My Fortis Inc. (FTS) and WSP Global Inc. (WSP) among Christine Poole's Top Picks at BNN

It hasn't been a good day for the TSX, but at least it hasn't been disastrous. With those 21,187.84 points, my non-registered portfolio closed at $143,901.11, my US portfolio at $4,802.93, my RRSP portfolio - stocks only like always - at $65,505.20, and my TFSA portfolio at $127,965.20.

Today at BNN, Christine Poole's Top Picks included my beautiful Fortis Inc. (FTS) and WSP Global Inc. (WSP). I have been holding on to both FTS and WSP for several years now. Inside my non-registered portfolio, Fortis Inc. (FTS) is on a +104.38% gain and WSP Global Inc. (WSP) is even performing better, running the show with a +224.11%. Christine Poole knows her stuff, but it's not by listening quietly to BNN that I invested in the best stocks of my portfolio. There's a bit of a lack of originality there. Once you hold on to the best stocks one investor can possibly have, the next step is to explore a bit more, just to see if I had been missing on anything. It's not BNN that can push you over the edge, but Stockopedia definitively can! To explore stocks the way I do, please use my referral link to benefit a 2-week FREE trial.

Just to add quickly to my post of yesterday, the fact that Global Dividend Growers Income Fund (GDG.UN) feature among JFT Strategies Fund Class A Units (JFS.UN) inside Stockopedia's "Trading below Cash Screen" is a huge factor that certainly plays in favor of Global Dividend Growers Income Fund (GDG.UN). I am not saying no to GDG.UN, but I just prefer to keep my options open for now. 

And talking about JFT Strategies Fund Class A Units (JFS.UN), I was listening again to what I believe is the very last interview that gave Jean-François Tarif at The Morning show on BNN. I feel that what he said during that interview still applies today. Tardif named a couple of stocks that - back at the time - didn't really speak to me. Those stocks are:

Freehold Royalties Ltd. (FRU), Topaz Energy Corp. (TPZ), PrairieSky Royalty Ltd. (PSK), Celestica Inc. Subordinate Voting Shares (CLS), and Parkland Corporation (PKI).

I am not a stranger to Parkland Corporation (PKI). I used to be invested in PKI. I sell for whatever reasons, I don't remember exactly why, but you'll probably find that reason searching PKI on my blog. Among that list, I only have interest in one stock: Topaz Energy Corp. (TPZ). 

Topaz Energy Corp. (TPZ) is interesting, but it's not being backed up by a huge history. I don't see anything prior to 2021. 

For now, I am just looking.

Funny fact, inside my non-registered portfolio, Intertape Polymer Group Inc. (ITP) grow by +0.53%. :)

A possible option for dividend thirsty investors: Global Dividend Growers Income Fund (GDG.UN)

Regarding my winter boots situation that I explained in the last post, it happen that my mom took the boots - the ones I wanted to melt down the plastic with a lighther so it could cover the holes lol - and but them in the garbage can. It really amused me. I guess it was the next best thing that could happen to those boots. I had walked all winter long with those boots, and it just happen that in reason of their low quality fabrics, they were at the end of really end of their utility. I walk around a lot, so shoes that are not good quality won't ever last long with me. When I used or wear something, its always to the core.

As for the TSX, I was under the impression that today was going to be a good day, but it happens that I was wrong. The TSX closed today session at 21,180.78 points, leaving my non-registered at $144,053.35, my US porfolio at $4,757.78 US, my RRSP portfolio - stocks only - at $65,550.51, and my TFSA portfolio at $127,869.14.

No matter what happens on the TSX, I am always in search of new stocks to invest in. In order to fill that need, I consult like usual Susan Brunner's blog. Nice, but when I want more, I consult my secret weapon: Stockopedia. I like to scroll a bit everywhere in Stockopedia platform, but my favorite thing of all is their screens. It help to keep my head clean (browsing on Stockopedia is really that fun and you should definitively give it a try for free with this unique offer using my referal link!!!), and I just love to search around for new stocks that I might even not even know that existed. And Stockopedia gave me all of those advantages. You can get a taste of what Stockopedia has to offer to Canadian investors by reading Ben Hobson's article. He published new articles every month, right here.

