My investment portfolio in date of December 5, 2009

Savings:
2.69$ (ING Direct)

Non RRSP Investments:
Stocks & Units investment portfolio
Sprott Inc. (SII): 2 424$
Timminco (TIM): 278$
Blue Note Mining (BNT): 50$
Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS): 5 050$
Hanwei Energy Services (HE): 183$
Methanex Corporation (MX): 2 095$
Fortis (FTS): 2 753$
Pembina Pipeline Income Fund (PIF.UN): 6 767$
Just Energy Income Fund (JE.UN): 5 328$
Dumont Nickel Inc. (DNI): 345$
Yellow Pages Income Fund (YLO.UN): 2 141$
Bell Aliant Regional Communications Income Fund
(BA.UN): 2 675$
Pengrowth Energy Trust (PGF.UN): 58$
Enbridge Income Fund (ENF.UN): 3 750$
TOTAL: 33 898$

Mutual funds (outside RRSP)
Sprott Canadian Equity Fund: 5 079$

Tax-free savings account
RBC O'Shaughnessy Canadian Equity Fund:
2 509.14$
Creststreet Alternative Energy Fund: 1 154$
TOTAL: 3 663.14$

RRSP:
CIBC Dividend Growth Fund: 477.29$
CIBC Emerging Markets Index Fund: 475.33$
CIBC Monthly Income Fund: 950.53$

Energy and Base Metals Term Savings (Indexed term savings): 503.46$
Natural Resources Term Savings (Indexed term
savings): 502.06$

GIC National Bank: 1 154.83$
GIC Finance Plus: 1 513.97$
GIC Plus: 500$

TD Canadian Bond: 111.45$
TD Monthly Income: 99$
TD Emerging Markets: 83.21$
TD Energy: 79.89$
TD Precious Metals: 106.24$
TD Latin American Growth: 98.97$
TD Entertainment & Communications: 101.73$
TD Dividend Growth: 187.60$
TD U.S. Mid-Cap Growth: 93.40$

Maritime Life International Equity Fund (Templeton):
676.58$
Manulife Simplicity Growth Portfolio: 839.19$
Maritime Life CI Harbour Seg Fund: 1 001.81$
Maritime Life Fidelity True North Seg Fund: 940.64$
Maritime Life Trimark Europlus Seg Fund: 722.60$

Great West - Various: 1 577.81$

RBC Canadian Dividend Fund: 481.96$
RBC U.S. Mid-Cap Equity Fund C$: 1 708.71$
RBC Global Resources Fund: 795.81$
RBC O'Shaughnessy International Equity Fund:
647.66$
RBC O'Shaughnessy All-Canadian Equity
Fund: 935.70$
GIC Canadian Market: 1 000$

TOTAL: 18 367.43$

Social Capital at Desjardins Membership share for 3 accounts:

40$

Savings + Stocks, units, mutual funds + Tax-free savings account + RRSP + Online Income (45.14$):
61 095.40$
[In date of December 5, 2009]

It's official, I now hold 100 stocks of Corby Distilleries (CDL.A)

I had purchased 100 stocks this morning of at 15.35$. My regular stocks and units investment portfolio is currently at 35 055.86$! Currently, the overall value of what I own at TD Waterhouse is now of 40 002.76$. If the day finish this way, for sure I will update my portfolio on my blog. As for now, I have to go, running to my 12 to 6PM shift... but afer, I will be back home..

Welcome Corby, 100 new stocks of Corby Distilleries (CDL.A) in my investment portfolio

I wake up… at 4PM. I arrived at home early, around 2 :35AM. I had to wait about 15 minutes before catching up a taxi. I have to say, the sleep was good. I usually wake up at 10AM in the morning. It’s actually what I had been able to go. I am slowly getting use to my new schedule. I taught I was working on Boxing Day and guess what, I am finally not working. I do not work on Monday, but at my other job I do, so I might get up earlier or do the shift until late to get some money for the Boxing Day. I wouldn’t like to get more debts than what I have now…

If I spend 300$, it will be good. I am not really in needs of anything, unless a little pair of shoes I could leave at work. I don’t like to be working with boots in my feet. So at one job, I left my Nike shoes, and at the daytime one, I could be wearing a cheap pair of shoes. I don’t like to carry too much stuff with me when I move from a job to go to the other one. It’s easier than I taught. Guess the money really motivate me. And I am actually amazed on how much I can save. Living in Montreal is a blessing. The cost of living is relatively inexpensive and this allows me to save big bucks every month.

