I had lost 14 826.18$ from my investments

I stay up late yesterday as I was feeling anxious. For a reason or another, I really wanted to calculate my overall lost. I had a happy surprised to see that I was only loosing 14 826.18$. Yes, 14 826.18$ represent a lot of money, especially knowing that I work at several jobs (up to 3 lol) at the same time and so on, but – there’s a but – knowing also that I am not a specialist when it come to investment, I could had lost much more than 14 826.18$ in my investment journey.

My portfolio:

Savings: ING Direct:
Around 30$

Non RRSP Investments:

Stocks
Sprott Inc. (SII): 2 245$ (value in date (VID) of June 2, 2009)

Initial investment value (IIV): 4 925$
-2 680$

Timminco (TIM): 322$ (VID June 2, 2009)

IIV: 4 065$
-3 743$

Blue Note Mining (BN): 120$ (VID June 2, 2009)

IIV: 689$
-569$

Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS): 4 064.70$ (VID June 2, 2009)

IIV: 4 572.71$
-508.01$

Hanwei Energy Services (HE): 525$ (VID June 2, 2009)

IIV: 674$
-149$

Methanex Corporation (MX): 1 407.60$ (VID June 2, 2009)

IIV: 1 612.61$
-205.01$

Fortis (FTS): 2 459.35$ (VID June 2, 2009)

IIV: 2 548.36$
-89.01$

Pengrowth Energy Trust (PGF.UN): 4 961.25$ (VID June 2, 2009)

IIV: 5 171.43$
-210.18$

Livingston International Income Fund (LIV.UN): 477.36$ (VID June 2, 2009)

IIV: 635.97$
-158.61$

Pembina Pipeline Income Fund (PIF.UN): 1 458.44$ (VID June 2, 2009)

IIV: 1 241.70$
+ 216.74$

Just Energy Income Fund: 2 218$ (VID June 2, 2009)

IIV: 2 460.01$
-242.01$

TOTAL: 20 258.70$ (VID June 2, 2009)

IIV: -8 337.09$

Mutual funds

Sprott Canadian Equity Fund: 4 269$ (VID June 2, 2009)

IIV: 7 033.50$
-2 764.50$

Desjardins Fidelity True North Fund: 1 031.86$ (VID June 2, 2009)

IIV: 1 000$
+31.86$

TOTAL: 5 300.86$
IIV: -2 732.64$

Tax-free savings account

RBC O'Shaughnessy Canadian Equity Fund: 2 162.88$ (VID June 2, 2009)

IIV: 3 000$
-837.12$

Creststreet Alternative Energy Fund: 1 090$ (VID June 2, 2009)

IIV: 1 000$
+90$

TOTAL: 3 252.88$
IIV: -747.11$

RRSP:

CIBC Dividend Fund: 438.85$ (VID June 2, 2009)

IIV: 500$
-61.15$

CIBC Emerging Markets Index Fund: 404.35$ (VID June 2, 2009)

IIV: 500$
-95.65$

CIBC Monthly Income Fund: 856.24$ (VID June 2, 2009)

IIV: 1 000$
-143.76$

Energy and Base Metals Term Savings (Indexed term savings):
503.46$ (VID June 2, 2009)

IIV: 500$
+ 3.46$

Natural Resources Term Savings (Indexed term savings): 502.06$ (VID June 2, 2009)

IIV: 500$
+2.06$

GIC National Bank: 1 001.82$ (VID June 2, 2009)

IIV: 1 000$
+ 1.82$

GIC Finance Plus: 1 513.97$ (VID June 2, 2009)

IIV: 1 000$
+ 513.97

GIC Plus: 500$ (VID June 2, 2009)

IIV: 500$

TD Canadian Bond: 104.96$ (VID June 2, 2009)

IIV: 105.75
-0.79$

TD Monthly Income: 89.78$ (VID June 2, 2009)

IIV: 102.69
-12.91$

TD Emerging Markets: 68.69$ (VID June 2, 2009)

IIV: 100$
-31.31$

TD Energy: 77.90$ (VID June 2, 2009)

IIV: 100$
-22.10$

TD Precious Metals: 83.06$ (VID June 2, 2009)

IIV: 100$
-16.94$

TD Latin American Growth: 75.34$ (VID June 2, 2009)

IIV: 100$
-24.66$

TD Entertainment & Communications: 80.73$ (VID June 2, 2009)

IIV: 100$
-19.27$

TD Dividend Growth: 167.67$ (VID June 2, 2009)

IIV: 204.73$
-37.06$

TD U.S. Mid-Cap Growth: 82.60$ (VID June 2, 2009)

IIV: 100$
-17.40$

Maritime Life International Equity Fund (Templeton): 586.16$ (VID June 2, 2009)
IIV: 1 000$
-413.84$

Manulife Simplicity Growth Portfolio: 756.18$ (VID June 2, 2009)
IIV: 1 000$
-243.82$

Maritime Life CI Harbour Seg Fund: 932.65$ (VID June 2, 2009)

IIV: 1 000$
-67.35$

Maritime Life Fidelity True North Seg Fund: 881.76$ (VID June 2, 2009)

IIV: 1 000$
-118.24$

Maritime Life Trimark Europlus Seg Fund: 527.38$ (VID June 2, 2009)

IIV: 1 000$
-472.62$

Great West - Various: 1 451.71$ (VID June 2, 2009)

IIV: 1 471.95$
-20.24$

RBC Canadian Dividend Fund: 443.26$ (VID June 2, 2009)

IIV: 500$
-56.74$

RBC U.S. Mid-Cap Equity Fund C$: 1 560.55$ (VID June 2, 2009)

IIV: 2 300$
-739.45$

RBC Global Resources Fund: 692.55$ (VID June 2, 2009)

IIV: 1 000$
-307.45$

RBC O'Shaughnessy International Equity Fund: 557.10$ (VID June 2, 2009)

IIV: 1 000$
-442.90$

RBC O'Shaughnessy All-Canadian Equity Fund: 805$ (VID June 2, 2009)

IIV: 1 000$
-195$

GIC Canadian Market: 1 000$ (VID June 2, 2009)

IIV: 1 000$

TOTAL: 16 766.02$
IIV: -3 039.34$

Savings + Stocks, units, mutual funds + Tax-free savings account + RRSP:

45 882.92$ [In date of June 2, 2009]
-14 826.18$

I calculated my overall lost in capital for my portfolio. In total, I had lost 14826.18$. I had lost 8 337.09$ in my stocks portfolio alone. I had lost 3 039.34$ from my RRSP portfolio. And I had lost -747.11$ from my Tax-free savings account.

If I calculate the current value of my portfolio (45 882.92$) and the money lost (14826.18), it make a total of 60 709.10$.

Should I just had invested the 60709.10$ in GIC and other related product instead than investing massively into stocks or other? Even with the 14 826.18$ that had been lost, I don’t think so.

I am not ashamed to come up with all that money lost and I do not regret investing major part of my savings in stocks or other.

So far, it’s been a learning experience and I plan to continue the same way as I am doing right now. My biggest losers in my stocks portfolio are: Timminco (TIM) with -3 743$; Sprott Canadian Equity Fund with -2 764.50$; Sprott Inc. (SII) with -2 680$; RBC O’Shaughnessy Canadian Equity Fund with -837.12$ and Blue Note Mining (BN) -569$.

The money lost is not being truly lost until I sell my investments. I will only be able to officially declare 14 856.18$ in money lost when I will sale the investments. That time is not going to happen anytime soon.

But there’s hope…

I know I talk a lot about Creststreet Alternative Energy Fund, but as a small investor, I cannot help it! By checking their Web site, I learn that extra parts are only of 100$!!! I already have 1 000$ invested in the Creststreet Alternative Energy Fund, but in a CELI account. At this time, I would like to invest just a 300$ for now outside CELI account, just for the fun of it, to keep the dream alive…

What’s going with Sprott Inc. (SII)?

For a while, I was using Sprott Asset Management (SII), but it’s only Sprott Inc. (SII). Yesterday, I notice that Spott Inc. stocks had fallen under 4$. These days, the stock value had been between 4$ to 4.50$ if not a bit higher.

At first, I taught it was because one of the managers of Sprott Asset Management, Jean-François Tardif, had announced his retirement for beginning July. Jean-François Tardif was a manager of Sprott hedge fund. Extraordinary hedge fund, but it take at least 100 000$ to invest in it… I just cannot understand how a successful manager can aspire to retirement.

Anyway, it was kind of a short notice for investors and I don’t know if some investors had began to sale their mutual funds they had with Sprott Asset Management because of that leaving. It could be one of the reasons, but it’s not all. I just learn that Sprott Inc. had sold out some Timminco (TIM) stocks. Good start. But Eric Sprott had confirmed, from what I understand, that he still own 12% of Timminco stocks. That enormous!

It’s very sad, but Timminco is no longer in position to rock the TSX. Having a huge number of TIM stocks in the Sprott Canadian Equity Fund that I invest 7 000$ in cannot help the fund to return for a recovery.

Example: during the darkest days of the recession, my Desjardins Fidelity True North Fund fallen to 700$ or even less. Now, the investment is at 1 031.86$. I was able to gain even money from the recovery. I actually make a profit of 31.86$ on Desjardins Fidelity True North. This is just an example I have of an investment of mine where I have regained the money lost. I am expecting the same thing to happen with Sprott Canadian Equity Fund and all of my other mutual funds.

