Recently, two of my stocks were delisted from the TSX: Boralex Inc. Class A Shares (BLX) and Andrew Peller Limited (ADW.A). I held BLX in both my TFSA and RRSP portfolios, while my ADW.A shares were held in my TFSA. It is always a little strange to see long-standing positions disappear from my portfolios, especially when I did not personally decide to sell them.
I reinvested the proceeds in units of the TD Cash Management ETF (TCSH). For now, this feels like the right place to keep the money. TCSH is certainly not the most exciting investment, but excitement is not what I am looking for at the present time. I just want a very conservative investment to hold all my new cash. The stock market remains highly unpredictable, and I do not feel any urgency to invest. I just feel that at this time, I have enough exposure to the stock market as it is. Sometimes, the best investment decision is simply to wait. And the little me feel sometimes exhausted by all this shit. I have enough as it is.
Despite these changes in my portfolio, my dividend income remains at approximately the same level. I am currently earning the equivalent of about $1,065 per month from my TFSA and non-registered portfolio combined. I am pleased that my dividend income has remained relatively stable, even after the delisting of BLX and ADW.A.
A deeper correction could occur over the next few months if the trade war with the United States continues for an extended period. The full economic effects could go on for several months. It is such a pain. Holding cash through TCSH allows me to earn some income while remaining ready to act if attractive opportunities eventually appear. I would rather be patient than purchase stocks simply because I have money available. There will always be another opportunity, especially in a over exaggerated volatile market, thanks to Trump.
Today marks the last day of August. I am closing the month with a net worth of $611,662.10. This represents a decrease of approximately $19,500 compared with July 16, when I reached my highest net worth ever at $631,085.60.
Of course, watching nearly $20,000 disappear from my net worth is not particularly enjoyable. However, market fluctuations are part of investing, and I have experienced many corrections since I first began investing. My portfolio did not suddenly become worthless simply because its market value declined. I still own the same collection of assets, and my dividend income continues to flow.
With everything currently happening in the markets and the economy, my portfolio is not standing exactly where I would like it to be. Naturally, I believe it should be higher. Still, I am grateful that my net worth remains above $600,000. Not long ago, reaching the $600,000 mark was a major goal. I do not want to forget how significant that milestone is simply because I briefly reached $631,085.60. I keep track of my investment portfolio for a good reason. Once it has reached a record high, I know it can eventually get back there. For the simple and good reason that it has been there before. No one can make me think otherwise. I have far too much experience dealing with that kind of shit. And these days, the stock market is all shit. You can’t be just an ordinary person to make it through. You need to be something of a quiet savage, in your own world, but not totally disconnected from the real world. But you need to protect yourself from all the noises. And noises is present everywhere, what what you get in the news, social medias and so on. If the TSX goes down, I go straight down with her. And if you didn’t already know by now, yes, the TSX has a gender, and she's definitely a she. I can tell.
I have been through this cycle many times before. Every time, it is painful, but it is also how I built my portfolio from the ground up to more than $600,000 over the years. When you don’t come from money and don’t have much money to begin with, every setback feels more painful. The entire process is much more difficult, but that is exactly what I like to show here. Being invested in stocks involve a lot of pain and this is something that is not enough being talked of. I sometimes get some very unglamourous crisis of back pain and nauseas that make me very sick. Is is the market, stress or back pain, I don't know. But I think it's a little funky mix of everything.
Remaining within the $600,000 range during such an uncertain period is somewhat an achievement. It gives me a little breathing room, even though I know that another market decline could temporarily push my net worth below the 600k. It could happen, I know it, but I wouldn't like to see this happen anytime soon.
Donald Trump is currently causing a great deal of distress, not only for Canada but also for his own country. This time around, he appears more aggressive and unpredictable than ever. From this point forward, it feel to me that almost anything could happen. I wouldn't like to see this conflict escaladed more than now, but it happen.
All we can do is hope for the best while preparing ourselves financially for less favourable outcomes. This situation is not within our immediate control, which is another reason I am focusing on the things I can control: keeping my expenses reasonable, maintaining a conservative cash position, continuing to collect dividends, and avoiding impulsive investment decisions.
Since I celebrate my 46th birthday on August 27, I would ask Ontario Premier Doug Ford to be extremely careful about what he says, how he says it, and when he says it. I am not against him speaking his mind or defending Canada. However, we are in such a dangerous and difficult situation that every statement must be taken seriously and made with careful consideration.
As August comes to an end, I am choosing patience over fear. My net worth may have declined, but I am still above $600,000, my dividend income remains around $1,065 per month, that's good enough for me.
Some places I went recently in Montreal:
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