The Dividend Girl: 2024

Thursday, November 14, 2024

Welcoming a $460,527.54 net worth

With the TSX closing today’s session at 25,049.67 points, I was curious to calculate my net worth. I recently sold the BCE shares in my non-registered portfolio, so I wanted to see how the numbers would shape up. My finances remain strong; while I haven’t exceeded my all-time high net worth of $461,948.22 from October 17. At currently $460,527.54, showing good stability.

As of today, my non-registered portfolio stands at $156,658.17, my US portfolio at $8,524.04 CAD, my TFSA portfolio at $153,746.40, and my RRSP stocks-only portfolio at $72,651.15. Thanks to the BCE sale, my margin debt has been reduced to $3,679.54. The interest rate on my margin debt is currently 7.50%—quite high, which is why I find it important to pay it off as quickly as possible.

I don’t recall updating my investment portfolio while the TSX was at 25,000 points, so this is likely a first for me.

Historic of my Total assets and Net worth values on date of November 14, 2024

2024

Total in assets: $464,207.08/Net worth: $460,527.54: November 14, 2024

Total in assets: $466,665.20/Net worth: $461,948.22: October 17, 2024 - Highest net worth ever!!!!

Total in assets: $465,108.53/Net worth: $460,391.55: October 16, 2024 - First time I am in the 460k!

Total in assets: $461,695.76/Net worth: $456,916.94: October 11, 2024

Total in assets: $456,672.76/Net worth: $451,890.80: October 4, 2024 - First time I ever hit on the 450k!

Total in assets: $452,186.49/Net worth: $447,251.10: September 26, 2024

Total in assets: $450,780.69/Net worth: $447,210.34: September 13, 2024

Total in assets: $447,942.71/Net worth: $444,372.36: September 12, 2024 - First time I ever hit on the 444k

Total in assets: $443,006.26/Net worth: $439,463.77: September 9, 2024

Total in assets: $440,323.44/Net worth: $435,834.87: August 23, 2024

Total in assets: $438,570.89/Net worth: $432,208.43: July 31, 2024 - first time I ever reached 430k.

Total in assets: $434,175.23/Net worth: $427,812.77: July 22, 2024

Total in assets: $419,382.05/Net worth: $413,741.80: May 10, 2024

Total in assets: $415,656.63/Net worth: $407,032.02: March 28, 2024

Total in assets: $410,830.45/Net worth: $403,444.26: March 8, 2024

Total in assets: $409,656.30/Net worth: $402,219.07: March 7, 2024 - first time I ever reached 400k net worth!
Total in assets: $407,214.02/Net worth: $399,776.79: March 6, 2024
Total in assets: $406,530.78/Net worth: $399,043.10: March 1, 2024

Total in assets: $404,868.06/Net worth: $393,617.74: February 17, 2024 - first time I ever hit 393k!

Total in assets: $404,016.51/Net worth: $392,766.19: February 15, 2024 - first time I ever hit 392k!

Total in assets: $401,516.67/Net worth: $390,264.22: February 12, 2024 - first time I ever hit 390k!

Total in assets: $401,713.44/Net worth: $389,317.63: January 29, 2024 - first time I ever hit 389k!

Total in assets: $400,412.81/Net worth: $388,017: January 28, 2024 - first time I ever hit 388k!

Total in assets: $399,833.32/Net worth: $387,437.51: January 25, 2024 - first time I ever hit 387k!

Total in assets: $396,039.93/Net worth: $382,559.57: January 8, 2024 - first time I ever hit 382k!
Total in assets: $393,167.74/Net worth: $379,670.38: January 5, 2024

2023

Total in assets: $406,622.25/Net worth: $380,929.15: December 29, 2023

Total in assets: $408,307.33/Net worth: $380,099.13: December 27, 2023

Total in assets: $406,167.92/Net worth: $380,273.66: December 14, 2023

Total in assets: $402,432.82/Net worth: $376,538.56: December 13, 2023

Total in assets: $397,453.80/Net worth: $371,540.77: December 8, 2023

Total in assets: $395,604.93/Net worth: $368,453.87: December 1, 2023

Total in assets: $390,070.59/Net worth: $362,630.53: November 17, 2023
Total in assets: $381,814.54/Net worth: $354,269.04: November 3, 2023
Total in assets: $373,267.72/Net worth: $345,282.56: October 6, 2023

Total in assets: $393,849.39/Net worth: $367,685.60: August 11, 2023

Total in assets: $397,595.65/Net worth: $361,500.59: July 18, 2023

Total in assets: $416,472.91/Net worth: $370,235.74: May 6, 2023

Total in assets: $419,167.77/Net worth: $373,150.19: April 21, 2023 - first time I ever hit the 373k!

Total in assets: $416,945.17/Net worth: $370,829.18: April 13, 2023 - first time I am in the 370k!

