Alex Colville, a Maritime proud is exposed at the National Gallery of Canada

We are now in May. Its unbelievable, but we are in May. And in May, we'll be celebrating an holiday: the birthday of the Queen! The timing is perfect. I haven't go to Ottawa in a while. There's something exceptional going on in Ottawa right now. There's always great art show at the National Gallery of Canada, but this time, you'll all going to be very excited as a true Maritime jewel is being exposed. He wasn't born in Nova Scotia, but did his studies in New Brunswick and spent most of his life in Nova Scotia.

Prepare to discover the enigmatic world of one the most marvelous Canadian painter: Alex Colville. His painting style is very unique, minimalist, pure. And his mise en scènes are totally mysterious, extraordinary, with a lot of character and greatly inspired by the Maritime. We had inspired a very great painter. On the art scene, there's no one like Alex Colville. You can only dream of being Mr. Colville. One of a few genius of art that died just a few years ago, at a venerable age, but couldn't be possible to push away the death arrow for the ones like that. I adore Alex Colville. So you'll understand that I am very excited. I am very curious about the exhibition and cannot wait to see it. This is going to be fun!

The great thing is that Ottawa its only at 2 hours away from Montreal. No need to spend money on an hotel room (budget stretching still on no matter what, you are going to understand why soon).

If my calculations are correct, my net worth is probably around $143 000 right now. So close to the 150k! I am really not missing much at all. I used to read a blog name Fabulously Broke. I do still read from time to time but it is not as much interesting as she doesn't personally write on her blog anymore. And she's not a fanatic of the stock market. She had 155k in net worth, 4 years ago. She was a consulting - so making way much money than be, but I am following. Its just all very logical. 50k, 100k, and after 150k, and 200k, 250k, 300k... I am lucky, I may be able to reach the $200 000 net work by the time I am 40, and even maybe 250k. I don't know how much can cost a painting of Alex Colville, but it must be pretty expensive.

Very recently, Lou Schizas had reviewed a stock on which I made a small fortune on. They're some stocks like that who are the rock on my portfolio, stocks that I bought at cheap price, but became massive! And years ago, under the suggestion of Jean-François Tardif who had gave a positive BUY for this baby, I had invested in Premium Brands Holdings Corporation (PBH). Jean-François won an investing price from the Globe and Mail for that pick. When you really think about it, the goof pick, the best decisions had the power to make you a millionaire! I am smart enough to follow Tardif in his every moves and it only paid off so far. Lou review of PBH is pretty much all positive. I don't believe in any downturn anytime soon for PBH but my impulse is sometime wrong. In his next article, Lou is going to review another stock that I hold, another Maritime proud: The North West Company Inc. (NWC).

Other than that, beautiful day in Montreal, got to get ready and go outside.

Welcome in my TFSA portfolio Brookfield Renewable Energy Partners LP (BEP.UN)!

If I would had enough money, I would had invested in both Brookfield Renewable Energy Partners LP (BEP.UN) and Northland Power Inc. (NPI). But since a choice need to be made, I selected BEP.UN. BEP.UN win over my simply way of selecting stocks.

Today, I also collect the money from my sell of my Sprott Canadian Equity Fund units.It wasn't a difficult choice, but it wasn't a fun one either way. In the sell process, I lost $3 609.15. I have collected a bit more than 3k from the sale. I had no idea what to do with that money, so I reinvested it all in the JFT Strategies Fund (JFS.UN). It seem like a good option. I wasn't for sure going to invest in RBC Royal Bank (RY)! No way. Story short, I now hold JFS.UN in both my non-registered and RRSP portfolio.

I decided to say goodbye to Sprott Canadian Equity Fund inside my RRSP portfolio because since 2008, the fund had never been able to recover from the 2008 stock crash. Recently, the Sprott Energy Fund manage by Eric Nuttall featured in the Financial Post. I talked about this article previously, mostly because everything involving Sprott flash me straight in the eyes. I don't know if the author of the article was giving money by Sprott Asset Management because a wrong perception is being giving of the fund. Jonathan Ratner wrote an article that "sell" very well the Sprott Energy Fund. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that Eric Sprott is buying journalists in order to promote himself and his businesses. But that is worthless because there will always be out there smart bloggers who are able to see after facts and give their own and honest opinion about what's going on.

The article of Jonathan Ratner start with this punch line: "Welcome in my TFSA portfolio Brookfield Renewable Energy Partners LP (BEP.UN)! Eric Nuttall’s Sprott Energy Fund has gained 16% this year, making it the sector’s top performer in Canada." Ok, well dummy, if you had invested in the Sprott Energy Fund before or way before the 2008 stock market crash, you wouldn't be sitting on a 16% gain, but on several thousands of money lost. 