But I am far of the same result with Sprott Canadian Equity Fund. The manager of the fund needs to shake up the overall portfolio. As an investor (small but still an investors), I am expecting a recovery for the Sprott Canadian Equity Fund. And I don’t think Timminco will become what it had once had been, a powerful company of the TSX.

Initially, its 7 033.50$ I had invested in the Sprott Canadian Equity Fund, just before the TSX begin to fall close to the ground lol. Curently (in date of June 2, 2009) the value of the investment is at 4 269$. Not bad, but I had lost 2 764.50$ and no recovery yet.

I received Fortis and Just Energy Income Fund Dividends

On today, I had received 26.26$ in Fortis (FTS) Dividend. The Dividend allow be to acquire one Fortis stock. I also received today the dividend of Just Energy Income Fund (JE.UN). I received 20.67$ from JE.UN and the dividend gave me one extra unit. I now own 102 stocks of Fortis and 201 units of Just Energy Income Fund.

In total, it make 46.93$ that I earn in dividend for today... Slowly getting rich ;)

What had to happen happen…

I just check out again the activity of my broker account, and some new change happen on date to today. The extra 200 units I hold from Just Energy Income Trust (JE.UN) will soon disappear from my account. Let’s consider that I am now at the point where I should be, I now have 200 units and not 400 units of Just Energy Income Trust… No big deal. As soon as I will have more money, I will be able to invest in more stocks or units.

I wake up late this morning. I didn’t stay all night on my computer but the sleep was good. But I just don’t want to sleep late every morning like a lazy girl. Only thing I have time to do today are my hair. I need to dye my hair. And tomorrow, I am looking for a hair cut.

Another week begin and I am now seriously job searching

Job survey nightmare

It was horrible at work today. I got a dude who answers my entire questionnaire. It went find but he was complaining about fact that I had to slow down and that he had problems to understand me. For all other respondent that I interview in English, it went extremely well. But just that one, it was very bad. Some English speakers are not respectful. I do not care about my English because I am French. But I blog in English because it’s to practice my English.. Is that clear enough? lol

Anyway, call end that the poor guy ask for my name and the company number. Which I had to provide because the call had been recorded… I cannot wait to see if I am going to get feedback on that one.

Job searching for the better or the worst

In 2 days from now, I plan to send resume and begin my job search at a café that I very like. As long as I remember, I always had been able to find work when I start my job search at that place. Before, I didn’t have Internet at home and each time I was job searching at that café, I got good result.

Lazy me

But in the meantime, same problem remain, I didn’t do any of the stuff I needed to do, so let’s say I am basically at the same point as before. But I guess this time was needed for me just to take a break. Now, I do not have any excuses, I need to move forward. And I did tonight by cleaning my place. For a reason or another, my tiny little apartment cannot remain clean at any time. I only clean once or every 2 weeks. Anyway, the cleaning part is done and completed for now.

And just this evening, I complete my vote through the Internet as a shareholder of Hanwei Energy Services (HE) and Just Energy Income Fund (JE.UN).

As for my job search, I already begin it, but I didn’t send any resume yet, as I plan to send them as soon as I will do with everything I need to do. I probably be able to get another and when I will begin working again like before during day-time, it’s going to be hardcore again, as I will be working from 9am to midnight on weekdays and not to forget about my 8 hours shift on Saturday and Sunday. I might be pushing it to far, but I am really working into continuing at investing massively in stocks and to do so, I need more money. But I know I can do it as I was working that way for almost one year when I got laid-off of my day-time job because the project I had been working on had been closed.

I am better beginning a serious job search as soon as possible because at my weekend job, they had announced the lost of a big contract. It could happen that I could be out of work anytime soon from that job.

One thing I need to do as well is to go to bed earlier and not to spend my night on the Internet. It’s going to be rough, but since I want to reach 200$ income per month in dividend earnings by the end of the summer, I guess I will find the courage to just shake me up a bit.

Its official: I now own 400 units of Just Energy Income Fund

Today was a beautiful day in Montreal. I was working from 10am to 6pm. After what, I went for a walk in the Old Montreal. The weather was perfect. I enjoy my evening. Now that I back, I just check my broker account and yes, I still have 400 units of the late Energy Savings Income Fund (SIF.UN), which name recently change for Just Energy Income Fund (JE.UN). Look like I can consider myself like having so far a projecting 1803.07$ in dividend earning (calculate for a year basis). That’s good news!

More about the new Just Energy Income Fund

“Just last week” lol… I received another voting package…. This time, it was concerning the new Just Energy Income Fund. We learn by the Chairman that the new name had previously been tested in the US and had been well view… For myself, as I said, I way prefer Energy Savings. JE.UN had a new Web site! New domain address and brand new looks… It was about time lol! I didn’t like SIF.UN Web site at all.

Upcoming project: seriously job searching

Among my upcoming project, I need to begin my job search. I already begin in this late evening. Tomorrow I work until 8pm, but I plan to totally invest myself in my job searching process starting by tomorrow evening. I cannot wait to see if what I will be able to find. Just please God, not another job as an interviewer ;)

Summer is coming and crazy things happening in my portfolio

Like always when I come back from work, I took at look at my portfolio… and I had a huge surprised! But I have no clue of what is going on!

Because it’s all about money

Let’s begin by the good stuff, my initial 1 000$ investment with Creststreet Alternative Energy Fund now worth 1 102$ in date of today! I really like this mutual fund. Money, crazy money. This fund is going to make me rich. The only thing I want right now is to invest an extra 1000$ in this fund RIGHT NOW lol.

Now, about the crazy stuff…

I knew that Energy Savings Income Fund (SIF.UN) was changing of name for Just Energy Income Fund (JE.UN). That part, I knew it. But what I didn’t know about is the crazy thing it will make later on in my portfolio… Check it out. When I say crazy, it’s crazy!

Here is what I have in my portfolio regarding the late Energy Savings Income Fund (SIF.UN) and the new Just Energy Income Fund (JE.UN):

ENERGY SVGS INCM FND T/U* - 200 -2 449,00$ - 2 236,00$
JUST ENERGY INCM FND T/U 400 4 898,00$ 4 456,00$

I had 200 units of SIF.UN and now, I have 400 units of JE.UN. Shouldn’t it be 200 units and not 400 units?

But hey, I am not going to complain about it and I won’t even call TD Waterhouse about it either because 400 units of Just Energy Income Fund (JE.UN) will provide me, for a year, 494.40$ in dividend income. So I won’t complaint about it lol…. But still, a mistake might have been done somewhere. Originally, I only had 200 units of Energy Savings Income Fund (SIF.UN) and now, from the exact same company who now has a different name, I now own 400 units… No sense! But thank you TD Waterhouse, thank you!

I now have 400 units of Just Energy Income Fund (JE.UN) and if it happens that 200 of those units go away from my account some day, well, I am going to cry lol. And after what I will definitely call TD Waterhouse. Do not touch my portfolio!

Isn’t awesome?

About my dividend income goal

This is s good for me, since I had fix myself that 2 000$ in dividend income by the end of the summer!

Let’s calculate our dividend income:

Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) 102 stocks
[1.96$ annual dividend]: 199.92$

Fortis (FTS) 101 stocks
[1.04$ annual dividend]: 105.04$

Livingston International Income Fund (LIV.UN) 102 stocks
[0.504$ annual dividend (but suspension of the dividend]: 17$ (total received so far from LIV.UN)

Methanex Corporation (MX) 102 stocks
[0.7975$ annual dividend]: 81.35$

Sprott Asset Management (SII) 500 stocks
[0.10$ annual dividend + 0.15$ special dividend]: 50$ + 75$: 125$

Pengrowth Energy Trust (PGF.UN) 525 stocks
[1.20$ annual dividend]: 622.80$

Pembina Pipeline Income Fund (PIF.UN) 101 stocks
[1.56$ annual dividend]: 157.56$

Just Energy Income Fund (JE.UN) 400 units
[1.24$ annual dividend]: 494.40$

TOTAL: 1 803.07$

I am only missing 196.93$ to reach my 2 000$ annual dividend earning income! I will just need to invest in 100 unit of Bell Aliant Regional Communications Income Fund (BA.UN) instead of 200 units like it was initially plan. This is the perfect situation for me, especially at this time, since its summer. I didn’t even begin my job search for a day-time job…

I am now at 45 882.92$ value!

I am so happy! Earlier this week, I calculates the overall value of my investment, and it’s now worth 45 882.92$! Which mean I am only missing 4 117.08$ to reach my first 50 000$! I am so close to my goal right now! It will be super great if I could reach 50 000$ by the end of the summer. Thanks for the TSX, I was able to gain some money I had lost.

The wonderful Creststreet Alternative Energy Fund is now up to 1090$. My portfolio also gains a valuable jump. It’s hard to believe I almost there. This should help me and keep me motivate. I had a lot to do but I didn’t move forward in any of my projects so far this week. I blog a little, go to work and it’s about all. I was planning to search for a day-time job, but I didn’t perform any job searching yet. I am just not into it at all.

Gain today, I wake too late, and it’s ruin all of my day because the only time left is barely enough just to write this post, eat lunch-breakfast, take my shower and run to work. Life is such a cruelty... the weather had been awesome since yesterday in Montreal! I have to be a bit more alert. Tomorrow, I have to wake up early and do some of my stuff, if not job searching.

Hanwei Energy Services is an Energy Rock!