Total in assets: $415,945.38/Net worth: $369,820.54: April 11, 2023

Total in assets: $413,311.52/Net worth: $366,524.01: February 13, 2023

Total in assets: $411,186.99/Net worth: $364,399.48: February 10, 2023

Total in assets: $408,656.95/Net worth: $361,844.12: February 7, 2023

Total in assets: $407,606.87/Net worth: $361,043.28: January 17, 2023

Total in assets: $405,708.89/Net worth: $359,060.31: January 16, 2023

Total in assets: $404,983.22/Net worth: $358,324.64: January 13, 2023

Total in assets: $403,429.72/Net worth: $356,771.14: January 12, 2023

Total in assets: $399,232.95/Net worth: $352,574.37: January 11, 2023

Total in assets: $396,629.76/Net worth $349,971.18: January 10, 2023

Total in assets: $395,568.27/Net worth $348,909.69: January 9, 2023
Total in assets: $393,444.59/Net worth $346,786.01: January 6, 2023

2022

Total in assets: $384,602.29/Net worth $337,875.65: December 30, 2022

Total in assets: $394,205.35/Net worth $347,621.02: November 25, 2022

Total in assets: $383,659.43/Net worth $337,227.95: November 11, 2022

Total in assets: $373,493.10/Net worth $327,061.62: November 4, 2022

Total in assets: $356,147.14/Net worth $309,920.82: October 11, 2022

Total in assets: $396,620.95/Net worth $350,590.82: August 14, 2022

Total in assets: $369,523.83/Net worth $323,815.43: June 24, 2022

Total in assets: $367,287.71/Net worth $321,579.31: June 20, 2022

Total in assets: $364,145.55/Net worth $318,437.15: June 18, 2022

Total in assets: $398,010.84/Net worth $352,164.94: June 2, 2022

Total in assets: $385,843.39/Net worth May 20, 2022: $340,156.47

Total in assets: $407,547.23/Net worth $361,442.42: April 20, 2022

Total in assets: $405,658.35/Net worth $358,941.11: March 29, 2022

Total in assets: $403,792.28/Net worth $357,075.04: March 25, 2022

Total in assets: $402,081.01/Net worth $355,363.77: March 22, 2022

Total in assets: $400,979.64/Net worth $354,262.40: March 21, 2022 - First time I ever hit on the $400,000 in total assets!

Total in assets: $398,652.13/Net worth $352,071.24: March 18, 2022 - First time I ever hit on the $350,000 in net worth value!

Total in assets: $396,355.91/Net worth $349,713.01: March 10, 2022

Total in assets: $393,037.13/Net worth: $347,573.53: March 4, 2022

Total in assets: $391,766.36/Net worth: $345,622.80: February 9, 2022

Total in assets: $382,726.19/Net worth: $341,862.36: February 2, 2022

Total in assets: $386,320.32/Net worth: $340,128.37: February 1st, 2022

2021

Total in assets: $385,979.66/Net worth: $339,434.39: December 31, 2021

Total in assets: $382,726.19/Net worth: $336,268.16: December 23, 2021

Total in assets: $388,421.37/Net worth: $340,312.77 - FIRST TIME I EVER REACHED A $340,000 NET WORTH!
November 8, 2021

Total in assets: $387,068.51/Net worth: $338,959.91: November 5, 2021

Total in assets: $384,785.92/Net worth: $336,781.52: October 20, 2021

Total in assets: $382,580.80/Net worth: $334,576.40: October 19, 2021

Total in assets: $379,263.95/Net worth: $330,680.17: October 14, 2021

Total in assets: $364,072.52/Net worth: $315,407.64: July 26, 2021
Total in assets: $358,867.59/Net worth: $311,858.22: June 15, 2021
Total in assets: $354,774.64/Net worth: $307,559.30: June 10, 2021
Total in assets: $348,042.77/Net worth: $300,799.45 - FIRST TIME I EVER REACHED 300k in net worth, on May 26, 2021
Total in assets: $346,583.88/Net worth: $298,486.93: May 20, 2021
Total in assets: $349,651.45/Net worth: $298,435.31: May 7, 2021
Total in assets: $347,002.53/Net worth: $297,614.64: April 16, 2021
Total in assets: $338,188.16/Net worth: $287,914.75: March 11, 2021
Total in assets: $333,970.92/Net worth: $283,675.99: March 9, 2021
Total in assets: $328,881.12/Net worth: $279,611.57: February 10, 2021
Total in assets: $326,670.02/Net worth: $278,758.37: February 8, 2021
Total in assets: $324,891.52/Net worth: $276,979.87: February 4, 2021
Total in assets: $322,236.52/Net worth: $274,318.36: February 3, 2021
Total in assets: $327,639.01/Net worth: $274,298.23: January 19, 2021
Total in assets: $316,192.85/Net worth: $268,180.14: January 7, 2021
Total in assets: $313,003.95/Net worth: $264,915.22: January 6, 2021
Total in assets: $310,587.36/Net worth: $262,498.63: January 5, 2021

