OUTCH! The European recession is hurting my porfolio

I lost near to 2 000$ in my non registered portfolio. Overall, I may had lost 2 000-2 500$ or close to 3 000$, but I didn’t calculate the current value of my everything because my everything is everything but not short. I am not a minimalist investor, let’s say. I love to accumulate, accumulate, both investments and debts.

Ok, so in result of the European crisis, I might had lost around 3 000$. But it’s not like my portfolio had lost a third or a half of its value. I can easily support loses like this one. I had experiment the market volatibility before and each time, I recover. From my point of view, my portfolio can go through another economic break down without too much trouble. It’s just kind of sad because with my mutual fund investments, I had just begin to recover from the 2008 loses. And now, I guess the gain had been lost. I am confident the market will go up again. What we had live with the US-Canada recession was as worst as what’s happening now in Greece and other European countries. I am still looking forward to invest in 100 extra stocks of CDL.A in June. I just cannot wait!

Also, in late May, I will receive the money for a GIC that I hold in my RSP portfolio. I will get the money transferred into my RSP broker account and I may purchase an ETF. I am quite tempt to invest more in the Claymore Gold Bullion ETF (CGL). I had been very satisfied with my Claymore Gold Bullion. And what better place to hold gold anyway other place than in a RSP?

CIBC Visa is the best!

Yesterday, I was very upset at CIBC Visa and you know, those frustrations had to come out one way or the other. The rep I talked to last time told me that my 3.9% special interest rate on my remaining balance of 1 283.63$ was ending today, May 6, while it should had end on September 6. I didn’t have time to argue with the rep at that time and I also wanted to make sure I wasn’t making a mistake on my side. I wanted to review my transfers and see exactly what had been done. Lately, I had been quite busy so passing time on such things really annoyed me. You could ask me, what are you doing, what are you so busy at? I am busy at living first, at working everyday, not to mention that each day involve 1.5-2 hours of walking every single day now that I do not own a metro pass. It’s been almost a week now without a metro pass and I kind of enjoy walking around, especially with the wind, I just like Montreal wind, a nice flair one. And I am also busy at trying to make money online and following the stock market and my sensational investments. That’s what I am busy at.

Anyhow, I call back CIBC Visa today and it appears that I was right! I went gently with the rep without screaming – lol – I was put on hold while verification was made. And after I was told that everything was fine, that I was going to have the 3.9% on the 1 283.63$ balance left until September 6. I was so happy that I told the girl I would wrote a note on her behalf. And of course I will. So I am pretty thankful for CIBC Visa to have fixed my problem.

I never had any issues with CIBC. I am grateful to have some investments with CIBC and a credit card. So this problem had been fixed. I am very happy now because my projects are taking form. I do not really want to begin paying off debts until I reach 100 000$ in assets. That’s really all. It could be seen as a non-sense for some people but for me, it all make sense. The TSX might be under the 12 000 points now, but it doesn’t change anything in my projects. The lost of today at the market is actually a good sign and the opposite – gains – would had been an abnormal reaction to an abnormal situation that we are currently living with the Greece and other European countries. The market had a normal reaction to an abnormal situation and it’s a good sign. The TSX is just following the market. And it’s more important than ever to have a diversified portfolio. It’s also a very good time to make some new investments if, of course, money is available. Which is currently not my case lol.

While most of my investments had lost in value today, one had gain: Claymore Gold Bullion ETF (CGL). Until today, Claymore Gold Bullion ETF (CGL) highest value was 10.79$. Today, Claymore Gold Bullion had been its own scored by reaching a fantastic 10.93$. This is exactly what happens in recession time: the price of gold increase. And Claymore Gold Bullion ETF (CGL) had just followed the market. Adding Claymore Gold Bullion to your portfolio can help to provide stability to your assets. The only problem being that this investment won’t bring any dividend in the house. That’s the price of stability, I guess.