I was really pleased yesterday as the TSX jump to more than 10 500 points! Last week, I received the 2008 Hanwei Energy Services Annual Report and Notice of Annual General Meeting of Shareholders.

While being at work, I began to read the 2008 Annual Report of Hanwei Energy Services. I like Hanwei Energy Services from the start, since I read about the company in The Investor 500, special issue, summer 2008 of Canadian Business.

The Letter to Shareholders of Fulai Lang, Chairman & CEO of Hanwei Energy Services begin like this: "2008 was a remarkable, historic period. In a 12-month span, we saw energy prices retreat from historic highs to multi-year lows as the global financial crisis wreaked havoc in the capital and commodity markets worldwide. While these reversals caused many companies to retrench or delay their business plans, Hanwei successfully advanced, reporting profitable top line performance and significant growth from all three operating segments."

Those are very good news for Hanwei shareholders like me. I own 300 stocks of Hanwei Energy Services. I am very glade to have those 300 stocks in my portfolio. Hanwei has activities in China: “In China, our primary market, energy demand is projected to continue its strong growth to a point when China will surpass the USA as the world’s largest consumer of energy.” But could it be the case? Could China surpass the USA in term of energy demand? It’s not that difficult to imagine, but when it will happen, Canada government will have to do much more for the environment. And not only Canada, but all countries of the world. But seem like China government is aware of the situation because according to Fulai Lang, the Chinese government is promoting green energy and had invested, in other, in wind energy with Hanwei Energy Services.

One of the reason I like Hanwei Energy Services is because the company is doing business in the green energy sector.

With all those great news surrounding Hanwei Energy Services, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Hanwei Energy Services stocks rise to… 2$ per stock lol. Funny… But see, HE value is currently of 1.75$ per stock. I believe that as soon as Hanwei Energy Services will declare more growth, there will be a point where the value of its stock may jump to 2$ and let’s wish it, even more.

Thining about green energy investment in my portfolio, we find Methanex and Creststreet Alternative Energy Fund. In the future, I am looking forward to earn more stocks of companies being involved, like Hanwei Energy Services, in the wind power and green energy sector. A lot of money can be done in those fields. You want to verify by yourself? Just check out the fantastic result of Creststreet Alternative Energy Fund. The 1 000$ I invest not even one year ago now worth 1 084$! Just incredible!

Hanwei Energy Services Fulai Lang Chairman closes its letter with those powerful worlds: “our future is very bright”.

Beautiful letter!

Another week begins… and I am officially a day-time job seeker!

I will begin my job search tomorrow. I had been talking about job searching for weeks! Now that June is in, I am officially beginning my job search. I don’t know which direction to take. I will probably begin by looking into regular job postings and if I cannot find from there, I will just begin to send my resume all over the place. It’s going to be fun lol. Somehow, I am quite exciting about it. Another job more money and more money mean Bell Aliant Regional Communications Income Fund (BA.UN) in my portfolio!

Time run out fast soo quickly. Just earlier today, I was feeling lost. I was thinking of all I have to do and I was feeling desperate. I begin to write down the things I need to do and I felt much better after that. I realize I didn’t have that much to do. I promise myself to not push too much on myself. If not, it’s in those times I begin to feel anxious and way too much tired. I can handle working at 3 different jobs at the same time, but I cannot handle blogging on my different blogs and be working at 3 jobs at the same time…

Anyway, I actually do not that much things to do. Just regular stuff that I wanted to do. I should probably have been done with all those before beginning my official job hunting period. But sometimes, it’s good to take a rest and do just whatever. And I had been through that “whatever” period. Done and completed.

The weather was again quitted cold today in Montreal. Too bad I didn’t have a great weather for my last free-time week.

My portfolio at Great-West Life

At one of my late job (I no longer work there anymore) we had a Group Retirement & Saving Plans. The employer contributes to it, and as an employee we also had to invest in the program, even if we didn’t want to lol.

The value of my portfolio in date of March 31 is of 1 451.71$. The value of my Great-West Life portfolio in date of January 2009 was of 1 471.95$. Since that time, I lost 20.24$. When I first pick my mutual funds, I didn’t know too much about investments.

My Great-West Life portfolio largely includes fix income. I do not regret the choice; it’s actually giving a bit of stability to my overall portfolio (stocks, units and all other included).

Let’s check out this other awesome portfolio of mine.

My Great-West Life portfolio:

Leith Wheeler Canadian Equity: 207.30$ (14.3%)
Bissett Small Cap Fund: 161.43$ (11.1%)
Trimark Candian Bond Fund: 442.06$ (30.4%)
McLean Budden Fixed Income Fund: 182.58$ (12.6%)
TD Canadian Bond Index: 275.94$ (19%)
London Life Mortgage (LC): 92.58$ (6.4%)
GWL Investment Management Ltd. (GWLIM) Real Estate Fund: 89.82$ (6.2%)

TOTAL: 1 451.71$

It’s all about dividend income now

About my Livingston International Income Fund (LIV.UN) dividend

Just yesterday, I had received 4.28$ in Livingston International Income Fund (LIV.UN) dividend. The amount was unfortunately not enough to purchase even 1 unit of LIV.UN. I transfer the little money as payment on my credit line. I won’t receive any more LIV.UN dividend for quite a while now that Livingston International Income Fund had announced a temporary suspension of their distribution. Very sad. But while LIV.UN is cutting its dividend, some other companies of my portfolio continue to pay dividend. And they are, among other…

And also Sprott Asset Management (SII)!

Just today, I had received 12.50$ in dividend from Sprott Asset Management (SII)! It’s make an extra 12.50$ I can transfer as payment of my credit line. And I truly need it. The dividend had been deposit in my account in date of June 1, but I already received the dividend on date of today in my account. Strange!

And for Fortis?

For the month of May, I taught I was supposed to receive some Fortis (FTS) dividend, but I didn’t received anything so far coming from Fortis. Maybe I done a mistake in the distribution date, it’s something I have to verify. Or call TD Waterhouse lol…

Waiting for Energy Savings Income Fund (SIF.UN) dividend

The only dividend earning that is currently missing from my portfolio for the month of May is the one coming from my “investment rock”, Energy Savings Income Fund (SIF.UN).

This week, SIF.UN had announced their name change. I find this name change useless because I really like the name Energy Savings Income Fund. Starting June 1, SIF.UN will become Just Energy Income Fund. I don’t like the new name at all. Energy Savings was much more classy. Just Energy sounds like a cheap product name. I just hate it! As a unitholder of Energy Savings Income Fund, I would have like to vote their name change. And of course, I will have vote against it. Instead of changing of name, SIF.UN should have changed the look of their Web site if they wanted just to have some change. I just don’t like their Web site at all.

And about other things

And talking about investment and dividend, this week was officially my last week of free time. It’s been very cold in Montreal this last week and it was not the perfect weather for outdoor activities like I wanted to do. I pass enormous time blogging, trying to make money online. I also work at my 2 jobs like usual. I am doing quite fine. The TSX had close for the month of May at more than 10 000 points. On Monday, I will begin like plan my job search. I will probably have less time to spend on my different blogs, but it’s not about what is the most important thing at this time. Right now, I would very much like to add 200 units of BA.UN to my portfolio. I think I will be able to make it by the end of the summer if only I can find myself a day-time job. I am just hoping everything will turn out for the best.

If am not being successful at making money online, at least, I want to be able to reach my dividend goal which is to reach 2 000$ in dividend earning income by the end of this summer.

I am kind of exciting by my upcoming job search and I cannot wait to see what will happen.

Thinking about Derek Foster

I had been thinking about Derek Foster lately. Fact is, because he had sale big part of his portfolio a couple of months ago, taxes are going to be horrible for him next year! I just hope he won’t have to pay out too much in taxes. I had so much trouble with my own taxes this year. I am quite happy to have this behind me now.

I remember my reading of Stop Working. In his first book, Derek Foster, somewhere in his introduction, talked about things he would like to do rather than working. One thing was about building Web site, another one to do the military training, among other. Now that he had sold out biggest part of his investment, I wonder what Derek Foster is now doing, if he had joined the military or what else lol.

Derek Foster should start a blog of its own and applied Google AdSense ads into it. Wouldn’t be cool lol?

My upcoming projects

It’s officially my last week of free-time and I there’s so much I want to do! Time is running too fast! I won’t be able to do it all in one week! Knowing this, I came with a taught... why not keeping things the way they are and just enjoy the summer time? How about that lol?

It’s a decision I will take at the end of this week. But I already have the answer in my head. I am not too much into money with the beautiful summer that’s coming ahead. I never really took the time to enjoy my summer those last years and having from the morning until 3 in the afternoon won’t be too great for my portfolio, but it could make a difference in my life, just to do whatever for 3 months during weekly daytime. It was so lovely today in Montreal! It was the perfect weather! I was working, as soon as I arrived from work, I clean my place. I did my laundry. And my tinny little apartment is now spin and clean. It’s a lot better know and I am feeling much better too lol.

But I still have so many things to do and it’s so annoying because the only thing I want to do when I am currently not working at one of my 2 jobs is well, to write on my blogs! Life can be that distractive!

One of my goal is to reach 2 000$ in dividend earnings by the end of the summer

I believe I might have talk about this before. I fix myself a goal to reach 2000$ in dividend earnings for the whole year by the end of the summer. The crazy girl that I am is going to make it happen even if, probably, I won’t be working during day-time this summer lol.

