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Tuesday, April 24, 2012

No DRIP no more


I never taught I will do so anytime soon, but yesterday, I call my broker, DRING, DRING and cancel all DRIPs of my Canadian non-registered portfolio. Fact is, I don’t have much in cash reserved, if not almost nothing, just a few hundred bucks. Cashing in the dividend distribution is greatly needed at this time. Especially now that I am about to move back in Montreal. 

I am using as much possible my American Express for all places that accept it because I have a 0.99% interest rate for one year... My limit is very low on the American Express, which is unfortunate. I am now a big fan of buy-now-and-pay-a-bit-later..

As announced in the previous post, I am moving back to Montreal where I got a temp position. Temp or not, I jump on the offer. Job searching is terribly annoying. Anyway, the job is well paid and I don’t mind spending the whole summer in Montreal. 

I am under process to have my will done. It’s something I never took care of, probably because I don’t have kids of my own and/or sexy husband. When I will be dead I will be dead. Money won’t be of any help, but it could help other people of my family. I guess that’s the idea behind a will. Basically, I will use my $185 tax return to pay off for the will, which is $150, for the cheapest I was able to find.

From a comment I read in a previous post, I think some haters-readers really don’t know what it is to have small business. Starting something from scratch is not easy. And while mixing my small business activities with job searching well, all I can say, it’s all hard work. And talking about my small business, my English Web site is now online and no, you won’t be getting the link from here but you can always take a look at here to satisfy your taste for gossip and hot stuff.

Friday, April 20, 2012

Montreal, here I come again






































You are seeing some pictures took in Montreal because... I am moving back to Montreal...

Not even a year after I left Montreal... I am running back to town... Better to laugh about it right. I did several applications in X town of New Brunswick, but I haven't received any news. I had applied to this X job in Montreal back in March, shortly after my laid off. I got the interview today and got the job. Its a temp position, but decided to accept it because its in a nice firm located downtown Montreal and the salary giving is ok. I prefer that rather than pursuing a job search leading me no where. Anyway, I am very please. The job begin in the middle of May. I am a moving specialist, I don't count the number of times I moved around.. I don't have any problems with that. I just consider myself lucky to actually find something. F the small business project LOL. It's not f, but I will try to develop it as a side project.

I am quite happy because now, I can stop searching for a job, I can concentrate on my "business" lol or just write on HubPages and stuff.

Montreal, BE READY. I am back.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

The best banking package for start-up and small business: the RBC Small Business eAccount


Following my laid off this past March, I search several ways for me to keep going. Living in a small town in New Brunswick wasn’t playing in my favor. After my laid off, I knew things were not going to be easy. I applied for a couple of jobs here and there, without too much success. I actually may have found a temporary opportunity in Montreal, but it’s about all. 2 weeks passed after my laid off and following what, I decided to start a small business. 

I had been a small business owner for almost a month now. I found it a great idea. It’s of course certainly not easy but the process itself of opening a small business is extremely easy. I will certainly write more posts about this experience. Opening a small business is giving me the opportunity to keep myself busy in my field. I am currently mixing my small business activities with my job search. I won’t hesitate moving back to Montreal, even for just a few months of full-time work. Being self-employed is very hard. I had started with one freelance assignment. I need to launch my Web site. I wrote a couple of pages. I need to write the content of about 2 posts, get everything proofread and following what, the site will be launch. I am a bit lazy, I find it difficult to work from home. It’s difficult to remain focus and remain on a performing mode.

And who says small business says small business banking account. I check with the Caisse populaire, BMO, TD, CIBC, National Bank, Scotia Bank and RBC. And oh surprise, its RBC who’s offering the best banking package deal for small business. But of course, its all depend of what are your needs. In my case, it’s basically just to change cheque made at the name of my business name so later on I can declared the taxes. I will made a few deposits, a few withdraws, nothing more.

For such basic needs, the RBC Small Business eAccount is the best deal, but only in term of electronic and ATMs transactions. With the RBC Small Business eAccount, no minimal balance is needed. Let say I deposited a cheque in the ATM machine, than, the fee is only of $0.20 per cheque deposits. However, if I want to depose cash, it’s $2.15 per $1,000. No big deal because that won’t happen. Other business will pay me with PayPal or, most likely, with cheques.

