Barack Obama favourite cookies are Canadians

While being in the process of moving from Montreal to New Brunswick, I had the super good idea of bringing in my mom for what had become a trip that we’ll remember for a very long time. At first, my mom didn’t want to come to Montreal, but after her and after arguing, she finally decides to come. But I have to say, traveling from X town in New Brunswick to Montreal is not something easy. The bus ride is quite rough and the more I ride in bus, the more I find it difficult and really not comfortable. I can barely stand sitting on their sometime leather, sometime material made in bus seat. Anyhow, my mom and I, we are both done with traveling for the next couple months, that’s for sure.

My mom arrived in Montreal on Friday night last week and the following day, we were on our way to Ottawa. I know the city of Ottawa very well because I had lived in the area for about 2 years before leaving for Montreal. I left my unpack suitcases in Montreal and we quickly went to Ottawa for 2 days. It was the first time I was visiting Ottawa since I had left.

We arrived to my brother place late on Saturday evening. On Sunday, we wake up late, get ready and we went for an outdoor visit of the Parliament. We went for a walk downtown Ottawa. We continue our way to the Rideau Canal and later on Sussex Drive.

We stop by the Byward Market and we went to a cafe name Le Moulin de Provence that Barack Obama had visited during his Canadian Tour back on February 19, 2009.

We all order one of those now famous “Obama cookie” and it was real funny.

I pay for my mom and I and 2 Obama cookies with 2 regular coffees cost me something like 13 bucks. But hey, that was the cost behind eating a cookie that got eat before by Barack Obama himself... We later on went for super but eat really little, as we were still full of our Obama cookie... lol... Getting an Obama cookie was something in my mandatory what to do list.

So I did it, I had eat an Obama cookie.

Adios Montreal, thank you and goodbye

The past couple days had been quite busy. I had been working moving from Montreal to X town in New Brunswick. I had been able to find a job in my field AND in my hometown, which is quite incredible. This was my ultimate chance to escape from my actual work. I had been working in 2 Montreal call center for quite some time. It wasn’t a job related to my field at all. I enjoyed the work, but after a while, I got enough of working during holidays and of my 7 days a week work. For financial reasons, I was working at 2 jobs. I was doing well, but I had reached the point where I really needed a change. And the change had come. All naturally.

The past 2 weeks had involved a lot of cleaning, packing, shopping and phone calls. Knowing I was about to move back home, I call everyone from the Quebec government to my credit cards to make my address and number change. Just doing that part was quite something. I cleaned and donated to charity a lot of stuff I didn’t need anymore. Movers were asking between 700$ to 2 000$ to move my personal items from Montreal to New Brunswick. I did not have any furniture, just personal belonging, about 20 of things composed of box, suitcases, etc. I taught I was able to get the thing done for about 400$, but movers were asking a lot more than that. So I decided to ship everything using the bus transportation service and it work out very well. Everything had been shipped for less than 300$. The reception delay had been of 24 hours. I proceed with 3 shipments and already 2 had been received. Today shipment was the last one.

Even if I had been extra busy, I asked my mom to join me for my moving. We had a fun time. My mom arrived on Friday night of last week. On Saturday night, we travelled to Ottawa. We visit my brother. We were supposed to take the train, but we finally took the bus because it was easier for the schedule since there was one departure every hour to Ottawa by bus. We spent 2 days with my brother. My mom never went to Ottawa before and I wanted to bring her with me. We visit and even went to eat an Obama cookie, which was very funny. I took pictures of all that of course. We left Ottawa Monday evening. I spent the past couple days concentrate on my moving.

While hitting back to Montreal, I bring in my cousin to my one and a half apartment as a surprise and my mom was happy to see him. Surprise! All together, we went to a fancy Japanese restaurant located on St-Laurent boulevard. It was quite fun. I am leaving Montreal in peace. My cousin is doing ok.

I am now closed to the 2k in all kind of expenses: clothes, shoes, jacket, restaurants, bus and metro tickets, etc... I was in need of a lot of things but I never bother getting any of them. I got a nice pair of shoes and some nice tops, among other. I am done with shopping for a little while. Money had been made to be spend and trust me, I had spend quite some money during the past couple days. However, I am confident that my today pay check will be able to cover major part of those expenses because I had some vacations accumulated that were supposed to be paid.