How I plan to make it happen

Here’s the plan. I already have 1 590.92$ plan in dividend earnings. I am only missing 409.08$ in order to reach my 2 000$ goal.

As next investment, I was thinking about Bell Aliant Regional Communications Income Fund (BA.UN). Unfortunately, Bell Aliant Regional Communications Income Fund is expensive. I would need at least 200 units of BA.UN and I will probably around 5 500$ to make the investment. I do not have any cash available at this time. I can save let say 1 100$ per month. At the end of the summer, it will be around 3 300$ top I will be able to save; it’s about all, without day-time job.

I was thinking as back-up Pembina Pipeline Income Fund (PIF.UN), but I will probably need at least 4 500$ I believe in order to do the investment. It will be 300 units of PIF.UN. At TD Waterhouse, units can only be purchase by 100 at a time, from what I understand.

I have just a little savings in ING Direct, not even 300$. I might withdraw it, but it won’t be enough. So now, what do I do?

At this time, the conclusion will be: I really need a day-time job lol!!!!

But since I didn’t decide yet, I modify the goal: instead of the month of August, I am giving myself until the month of October…

Whenever my 2 000$ dividend income will be reach, I set myself another goal.

200$ per month in dividend earnings

This one is heavy business. I had been thinking about this goal for a little while now. In order to reach 200$ per month, in a year, I need 2 400$. Once my 2 000$ dividend earning will be completed, I will only be missing 400$ in order to receive 200$ per month in free cash… 200$ is valuable money knowing that my cost of living is quite low.

I am really into this whole dividend deal!

And not to forget about my 2009 RRSP

Busy time! Summer is not yet over yet that I am already thinking about my 2009 RRSP… My goal for this one is to invest as much as possible into my RRSP once the 200$ per month in dividend earning goal will be reach.

For the taxes of 2009, I really want to pay very little extra taxes.

I have other investments rocks in my portfolio

I decide to do other things than blogging since this upcoming week since it’s going to be officially my last week without having a day-time job. I decide to do stuff I wanted to do for a long time, like to do some shopping, borrow books at the library, open a broker account with i-trade (I will get back to this one), going to take a walk in the Old Montreal and go swimming! I have no clue where to find the closest interior swimming pool of my area…

After feeling so much back pain, I decide it was time to get some exercise. I am basically in front of a computer maybe 14 hours – even more per day. Thinking about it, it’s very horrible! This evening, I didn’t exercise that much, but I went see a movie, Angels & Demons, very good, beautiful images. And as always, Tom Hanks is at his best.

This last Friday, I was able to see my team leader at my evening job. I am working full-time next week. There’s been a mistake in the work schedule. Bunch of people like myself actually had the same problem. But seems like my problem is resolved now and I am going to be able to fully enjoy my last week of free time.

I have still have a lot to do… My place is a big wholly mess right now lol. Since I had try very hard to make money with my different blogs, I didn’t spend to much time on cleaning. But get a time when cleaning is needed. I won’t be able to stand it too much longer. About my blogs, the funniest of call is title International Organization of Prepaid Workers, which I find completely hilarious. Another one is Advertisement for Blogs, Happy and Simple Living and, of course, The 200 Project Blogs, among other. I really had a lot of fun with all of those multiple blogs. But the key to become a successful blogger – or should I say what I believe can push and drive someone to become a successful blogging is too post regularly and one day, the blog become fully searchable. One idea I have as a next post for The 200 Project Blogs talk about the difficulty of being searchable on Google.

The Energy Savings Income Fund (SIF.UN) had been included in my portfolio since May 8. I said about Energy Savings Income Fund that it’s being considered as being an “investment rock” by its chief. Since I invest in 200 units, the unit didn’t gain any value. But this course, do no effect my perception of SIF.UN – I just like to rising the value of my investments.

Talking about my investments, I had received my Pengrowth Energy Trust (PGF.UN) dividend for the month of May this last Friday. I had received 51.90$ in Pengrowth Energy Trust dividend. I now officially hold 525 units of PGF.UN. Which I really like. I just hope there will be no dividend cut coming from PGF.UN. They already reduce their dividend to 1.20$. But still, per month, I make 51.90$ – and even more since I DRIP – from the investment and I really like it! I just hope it will turn out for the best for me because I really work hard for my money. I accept the risk – but still, I want to be able to earn some money and earning dividend is one of the best thing that have ever happen for me in years! I just had to learn about stocks and units and voilà, I am a beautiful and rich young woman lol. And I all own it to the very marvelous Derek Foster. Except for my beauty lol.

Other great news about my investments

My fantastic Creststreet Alternative Energy Fund is up to 1084$! I like this fund! Isn’t cool to make money like that just from one investment? Creststreet Alternative Energy Fund had giving me faith on the value of investing again.

Pembina Pipeline Income Fund (PIF.UN) is slowly growing in my portfolio. The value of my Pembina Pipeline Income Fund units had increased from a couple of dollars. I cannot tell how as I cannot log in – again – to my TD Waterhouse broker account. I can actually access to my account, but I cannot visualize my investments.

I do not recommend TD Waterhouse to anyone! Both system and customer service are total craps! Distushting! I am paying 29$ per transaction and I got some system error problem. But like this is not being enough, I am being asked to call than… If problem persist, please call… I don’t have time to call! I am a blogger! Of course, I have sometimes received good customer service from TD Waterhouse. But not being able to access to my account whenever I want is unacceptable!

Let’s move on. Next…

Regarding upcoming dividends that I am supposed to received in May

I taught I was supposed to receive Fortis dividend earlier this month. But I didn’t receive anything yet. Next should be 4.28$ coming from Livingston International Income Fund (LIV.UN) and also 20.66$ from Energy Savings Income Fund (SIF.UN).

Unfortunately for me, it’s going to be the last time I will be earning some money from Livingston International Income Fund as the company had announced a suspension of their dividends for the next couple of months.

Those could be seemed as ridiculous amount of money – and actually it is – but knowing that those are the amount of my dividend earnings, it’s just not the same thing. This is powerful money!

What's going on?

Yesterday at my evening job, I took a look at my schedule, like I do for every week even if I work on a regular 16 to midnight basis. For next week, I am only schedule for Monday, from 16 to midnight. Seem like for next week, I will only be working 4 days! It’s going to be very rough on my budget if it’s the case. I was so shock by the news that I felt a heavy pain on my lower back. It was horrible. I am still having back pain at this time, but it’s not so bad. But still!

We are very busy right now with the calls. Just yesterday, calls didn’t stop from 16 to midnight. There’s no reason why my hours should be cut like that.

But the situation is not desperate yet. Maybe it’s a mistake on my schedule. I was not able to very as my team leader was not on duty yesterday. But he is in today, I left a not at his desk and I am going to see him at 4PM. I just hope it’s going to be ok.

For the month of June, I am going to be ok. I will be able to pay off all of my expenses. But problems could begin to show up in July. If I am only working on Monday next will, I will begin my job search this weekend. And for June, I might just do the minimum payment on everything, credit card and so on. Also, I had all those blogging projects I wanted to work on. I was supposed to be job searching only in June. In the meantime, I was supposed to be taking a rest and working at my blogs. All of my plans seem to be broken.

I am facing a very difficult situation right now. Cannot wait for 4PM…

Energy Savings Income Fund is an investment rock

The expression “investment rock” had been used by the Executive chair of Energy Savings Income Fund (SIF.UN) in her latest press release. I really like the expression “investment rock”. As a small investor, I am in great needs of solid investments. I truly believe that SIF.UN represents a good investment. I am very proud to have SIF.UN included in my portfolio.

Here is some of the context where the Executive Chair had used the expression “investment rock” to describe SIF.UN:

“I like to think of Energy Savings as the fund for all seasons. Since our IPO eight years ago, we have seen good weather and bad weather, skyrocketing commodity prices and collapsing commodity prices, good economic times, and the worst recession since the 1930s. I would like to think that Energy Savings has been an investment rock throughout the entire period, providing predictable, reliable and growing cash flow to our investors every year, just as I promised at the time of the IPO.”

And the good news just keep rolling and rolling through the rest of the press release. According to RM, SIF.UN fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 had been, to repeat her words: “the strongest quarter in the history of the company”. Is there anything better that can be said about SIF.UN?

While being in a major recession, SIF.UN declares its best result ever. Those are good news for unitholders of SIF.UN like me.

Just like Sprott Asset Management (SII) who had provided a special dividend to their stockholders, SIF.UN had paid a special distribution to their unitholders. In 2009, the special distribution of SIF.UN had been of 16.5 cents per unit.

But isn’t strange that SIF.UN had also a net income loss of more than 1 billion? Is it normal for the Executive chair to publicly declare that SIF.UN had its best result ever when they had at the same time a net income lost of exactly 1 107 473 000$? This is the most complicated part and I don’t know for sure – for this specific reason – if SIF.UN really represents a good investment.

At this point, it does begin to become just a bit too much complicated for me lol.

I finally received part of my May dividend

I just take a look at my broker account and I finally received my Pembina Pipeline Income Fund (PIF.UN) dividends. I earn 13.13$. Unfortunately, it was not enough to cover the cost of one unit. The value of PIF.UN is currently of 14.07$.

At this time, I am still waiting for my Fortis and Pengrowth Energy Trust dividend.

I am still waiting for my dividends

For the month of May, I should received about 129.36$ in dividend money.

