Your spending habits may ruined your investing dreams - or maybe not

How? Well, its pretty easy to understand. The more your spend, the less you have available to invest. And I am currently experiencing something similar to that, for several reasons.

From what I had experienced so far, the more I earn money, the less easier it is to actually save money. But shouldn't be exactly the opposite? Not in my case. I do not work at several jobs like I used to do. I make a similar salary than before by holding on - or trying to - one job + my dividend + my sometimes online income. But other than that, I don't have many sources of income, I work less, but I spend more. Why is that?

I have more free time. And having more free time on hands mean that I have more time to spend money. I don't do extravagant things, I go the movies, I usually go to all of the Montreal festivals you could imagine, I go out a lot, I drink a lot, I eat a lot outside, I shop, I buy clothes, jewellery, makeup, diet pills... yeah, but read it right, DIET PILLS. lol.

Generally speaking, I do spend more than what I used to. Now that I hold more or less 100k in net worth, I got very lazy, but I would say that I invest on a regular basis anyway and I am still good on shooting out good investments. Not including my RRSP money, my dividend income is at $6 200+. I expect to hit on the $12 000 income in the next 4-5 year or so. The overall picture is not that grey despite my current spending little nature.

Among my spending habits, ones are daily spending and other are what I name as generic spending if not over drive spending. I guess you never heard of that type of spending flare. Like you stop by a drugstore and buy a new lipstick but you really don't need a new one - see what I mean?

And comes the more or less daily expenses that I could live without, or maybe not. I cannot live without my daily coffee, a $2.60 in the morning, and an Americano in the afternoon, $3. And I really often buy 2 coffees per day. I discovered a new pleasure in life - be ready reader - aha - manicures and pedicures. Both cost $55 every 3 weeks. I have thin curly hair, but a lot of hair - and I need a hair cut every 8-6 weeks as the roots get dry and messy. That's a $28 right there. I also do my coloration at home, $14 a box - every 6 weeks or so because I had been coloring my hair since my mid twenties and I look better that way. And I start having white hair one or 2 years ago. I sometime wake up late to get to work - I take a taxi, its $10 to $14 the ride depending of the traffic. If I don't organize my lunch week during the weekend, forget about it, I will have to buy something to eat. I also really often finish work after 5 pm, what to you thing happen when I do so? I go get something to eat.

Not to turn into a wild beast, I go visit New Brunswick at least 4-5 times a year. Ticket is $175 + other expenses. I spend money on my folks for Christmas, Easter, birthdays. And I am very generous. Its $500 that do for Christmas. Certainly a $100 on Easter. And $100 on birthdays in not a bit more. My rent had been increased of $10 recently, its now $635 - but I am closed to everything including work, no need for a metro pass that might be close to $90 a month now...

Despite all of this dramatic degeneration, I had a bill of $985 on my credit card last month. Its not too bad knowing that it included my Internet and cell phone bills. I like putting everything on my credit card because it help me managing my expenses. For last month, my expenses were about $1 700, but I still had left $800 in free cash for savings - and that does not included the money earn in dividend. So life is all good. Why should I say no to manicures and pedicures???

Meet my new favorite stock: Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P. (BIP.UN)

I knew that my non-registered portfolio wasn't going to look good, but I was curious. I found a disastrous tiny little $126 454.80. It doesn't look good at all, but I am thinking of it as temporary situation. In those very rough time, better to invest in stocks that can stand without falling. By this I mean, its better to invest in stock that haven't lose in value much instead of running over some bargain stock. Its not like we are going to get out of this mess anytime soon. A recession had been announced and our Financial Minister is just too stuck up to see clearly what's going up.

CNR could be a good bet, but I have a new favorite, its Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P. (BIP.UN). I had been holding into BIP.UN inside my TFSA for the past couple months, and it already gain 7% in value! This is quite spectacular knowing how bad are the stocks market right now. BIP.UN almost pay 5% in dividend distribution, which is very great.

My idea is to stop buying clothes and makeup and to invest another 1 to 2 thousands in Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P. (BIP.UN). I think I had found my new gold mine.

Greece acting like gansters crew. The no to the referendum: revolutionary or a dumb show?

I didn't post anything in quite sometime, I had been busy, got a few vacation days and now I am getting back to the usual. I had been away, but I kept an eyes on what was going on. It was with no surprise that I learn that the No had won the referendum in Greece. Its a poor country and its residents are desperately trying to the get out of hell. Imagine having to live with the fear of not being able to access to your very own money. Not to be able to withdraw money without having to face long waiting lines and, even worst - having to face the lack of available cash.

Greece debt shouldn't be erase, but I hope the Euro zone will take in consideration all of the craziness that those people have to endure. There's no way out, but a long term solution need to be taking and Greece need to make commitments and have an in deep control of their finances.

With all that activity, my non-registered portfolio is down to $128 365.67 - far from the old 135 something... I really hate it when the stock market get so volatile. There's just no way out and there' seem to be no proper way to do things, no investment seem to be stable and strong enough to face the eventuality of a stock market crash.

The strangest thing ever is to actually have money, but the problem is: in what to invest in, is now a good time to buy? At this point, in the hot summer heat, after a cold winter, I do not really care and the strangest thing ever is actually not doing nothing with my money, for the really first time of my life. Like a big f off to the whole universe.

The Dividend Girl is about to turn into a Quebecker. What???!!! DAMN.

Even after now 3 years that I am back in Quebec, I still had my New Brunswick health card. I didn't want to get a Quebec one. My reason was that I don't need any cheap Quebec doctor to take care of me, I am never sick, I am not in need of any health care. I am invincible. We all know that of course. However, a few weeks ago, I decided it was time to get my Quebec health card, even it was only to cover my ass in case of an emergency, in case an accident arrive or something. Or in case I become pregnant. LOL. I tried to be intelligent, I place a call, said I arrived in Quebec in April (whatever!), got the form and than I went to a CLSC to depose the papers and it was about it.

