Montreal, here I come

I had received some very good dividend payment today. With my DRIP that been cancelled, I can enjoy the cash. I am trying to decrease my margin a bit. I had applied a 1k from my own money. The stock market is not doing that well, but personally speaking, I am doing better. I got another freelance job. Its interesting, but there's a lot of documentation that I need to read. I read it all, but I will need to do another reading. Its a bit complicated. After a first try, it should be all right. I am looking forward to begin by tomorrow.

On top of what, I am leaving for Montreal this upcoming Sunday. I began to put things aside for packing. I also took care of several things. All a lot of work. I had moved so many times in my life, but each and single time, its a pain. Soooooo many things. Like my car, my insurance, etc... oh lala. AND my credit line at RBC. Its about to get resolve, but its all little things like that who had been taking my time. I am enjoying a few days left to do some more paintings and give my new freelance gig a try.

Problem being, everything is happening at the same time and on top of that, the TSX is under the 12 000 points.... CRAZY. I cannot wait for the JFT Fund to hit the market. Its going to be on Friday :)

$125 318 and a few pennies

Look at the lovely summer dress I just bought! Very pretty, don’t you think so? I am leaving very soon for Montreal. I am pretty much all set. And best of all, I am going back in my old apartment where I used to live when I left Montreal in September 2011. My accommodation problem is resolved. I am staying in a University residence for 12 days in X University somewhere located in Montreal lol.;0)

I took the cheapest accommodation I could find and in result, I am leaving exactly 2 days before beginning my job. I would had liked to go earlier but at $34 per night (it’s cheap, I know, but I am really on a budget), I decided to do a last minute thing. I will have at least a day to do my nails and visit Montreal. What I plan to do is to take a part-time summer job so I can save more cash for once I will be back under unemployment. 

It’s a chance to have those credit cards. I had paid around $400 for my temporary stay at the student residence and I had to pay $300 in front as a security deposit to get my old apartment back. Does it worth it, to go to Montreal just for a temporary position? Well, it worth it in my case. It’s not like I have many years of experience and I prefer to take whatever present to me, especially while it’s something related to my field and especially knowing the workplace conditions. It will also give a good work reference if it goes well because let forget about my late employer ok, I am suing them in court. I know what you are thinking and please, just stop thinking. It’s about my extraordinary life here so calm down. 

I know Montreal quite well so it’s not like I am moving to a place I don’t know. I am getting a 16 week for sure of labor, enough to make my unemployment for next year I guess but I don’t know for sure how it work. But what I know for sure is that my investment portfolio is performing very well. The TSX is under the 12k points, but my non-registered portfolio is at a very good $125 318.13. Yesterday, I closed the session at 124k+. I have more than $14 000 left on my margin. Very soon, a 2k will go to cover my new investment in the JFT Strategies Fund. I already injected in cash a 1k in my margin. I need to add on another 1k by May 18. I really need to have a around a 15k value left in cash in my margin. The best will be to have a 20k left to keep it safer, especially in those very hard market conditions. I kind of having no choice than to seek for part-time work when I hit back Montreal or I will have to limit my purchases.

There is a temporary system problem. Please contact your local TD Waterhouse office for assistance.

...

This is the first time ever I am having a problem to access my account during day time.

TD, fix your system problem please.

Maple Group and Bev Oda: corruption, corruption, corruption!

I had cancelled my DRIP and in result, I had calculated the value of my dividend portfolio. With what I currently hold, my annual dividend income is of $7 057.20. Quite an interesting amount of money and I need the money. My non-registered portfolio is at $123 360. I am closely monitoring the stock market these days. The Greece people haven’t understood yet that they will have to go under austerity for the rest of their live. Once they will understand, the situation will be more stable... But I doubt about Greece stability unless a major plan is being defined. But we have lost our hope. François Holland had been elected because Sarzo had pushed the retirement age at 67. It was one of the factors. Europeans are very selfish people. They want everything for them and their economy, even during good time, is extremely poor. Europeans will have to understand their mediocrity and leave the super industrialize countries emerged and moved forward. France itself is a big problem is the Euro zone, but they are being seen as a good economic country, when they shouldn’t.