I didn’t received my dividend from Fortis (26.26$), Pengrowth Energy Trust (51.90$) or either from Pembina Pipeline Income Fund (13.13$). It’s because I had enroll to a dividend reinvestment plan (DRIP). I begin to worry for Fortis, because the distribution date was back on May 8 and I didn’t receive anything yet. A while ago, I was told by a TD Waterhouse representative that to receiving dividend when enrolling to a drip could takes a couple of days before actually receiving the new stocks. So let’s be patient for once lol.

The Benefits of participating in a DRIP

The dividends I am earning from Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS), Methanex Corporation (MX), Fortis (FTS), Pengrowth Energy Trust (PGF.UN) and Pembina Pipeline Income Fund (PIF.UN) allow me to earn new stocks at the same occasion as receiving dividends. I enroll in a DRIP for those companies by calling TD Waterhouse. I ask them to register to a DRIP for current investments. I was told that all new acquisitions will automatically DRIP – if eligible.

Its unfortunately not all companies who offer a DRIP program. There’s no DRIP available at this time for Sprott (SII).

The DRIP is a very good program for me. I am still at an early stage in building my portfolio. Later on, I might just cash in the dividend money and it will go directly to my pockets.

I find an ad for a part-time job in a newspaper. The hours are flexible and the workplace is located downtown Montreal, close to my evening job. I had been giving myself off until the end of May. But I will apply to this job tomorrow. I really want to earn more money in order to purchase at least 100 units of Bell Aliant Regional Communications Income Fund (BA.UN) as soon as possible.

What will be my next investment?

I just have left 2 weeks until the beginning of June, than I will begin my job search for a day-time job. I just hope to be able to find something what will fit in my schedule. I am available at anytime from 8am or even earlier to 3:30pm. I would very much like to find something. The extra money made will allow me to increase my portfolio and I cannot wait to reach my first 50 000$ in investment. It’s getting interesting.

Those last few days had been quite chaotic. I really work hard at trying to make money online and currently, most of my free-time is being giving away on trying to make money online. I now reach over 700 followers on Twitter and I continue visiting my followers’ blogs from time to time.

I start a couple of blogs. Lately, I had been trying to make money online like crazy. I started a couple of blogs all over the place. One blog that I just started but I already like very much is a blog call The 200 Project Blogs. I am very proud of that blog even if I am still at the early beginning. If you like, you can check it out. I start out multiple blogs lately, but the funniest one is a blog that I title this way: International Organization of Prepaid Workers.

All of this of course have nothing to do with investment, but if it happen I can earn just a bit of money from those blogs than, automatically, they will become part of my investment plan. I would very much like to make money from Google Adsense program. I cannot believe I am going to be job searching in about 2 weeks from mine. The whole job searching process is already plan now and I wrote it down in my calendar…. Seem like I have no choice.

As for my next investment, I would very much to invest in 100 units of Bell Aliant Regional Communications Income Fund (BA.UN). BA.UN annual dividend is of… 2.90$ per unit!! And BA.UN latest had been very strong and I truly believe it’s a good company to invest in. I might only be able to make another investment in 2 months from now…. Running out of cash…

Doing more with less: budgeting!

I am doing a lot better today than yesterday. I slept in very late. I actually wake up at 13 pm… The TSX is burning me. Today, the TSX gain some points and is now at 9 849.2. It’s part of the reason why I am feeling better today. It wouldn’t be the case if the TSX would had drop points again for 2 days in a row.

I took my day-time off until the month of June and it’s going to be very difficult for me to start getting up early in the morning again. But I might continue to sleep-in if it happens I can’t find a day-time job. I just got terribly lazy among the way. But not that lazy as I am trying very hard to make money online. I would very much to make a 200$ per month with Google Adsense. It’s the goal I gave myself.

For now, and let’s say if it happen I couldn’t find a day-time job in June, I would probably work at paying some debts of mine instead of investing. I am making 1460$ per month at my evening job and my weekend job is giving me an average of 620$ per month. At 2 080$ per month, my income is not that much, but its making enough to pay my usual expenses and pay-off some debts.

By “doing more with less”, I mean to minimize my expenses in other to maximize the payment of my debts. And to do so, I need to respect a tight budget.

And here it is:

Rent: 535$
Internet: 35$
Metro pass: 67$
Student loan: 150$
Groceries and coffees: 250$
TOTAL NEEDED: 1037$

2 080$ Income - 1 037$ Needed = 1 043$

This makes 1 043$ I have available to pay on my debts each month (this is the reason why I seriously need to begin job searching in June lol). I do not carry heavy debts, but it will be better if I could begin to pay-off some of them. At this time, I have 800$ in my bank account. I just received my pay from my weekend job. I currently have a balance of 645.46$ on my American Express. I like to use my American Express to received Air Miles, but at 19.99%, the interest rate is extremely high. Almost scandalous…

Anyway, I am going to send a check tomorrow to pay the balance I have on my American Express credit card. The remaining money of 154.54$ will go on my credit line at TD. For this month, it’s about all I can make as payment. But I guess I am going on the right direction.

Falling in my skin

The TSX had falled again… and I am falling too…

Just when I taught everything will get better, the TSX fall, again lol. Now, I truly understand Derek Foster who sell most part of his portfolio back in March. Seeing the TSX drop like this is quite awful and alarming. After spectacular gain, spectacular looses. Since I had been closely watching TSX ups and downs since 2005 – each time for whatever reasons – I shouldn’t be too shock about the whole situation, but each time, same destroying feelings and each time, same question: should I continue investing?

For me, it’s never been questioned to sale any of my assets under the impulse of some of those destroying feelings. The question being asked is if I should continue my journey and continue investing on a regular basis like I am doing right now or should I just sop and take that money in a ING Direct savings account.

But I never asked myself this question for really long as the TSX move a lot – maybe too much actually. But this is what expert call “market volatility”. That’s what I hate the most about investing but I am still able to manage it after all.

It’s soooo difficult just to be there, watching, without being able to do anything about the whole situation. And thing is I was really hoping the TSX would stay outside the trench of the 10 000 points for a while – I really had enough to see it under 10 000 points. As I am use to write: enough is enough lol.

On May 6th, when TSX was at more than 10 000 points, I was carefully looking at my portfolio and I saw an extremely potential and I was seeing 75 000$ on my overall portfolio. I was more closely looking at my Sprott Canadian Equity Fund investment. I originally invest 7 000$ in the Sprott Canadian Equity Fund. I was looking at the fund value just a couple of days ago. At that time, my investment in Sprott was at more than 4 000$. Which I was quite good. I was only missing 3 000$ to reach the original amount of my investment. But now, all those marvelous gains might me lost by now. It’s a very frustrating situation for me. But I am able to live with it.

I am still into this investment deal. It’s just a bit shack up by all those ups and downs. I completely exhausted. Good thing I gave myself the whole month of May off of day-time job. I am really in need of a rest but at the same time, I have so much to do and I have great ideas for other blogs and I want to start… Right now, I am in a flux of creative, angry and exhaustive mood. If not to say explosive.

In those difficult time, hope TSX Web site is making good money out of their Google Adsense ads. There’s actually Google advertisements on the TSX Web pages – which I find just so funny…

Building by portfolio one share at the time

I am currently waiting for my Fortis (FTS) dividend; I still didn’t receive anything yet, since I registered to a DRIP. In the meantime, I start working on another blog of mine, Advertisement for blogs. I had a hard time to find a nice template, but I am quite happy with my final choice.

The month of May should be, again, lucrative for my dividend earnings. For the month of May, it’s 129.36$ that I will earn in dividend income. I am still proud of the whole result, even if Livingston International Income Fund (LIV.UN) had announced yesterday that they had suspend the distributions to their “unitholders”. And I am one of them.

Back in March 7th, I had wrote about Livingston International Income Fund difficulties and on the fact that they should cut off their distributions instead of hurting their employees with hours cut. Seem like what I wanted to happen have… happen lol. But it’s not a huge surprised and I was expecting a dividend cut from LIV.UN.

I am fortunate enough not to have invested massively in LIV.UN. My overall dividend earnings for the year of 2009 won’t be too much affected.

But for sure, I won’t invest anymore into LIV.UN.

My initial 1 000$ now worth 1 080$: the magic of Creststreet Alternative Energy Fund

Thanks to the Creststreet Alternative Energy Fund my one time investment of 1 000$ made less than 4 months ago now worth 1 080$! I didn’t know what to expect back than when I invest in this fund. I was actually ready to loose some money – but it’s exactly the opposite that happens. And all around it is so mysterious. Like how in the world is it possible?

My answers:

-The fund is extra well managed.
-Their managers might have graduated from Harvard or something like that lol.

But who’s behind the top mutual fund of…. could it of all time? This fund will probably do history. Reason why? While facing recession, while Sprott Canadian Equity Fund and RBC O'Shaughnessy Canadian Equity Fund, among other, were falling and falling and falling again, the Creststreet Alternative Energy Fund was closing the year of 2008 with a 142-per-cent gain. And it’s not over… so far, 2009 results had been as great. But watch it out: results since inspection are of 190.20%!

And the manager of the fund, Steve Martin, is only 28 years old…. This is my age! I am 28 years old too lol. How impressive is that! And from my point of view, it could be the reason why the fund – having extraordinary results – is only managing 23.7 million. I am saying “only” because funds like Sprott Canadian Equity Fund, RBC O'Shaughnessy Canadian Equity Fund and CIBC Monthly Income Fund I invested manage billion of dollars.