Its the step I didn't want to make because it kind of make of me a Quebecker now and I am not too proud about that, but I needed to be practical so here am I. I definitely needed a Quebec health care because I am way too far away from my hometown now. Its just an administrative thing, its not because I will soon be holding a Quebec health card that I considered myself a Quebecker. A wild thing like me is way too smart to be define as a Quebecker.

I think the tragedy of my entire existence is not able to get what I want, not to do what I want and not to live where I really want. It a life I have no control on. My other lives must had been very bad because this one really suck so far.

Still bitching like always sexy, but I have to say, Montreal turn to be a magical place during summer time. I went to many free concert during the Francopholies and took many videos like this one that I will soon post, but it take forever to download. Ok, so enjoy this first one - but just prepare to change position at one point.

This was Radio Radio. They open the Francopholies of Montreal this year. We'll talk about money in another post sometime.

This blog title could had been: How to deal with the volatility of stock market without too much pain? Do it with a ganster spirit

I don't know if Greece situation will ever get better. With all those millions and millions of dollars won, where are they going to find the money to pay back - especially now. And I don't understand why the FMI let Greece go so down so badly. In fact, that so call organization is not capable to prevent crisis, it only deal with shit once its obvious that there is a problem somewhere... Anyway, if you want my in deep and very honest opinion, we cannot change the world, but we can certainly play things on our favor. Fact is, small investors are sometime way smarter than any government.We prove that we can do a lot with the little money we earn every single day.

One of the hardest thing to deal while investing is how to deal with such shit. Each time, my portfolio survive, but this is no fun. One of the most scary thing ever is when that nuclear thing happen in Japan. My opinion was that the stock market - mine - the Canadian one - was going to go down badly, but it didn't. So try to understand that shitty place that is the stock market - your going to turn crazy. I stop a long time ago trying to understand anything related to the stock market and this is why I am still on the run.

The honest answer to that wonderful question: How to deal with stock market shit without too much pain? - IS: DON'T GIVE A DAMN. Do your nails, have your coloration done, exercise, do something, move on, BUT CERTAINLY, DO NOT sell anything.

Et voilà. That is how to deal with market shit. :-)

Taking a good breath might help as well.

Currently, my non-registered portfolio is down to $128 876.57. Unfortunately, when the TSX go down, my portfolio take a hit and its a pain each time. I have a left margin value of $13 705.45, which is not to bad, but I am far from the usual 17k. I need to keep track of the situation just to watch out because in my case, I have a margin. And since I don't plan to pay back my $66 000 margin debt anytime soon, I need to watch what is going on, because in result, my portfolio value go down, as well as the value.

In 10 years from now, I hope that I will be able to look back and say, all that worth it after all. It still worth it in the meantime. I am pretty sure that my net worth still exceed the $100 000. I didn't do too badly. But I could had done certainly better, that's for sure. And its the reason why I am doing my best to stay in control of money. My newest investment in Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P. (BIP.UN) done well so far, I gain a 1.22% on the money already. I love when a new invest grow quickly like that. I am after all a pretty smart chick. And I am turning 35 in August!!!!

** DRAMA**

Other than looking myself carefully in the mirror each day, just like usual, I am still questioning myself on what will be my next investment and I have a pretty good idea. Once again, I will do just like Derek Foster. This one won't bring in the immediate a lot of dividend cash, but since the game is to invest for better tomorrows, maybe Canadian National Railway Company (CNR) is a good investment move. I am a fan of that stock. I made thousands on CNR inside my non-registered portfolio. Can I make possibly a thousands more on the stock? Probably. I didn't see CNR trading so  low in a very long time. I still have contribution room left in my TFSA, I feel this could be a good fit.

Life is really only about money

I guess you all wonder what meant the allusion to "Redwood City" in that post. I had been approached by an organization located in Redwood City. Someone from their social media team approached me, asking a few questions, which result in that post. And following what, the representative came back to me asking to add a link in my post to their free online calculator. I explain I could do so with a monetary compensation, but no cash had been offered. Sorry, but I don't sell myself for free. 

Fact is, the world of personal finance is a super HUGE business and its good business niche. Its not for nothing that a guy behind PayPal is the CEO of that X organization that I won't ever publicize for free on this blog because on my blog, I am the only star.

The TSX is doing doing very well lately and in result, I had lost a few thousands in value.

Welcome in my TFSA portfolio Brookfield Infrastructure Partners LP (BIP.UN)!

Recently, Derek Foster invested in one of my top favorite: Canadian National Railway Company (CNR). I hold CNR in both my TFSA and non-registered account. In my non-registered account, CNR pop up to a +84 profit. I haven't been holding CNR in my TFSA account long enough to see a result., I am at -4.78% there. I agree with Derek with this new one, Canadian National Railway Company currently trade at a low value and it worth it to buy now - if possible inside your TFSA if you have any contribution room left - and hold on for many many years and just watch the capital gain going higher and higher.

I was excited to see that Derek Foster is finally getting back into Canadian stock, but unfortunately, CNR is nothing new to me, thanks to Susan Brunner. So I had been checking around for a new stock. Despite having a few thousands at my disposal since Glendel disappeared from the Canadian stock market, I haven't invested a penny, which is very unusual. At my early beginning, it was easier to invest because I wasn't holding nothing. But after investing for a few years now, it became harder and harder to invest. One reason being that I already hold many good stocks. And another reason is that I want to make sure I am making the best investing moves. 