And talking about money, I currently have 1 593$ available in cash in my new broker account! I just notice it right now… Of course, whenever I log in to my laptop, I first go pay a visit to my online investment portfolio at TD Waterhouse, after I took a look at my new broker account (sorry, I won’t say with who it is to keep my employer name private lol)…

The trade commission being exceptionally low, I can easily purchase 100 stocks of Corby Distilleries (CDL.A). On Friday, Corby Distilleries (CDL.A) close at 15.33$. So I am placing my order right now for Monday! I place my order at the limit price of 15.40$. My new online broker account is very easy to use. It’s let’s user print out there orders… Nice, but my printer is in its box, with no ink.

Wouldn’t be time to update our dividend income?

Sprott Inc. (SII): 505 x 0.10$ = 50.50$
Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS): 104 x 1.96$ = 203.84$
Methanex Corporation (MX): 103 x 0.62$ = 63.86$
Fortis (FTS): 104 x 1.04$ = 108.16$
Pembina Pipeline Income Fund (PIF.UN): 407 x 1.56$ = 634.92$
Just Energy Income Fund (JE.UN): 411 x 1.24$
+ 82.20$ of the 2009 special dividend = 591.84$
Yellow Pages Income Fund (YLO.UN): 420 x 0.804$ = 337.68$
Bell Aliant Regional Communications Income Fund (BA.UN): 100 x 2.904$ = 290.40$
Pengrowth Energy Trust (PGF.UN): 6 x 0.84$ = 5.04$
Enbridge Income Fund (ENF.UN): 300 x 1.152$ = 345.60$
Corby Distilleries (CDL.A): 100 x 0.56$ = 56$
= 2 687.84$

+ let’s say 100$ from the DRIP= 2 787.84$

My new acquisition just bring a little 56$ to my dividend income. But a 56$ is still a 56$ and since Derek Foster hold Corby Distilleries (CDL.A) in his portfolio, I had to hold some Corby Distilleries (CDL.A) stocks in mine too lol, even if we are talking of only 100 stocks. Little investments here and there can really make a difference at the end.

Friday during the day, the value of my portfolio gain major bucks. But at the end of day, it was a back-to-normal situation. My new Corby Distilleries (CDL.A) acquisition adds value to my portfolio. It’s actually adding 1 533$ to my overall portfolio…. My units and stocks investment portfolio is currently at 34 658$, which represent an increase of 760$ compare to December 5th. For my overall portfolio, let’s be super optimistic and say its all increase of 1 000$ this last Friday.

Here’s the maths:

1 000$ + 61 095.40$ (which is the value of my portfolio on December 5th) + my new investment of a 1 533$ value…
= 63 628.40$

It’s difficult to imagine I own that much…. I am actually only missing 36 371.60$ before reaching 100 000$. I believe this can happen for me in 2010. This is the ultimate goal, let’s say. I will certainly continue to invest in 2010. I am just so into that thing right now! In the last couple of weeks, my portfolio grow and got stronger with Bell Aliant Regional Communications Income Fund (BA.UN) and Enbridge Income Fund (ENF.UN).

The weekend on, I want to see Avatar at the theater, the new movie of Canadian James Cameron. I like his blue soft characters; they are very exotic and sexy.

Another marvelous: Davis + Henderson Income Fund (DHF.UN)

Surprise.. I finally find out how to transfer funds quickly and easily to my new broker account. At first, I proceed with a type of transfer that will take 3 to 5 days to be completed! On the 17th, I transferred 1 500$ from my also new banking account to my very new broker account… And ho surprise, the money wasn’t there! I really dislike electronic transfer of money. But lately, I discover another way, which is easier and the transfer is almost automatic: I simply need to proceed with the transfer of the money I want to use for trade in a special account that had been open for me. Anyway, the whole thing is completely different than TD Waterhouse so I was very lost in the whole process. It’s frustrating because I really wanted to get some Corby Distilleries (CDL.A) stocks, but I guess this will have to wait until next week.