I plan to keep Creststreet Alternative Energy Fund for a very long time and the age of the manager should not stop investor.

Another interesting fact: since the manager of Creststreet Alternative Energy Fund is so young, it make it a valuable investment for RRSP – probably the manager that is currently in place will remain in for a couple years – let’s wish until I reach my own retirement age – so I can benefit of his skills as long as possible.

For me, it’s Creststreet Alternative Energy Fund all the way.

My portfolio is looking good!

With the addiction of Energy Savings Income Fund (SIF.UN) into it, my portfolio is looking better than ever. And I have to say, I have added so far in my portfolio the majorities of companies I wanted to be a shareholder. I believe my portfolio is complete. Or almost. I am very happy at this point even if I have canceled my vacations at Halifax.

My next investments…

I would very much to purchase BA.UN units and other units of Pembina Pipeline Income Fund (PIF.UN). When I took a look at PIF.UN this morning, the value was 14$ per stock, but now, the value false down to just a bit less than 14$. PIF.UN is a good company to invest in. I really want to own more than 100 units of it.

A good reason to invest more in PIF.UN for me is that they have announced that they will maintain 1.56$ annual dividend for a couple of years from now. A raise have not been announced, but I prefer stability other than some other companies that provided big dividend earnings and who, later on, reduced their dividends whenever something happen, like a recession.

And I am thinking here about Harvest, Canadian Oil Sands Trust Units (COS.UN) among others. I one quickly read in the Globe and Mail that for companies paying too big in dividends come with risks. I do not know what’s the risk are about – but it might be in the sense that higher you pay, less you have in your pockets and in recession time, being generous in dividend might not be a good thing for companies. Again, it’s my interpretation.

I would also like to purchase 100 units of Bell Aliant Regional Communications Income Fund (BA.UN). I really like Aliant.

What’s next…

And now…

I am pretty use to get up late and go to bed in the middle of the night now – its going be tough to wake up each morning. Only if it happens I can find a job for weekdays – half of the day or until 3:30pm. Having a day-time job will allow me to invest more in PIF.UN. I also want to begin to pay off some debts of mine. But for that, I need $$$ and it’s not my online revenue who will allow me to pay off some debts.

About my latest investment: 200 units of Energy Savings Income Fund (SIF.UN)

Earlier today, I purchase 200 units of Energy Savings Income Fund (SIF.UN) at 12.10$. At the end of the day the unit’s price was at 12.17$. I made a profit of 14$ on one day – not bad. This investment had increased my dividend income of 247.92$. For a total of 1 590.92$. I am almost at that 2 000$ goal of mine in dividend income I have.

Everything is good my now. For the next investment, I would very much like to purchase some more units of Pembina Pipeline Income Trust (PIF.UN).

I do no longer plan to go to the trip to Halifax as my friend plan to stop for a night to our hometown and I really do not want to stay for a night at my parents place for different reasons. So I cancel everything. The trip would had been a bit expensive anyway as my friend was playing to stay in Halifax for 2 tips. And it would be expensive for nothing. At this time of the year, it’s still a bit cold and I would prefer to take a beach vacation, not a moving one. Most parts of the day would have been spending at looking for an apartment for her.

As for now, I plan to take the rest of the month of May off until 4PM from Monday to Friday. After what, I will begin my search for a day job.

Potential dividend earnings

Best thing about stocks is that some companies provide to their shareholders dividend.

Currently, my annual dividend earnings for 2009 are:

Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) 102 stocks
[1.96$ annual dividend]: 199.92$

Fortis (FTS) 101 stocks
[1.04$ annual dividend]: 105.04$

Livingston International Income Fund (LIV.UN) 102 stocks
[0.504$ annual dividend]: 51.41$

Methanex Corporation (MX) 102 stocks
[0.7975$ annual dividend]: 81.35$

Sprott Asset Management (SII) 500 stocks
[0.10$ annual dividend + 0.15$ special dividend]: 50$ + 75$: 125$

Pengrowth Energy Trust (PGF.UN) 519 stocks
[1.20$ annual dividend]: 622.80$

Pembina Pipeline Income Fund (PIF.UN) 101 stocks
[1.56$ annual dividend]: 157.56$

TOTAL: 1 343.08$


If, luckily, everything return to what its used to be….

Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) 102 stocks
[1.96$ annual dividend]: 199.92$ (no change)

Fortis (FTS) 101 stocks
[1.04$ annual dividend]: 105.04$ (no change)

Livingston International Income Fund (LIV.UN) 102 stocks
[1.704$ annual dividend back on March 2006]: 173.81$

Methanex Corporation (MX) 102 stocks
[0.7975$ annual dividend]: 81.35$ (no change)

Sprott Asset Management (SII) 500 stocks
[0.10$ annual dividend + 0.15$ special dividend]: 50$ + 75$: 125$ (no change)

Pengrowth Energy Trust (PGF.UN) 519 stocks
[2.70$ annual dividend]: 1 401.30$

Pembina Pipeline Income Fund (PIF.UN) 101 stocks
[1.56$ annual dividend]: 157.56$ (no change)


My dividend earnings could be of: 2 243.98$

Up of 900.90$!

I could possibly earn an extra 900.90$ in dividend earnings if everything could return to what it use to be. TSX is up to more than 10 000 points right now. Which mean everything is possible and everyone should be investing massively in the markets.

A second article of mine had been declined by Associated Content!

Oh no! Not again! It’s so…….. FUNNY, especially knowing that I received comments on my blog previously about my poor writing skills. But of course, I didn’t believe them and in result, well, of course lol, my article got rejected by Associated Content.

English is not my mother tongue and I only learn in English when I was attempting high school. That’s my excuse. I taught for a little while to open a My first 50 000$ Web site in French – it might be a good idea – without having a duplicate Web site of this current one.

Anyway, no worries, I plan to work again on the same article and resubmit it to Associated Content – one day. Like gees, those guys at AC are really reading the stuff that we are submitting… LOL.

I am not too sad about it. But just disappointed. I am going to review the article. I need someone to review the grammar and the spelling for me. The only reason why it’s been declined it’s in reason “Content must exhibit correct grammar, sentence structure, spelling and punctuation per our Submission Guide”. The article is about me trying to reach 50 000$ in investment. So I cannot just go and ask someone to review the article for me as I don’t want everyone to know about… my secret. LOL. I am can of stock here, me and my poor English. But I might be able to do it by my own. As I said, one day.

Maybe I am not that of a writer – but I am one of those super good investor lol. My portfolio is doing quite well! And I am so regretful for Derek Foster! But will see if this is just a temporary “good” situation or if it will continue this way or – if stocks market will go crazy again. But for how…. it’s EXTRAORDINARY. Awesome to see TSX flying to close 10 000 points again. It’s been so difficult for me during those past years to make money from my investment. I think I did a good thing to begin to invest back in 2008 – in the middle of worldwide recession crisis. This might actually made of me one of the best investor of all time lol. As always, just making fun of the whole thing. Don’t forget I am almost lost myself with that Associated Content dudes who don’t want of my article – but which I can fully understand. My writing is just way too creative for Associated Content. Anyway, let’s move on.

Now, no matter if I am going to take vacation or not, I decide to purchase stocks anyway… but now, I hesitate between SIF.UN or PIF.UN… PIF.UN is quite tempting knowing that the dividend is higher than SIF.UN. I am just confused as always.

Let’s take a quick look at my stocks portfolio:

Sprott Inc. (SII): 500 stocks
April 19: 2 155$

Today at 12:14AM: 4.65$/stock: 2 325$

+170$

Timminco (TIM): 200 stocks
April 19: 760$

Today at 12:14AM: 2$/stock: 400$
-360$

Blue Note Mining (BN): 12 000 stocks (the company almost belong to me!)
April 19: 120$
Today at 12:14AM: no change.

Blue Note Mining is now from TSX-V and I don’t know what’s going on with it for now.

Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS): 102 stocks
April 19: 3 411$

Today at 12:14AM: 37$/stock: 3 774$

+363$

Hanwei Energy Services (HE): 300 stocks
April 19: 543$

Today at 12:14AM: 2$/stock: 600$

+57$

Methanex Corporation (MX): 102 stocks
April 19: 1 290$
Today at 12:14AM: 15.21$/stock: 1 551.42$

+261.42$

Fortis (FTS): 101 stocks
April 19: 2 303$

Today at 12:14AM: 22.74$/stock: 2 296.74$
-6.26$

Pengrowth Energy Trust (PGF.UN): 519 stocks
April 19: 4 065$

Today at 12:14AM: 9.23$/stock: 4 790.37$
+725.37$

Livingston International Income Fund (LIV.UN): 102 stocks
April 19: 435$

Today at 12:14AM: 5.50$/stock: 561$

+126$

Pembina Pipeline Income Fund (PIF.UN): 101 stocks
April 19: 1 411$

Today at 12:14AM: 13.74$/stock: 1 387.74$

-23.26$

TOTAL:
April 19: 16 493$
Today: 17 806.27$

+ of 1 313.27$!!!

TSX, you rock my world.