As for the best investing move, nothing is never sure. However, I am always confident of all my investment choices and I never have any doubt when I decided to finally make that next investment. Another extraordinary life moment happen today when, after a couple of days, not to say a couple of weeks, I decided it was time to buy something new for my already very good looking portfolio.

I decided to invest in Brookfield Infrastructure Partners LP (BIP.UN). This new investment bring my annual dividend income to $6 201 and 92 cents (and I am not counting here my RRSP dividend because they are out of reach). Another cool investment could had been Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CM), but at this time, I found CM not cheap at all and since its more expensive, I decided to go with BIP.UN for now. My order will go on tomorrow morning.

Can dividend income help you take control of your money and life? In Redwood City, money means everything

It is now that I will be turning 35 in August that I realized that money never been a very fundamental part of my life. Yes, I am what you could considered a financial blogger, I do care about money, but not to point where I am searching for real richness or anything technically even near. My domain address is myfirst50000.com, and its not for no reason. All I ever wanted is a $50 000 net worth, after that, the money experience could take me to whatever.

Someone came by this blog saying that the "20s are typically the perfect time to start planning for retirement, but sometimes life gets in the way." You bet! LOL. Well, to that I can only reply, that the 20s were meant to be live, and not to care a minute about a financial future, but not to jump in excessive spending either. I studied until my late twenties, but I never came across a career path or something specific that I wanted to do. I am not a very career oriented girl, and I don't care about most stuff that society around us want us to care about: flashy big house, flashy big car, fancy clothes, expensive vacations and so on. 

In my twenties, what help me the most with what I have today is making very smart choices regarding my education. Most of young people finish university and other with huge student loan debt. It barely make any sens at all to start your live so heavily handicap by already owning so much when you barely had time to live. And young people get easily stuck in the pattern. They enroll into debt because its the way things are. But the choice is always there no matter what. I stop trying to understand a long time ago.

I don't think I could be in a better financial situation now, but I don't think a lot of people will agree on that for sure.

 

My new $10 000 credit line at Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CM)

I already wrote about this one, a few days ago, I received a call from a CIBC representative saying I was pre-approved for a credit line. I went to a CIBC branch to have it open. Without having to even ask for it, I got a brand new $10 000 credit line, just like that, at an interesting interest rate compare to the other credit stuff I have. The interest rate is less than 7%. Fine with me. No credit check was required, so why not. 

Glentel Inc. (GLN) is now out of my portfolio for good and doesn't exist on the TMX anymore. I had received cash for all of my GLN stocks in both my TFSA and non-registered account. And of course, like usual when I have money available, I am thinking of my next investments. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CM) itself doesn't seem as a bad choice. CM stocks are super expensive, but its yield of 4.59% is not leaving me indifferent. I am still thinking of my old crush Northland Power Inc. (NPI). Another cool stock seem to be Brookfield Infrastructure Partners LP (BIP.UN) on which Gordon Pape hugely publicized in the recent past weeks. Other than Gordon Pape, BIP.UN seems to be an interesting investment.

For now, my 2 top picks for my TFSA are: Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CM) and Northland Power Inc. (NPI). I should hurry up and place my investment orders, but I didn't do nothing since received cash for my GLN shares.

I am currently waiting for my JFT Strategies Fund (JFS.UN) investment to hit on the $2 500 value so I can sell some units and bring on a $500 cash, like I did in the past. However, this is not going to happen anytime soon. I was curious to see what the investment manager of JFS.UN, First Asset Investment Management Inc. have to offer. And I find this page interesting. One of the most profitable EFT presents on that page is First Asset Morningstar National Bank Québec Index ETF (QXM). QXM is a five stars Morningstar EFT. Its management fee is only of 0.50%. Its surprising, but QXM is one that brought in most of cash since its inspection and on a one year. But when looking at the holding, I see a lot of stuff that I don't like: Yellow Pages, Dorel, Power Financial, SNC Lavalin... No thanks. I pass. NEXT.

I am not in a hurry to invest because I am not exactly sure of what I want. I cannot mess  up with my next investments. I think CM will be my next investment in my TFSA. I will announce when it will be finally done.

For June - that is tomorrow... my rent is getting increased of a $10, making it to $635. I am really not very happy about it.

Tell me how many credit cards you hold, and I will tell who you are, even if you are a cheap Tequila girl

Those Canadian banks are always ready to make money on the back of poor people. When they are not looking to increase the interest rate of your credit line for no reason like did to me RBC Royal Bank a few years ago - or even worst - they offer you credit line when you did not even ask for one. Never mind, you are pre-approve dude! Ohh yeahh. But does that make any sense at all? Nope!

Credit cards, credit lines, name them, I love them all, especially at low interest rates. I am the perfect example of the typical very nice girl next door who only have to play of her sexy lashes to have all bankers of Montreal downtown throwing money at her with all sort of credit cards and credit lines, you can barely imagine.

Here is what look my credit portfolio:

X credit card with a credit card limit:  $2 600

X credit card with a credit card limit: $7 000

X credit card with a credit card limit: $5 000

X credit line with a credit line limit: $5 000

X credit card with a credit card limit: $500

X credit line with a credit line limit: $15 000

X credit card with a credit card limit: $11 300

X credit line with a credit line limit: $10 000

Best of all, I hold an invisible debt - my margin account debt - $66 000 - doesn't appear on any credit score. Its magic. And I have $17 000 of that magic left to be spend.

I  am currently holding on to $139 000 in term of credits, which is a one thousand more than my annual income for 2014... Is it being consider normal by banks in Canada to hold the equivalent of one year of salary before taxes in credit junk? Unfortunately, yes it is. And they are the ones who need to be blame for the sometime too high level of debt hold by young people.

But this is not the worst.