2020
Total in assets: $310,392.38/Net worth: $259,661.24: December 31, 2020
Total in assets: $307,812.05/Net worth: $259,070.79: December 24, 2020
Total in assets: $306,444.25/Net worth: $258,948.73: December 4, 2020
Total in assets: $304,701.39/Net worth: $257,331.58: November 27, 2020
Total in assets: $300,956.84/Net worth: $253,587.03: November 24, 2020
Total in assets: $298,903.01/Net worth: $251,533.20: November 23, 2020
Total in assets: $296,643.60/Net worth: $249,158.71: November 20, 2020
Total in assets: $294,514.87/Net worth: $247,145.87: November 11, 2020
Total in assets: $291,172.40/Net worth: $243,802.59: November 10, 2020
Total in assets: $287 803.13/Net worth: $240 433.32: November 9, 2020
Total in assets: $277,872.92/Net worth: $226,678.26: August 5, 2020
Total in assets: $276,627.27/Net worth: $227,745.47: June 6, 2020
Total in assets: $263,304.63/Net worth: $211,395.63: April 29, 2020
Total in assets: $241 461,13/Net worth: $194 558,29: March 13, 2020
Total in assets: $282,640.61/Net worth: $235,284.72: February 21, 2020
Total in assets: $304,955.72/Net worth: $257,187.44: February 12, 2020
Total in assets: $296,200.07/Net worth: $250,595: January 16, 2020
Total in assets: $292,715.58/Net worth: $244,970.41: January 9, 2020

2019
Total in assets: $288,237.52/Net worth: $239,582.44: December 31, 2019
Total in assets: $278,823.27/Net worth: $230,902.04: September 17, 2019
Total in assets: $271,896.19/Net worth: 226,137.05: June 24, 2019
Total in assets: $269 950.21/Net worth: $222 942.87: April 5, 2019
Total in assets: $251 634.94/Net worth: $206 278.84: January 18, 2019
Total in assets: $238 656.07/Net worth: $191 009.83: January 4, 2019

2018
Total in assets: $270 679.86/Net worth: $204 306.57: November 16, 2018
Total in assets: $332 750.88/Net worth: $232 609.15: August 3, 2018
Total in assets: $331 413.83/Net worth: $232 280.40: June 20, 2018
Total in assets: $326 085.75/Net worth: $226 801.92: June 3, 2018
Total in assets: $322 479.23/Net worth: $222 850.15: May 4, 2018
Total in assets: $319 644.86/Net worth: $217 246.23: March 16, 2018

2017
Total in assets: $318 544.64/Net worth: $221 989.65: December 29, 2017
Net worth on the date of November 17, 2017: $211 430.89
Net worth on the date of October 27, 2017: $212 633.39
Net worth on the date of September 29, 2017: $206 352.49
Net worth on the date of April 24, 2017: $204 277.66
Net worth on the date of March 31, 2017: $200 325.69
Net worth on the date of March 29, 2017: $198 299.73
Net worth on the date of March 18, 2017: $193 969.21

2016
Net worth on the date of December 30, 2016: $184 074.35

Net worth after debt on the date of January 1, 2014:
$101 172.99 (yes, finally, IN NET WORTH!).

On the date of February 16, 2011, the TMX hit 14 000+ points, and I exceeded the 150k in assets! (Not net worth yet).

On September 9, 2010, I reached $100,000 in assets! (not in net worth yet).

On the date of August 5, 2009, I reached my investment goal: I reached $50 000 worth of assets! (NOW, net worth).

On the date of December 5, 2009, I had exceeded $60 000 in assets! (not in net worth yet).

My debt situation on date of November 14, 2024

Margin Account Debt: $3,679.54 at 7.50%

Annual Interest: $275.97

As of November 14, 2024

For a complete update on my debt situation, please click on the label "Debt Situation" located in the right column of this blog.

My investment portfolio on date of November 14, 2024

Cold cash: $2,244.06

Stocks and Units investment portfolio $CAN

Methanex Corporation (MX)

Fortis Inc. (FTS)

Pembina Pipeline Corporation (PPL)

iShares S&P/TSX Capped REIT Index (XRE)

New Flyer Industries Inc. (NFI)

TMX Group Inc. (X)

K-Bro Linen Inc. (KBL)

South Bow Corporation (SOBO)

Canadian National Railway Co (CNR)

Enbridge Inc. (ENB)

Loblaw Companies (L)

Savaria Corporation (SIS)

WSP Global Inc. (WSP)

George Weston Limited (WN)

Power Corporation of Canada Subordinate Voting Shares (POW)

Brookfield Asset Management Inc. Class A Limited Voting Shares (BAM.A)

Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD)

Canadian Imperial Bank Of Commerce (CM)

Royal Bank of Canada (RY)

Alaris Equity Partners Income Trust (AD.UN)

Ag Growth International Inc. (AFN)

National Bank of Canada (NA)

Telus Corp (T)

TOTAL: $156 658,17

Stocks and Units investment portfolio $US:

Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK.B)

General Mills Inc. (GIS)

Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund (VONG)

Pfizer Inc. (PFE)

CSX Corporation (CSX)

Brookfield Infrastructure Corporation (BIPC)

TOTAL: $6,147.44 US: $8,524.04 CAN

Tax-free savings account (TFSA):

Dumont Nickel Inc. (DNI)

CT Real Estate Investment Trust (CRT.UN)

Canadian National Railway Co (CNR)

Exchange Income Corporation (EIF)

Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P. (BIP.UN)

Brookfield Renewable Energy Partners L.P. (BEP.UN)

Andrew Peller Limited (ADW.A)

Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD)

Boyd Group Services Inc. (BYD)

Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust (CAR.UN)

Data Communications Mgmt (DCM)

Royal Bank of Canada (RY)