And talking about dividend, I had received 51.45$ from Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) and a very awesome 75.02$ from Just Energy Income Fund (JE.UN). I am now at 106 stocks of Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) and 731 units of Just Energy. Regarding JE.UN, I would very much like to reach the 1 000 in units of Just Energy Income Fund (JE.UN). But as for now, my goal is to invest in 100 stocks of Corby Distilleries Limited (CDL.A). Corby Distilleries Limited (CDL.A) close the day at 15.60$. Since I own CDL.A, I never saw the stock price going under the 15$ per stock. Corby Distilleries alcohol is as pure as gold: Corby Distilleries will continue to bring great stability to my portfolio just like, Claymore Gold Bullion ETF (CGL).

In those tough times, I greatly need stability, especially after seeing Just Energy Income Fund (JE.UN) falling to 13$ per stock. Currently, my non registered portfolio is under the 47 000$. This is of course very sad, but the market will go up again. Just Energy (JE.UN) had made a great acquisition in the US and its unit value will go up again. Energy stocks can be quite volatile and sensible to the market condition. The market condition may affect JE.UN value at the TSX, but it won’t affect JE.UN dividend. My dream would be to own 1 000 units of JE.UN. This is quite realizable knowing I already own 731 units. The DRIP system is really fantastic. Earning one more stock of Bank of Scotia (BNS) through the DRIP system could be seem as being nothing at all, but it is not, especially knowing that 1 new stock bring 1.99$ extra in dividend income. When a company close or suspend its DRIP, like Premium Brands Holdings Corporation (PBH) and Pembina Pipeline Income Fund (PIF.UN), its all the hope for a better portfolio that disappear, even if its mean earning 1 or 5 stocks or units less per distribution period. But not having the DRIP is not the end of the world. It’s actually quite pleasant to have some extra cash available to do whatever you want with it. You can do whatever you want with the dividend earn because it is YOUR money. Is there any better thing in the world than earning dividend?

With my newest dividend earning, I just exceed the 1 000$ in dividend for 2010. I am currently at 1 123.49$ in dividend passive income for 2010. After 2 years investing in stocks and units, I become a better investor. So far for 2010, nothing major but I can say proudly that I didn’t make any investment mistakes. I do things the way I want and so far, I am satisfied with the results. I always told myself that if the losses would became too significant, that I would stopped investing but so far, I recover from losses and I am confident that my portfolio situation will just get better over time. Guess I am still too much confident in myself even after being laid off of BMO Bank of Montreal.

I am that of a monster :)

The story behind my 1 283.63$ credit card debt: example of a credit card balance transfer that turned wrong... because of CIBC Visa

I am credit card balance fanatic. I like this system because its allow me to borrow money at a smaller interest rate. I am receiving credit card balance transfer on a regular basis and so far, once one is close to the term date, I am receiving another offer from another credit card that I hold. So I had been « playing ping-pong » as I like to call it, quite often in 2009&2010. Everything went perfectly well until recently.

Once of my credit card balance transfer offer is ending on May 6… which is tomorrow. But it shouldn’t be the case. Here’s the story behind my 1 283.63$ debt at a promotional rate of 3.9% that is ending tomorrow.

A couple of months ago, I had received this incredible offer coming from CIBC Visa: 3.9% interest rate on a credit card balance transfer! WOW! Of course, I wanted to benefit from this offer to invest more. And I did. That’s how today I own 726 units of Just Energy Income Fund (JE.UN).

I proceed with 2 different transfers:
-First one of 2 854.31$. The 3.9% interest rate offer ending on May 6, 2010.
-Second one of 1 404.19$. The 3.9% interest rate ending on September 6, 2010.

At that point, nothing wrong.

Recently, I had received an offer from TD Visa, a 4.9% interest rate valid for 6 months! Great! So I wouldn’t have to sell my investment to pay off the amount due! Yeah! I am sometimes very lucky like that.

Of course, I ask for a credit card balance limit increase for my TD Visa. My limit had been increased as I wanted (or I was going to cancel everything, that’s exactly what I told the guy lol). PERFECTO. So I proceed to a credit card balance transfer from CIBC Visa to TD Visa for an amount of 3 000$ at a 4.9% interest rate valid until September or something like it 2010.