Anyway, I do not have enough of 1 500$ anymore to purchase 100 stocks of Corby Distilleries (CDL.A)… The value of the stocks is currently of 15.060$. The reason why I invest in Corby Distilleries (CDL.A) is to increase the number of stocks I hold in my investment portfolio. The vast majority of what I own are .UN investment.

Talking about .UN investment, I went through one I didn’t know before: Davis + Henderson Income Fund (DHF.UN).

I never heard of Davis and Henderson before starting my new banking job. I know them for cheque orders… Today, when looking around my TD Waterhouse account, while looking under Sprott Inc. (SII). And I notice those words: Davis Henderson… Sound familiar! And guess what? Davis + Henderson Income Fund (DHF.UN) is affordable (16.280$). Don’t you find the + between Davis and Henderson kind of mysterious? I do.

Davis + Henderson Income Fund seem be a bit volatile as its activities are in the finance sector. Why I am saying so? Because of the difference between the highest (16.790$) and the lowest (10.40$) is about 7$. A quick search gave me the impression that Davis + Henderson Income Fund is a good investment for beginners like myself. The best is yet to come…

Davis + Henderson Income Fund (DHF.UN) annual dividend is of… 1.836$ per unit! Can you believe? 1.836$ per unit!!!! This is hugeeeeeeeeee.

Davis + Henderson Income Fund (DHF.UN) is on my list of companies I HAVE TO invest in.

100 units of Davis + Henderson Income Fund (DHF.UN) will provide me an annual income of 183.60$. My 100 stocks of Corby Distilleries (CDL.A) will provide me an annual 56$. At that time, I will be very close to 3 000$ in dividend income… And closer to financial freedom….

Special dividend from Just Energy Income Fund: get more from your investment

Ok, just before starting talking about dividend, I have to make my special announcement: my stocks and units investment portfolio is currently (12:26PM) at 35 031.79$! This represent an increase of 1 133.79$ compare to December 5th. On December 5th, the value of my stocks and units investment portfolio was of 33 898$. This is very great and jus now, knowing that my portfolio had increased of more than 1 000$ within 2 weeks make me feel awesome lol.

Just Energy Income Fund declare a 20 cents special dividend

And not a 0.1333 one! So this is even better. I don’t know where I got the 0.1333 special dividends from. I may have read the news release too quickly. I currently hold 411 units of that extra fabulous Just Energy Income Fund (JE.UN). Which mean that I should received 82.20$ in special dividend from Just Energy Income Fund! Isn’t great?

I am currently off this afternoon of my day time, but I work at my evening job and I have off Monday! So it’s making myself kind of a small vacation from work. I quite enjoy having free time once in a while. The weekends are always so short.

With this great news regarding Just Energy Income Fund, I really wanted to calculate my annual dividend earnings… One more time!

My future food and money provider:

Sprott Inc. (SII): 505 x 0.10$ = 50.50$

Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS): 104 x 1.96$ = 203.84$

Methanex Corporation (MX): 103 x 0.62$ = 63.86$

Fortis (FTS): 104 x 1.04$ = 108.16$

Pembina Pipeline Income Fund (PIF.UN): 407 x 1.56$ = 634.92$

Just Energy Income Fund (JE.UN): 411 x 1.24$

+ 82.20$ of the 2009 special dividend = 591.84$

Yellow Pages Income Fund (YLO.UN): 420 x 0.804$ = 337.68$

Bell Aliant Regional Communications Income Fund (BA.UN): 100 x 2.904$ = 290.40$

Pengrowth Energy Trust (PGF.UN): 6 x 0.84$ = 5.04$

Enbridge Income Fund (ENF.UN): 300 x 1.152$ = 345.60$

= 2 631.84$
+ 100$ from the DRIP
= 2 731.84$

Earning 2 731.84$ from dividend is quite a major deal for me.

And to those numbers, we may add the special dividend of Sprott Inc. (SII). Back in April 6, 2009, Sprott Inc. (SII) had distributed a special dividend of 0.15 cents per stock. At that time, I had earned 75$ from Sprott Inc. special dividend. 2009 had been a pretty tough year for the Sprott Canadian Equity Fund! So I truly don’t know if Sprott will provide a special for 2010. I still hold Sprott Canadian Equity Fund. I purchase this mutual fund just before the major stock crash, just when I shouldn’t. I had invested a total of 7 033.50$ in the Sprott Canadian Equity Fund. On date of today, my 7 033.50$ worth 4 891$. I was confident that Sprott would have work for me, but it didn’t. This was supposed to be the investment that was supposed to make me rich and it simply didn’t. The managers might already have enough pressure on their shoulders, but I have to say, I am an investor and I am not satisfied with Sprott Canadian Equity Fund. Period. But not to blame Sprott only, I am not satisfied with O’Shaughnessy either. My investment are all for a long term, but still, I want to see result on a short term. I am not going to wait 10 years to get a 5% return!