In Stockopedia, Global Dividend Growers Income Fund (GDG.UN) appears on a special screen, which is named "Trading below Cash Screen". In that screens, we find, among other, JFT Strategies Fund Class A Units (JFS.UN). I already hold on to some JFT Strategies Fund Class A Units (JFS.UN) units in both my TFSA and RRSP portfolios. Managed by Jean-François Tardif, JFT Strategies Fund Class A Units (JFS.UN) is what I like to name a "money stabilizer". No matter how bad the weather gets over the stock market volatility, JFS.UN always manages to keep in its value, and always remain stable. A simple look at JFT Strategies Fund Class A Units (JFS.UN) will help you to understand:

While today - for a mix of different reasons - New Flyer Industries Inc. (NFI) loses -9.295% and Labrador Iron Ore Royalty Corporation (LIF) loses -17.73%, JFT Strategies Fund Class A Units (JFS.UN) remains in kind of a neutral state, just moving down a bit by -1.054%.

Since Global Dividend Growers Income Fund (GDG.UN) and JFT Strategies Fund Class A Units (JFS.UN) are both included in the Trading below Cash Screen, does it means that GDG.UN could be as good as JFS.UN for my investment portfolio? One point in favor of Global Dividend Growers Income Fund (GDG.UN): it pay a dividend distribution of 5.329%, while JFT Strategies Fund Class A Units (JFS.UN) pay f off. :)

However, JFS.UN overall chart is much much stronger than GDG.UN. Here's the overall chart for Global Dividend Growers Income Fund (GDG.UN):

Strangely, Global Dividend Growers Income Fund (GDG.UN) main holdings are in US tech stocks. I am not of a fan of tech stocks, and as for the US stock market, I don't hate it, but I just don't have any interest in it. At this time, I need investment that will push me over the edge. GDG.UN is not bad, but its not perfect, and its not as good as JFT Strategies Fund Class A Units (JFS.UN). I could certainly enjoyed a little bit more exposure to the US stock market, despite my lack of interest, but the tech sector is just not my thing. Right now, I am stricly looking for very strong assets that will just light me up as easily as my old boots with a lighter when I come crossing their way. :) 

Labrador Iron Ore Royalty Corporation (LIF) announced a cut in their dividend distribution, which surprised most investors, including myself. But hey, if a company decided to reduce their dividend distribution, it's because they have their reason. It's not fun to deal with dividend cut, but I respect the companies who have the gut to do so. My investment portfolio is strong enough to have little hits here and there. I had been through much more diffcult market situations in the past. This is not nothing, but in my view, its just temporary.

Right now, I am trying to find some quality to invest in. Global Dividend Growers Income Fund (GDG.UN) is not bad, but its not a good fit for me.

Following New Flyer Industries Inc. (NFI) and Labrador Iron Ore Royalty Corporation (LIF) management decision to cut in their dividend distribution, I finally had the courage to update my annual dividend income. It's obviously a bit lower now, but at now $10,821.65, my annual dividend income is still looking good.

Don't be discouraged by anything, the TSX is just another bitch.

A Susan Brunner's suggestion for March 2022: BCE Inc. (BCE)

I am happy that I actually updated my investment portfolio two days ago, because yesterday, my numbers are a bit on the lower side lower. On this last session of the week, my non-registered portfolio closed at $145,992.09, my US portfolio at $4,720.20 US, my RRSP portfolio - stocks only - at $66,104.56, and my TFSA portfolio at a very good $129,065,66. Just like I predicted, New Flyer Industries Inc. (NFI) did rebound a bit from yesterday's massive -22.45% losses. Today, New Flyer Industries Inc. (NFI) gains +1.20%. I actually would like to invest in a few extra shares of NFI. 

Following NFI's announcement to cut in their dividend distribution, I haven't updated my dividend income. It kind of breaks my heart just to think that my dividend income went down. But I guess it went down by only a little. It's just that I am not really yet to endorse the reality. While dealing with this little descendant hit, I had been trying to spot stocks - for future investment - on Susan Brunner's blog. In one of her latest articles, she targets "something to buy" for March 2022. I was happy to see BCE Inc. (BCE) on that list.