Here again, nothing wrong.

But…….

Earlier this week, I gave CIBC Visa a call, asking how much I had in balance left and my interest rate. I just wanted to confirm the interest rate, right. That’s when I was told that my interest rate at 3.5% was ending on May 6, 2010. But previously before, I had made a call, speaking to a representative and she confirmed me I was going to be good for a 3.9% interest rate until September 6, 2010… Like I explain to her what I wanted to do, and she confirmed it was going to be ok. But the guy to who I spoke to earlier this week told me that the 3.9% interest rate was ending on May 6. WRONG! Scandalously wrong!

So what’s going to happen?

I am going to call CIBC Visa asking them to correct their mistake. If not, I am never going to deal with them again. DONE. GAME OVER. And if they don’t want to, I am going to ask to speak to a supervisor because I had received the confirmation from a representative that I was going to have the 3.9% interest rate on the amount left… They just have to listen to the call.

No way I am going to begin to pay off debt. It’s so not me. I am waiting for a good paycheck this evening at midnight because I might have received some commissions. That money is going to be use on the purchase of 100 stocks of CDL.A. It will certainly not be use to pay off debt. It’s not CIBC Visa who’s going to ruin my everything. Those banks really need to learn how to respect people! I am just hoping that CIBC is not following BMO Bank of Montreal footsteps. Like you know, a bank turning into a ghetto scheme or something like that.

My debt situation on date of May 3, 2010

Credit line 1: 10 000$ at 4.75%
Student loan debt: 8 309.46$ at 4.75%
Credit card 1: 8 001.66 at 4.9% for 6 months (until October 2010)
Credit line 2: 5 000$ at 3.5%
Credit line 3: 4 880.89$ at 8%
Credit card 2: 1 283.63$ at 3.9% ending… on May 6, 2010!
TOTAL: 37 475.64$

Dealing with credit card balance transfer can be kind of… confusing. One of my credit card balance transfer offer is ending… on May 6, 2010. I taught I would have until the end of the month to figure out something…. But not, after verification with CIBC Visa… Oups!

It’s my mistake but no problem. I currently hold more than 37 000$ in debts. Time have come to pay off some debts, don’t you think so. I party hard with my money, made investment crazy and so. It was fun. But now I am looking to clear off the 1 283.63$ balance I hold on the credit card number 2. On May 6, I should be able to make a payment of 700$ on that debt. After what, I will only have left 583.63$ to pay. So it shouldn’t be too bad. I won’t be able to invest again in June just like I wanted. But in a way, paying off some debts is not a bad thing. In the upcoming months, a paying debt-investing-paying debt-investing scheme might turn out to be a better sequence than just investing-investing-investing and only paying the minimum on debt.

I had been paying the minimum on debt because the dividends I earn largely cover the interest gain on the money I borrowed. But I guess I am at the point where some debts need to be paid off.

First step is to pay off the 1 283.63$. After what, I will have to look after the 8 001.66$ at 4.9% that is ending on October 2010. What am I going to do?

Ok, I know, I previously say I was going to use margin to pay off debt at a cheaper interest rate. The interest rate for T D Waterhouse margin is 3.5%. 3.5% is a very low interest rate and seem very appealing at first. But margin is kind of complicated and I just don’t like margin at all. It would stress me too much to have to deal with margin. NOW I understand why Derek Foster suggested not to use margin. It’s too complicated stuff for small people like myself. Margin is mostly made for super-rich, those who can afford risk. I can’t. And margin is too complicated. Anyhow, at this time, I am not ready for margin. Not at all. Margin = frightening and scary! For now, I prefer to keep things simple.

So here’s the plan, I am going to pay off the 1 283.63$ credit card debt. Until September 2010, I will make the minimum payment on my debts. And by September, I am going to ask for a credit line. Where? I don’t know yet. But thing is, I cannot place my request now because my RSP credit line is recent from March 2010 and also, I just applied for the 3 000$ credit card limit increase at TD Visa. I cannot ask for too much credit at the same time either so I guess that waiting for 5 months before asking for any other credit is a good option, from my point of view. And if my credit line request is being decline than, I may turn to margin as only left alternative.