One mutual fund I am totally satisfied with is Creststreet Alternative Energy Fund. Several months ago, I took this great decision: to invest 1 000$ in the Creststreet Alternative Energy Fund. And believe it or not, in date of today, the value of this investment in the Creststreet Alternative Energy Fund is of 1 483.93$. It’s really rare to see mutual funds giving investor a profit in the year of 2009. 2009 had been rough and tough. Cannot wait for 2010 to come in. A new decade, a new year and some positive results coming from the Creststreet Alternative Energy Fund.

So right now, the Creststreet Alternative Energy Fund is kind hot on Bay Street. The Creststreet Alternative Energy Fund is being managed by Steve Martin… Sprott and O’Shaughnessy are in their fifties-sixties, if not seventies lol… and Steve Martin is not even 30 years old. Age have nothing to do with all this, but isn’t time for investors to review their position and forget about the big old stars? Not that I don’t like them, but they don’t deliver. Simple that time. Knowing at which salaries I am working – very crashy middle class – I gave myself the right to say what I like and what I don’t like. I could continue all day long and this could be my longer post ever. Anyhow, right now, I really like the fact that my portfolio had increase to more than 1 000$. I hope the day will end like this, so I calculate my overall value this weekend.

The situation with Creststreet Alternative Energy Fund is really pathetic. Do a search in the Google search engine for Creststreet Alternative Energy Fund. And you’ll see what I mean. My First 50 000$ appear on the first page of the results. This means that not too many things are being said about the super gorgeous Creststreet Alternative Energy Fund. In this case, it’s because of jealously and also maybe because of the sector. But come on, you have money, you want to invest, why would you do like everyone else? Creststreet Alternative Energy Fund is the investment to be in. I might only have invested 1 000$ in the Creststreet Alternative Energy Fund, but if I could, I would have invested more, just that I have that dividend goal in mind and mutual funds = no dividend… But I consider investing another 1 000$ in the Creststreet Alternative Energy Fund in a close future.

Creststreet Alternative Energy Fund rock, no one can deny it.

As for Sprott Inc. (SII), their hedge fund had done well, but couldn’t they have forgotten to manage the Sprott Canadian Equity? I think so. Sprott team had forgotten to manage the Sprott Candian Equity. It’s not only a matter of management, it’s a matter of intelligence. And at Creststreet, they seem to be intelligent, Steve Martin finally appear in their Management Team. You can take a look at his pic right here.

And to continue with Sprott, an article written by Andrew Willis had been published on the Globe Web site, title “Eric Sprott lifts Canadian hedge funds”. Maybe Eric Sprott is good with his hedge fund, but I am telling you, during that time, Eric Sprott had forgotten his Sprott Candian Equity! It’s the only rational explanation I have for me loosing about 3 000$ in the Sprott Canadian Equity Fund.

It doesn’t matter how well Eric Sprott manage his hedge fund, I do not have 150 000$ to invest and I simply do not care about Sprott hedge fund. It’s simply disgusting.

Just Energy Income Fund (JE.UN) announced a special dividend

On date of yesterday, the value of my stocks and units investment portfolio was of 34 969$, which represent an increase of 1071$ compare to December 5th (33 898$). I am writing right now because yesterday was a special day. It was the first time ever I was doing 12pm to 6 pm at the job which use to be my evening job and.. it was also the first time ever I was working at my regular shift at my new job. My shift there is after 6 until 2AM…. But surprise, this morning I wake up at 9:30AM… lol…. So you can imagine how I am right now, just in need of a double-double….

I had received 52.52$ in dividend from Pembina Pipeline Income Fund (PIF.UN). Which gave me 3 new units. Very exciting! But what’s the most exciting is this: Just Energy Income Fund (JE.UN) had announced a special dividend! YEAHH!