No matter what is being said about Canada, our beautiful country is corrupted all around. Another example of corruption in Canada is the extreme high cost of university education. Those who decided to enroll in those extremely expensive learning programs can only be a bunch of dummies. Still, its completely immoral to see that happening. University staff are just as corrupted as Stephen Harper government

Education is out of reach, and employment is out of reach too... We lost thousands and thousands of job in April. But during that time university staff keep their big paycheque deep inside their pockets.

Another matter of corruption is the too high cost of housing - especially in cities like Vancouver and Toronto. And guess who make huge bucks from that type of corruption? Banks. The same bank that is now offering me a credit line at less than 7% is also highly involved in the mortgage market.

I have an annual income salary of less than 60k, I have a net worth less than 200k, but no matter what, the Canadian Imperial Bank Of Commerce had approved me for a credit line... Don't you see that there's something wrong here? I would like to see Canada being on top of everything but here like in too many places worldwide, our system is all fuck up. We are not better. And I am a credit junkie.

I am getting the star treatment at CIBC

A couple of weeks ago, if you remembered, I had received a call from a representative of RBC Royal Bank, asking me to review my account with them. I declined their offer because a few years ago, for no reason at all - and no sign of change with the prime rate - RBC decided to increase the interest rate of a credit line that I had with them and that I was using. I only had a small balance and had several thousands in investment with RBC Royal Bank at the time, but no matter what, a decision was made to increase the interest rate. And in result of course, as you may already know the story, I sold all of the investments I had with the no class bastards and I quickly paid of my credit line. I stop using my RBC credit line, as well as my RBC credit card. For me, RBC Royal Bank mean nothing at all, if not only shit.

I had a very bad experience with RBC Royal Bank, but fortunately enough, its not every bank in Canada that like to treat the Dividend Girl like a real piece of shit. I am not repeating myself with my old dying stories like you may think, but I am coming to it. I had received a call from a CIBC representative. That one wanted to give me a credit line at a very low interest rate, something like 6.25%. So I told myself, why not? After that, my idea is to withdraw all of the credit I hold, all of the credit lines and credit cards I have, put the cash in a suitcase and fly to the in deep jungle of Vietnam where no one could find me. Of course, this is a joke, but... LOL.

I want to take advantage of the CIBC offers just to show off. After all, it won't cost me anything and it will be there in case of needs, just like the thousands of other dollars I have in credit at my disposal. CIBC bank did the right thing, they decided to treat me like a princess and you know what, they are totally right about it.

Glentel Inc. (GLN) is no longer trading on the stock market, but the stocks still appear in my online portfolio, but with the mark of an * so I guess it mean something is pending. I had been thinking of new investments to take over the left place - and why not CIBC? After all, Canadian Imperial Bank Of Commerce (CM) pay a good 4.4% dividend yield distribution to its investor. I may invest in CM inside my non-registered portfolio. I am pretty sure that CIBC has a very good loan margin value. Maybe even 80% and I do need high margin value stock like that inside my non-registered portfolio.

And for my TFSA, to take the place of Glentel Inc. (GLN), I am still thinking. Maybe BIP.UN, but I don't know yet.

A small investor (me) facing rough choices: to save money or to invest it?

For once in a very long time, I left a $1 000 in my banking online savings account. That way, I won't have to pay and repay that $2.95 banking monthly fee. Banking fees can be really annoying, especially when you have that huge investment portfolio and have barely nothing at all in savings... The reason behind is the little money I have at my disposal, I am a small investor. I need to choose between saving and investing, and every single times, its my investor mood that win. But not this time. Investing in stocks is highly addicting.

I hope not to pay for banking fees ever again. I would like to have another 2k left in cash there just in case of needs. I don't know if banks with no monthly fee exist in Canada, but from what I know, the best checking accounts you can get is probably with Desjardins - or like I have - with the Caisse populaire acadienne, the best checking account for the fee. Having still my banking account in New Brunswick is my way to stay somewhat connected and to give a bit of my business to my homeland.

In 2 days, Glentel Inc. (GLN) will be acquired by BCE and I will be cashing in some $$$. This will leave me with a bit more than 2k inside my TFSA to reinvest. I am facing the same dilemma that one of my reader who asked by email what could be good investments for a TFSA. At first, I was thinking about investing - again - in the JFT Strategies Fund (JFS.UN). The fund performs well, no doubt about it, but its not a dividend payer in a regular basis and believe it or not, I need cash.

So I am now in the same situation that my reader, I am looking for a good growth dividend stock that will pay me a nice income to add up to my current dividend distribution. And when you already hold everything that I could imagines as good investment, its not easy to make a choice. I am searching for a grandpa stock - really save even if nothing is save when it come to stock - and a 4% dividend yield.

Currently, Bank of Montreal (BMO) with its 4.137% dividend yield could be a good stock pick.

Finally getting rid of Glentel Inc. (GLN) in my non-registered and TFSA portfolios

"FINALLY" is by far the most perfect word. I am too often an impulsive investor. But I only hope to become better while aging. After all, this hot chick will be turning 35 sometime in August. I like to invest in whatever announced a special dividend like the cutest rabbit. I invest in whatever BEFORE a stock split announcement, acquisitions... I adore. Nice, but sometime, following an announcement, it take a long time before a deal is being closed. And its been the case with Glentel Inc. (GLN). However, on May 20, the deal is supposed to be closed. I should received my money soon, May 20 if I got it right. I will be cashing in close to 4k.

This is very good news because I had enough of holding Glentel Inc. (GLN) in my TFSA and non-registered portfolio. In my non-registered portfolio, the sell of GLN will help to decrease my margin usage. As for the TFSA, the money will be reinvest. In what? I don't know yet.

Good Canadian dividend payers are common, its just a matter of doing the right pick.