The TMX Group (X) stock has closed yesterday session at a very good $47. I had been holding X for several months now. Since the acquisition history began, first with the London Stock Exchange and after with the Maple Group, I had been on my way to make a few hundred bucks out of a deal that will destroy the Canadian economy and its entire credibility. No matter what, I decided to digg in and yeah, like the m*rons group of bankers of the infamous Maple Group, I decided to make money out of the money.

When the TMX Group Inc. (X) acquisition drama began, I jumped in blindly without the heck of a hesitation, but I was far from expecting such a long delay before any deal get finalized. It’s been a couple of months of holding and while waiting I had benefited from the TMX Group Inc. (X) dividend. I am hoping to cash in $50 per TMX Group stock that I hold. That being for me and the TMX. The only reason why this stupid acquisition is going to work out it’s in reason of our incompetent Tories government. Stephen Harper covers the back of all groups of id*ots Ministers. Bev Oda being the latest id*ot Tories proof.

It’s normal for Bev Oda to life a rich life on our tax money. It’s normal for Bev Oda to rent hotel rooms reserved for the millionaire of this word. Bev Oda is a PIG and doesn’t deserve to be part of the Canadian government. If only Jack Layton would be still alive, he would had kick Bev Oda out of there and we’ll never heard of her ever again. She’s irresponsible and she’s a shame. Thousands of Canadians are losing their job because of government cutting here and there, but Bev Oda with her piggy face is just there to live like a Queen on our tax money. That has to stop. How come Bev Oda is still the Minister for International Cooperation? She doesn’t deserve such distinction. If she wouldn’t have been catch on her expenses, we wouldn’t have heard anything about it. What’s the relation between the TMX Group Inc. (X), the Maple Group, Bev Oda and Stephen Harper? Well, it’s all part of the stupidity of our system.

Bankers are already corrupted enough. Recently, my RBC credit line interest rate had been increased of 3% without any reason. I never miss a payment and overall, my credit history is very good. I have a net value of more than 80k and on top of that, the prime rate hasn’t change. Basically, what happen is that RBC Royal Bank had increased my interest rate just to make more money on my back. I am victim of a conspiracy between the banks and Stephen Harper. Also, the government of Stephen Harper has made pressure on banks for them to increase the interest rate on their banking products such as credit line. This had been made to put pressure on retail investors like myself so we will pay our debt. The conspiracy is really there. It’s happening right now. Canada is slowly changing into a communist country, where citizens have no right to do what they want with their money.


Fact is, Stephen Harper will do everything he wants to achieve his goals. Stephen Harper wants Canadians to hold less debt and putting higher the interest rates is just the beginning. Stephen Harper wants the TMX to be run exclusively by Canadians and fact that the banks and pension funds are going to manage our Canadian stock market makes Stephen Harper happy because in case you didn’t know yet, the government manipulate banks. We have an example with the increase of the interest rate I had been target, but I am not alone. If the Maple Group becomes owner of the TMX Group Inc. (X), Canada will soon be transform into a land of massive corruption, more than it is already, thanks to Stephen Harper. Fact is, generally speaking, Canadians are really weak and not very strong. No one really care about Bev Oda case. It’s been declared, but no one is taking real action to say: THIS IS VERY TERRIBLE.

Canadians are so dumb and stupid that they have elected Stephen Harper with a MAJORITY. What a bunch of complete morons! And now, Canadians are paying the price of their stupidity. You like Stephen Harper? PREPARE YOURSELF TO SUFFER. IT’S ONLY THE BEGINNING OF THE END. I work very hard every day trying to develop multiple income streams for myself. Fact that there are thousands of people losing their government job and it’s a good thing. You wanted the Tories in, you got what you deserved. Prepared to suffer.