While moving back to New Brunswick, I will be moving back to my parent house. At least for now. It will help me to save some money. My one and a half Montreal apartment was cute, but I began to feel trap, especially while receiving some visitors. My next major expense will be a car. Sooner or later, I will need one. I have my driver license, but while living in cities, I never bother to get a car. I am always looking at new ways to save money, so just having a metro or bus pass had always been enough. But now that I am moving to that X town in New Brunswick, I will no longer have access to public transportation anymore for the simple and good reason that there is NO public transportation to the “city” where I am about to move. The Dividend Girl is simply moving to where she truly belongs: to the bush... lol.....

At first, I wasn’t really happy about that car thing. But fact is, my parents won’t be giving me rides and they want me to get a car. Thanks mommy and dad! lol... It began to be a complete trauma. I mean, me driving a car? Do you really want me to drive a car? Holly f*.

It’s unfortunate, but I need a car.

And during that time, my portfolio had been doing well. My non registered portfolio closed today session at more than 109 500$, which is really good. I should be able to place my next investment by next month I guess even with that car thing.

Quebecker Michaelle Jean, ex Governor General of Canada had used tax payers money to fly on private jets for her family vacations

I had been quite busy, but I still have time to write on here! Good news, my cousin finds a job in a drugstore. I prefer that kind of job rather than a call center one. I had worked in many Montreal call centers and truly, having to speak, arguing if not yell at customers haven’t been the most rewarding thing. Not exactly in term of reward, but I mean, having to sit at a desk in front of a computer screen and take calls, it’s not exactly the kind of job I wanted for my 19 years old cousin. I would have like a waiter job for him. In a busy restaurants, with the tips, I heard some people making as much as 20$ per hour if not more. Anyhow, I am release. At least the cousin can support himself while being in Montreal.

I am under process of moving back to New Brunswick and I had been very busy. I decided to complete this final week of work, but working and preparing my leave at the same time haven’t been easy. I had been cleaning, giving stuff away, throwing many garbage bags. Don’t ask me why, but I used to accumulate financial reports, papers, magazines, newspapers... It’s been an in deep cleaning of my couple of years spent in Montreal. I am almost done with the cleaning part but completely exhausted. I expect to complete that this night actually.

My mom is coming for a last visit in Montreal and we are going to visit my brother in Ottawa I guess this Sunday or Monday. I will try to go with the train instead of the bus. I never took the train, so it could be fun. Me and my mom will be leaving Montreal by the end of next week. I am trying to get everything done and completed by tomorrow before my mom arrived.

As you can imagine, all this didn’t leave me too much time to follow my portfolio, but I did the best I could. And so far, only good stuff. My non-registered portfolio closed today session very closed to the 110k. If it continue like this, I will be back on the old 113k track of the before August stock market crash. I am doing well.

I am starting a new job by mid-September and I am just hoping for the best. I will be receiving a good pay check from my current job because it’s going to include my vacation pay. I had quite good money accumulated in there, more than 1k. And the job I will be doing in New Brunswick is well paid. So no doubt that really soon, I will be able to invest in CNR just like it was planned... Another good things being that while being in New Brunswick, I won’t be paying rent because at 31... I will be living with my mom and dad. Nothing of this had really been plan but I wanted to move back to New Brunswick as soon as I got here in Quebec province, about 5 years ago... Time had passed by quickly. Following my uncle death in February, I got into that new thing. I had to find work in my field in New Brunswick. And now, it’s happening. It was about time. My evening job was exhausting me. I was also working at another job during the weekend. Here in Montreal, I was working 7 days a week nonstop... Money was ok, but not that sustainable. However, it’s in Montreal that I build major part of my investment portfolio.

No matter how things turn out, I was in need of a change and I got what I wanted. In case of bad luck at that new job, I will certainly qualify for unemployment insurance. See, everything had already been planned, that I fail or succeed. I won’t mind having to go under unemployment benefit truly, because the little me is exhausted. Totally drain out. My knees are hurting as well as my arms. My arms, I understand, but my knees??? It could actually be the feeling of a body under severe exhaustion. Trust me, the feeling is real.

