Eric Sprott talks about silver investment to the Globe and Mail readers

Have you ever dream of being able to copy Eric Sprott personal online stock trading account? Well, it’s now possible! In a recent interview giving to the Globe and Mail, Eric Sprott said a couple of shocking revelations to Shirley Won. First one being that Eric Sprott does not believe in the growth of the developed countries like China, for example and other less economically developed countries. I thing that’s a pretty awful thing to say but Eric Sprott is the man he is. Let’s all forget about even the hope of having a better place to live on Earth because hey, it’s not going to happen. Did you know? Anyhow, less tragically, Eric Sprott of the Sprott Asset Management talk about a vague possibility, gold futures prices could reach 5 000$ but he doesn’t know when. Ok... What else?

Well, you want to know what hold the genius Eric Sprott in his very own stock investment portfolio as you already know what I hold myself in mine lol...? Hear it in Eric Sprott very own words: “I only own funds and gold and silver. I am probably 90 per cent in precious metals personally. And I don’t lose sleep over it.”

Ok, maybe Eric Sprott sleeps well at night on gold and silver only online broker day trading portfolio but I personally couldn’t. But should we all be doing like Eric Sprott (knowing who’s the guy is), hold only exclusively gold and silver? Maybe Derek Foster was right after all; maybe selling his stock investment portfolio was the right thing do to (back in the time). Because don’t think that the economic situation is getting better out there (you really have to read the interview!!).

Investing is very personal. But knowing the opinion of Eric Sprott can certainly help at taking decisions. Don’t you think so? Just to have a more open perspective. After gold, Eric Sprott think that silver will be the next big thing. So be cash ready and invest in the Sprott Physical Silver Trust UTS (PHS.U).

Why the Sprott Physical Silver Trust UTS (PHS.U) for silver investment?

Well, earlier in November, I had invested in 200 units of the Sprott Physical Silver Trust UTS (PHS.U) at 10.73$ per unit. Since that time, the highest ever reach by the trust is 12.14$... and this happen today! During the day of November 30, the Sprott Physical Silver Trust UTS (PHS.U) had reached 12.14$ per unit. If I would had sold my units, I will have made a profit of more than 200$, and this being made within a few weeks! That's how to get rich - very extremely easily.

I had been following the Sprott Physical Silver Trust UTS (PHS.U) since its opening and I had been amazed by the power of the investment. It was my idea to invest more in the trust as next investment, but I decide to invest in the iShares S&P/TSX Capped REIT Index (XRE) instead.

For 2011, I have 12 000$ I can invest in my TFSA. Increasing the number of units I hold of the Sprott Physical Silver Trust UTS (PHS.U) could be a good way to BOOST (I really like that word) my profit. Nice project, but investing in the Sprott Physical Silver Trust UTS (PHS.U) won’t provide me any dividend and... I am the Dividend Girl... lol... Me without dividend is not me.

I also hold gold with my investment in the Claymore Gold Bullion ETF (CGL). Just like the Sprott Physical Silver Trust UTS (PHS.U), the Claymore Gold Bullion ETF (CGL) does not pay any dividend. So what’s going to happen now?

Well, surprise....... Horizons recently launch a new gold trust. And the investment will pay some dividend. The investment product is name the Horizons Gold Yield Fund (HGY.UN).

More about the Horizons Gold Yield Fund (HGY.UN) for gold investment

Looking for gold commodity? The Horizons Gold Yield Fund offers a direct exposure to gold investment. As for now, until mid-December 2010, the Horizons Gold Yield Fund (HGY.UN) is under the initial public offering of class A units. The Horizons Gold Yield Fund will provide a tax-efficient monthly distribution of $0.65 per annum to yield 6.5% on the issue price of $10.00.

I do not exactly what mean initial public offering exactly mean but what I do know for sure is that the Horizons Gold Yield Fund seems to be one of those great investments! So how can you invest in the Horizons Gold Yield Fund (HGY.UN)? It’s not listed on the TSX market yet, it’s not anywhere...

Dring dring... hello my online commodity broker TD Waterhouse can you please help me? As one of the cheapest online trading, someone out there from TD Waterhouse will be able to help me.

A good day for iShares S&P/TSX Capped REIT Index (XRE)

...for the simple and good reason that on today, for the first time ever, I had purchase my first iShares units! I decide to invest in the iShares S&P/TSX Capped REIT Index (XRE) for several reasons. Previously, I wrote that I wanted to BOOST my profit with this new investment but it’s not exactly the reason why I decide to invest in the iShares S&P/TSX Capped REIT Index (XRE).