The 1.99% credit card balance transfer I received for one year is tempting, but its involve opening new credit card which, after the first year, will turn into the regular 19% or so interest rate… I don’t think it really worth it.

Today was my first day ever without my metro pass… and I survive to it! It was raining this morning but not that much. I guess I am about 40 minutes walking distance from work, not more. I don’t know for sure because I want pay my credit card and stuff among the way. And when I came back home the weather was just amazing. Walking on a daily basis will just make a lot of good to me. As much as paying off some debt.

My debt situation on date of March 24, 2010

Student loan debt: 8 464$ at 4.75% =
402.04$ in annual interest

Credit line: 4 840$ at 3.5% =
169.40$ in annual interest

Credit line: 3 922.01$ at 8% =
313.76$ in annual interest

RSP Credit line: 10 000$ at 4.75% =
475$ in annual interest

Credit card balance transfer: 5 000$ at 4.9% =
245$ in annual interest

Credit card balance transfer: 4 359.02$ at 3.9% =
170$ in annual interest

Total of debts: 36 585.03$
Total in annual interest rate: 1 775.20$
[In date of March 24, 2010]

Michaëlle Jean: Governor General of Canada (2005-2010)

Michaëlle Jean may have done a great job as the Governor General of Canada, but she didn’t do anything extraordinary for the people and her time is now over. Time to pass on the crown to someone else and, if possible, to a real Canadian this time. I have nothing against Michaëlle Jean. But for me, Michaëlle Jean is not a real Canadian. Why? It have nothing to do with the color of her skin, which is, obviously black lol, it have nothing to do with the fact that she was born in Haiti. My definition of a “real Canadian” has nothing to do with ethnicity or from where you are coming from. I want a Governor General who never been closed to Quebec willingness to become a country. I want a Governor General of Canada who had strong believe in Canada and I want to have a Governor General of Canada who has no relations behind the idea of a sovereign Quebec.

When Michaëlle Jean shows up publicly with her husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, I am feeling shame, disgust. Jean-Daniel Lafond is a French-born with basically no real Canadian cultural identity. I mean, Jean-Daniel Lafond had been part of the FLQ, a militant Quebec-separatist organization. No one who had deal with the FLQ from close or far should had a connection with the federal highest position. Michaëlle Jean should never have never been nominated as Governor General of Canada, knowing who’s her husband. Back in 2005, I was a young woman, I knew who was Jean-Daniel Lafond and I couldn’t believe Prime Minister Paul Martin was doing this to Canadians, selling the Governor General of Canada position to Quebeckers.

When the shame will stop for real Canadians? Can real Canadians just live happily with the proud of being Canadians without having to deal with some scandalous Quebeckers, just willing to bring terror and destruction to one of the best country of the world, if not the best one? One day, the circus will have to stop; Quebeckers will have to decide to go one way or the other. The question of who will be designed as new Governor General of Canada is a question of national identity. And Quebeckers are not good examples of that. I thing that Quebeckers should simply separate, create of country of their own and we’ll be done with it, done with the shame, done with exocentric measure to satisfy the one who will just never be satisfied because of their stupidity.

Look what happen in Canada history when a Quebeckers had become Canada Prime Minister. Jean Chrétien, Paul Martin, Brian Mulroney. All gangsters, poor nominees, just selfish blood suckers. And here I am naming just naming the most recent ones. When the shame will stop? New Brunswick gone pretty bad in health care when Bernard Lord was PM. And Bernard Lord was born… in Quebec province. I know about Bernard Lord and New Brunswick because I am myself a New Brunswicker. And a French one by the way.