Today, we received a heavy load of snow, it wasn't funny. I managed to clean the side of the house, but I am pretty sure I will have other snow to remove tomorrow morning... It was heavy rainy snow. My winter boots came to the end of their life. They were some kind of boots made of plastics, which doesn't remain good long when you walk like I do, but they were doing the thing. Some holes began to appear so I came up with a few suggestions for my father to fix them: 1) duck tape (and used a black marker to make the duck tape less visible) (the easy breathy solution) 2) take a lighter to make the plastic melt so it goes inside the holes 3) your usual glue on top of the hole, let it dry and after what used a black marker so nothing much appears (because the glue leaves on white marks)... It made my old folks laugh, especially the lighter idea... they told me the boots would just explode because of the plastic chemicals... and we all laughed hard. I really wanted my father to fix those boots, he will with the glue. I will keep those old boots for the wood. But after all the laughs, my mom asked: do your boots are waterproof? Well, the answer to that question is... no. I can feel a bit of a situation when I deal with too flashy snow on the sidewalk here and there... So we figure out the time had come to buy a new pair of winter boots. :-) LOL.

And so I did. I was able to get a pair for less than $60 on sale. But it's not the kind of boots that are good for very cold winter days, and they are not super high boots. However I don't really go out when it's too cold anyway, so I guess we are on business. It might sound weird not to want to buy winter boots while I am having close to $350,000 net worth, but the fact is, my expenses just keep rolling in and I just want to save the max I can while being in New Brunswick. Other than groceries and bills, I am giving myself $200 per month to spend on coffees, etc... like that $200 is my extra go-to money, but for one reason or another, I always blow it. 

Last month, I had my antivirus for my laptop that took me by surprise with a $120 bill. This month, I had to pay a bit over $100 to have my tax income done... So far, my "extras" are at $284, so I already exploded my budget. $200 a month for my extra expenses is just not realistic enough, but I prefer to stay at that amount because it helps me to really control my expenses. Boots, pieces of clothing, beauty products... All of those expenses can be heavy at the end of the month. I am now frugal more than I haven't been in a really long time and it's just the type of thing I needed in order to save money, so I can finally hit on the $400,000 net worth one of these days. 

Back in the days, I used to be very frugal - without facing any difficulties because I wasn't making that much money. But over time, as my net worth grow, I became a bit less attentive. so basically, I am just being my old self. With inflation going on, better to be overcontrolling than not being at all.

If anyone has any suggestion on how to fix holes on plastic winter boots, feel free to share :)

Reaching out my highest net worth value EVER: $349,713.01!

I am just so terribly close to the $350,000 - it's almost annoying!  

I could have made it to the $350,000 today if it wouldn't have been from New Flyer Industries Inc. (NFI). New Flyer Industries Inc. (NFI) had been in my portfolio for a really long time. Several years ago, NFI undergo a major restructuration. I have always been impressed by New Flyer Industries Inc. (NFI). This company knows how to handle itself. New Flyer management team seems to always be really proactive. And it's for that reason that today, NFI announced a cut in their dividend distribution. Following the announcement, New Flyer Industries Inc. (NFI) closed today's session at $14.99, -22.45%. Despite today's big losses, New Flyer Industries Inc. (NFI) closed today's session at +16,81% inside my non-registered portfolio. Tomorrow, NFI may experience a little rebound. Today market reaction was quite sharp and scandalous at the same time.

When a good company like New Flyer Industries Inc. (NFI) has the nerve to take the decisions needed to drive the business further, I admired that. I am a super of New Flyer Industries Inc. (NFI) and I am proudly holding it in my non-registered portfolio. 

The TSX can be a really rough place to be. In my opinion, it takes a diversified portfolio to be able to navigate through the chaos. I have a very good portfolio that just keeps going no matter what. Basically, this is what perfection looks like, you can always have a close look for yourself.