Toromont Industries Ltd (TIH)

BCE Inc. (BCE)

Boralex Inc. Class A Shares (BLX)

Northland Power Inc. (NPI)

Calian Group Ltd. (CGY)

Canadian Utilities Limited (CU)

WSP Global Inc. (WSP)

Granite Real Estate Investment Trust (GRT.UN)

Cargojet Inc. (CJT)

Nutrien Ltd. (NTR)

TFI International Inc. (TFII)

Canadian Imperial Bank Of Commerce (CM)

SIR Royalty Income Fund (SRV.UN)

ATCO Ltd. (ACO.Y)

Aecon Group Inc. (ARE)

Brookfield Asset Management Inc. Class A Limited Voting Shares (BAM.A)

Metro Inc. (MRU)

Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. (ATD.A)

Fortis Inc. (FTS)

CGI Inc. (GIB.A)

TMX Group Limited (X)

Brookfield Infrastructure Corporation Class A Exchangeable Subordinate Voting Shares (BIPC)

Brookfield Renewable Corporation Class A Exchangeable Subordinate Voting Shares (BEPC)

Suncor Energy Inc. (SU)

Rogers Communications Inc. (RCI.B)

Telus Corp (T)

Bitcoin Fund The Class A units (QBTC)

Purpose Bitcoin ETF CAD ETF non-currency hedged units (BTCC.B)

3iQ CoinShares Ether ETF (ETHQ)

Tilray Inc (TLRY)

North West Company Inc. (The) (NWC)

Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS)

National Bank of Canada (NA)

Hammond Manufacturing Company Limited Class A Subordinate Voting Shares (HMM.A)

Saputo Inc. (SAP)

Labrador Iron Ore Royalty Corporation (LIF)

Intertape Polymer Group Inc. (ITP)

Parex Resources Inc. (PXT)

Wescan Energy Corp. (WCE)

Verde Agritech Plc Ordinary Shares (NPK)

Wajax Corporation (WJX)

Whitecap Resources Inc. (WCP)

Goodfellow Inc. (GDL)

Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. (AQN)

Pembina Pipeline Corporation (PPL)

TransCanada Corp (TRP)

A&W Revenue Royalties Income Fund (AW.UN)

Total Energy Services Inc. (TOT)

Empire Company Limited Non-Voting Class A Shares (EMP.A)

Power Corporation of Canada Subordinate Voting Shares (POW)

Alaris Equity Partners Income Trust (AD.UN)

Westshore Terminals Investment Corporation (WTE)

Finning International Inc. (FTT)

Element Fleet Management Corp. (EFN)

Ninepoint Energy Income Fund ETF (NRGI)

Chemtrade Logistics Income Fund (CHE.UN)

Hamilton Enhanced U.S. Covered Call ETF (HYLD)

Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS)

Emera Inc. (EMA)

TOTAL: $153,746.40

RSP investment portfolio:

Emera Incorporated (EMA)

Ovintiv Inc. (OVV)

Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD)

Telus Corp (T)

Royal Bank of Canada (RY)

Savaria Corporation (SIS)

Thomson Reuters Corporation (TRI)

Richards Packaging Income Fund (RPI.UN)

Toromont Industries Ltd (TIH)

CAE Inc. (CAE)

CGI Group Inc. Class A Subordinate Voting Shares (GIB.A)

Boralex Inc. Class A Shares (BLX)

Quebecor Inc. (QBR.B)

Logistec Corporation Class B Subordinate Voting Shares (LGT.B)

Brookfield Renewable Partners L.P. (BEP.UN)

Leon's Furniture Limited (LNF)

Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS)

Brookfield Renewable Corporation Class A Exchangeable Subordinate Voting Shares (BEPC)

Cascades Inc. (CAS)

JFT Strategies Fund Class A Units (JFS.UN)

AirBoss of America Corp. (BOS)

Suncor Energy Inc. (SU)

Pender Growth Fund Inc. (PTF)

Rogers Communications Inc. Class B Non-voting Shares (RCI.B)

ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc. (ATA)

Algoma Central Corporation (ALC)

Finning International Inc. (FTT)

Guardian Capital Group Limited (GCG)

Information Services Corporation Class A Limited Voting Shares (ISV)

Interfor Corporation (IFP)

Maple Leaf Foods Inc. (MFI)

National Bank of Canada (NA)

Nutrien Ltd. (NTR)

Open Text Corporation (OTEX)

Taiga Building Products Ltd. (TBL)

Vitreous Glass Inc. (VCI)

Power Corporation of Canada Subordinate Voting Shares (POW)

North West Company Inc. (The) (NWC)

Whitecap Resources Inc. (WCP)

Parex Resources Inc. (PXT)

Wajax Corporation (WJX)

Canadian Imperial Bank Of Commerce (CM)

Hamilton Enhanced U.S. Covered Call ETF (HYLD)

TMX Group Limited (X)

iA Financial Corporation Inc. (IAG)

Ninepoint Energy Income Fund ETF (NRGI)

Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. (IVN)

ARC Resources Ltd. (ARX)

Sprott Physical Gold Trust (PHYS)

Total: $72,651.15

CIBC Dividend Growth Fund + CIBC Emerging Markets Index Fund + CIBC Monthly Income Fund: $3,954.88

Others: $1,159.90

NBI Income Fund: $1,324.67

Manulife Fidelity NorthStar GIF CAP

Manulife Simplicity Growth Portfolio

Maritime Life CI Harbour Seg Fund

Maritime Life Fidelity True North Seg Fund

Manulife GIF MLIA B World Invest

Total: $10,152.90

Other various: $53,653.91

TOTAL: $142,897.41

Social Capital at Desjardins Membership share: $35

Online money: $102

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

TOTAL: $464,207.08

On date of November 14, 2024

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

My Reflections on Becoming Debt-Free by the End of December, This Year!