Quebec leaders are weak, lazy, and Canadians deserve much more than what can Quebeckers can actually bring to them. Prime Minister Stephen Harper may not be perfect, but he’s doing the best as he can in a difficult economic situation and deserves the respect of all “real” Canadians. Not to forget that Stephen Harper had provide Quebeckers the “distinct society” title to Quebec, so the fools can feel special in a unite Canada that no Quebeckers, by the way, truly deserve, knowing for who they massively vote for. As long as political parties as Bloc Québécois for the federal, Parti Québécois and Québec Solidaire for the provincial will be active, there will be no place for communication between real Canadians and Quebeckers. There will only be place for shame. Other French Canadians do not need Quebec, see, we are all bilingual, or almost lol.

And talking about disgust, Michaëlle Jean should have never been nominated as Governor General of Canada, her husband being who he is. As Canadian, I want to be represented by a Governor General of Canada who’s a real Canadian, not a fake one. And I don’t care about the color of the skin or from the nativity. Canadians have the right to be honor and deserved to be represent by a pure patriotic, someone with honesty. And Canadians have now that chance.

When I read about Michael Ignatieff who, according to the press, “is urging the prime minister to extend Michaëlle Jean's term as Governor General when her five-year appointment expires in September”, the only thing I want to say to Michael Ignatieff is: NO WAY! I am happy to have found out who is the real Michael Ignatieff, a maniac who, just like Paul Martin, wants to collect Quebecker votes, another selfish one who want to sell the Governor General of Canada position for another 5 years to Quebeckers. Remember reading in the press that Michael Ignatieff had called Brian Mulroney for his birthday? Another bullshit to have some Quebec voters. And what about the proud? Brian Mulroney did what he did. I won’t even write about hit. I just hate Brian Mulroney. And just knowing he’s living somewhere in Westmount of Montreal just freak me more lol.

You know the shit, Michael Ignatieff just want to gain some Quebec voters. But who care about Quebeckers? They had been sooooooo unfaithful of the country, publicly voting massively for the Bloc Québécois, publicly declaring that they are a distinct society. Why do they feel so special by the way? At a point, the distinct society need to get out of the unite Canada. And no more fake Canadians as Governor General of Canada ever, no more Quebeckers in a unite Canada. Never again.

Paul Martin put a shame on the country by naming Michaëlle Jean as Governor General of Canada in 2005. Now that Paul Martin and the Liberals are no longer in control of this country, Canadians have the right to be represent correctly without lies, and with respect.

So I hope Michaëlle Jean will enjoy her last summer as Governor General of Canada. No more free trips, Michaëlle Jean.

I am now at 88 632.34$ in assets

Its lower than on date of April 23, 2010, but April had been an extraordinary month for my investment portfolio!

Back on April 23, 2010, I was at a fantastic 89 157.88$ and currently, on date of May 1, 2010, I am at 88 632.24$, which represent a lost of 525.54$. Not too bad, but it could be worst, I guess. I had calculate 600$ in saving. I currently have more than 1 000$ in my saving account, but I only add 600$. The money I currently have is to pay my expenses for the month of May. My next paycheck should be of 600$, so I only add on 600$ in savings. I have chances to reach 90 000$ in assets during the month of June… 100 new stocks of Corby Distilleries Limited (CDL.A), that will be my next investment in June. So Corby Distilleries Limited (CDL.A), be ready, I am coming for more lol… I currently hold 100 stocks of the marvelous CDL.A. I am just very happy with Corby Distilleries Limited (CDL.A). Very stable investment, just what I need in my portfolio at this time to hit the 90 000$ in assets. Is this begging to be out of control? No, it’s just getting better!

My first month without a metro pass

For the month of May, I decide not to purchase any metro pass… My weekend job is pretty close to where I live, but not my daytime job. I am giving myself 45 minutes of walking. I could use a bike, but for my own safety, I won’t use a bike downtown Montreal, I just find it too dangerous, traveling on a bike in the city. I am curious to see how it will goes. But it’s the only way I am going to get a daily exercise…

Hello dividend!

The month of April end on a dividend happy note.