With the RBC Small Business eAccount, there’s no monthly fee and no minimum balance required. The RBC Small Business eAccount is perfect for you if you can perform your transactions with ATM and electronically. Also, if you have a personal banking account with RBC, it can be link to your new RBC Small Business eAccount. That way, you can perform transform transactions from an account to another. All electronic transactions made with the RBC Small Business eAccount are free. However, be careful, because normal fees in your personal banking account will apply.

I personally never deposit a cheque using ATM. I have direct deposit for all my pay cheques, it’s partly why. But even there, I don’t like the ATM machine very much. I use ATM to withdraw money every months, but in term of deposit, I don’t really trust. Reason why is that you insert money in the envelop and then the ATM, the ATM give a receipt, but just a receipt. The money is not right away in the banking account. However, with the RBC Small Business eAccount, I will be giving it a try. If I do the deposit in-branch, it’s $3.50 + $0.20.... Quite a lot of money.

Do a search and you’ll see, banking account for small business can be very expensive. From now on, I will become friend with the ATM machine...

I previously had open with the Caisse populaire acadienne, but I misunderstood... I need a balance of 2k, if not, it’s $7 per month + transaction fees. AIE! That’s hurt!

The RBC Small Business eAccount is a good deal if, like me, you are just looking to do a minimum of transactions for your small business. You may want to contact RBC Royal Bank for more information :0)

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Derek Foster and the value of simplicity: from investor to minimalist

In his latest newsletter, Derek Foster exposed the benefit of living simply, without gadget. I totally agree with the idea. However, I love my iPod, my laptop, my digital camera. When I was in Montreal, I used to have a cell phone. I didn’t have a land line and having access to a phone whenever needed was of a great benefit. 

When I buy a gadget, I use it for a very long time. A little way back, I bought myself a mini laptop, with a screen of 10’1. It’s very light and I can easily carry it everywhere I go. Without it, I couldn’t watch on my stock or either blog... I love my gadgets and I wouldn’t like to live without them. But I guess the point of Derek Foster was about over-spending and how folks in the 60s, 70s were not spending as much as the popular crowd of today.

Fact is, every single dollar save is a dollar in place for financial freedom. The less gadgets you own, the less you spend... But imagine having to go to an Internet cafe every single time you need to access to your emails, check on stock, etc... In that case, not having a laptop wouldn’t be of any help to save money. I guess you could always go to the library, but it will be annoying.

Personally, my only luxuries are my debt, on which my minimum monthly payment is a bit less than $300. I had been living below my needs for years and it has allows me to save a fortune to generate a dividend income that can pay alone my minimum living expenses. While being unemployed, I don’t have to worry about making ends meet. Unemployment benefit will basically be money to help me decrease my debt level and maybe for a little bit of shopping... lol.

Anyway, there will never be enough emphasis made on the importance of savings and Derek Foster latest newsletter was great for that. Generally speaking, I am a great saver. I never had any problem to save money, it always came naturally to me. It’s a nature that varies from an individual to another. My brother, who’s 16 months younger than me, is much more a spender than a saver. A good friend of mine, who grow in the same little suburb and went to school with me had real problem at saving money. I had to borrow her some money once so she can make a car payment on time... I am not better than anyone else, but just to say that a “saving nature” has nothing to do with from where you are coming from or your family environment.

However, the how-to-save-money is something that can be learned. The Fabulously Broke Blogger is an illustration of that. She had paid more than 60k worth of debt quite quickly once she realized the power of savings. Today, my investment me to face a laid off without too much trouble. It’s a blessing to be able to survive on dividend distribution. At this point, my dividend income could allow me to pay my minimum living expenses, but just the minimum. In case of survival needs, I am pretty much like Fabulously Broke, I could make a nice living on $1 000 a month. Generating $12 000 a year in dividend income is really not difficult. However, my word is to stay away from companies that provided an exaggerated dividend yield. We have lived quite an adventure with Yellow Media Inc. (YLO). YLO was one of those arrogant businesses giving away too much cash to their investors. And the results are what we know today.

The power of dividend investment and living below your needs

From what I calculated back in February 2012, my annual dividend income is of 7 007$. This is the dividend amount generated by my non-registered portfolio only. I have an investment in US dollars and I also have my TFSA that doesn’t really generate any substantial dividend income. In my non-registered portfolio, I hold a bit more than 3k in the First Majestic Silver Corp (FR). First Majestic Silver Corp (FR) doesn’t distribute any dividend at this time. So I could eventually reinvest the money in order to increase my dividend income. But even a 7k dividend income is quite substantial.