It’s may be the right time for a vacation

Talking about pager… a friend of mine call me 3 times this evening on my pager. I couldn’t call her right away because I was on calls. When arrived my lunch time, I finally gave her a call. I learn that she was planning to go to Vancouver this summer and wonder if I wanted to come. She plan to use the train, she had been giving away a free ticket because she’s military. The cost of the ticket for me would had been of 900$, and this being for the transportation only. I told her it was a bit too much for me. Than, she told me she was moving to Halifax to work at the base out there. She’s going at the end of May for 2 weeks. I told her I could go if my vacations will be accepted.

I fill out the form in a hurry this evening. I just hope to have an answer as soon as possible so I plan something for the accommodation. Halifax has actually 4 universities. It makes it pretty affordable to stay in for 2 weeks in a 2 bedrooms place. Its look like I am now going to use a bit of that more than 1 000$ I have in vacation pay!

I went to Halifax one time in my life when was a teenager and I would very much like to go once again. The delay is quite short to plan everything put hopefully it will work out. It will be very fun if I could also receive my vacation pay from my weekend job.

Now, knowing this, by next investment I wanted to make with Energy Savings Income Fund (SIF.UN) is being put on hold for now. Until I decide what to do and see what happen next.

Associated Content Team had answered to one of my post on Twitter!

I was so surprised to receive a response to one of my post from Associated Content. An inconvenient with Twitter is when someone answer to a post, the answer do not show up on the profile of the user. When I notice Associated Content had added me as follower, well, of course, I add them too… Just a few minutes ago actually. After what, I took a look at Associated Content profile… And there I saw it, a reply to one of my post…

Associated Content actually answers to the post were I was saying that I wanted to become a verified member of Associated Content in order to be eligible to receive payment. But the problem being that I only have a pager (I am old fashion) and the activation code being left on my voicemail only remain active for 5 minutes. On the post, I was saying that 5 minutes wasn’t long enough for me to run to a pay phone, listen to the message and go back to my place to than after enter the verification code on the Web page… Chaotic situation. Very kind of them to have answer to my post!

Which show just how miserable I am. But I like to have a pager for now because it’s cheap. One day, when I will be reaching my first 50 000$, I will get myself a cell phone and if possible, it’s going to be a pink Blackberry lol.

TSX is doing better

Investing in stocks had been a crazy adventure. Only 3 days left and I am going to be able to make my next investment – which may be the one and only one for the month of May since I have to deal with a lower overall salary until I decide to hit again the workplace and begin my job search. As announced previously, I plan to purchase 200 units of Energy Savings Income Fund (SIF.UN). This is the investment that will make me become a real investor :)

I had been looking into the TSX in this beautiful afternoon and my portfolio is doing well. Stocks price are going higher, for major part of my portfolio. SIF.UN had been falling to 12$, but is now at 12.10$... I look like to purchase 200 units of SIF.UN at 12$. A net value of 2 400$. And not to forget the very high commission of 29$ being charged by TD Waterhouse for the transaction.

I am definitely going to be job searching really soon.

I do not want to be slow down because of a lack of financial resources

I am almost there – I am missing less than 10 000$ to reach my first 50 000$ in investment. I am so close to my goal; it’s almost scandalous to be suffering from one lay-off and just, a few weeks ago, another bad news, a cut in my hours at what was my morning job. Anyway, I have to move forward. I am not the type who remains static for very long. I like to move and take actions. For now, I am still enjoying free-time during my morning. I am currently trying to make money online. OH YEAH lol…

And trying to make money online is… a painful experience… exhausting… frustrating… but, at the same time, very fun. See, I am using the word “trying” to make money online because fact is, I didn’t make any money online yet. Actually, if you check somewhere on the right column of this page, you’ll see a new paragraph title “Online revenue…” and under it, you will see 0$, that I put in green. A wealthy 0$ lol. It’s my way to have fun with it.

I really like what John Chow says on his blog about making money online. John Chow explains that his blog is not his main source of income and that he sees the money he makes from his blog as bonus money. By thinking the whole “making money online” type of deal over and over again, I begin to think (for once lol) and what John Chow said really made sense to me. For now on, this is exactly how I am seeing the whole “make money online” deal, as a hobby. On an upper scale, the deal is to turn the hobby into a dollars-machine-give-me-some-money-for-free lol. I really enjoy John Chow blog and I like to “Tweet” his posts all over the place on Twitter. It’s crazy.

I am not a big fan of CashCrate, pay-per-click programs or others of the same type. I just don’t like to complete online surveys. And I cannot stand being on front of my computer and be clicking on some ads or completing offers. Look like I am going to be job searching soon lol.

I way prefer to work on my blog. What I love about blogging is writing. And about writing, just yesterday, I submit an original article of mine to Associated Content. It will be the second try-out for me. And I hope this one will be the one! Stay tune and take a look at my profile on Associated from time to time. Maybe one day you’ll see one of by article being publish under my profile. One day... lol...

About my next investment: Energy Savings Income Fund (SIF.UN)

Pengrowth Energy Trust (PGF.UN) and Pembina Pipeline Income Fund (PIF.UN) are both great, but I guess adding another company to my portfolio cannot hurt. Since I do not have that much money, I prefer to diversify my investments in different companies. It makes me feel more confident about me, my little money and my investments.

I had been thinking about Energy Savings Income Fund (SIF.UN) for a while now. I will soon take actions – but not before my next paycheck, which will be next week. Last Wednesday came that good news for SIF.UN with the acquisition of Universal Energy Group. I was expecting a major boom around SIF.UN after the agreement was made, but it was actually not the case. On this last Friday, SIF.UN was loosing 2 cents to close at 12.48$. But why? Shouldn’t be the complete opposite that should happen?

I am never going to understand the stocks market.

Another good example of the non-sense of stocks market: on April 29th Pembina Pipeline Income Fund announced an agreement with Talisman Energy Canada to acquire its Cutbank Complex midstream gas gathering and processing facilities. Fantastic! And I was expecting a major BOOM around my wonderful PIF.UN. But it’s quite the opposite that happens. Pembina Pipeline Income Fund value is now down of 63 cents to be now at the value of 13.45$ per stock. I will be surprise to see the price false down under 12$ – which is the price I purchase units of PIF.UN back on March 13th of this year.

In both case, 2 super great companies had announced acquisition. After what, their value haven’t rise.

The stocks market definitely does not make any sense at all!

Updating my debt situation

Life was great when I was making more than 3 000$ per month after deductions in salary. But now, things begin to be rough, for the first time ever since I am in Montreal. I didn’t have too much problems to find work in Montreal I have to say. My situation had been good and 2008 had been a wonderful year as I almost reach 45 000$ in income. But now, with massive job lost of mine – one lay-off and one job were my hours had been cut, I felt almost desperate about the whole situation. Great thing I have this blog it help me to focus and keep my mind clean.

The whole situation is not that bad as I plan to be able to make just a bit more than 2 000$ per month. I will be able to meet ends and my bills, but as my goal was to. Earning an average of 3 000$ per month was the perfect situation for me – I have enough to pay my expenses and I have enough to invest in stocks every 2 months or so and so on. I guess I will have to slow down until I find another day job. As for now, I am getting lazy – I stay up very late at night and wake up… late… just like I love to do.

I still be able to invest in 200 units of Energy Savings Income Fund (SIF.UN) next month, as soon as I received my next pay check. So far, I am happy with my overall portfolio and dividend earnings are super good. I just cannot wait to see my dividend earnings rise over time.

Another interesting that I find about myself is that I really like to work in call center. Lately, we had been receiving calls like crazy. Time pass very quickly and one thing I pray for is for having my overtime back at my evening job. I am so in need of money right now! The problem with me is I want too much. I plan to take a couple of weeks off of morning jobs and just enjoying the rest for now.

About my debts situation:

Student loans debt: 10 627.99$

Credit cards debt: 3 000$ at 4.99% for 6 months

Credit line debt: 2 992.74$
Total: 16 620.73$

Having to manage 16 620.73$ is not that bad. But can online money be of any help? That’s what I want to check over. I plan to take the month of May to invest my time on my blog and other way to make money online. Will see if I can make money online.

Investing like a pro of Bay Street with no or little knowledge: possible or not?

This is basically my own personal challenge at this time. I had the time of my life since I begin this blog back in 2007. Even before that, I had done my first investment with Desjardins Fidelity True North Fund. It was a 1 000$ investment back than. I will never forget – first, all the misery made by Desjardins over me just for one little investment. It’s just they are trying to cover themselves through too much paper works and investor profile. And after what, I am supposed to be satisfied with the quality of their services?

I do not recommend Desjardins financial services to anyone. As for myself, I remain as far as possible of whatever is call a “Desjardins advisor”. Annoying, inconvenient, bad services and the list could be longer. I actually live another bad experience with Desjardins not too long ago for my 2008 RRSP. I just didn’t get the change to write about it yet. But it shouldn’t be too long.

Anyhow, for me, the real fun begins when I purchase my first stocks earlier in 2008. Back than, it’s 500 stocks of Sprott Asset Management (SII) that I had purchased at almost 10$ per stock. In date of today, this investment could be seen as a mistake as SII stock only worth less than 5$ each but – there’s a but – SII provide dividend and they also provide a one time special dividend of 10 cents per stock. Overall, the investment was not too bad made from my part, I could have done worst. But I did worst with Timminco (TIM).