A smart choice for investors: The North West Company Inc. (NWC)

Lou Schizas recently review a stock that I own, The North West Company Inc. (NWC), and the review is quite positive. So if you are looking for a great company that pay a decent dividend, NWC could be the right pick for you.

I had been holding JFT Strategies Fund (JFS.UN) in my portfolio since its early beginning and for this investment, I had decided to sell of some shares as soon as I hit on the $510 in profit. I had been able to successfully sell off some units at $510 one time since I had been holding JFS.UN. And I am patiently waiting for the second time. With the summer coming in a hurry, it would be nice to have a few hundreds extra to cover my expenses. I would be more in need of a 2k rather than just a $500, but hey, its how it goes. Currently, I am at $230 in profit with my JFT Strategies Fund (JFS.UN) investment. It shouldn't be

I still have a $19 000 in TFSA contribution room left, which is a shame. I selected a few stocks that I hold inside my non-registered portfolio that I can use for a contribution in kind for my TFSA. They are: 

 Black Diamond Group Ltd (BDI)

Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD)

TMX Group Inc. (X)

Crescent Point Energy Corp (CPG)

Emera Inc. (EMA)

After that, I don't see any other investments that I could switch over to my TFSA - so I will be getting a break from contribution in kind. And maybe a break from investment. With summer coming in, my expenses went up - on all kind of stuff from clothes to sunscreen and so on. CIBC Visa had sent me a 0% percent credit card balance transfer offer - but there's a catch - a 1%. However, I don't want to increase my debt level and I plan to slow down on my expenses for a little while. After all those years of investment after investment and more and more stock purchases, I am no longer the extra efficient saver that I used to be. I guess Quebec corrupted me. But in a way, my purchases were most of them needed, t-shirts and just a few summer clothes. A new pair of running shoes because the old ones gave me blisters - I have the most sensible feet of the word. What else can I say? could I really say no to a new mascara? NO.

Anyway, my next big thing is to save a $1 000 in my banking account. I never leave any balance in there and for a change, I would like to leave a little something so my banking fee will be free. Its kind of funny to switch from investing to saving. I hold close to $150 000 in net worth, but this girl have nothing that stay in her banking account. Emergency fund is not my style either way, but it's fully needed. Its not because I hold a stock portfolio that I don't need an emergency fund. I would like even a $2 to $5 000 to cover myself in case of need. 

Its about all I need right now, a bit more cash for savings.

RBC Royal Bank: stay away from these idiots

A few days ago, I received a call from an RBC Royal Bank representative. It was regarding that letter I received from them, saying that they wanted to review my account with them. Three years ago, RBC decided - over no reason - to increase the interest rate on my credit lines. At that time, I had a small balance on the credit line. Bank of Canada did not increase its prime rate in the past probably 5 years if not more. But no matter what, RBC Royal Bank came with that idea to increase the interest rate on my credit line, and that being for no reason at all. I was always paying the credit line on time. 

Also at the time, I had several thousands invested in different RBC mutual funds. So why in the world RBC target me for an increased of a credit line that I had been holding for several years now? I try to get that decision reversed. I visit my RBC Royal Bank, I call RBC, but nothing move in my favor.

Oh yeah? Really? Treating my like a shit slave did not serve any of RBC Royal Bank interests because I had decided to stop using my RBC credit line - I pay it off as quickly as possible. As for the mutual funds invested, I sold them and got the money transferred at TD Waterhouse. That was my answer to RBC Royal Bank. You don't need to treat like shit an honest worker for no reason at all. Especially knowing that there's been no increase to the prime rate. This was only made so that their CEO can touch his millions in annual salary.

I was very very upset to received a call from RBC representative asking me to review my assets with them. I didn't close the credit line neither the credit card that I hold with them because that would had affected in a bad way my credit score. So I kept everything open, but don't ever expect me as a RBC Royal Bank customer EVER never again for the rest of my living life. There you go sexy bitch!

Its really important to fight on until your last breath and no let anyone take out your dignity. In other words, do it like a Dividend Girl and FIGHT on.

A good reason not to vote for Stephen Harper and his blue clowns: Omar Khadr persecution

I never been able to understand clearly what had happened to Omar Khadr. I read the big lines of the story, but I never understood how a child soldier could had been put away for so long and the most disturbing thing: how and why was Omar Khadr put in prison for so long. But today, everything been clear up and Omar was released, under strict conditions, but release, at least. And during all that time, Stephen Harper and his bunch of blue clowns had publicly fight against the liberation of Omar Khadr. And its specifically why I won't be voting for Stephen Harper at the next federal elections. Just like at the last elections, I will vote for NPD. 

Was it already 4 years ago - I don't know - but at the last federal elections, I also vote for NPD. At that time, my vote was a strategic vote to quick out Duceppe and his Bloc whatever Quebecois. And this time, my vote will be a politic vote. I have enough of Stephen Harper. He's too arrogant and doesn't have strong community values.

I hope Canadians will wake up. Its the only way to give to this country another turn, another strong leadership, a government that will act with dignity on behalf and for its citizens.

Omar Khadr now live with his lawyer and its been said at the news that he'd pass 13 years away. I never understood how a child soldier could had spent so many years away in prison, and I don't have anything left for Stephen Harper and his Tories.

Alex Colville, a Maritime proud is exposed at the National Gallery of Canada

We are now in May. Its unbelievable, but we are in May. And in May, we'll be celebrating an holiday: the birthday of the Queen! The timing is perfect. I haven't go to Ottawa in a while. There's something exceptional going on in Ottawa right now. There's always great art show at the National Gallery of Canada, but this time, you'll all going to be very excited as a true Maritime jewel is being exposed. He wasn't born in Nova Scotia, but did his studies in New Brunswick and spent most of his life in Nova Scotia.