Let’s have a quick look, one more time, at my monthly budget. What do I need to support myself?

Monthly rent to my old folks: $350
Gas: $50
Student loan: $98
TD RRSP loan: $107.03
American Express at 0.99% for a year: $29
RBC credit line: $45
TD Visa: $28
Banking fees: $6

TOTAL: $713.03

Those are for the minimum of the minimum expenses. But of course, I buy myself some coffees, I sometime buy cosmetics, eat out or whatever else. So adding up my minimum monthly expenses to $1 000 would be quite reasonable. I cannot pay that $713.03 from my dividend income but I could easily, with a bit of restructuring.

This amount doesn’t include my car insurance. I am currently good until September 2012. I had paid 1 300$ for my first year as a car driver... Quite a lot of money, knowing I drive a 2002 car... However, I should be paying less next year, maybe $900?

To that $900, we need to add oil change and tired change... maybe $140? Right there, owning a car is expensive, it’s more than $1 000. I could eliminate the car, but it would be very annoying not having a car while living where I am, in X town of New Brunswick.

I thing you got the point by now: the less we spend, the better is.

In Derek Foster latest newsletter, we learned the importance of savings, but we also learned something else: Derek Foster had sold his house and many of his belongings! Why? Well, Derek Foster has decided to hit the road with his wife and 5 (or 6?) kids... oohahahhhhh! I am just wondering what he will do for their school year. Anyway, from what I understand, it will be a one year road-trip. Maybe the little kids will be missing one year of schooling, I really don’t know. However, I felt as excited as if it would be me going on a road trip. 

Derek Foster had lived for a long time close to Ottawa, from memory Wagana Beach or something of that sound. Anyway, he won’t have high residential tax fee to pay for a little while. It’s going to be much more fun to be living in a camper, enjoying the outside live style. Having his money, I would be doing the same. Only problem being the schooling of his little boys and later on, his little girl, but hey, it’s none of my prob!!!

Interesting? Oh yeah, Derek Foster is always interesting to follow and read, almost just like me.
ahah

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Investors, please meet David Aisenstat and The Keg Royalties Income Fund (KEG.UN)


I just completed another article on HubPages. My last one is about David Aisenstat, President and CEO of The Keg Royalties Income Fund (KEG.UN) and The Keg Restaurants Ltd. At first, I started doing research on David Aisenstat because he’s the ex-husband of Christina Kiesel, a cast member of The Desperate Housewives of Vancouver. The show aired on Slice, a Canadian network that I never heard before and unfortunately, I don’t have Slice in my cable package, so I basically wrote about stuff I cannot even watch and I am dying to see the show. The Desperate Housewives of Vancouver! Imagine the riches Canadian women living a “free” lifestyle with Botox, men and millions. Sound appealing? It does sound appealing to me! It’s so totally at the opposite of who I am that I cannot help it.

My Internet activities conduct me to read about multiple stuffs and lately, I start generating a great income. Nothing I can live on exclusively, but add to my dividend income, my online income is really helping me to pay off my minimal living expenses.

All this to say, I read about David Aisenstat because of the glamorous Christina Kiesel of The Desperate Housewives of Vancouver and I find very interesting stuff. Generally speaking, I am not very attracted by restaurants, but The Keg Restaurants Ltd. is one of those exceptions. First of all, the design of those Keg Restaurants is just so beautiful – from what I had been able to see online.

Following what, I conduct some search about The Keg Royalties Income Fund (KEG.UN). KEG.UN is so interesting. The 10 year-chart is very amazing, very sharp. I wouldn’t expect a restaurant chain to propose something this strong. KEG.UN went down during the 2008 stock crash, but it quickly rebounded and today, KEG.UN even exceed the stock value of the before 2008. Only very strong stocks are able to perform this way and its truly spectacular coming from a restaurant chain to show something like this. It’s almost breathtaking. And David Aisenstat by himself is a good looking man, despite being bold. But that has nothing to do with KEG.UN right? LOL.