Yesterday, I decided to sell the BCE shares in my non-registered portfolio. As a result, my dividend income took a small step back, but nothing significant. The dividend income from my non-registered and TFSA portfolios now stands at an equivalent of $954 per month. The proceeds from the BCE sale were applied directly to reduce my margin debt, simplifying my finances as the funds went straight toward debt repayment. Following Telus Corp. (T), which recently announced a 3.4% dividend increase, Suncor (SU) announced a 4.6% dividend raise today. In my portfolio, which you can view here, I hold Suncor shares in both my TFSA and RRSP portfolios. Adding a steady income stream through high-dividend stocks has been an essential strategy in building my investment portfolio. However, when I feel the need to sell a stock, I do so—though it happens quite rarely.

My margin debt is currently at $3,670. By the end of November—thanks to having three paychecks this month—it should be reduced to $950. This means I’ll finally be debt-free by the end of December! It has taken quite a while to get here, but that’s because becoming debt-free wasn’t an immediate priority. When I opened my margin account, interest rates were very low, and at one point, my margin debt reached nearly $100,000. I enjoyed leveraging my margin account to invest strategically. However, with today’s high interest rates, I've spent the past year actively working to pay down my margin debt. It hasn’t been easy, but I made it through. I must admit that I had doubts about the whole process. I never thought I would actually become debt-free, to tell you the truth.

By the end of December, in addition to being debt-free, I’ll have a small surplus of around $1,330 in my savings account. I could invest this in my RRSP to increase my 2024 contribution, but for now, I’m more inclined to keep it in savings. I’ve been wanting to build up my emergency fund for a while now. On my investment portfolio page, the section labeled "Cold Cash" reflects my current savings, which stand at $579.34. One major reason building my savings is my top priority—after fully paying off my margin debt—is to avoid needing to borrow from my margin account for any regular or unexpected expenses. I’ve lived paycheck to paycheck for most of my adult life, but now, at 44, I’ve decided it’s time to build a solid financial cushion. I feel like I’m finally starting to act like a responsible adult—or something close to it. It’s not that I haven’t taken my personal finances seriously, but paying down debt and building an emergency fund are relatively new concepts for me.

When I started investing back in 2007-2008, my focus was entirely on building a portfolio filled with stocks I wanted to hold, constantly planning my next stock investment. It became something of an obsession—a positive one that has led to my current portfolio value of around $455,000. Now, I don’t feel the same urgency to invest; I’m taking a more steady, long-term approach. For 2025, my goal is to build my savings to $20,000. It’s an ambitious target, especially starting with only $1,330 in January, but every journey has to start somewhere. Having a steady dividend income from my non-registered and TFSA portfolios makes reaching this savings goal more achievable.

Once my margin debt is fully paid off, I plan to keep the margin linked to my non-registered portfolio. I believe it’s the right choice; if I need funds and don’t have enough in my savings, I can use my margin instead of relying on credit card debt, which is far more costly. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen my margin balance at $0, and I’m curious to see how it will look in my non-registered portfolio once it’s cleared. I’m also interested to see how my dividend income will be displayed. We’ll find out in less than two months!

Tuesday, November 12, 2024

Saying Thank You and Goodbye to My BCE Inc. (BCE) Shares from My Non-Registered Portfolio

The TSX closed today's session at a strong 24,923.01 points, up +133.73 (+0.54%). Despite this positive performance, my stock portfolio lost over $1,000 in value. It’s never easy to see! Typically, when the TSX rises, my portfolio follows suit… but not today. Shopify Inc. played a major role in today's gains for the TSX, while other sectors lagged. Shopify is a dominant force in the Canadian stock market, but I’ve never felt the need to invest in it.

I don’t hold shares in the big names of the conventional Technology sector, like Google, Apple, or Microsoft. However, I’m not entirely out of tech—I prefer companies in the technology service space, such as Calian Group Ltd. (CGY), CGI Inc. (GIB.A), and Open Text Corporation (OTEX). These companies offer a unique blend of growth and stability in the tech sector, aligning better with my portfolio strategy.

I just can’t see myself investing in Shopify stock. The main reason? It’s trading near its all-time high, which makes me cautious. Shopify’s stock chart also shows significant volatility, suggesting that the current $152.26 per share price might not hold for long. Can someone explain why anyone would invest at $152.26 per share when this stock doesn’t pay a single penny in dividends? For me, dividends are essential for building long-term wealth through passive income, and while Shopify is a popular choice, it’s just not right for my investment portfolio.