Just Energy Income Fund (JE.UN) had decided to treat their unitholders right on time for the upcoming year 2010. The special dividend will be payable on January 31, 2010. On that month, we will also receive the regular dividend. That’s making some enjoyable extra cash and when considering the DRIP, well, hellooo extra free units! MONEY FOR NOTHING lol. That’s what my conception of Money for Nothing. Of course, you understand that I am referring to Derek Foster book, the one I never understood, Money for Nothing… I cannot understand Money for Nothing book, but what I do understand, however, is that special dividend are hot and sweet.

And Just Energy Income Fund (JE.UN) had understood that also. The estimate amount that will be delivering in the special dividend will be an amount of 0.1333 per share. You have until December 31 to purchase those too hot units in order to receive their special dividend…

Thank you Rebecca!

Hello extra cash

Hot news! Believe it or not, my stocks and units investment portfolio had gain 715.73$ on today only! I don’t even make this from one job in a week! And this is happening right here right now on My First 50 000$! So you can forget about what the other guys are doing...

I really need a good news like this one right now! This is just soooo great! My PIF.UN is now at 17.10$ per unit! I originally purchase some PIF.UN when the price was of 12$ per unit… Watching my investment growing by doing just nothing at all is fantastic! It’s very good news because I truly need to catch up – remember I lost 7 000$ in total with bad investments? Those were Timminco (TIM), Sprott Inc. (SII) and Sprott Candian Equity. Not that those were bad investments on themselves, but it’s just I purchase those at the time were I shouldn’t, when they were overvalued… Just to give you a portrait on how much I am addictive to the stock markets, so far, I had invested a total of 46 782.90$ and that 46 782.90$ currently worth 39 532.50$.

46 782.90$ - 39 532.50$ = 7 250.40$ in money lost. I am deeply in the red here. Got the picture?

After loosing 7 250.40$, shouldn’t I get enough of all of that financial crap? NO, I didn’t get enough yet lol… One of the reason why is because I believe that in the upcoming months, I will be able to build a stronger portfolio. 2009 was the year of experimentation and learning. And also, talking dividend earnings, I am currently almost at 3 000$... So:

7 250.40$ - 3 000$ = 4 250.40$

This is basically what keep me wanted to continue because overall, my loses are only of 4 250.40$. Let’s say this was a good way of learning. And I learn the hardest way ever: by loosing some of my own precious money. But even there, over time, I believe my current investment will gain value enough and that -4 250.40$ won’t even appear over time.. Maybe in a year or 2… But only if I don’t make more investment mistakes…

About Yellow Pages Income Fund (YLO.UN) dividend

Today, I had received my Yellow Pages Income Fund (YLO.UN). I had received a cutty 27.68$ in dividend and I earn 5 new units by the magic of the DRIP.

This is my last evening off

So as you can see, I am enjoying my last evening jobs. I get through the integration session without too much trouble. But the job is still very difficult as I received comments like: how come it’s taking so long, usually, this is being taking are in a matter of a few seconds and so on… lol… Relax and stay cool… I am the one handling your call… It is sooooo hilarious… I actually had a call and the customer was like: Are you new? lol… And that’s when I answer: I will do the best to help you or something like it… Isn’t funny?

Anyway, no matter what happen, I am still in and I am integrating my regular shift tomorrow… Cash is going to be extra awesome! And more cash = more stocks…

And talking about more stocks, I didn’t purchase any Corby Distilleries (CDL.A) stocks yet… And I truly regret it! At the time I write about Corby Distilleries (CDL.A), the price was of 14.95$. If I would had only purchase my stocks during that time, I would had made an easy profit of 26$, as the value of Corby Distilleries (CDL.A) is currently of 15.20$... I had been lazy lately and my laziness is costing me money!

On the road for a second 50 000$

The weekend pass by very quickly – especially after passing almost the whole Saturday sleeping… I do not working in the evening for the next 2 days. Maybe I wasn’t schedule by mistake. But I really do not mind at all. It’s just my paycheck will suffer from it. I am at a point were I would like to be working at one job only. But if I do so, my plan won’t work. I won’t be able to hit the 100 000$ in investment and I truly believe that this could happen for me in 2010. Forget about the 75 000$ or something – I am looking for the 100 000$ starting from now on. It’s not actually the first time that I am talking about a 100 000$ portfolio. And it’s not the last time either.