The Keg Royalties Income Fund (KEG.UN) has a good dividend yield of 6.621%. The dividend distribution is monthly. Really, KEG.UN has everything investors can dream of. It’s fascinating. I am happy with this new finding of mine.

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

The Maple Group acquisition deal over the TMX Group Inc. (X): anytime soon?


Once the Maple Group completed the acquisition of the TMX Group Inc. (X), I will be happily cashing in more than 5k in fresh cash right on where I need it the most: in my broker account. On date of February 2012, my annual dividend income was of $7 007. Collecting more than 5k in cash will allow me to restructure partly my portfolio. I plan to reinvest in order to collect the equivalent of $603 per month.

I can easily do so by reinvested in some REIT and other stuff that we had look into a couple of days or weeks ago. Everything had been set and plan extra carefully. Now, I am only missing the cash. I am ready, Maple Group, you can come over!

Since we are in a down market right now, I could buy new stocks at a low price and at the same time, boost my dividend income. No matter that the stock market is playing low right now, I will be still collecting more than 5k in cash because I have selected the cold cash option at $50 per stock over the Maple Group deal. 

I had been waiting I don’t know how many months now for the Maple Group deal to go through. I had been more than patient. Now, time has come. We’ll see if something happen by the end of April. I think this month is going to be the month. Maybe.

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

The performance of my investment portfolio in the stock market salvation


For the past couple days, the TSX had been down. I didn’t want to see the TSX under the 12 000 points, but for today, the worst had happen. It seem like the TSX will close its day behind the 12k points... However, things are not so bad for my portfolio. My non-registered portfolio is at $121 465.72. As long as I am exceeding the 120k, I am happy. Thanks to the blue chips add in the past several months in my portfolio, stuff like TransCanada Corp (TRP), Canadian National Railway Co (CNR), Enbridge Inc. (ENB), Agrium Inc. (AGU) and Canadian Utilities Limited (CU), my portfolio is extra strong. But of course, if the stock market continues to drop, no matter what I hold, I won’t be able to keep the 120k values for very long. I am unfortunately very aware of that. 

However, I remain optimistic for several reasons.

First of all, no matter how in bad shape the stock market is, my Just Energy Group Inc. (JE) is doing super great. We are almost back to the $14 per stock!!! What else can I say? I told you that my Just Energy was going to go far! And the best thing is that no matter that the TSX is down, JE is still going like a rocket! My investment value in Je is almost exceeding its book value at this point. It’s quite good. (I have invested almost 10k in JE!!). Do I like JE? Oh yes, really really much! Just Energy Group Inc. (JE) never let me down for very long.

Remember my little investment in Chorus Aviation Inc. (CHR.B)? Well, I made a cutty profit of $45 on it. It’s kind of growing strong, and that being despite the market condition. So it’d of kind of cool.
My PPL stocks are on their way to hit again the $30 per stock.

Seeing Canfor Pulp Products Inc. (CFX) hitting over $14 per stock is quite of a good sign too.
Luckily, I hold on to some stocks that are really performing well, no matter what are the market conditions.

Stock like Agrium Inc. (AGU), Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS), Canadian National Railway Co (CNR), Canadian Utilities Limited (CU), Chorus Aviation Inc. (CHR.B), Corby Distilleries Limited (CDL.A), Davis + Henderson Corporation (DH), Enbridge Inc. (ENB), Enbridge Income Fund Holdings Inc. (ENF), Exchange Income Corporation (EIF), Firm Capital Mortgage Investment Corporation (FC), Fortis Inc. (FTS), K-Bro Linen Inc. (KBL), iShares S&P/TSX Capped REIT Index (XRE), Methanex Corporation (MX), Pembina Pipeline Corporation (PPL), Pengrowth Energy Corporation (PGF), Student Transportation (STB), TMX Group Inc. (X), TransCanada Corp (TRP), Veresen Inc. (VSN), WesternOne Equity Income Fund (WEQ.UN) and Westshore Terminals Invest Corp (WTE.UN) are investments that are all exceeding their book value. 

Sometime I hit, and when I do so, I hit well.

In the other hand, other stuff that I hold remains stable, in their usual and they are not very exciting stuff to hold. It’s the case of Rogers Sugar Inc. (RSI), Sprott Strategic Fixed Income Fund (SFI.UN) and Horizons Gold Yield Fund (HGY).