So far for 2010, I am close to the 1 000$ in dividend income. I recently received 24.17$ of Bell Aliant Regional Communications Income Fund (BA.UN), 15.33$ of Davis + Henderson Income Fund (DHF.UN) and 10.80$ of The Consumers’ Waterheater Income Fund (CWI.UN). Since I own 400 units of The Consumers’ Waterheater Income Fund, I should have received 21.60$. I guess I am having problem because I just transferred 200 units of CWI.UN over my Tax-free savings account (TFSA). Guess I will have to call T D Waterhouse one more time. I have to call T D Waterhouse anyway because I have 20$ in cash from my TFSA that I want to get transferred into my non registered account. That 20$ will be add to the 142.81$ I have in non registered broker account. That way, I will be able to make the minimum 150$ payment required on my TD credit line.

Thinking about margin

On the post of April 29, 2010, title “My first 100$ payout from Google AdSense program”, I came across my debts and was suggest by a reader to use margin. According to Dividend Lover, I could use margin to pay off debt, and I could do it at very low interest that may be 3.5%. Wow! That’s a good thing because to tell you the true, I begin to be tired of credit card balance transfer. Just recently, I just complete one of those transfers: 3 000$ at 4.9%. Great, but the interest rate at 4.9% only remains valid for 6 months. From 6 months after 6 months, it’s always the stress to se if another credit card balance transfer will come or not from another credit card I hold. Lately, I had received that 1.9% percent interest rate on credit card balance transfer. Nice, but that one is being offer for 1 year. Does it worth it to apply for another credit card knowing I hold already so many of them? My answer to that is no. I use my credit wisely, but adding another credit card would be just way too much. So the margin solution kind of arrives right on a perfect time. I knew margin existed of course, but I didn’t know that the margin money could be use for another purpose than investing. In this case, I will use margin to pay off some debts, it won’t be use to extend my investment portfolio. I could probably use my margin to the fullest in order to reach my first 100 000.00$ kind of right away, but it won’t be the case. What I like about my investment is that its gradual, nothing come easily, let’s say. But it’s the way I like it the best. I already borrow enough money and, if this portfolio is not perfect, it’s really me and I like it just the way it is. So guess I will inform myself better on margin and see if I like what I heard. I plan to make a down payment each month even if its not require. Pretty exciting things coming ahead.

My investment portfolio in date of April 23, 2010

Savings:
372.07$

Non registered Investments:
Stocks & Units investment portfolio
Sprott Inc. (SII): 1 996.80$
Timminco (TIM): 168$
Blue Note Mining (BNT): 46$
Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS): 5 464.20$
Hanwei Energy Services (HE): 135$
Methanex Corporation (MX): 2 556.46$
Fortis (FTS): 2 985.15$
Pembina Pipeline Income Fund (PIF.UN):
7 508.80$
Just Energy Income Fund (JE.UN): 9 953.46$
Dumont Nickel Inc. (DNI): 460$
Yellow Pages Income Fund (YLO.UN):
3 010.93$
Bell Aliant Regional Communications Income Fund
(BA.UN): 2 638$
Pengrowth Energy Trust (PGF.UN): 1 233.84$
Enbridge Income Fund (ENF.UN): 4 093.32$
Corby Distilleries Limited (CDL.A): 1 589$
Davis + Henderson Income Fund (DHF.UN):
1 819$
Premium Brands Holdings Corporation (PBH):
2 856$
The Consumers’ Waterheater Income Fund
(CWI.UN): 1 060$
Cash: 127.48$

TOTAL: 49 701.44$

Tax-free savings account (TFSA):
RBC O’Shaughnessy Canadian Equity Fund:
2 863.38$
The Consumers’ Waterheater Income Fund
(CWI.UN): 1 060$
Sprott Canadian Equity Fund: 5 262.88$
Cash: 21.69$

TOTAL: 9 186.26$

RSP investment portfolio:
Claymore Gold Bullion ETF (CGL): 2 088$
EnCana Corporation (ECA): 3 267$
Emera Incorporated (EMA): 4 958$
Cash: 259.15$