The sector I enjoy investing in most is the industrial sector. My definition of the industrial sector might not align perfectly with the official definition, but here are some stocks that I consider part of it and really like: WSP Global Inc. (WSP), Toromont Industries Ltd. (TIH), ATCO Ltd. (ACO.Y), Aecon Group Inc. (ARE), and Finning International Inc. (FTT). Another favorite I used to hold in my portfolio was Stelco Holdings Inc. (STLC).

Unfortunately, the day after the U.S. election, Stelco Holdings Inc. (STLC) was delisted from the TSX. Although this didn’t impact my portfolio’s overall value, I was disappointed, as I had a strong interest in STLC. Managing multiple investments can be challenging, and sometimes I miss updates like this. Staying on top of industrial stocks and TSX listings can be tricky, but the industrial sector remains a cornerstone of my portfolio.

I've held my Aecon Group Inc. (ARE) stock for many years, but it never really took off—until recently. Now, I’m seeing a gain of +49.48% on ARE! Honestly, it feels like these gains happened overnight, and I couldn’t be happier. Overall, my long-term investments are performing well, with BCE Inc. (BCE) being the main exception. It’s exciting to see positive growth in my Canadian industrial stocks, especially since I focus on building wealth through stable, long-term holdings. Watching stocks like Aecon Group finally gain momentum is incredibly rewarding!

CE Inc. (BCE) has become the 'black sheep' of my portfolio. I hold BCE stock in both my non-registered and TFSA portfolios, with my largest position in BCE held within my TFSA. My non-registered investment in BCE was just over $1,000. Unfortunately, BCE’s stock has been declining for some time, resulting in a dividend yield that now exceeds 10%. Over the past year, BCE has lost more than 27% of its value.

BCE had planned to expand into the U.S., but now that Donald Trump has been elected, I’m uncertain if any progress in the U.S. market is possible for BCE. It’s hard to see how U.S. exposure would improve its stock performance. Given these factors—and because I’ve been diligently working to pay down my margin account debt—I decided to sell my BCE shares in my non-registered portfolio. I completed the sale earlier today.

With BCE’s high dividend yield and declining stock price, it’s become clear that managing my portfolio with a focus on stable dividend stocks and reducing debt is a priority. Staying focused on reliable, high-quality stocks with growth potential remains my strategy for long-term portfolio success.

My margin account debt is now below $3,700. I can confidently say that I’ll be able to pay it off by the end of 2024. Given my personal financial goals, I believe selling the BCE shares in my non-registered portfolio was the right decision. I still hold a substantial position in BCE within my TFSA, and I plan to keep those shares for now. Focusing on reducing debt while maintaining a dividend-focused portfolio is key to building long-term wealth and reaching financial independence. Managing margin debt effectively and optimizing investments in tax-free accounts like the TFSA are core strategies for my financial goals.

Sunday, November 10, 2024

Preparing for Another Four Years of Donald Trump

This past week was a busy one! First, we had the U.S. elections. I wasn’t expecting Trump’s comeback, but it happened. Many Americans are feeling deeply disappointed and even afraid. I really appreciated Kamala Harris's powerful speech following her defeat. For Canadians, Joe Biden's kindness and strong leadership were comforting. Starting in January 2025, though, things will look very different. I don’t think Americans who voted for Trump fully realize the impact of their choice, but in a democracy, they’ll have to live with it. It’s certainly not a result I’m thrilled about.

Back in 2017, at the beginning of Trump’s first term, I found him somewhat intriguing—I didn’t know much about him then. But as time went on, it became clear he wasn’t suited for the presidency. He’s a convicted felon, and it’s puzzling to see Americans voting for him again. Trump seems focused solely on his own interests. He’s a self-absorbed man lacking in presidential qualities and good manners. Much like Elon Musk, Donald Trump displays erratic behavior. The best way to endure another four years under his leadership is to stay somewhat emotionally detached. I have an account on Twitter/X, but I avoid following figures like Elon Musk and Donald Trump. Following such individuals on social media can really affect your mental health.

My investment portfolio didn’t perform particularly well during Donald Trump’s first term. To illustrate, here’s my portfolio net worth over the years 2017 to 2021:

2017: $221,989.65
2018: $204,306.57
2019: $239,582.44
2020: $259,661.24
2021: $339,434.39

Yes, my net worth increased by $117,000 between 2017 and 2021, which is roughly an average of $23,400 per year. However, I truly believe that with the assets I held, I could have experienced significantly more growth during those years. You can view a more complete history of my net growth here.

Following the news of a new term for Donald Trump, both the U.S. and Canadian markets reacted positively. However, we’ll have to wait and see how things play out over the long run. Starting January 2025, we can expect increased market volatility as Trump’s unpredictable mood swings will likely have a significant impact on the global economy. Personally, I’m preparing for this by focusing on paying down my margin debt. Currently, my margin debt stands at $4,912. My goal is to reduce it to around $1,800 by the end of November and to have it fully paid off by the end of December.