And other stuff, unfortunately, are taking an in deep SHOCK, right from the inside out. Sprott Inc. (SII) slide below the $5 per stock value, which is frightening knowing that I hold more than 1 000 stocks of the Sprott darling. I don’t like to see Data Group Inc. (DGI) falling below the $5 per stock... And now, I am unhappy because yeah, Data Group Inc. (DGI) is under the $5... DGI can be quite sensible to the market volatility. EnCana Corporation (ECA) is under the $20... I don’t like to see that either, but ECA had sometime be under the $20, it’s kind of a usual situation now. 

No matter what, holding on could pay on the long run and I am not in a hurry to restructure anything because really soon, I will be holding some units of the JFT Strategies Fund and I hope that JFT Strategies Fund will gain value so much that I won’t be suffering much of the capital loss experimented with DGI, ECA, SII and a few other. That’s the plan. Basically, Jean-François Tardif is my saviour. I wonder what will be the loan value (for my margin account) of the JFT Strategies Fund once it will be out there and alive on the TSX. I would like a 30%, at least. Will the people of TD Waterhouse be smart enough to provide the JFT Strategies Fund a loan value of 30% to the fund? We’ll have to see. I didn’t receive my JFT Strategies Fund units yet. I don’t know if Jean-François Tardif is ready but I am, and I hope you’ll be ready too!! It’s going to be hot-hot-hot.

Another thing I cannot wait for to happen is the acquisition of the TMX Group Inc. (X) by the Maple Group. Once the deal done and completed for good, I will be earning more than 5k. Following what, I will be able to invest that amount of money in whatever I want... I am looking forward for a good REIT investment since I am not very much invested in the sector and another 2-3 things. But don’t worry for me, I have number of ideas just waiting to jump out.

April 30 is marked in red in my calendar.

Monday, April 9, 2012

OH NO! Eric Sprott has a thing for my First Majestic Silver Corp (FR)!

Back in November 2010, I started trading silver on a regular basis through the PHS.U. From November 2010 to May 2011, trading silver was easy and fun. But in May 2011, the value of silver crash, and since that time, the PHS.U never hit back its old $20+ value per unit. I hold PHS.U in my RRSP and TFSA portfolio. I also hold the PSLV in US dollars. 

Unfortunately, I had invested in PSLV when units were at its highest, just BEFORE the May 2011 silver crash... When the silver crash happens, Eric Sprott declared that someone somewhere was manipulating the value of silver. How, I don’t know exactly, but it could involved millions and millions in silver investment and when the same investor proceed with a quick sell, the silver value drop. My playtime with silver last for about 7 months.However, I never gave up on PSLV and PHS.U. Following the silver crash, I decided to hold to my silver units and wait for a recovery... 

Did I take a good decision? It could be the case, according to Gordon Pape latest article, “Eric Sprott goes all in on silver”, Eric Sprott still have a crush on silver.We had reported it on The Dividend Girl blog, Eric Sprott is a huge promoter of silver. According to Gordon Pape, Eric Sprott is not giving up on silver anytime soon, for the reasons Sprott already gave in the past. You can read the article of Gordon Pape, you’ll see, Sprott hasn’t modify his analysis a bit when it come to silver. It’s always the same game. And believe it or not, Eric Sprott must be a reader of The Dividend Girl because he has his eyes on MY First Majestic Silver Corp (FR). 

This is very scary because now, the stock is being made popular. Everyone now knows about FR, readers and not readers of ME and that is kind of not good. When you hold something very precious like First Majestic Silver Corp (FR), it’s something you keep in your portfolio like a precious pearl. But now, mega millionaires know about FR and the stock could now face multiple manipulations, just like silver itself. So it’s really not good. Some readers had said that some Sprott people knew about DNI Metals Inc. (DNI), but I never been able to establish a relation between DNI and Sprott. However, that’s completely different when it comes to First Majestic Silver Corp (FR). It’s been clearly said by Gordon Pape, Eric Sprott like FR. I just have one little thing to say to Eric Sprott: 

STOP READING MY BLOG AND STOP PICKING FROM MY PORTFOLIO OK.

;))))

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

For once, Gordon Pape is giving a FREE hand to dividend investors


In his latest article title “A portfolio for yield-hungry investors”, Gordon Pape is having a conversation with dividend orientated investors. And guess what? I am a dividend oriented investor. Let’s have a look at Gordon Pape dividend stock pick suggestion. For once, Gordon Pape decided to give free advice. We’ll see what they worth.