Remember the name, remember the date: JFT Strategies Fund, May 18, 2012

When I am busy and I have a lot going on, I find it difficult to find some time for blogging. So I have a lot of catching up to do! Let’s start with the best part: my non-registered portfolio is exploding to a very great $125 446.95!! THAT’S A LOT OF CASH. I am beating my score of March 13, 2012 when I had reached my highest ever, $125 213.

Great dividend income of $709.77 for the month of April! I left the DRIP on my non-registered portfolio cancelled with no regrets, hoping to cash in big next month, well, actually, for this month, since we are already in May!! No sign of unemployment benefits still, but I received a call yesterday, I had been asked some questions regarding my job search (where I had applied, and what was my self-employed about...). I answered the questions and explained that the self-employed is more for extra money and a tentative to remove myself from unemployment. Luckily, I had noted all the places I had applied for a job. It helps me to name the job places where I made an application. Following what, I was cleared to go, I should know how much I will be receiving by the end of the week.

With less than $700 left in my banking account, I am slowly, but certainly desperately running out of cash. I am waiting for a cheque to come in regarding my small business. With my upcoming pay cheque and unemployment benefit that should come on in if not next week, the week after, I will make sure I leave enough cash in my banking account for a couple of months ahead, at least 6 months to a year. What I need directly in my banking account is not that much actually. It’s just to cover for my minimum automatic monthly payments (like loans). That minimum required is of $266, which make $1 596 per 6 months.

I am moving to Montreal really soon. I had found a place, I should know more by the end of the week.

Another exciting news: I had reached 100 000 views on HubPages! Thanks to Reiko MacKenzie, Christina Kiesel, Ronnie Seterdahl Negus, Jody Claman and Mary Zilba, the sweet b*tch*s of Desperate Housewives of Vancouver, my viewer counter had exploded! My blog had been read more than 315 000 times so far since 2007.

Hot gossip stuff. I know you cannot get enough. Thanks for reading this very great blog. :)

On May 18, I should get in the JFT Strategies Fund of the very fabulously sexy Jean-François Tardif. Here on the Dividend Girl, we’d been super fan of Jean-François Tardif since we started investing in Sprott in 2008. I place an order for a 2k investment in the JFT Strategies Fund and I cannot wait to see how it the fund will perform on the stock market. Following what, I pretty much have everything I ever wanted in my portfolio. If I can decrease my debt level in the next couple of months, pay off my RBC credit line, I should be alright. I will be more careful in the future now that I had experimented unemployment.

The reason why it happens to me is that I am too good for myself. See what I mean?

LOVE YA.

I may have my RBC credit line interest rate problem being resolved. I was at 7.52% before since the opening of the credit line, and currently I am at 10.52%, for no reason. So I am really hoping to get this resolve soon. I had the credit check and everything done 2 days ago. IT BETTER GET RESOLVE OR RBC IS GOING TO SEE WHAT HELL LOOK LIKE. haha.

;0)

Peace.

No DRIP no more

I never taught I will do so anytime soon, but yesterday, I call my broker, DRING, DRING and cancel all DRIPs of my Canadian non-registered portfolio. Fact is, I don’t have much in cash reserved, if not almost nothing, just a few hundred bucks. Cashing in the dividend distribution is greatly needed at this time. Especially now that I am about to move back in Montreal. 

I am using as much possible my American Express for all places that accept it because I have a 0.99% interest rate for one year... My limit is very low on the American Express, which is unfortunate. I am now a big fan of buy-now-and-pay-a-bit-later..

As announced in the previous post, I am moving back to Montreal where I got a temp position. Temp or not, I jump on the offer. Job searching is terribly annoying. Anyway, the job is well paid and I don’t mind spending the whole summer in Montreal. 

I am under process to have my will done. It’s something I never took care of, probably because I don’t have kids of my own and/or sexy husband. When I will be dead I will be dead. Money won’t be of any help, but it could help other people of my family. I guess that’s the idea behind a will. Basically, I will use my $185 tax return to pay off for the will, which is $150, for the cheapest I was able to find.