Prepare to discover the enigmatic world of one the most marvelous Canadian painter: Alex Colville. His painting style is very unique, minimalist, pure. And his mise en scènes are totally mysterious, extraordinary, with a lot of character and greatly inspired by the Maritime. We had inspired a very great painter. On the art scene, there's no one like Alex Colville. You can only dream of being Mr. Colville. One of a few genius of art that died just a few years ago, at a venerable age, but couldn't be possible to push away the death arrow for the ones like that. I adore Alex Colville. So you'll understand that I am very excited. I am very curious about the exhibition and cannot wait to see it. This is going to be fun!

The great thing is that Ottawa its only at 2 hours away from Montreal. No need to spend money on an hotel room (budget stretching still on no matter what, you are going to understand why soon).

If my calculations are correct, my net worth is probably around $143 000 right now. So close to the 150k! I am really not missing much at all. I used to read a blog name Fabulously Broke. I do still read from time to time but it is not as much interesting as she doesn't personally write on her blog anymore. And she's not a fanatic of the stock market. She had 155k in net worth, 4 years ago. She was a consulting - so making way much money than be, but I am following. Its just all very logical. 50k, 100k, and after 150k, and 200k, 250k, 300k... I am lucky, I may be able to reach the $200 000 net work by the time I am 40, and even maybe 250k. I don't know how much can cost a painting of Alex Colville, but it must be pretty expensive.

Very recently, Lou Schizas had reviewed a stock on which I made a small fortune on. They're some stocks like that who are the rock on my portfolio, stocks that I bought at cheap price, but became massive! And years ago, under the suggestion of Jean-François Tardif who had gave a positive BUY for this baby, I had invested in Premium Brands Holdings Corporation (PBH). Jean-François won an investing price from the Globe and Mail for that pick. When you really think about it, the goof pick, the best decisions had the power to make you a millionaire! I am smart enough to follow Tardif in his every moves and it only paid off so far. Lou review of PBH is pretty much all positive. I don't believe in any downturn anytime soon for PBH but my impulse is sometime wrong. In his next article, Lou is going to review another stock that I hold, another Maritime proud: The North West Company Inc. (NWC).

Other than that, beautiful day in Montreal, got to get ready and go outside.

Welcome in my TFSA portfolio Brookfield Renewable Energy Partners LP (BEP.UN)!

If I would had enough money, I would had invested in both Brookfield Renewable Energy Partners LP (BEP.UN) and Northland Power Inc. (NPI). But since a choice need to be made, I selected BEP.UN. BEP.UN win over my simply way of selecting stocks.

Today, I also collect the money from my sell of my Sprott Canadian Equity Fund units.It wasn't a difficult choice, but it wasn't a fun one either way. In the sell process, I lost $3 609.15. I have collected a bit more than 3k from the sale. I had no idea what to do with that money, so I reinvested it all in the JFT Strategies Fund (JFS.UN). It seem like a good option. I wasn't for sure going to invest in RBC Royal Bank (RY)! No way. Story short, I now hold JFS.UN in both my non-registered and RRSP portfolio.

I decided to say goodbye to Sprott Canadian Equity Fund inside my RRSP portfolio because since 2008, the fund had never been able to recover from the 2008 stock crash. Recently, the Sprott Energy Fund manage by Eric Nuttall featured in the Financial Post. I talked about this article previously, mostly because everything involving Sprott flash me straight in the eyes. I don't know if the author of the article was giving money by Sprott Asset Management because a wrong perception is being giving of the fund. Jonathan Ratner wrote an article that "sell" very well the Sprott Energy Fund. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that Eric Sprott is buying journalists in order to promote himself and his businesses. But that is worthless because there will always be out there smart bloggers who are able to see after facts and give their own and honest opinion about what's going on.

The article of Jonathan Ratner start with this punch line: "Welcome in my TFSA portfolio Brookfield Renewable Energy Partners LP (BEP.UN)! Eric Nuttall’s Sprott Energy Fund has gained 16% this year, making it the sector’s top performer in Canada." Ok, well dummy, if you had invested in the Sprott Energy Fund before or way before the 2008 stock market crash, you wouldn't be sitting on a 16% gain, but on several thousands of money lost. 

Most financial journalists like Jonathan Ratner - if you can name that "journalist" - are really not deep thinker. Its a propaganda article. That poor Eric Nuttall might think of himself like he's doing a good job, but it is truly not the case.

Express investment portfolio Spring cleaning

The sky is grey in Montreal and its been like that for the past couple days. So while its not appealing to be outside, I stay inside, count my every single pennies and I try to figure out what I can to improve my situation in a way or another.

The first step was an easy: I needed to take advantage of the $20 000+ contribution room available inside my TFSA. I had called TD Waterhouse this past weekend but the broker couldn't take any orders for the TFSA. Anyway, I called today and I proceed with two contribution in kind. I had two investments hold inside my non-registered portfolio and got them transferred to my TFSA. Those investments are: Laurentian Bank of Canada (LB) and The North West Company Inc. (NWC).

I also proceed with a $1 120 cash contribution for my TFSA. This is for my next investment move. Yesterday, I announced that my next investment will be in Northland Power Inc. (NPI). I received a comment from a reader suggesting Brookfield Renewable Energy Partners L.P. (BEP.UN) and  Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P. (BIP.UN) as investment. BEP.UN seem to be stronger than NPI and I have to say, BEP.UN appears a bit more appealing. I am still thinking as the money is getting transferred into my TFSA.

