What?!! Jean-François Tardif special guest at BNN The Open with Jon Erlichman

What I really wanted happen so I could enjoy this weekend: the TSX closed this past Friday session in the 16 000 points. I listen to BNN from time to time in the morning, and also in the afternoon. It's pretty much the same equivalent as listening tot he radio while working. The Open show worth watching this past Friday morning because just before the opening, Jon Erlichman had a special guest: Jean-François Tardif himself. Personally, I like Jon Erlichman, but I am getting sick over his work-from-home décor. He kind of has a vase in a corner, which looks like a farm bucket or something like that. I have a personal problem with the seeing of that ugly vase, but not only. What bothers me the most is the seeing of his dried flower sticks lying desperately inside the farmer bucket. I wonder when Amber Kanwar will be making her comeback. I think I saw her one time only recently, but that was the only time, maybe in replacement of Jon Erlichman for the day. Other than his dried flowers, I like Jon Erlichman. He's always interesting. Jon Erlichman  and Amber Kanwar are a great dynamic duo. Erlichman is better when Amber is around.

For this past Friday morning show, Jean-François Tardif décor also has somewhat annoying. In his background, he has that strange-looking figurine that probably represents a woman dress in a XIXth century outfit... golfing. It's well-known, Jean-François Tardif loves golfing, but I find that figurine weird looking and it amused me. Where that figurine is coming from and who gave it to him, I don't know, but it makes something to think about, always for the amusement part, much needed in those times of pandemic. In his background, there was also a box that seems just to be a box with office stuff. Other than his exotic golfing figurine, Jean-François Tardif office décor is not elaborate.

Of course, I listened to Jean-François Tardif carefully, almost desperately, trying to get a tip or two... After all those years, Jean-François Tardif view on investment didn't change. He's still into cash flow. According to Tardif, we are in crisis, and, at the same time, we are correcting. It's time to be more careful. Jean-François Tardif is into free cash flow at a reasonable price. According to Tardif, investors should avoid investing in companies that are not making money.

Luckily, Tardif gave BN viewers something to bite into: Diversified Royalty Corp. (DIV) and Nautilus Inc. (NLS). NLS is a US stock and DIV overall chart is not great. At 11.5%, Diversified Royalty Corp. (DIV) dividend yield is too dangerous. I dislike stocks that pay a high dividend yield like that. For me, both Diversified Royalty Corp. (DIV) and Nautilus Inc. (NLS) don't worth to be look at. I don't understand Jean-François Tardif interest. The JFT Strategies Fund (JFS.UN) that is under Jean-François Tardif management had done well under this pandemic. I used to have JFT Strategies Fund in my portfolio, but I eventually sell off all of my units as I felt that I wasn't getting enough for my money. I wanted to get much much more from Jean-François Tardif.

Did you know? Emera Inc. (EMA) had increased its dividend distribution!!!

This morning, Newfoundlander Fortis Inc. (FTS) didn't suffer much, actually not at all, from yesterday news: Fortis Inc. CEO Barry V. Perry calling for retirement. One thing for sure, shareholders can only be happy with everything that Barry V. Perry did for Fortis Inc. (FTS). I love stocks that make be shine like a diamond and Fortis Inc. (FTS) is looking good in my investment portfolio. Let's just hope that Fortis will continue its marvelous journey for a long time. I made a lot of money on Fortis Inc. (FTS) and I really want things to remain the same, or - why not - even better. Let's just wish Barry V. Perry a very long happy retirement, I have the feeling that he's a real nice person.

The TSX almost closed in the 16 000 points. This is quite encouraging, but I am staying mentally ready for more ups and downs. Today, my non-registered portfolio closed today session at $100,899.08, my TFSA portfolio at $89,193.38, and my RRSP portfolio, stocks only, at $48,149.34. I will be able to go through this, I am pretty sure. Especially while having Fortis Inc. (FTS) in my non-registered and TFSA portfolios. And I also have other super great stuff who are helping to keep my head out of the water, like for example another baby of mine, Emera Inc. (EMA).

Just a few days ago, on September 16, Emera Inc. (EMA) dividend increased $2.45 to $2.55. Yes, it's a tiny little increase, but its an increase anyway. The best thing of all being that EMA is looking forward to increasing its dividend growth through to 2022, with a target of 4 to 5%. That's really good news. And we need more good news like that over the TSX. Don't forget, things are never as dark as they appeared.

Fortis Inc. (FTS) President and CEO Barry V. Perry announces his retirement

Real bad day for the TSX as my worst fear became reality: the TSX closed in the 15 800 points. And of course, that affects the value of my different investment portfolios. I had listened to today Throne Speech, as well as Justin Trudeau's press speech this evening that took place just a few minutes ago. When I listened to Julie Payette's speech, I was pleased with everything that was presented. However, there were a lot of times in which there was a celebration of the Liberal party and of all of the great things that Trudeau has done for Canadians... It was kind of a look at us, the Liberal party is going great things for Canadians...