One of the reason will be in reason of the little sum of money that I had available to invest at this time. I decide to invest not more than 750$. I have my rent and other expenses to pay that are coming soon (already December 1th tomorrow!!), but I really wanted to invest one last time for November 2010. I probably won’t have any money to invest for December, but that doesn’t really matter because I have a major project on the way for December! (We’ll talk about it a bit later).

With 750$, I wasn’t seeing myself investing in stocks. I like to invest by tranche of 100. And to tell the true, at this time, it’s seemed to me like I have enough of stocks. I wanted to invest in a financial product that would already be diversified in itself – but not a mutual fund. And an ETF appears to be a perfect fit for my investment needs of the time. On top of that, it will bring a little – but how much appreciate – dividend in the house (39.0096$ per year or, if you prefer 3.2508$ per month..)

When it come to investment, a part of me want the quick gains, but another part and that will be the most major one, is looking for gains, but also security. I guess a mix of holding between stocks, ETFs and mutual funds can bring some kind of a security. At this point, my investment portfolio could be seen as being very disorganized, a messy mess of holdings but at this point of the journey, the only thing that help me going and make me feel in peace and secure with my investment is having everything very very diversify. Maybe I am getting an overdose of diversification but as a small investor, I feel important to keep the way I always handle things. And I was quite happy to be able to add some iShares S&P/TSX Capped REIT Index (XRE) units in my portfolio. The most important I think is to do the way you feel it. When investing, you shouldn’t be looking exclusively to invest in top dividend payers, top mutual funds, and top performers only. You can if you want, but play on the secure side, mix, diversify and you won’t experiment major loses, but a slow and steady shade of grow. Derek Foster had been very great at showing me that.

Rain... but it should be snow

It’s raining this evening in Montreal and I forget my umbrella at home. I am carrying my mini laptop in my shoulder bag. I just did 7 hours today at work. I had done so many things today that those 7 working hours appear to be much more than just 7 hours. And if I would have been working my regular shift, I would only have work 5 hours because my regular shifts are only 6 hours, and a have a 30 minutes lunch pause... And you can trust me, I wouldn’t like to be schedule more hours because this part-time schedule provides me complete freedom. Anyhow, enough talking for nothing... let’s talk about my favourite topic: dividend!

Dividend dividend dividend!


Today, I had received 2 dividend payments:
David + Henderson Income Fund (DHF.UN): 30.66$
The Consumers’ Waterheater Income Fund (CWI.UN): 22.62$

I almost reach the 400$ in dividend earning for the month of November. Of course, when it comes to dividend, the more you earn, the better it is. First, from the DRIP. Make your dividend roll over and provide you extra stocks and units so when it comes to finally “stop working”, you will more than the minimum you need to live on.

So far, without including in the count the dividend earns inside the RRSP, I currently reach the equivalent of 4 918.63$ in yearly dividend earning (or the equivalent of 409$ per month if you prefer). For 2011, I would like to reach the 500$ per month in dividend income and ultimately, if I can move forward and search for a third job... hit the 600$ per month in dividend. Of course, in my case, the ultimate goal is to STOP WORKING to eventually blog ALL DAY LONG and do NOTHING AT ALL. Sound nice isn’t?

My 2010 RRSP contribution? DONE

Yep! Done and completed! I had been lucky, the transfer of my Sprott Canadian Equity Fund from the TFSA to the Canadian non registered had been done within a day thanks to my online broker TD Waterhouse. Today, I just have to call TD Waterhouse again and request the transfer from non registered to RRSP... I was very glade because I had a contribution of over 7 000$ to do for my RRSP. I took care of this before the end of 2010 and I am glad I did because I have other things to take care of... And here’s coming the most exciting part:

Upcoming project for December

I talk previously about this one many many times before, but I promise, it’s now coming: MARGIN! I plan to open a margin account despite warnings and concerns I received regarding margin. I hold more than 20 000$ of my debt with TD Canada Trust. The plan is the following: open a margin account with TD Waterhouse and use partly the margin money to pay off if not all, part of the debt I hold with TD Canada Trust... I won’t use the margin to invest, just to pay off debt that are currently at a high interest rate. An example? My 5 000$ TD credit line at an interest rate of 8.75% which is, currently, almost FULL. In other words, TD Canada Trust is not giving me other choice than to open a margin account with their associates, TD Waterhouse. I will give it a try and we’ll see what happen. That Dividend Lover is a genius (he’s the one who provide me the advice).

Welcome to iShares S&P/TSX Capped REIT Index (XRE), 54 units of XRE in my in my online future trading brokerage!