Another thing I did is to set up back a DRIP inside my non-registered and TFSA account. I never had a DRIP in my TFSA, but I had, back in the old days, a DRIP in my non-registered portfolio. What will be able to DRIP and reinvestment will be. EIF, PBH, JE and some other stocks will DRIP, some won't, because the amount earn in dividend is too low. I registered to a DRIP so that way, I will be more on a strict budget. I am spending too much these days and I came with this little trick to reduce the money I have at my disposal. I had a DRIP inside my RRSP since the start.

And finally but not the least, I had place a sell order for all of the units I hold of Sprott Canadian Equity Fund. I cannot wait to get ride of this investment. Every single investments I had been holding of Eric Sprott had turned into complete disaster. The money collect will be reinvested, probably in JFS.UN. I cannot wait.

His name is not Eric Sprott, but Eric Nuttall

In my investment life, Sprott Inc. (SII) was the first stock I ever bought. At that time, Eric Sprott was everywhere, Jean-François Tardif was shaking up the market with the hedge fund he was managing at Sprott Asset Management. With all that, the Dividend Girl couldn't do better than just go in and invest in everything that Eric Sprott was talking about.

And among those investments, I had invested, several years ago, in the Sprott Canadian Equity Fund. Back in the days, I couldn't invested in Jean-François Tardif hedge fund because the minimum required was $100 000. At the time, the Sprott Canadian Equity Fund was performing very well, it had a good history chart and well, so investing in the the Sprott Canadian Equity Fund inside my RRSP seemed to be the thing to do. Unfortunately, shortly after, the stock market crash deeply (2008) and the the Sprott Canadian Equity Fund haven't been able to fully recover the crash. In such market instability, the fund couldn't perfom and still can't.

I invested $7 000 in total inside the the Sprott Canadian Equity Fund and that invested currently worth $3 476.98, about half of its old value... It doesn't seem to me like the Sprott Canadian Equity Fund is going to be back on track anytime soon. Is there anything I can do to fix the situation?

These days, Eric, not Eric Sprott, but Eric Nuttall is stealing the show. Eric Nuttall manage the Sprott Energy Fund. Is being said that the fund he's managing gain 16% this year, but what the article is not sating is that year to date, just like the Sprott Canadian Equity Fund, the Sprott Energy Fund never been able to recover to its old days of glory. Both Sprott Canadian Equity Fund and Sprott Energy Fund never been able to reach back their value of BEFORE the 2008 stock crash.

What does this mean? BAD MANAGEMENT. My best advice: stay away from everything related to Eric Sprott and Sprott Asset Management. In front of volatile market, Sprott guys have no idea of what they are doing.

And option would be to sell of my investment in Sprott Canadian Equity Fund and reinvest the money in the JFT Strategies Fund (JFS.UN). JFS.UN never disappointed me and I think my money could recover and I would be in a better financial position with Jean-François Tardif.

My next investment move: Northland Power Inc. (NPI)

I always knew that RBC Royal Bank was just too boring to actually be my next investment. Just recently, I received a letter from RBC asking me to call them and fix an appointment with an adviser so my situation could be reviewed regarding my credit line I have with them and my general situation. I don't understand the point of sending me such letter because that credit line is completely paid off and I do no hold any investment with them anymore.

Back in the days, when I was building my portfolio and was at a critical point, RBC sent me a letter saying that the interest rate on my credit line was getting increased. I try to get that reversed, but all of my interventions fail. Terribly insulted, in result, I sold out all of the investments I was holding with RBC Royal Bank and I quickly paid off that credit line. Now that I have a net worth closed to the 150k and no debt that can be view on my credit score, who look like a loser now? The fact that my margin account that I hold at TD Waterhouse doesn't show up on my credit score is a real turn on. All girls have their own little dirty secrets after all and I am no exception to the rule.

LOL.

Am I really going to hold the stock of one of my enemies in? Deep inside, the answer is NO.

 

RY is a grandpa stock - not an investment for a hot chick. So I keep looking around, looking, searching... Come on, I can do better! And its when that I suddenly remembered a stock that been review by Lou and I just couldn't find it. I didn't remember the company name, but I clearly remember that it was involved in wind energy. I like the clean energy sector, and that company - from what I remembered and it still the case - had a very good overall chart. The company completely recover from the 2008 stock market crash and pay a very good dividend, 6% yield, way to go.

Want to know for real what is the name of that fantastic stock? Well rock on and get very excited, RIGHT NOW, because the name of my new baby is: Northland Power Inc. (NPI). Currently at TD Waterhouse, the stock has an 8 buy rate note. However, I wouldn't recommend to invest massively in that stock, but investing just a bit in it could be a nice way to have a feet in the clean energy sector. And all decent investors should be investing in that sector.

Even if they are disgusting, I might invest one of these days in RBC. Its really sad, but that bank is very solid  and unfortunately, I need that kind of stocks in my portfolio.

As you know, I reached 205k in investment value not long ago and I had to do something to celebrate! So I went and got my first gel manicure ever and of course, I picked a nice pink color. Going for a gel manicure is something I could get really addicted to, but I find that I have as good result doing it on my on. It stay on for about a week. And talking about money, my non-registered portfolio is currently at $139 186.65, which mean that my net worth is probably lightly exceeding the 140k. I never thought it was going to happen so quickly. My domain name is myfirst50000.com - and its not for nothing. I thought it would take me forever to even just reach the 50k. Surprise, making and loosing money on the stock market is SUPER easy after all. ;-)

The TFSA contribution is not doubling, but almost

With a contribution room of now $10 000, all of the yearly saving made can go straight to the TFSA. And voilà. I am just not sure if its effective now or just on January 2016. I don't think its effective now. Its a good news for both frugal and the riches. For once, Stephen Harper is fabulous. I still have 18k available as contribution room to my TFSA. Its a shame, but I am slowly getting organized and I am investing more and more inside my TFSA.