And during that time, the fuc**** as**** beep beep beep Quebecker Michaelle Jean, ex Governor General of Canada got caught on using tax payers money to fly on private jets for her family vacation. Go F yourself Michaelle Jean cheater.

Home Sweet Home

What’s happening now is quite unbelievable. I had been trying to relocate in New Brunswick since a little while now. Actually, the death of my uncle in last February is what started it all. And now, I am on my way to move permanently to New Brunswick, back home. Everything happens at the same time: my cousin in Montreal trying to get a job and me trying to get out of Montreal. I knew it was my chance, I took it. The past couple days, I felt drain, over-sleeping, over-working. I was in need of a major change. It was this job or something else was about to happen. I taught about going back to school (how about English courses?? lol) among other. I was willing to do absolutely anything to get that something else.

I don’t know what I am doing wrong, but it seem like my cousin is not able to get a job here in Montreal. I got my interview last week, and I learned today... I am hired. And I feel really good about it. Like all my stress is gone. I feel bad for my cousin. I gave his resume to a guy I work with who know someone who could hire him in a call center... I just don’t get it why it’s so complicated. He just won’t to get a job to be able to pay his rent and his food while he’s in Montreal. It’s not like he’s looking to get the five star jobs. But in a way, maybe it’s a sign he need to enrol to whatever program and do something more. I really don’t know. I refer him to the place I work. I could possibly refer him to my weekend job. I mean, at this point, I even spot jobs for him. But now I barely have any time left.

My mom is funny. She wants me to put all of my stuff on the bus... I mean, I don’t have any furniture. But I have box and box of different things. I already made a lot of cleaning, but at this time, I just want to get someone to move my stuff and I hope that part goes smoothly. I already spend a couple of hours today over the phone, doing address changes. I am not even done with that, but almost. Next thing will be to take a deeper look into my stuff to see what’s valuable to keep. If I have too much stuff, I will have to seek for a mover. The perspective of throwing away things is not something I am very pleased with anyway.

Hopefully, my mom is going to come for a very quick weekend. If it works out, we are going to visit my brother in Ottawa. But please anyone, don’t tell him, it’s a surprise! :0)

My non-registered portfolio closed August 26, 2011 at 108 226.79$

and... TOMORROW is my BIRTHDAY!

31............

For my 31th birthday, Kinross Gold Corp (K) finished today session at 17.35$........ Yeah, I know....

Who look sexy smart now????

MEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

31 = $$$

The no hassle investment portfolio

I am quite busy at this time. I work a bit on my cousin portfolio and seek for jobs for him. I am just hoping he’ll be fine because I have many things to do. I finally did my hair coloration and I feel much more better! I need to do my hair at least once every 6-8 weeks if not, I look horrible, with many shades in my hair. A darker red cover it all, but it need to be done once every while.

My portfolio data for yesterday were very good:

Non-registered portfolio value: 107 992$
Money used on margin: 43 669.37$
Money left on margin: 16 339.33$

So far, my non-registered portfolio is exceeding the 108k. It seem like Jack Layton funeral service is doing to happen on my birthday, which is very sad, but very kind of an honor at the same time. Jack Layton will be link to me for the rest of my life.

The portfolio remains stable, but truly these days, time is running. I barely have time to stress about my portfolio. And it’s a blessing to be able to do my things without having to worry too much about it.

My cousin needs to get a job.

New Flyer Industries Inc. (NFI) to complete its fantastic conversion

Today non-registered portfolio data were quite interesting:

Non-registered portfolio value: 106 846$
Money used on margin: 43 651.35$
Money left on margin: 15 643.72$

This is nothing very fabulous. But it’s actually what’s going on in the inside that is quite interesting. Just like expecting, K, PHS.U, PSLV and FR had gained in value, HZD had lost in value... and New Flyer had transformed itself into a real corporation. As you can see, I expected everything to go this way. The late New Flyer Industries Inc. (NFI.UN) no longer exists. A new company to the name of New Flyer Industries Inc. (NFI) had taken the place.