 

A lot of promises had been made. I think it's a real good thing to help out families and to make sure that every province had access to good childcare support. I can say that in New Brunswick, 30 years ago, there was nothing really set for childcare. Any mom could open her own kindergarten at home, without any regulations to be followed. At that time, families had to pay a high price to have their children taking care of. Back in the days, I know a relative who had a kindergarten at home, and it was a fee per day. When no system support families, that can quickly make things extra difficult. I don't know how kindergartens are how being finance in New Brunswick and the current regulations, but I am pretty sure that my home province will welcome any federal help in that matter. If the federal help in the field of child care, that will help to create jobs, and more women will be able to go to work or go back to school.

 

For that part, investing in child care is money well spend that can contribute to the wellness of everyone.

Other than that, the Liberal party will continue to give away money to support those who are out of works, and also to the businesses, different programs are being offered. It's all good, but the part that I dislike was when Julie Payette and Justin Trudeau both said that the government was able to help Canadians on credit because the interest rates are low. Nice, but at a point, all debt needs to be paid off. I feel that the Liberal party is being too generous with workers. We need all kinds of workers in different fields and sectors, but the current subvention for unemployment is being too generous, and no following up is being made to check if those who are out of work are currently looking for work. Right now, anyone can cash in unemployment benefit, they can stay at home without doing any job search, and during that time, many employers are desperate to find employees. Many things need to be improved, but they are not improving because the Liberal party generosity is being a big part of the problem. Future generations, and even mine, may have to pay a high price for that generosity. Under Justin Trudeau, the Liberal party is far from being perfect.

 

In those circumstances, my non-registered portfolio closed today session at a low $100,787.08, my TFSA portfolio at $88,699.04, and my RRSP portfolio at $47,945.02. My margin debt is now at $46,400.02, and I have left $17,301.27 in margin usage. I don't think I will proceed with any more contribution in kind for my TFSA portfolio. I am just enjoying what I have and it's about all.

 

Today, the President and CEO of one of my favorite stock ever, Fortis Inc. (FTS), announced his retirement. Under the leadership of Barry V. Perry, Fortis Inc. (FTS) was able to provide a lot of richness to their shareholders, and that include also me. I wonder how FTS stock will react to that announcement tomorrow morning. Let's wish that my next stock pick will be as good as Fortis Inc. (FTS).

How to deal with the COVID like a Dividend Girl

Yesterday, as I saw the TSX going down into the dark 15 800 points, I was seriously worrying. But today, just like magic, the TSX went back in the happy 16 000 points, so no problem :-). Today, my non-registered portfolio closed the session at $103,045.84, my TFSA portfolio at $89,525.72 and my RRSP portfolio - stocks only - at $48,265.70.

It's really unfortunate, but these ups and downs are here to remain, as long as the COVID will remain active worldwide. Even in more normal times - I hope you remember those - the TSX remains volatile and is normally sensible to a bunch of all sorts of events. The COVID is just the extra that we didn't need.

As the second round of COVID is hitting on the world, the situation is getting worst in Quebec province. New-Brunswick-Quebec border is still closed, and I think it will remain that way for a long time. Quebeckers are not careful enough while the COVID is still around and hurting more and more people. This pandemic reveals the total lack of organization of Quebeckers, their really poor health system, as well as their poor understanding of what the COVID is all about. We are in a much better place in New Brunswick because we are smarter. We understand what the COVID is, and how it manages to make it way within all of our social activities. Even if there's currently no case of COVID in New Brunswick, the population is extra careful and wear a mask in public places.

I live in Montreal and here, people more or less wear the mask properly and just don't take this pandemic seriously. As a Canadian, it's a real shame to see how Quebeckers are handling things. When it comes to COVID, you need to be extra careful. As a really smart New Brunswick, I am here to explain how to handle this shit to the best, without panicking.

The following is a Dividend Girl guide on how to deal with the pandemic.

First, always wear a mask in public places. The more you spend time in public places, the more you expose yourself to the COVID virus. You need to reduce those expositions to the minimum needed. As soon as you step outside, you are directly exposed to the virus. Everything that you touch with your hands can wear the virus on it. While wearing a mask, leave it on your face, don't touch it, don't touch the mask, don't touch your pretty face. After touching something, make sure you use Purell or a similar product on your hands.

Only remove your mask when you are back home. While being home, remove the mask carefully. Your mask may be contaminated with the COVID, put it in a place where it won't be able to contaminate anyone. Following what, wash your hands and wash for at least 20 seconds. Following what, I like to use a similar product to Purell, even after washing my hands.

While dealing with this pandemic, you need to close down your social bubble. Work from home if you can, don't visit anyone, don't go to the restaurant, don't go to the movies, don't go to the gym. However, you can: walk outside, but stay away from people. And if someone is getting to close, move out from there.

If you have a few pounds - or more - to lose, this is a good time to lose weight as the COVID like big fat inactive bodies. Eat some meat, eat a lot of veggies, and drink water. Talk to yourself and ask your body to reject the COVID virus, to destroy it if it's in you.

And that being said, I wish you good luck because you'll need some.