From a comment I read in a previous post, I think some haters-readers really don’t know what it is to have small business. Starting something from scratch is not easy. And while mixing my small business activities with job searching well, all I can say, it’s all hard work. And talking about my small business, my English Web site is now online and no, you won’t be getting the link from here but you can always take a look at here to satisfy your taste for gossip and hot stuff.

Montreal, here I come again

You are seeing some pictures took in Montreal because... I am moving back to Montreal...

Not even a year after I left Montreal... I am running back to town... Better to laugh about it right. I did several applications in X town of New Brunswick, but I haven't received any news. I had applied to this X job in Montreal back in March, shortly after my laid off. I got the interview today and got the job. Its a temp position, but decided to accept it because its in a nice firm located downtown Montreal and the salary giving is ok. I prefer that rather than pursuing a job search leading me no where. Anyway, I am very please. The job begin in the middle of May. I am a moving specialist, I don't count the number of times I moved around.. I don't have any problems with that. I just consider myself lucky to actually find something. F the small business project LOL. It's not f, but I will try to develop it as a side project.

I am quite happy because now, I can stop searching for a job, I can concentrate on my "business" lol or just write on HubPages and stuff.

Montreal, BE READY. I am back.

The best banking package for start-up and small business: the RBC Small Business eAccount

Following my laid off this past March, I search several ways for me to keep going. Living in a small town in New Brunswick wasn’t playing in my favor. After my laid off, I knew things were not going to be easy. I applied for a couple of jobs here and there, without too much success. I actually may have found a temporary opportunity in Montreal, but it’s about all. 2 weeks passed after my laid off and following what, I decided to start a small business. 

I had been a small business owner for almost a month now. I found it a great idea. It’s of course certainly not easy but the process itself of opening a small business is extremely easy. I will certainly write more posts about this experience. Opening a small business is giving me the opportunity to keep myself busy in my field. I am currently mixing my small business activities with my job search. I won’t hesitate moving back to Montreal, even for just a few months of full-time work. Being self-employed is very hard. I had started with one freelance assignment. I need to launch my Web site. I wrote a couple of pages. I need to write the content of about 2 posts, get everything proofread and following what, the site will be launch. I am a bit lazy, I find it difficult to work from home. It’s difficult to remain focus and remain on a performing mode.

And who says small business says small business banking account. I check with the Caisse populaire, BMO, TD, CIBC, National Bank, Scotia Bank and RBC. And oh surprise, its RBC who’s offering the best banking package deal for small business. But of course, its all depend of what are your needs. In my case, it’s basically just to change cheque made at the name of my business name so later on I can declared the taxes. I will made a few deposits, a few withdraws, nothing more.

For such basic needs, the RBC Small Business eAccount is the best deal, but only in term of electronic and ATMs transactions. With the RBC Small Business eAccount, no minimal balance is needed. Let say I deposited a cheque in the ATM machine, than, the fee is only of $0.20 per cheque deposits. However, if I want to depose cash, it’s $2.15 per $1,000. No big deal because that won’t happen. Other business will pay me with PayPal or, most likely, with cheques.

With the RBC Small Business eAccount, there’s no monthly fee and no minimum balance required. The RBC Small Business eAccount is perfect for you if you can perform your transactions with ATM and electronically. Also, if you have a personal banking account with RBC, it can be link to your new RBC Small Business eAccount. That way, you can perform transform transactions from an account to another. All electronic transactions made with the RBC Small Business eAccount are free. However, be careful, because normal fees in your personal banking account will apply.

I personally never deposit a cheque using ATM. I have direct deposit for all my pay cheques, it’s partly why. But even there, I don’t like the ATM machine very much. I use ATM to withdraw money every months, but in term of deposit, I don’t really trust. Reason why is that you insert money in the envelop and then the ATM, the ATM give a receipt, but just a receipt. The money is not right away in the banking account. However, with the RBC Small Business eAccount, I will be giving it a try. If I do the deposit in-branch, it’s $3.50 + $0.20.... Quite a lot of money.