I am grateful to TD Waterhouse: despite the fact that I had deal with a Quebec license broker, my order to exercise my rights regarding New Flyer Industries Inc. (NFI.UN) had been executed properly, just the way I wanted. But to actually take the decision to exercise my rights wasn’t an easy decision to take for me because I barely understood what was going to be the effect. However, there was no doubt in my mind that exercising my rights was the right thing to do. I didn’t understand, but I have a sense of what I was doing.

Here we go. The facts and only the facts.

Before today conversion, my investment in New Flyer Industries Inc. (NFI.UN) worth 2 444.59$. Before the conversion, NFI.UN units worth around 7$ each. Following the conversion to the newest New Flyer Industries Inc. (NFI), NFI, now stocks, closed today session at... 0.75 cents. Is this a benefit at all? The answer being yes for the long term as my original investment in NFI.UN had duplicated into X times multiple stocks of the newest NFI. This transformation had increased the amount of stocks that I hold of NFI. So far, I had experiment a capital loss of close to 900$ with this transformation. But this is in nothing really dramatic because I am going, on the long term, get a maximum of cash from this. Believe it or not.

As far as I am concern, my investments are all made for the long term. I decided to invest in each and single of them and there always a reason behind. In case of NFI, I liked the cool name “New Flyer”, I love their fabulous bus designs. I love the fact that NFI is located in Winnipeg. When it comes to NFI.UN I love it all and the fact that my original investment made in NFI.UN had decreased in value didn’t change nothing of the appreciation. And New Flyer Industries Inc. (NFI) knows how to share the love. In September, I will be earning more than 100$ from NFI in dividend income. That’s going to be quite something. I am wishing for the same big amount on a quarterly basis. I am far of getting it all when it comes to the newest very fabulous fantastic New Flyer Industries Inc. (NFI). However, I am ready. Get ready for the dividend cash baby because I am ;0).

Jack Layton, 1950-2011

When I learned about Jack Layton death today, I was with my cousin. He’s not even 20 yet that he had decided to come to Montreal to find a job and play his music in bars. He has some problems to find a job, so I decided to give him a hand to save my soul. At not even 20, I was still at home, enjoying life and I never had worked more than the 3 summer months of the school year. I mean, at not even 20, I didn’t know anything about resume, job interviews and, like him, at not even 20, I wasn’t bilingual, I was even worst that what I am now. I am mean real worst! Keeping in mind who I was when I wasn’t even 20, well, I decided to text him and asked him if he had find a job yet. He didn’t. But he had given it a try. So I told him I was going to help him.

That’s how we met this morning. He was wearing his long hair in a ponytail and was wearing sunglasses. And there, I remember how I felt when I was not even 20. Unconscious and knowing nothing about absolutely everything. We went to eat. I bring him at a Portuguese restaurant on St-Laurent at a place where they cook typical Portuguese chickens with their own spices. Absolutely delicious! It was my treat. Following what, we sat down at a cafe.

First of all, he still had a New Brunswick number. So I make him call his carrier from my cell phone to have his number change to a local Montreal number because he didn’t care about his New Brunswick number and also, well, it absolutely need to be change. We had the number change, and after that, I took a look at his resume. A very short one page long, with no task description, just very little info. So I told him, always for the best of my soul, that I will later review his resume...

Despite the very short resume, we run to a place where I knew there has a chance for him to get a job. I would have prefer for him to work in a restaurant, a shop or something like that, but despite the fact that I warm him about the job I was going to get him, well, he didn’t seem to care. I didn’t want to send a review resume to that place because I secretly would prefer him to work someplace else, any other place but that place. Anyhow, I brought him in, I refer him to the job. I am pretty sure he will get a job interview. But it’s not what I would have like for him. I cannot do miracle however. I will be waiting for that job response from him and if it doesn’t work, well from there, I will be working on his sweaty very little and short resume...

My soul count for something in it, but I was very happy to help him. It mean something to me.

While referring him, there was a TV on at the HR office and it’s there that I notice the picture of Jack Layton with the dates 1950-2011... I couldn’t believe it. I was totally, very devastated and I felt greatly sad for the lost, the man, the party I had voted for at the latest federal elections.