CIBC Dividend Growth Fund: 512.36$
CIBC Emerging Markets Index Fund: 449.53$
CIBC Monthly Income Fund: 988.60$

Energy and Base Metals Term Savings (Indexed term savings): 546.25$
Natural Resources Term Savings (Indexed term
savings): 502.06$

GIC National Bank: 1 170$
GIC Finance Plus: 1 513.97$
GIC Plus: 500$

TD Canadian Bond: 112.68$
TD Monthly Income: 107.52$
TD Emerging Markets: 80.79$
TD Energy: 86.15$
TD Precious Metals: 108.76$
TD Latin American Growth: 94.20$
TD Entertainment & Communications: 107.83$
TD Dividend Growth: 204.99$
TD U.S. Mid-Cap Growth: 105.09$

Maritime Life International Equity Fund
(Templeton): 646.93$
Manulife Simplicity Growth Portfolio: 873.47$
Maritime Life CI Harbour Seg Fund: 1 034.32$
Maritime Life Fidelity True North Seg Fund: 985.72$
Maritime Life Trimark Europlus Seg Fund: 598.27$

Great-West – various: 1 753.62$

RBC Canadian Dividend Fund: 524.62$
RBC U.S. Mid-Cap Equity Fund C$: 1 924.89$
RBC Global Resources Fund: 971.31$
RBC O’Shaughnessy International Equity Fund:
606.20$
RBC O’Shaughnessy All-Canadian Equity
Fund: 1 061.69$

GIC Canadian Market: 1 000$

TOTAL: 29 743.97$

Social Capital at Desjardins Membership share
for 3 accounts: 40$

Savings + Stocks, units, mutual funds + Tax-free
savings account + RRSP + Online Income
(114.14$):
89 157.88$
[In date of April 23, 2010]

My first 100$ payout from Google AdSense program

Yep! Usually, bloggers request a payment by cheque, but I did mine through online banking as I wanted to be sure to get the payment. I didn’t want to see the work of 3 years of blogging to get lost in the mail. What really help me in reaching my first 100$ in Google AdSense is HubPages and of course, this current blog. I reach 100$ once, I can reach 100$ a second time. I just hope that next time, it won’t take me as long as 3 years lol. But I see blogging as a hubby, and when you see blogging this way, your chances of making good money of blogging is low. I also blog on a very personal tone. I am not an expert on anything really, so it makes it even harder. But I have to say, in the last couple of months, I saw the traffic on my blog increasing. The key: just keep blogging, writing, I guess. On a long term goal, I would very much like to be able to earn 100$ per month from Google AdSense program. It’s possible. In my case, 100$ per month would required more articles on HubPages, more post on my blog. Extremely difficult to blog, write articles and work full-time! But I am willing to take the challenge!

The last couple of days had been quite busy. I had been busy at « stretching » my budget, as a new payer is being add on this upcoming May, my RSP credit line payment. My monthly payment is of around 107$. Currently, I have just enough money to cover up for my expenses. But luckily, I can cover all the payments I need to make, rent included for the month of May. Which mean that all of what I will earn on my next paycheque can be money save over my next investment, 100 new stocks of Corby Distilleries Limited (CDL.A). At a point, I am quite tempted to just cash in my dividend instead of making them roll over but as view before…. There seem to be no easy way. I can make end reach just the way I am being set right now but of course, I want more.

April 23, 2010 had been quite an extraordinary period for my portfolio. Back than, my non registered portfolio was at 49 701.44$. For the same portfolio, I registered today a 841.75$ lost. The beautiful gains had been lost, but I am confident I will reach the 841.75$ in gain really soon. I do not really know what to think about the situation in Greece and other European countries. But hope its turn for the best.

So I guess I will have no choice than going out of my comfort zone and work more hours at my daytime job, save save save and… job search. This week, I try to be careful with my expenses. I begin to cut on my coffees but believe it or not, it has an effect on me. I am feeling less alert and more sleepy. I bring tea bag at work and in the morning, I made myself some coffee. But nothing to compare to Second Cup coffee, that’s for sure.