Today, the federal budget was announced, and today, I did my citizen duty, I got my 2014 tax declaration finally done and completed. I was surprised because I have lot less than expected to pay back. I only had to pay extra something like $80 to the federal and $260 to the provincial. My income exceed the 50k in 2014. Not enormous, but still good. Anywhere after 50k is quite good.

Now that I had so little to pay in taxes, I know I can do a new investment move. So I guess I will be doing my investment in RBC tomorrow or real soon, quite real sooner than expected.

Fresh Tories getting ready to double the TFSA contribution room - or not?

I am - for once - all excited about the federal budget that will be announced tomorrow. And what if the Tories are dumb enough to actually double the contribution room the the TFSA? Ahah! Why not? Stephen Harper and his bunch of clowns are certainly idiot enough to do such thing. And it will only benefit those who - like me and maybe you - have non-registered investment and other cash to invest in a TFSA. Its terrible politic, but hey, messy country that is Canada, the rich get it all and the poor barely get enough to cover their basic needs.

I think will see the TFSA contribution room doubling only because of the upcoming election. Its an easy way for Tories to give something to Canadians. The government of Stephen Harper haven't come with much in the recent years to help the population. It came with the idea of the TFSA a few years ago and a few years more, we are seeing the TFSA contribution room doubling.

I just keep thinking: is that really enough to prove the Tories are the government that Canadians need for 4 years? Do I want to vote for Justin Trudeau who is in favor of a dope show in Canada? NOPE. Do I want Muclair and NPD? HELL NO. Do I want Stephen Harper as Prime Minister? NO NO NO!

The problem that lovely Canadians are facing now is the lack of leadership inside the country. They're currently no good leaders in Canada to support our country and I find that very sad. It also explain the low level of participation to the election.

I am in Liberal at heart, but I really don't like Justin Trudeau. I don't like the guy at all. He's not the man fit for the job.

My net worth is now of $139 599.17

I was hoping to get there soon, I knew it was coming, and it seem like I am now sitting on a $205 871.46 portfolio. Yeah! It make my little heart beat a little bit faster. My net worth is of $139 599.17. At this time, its getting really exciting because I am really not missing much to hit on the 150k net worth. But the real excitement will be once I will be sitting on the 200k net worth. That's going to be quite something. In the meantime, my $139 000 is making me happy. It took me 8 years to have that money. At least, I have more than just the first $50 000 that I so wanted 8 years ago...

The stock market had been very good to me. I haven't done very well with a few investments - like my many investments in silver and gold, but I believe in resurrection and maybe those investments will get back on their feet and grow. I did some bad investment moves, but some other went very well. AGU, BNS, MX' ENF, CU, SJ and so many more. Another stock that I did very well on and that had been reviewed recently by Susan Brunner is AltaGas Ltd (ALA). There not much good stock adviser out there. But over the years, I had been able to quickly recognize the good from the bad ones.

I made a few thousands on Derek Foster and Susan Brunner back. And not to forget Jean-François Tardif. I made several thousands by investing in his Premium Brands Holdings Corporation (PBH) - a stock for which he had positive review. And now, I am invested in JFT Strategies Fund (JFS.UN). I never believed in his retirement. Another hot guy that know what he is talking about is Lou Schizas. For amateur like myself, the ones you follow and trust will make a big positive difference in your wellness. But still, you need to have the flair. And my best advice will be to stay away from any financial advisers. I have many bad experience here in Montreal and I wouldn't like any of my readers to get ripped off. Here in Montreal, people are individualists - no matter what they say. There're so many homeless a bit everywhere in this city, its unbelievable. And there's many aboriginal people living in the street. Its like they are coming from the north, they have dark skin that make me believe that. Financial advisers are paid by commission, and sometime not only, but they have at heart their own profit, not yours. They may be good advisers out there, but they are extremely hard to find. And just check on my list. In 8 years of stock investment, I have 4 names that I follow. Not 20, not even 10. JUST 4. Be smart and stick to the best, you'll thank me later. There are just that not many people out there that you can trust.

That close to the 150k is giving me a new source of motivation to watch my expenses a bit more, but it look to me like I could get on the 150k worth soon without any other investment. In other words, I could just let it go, and do nothing more than what had been done so far. However, I doubt I will ever go that way, investing is a drug, an addiction and I cannot stay too long without doing anything at all, even if its only contribution in kind to my TFSA. My next investment move in RBC Royal Bank, I just keep thinking about it.

Not that I adore RBC Royal Bank. They had treated me like a piece of shit in the past. For no reason, they have increased the interest rate on my credit line. Since they didn't want to do nothing about it to help me, I have pay all of my debt and I have sell of the investment that I used to hold with RBC. Get that RBC! Now, the only reason why I want to invest in RBC is that I am in search of a "safe" investment, even if nothing is really 100% safe, its possible to invest in more conservative stocks and RBC is to me one of those stock. After all, if this baby is soon going to hit on the 200k net worth, I need to do something.

There's only 2 ways to see an increase in my net worth: to invest more or pay down my margin. At $66 272.29 of usage, I still have available a bit more than 20k available on it. Just to say that my 137k non-registered portfolio have a margin worth of $88 000 - a lot of sexy cash. But no problem, I won't pick on that $20 000 available, I promise. I am starting a new journey with this saving mood. I have a deep taste for makeup, skin care, anti wrinkle cream, clothes and so much more. And coffee, and tea. Beer and wine. So when you like that much of things, money can go fast. Its just a matter to switch to my old saving behavior.

In a few days from now, we'll know if our TFSA contribution will get double or not. That will be on April 21 and I cannot wait to hear about the good news that will come from that budget. Since we are in an federal election period, the timing is just perfect for the Tories to please Canadians and especially to please me.