Do a search and you’ll see, banking account for small business can be very expensive. From now on, I will become friend with the ATM machine...

I previously had open with the Caisse populaire acadienne, but I misunderstood... I need a balance of 2k, if not, it’s $7 per month + transaction fees. AIE! That’s hurt!

The RBC Small Business eAccount is a good deal if, like me, you are just looking to do a minimum of transactions for your small business. You may want to contact RBC Royal Bank for more information :0)

Derek Foster and the value of simplicity: from investor to minimalist

In his latest newsletter, Derek Foster exposed the benefit of living simply, without gadget. I totally agree with the idea. However, I love my iPod, my laptop, my digital camera. When I was in Montreal, I used to have a cell phone. I didn’t have a land line and having access to a phone whenever needed was of a great benefit. 

When I buy a gadget, I use it for a very long time. A little way back, I bought myself a mini laptop, with a screen of 10’1. It’s very light and I can easily carry it everywhere I go. Without it, I couldn’t watch on my stock or either blog... I love my gadgets and I wouldn’t like to live without them. But I guess the point of Derek Foster was about over-spending and how folks in the 60s, 70s were not spending as much as the popular crowd of today.

Fact is, every single dollar save is a dollar in place for financial freedom. The less gadgets you own, the less you spend... But imagine having to go to an Internet cafe every single time you need to access to your emails, check on stock, etc... In that case, not having a laptop wouldn’t be of any help to save money. I guess you could always go to the library, but it will be annoying.

Personally, my only luxuries are my debt, on which my minimum monthly payment is a bit less than $300. I had been living below my needs for years and it has allows me to save a fortune to generate a dividend income that can pay alone my minimum living expenses. While being unemployed, I don’t have to worry about making ends meet. Unemployment benefit will basically be money to help me decrease my debt level and maybe for a little bit of shopping... lol.

Anyway, there will never be enough emphasis made on the importance of savings and Derek Foster latest newsletter was great for that. Generally speaking, I am a great saver. I never had any problem to save money, it always came naturally to me. It’s a nature that varies from an individual to another. My brother, who’s 16 months younger than me, is much more a spender than a saver. A good friend of mine, who grow in the same little suburb and went to school with me had real problem at saving money. I had to borrow her some money once so she can make a car payment on time... I am not better than anyone else, but just to say that a “saving nature” has nothing to do with from where you are coming from or your family environment.

However, the how-to-save-money is something that can be learned. The Fabulously Broke Blogger is an illustration of that. She had paid more than 60k worth of debt quite quickly once she realized the power of savings. Today, my investment me to face a laid off without too much trouble. It’s a blessing to be able to survive on dividend distribution. At this point, my dividend income could allow me to pay my minimum living expenses, but just the minimum. In case of survival needs, I am pretty much like Fabulously Broke, I could make a nice living on $1 000 a month. Generating $12 000 a year in dividend income is really not difficult. However, my word is to stay away from companies that provided an exaggerated dividend yield. We have lived quite an adventure with Yellow Media Inc. (YLO). YLO was one of those arrogant businesses giving away too much cash to their investors. And the results are what we know today.

The power of dividend investment and living below your needs

From what I calculated back in February 2012, my annual dividend income is of 7 007$. This is the dividend amount generated by my non-registered portfolio only. I have an investment in US dollars and I also have my TFSA that doesn’t really generate any substantial dividend income. In my non-registered portfolio, I hold a bit more than 3k in the First Majestic Silver Corp (FR). First Majestic Silver Corp (FR) doesn’t distribute any dividend at this time. So I could eventually reinvest the money in order to increase my dividend income. But even a 7k dividend income is quite substantial.

Let’s have a quick look, one more time, at my monthly budget. What do I need to support myself?