Most financial journalists like Jonathan Ratner - if you can name that "journalist" - are really not deep thinker. Its a propaganda article. That poor Eric Nuttall might think of himself like he's doing a good job, but it is truly not the case.

Express investment portfolio Spring cleaning

The sky is grey in Montreal and its been like that for the past couple days. So while its not appealing to be outside, I stay inside, count my every single pennies and I try to figure out what I can to improve my situation in a way or another.

The first step was an easy: I needed to take advantage of the $20 000+ contribution room available inside my TFSA. I had called TD Waterhouse this past weekend but the broker couldn't take any orders for the TFSA. Anyway, I called today and I proceed with two contribution in kind. I had two investments hold inside my non-registered portfolio and got them transferred to my TFSA. Those investments are: Laurentian Bank of Canada (LB) and The North West Company Inc. (NWC).

I also proceed with a $1 120 cash contribution for my TFSA. This is for my next investment move. Yesterday, I announced that my next investment will be in Northland Power Inc. (NPI). I received a comment from a reader suggesting Brookfield Renewable Energy Partners L.P. (BEP.UN) and  Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P. (BIP.UN) as investment. BEP.UN seem to be stronger than NPI and I have to say, BEP.UN appears a bit more appealing. I am still thinking as the money is getting transferred into my TFSA.

Another thing I did is to set up back a DRIP inside my non-registered and TFSA account. I never had a DRIP in my TFSA, but I had, back in the old days, a DRIP in my non-registered portfolio. What will be able to DRIP and reinvestment will be. EIF, PBH, JE and some other stocks will DRIP, some won't, because the amount earn in dividend is too low. I registered to a DRIP so that way, I will be more on a strict budget. I am spending too much these days and I came with this little trick to reduce the money I have at my disposal. I had a DRIP inside my RRSP since the start.

And finally but not the least, I had place a sell order for all of the units I hold of Sprott Canadian Equity Fund. I cannot wait to get ride of this investment. Every single investments I had been holding of Eric Sprott had turned into complete disaster. The money collect will be reinvested, probably in JFS.UN. I cannot wait.

His name is not Eric Sprott, but Eric Nuttall

In my investment life, Sprott Inc. (SII) was the first stock I ever bought. At that time, Eric Sprott was everywhere, Jean-François Tardif was shaking up the market with the hedge fund he was managing at Sprott Asset Management. With all that, the Dividend Girl couldn't do better than just go in and invest in everything that Eric Sprott was talking about.

And among those investments, I had invested, several years ago, in the Sprott Canadian Equity Fund. Back in the days, I couldn't invested in Jean-François Tardif hedge fund because the minimum required was $100 000. At the time, the Sprott Canadian Equity Fund was performing very well, it had a good history chart and well, so investing in the the Sprott Canadian Equity Fund inside my RRSP seemed to be the thing to do. Unfortunately, shortly after, the stock market crash deeply (2008) and the the Sprott Canadian Equity Fund haven't been able to fully recover the crash. In such market instability, the fund couldn't perfom and still can't.

I invested $7 000 in total inside the the Sprott Canadian Equity Fund and that invested currently worth $3 476.98, about half of its old value... It doesn't seem to me like the Sprott Canadian Equity Fund is going to be back on track anytime soon. Is there anything I can do to fix the situation?

These days, Eric, not Eric Sprott, but Eric Nuttall is stealing the show. Eric Nuttall manage the Sprott Energy Fund. Is being said that the fund he's managing gain 16% this year, but what the article is not sating is that year to date, just like the Sprott Canadian Equity Fund, the Sprott Energy Fund never been able to recover to its old days of glory. Both Sprott Canadian Equity Fund and Sprott Energy Fund never been able to reach back their value of BEFORE the 2008 stock crash.

What does this mean? BAD MANAGEMENT. My best advice: stay away from everything related to Eric Sprott and Sprott Asset Management. In front of volatile market, Sprott guys have no idea of what they are doing.

And option would be to sell of my investment in Sprott Canadian Equity Fund and reinvest the money in the JFT Strategies Fund (JFS.UN). JFS.UN never disappointed me and I think my money could recover and I would be in a better financial position with Jean-François Tardif.

My next investment move: Northland Power Inc. (NPI)

I always knew that RBC Royal Bank was just too boring to actually be my next investment. Just recently, I received a letter from RBC asking me to call them and fix an appointment with an adviser so my situation could be reviewed regarding my credit line I have with them and my general situation. I don't understand the point of sending me such letter because that credit line is completely paid off and I do no hold any investment with them anymore.