Atlantic Power Corp (ATP): I already own this one

I own Atlantic Power Corp (ATP) since May 2011. I love the stock. ATP 10-year chart is a rocking babe. ATP quickly recovered from the 2008 stock crash, no doubt about it. The chart is crystal clear. Just to make things better, ATP has an interesting dividend yield, 8.462%. Dividend distributions are on a monthly basis. During the last quarter of 2011, Atlantic Power Corp (ATP) acquired Capital Power Income L.P., another stock that I was holding back than in my portfolio.

We all now know from where Mr. Gordon Pape is getting some of his stock ideas from. FROM ME. ;)))

Davis + Henderson Corporation (DH): I already own this one

I acquired Davis + Henderson Corporation (DH) for the first time back in January 2010 if not even earlier, but I was able to track on date of January 2010 on my blog. I really DH, it sometime pay a special dividend. Great stock. The chart is a bit chaotic, but it worth to invest a little of your money in DH.

Freehold Royalties Ltd. (FRU): 

I don’t know Freehold Royalties Ltd. (FRU). 

FRU dividend yield is of 8.828% and the payments are monthly.

The 10 year-chart is ok, but Freehold Royalties Ltd. (FRU) was not able to reach or even exceed the same stock value it has before the 2008 stock crash.

For that reason, I am not interested in Freehold Royalties Ltd. (FRU). Sorry Gordon Pape, but I pass on this one.

Just Energy Group Inc. (JE): I already own this one

I am a super fan of Just Energy Group Inc. (JE). I had been holding on this one since 2009. The dividend yield is of 8.857% and the distributions are made monthly. 

The 10 year-chart is a bit chaotic, however, I love my Just Energy!

Liquor Stores N.A. Ltd. (LIQ):

I don’t know this stock. Liquor Stores N.A. Ltd. (LIQ) never jumps back to its old stock value of before the 2008 stock crash. Liquor Stores N.A. Ltd. (LIQ)? It’s a no-no for me.

Morneau Shepell Inc. (MSI):

I don’t know this stock.

Again here, Morneau Shepell Inc. (MSI) stock value price never hit back the old value of the before 2008... 

It’s a NO for me.

Pembina Pipeline Corp. (PPL): I already own this one

Pembina? It’s a Derek Foster stock that I had been holding since the early beginning of my stock adventure. I double my money on PPL. 

Pembina Pipeline Corp. (PPL) is a must have to any stock portfolio.

Sun Life Financial Inc. (SLF):

No. There will be no insurance company in my portfolio. NEVER.

Sorry Gordon Pape.

Chemtrade Logistics Income Fund (CHE.UN):

The 10 year-chart of CHE.UN is all over the place. It’s a big NO for me.

Once again, sorry Gordon Pape.

Pure Industrial Real Estate Trust (AAR.UN):

This one is interesting. Thank you Gordon Pape! Pure Industrial Real Estate Trust (AAR.UN) trade at less than $5 per unit. AAR.UN is part of the 50 Venture list. The chart is a rocket. The dividend yield is a bit more than 6% and the dividend are being paid monthly.

That was the list of Gordon Pape latest FREE recommendation. He should have included Firm Capital Mortgage Investment Corporation (FC) in. FC is a stock I invested in after reading Gordon Pape. 

Gordon Pape? Yeah, he’s sometime good.

The only new stock that catches my attention is Pure Industrial Real Estate Trust (AAR.UN). It could worth a $500 investment.

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

What all dividend investors need to know about unemployment benefit


Time is passing by so terribly quickly! As you may know, I had been laid off beginning of March. The excuse that had been giving to me was a lack of financial resources. And that reason is true. However, I was promised a full-time, permanent position. I had moved from Montreal to my hometown for that. Things didn’t turn the way I expected them. Who’s that evil in New Brunswick to make move someone from Montreal for not even 6 months of employment? Well, such people exist and they are from my hometown, right next door... almost... At the time of my laid off, I was giving a nice reference letter, but sh*t. I asked why was I hired on the first place? If you have financial problems now, you might has the same problems back in September right? The answer I was giving is that it was my decision to move and accept the job. OH MY GOD! I am not going to give up on this. THEY ARE GOING TO SEE WHAT HELL REALLY LOOKS LIKE. OH YEAHHHHHHHHHH.