I just purchase 54 units of iShares S&P/TSX Capped REIT Index (XRE) at 13.50$ per unit. This will increase my dividend income of about 3$ per month... And talking dividend, I just received 30.66$ in dividend from David + Henderson Income Fund (DHF.UN) inside my online future trading brokerage.

My Sprott Canadian Equity Fund now from my non registered account

I guess that my post about transferring money from the TFSA to RRSP wasn’t clear enough. I will have to work on a more detail and maybe more clear post later on lol. As for now, my Sprott Canadian Equity Fund investment is already in my Canadian non registered account! Which mean that tomorrow morning, I will be calling again TD Waterhouse and proceed with the transfer of the Sprott Canadian Equity Fund into RRSP.

This is just the perfect transfer as my maximum contribution for 2010 RRSP is of just a bit more than 7 000$. Maybe I can just add to this that since the transfer from the TFSA into non registered Canadian account had been done so quickly by TD Waterhouse, I won’t have probably capital gain taxes to declare. In 2 days, the market won’t move too much.

Also, for my 2011 TFSA contribution, I will have a new 5 000$ to invest + the amount of the withdraw of the Sprott Canadian Equity Fund. Which make 12 000$. So basically, all new investment of 2011 could be made inside the TFSA.

I am getting ready for my tomorrow trade: 700$ or so that I want to invest into the iShares S&P/TSX Capped REIT Index (XRE). This will probably be my last trade of 2010.

What you need to know about TFSA to RRSP transfer type

Ok, so I call my online broker, TD Waterhouse this morning. The transfer from TFSA to RRSP is possible, but not exactly like it was plan. First, the investment I hold in the Sprott Canadian Equity Fund into the TFSA need to be transfer into the Canadian non registered before it can be transfer into RRSP. I am winning on this no matter what. But I will continue my explanation on this later on this evening. Chow.

First real winter snow this weekend in Montreal

Now that I have an iPod, it’s easier than ever to just snap a picture on the go. This Saturday, I wake up to go to work... and surprise, there was snow. It had snow in the early morning. I wasn’t expecting snow but it come. The weather wasn’t cold at all and if I wouldn’t be working, I would probably have spent the day outside. Here’s some pictures taking of the first official Montreal winter snow!

Incorporate ETFs into a Stop working strategy: a good or bad thing?

Playing with stocks is fun, but when it come to investing, you're better to find different ways to diversify your investment portfolio. That's my point of view. But did you know, there are many ETFs out there that are paying a generous dividend yield. The top ETFs players seem to be located in the US.

The top US ETF dividend payer: the iShares FTSA NAREIT Mortgage Plus Capped Idx FD (REM)

Among other, we find the iShares FTSA NAREIT Mortgage Plus Capped Idx FD, NYSE, ticket symbol: REM. The iShares FTSA NAREIT Mortgage Plus Capped Idx FD has a management fee of only 0.48%. The dividend yield is at 10.41%, which represent at this time 1.56$ per unit. The iShares FTSA NAREIT Mortgage Plus Capped Idx FD has a 4 stars (on 5) ranking at Morningstar. The units had closed this last Friday below 15$. Interesting, but this one is in US dollars.

Currently, I have a 600$ left in pennies lol that I am looking forward to invest before the end of November. And for this upcoming investment, I want to invest into something new. 600$ is not that much money. I cannot really afford an exchange of currencies. changing my 600$ Canadian dollars into US dollars would make me loose between 60$ and 80$. It doesn't really worth it.

The top Canadian ETF dividend payer: the Claymore Canadian Financial Monthly Income (FIE.A)

The only ETF in Canadian dollars that I find interesting, and figure among the highest ETFs dividend payers is the Claymore Canadian Financial Monthly Income ETF, ticket symbol FIE.A. This one trade on the TSX.

The Claymore Canadian Financial Monthly Income ETF is interesting and it could be a good investment to hold in a stop working strategy (of Derek Foster) investment portfolio. The dividend yield of the Claymore Canadian Financial Monthly Income ETF is of 7.09%. Morningstar had rate the Claymore Canadian Financial Monthly Income ETF 1 star only. The reason of the low rating could partly come from the high management fee for an ETF. The actual management fee of the Claymore Canadian Financial Monthly Income is of 1.40%. Good, but I currently hold investments that are better than that. Which mean that my search continues... In my search for a new investment, I want something that will BOOST that 600$ right to the top!

A solution could be the iShares S&P/TSX Capped REIT Index (XRE)

The iShares S&P/TSX Capped REIT Index (XRE) arrived second on a 5 year return with 9.20%, following the iShares S&P TSX Global Gold Index Fund (XGD) with a 13.67% return. I could have chosen to invest in the iShares S&P TSX Global Gold Index Fund (XGD), but I already have gold in my portfolio. Remember that I hold the Claymore Gold Bullion ETF (CGL) in my RRSP portfolio...