On the day I met my cousin in Montreal, Jack Layton died.

Seriously in business with the Sprott Physical Silver Trust ET (PSLV)

The pass week had been difficult for my portfolio. Here are the data for this last Friday:

Non-registered portfolio value: 106 387$
Money used on margin: 43 664.23$
Money left on margin: 16 249.97$

This week had been mark by my sell of HZD, among other. I don’t know if I will be able to invest in CNR anytime soon like it was planned because I am running short on cash. But for sure, when I will be able to do so, I will be investing in a few stocks of CNR.

Something very special happen on Friday. On Friday, for the first time ever, my investment in Sprott Physical Silver Trust ET (PSLV) had gained in value. Sometimes, I can have the worst horrible timing ever! I first invested in PSLV when the units were at their highest value ever, somewhere around 22$, just BEFORE the silver crash... Following the silver crash, I decided to buy more of Sprott Physical Silver Trust ET (PSLV) units. That time, the units were at 16$. So with a mix of 22$ and 16$ units, I was able to make my way. My initial investment value in PSLV worth 3 075.16$. My investment in PSLV closed Friday session with a 3 127$ value! Nothing huge, but I had been able to recover from the silver crash and from now on, my investment in PSLV can only grow more.

As for the Sprott Physical Silver Trust UTS (PHS.U), I own some units in my TFSA and my RRSP. In my TFSA, I had been holding PHS.U for quite some time. My original investment was of 3 114.60$. The same investment closed Friday at 4 013$, a 898.40$ gain. My RRSP investment is more recent. My initial investment was of 1 188$. That investment closed Friday at 1 338$, a gain of 150$.

Another positive sign: my Sprott Canadian Equity fund investment closed Friday session at more than 7k. As long this one can exceed the 7k, I am happy! Because I originally invested a bit more than 7k in this one back... in 2008. This investment is a survivor of the 2008 stock crash.

It’s very difficult to make money in these market conditions, but adding silver and gold to an existing portfolio can help create value and minimize the lost. My portfolio closed Friday session at 106 387$. Not too good, but not too bad either. I am now able to emotionally manage the market crash better. It’s something I am getting use to... Because for me personally, the biggest crash I lived as an investor was one of 2008. That was like 3 years ago... There’s a major different between a normal and desire market volatility and a stock market crash. And the difference is not easy to live.

Despite it all, I am going through this. My margin account is adding more risk, but I have a 8k I can transferred to my margin account in case of need. Some of my very strong asset makes it possible for me to go through those difficult times.

Despite the crisis, this small cap had performed extremely well: WesternOne Equity Income Fund (WEQ.UN). I closed Friday session with a gain of 203.01$ on this one. So thank you, kind reader share this precious one with me... Try to find a top small cap performer in these market conditions... It is really that difficult at this time!

Luckily, I always have in my portfolio good performers. So the good ones help bring some fuel to the bad ones... I am happy to be able to spend my days following the market and work overnight and in the weekend only. I am about to turn 31 sometime soon and I had all the luck of the world. At least so far.......

The TSX had crashed again, investors fear recession

A couple of hours passed since I had sell Horizons BetaPro COMEX Silver Bear Plus ETF (HZD). I do not regret my decision for all the reasons I had explained previously. No regret. Just a release. It feels very great now, despite the fact that I had experiment a capital loss by selling HZD. But the time had come, especially following the move of you know who in you know what.

The TSX losing a great deal of points today. Here are the data for August 18:

Non-registered portfolio value: 107 538$
Money used on margin: 43 524.99$
Money left on margin: 17 129.79$

I am aware the situation could deteriorate. Japan just got hit by another earthquake. Euro zone markets and Asian ones as well had lost again points. Probably today opening will be as ugly as yesterday. I focus on the possibility that things will eventually get better. As long my portfolio don’t get liquidate over a margin call, as long everything remains the same, as long I continue to cash the same good dividend income well, on that case, all the chances of the world will be on my side. I am very curious about how things are going to be for the market opening so if you don’t mind, I am going to bed now :0)