Cutting on small expenses can have a huge positive effect on a budget. As for myself, we can talk about one, if not 2 coffees per day for a total of 4.42$ per day. 4.42$ x 30 days = 132.60$.... 30 days because not to forget I work Saturday and Sunday too… And this amount does not even include eating out. It make easily 200$ per month that I can save pretty easily. I done this kind of saving before, giving myself sometime a « non coffees week » goal. Each time, the goal had been more or less respected, but each time, I had been able to save some money. Myself, my bad habit is mostly coffee and eating out. Once it will be under control for good, I will be fine. I am just very happy to have already the cash to pay all of my May expenses.

Because its all about the lowest and the highest

The upcoming weeks are going to be much better as I got my regular schedule back. I went crazy for the past couple of days as I sometimes had to wake up at 6 in the morning just to go to work… But now everything back on track. My portfolio is doing quite well. Nice gain today again for my portfolio! Most interested gains were for my RSP stocks portfolio.

I don’t know how many times I write and told myself I was going to job search, but I didn’t and I don’t think I will. I am confident I might be able to reach the 90 000$ in assets if not by the end of June, later on this summer and this is enough for me. At a point, working more just getting the hell out of me, money is good, but I guess at 89 100$ in assets, the money lost is excitement, investment lost of its freshness and dividends well, they are what they are: dividend… lol… I know that I will be job searching again but it won’t be for now, unless I really need to.

Maybe I shouldn’t have done this but I just call T D Waterhouse to contribute to my TFSA. I had a 1 800$ or something left over, so I decide to take the 200 units I had of the Consumers’ Waterheater Income Fund (CWI.UN) in my non registered account transferred over my TFSA. And guess who else had join the TFSA? Dumont Nickel (DNI)! I transferred the 23 000 stocks from my non registered account to my TFSA. Why did I do so? I had 1 885.02$ left that I could be invested in for 2010 in my TFSA.

At this point, I am just fooling around with little investments but funny fact is that all of those little investments combine together, make, at the end, a really fantastic 89 100$ and something… Anyhow, I already had 200 units of the Consumers’ Waterheater Income Fund (CWI.UN) into my TFSA. I also had 200 units of the Consumers’ Waterheater Income Fund (CWI.UN) in my non registered broker account. This one actually was my latest investment. Since I had a contribution that could be made for my TFSA, I just decide to have all of my Consumers’ Waterheater Income Fund (CWI.UN) units sleeping in the same boat. That’s really all.

As for Dumont Nickel (DNI), I am just looking forward to sell the 23 000 stocks I hold at 4 cents each. The profit will be, of course, small – but still, a profit is a profit. And why not making a profit free of taxes?

When making those transferred into my TFSA, I had been told if I wanted to make the contribution at lowest or the highest. But I decide at the lowest because that way, it make more money left to contribute for my TFA. The representative didn’t want to give any advice. Brokers are really just that: brokers lol. Even if they want, they cannot provide any advice. What a dream job isn’t? Just execute orders, no hassle. Anyhow, I could also transferred over Hanwei Energy Services (HE) and Timminco (TIM) but at this point, I want to understand what’s the lowest and the highest mean before switching those 2 into my TFSA. Let’s say I want to begin to be more sophisticated and at a point, I promise, I am going to know exactly what I am doing for once in my life.

Transferring some non registered investment into registered investment (TFSA or RSP) is not an easy thing to understand. Just very mysterious. That’s what I remember from last year, when I transferred some non registered mutual funds into RSP mutual funds. I was very curious to see the effect on taxes. But I didn’t get any paper for the taxes except of course, a RSP contribution paper. Transferring non registered investment into registered account – when it comes to mutual funds – is not like making a sell because the exact same amount of units hold is getting transferred into RSP.

Ok, but stocks and units are not mutual funds. So will I have something to declare for the transfer I did tonight with T D Waterhouse? I don’t know. I mostly understand the basic, but that lowest and highest thing is quite intriguing.