Back in the days, when I was building my portfolio and was at a critical point, RBC sent me a letter saying that the interest rate on my credit line was getting increased. I try to get that reversed, but all of my interventions fail. Terribly insulted, in result, I sold out all of the investments I was holding with RBC Royal Bank and I quickly paid off that credit line. Now that I have a net worth closed to the 150k and no debt that can be view on my credit score, who look like a loser now? The fact that my margin account that I hold at TD Waterhouse doesn't show up on my credit score is a real turn on. All girls have their own little dirty secrets after all and I am no exception to the rule.

LOL.

Am I really going to hold the stock of one of my enemies in? Deep inside, the answer is NO.

 

RY is a grandpa stock - not an investment for a hot chick. So I keep looking around, looking, searching... Come on, I can do better! And its when that I suddenly remembered a stock that been review by Lou and I just couldn't find it. I didn't remember the company name, but I clearly remember that it was involved in wind energy. I like the clean energy sector, and that company - from what I remembered and it still the case - had a very good overall chart. The company completely recover from the 2008 stock market crash and pay a very good dividend, 6% yield, way to go.

Want to know for real what is the name of that fantastic stock? Well rock on and get very excited, RIGHT NOW, because the name of my new baby is: Northland Power Inc. (NPI). Currently at TD Waterhouse, the stock has an 8 buy rate note. However, I wouldn't recommend to invest massively in that stock, but investing just a bit in it could be a nice way to have a feet in the clean energy sector. And all decent investors should be investing in that sector.

Even if they are disgusting, I might invest one of these days in RBC. Its really sad, but that bank is very solid  and unfortunately, I need that kind of stocks in my portfolio.

As you know, I reached 205k in investment value not long ago and I had to do something to celebrate! So I went and got my first gel manicure ever and of course, I picked a nice pink color. Going for a gel manicure is something I could get really addicted to, but I find that I have as good result doing it on my on. It stay on for about a week. And talking about money, my non-registered portfolio is currently at $139 186.65, which mean that my net worth is probably lightly exceeding the 140k. I never thought it was going to happen so quickly. My domain name is myfirst50000.com - and its not for nothing. I thought it would take me forever to even just reach the 50k. Surprise, making and loosing money on the stock market is SUPER easy after all. ;-)

The TFSA contribution is not doubling, but almost

With a contribution room of now $10 000, all of the yearly saving made can go straight to the TFSA. And voilà. I am just not sure if its effective now or just on January 2016. I don't think its effective now. Its a good news for both frugal and the riches. For once, Stephen Harper is fabulous. I still have 18k available as contribution room to my TFSA. Its a shame, but I am slowly getting organized and I am investing more and more inside my TFSA.

Today, the federal budget was announced, and today, I did my citizen duty, I got my 2014 tax declaration finally done and completed. I was surprised because I have lot less than expected to pay back. I only had to pay extra something like $80 to the federal and $260 to the provincial. My income exceed the 50k in 2014. Not enormous, but still good. Anywhere after 50k is quite good.

Now that I had so little to pay in taxes, I know I can do a new investment move. So I guess I will be doing my investment in RBC tomorrow or real soon, quite real sooner than expected.

Fresh Tories getting ready to double the TFSA contribution room - or not?

I am - for once - all excited about the federal budget that will be announced tomorrow. And what if the Tories are dumb enough to actually double the contribution room the the TFSA? Ahah! Why not? Stephen Harper and his bunch of clowns are certainly idiot enough to do such thing. And it will only benefit those who - like me and maybe you - have non-registered investment and other cash to invest in a TFSA. Its terrible politic, but hey, messy country that is Canada, the rich get it all and the poor barely get enough to cover their basic needs.

I think will see the TFSA contribution room doubling only because of the upcoming election. Its an easy way for Tories to give something to Canadians. The government of Stephen Harper haven't come with much in the recent years to help the population. It came with the idea of the TFSA a few years ago and a few years more, we are seeing the TFSA contribution room doubling.

I just keep thinking: is that really enough to prove the Tories are the government that Canadians need for 4 years? Do I want to vote for Justin Trudeau who is in favor of a dope show in Canada? NOPE. Do I want Muclair and NPD? HELL NO. Do I want Stephen Harper as Prime Minister? NO NO NO!

The problem that lovely Canadians are facing now is the lack of leadership inside the country. They're currently no good leaders in Canada to support our country and I find that very sad. It also explain the low level of participation to the election.

I am in Liberal at heart, but I really don't like Justin Trudeau. I don't like the guy at all. He's not the man fit for the job.