Each time I could work more hours or do some overtime, I feel sometimes bad about it because I know that I didn’t do all I could to make things happen. Same thing with my expenses. But even if I didn’t do the best that I could, I saw some fantastic results. So can you only imagine what it would had been if I would had done my best – work all the extra hours I could AND spending more carefully my money? I could be on 70 000$ portfolio right now. And that’s disappointing me, but in another hand, I feel I am at the right place at the right time. I could had done better, but I am doing well, still. That’s really a from me to me speech. I am just looking at how things goes right now and I have a feeling that I can possibly each the 100 000$ investment portfolio for my 30th birthday.

My new job is quite stressing. I had brought all of my stuff this weekend to study – but I didn’t read anything. I had enough for now, but I will try to go though a quick reading tomorrow early evening.

I am facing a dilemma: my mental health or a 100 000$ investment portfolio for 2010. Guess which one I had choose… a 100 000$ investment portfolio. ;)

More about my next investment: Corby Distilleries (CDL.A)

It’s with great pleasure that I am announcing my next investment: 100 stocks of Corby Distilleries (CDL.A). At 14.95$ per share, Corby Distilleries stocks are affordable.

Corby Distilleries (CDL.A) had been trading on the TSX since 1969. There’s actually 2 Corby Distilleries. They are CDL.A and CDL.B. The category A are voting shares and the B are non voting. No different between the 2, but if you are willing to invest in Corby Distilleries and think like an investor, 100 stocks or more, you might like to vote, since as soon as you purchase stocks, you own a small part of the company. Small, but still, powerful as you can vote!

The benefits of adding Corby Distilleries (CDL.A) to my investment portfolio

Dividend!

Corby Distilleries (CDL.A) provides an annual dividend of 56 cents per stock.

Stability!

I had been looking into Corby Distilleries (CDL.A). Their usual value seems to be 15$. I was actually surprised to see CDL.A at 14.95$ on Friday. There are no drastic ups and downs when talking about Corby Distilleries (CDL.A). Corby Distilleries (CDL.A) own 25% of the “alcoholic” business that is out there…

Some data regarding Corby Distilleries (CDL.A)

52 Week High: 17.24$
52 Week Low: 13.16$

17.24$-13.16$ = 4.08$

I consider Corby Distilleries (CDL.A) as a stable investment. Because the variation between the highest and lowest is not major. Period. The little analysis stop right here.

Do it like Derek Foster

I wake up at 4PM and been blogging since I wake up lol. I think I am brain dead lol… Yesterday, I was very tired; I was having terrible back pain. But now, after sleeping more than 12 hours in a row… I am alight lol. It was a bit cold in my apartment so when I felt the breeze, I just continue sleeping… I didn’t want to wake up. When I am sleeping like this, I am not doing any shopping, so I am not spending my precious money around. And talking about precious money, I have a lot of projects going on! I am not totally brain dead. I was tired because we start receiving calls at my new job and its gave me a lot of stress. We are terribly poorly train – and the trainer was kind of suck too – to do the job we are desperately trying to do. The trainer we had was basically a wanna-be-superstar and she’d once of the most annoying woman I had never met of my life. But no surprise there, I wasn’t expecting much more coming from Quebeckers. My expectations were not really high. And some co-workers are really arrogant and disrespectful (worst than me!).. but oh surprise, they are… Quebeckers lol. Nothing more than just poor Quebeckers. They should consider themselves lucky to have someone like myself – one of the best do-it-like-Derek-Foster-investor out there working for them. That’s it. Very funny isn’t?

LESSONS LEARN: Don’t expect your co-workers to be as smart and gentle as you are.

It’s actually more difficult that I taught, at some points, to work from 9 AM to midnight. I was doing it before, last year, but the difference with this year situation is that I don’t have any break between the 2 jobs. I finish one job at 5:30PM and begin the other one at 6PM. I am lucky enough to only have to take the metro and the 2 jobs are close from one to another. The shift of my evening job had been changed for next week, so I will be working during the day and my new job is during the evening. But once I will no my new job better, it will be much better and I will be less tired.