Monthly rent to my old folks: $350

Gas: $50

Student loan: $98

TD RRSP loan: $107.03

American Express at 0.99% for a year: $29

RBC credit line: $45

TD Visa: $28

Banking fees: $6

TOTAL: $713.03

Those are for the minimum of the minimum expenses. But of course, I buy myself some coffees, I sometime buy cosmetics, eat out or whatever else. So adding up my minimum monthly expenses to $1 000 would be quite reasonable. I cannot pay that $713.03 from my dividend income but I could easily, with a bit of restructuring.

This amount doesn’t include my car insurance. I am currently good until September 2012. I had paid 1 300$ for my first year as a car driver... Quite a lot of money, knowing I drive a 2002 car... However, I should be paying less next year, maybe $900?

To that $900, we need to add oil change and tired change... maybe $140? Right there, owning a car is expensive, it’s more than $1 000. I could eliminate the car, but it would be very annoying not having a car while living where I am, in X town of New Brunswick.

I thing you got the point by now: the less we spend, the better is.

In Derek Foster latest newsletter, we learned the importance of savings, but we also learned something else: Derek Foster had sold his house and many of his belongings! Why? Well, Derek Foster has decided to hit the road with his wife and 5 (or 6?) kids... oohahahhhhh! I am just wondering what he will do for their school year. Anyway, from what I understand, it will be a one year road-trip. Maybe the little kids will be missing one year of schooling, I really don’t know. However, I felt as excited as if it would be me going on a road trip. 

Derek Foster had lived for a long time close to Ottawa, from memory Wagana Beach or something of that sound. Anyway, he won’t have high residential tax fee to pay for a little while. It’s going to be much more fun to be living in a camper, enjoying the outside live style. Having his money, I would be doing the same. Only problem being the schooling of his little boys and later on, his little girl, but hey, it’s none of my prob!!!

Interesting? Oh yeah, Derek Foster is always interesting to follow and read, almost just like me.

ahah

Investors, please meet David Aisenstat and The Keg Royalties Income Fund (KEG.UN)

I just completed another article on HubPages. My last one is about David Aisenstat, President and CEO of The Keg Royalties Income Fund (KEG.UN) and The Keg Restaurants Ltd. At first, I started doing research on David Aisenstat because he’s the ex-husband of Christina Kiesel, a cast member of The Desperate Housewives of Vancouver. The show aired on Slice, a Canadian network that I never heard before and unfortunately, I don’t have Slice in my cable package, so I basically wrote about stuff I cannot even watch and I am dying to see the show. The Desperate Housewives of Vancouver! Imagine the riches Canadian women living a “free” lifestyle with Botox, men and millions. Sound appealing? It does sound appealing to me! It’s so totally at the opposite of who I am that I cannot help it.

My Internet activities conduct me to read about multiple stuffs and lately, I start generating a great income. Nothing I can live on exclusively, but add to my dividend income, my online income is really helping me to pay off my minimal living expenses.

All this to say, I read about David Aisenstat because of the glamorous Christina Kiesel of The Desperate Housewives of Vancouver and I find very interesting stuff. Generally speaking, I am not very attracted by restaurants, but The Keg Restaurants Ltd. is one of those exceptions. First of all, the design of those Keg Restaurants is just so beautiful – from what I had been able to see online.

Following what, I conduct some search about The Keg Royalties Income Fund (KEG.UN). KEG.UN is so interesting. The 10 year-chart is very amazing, very sharp. I wouldn’t expect a restaurant chain to propose something this strong. KEG.UN went down during the 2008 stock crash, but it quickly rebounded and today, KEG.UN even exceed the stock value of the before 2008. Only very strong stocks are able to perform this way and its truly spectacular coming from a restaurant chain to show something like this. It’s almost breathtaking. And David Aisenstat by himself is a good looking man, despite being bold. But that has nothing to do with KEG.UN right? LOL.

The Keg Royalties Income Fund (KEG.UN) has a good dividend yield of 6.621%. The dividend distribution is monthly. Really, KEG.UN has everything investors can dream of. It’s fascinating. I am happy with this new finding of mine.