My biggest mistake was when I purchased Timminco – now worth less than 2$ per share – just to follow the natural investment flow. There was a time in 2008 when Timminco was very popular – it had been called the “TSX darling” and so on. I was stupid and I invest in Timminco just to do like the big guys. And talking of big guys, I am thinking of Sprott Asset Management who own 16.9% of common shares of Timminco, AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V. (50.7%!!!), and Fidelity Management & Research Company (14%!!). Again today, I had received another “voting package” coming from Timminco. All of those Management Information Circulars I had received lately are just too much reading for one person.

Let’s say that for now on, I stay away from “popular” stocks. In order to get a good portfolio I copied Derek Foster portfolio. From my portfolio, Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS), Pengrowth Energy Trust (PGF.UN), Livingston International Income Fund (LIV.UN) and Pembina Income Fund (PIF.UN) are directly coming from Derek Foster portfolio or from what use to be Derek Foster portfolio. As for the rest, like Fortis (FTS), Hanwei Energy Services (HE), Methanex Corporation (MX), and also Sprott Asset Management (SII), they come from my reading and other.

I don’t know for sure if it’s possible to invest like a real pro without having any good knowledge of the whole investment deal. But for sure, what I know, is that no major mistake can be made if instincts are being followed and if not too much money is being involved in each investment. By “not too much money” I mean an investment of less than 5 000$. As a small investor, 5 000$ represent a lot of money.

Like nothing is easy. And especially now, as my revenues had been cut because of different factors – job looses and other. And also add to this the fact that I had to pay almost 3 000$ in income taxes. This year, the Canada Revenue Agency had received a big paycheck from my little person. And knowing how much I had work so hard, well, it’s not fair! I am not giving away my precious money so our Governor General Michaëlle Jean can travel the world on myself! I would just like to travel alone without her husband – it will make it cheaper for poor Canadian tax payers.

Anyhow, I guess it is possible to invest like a pro if diversification rules are being followed – the same one that had been ignored by Henri-Paul Rousseau former CEO of Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec. And just to thank you more, we are offering you 378 750 $ so you can live with your peace of mind. I do not have any investment made at the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec and I do not plan to invest any of my money with Caisse de dépôt – even with their new CEO Michael Sabia who had gave up on almost everything he had for Quebec. Quebec Province does not deserve someone like Michael Sabia to be in charge of a major part of its finance. Quebec just deserves what happen in 2008 - a $40-billion drop. I won’t ever invest in the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec because it’s too much of Quebec stuff in a one investment and their new CEO Michael Sabia – who’s a look-a-like Woody Allan if you ever notice – won’t remain CEO of the Caisse forever. After Mr. Sabia, a new CEO will come one day and will do what Henri-Paul Rousseau did – screwing up everything!

That’s why since I start investment – I pick my own fund and do what I want with my money because when it’s come to my money, I do not trust no one, especially Quebeckers. I am just not open to any suggestions at all and if it happens that I find another fantastic mutual fund like Crestsreet Alternative Energy Fund, I will, again, invest in mutual funds. I am not closing the door to mutual funds. Because I find Derek Foster too much into the market and in his books he literally closes the door to any mutual funds.

My Crestsreet Alternative Energy Fund is one of those funds! The minimum investment to be made is of 1 000$, which is pretty affordable. The only inconvenient is at the time of the selling – if it had to happen. It cost 50$ to sale the investment, no matter how much you have at the time of the selling. Crestsreet Alternative Energy Fund is the type of investment you made for the long run.

Amateur can bet the pro without any trouble if simple rules are being followed. And for this, the reading of Derek Foster books had been more than helpful. In my life, I never read anything else related to finance other than Derek’s Foster books. I recommend them to anyone even if he had decided to sale out EVERYTHING and almost kill me along the way lol. An interview of Derek Foster with the very good looking George Stroumboulopoulos host of The Hour can be view at:

http://www.cbc.ca/thehour/videos.html?id=1063578735

And what if amateur investor like me would have more gut and be more powerful than the Henri-Paul Rousseau and Derek Foster of this world? I guess I have the answer to my question lol. But on this, of course, I am only joking. And only time will tell if I can beat, if not the TSX, the pros.

Being out of morning job is not that bad after all

I was first quite frustrating about loosing my morning shift, but now, things are getting pretty easy as I begin to really have enough of the job. But for now, I keep the weekend shift. Their surveys were long, a lot of answering machine along the way – and than they cut my morning shift because of my low productivity. But it’s not my fault if I was always reaching answering machine.

Anyway, it’s been 2 days now that I haven’t been working during the morning and I quite enjoy the rest. I would very much things to stay the same for a while. Working at my evening job and there at the weekend give me something close to 550$ after deductions. I will have enough to reach ends. But knowing myself, things won’t probable remain the same for too long. I am in need of money and my first 50 000$ is waiting for me. I also more than 10 000$ to invest in my RRSP of 2009. This year, I am going to invest in my RRSP as much as I can – I do not want to pay around 3 000$ extra in taxes again this year. NEVER AGAIN.

This makes it a good opportunity to take a break and after begin a job search. I will try to look for a better job – something else than surveys. My evaluation of last week at my job was quite better and do not fear anymore. The month of April has been quite something and I hope May will be better. I also plan to purchase 200 units of Energy Savings Income Fund (SIF.UN) on the first week of May. I couldn’t do anything with my money in April because of all those taxes I have to pay. Very annoying. And now I am going to work again for my evening shift.

My first vote as a shareholder of Methanex Corporation, Fortis, Sprott Asset Management and Livingston International Income Fund

I received the voting package one after the other through the mail not too long ago. The last one I received was the one coming from Livingston International Income Fund. And of course, none of the annual general meeting of shareholders is taking place in Montreal. I suppose I will vote through the Internet.

Strangely, for me who is French, I had received all of the above documentation in English. Last time, for Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS), I had received the voting package in French, which I quite enjoy because I find the reading interesting. It was of a good reading and easy to understand – even for beginner like myself. I find it disgusting for those companies to send me their reports in English as my broker account is set-up in French. In consequence, I might vote against all directors.

As for the rest, I find the reading of the other report I had received pretty reading and I actually gave up on the reading. The one coming from Livingston International Income Fund is the worst one as its do not content any picture of its directors, among other things. As for the Methanex documentation, I quickly gave up on the reading. How annoying! The documentation coming from Bank of Nova Scotia was much more enjoyable. At least, there not too much things shareholders have to vote for. One question I find pretty annoying to vote for is the verification the company hired. Please, just be smarter and hired the cheapest one and no one will actually have to vote on such stupidity. The question appears on all documentation, including the one from Bank of Nova Scotia.

I just hope to be done with the reading and the voting very soon.

Another bad news or when enough is not enough

When is it going to stop?

I won’t be able to do any more hours during the morning at what use to be my weekend job. Look like my weekend job will remain… my weekend job. Everything went well for about 3 weeks. It just this week that I learn I won’t be able to do any morning shifts because of my productivity. But the worst is that I am not alone in this situation. I was told I could go the night shift. Since I am already working at night, I stick with the weekends. Which mean that my weekend job will remain… my weekend job.

It’s just not enough having to pay an extra 3 000$ in taxes, not enough to be working around the clock, not enough to be laid-off from my old day job, now, something else had to happen… and I am just wondering what’s going to happen next. Like the word is falling under my feet and I am following the gravity – I am falling too. I can handle a lot, but now, the situation is pretty chaotic and out of control. And I just cannot control my work situation. And this is exactly part of the reason why I am so into what used to be the Derek Foster strategy because I find it exciting and full of possibilities. I do not want to suffer all my life from poor work situations.

If it happens that one day, I can make enough money from my investments to stay off the workplace for a couple of years in my life, well, I will be the first one to be running into the possibility and sticking to the plan. But now, whit almost 3 000$ gone in taxes money (it’s hurt!), I begin to feel a bit desperate here. It’s not tomorrow that I am going to be able to quietly leave the workplace.

I finally receive my Pengrowth Energy Trust dividends

I had received 51.20$ in dividend from Pengrowth Energy Trust (PGF.UN). The dividend had been roll over to purchase more stocks. And this is how I acquire 7 brand new units of PGF.UN at no charge.

As for the rest, I had my taxes done by a professional and I had an appointment this Monday. I made an overall income of more than 44 000$ in 2008. Life had been good for me here in Montreal so far. But more $$$ = more taxes to pay… And it’s actually the reason why it’s more than 2 900$ that I had to pay extra in provincial and federal taxes. It’s kind of what I was expecting when I did my taxes by myself on Easter day. But I really wanted my taxes to be done correctly and along the run, it was a lot of stress for me. I do not regret paying 75$ to have my taxes done properly. I am quite happy to be done with all this now. I already pay my taxes through my online banking account.

For 2009, I definitively have to invest more in my RRSP. And TD Waterhouse is very annoying for this part because there’s an annual fee to be paid to invest in stocks through them for a RRSP account. Isn’t expensive enough that having to pay 29$ per basic transaction? But this is how TD Waterhouse likes to do business. Unfair or not, at the end, the money will just be invested someplace else. And it’s something else I want to take care of as soon as possible. Time is running out so quickly. I sometime have a hard time to stay organize.

I only have 2 047$ available on my credit line right now to purchase more stocks. I will wait probably until next month to make another purchase. Right now, my marvelous Pembina Income Fund (PIF.UN) is at 14.03$ and SIF.UN is at 12.25$. I just hope prices will false down lol just in time for me to purchase new units next month. I probably purchase other units of PIF.UN. Right now, PIF.UN is at exactly 14.03$! Love PIF.UN!