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Own a Piece of Warren Buffett's Empire for Under $20 with Nu Holdings Ltd. (NU) Stock

On this U.S. election day, the TSX closed the session at 24,387.90 points. My non-registered portfolio stands at $155,443.90, my U.S. portfolio at $6,071.54 USD, my RRSP stocks-only portfolio at $72,673.06, and my TFSA portfolio at $151,523.78. My numbers remain strong; today, my stock portfolio gained over $1,300. It will be interesting to see how the TSX reacts tomorrow following the U.S. election results. So far, Trump is slightly ahead, but it’s still early in the evening, so this doesn’t indicate much yet. It’s been announced that Trump won Louisiana. It’s a bit unsettling to realize that Trump might win this election. It’s going to be a very long night. It’s not something that stresses me too much, but I know we’ll be in for quite a volatile market if Trump becomes the President of the USA for the next four years. We’ve experienced it before.

I recently received significant dividend distributions, which helped me reduce my margin debt to $4,984. Thanks to my DRIP investments in Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) and Power Corporation (POW), my annual dividend income (including RRSP) is getting very close to $14,000.

U.S. stocks are only a small portion of my portfolio since I mostly hold Canadian stocks. However, I do collect dividends in my U.S. portfolio, similar to my Canadian portfolios. I prefer to reinvest these funds whenever possible, letting the dividends accumulate until I can afford to purchase at least one share of a desired stock. Here are the stocks I currently hold in my U.S. portfolio (in USD): Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK.B), General Mills Inc. (GIS), Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund (VONG), Pfizer Inc. (PFE), CSX Corporation (CSX), and Brookfield Infrastructure Corporation (BIPC).

I recently received a dividend from General Mills Inc. (GIS), bringing my U.S. portfolio’s cash balance to just over $20. Though it’s not a large amount, I wondered what opportunities might be available around $21 USD per share. After some research, I may have found a promising stock: Nu Holdings Ltd. (NU). Nu Holdings doesn’t pay a dividend, but its overall chart has shown impressive growth, which caught my attention.

Nu Holdings Ltd. (NU) operates in digital banking services in Brazil. The fact that it’s currently trading below the $20 mark is intriguing. Warren Buffett has invested in NU, as has another notable investor, Cathie Wood. While I don’t follow Cathie Wood closely, I’m aware of her influence. In terms of investment philosophy, I’ve learned everything from Derek Foster, who, in turn, learned from Warren Buffett. My investment approach aligns more closely with Warren Buffett's conservative, value-focused ideology rather than Cathie Wood's high-growth approach. That’s why I was surprised to discover that both Buffett and Wood had invested in Nu Holdings Ltd. (NU). Since NU operates in Brazil, there’s an element of potential volatility, but I’m comfortable with it since I’m only making a small investment in NU.

In my early years of using Stockopedia, I was given free access to the platform, allowing me to browse both Canadian and U.S. stocks. During that time, I conducted numerous searches, often looking for stocks with a strong overall chart as a key factor in my investment ideas. One thing I discovered is that it’s quite challenging to find U.S. stocks with a consistently strong chart.

For example, I wouldn’t invest more in Nu Holdings Ltd. (NU) than I have, because NU hasn’t been on the market for very long, so its “overall chart” is limited. Without a long trading history, it’s hard to assess its resilience during significant market events, like the 2008 stock crash. Nu Holdings went public in December 2021, so its trading history is still short. I’ll be keeping an eye on this small investment in my U.S. portfolio to see how it performs over time.

Sunday, November 3, 2024

Hooray! Aecon Group Inc. (ARE) is finally starting to pay off!

The TSX closed this past Friday at a solid 24,255.16 points. It could be higher, but the fact that we’re holding steady above 24,000 despite the uncertainty around the upcoming U.S. election is reassuring. My non-registered portfolio closed at $154,435.43, my U.S. stock portfolio at $6,121.85 USD, my TFSA at $150,731.10, and my RRSP stocks-only portfolio at $72,87.57. While I’m not at the $461,000 net worth I reached on October 17—my highest ever—my investment portfolio remains strong.

This upcoming week could significantly impact my portfolio. Did you know that this U.S. election is the 60th presidential election in American history? Recently in New Brunswick, we made history by electing our first female premier, Susan Holt, in the 35th provincial election. I would have loved to participate, but as I’m now a Quebec resident, I couldn’t vote in New Brunswick's recent election. Just like in that election, I have no strong preference in the upcoming U.S. election, but I still have an opinion. If Donald Trump wins, I believe things will be tougher for everyone. We might have to endure another four years of economic uncertainty and erratic behavior. Under Joe Biden, I felt a bit more at ease.

Recently, I received strong dividend distributions from Power Corporation (POW) and Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS), which were reinvested through DRIP (Dividend Reinvestment Plan), adding new shares. As a result, my monthly dividend income has reached $963—excluding dividends from my RRSP portfolio. My passive income is slowly growing. Meanwhile, my margin debt stands at $5,014. By the end of November, it should be down to around $2,600. I’ll probably still be a few hundred dollars short of paying it off in full by December, but I’ll be close. One reason I can’t pay it all off as planned is because I went hunting with my father recently, and I like to cover the gas when we’re out. That’s about $30 per trip, which adds up. The weather is getting much colder in New Brunswick. Tonight, we’re expecting -11°C. We won’t be hunting for too long.