LESSONS LEARN: You can work around the clock and sleep as little as 6 hours per night if you are really into money

Great surprise, my stocks and units portfolio had increased to 34 027$ (compare to the 33 898$ on December 5th). Which represent an increase of 129$. Those numbers and this increase could be seemed at first some kind of ridiculously low. BUT – here’s my point: the TSX, when closing Friday, had lost 40.64 points and the value of my stocks and units portfolio had increased of 129$... We have something very special right here. I AM BEATING THE INDEX lol. Beat the steel when it's hot.... :)

LESSONS LEARN: You can beat the index without too much trouble.

Money projects or what to do with my money… paying debts or invest?

I currently have 1 500$ lying in my banking accounts, doing nothing. This mean that 1 500$ of my very own precious money is not working for me right now. I have to do something about it! But what should I do, pay off some debts or invest?

Take a guess, and a very wild one…

But just before revealing what I am going to do next, here’s an update regarding my debt situation:

-Student loan: 8 644.75$ at 4.75%
Yearly interest: 408.80$
-TD line of credit: 4 686$ at 8%
Yearly interest: 374.88$
-CIBC Visa: 2 979.44$ at 3.99% for 6 months
6 months interest: 59.44$
-Credit line at super low interest rate: 3 537.13$
Yearly interest: 132.64$
TOTAL IN INTEREST: 975.76$

As you can see, I had for now transferred the money I had available to invest on my credit line at a super low interest.

The total in interest is of 975.76$.

Interest rate money vs dividend money

Do I really care for in interest while my investment portfolio will provide me, in the upcoming year, close to 3 000$ in dividend earnings? I have to say, I don’t care about my debt situation, and I will ever will.

Right now, I am desperately looking forward to increase the value of my portfolio, eve we are just talking here of 1 500$. I had opened a broker account at where I currently work and it might be time to experiment their platform. And their very cheap commission fee! Starting from now, I will purchase all of my new investments through them.

LESSONS LEARN: Paying off debts is boring.

We are now talking about a new investment! What would it be?

I am giving you fee worlds: wine, vodka, gin, rum… No, I didn’t turn into an alcoholic… Those words stand for Corby Distilleries (CDL.A)! Remember that I had purchased Derek Foster latest book Stop working too, you still can!: safe beginner strategies from Canada’s millionaire investor and that I really like it? As always, Derek Foster adds the content of his investment portfolio at the end of his book. Corby Distilleries (CDL.A) is about one of the only non .UN investment that Derek Foster hold that I can afford at this time!

It makes me laugh to read some articles like: What went wrong with the Derek Foster Strategy; Is Dividend Investing dead? The Derek Foster Story and so on… Nothing went wrong with Derek Foster. It’s just at a point, the markets were scary and he decides to sell his portfolio because at the time, he taught it was the best thing to do.

In a few years from now, those same individuals will probably look at things differently. I had been reading a lot of stuff about finance and other and never before that had I read a book about finance that was almost like a user guide on how to escape from hell (hell being, of course, the work place lol). But not only. His books are not only about on how to Stop Working, it’s about understanding investment and the risk. And I add the risk in here because it’s the most important part.

I will take a personal example. My father had around 30 000$ put aside in his RRSP account. The money had been lying for about 25-30 years in an account that was providing – and still provide him – a low interest rate. Why? Because my father doesn’t want to risk his money. Reason why: never of his life he gets some investment knowledge. He doesn’t understand the notion of risk in investment.

You might know how financial planner and others work: they suggest investment products by respecting your investment profile. But by respecting their investment profile only. They don’t get into the subject into deeper manners because the law is strict. If the individual does not get the financial knowledge he needs to understand the notion of risk by himself, ever of his life he will received good return on his money. And that's very sad.

Before reading Derek Foster books, my investment life was mostly involved in mutual funds and GIC. After several reading of Stop Working: Here’s how you can!, I decide to move forward and open a broker account. I guess that in the meantime, I might had forget all about of my reading of Derek Foster books because shortly after opening my broker account, I was investing in Timminco (TIM) and Sprott Inc. (SII). My first investments were the worst one I could ever make of my life! But shortly after, I was going back on track and I had purchased all of those marvelous investments you can see on the right column of my blog…

Anyhow, after several, multiple reading of Derek Foster 4 books, I understand the notion of risk and my life will never be the same.

LESSONS LEARN: Derek Foster will probably make Canadian history. Read, learn, invest and get rich.