My net worth is now of $139 599.17

I was hoping to get there soon, I knew it was coming, and it seem like I am now sitting on a $205 871.46 portfolio. Yeah! It make my little heart beat a little bit faster. My net worth is of $139 599.17. At this time, its getting really exciting because I am really not missing much to hit on the 150k net worth. But the real excitement will be once I will be sitting on the 200k net worth. That's going to be quite something. In the meantime, my $139 000 is making me happy. It took me 8 years to have that money. At least, I have more than just the first $50 000 that I so wanted 8 years ago...

The stock market had been very good to me. I haven't done very well with a few investments - like my many investments in silver and gold, but I believe in resurrection and maybe those investments will get back on their feet and grow. I did some bad investment moves, but some other went very well. AGU, BNS, MX' ENF, CU, SJ and so many more. Another stock that I did very well on and that had been reviewed recently by Susan Brunner is AltaGas Ltd (ALA). There not much good stock adviser out there. But over the years, I had been able to quickly recognize the good from the bad ones.

I made a few thousands on Derek Foster and Susan Brunner back. And not to forget Jean-François Tardif. I made several thousands by investing in his Premium Brands Holdings Corporation (PBH) - a stock for which he had positive review. And now, I am invested in JFT Strategies Fund (JFS.UN). I never believed in his retirement. Another hot guy that know what he is talking about is Lou Schizas. For amateur like myself, the ones you follow and trust will make a big positive difference in your wellness. But still, you need to have the flair. And my best advice will be to stay away from any financial advisers. I have many bad experience here in Montreal and I wouldn't like any of my readers to get ripped off. Here in Montreal, people are individualists - no matter what they say. There're so many homeless a bit everywhere in this city, its unbelievable. And there's many aboriginal people living in the street. Its like they are coming from the north, they have dark skin that make me believe that. Financial advisers are paid by commission, and sometime not only, but they have at heart their own profit, not yours. They may be good advisers out there, but they are extremely hard to find. And just check on my list. In 8 years of stock investment, I have 4 names that I follow. Not 20, not even 10. JUST 4. Be smart and stick to the best, you'll thank me later. There are just that not many people out there that you can trust.

That close to the 150k is giving me a new source of motivation to watch my expenses a bit more, but it look to me like I could get on the 150k worth soon without any other investment. In other words, I could just let it go, and do nothing more than what had been done so far. However, I doubt I will ever go that way, investing is a drug, an addiction and I cannot stay too long without doing anything at all, even if its only contribution in kind to my TFSA. My next investment move in RBC Royal Bank, I just keep thinking about it.

Not that I adore RBC Royal Bank. They had treated me like a piece of shit in the past. For no reason, they have increased the interest rate on my credit line. Since they didn't want to do nothing about it to help me, I have pay all of my debt and I have sell of the investment that I used to hold with RBC. Get that RBC! Now, the only reason why I want to invest in RBC is that I am in search of a "safe" investment, even if nothing is really 100% safe, its possible to invest in more conservative stocks and RBC is to me one of those stock. After all, if this baby is soon going to hit on the 200k net worth, I need to do something.

There's only 2 ways to see an increase in my net worth: to invest more or pay down my margin. At $66 272.29 of usage, I still have available a bit more than 20k available on it. Just to say that my 137k non-registered portfolio have a margin worth of $88 000 - a lot of sexy cash. But no problem, I won't pick on that $20 000 available, I promise. I am starting a new journey with this saving mood. I have a deep taste for makeup, skin care, anti wrinkle cream, clothes and so much more. And coffee, and tea. Beer and wine. So when you like that much of things, money can go fast. Its just a matter to switch to my old saving behavior.

In a few days from now, we'll know if our TFSA contribution will get double or not. That will be on April 21 and I cannot wait to hear about the good news that will come from that budget. Since we are in an federal election period, the timing is just perfect for the Tories to please Canadians and especially to please me.