In addition to dividend income, some of my stocks showed impressive results. I’ve held Aecon Group Inc. (ARE) in my TFSA for quite some time. It’s been a tough stock to hold, with little growth since I bought it in October 2017. But this past Friday, Aecon gained over 18%. I hope this signals a new, profitable chapter for Aecon. It’s never easy to hold a stock that doesn’t perform. This past Friday, another one of my stocks came with some great news: Enbridge Inc. (ENB). It was announced that Enbridge's profit more than doubled. ENB is among the first stocks I bought in my non-registered portfolio. Back in the day, Enbridge Inc. (ENB) was one of Derek Foster's top dividend stocks.

Tuesday, October 29, 2024

How I’m Budgeting to Pay Off $5,000 in Margin Debt, You are Just NOT ready for this. I know I am not :-)

The TSX closed today’s session at 24,562.55 points. I’m not particularly interested in checking my stock portfolio, as I know I won’t find anything too exciting right now. But I did take a look this morning and saw I received some new dividends, including one from CIBC. This extra income helped reduce my margin debt to $5,084. November is a great month for many of us, as we get three paycheques. If everything goes according to plan, by the end of November, I should have my margin debt down to just $1,500. I’m eagerly looking forward to that day.

To make this goal a reality, I’ll be on a tight budget for the next five weeks. Here’s what my budget looks like:

Groceries: $240
Extras: $200
Internet and Cable: $101.68
Rent: $750
Cell Phone: $40.24
Banking Fees: $8.90
Netflix: $6.89
Crave: $19.54

Total: $1,367.25

With $240 allocated for groceries, that works out to just $60 per week. For reference, that’s what my mother would ask from me for groceries while I was living in New Brunswick, which is quite affordable compared to what I’d typically spend in Montreal. Here in New Brunswick, I have $50 each week for any extras, which is far less than I’d normally spend weekly in Montreal. Being away from major stores makes saving easy—almost too easy!

As winter approaches, it’s looking likely that I’ll be staying in New Brunswick instead of traveling back to Montreal. With no buses, trains, or reliable winter transit options to Quebec, going to Montreal for a short time doesn’t seem worth the hassle. So I’ve decided to settle in here for the next few months, even though returning to Montreal in January would be nice if weather and transportation allow.

On the bright side, by the end of December, I should be debt-free. With no more margin debt, I’ll be able to start building up savings, something I really need to strengthen my financial health.

Sunday, October 27, 2024

Welcome in my RRSP portfolio, Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD)!

Guess what? It's Sunday evening, and we’re experiencing the first snowfall of the year in New Brunswick! Earlier today, while out hunting with my father, we saw a light dusting of snow coming down. It wasn’t heavy, just a delicate snowfall—a gentle reminder that winter is on its way. Personally, I’m never fully prepared for the cold season. Despite growing up here, I'm quite sensitive to the cold and need the right winter clothing to stay healthy.

As for the stock market, the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) closed on Friday at 24,551.55 points, which has slightly reduced my net worth from its previous high of $461,948.22. My investment portfolios finished as follows: non-registered at $156,150.78, U.S. portfolio at $6,126.15, RRSP stocks-only portfolio at $73,475.49, and TFSA at $151,119.63. Even though my net worth has dipped, my monthly dividend income has seen a slight increase, now at $962 (excluding my RRSP dividends). Reaching $1,000 in monthly dividends is a major milestone I’m aiming for. Including my RRSP dividends, my annual dividend income is $13,884—just a short distance from my goal of $15,000 annually.

Currently, my margin debt stands at $5,205.60, up from $4,716.98 on October 16. This increase is due to some credit card payments and an advance for my November rent, which I like to pay early. Since my next paycheck is scheduled for November 1, I borrowed from my margin account. My plan remains to pay down this debt by the end of 2025 if I continue managing my expenses carefully and stay in New Brunswick through December 2025.

In 2025, I plan to build up a solid savings account to reduce my dependence on margin whenever cash flow is tight. Having even a few thousand in savings would prevent me from needing to borrow. I’ll be turning 45 in 2025, so it feels like the right time to prioritize building up savings. While I’ve invested aggressively for years, probably close to half my life, I’m now working towards a more balanced financial plan that includes emergency savings.

Earlier this year, following the delisting of Park Lawn Corporation (PLC) from the TSX, I had over $5,000 available to reinvest in my RRSP. Last week, I took advantage of Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD) trading in the $77 range and added some shares as a long-term investment. I still have funds to invest in my RRSP, but I’m in no hurry. Recently, I came across an update on Bird Construction Inc. (BDT) on 5i Research’s dividend update page. I’ve followed BDT before and noticed it recently raised its dividend.

In 2024, Bird Construction Inc. (BDT) has had a great year. Its chart looks promising, and its monthly dividend payments make it a solid addition. Construction stocks are an area of interest for me, especially as I’ve done well in the past with WSP Global Inc. (WSP). I’m optimistic BDT could be another success in my RRSP portfolio.

Thursday, October 17, 2024

Welcoming a $461,948.22 net worth - my highest EVERRRR!!!

With the TSX closing strongly at 24,690.48 points, I had no choice but to update my investment portfolio. Today’s session ended with my portfolio at $461,948.22, representing a gain of $1,556.67. A gain of over $1,000 in one day is always good news for me.

Historic of my Total assets and Net worth values on date of October 17, 2024