The iShares S&P/TSX Capped REIT Index (XRE) has a dividend yield of 5.29% and the actual management fee is of 0.55%. The iShares S&P/TSX Capped REIT Index (XRE) had been rated 4 stars (on 5) for quite some time now.

Conclusion: the iShares S&P/TSX Capped REIT Index (XRE) could be a good investment idea to diversify my existing investment portfolio. I currently don't hold any investment in the real estate area.

Bonus: diversification + dividend.

The contribution in kind at its best: from the TFSA to a RRSP 2010 contribution

I now got it! I finally purchase the mini laptop that I wanted for so long now. I purchase a small 10’1 Acer laptop at The Source. I purchase the 250 GB model, 1 GB of memory. This is more than enough to cover my basic needs. The laptop came with a free anti-virus valid for one year. I just have to send a mail coupon and I should get my 70$ back. I should also get a 50$ credit the same way for the laptop. The price they had advertised is not exactly correct because they make you work through mail coupons, which is very annoying I find. Anyhow, I am happy to be back online! From now on, I will be able to basically work online from anywhere I want. The mini laptop is compact and very light. It can easily be carried everywhere without too much trouble. I would like to purchase a mouse and a case for it.

Investment news

My investment portfolio had done quite well lately. For a little while, my non registered portfolio was exceeding the 71 000$! It’s not below 71 000$, but I am still exceeding the 70 000$.

There’s still overtime available at my job. I could have done more hours today, but I really wanted to “get out of there”. Anyhow, I left after doing close to 2 hours overtime and left. I should take a maximum advantage of the fact that I have overtime available and do the maximum hours I can, but this can be dangerous. I wouldn’t like to reach the point to burn myself. I saw one of my good colleagues leaving without knowing too much what he will be doing next. Money didn’t seem a problem to him, but I told him anyway that I wouldn’t like to see him leaving without having a backup plan, like without having another job, etc... But he left, seem to be in peace and happy. I was happy for him, but seeing leaving was like seeing a part of me stuck in the steadiness of live.

What’s up?

At this point, I do not have really specific plan on what I will be doing but I have a couple of projects I want to work on. They are:

My online projects

My online work is going well. I reach the 150$ in online earning for this month. 150$ is not a lot of money, but knowing how difficult it is to earn money online (at least it is for me lol), I am just amaze by the amount. This means an extra 150$ I will earn for December. I see my online work as a hobby, but if I had been able to earn 150$, I am able to earn hundreds of dollars more. Don’t you think so?

I would like to create a great mix of income from my jobs, my investments and my online work. It could seem simple at first but in my situation, nothing come easily – expect money. Why am I saying so? Well, you could be surprise, but I could make a 600$ investment by the end of November, despite what I taught previously. And I have to say, I am very tempt to do so!

My investment projects

I know this is really not the RRSP season, but I had begun to think about my 2010 RSP contribution. For a change, why not to think in advance? I have this great investment portfolio which perform well. I have more than 70 000$ in my non registered portfolio. For 2010, I can contribute somewhere over to 7 000$ for my RRSP. It doesn’t look like it right now, but RRSP season is not far away. And yes, the thought of RRSP contribution is just stuck in my mind, just like margin – but that’s another story. No way I am going to be able to find 7 000$ in fresh new cash to invest, even if I have until March 2011 to make my move.

A contribution in kind to a RRSP broker account can be costly! (Because of the taxes!!!)

I hold all of my savings in investments of all kind. You can have a taste of it under “My investment portfolio” page. In 2010, all the newest investment I made had performed quite well. If I decide to take some of the investments I hold and transfer them into RRSP – this meaning a contribution in kind to a RRSP – I will have to pay taxes on capital gain (because most of the investments I hold have perform well).

When it comes to a contribution in kind to a RRSP, there’s a way to be free of taxes, free of capital gain: by using investments hold in the TFSA. Yep, that brilliant idea came to me just like in a dream. What about transferring investment hold in a TFSA to a RRSP account? Would I have to pay some capital gain taxes on such transfer? Well, I call my online broker, you know the guy, TD Waterhouse of course and I ask them the following question: Will I have taxes to pay on a contribution in kind made from a TFSA to a RRSP? The answer: No, that’s the purpose of a TFSA, its tax free!

That’s specifically for those kinds of answers I am getting from TD Waterhouse brokers that I am sticking to TD! I LOVE TD WATERHOUSE. I love their way of explaining things to me you know. I love the TD way.