I am not going to do anything illegal because you know, your Dividend Girl is not really evil herself ok. Of course not. But I have rights. I have right to complaint at the Work Department or whatever else it is name. I have the right to fill out a small claim. Luckily, in New Brunswick, the max aloud is 30k. I am going to go straight to the point with those little F and I will get the last pennies of their pocket. Its going to be SEXY UGLY.

Ok, you may told yourself, yeah yeah, but you had said BEFORE that YOU WERE going to fill a small claim. I know. But I didn’t take care of it. I had been lost on the everything else I have to do. And I got lost very easily.

But hey, I am not weak. I had spent some time working at a contract I had found online. It went well. So far, I may have made more than $500. I had been lucky in my search, but it’s hard worked, but enjoyable and it kept me busy in my field of interest. And no, I am not going to tell you what it is. NEVER. Lala

Remember, I also started a business of my own with my business name, my business number AND my business bank account. I had filled today a form to get my tax number today. It was about the only thing missing.

I need to come with a Web site and I need to have an email address with my business domain address. I haven’t worked on that at all. 

I tried to search for other contracts, but I haven’t found anything yet.

HOWEVER. I didn’t try very hard.

Even let say, I only earned $500 a month from my business, I will have enough to live on. And that because of my dividend income. With 1k a month, I live the godness lifestyle. I don’t really have any stress at all. My dividend income is about $600 a month in average. Add to this my online income (about $100 per month in average. Basically, with that $700, I cover my basic expenses. That my business work or not, it’s not really a problem. But of course, living on a $700 monthly is not what I want. I need a bit more than that for gas, car related expenses, clothes, makeup and many other. So adding an extra $500 in could make things work out very well.

One of the job I had before in Montreal are seeking for online agents. I need to apply. It’s the minimum salary for 20 hours. However, that add to my “business” and my dividend income and the little online income, it began to make it substantial. It could worth the try.

I had look around here for work, I had reply to some adds, gave away my resume to a couple of places. But I haven’t found anything yet.

And here I am coming to something I learn: while being on the unemployment insurance, dividend investor can touch their dividend distribution without having to declare it. Luckily, dividend distributions are not being recognized as an income that you need to declare every two weeks on the unemployment benefit declaration. I WAS SO RELEASED AND HAPPY when I learned this. However, don’t take this information as being a good one, you may want to double check just to make sure.

It’s difficult to be self-employed while being on the unemployment because it extends the waiting delay before you can touch any insurance benefit. It’s because of a special form that needs to be fill. And so far, every two weeks, I need to call to report my situation. Be careful regarding the self-work question. If you have a business of your own or are self-employed, you need to answer by YES even if you are not making any money from the business activities. Example, let say that for the last declaration of the past 2 weeks, I have a business, but I haven’t made money yet, I need to answer yes anyway regarding the question if I am self-employed. 

On top of that, you request to receive unemployment insurance could be accept OR refuse. But it is most likely it will be accept if you have work as an employer for a straight 14 weeks.

 Complicated? A bit, but manageable.

 It makes a lot of things to check into. I don’t even know if I had been accepted to receive unemployment benefit yet. It been close to a month now, but the normal delay is 28 days. I don’t have a patience nature. The unemployment money will be money that I will cherish and use to pay off my credit line at 7.52%. 

Other than that, I plan to do a very HUGE garden this spring. I already bought some seeds of all kind of flowers and vegetables. I don’t know how to do a garden, but I am going to do one anyway. It’s going to be on my grandmother land. I have the whole background to play with. Of course, it’s all about money. For a couple of months, I am going to be a farmer. I hope to make some cash on my garden.

I didn’t tell you so yet, but I decided to stay here for the summer :) SEXY BIKINI, I AM COMING! xoxoxoxo

I have too many projects to leave now. And anyway, the workplace isn’t the greatest right now. I prefer to explore my business activities deeper and.... I also have an ebook project among the way. Ok, imagine 50 pages of fresh RAW English for yourself. It’s going to be awesome.

One other problem is having too much to think of, but I get things done anyway. Its all different now. I am not use to what I am living in. All that S*HIT.

:0)