Welcoming the month of February 2026 with a $541,360.85!

The weather stayed quite cold throughout the month of January in New Brunswick. Like every year since COVID-19, I’m spending the whole winter here. This year, winter has been one of the coldest I’ve ever experienced. I spent many days, and too many weekends, without going out because of the cold. I’m welcoming the end of January with grace, as we’re getting closer to spring.

This past Friday marked the last trading day of January. The TSX closed the session with a loss of over 1,000 points. That’s a major correction, but I didn’t find the 33,000 level to be quite “natural”, it came quickly. Under Trump, the stock markets feel more volatile than ever.

With the major correction happening just this past Friday, I was curious to see where I stood. I closed the month of January with a net worth of $538,875.51. Today, the TSX gained some points and closed at 32,183.88, up 0.82% compared to this past Friday. That left me with a $541,360.85 net worth. I’m no longer at the $545K level I was at back on January 23, but I’m not that far away. I have to remember that despite the good days, there will always be days when the TSX turns negative. That’s just how it goes.

For the month of January, I experienced a gain of +$12,473.80, which is not bad at all. For me, January was exceptional, despite its very rough last day. Now more than ever, I’m really beginning to feel the presence of my $500K net worth. I’m experiencing growth more easily than ever before, and it feels like I’m better protected against the usual, and unusual, stock market volatility. My $500K net worth is manifesting itself in great ways.

This certainly isn’t the first time I’ve said it, but I’ll say it again because it’s fun: I have the impression that a $600K net worth could come to me quickly in 2026. But that would make it my third good year in a row in the stock market. Is that even possible? I’m genuinely curious to find out. At times, it all feels like it’s getting too easy, so I wouldn’t be surprised if we get more corrections like the one we saw this past Friday.

Recently, several of my holdings announced dividend/distribution increases, at least the ones I’ve noticed so far:

• Canadian National Railway Co. (CNR): 3% dividend increase

• Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P. (BIP.UN): 6% increase

• Brookfield Renewable Partners L.P. (BEP.UN): 5% distribution increase

• Algoma Central (ALC): 5% distribution increase

My monthly dividend income from my non-registered and TFSA portfolios is now very close to the equivalent of $1,020 per month. For a little while, I struggled with what to do with the money, keep it in savings or reinvest it. I decided to reinvest. It was an easy choice because I still have several thousand dollars left in TFSA contribution room, and anything earned in my non-registered account can be moved into my TFSA (for dividend money that doesn’t DRIP).

I used to cash out that money, transfer it to my chequing account, and, let’s be honest, I used to spend it. That’s why I have next to nothing in savings. However, in my defense, last year I had to buy a new cell phone because my old one was no longer compatible with Rogers’ service. It was announced, but not far enough in advance for me to have time to save up for it. Anyway, I bought a brand-new Samsung phone, along with a pair of Galaxy Buds3 Pro. It turned out to be a great purchase, zero regrets. It’s amazing to be able to walk around with great sound quality, keep my phone in my purse, and still talk through the Galaxy Buds. Like… what is this?! I’m still amazed.

To some extent, I feel like I’m always at the same point because I have very little in savings, less than $5,000. But in reality, I’m certainly not at the same point, for the simple reason that I’m sitting at a $541,360.85 net worth! The truth is, building up savings is very difficult in this economy. I’m seriously working on my spending. I do my best to control it, but sometimes I fail. I recently splurged on CoverGirl’s latest blush and highlighter, but honestly, it was worth it. Even if you apply too much like I did (too much enthusiasm!), it still looks pretty, and that being even if it was obviously a bit too much because too much product was applied. You know what I mean?

One thing I did before leaving Montreal for New Brunswick, and I never wrote about this—is that I bought myself a pair of hair scissors to trim my own ends. I have curly hair, so I should be able to manage. I last got my hair cut professionally back in October 2025, and I haven’t had a haircut since. I still haven’t tried cutting it myself yet. I’ve also been taking biotin supplements from the brand Marie-Claude Savard, and I’m getting very good results. My nails are also quite strong and grow long, I need to cut them quite often. I wear my nails short, but having strong nails matters to me. It’s a sign of good health.

When I’m in New Brunswick, I’m much more conscious of my spending. I spend less money here than I do in Montreal. So, I can easily go back to Montreal before the very end of winter with a couple thousand dollars in savings. I’m hoping to return sometime in March, and by then I should have something like $8,500 in savings.

Wish me luck, I’m going to need it. Thank you in advance :)