Anyhow, no matter how good is TD Waterhouse, I was thinking about transferring the 7 000$ I hold in my TFSA under the Sprott Canadian Equity Fund into RRSP before the end of 2010. Why?

Well, remember that with the TFSA, when you withdraw money, you are authorized to contribute the same amount you withdraw to your TFSA contribution of the year AFTER...

Ok, I know, I know, none of this is very easy, but it’s not complicated either.

We will go with this easy example, my very own, by example:

I currently hold, let’s say roughly, a 7 000$ into a TFSA invested in the Sprott Canadian Equity Fund. Easy right? Ok, and I have, for 2010, 7 000$ I can invest into RRSP in order to benefit from a tax break. Perfect! No problem. In order to make that 7 000$ RRSP contribution, I simply need to do a contribution in kind and the money will come the transfer from a TFSA status to a RRSP status for my investment hold in the Sprott Canadian Equity Fund. Isn’t that fantastic? But wait, because I am not done yet!

For 2011, it’s not simply a 5 000$ that I will be able to invest into my TFSA, but 5 000$ + 7 000$, for a total of 12 000$! But in order to do so, I need to do my 2010 RRSP contribution before the ending of 2010. Simple and easy.

Of course, you understand that all the point mentions above result of my own dreaming and you SHOULD do your own homework in order to avoid any disturbing financial situation. Thank you. ;0)

Emera awesome dividend!

I am writing this post from my iPod... I am out of laptop. I do not have computer problems on a regular basis, but now, things are pretty bad. I had problems since Sunday night, when I got the good idea to delete some programs of my computer to free some space. I might had delete something I shouldn't because even with an Internet connexion, I cannot access the Internet.. Lol!!!! It's just so hilarious in some way. I spot a mini laptop that I wanted for a long time. I might get it tomorrow morning, depending of my mood. My dividend income are doing well. I received 66.30$ from Emera and 48.34$ from Bell Aliant! I like my iPod, but writing on it on a long term basis is giving me a headache. Seem like overtime is over at work, I should be able to concentrate a bit more on my portfolio and my online stuff.

Sprott Physical Silver Trust UTS (PHS.U) perform well on the stock market

Today was quite a busy day as I manage to pay my credit lines and other credit cards payments early in the morning. The only bank that was open was TD Canada Trust. So I went there to pay my credit line. After what, I went to RBC Royal Bank. I guess they open at 9:00AM or something like it. After what, I wanted to pay my BMO Bank of Montreal line of credit… but the bank was close. BMO Bank of Montreal only opens at 10:00AM! TD Canada Trust is so much better – they open at 8AM! I find TD Canada Trust so great! This is a bank who had understood what workers like you and me need: early morning banking services! With BMO Bank of Montreal, the banking services are weak and old fashion: their branches open in the middle of the morning and close in the middle of the day… TD Canada Trust is the number 1 bank in Canada. Period.

Anyhow, while waiting for the BMO Bank of Montreal St-Catherine branch to open, I decided to stop by the Second Cup to buy a coffee (my favorite by the way) and try the WiFi on my iPod. It works great! I was able to follow my stocks, read the news… That iPod is very great and I will soon be looking at downloading a few games and application. I was a complete Apple illiterate before but now that I have my iPod, I find Apple very amazing. I knew of course Apple and the iPod before but I never taught it was actually that great. So go get yours!

I had the chance to order mine for free using rewards points from work. I am looking forward to get the iPad and, if possible, it will be in a close future. I just wonder if the price of the iPad will drop on Boxing Day. But I doubt. Anyhow, it’s something I will look for. The deal with for 3G connection with Rogers Communication for the iPad is very good. If I am not mistaking, I saw advertise 35$ per month for 5 Go! WOW! As you can see, I got really deep interested in the Apple stuff now.

Many things had been going on lately and I would just like to have more time to do everything I want. Currently, I had received 14.77$ in dividend from Pengrowth Energy Trust (PGF.UN). My non registered portfolio had finished the day at a good 70 219$. Nothing to compare to the good results of November 8, but still. Whenever exceeding the 70k is good enough for me!

My investment in the Sprott Physical Silver Trust UTS (PHS.U) is performing VERY well!!! Remember that earlier this month, I invested in 200 units of Sprott Physical Silver Trust UTS (PHS.U) at 10.73$? Well, the same units now worth 11.17$ each now.

I calculated that I should have enough cash by the beginning of December to invest in 100 other units of Sprott Physical Silver Trust UTS (PHS.U). That’s a good news isn’t?