My investment portfolio on date of April 18, 2015

Cash: $1 272.17

Non registered Investments:
Stocks and Units investment portfolio $CAN
Timminco (TIMNF): $0.49
Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS): $7 245.70 
Blue Note Mining Inc. (BLNMF): $0.05
Hanwei Energy Services (HE): $24
Methanex Corporation (MX): $6 996.79
Fortis Inc. (FTS): $4 271.71
Pembina Pipeline Corporation (PPL): $19 496.40
Just Energy Group Inc. (JE): $4 918.72
Pengrowth Energy Corporation (PGF): $966
Enbridge Income Fund Holdings Inc. (ENF): $12 810.20
Corby Distilleries Limited (CSW.A): $2 731.25
Davis + Henderson Corporation (DH): $9 026.64
Premium Brands Holdings Corporation (PBH): $13 263.42
EnCana Corporation (ECA): $3 315.52
iShares S&P/TSX Capped REIT Index (XRE): $2 678.06
Horizons Gold Yield Fund (HGY): $1 188.18
New Flyer Industries Inc. (NFI): $1 556.28
Colabor Group Inc. (GCL): $151.98
TMX Group Inc. (X): $421.44
K-Bro Linen Inc. (KBL): $5 210
Westshore Terminals Invest Corp (WTE): $6 568.80
WesternOne Inc. (WEQ): $459.80
First Majestic Silver Corp (FR): $621
Kinross Gold Corp (K): $421.29
TransCanada Corp (TRP): $1 408.50
Canadian National Railway Co (CNR): $7 307.10
Enbridge Inc. (ENB): $1 814.68
Agrium Inc. (AGU): $3 381.04
Canadian Utilities Limited (CU): $1 676.22
Crescent Point Energy Corp (CPG): $712.14
JFT Strategies Fund (JFS.UN): $2 163.99
Black Diamond Group Ltd (BDI): $391.50
Emera Inc. (EMA): $1 034
Cineplex Inc. (CGX): $1 234.50
Barrick Gold Corp (ABX): $623.20
BCE Inc. (BCE): $1 187.34
Stella Jones Inc. (SJ): $786.40
Saputo Inc. (SAP): $1 421.60
Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD): $1 114.40
Lassonde Inc. (LAS.A): $1 371.10
Loblaw Companies (L): $756.72
Lumenpulse Inc. (LMP): $725
Laurentian Bank of Canada (LB): $961.40
The North West Company Inc. (NWC): $1 254 
Glentel Inc. (GLN): $1 513.20 

TOTAL: $137 181.75

Stocks and Units investment portfolio $US:
Sprott Physical Silver Trust ET (PSLV): $993.81
Cash: $4.12

TOTAL: $997.93

Tax-free savings account (TFSA):
EnerCare Inc. (ECI): $45.21
Dumont Nickel Inc. (DNI): $48.79
Sprott Physical Silver Trust UTS (PHS.U): $1 579.28
Sprott Strategic Fixed Income Fund (SFI.UN): $287.50
RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust (REI.UN): $1 027.60
Precious Metals and Mining Trust (MMP.UN): $360
Sprott Inc. (SII): $2 685.80
Data Group Inc. (DGI): $509.54
AltaGas Ltd (ALA): $1 249.20
CT Real Estate Investment Trust (CRT.UN): $1 256
National Bank of Canada (NA): $1 123.78
Canadian National Railway Co (CNR): $3 247.60
Glentel Inc. (GLN): $2 269.80 
Exchange Income Corporation (EIF): $4 791.64  Firm Capital Mortgage Investment Corporation (FC): $484
 
Cash: $155.60

TOTAL: $21 121.34

RSP investment portfolio:
Sprott Canadian Equity Fund: $3 476.98
iShares Gold Bullion Fund (CGL): $3 619.98
Emera Incorporated (EMA): $9 926.40
EnCana Corporation (ECA): $1 689.64
Sprott Physical Silver Trust UTS (PHS.U): $526.43
Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD): $1 671.60
Barrick Gold Corp (ABX): $779
Stella Jones Inc. (SJ): $3 932
Telus Corp (T): $2 103.50
Stantec Inc. (STN): $1 017.60
Cash: $196.36

CIBC Dividend Growth Fund: $747.66
CIBC Emerging Markets Index Fund: $362.88
CIBC Monthly Income Fund: $1 297.09 

Energy and Base Metals Term Savings (Indexed term savings): $577.30
Natural Resources Term Savings (Indexed term savings): $502.45

GIC National Bank: $1 293.77

Manulife Fidelity NorthStar GIF CAP B: $1 133.15
Manulife Simplicity Growth Portfolio: $1 217.32
Maritime Life CI Harbour Seg Fund: $1 322.91  
Maritime Life Fidelity True North Seg Fund: $1 506.06
Manulife GIF MLIA B World Invest: $1 021.92

Great-West – various: $2 498.71
Various other mutual funds: $1 413.97
Other: $1 428.59

TOTAL: $45 263.27

Social Capital at Desjardins Membership share: $35 Savings + Stocks, units, mutual funds + Tax-free Savings account + RRSP:

$205 871.46

My debt situation on date of April 18, 2015

$66 272.29 at 4.25% (margin money coming from my broker account) = 

$2 816.57 in annual interest

*For a complete update regarding my debt, click on the label "Debt situation" located at the right column of this blog.