. (BOS): -11.49%
Cascades Inc. (CAS): -13.47%
Logistec Corporation Class B Subordinate Voting Shares (LGT.B): -18.29%
Ovintiv Inc. (OVV): -70,86%
Rogers Communications Inc. Class B Non-voting Shares (RCI.B): +1.23%
Suncor Energy Inc. (SU): +5.37%


 

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