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!

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.

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.

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.

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.