The TSX will probably remain sensible to the current situation regarding Ukraine. Right now, I am not under the impression that the effects will be hard on the TSX. With stocks like Pembina Pipeline Corporation (PPL) and Enbridge Inc. (ENB), I have strong exposure to the oil sector and this is helping me a lot. I am experiencing a lot of growth in many of my stocks. Some other stocks, like New Flyer Industries Inc. (NFI) are facing a bit more difficult time but I have gone through this before with NFI and I can say with confidence that NFI will be able to recover from this, this is just a fix-up situation that the management is handling gracefully by cutting their dividend. I am fine with that.

For now, I am just enjoying my fabulous numbers. It feels great to be on the  $349,713.01 net worth, but now I just want MORE. :-)))

Historic of my Total assets and Net worth values on date of March 10, 2022

2022

Total in assets: $396,355.91/Net worth $349,713.01: March 10, 2022 - HIGHEST  NET WORTH VALUE EVER!!!!!!!

Total in assets: $393,037.13/Net worth: $347,573.53: March 4, 2022

Total in assets: $391,766.36/Net worth: $345,622.80: February 9, 2022

Total in assets: $382,726.19/Net worth: $341,862.36: February 2, 2022

Total in assets: $386,320.32/Net worth: $340,128.37: February 1st, 2022

2021

Total in assets: $385,979.66/Net worth: $339,434.39: December 31, 2021

Total in assets: $382,726.19/Net worth: $336,268.16: December 23, 2021

Total in assets: $388,421.37/Net worth: $340,312.77 - FIRST TIME I EVER REACHED A $340,000 NET WORTH!
November 8, 2021

Total in assets: $387,068.51/Net worth: $338,959.91: November 5, 2021

Total in assets: $384,785.92/Net worth: $336,781.52: October 20, 2021

Total in assets: $382,580.80/Net worth: $334,576.40: October 19, 2021

Total in assets: $379,263.95/Net worth: $330,680.17: October 14, 2021

Total in assets: $364,072.52/Net worth: $315,407.64: July 26, 2021
Total in assets: $358,867.59/Net worth: $311,858.22: June 15, 2021
Total in assets: $354,774.64/Net worth: $307,559.30: June 10, 2021
Total in assets: $348,042.77/Net worth: $300,799.45 - FIRST TIME I EVER REACHED 300k in net worth, on May 26, 2021
Total in assets: $346,583.88/Net worth: $298,486.93: May 20, 2021
Total in assets: $349,651.45/Net worth: $298,435.31: May 7, 2021
Total in assets: $347,002.53/Net worth: $297,614.64: April 16, 2021
Total in assets: $338,188.16/Net worth: $287,914.75: March 11, 2021
Total in assets: $333,970.92/Net worth: $283,675.99: March 9, 2021
Total in assets: $328,881.12/Net worth: $279,611.57: February 10, 2021
Total in assets: $326,670.02/Net worth: $278,758.37: February 8, 2021
Total in assets: $324,891.52/Net worth: $276,979.87: February 4, 2021
Total in assets: $322,236.52/Net worth: $274,318.36: February 3, 2021
Total in assets: $327,639.01/Net worth: $274,298.23: January 19, 2021
Total in assets: $316,192.85/Net worth: $268,180.14: January 7, 2021
Total in assets: $313,003.95/Net worth: $264,915.22: January 6, 2021
Total in assets: $310,587.36/Net worth: $262,498.63: January 5, 2021

2020
Total in assets: $310,392.38/Net worth: $259,661.24: December 31, 2020
Total in assets: $307,812.05/Net worth: $259,070.79: December 24, 2020
Total in assets: $306,444.25/Net worth: $258,948.73: December 4, 2020
Total in assets: $304,701.39/Net worth: $257,331.58: November 27, 2020
Total in assets: $300,956.84/Net worth: $253,587.03: November 24, 2020
Total in assets: $298,903.01/Net worth: $251,533.20: November 23, 2020
Total in assets: $296,643.60/Net worth: $249,158.71: November 20, 2020
Total in assets: $294,514.87/Net worth: $247,145.87: November 11, 2020
Total in assets: $291,172.40/Net worth: $243,802.59: November 10, 2020
Total in assets: $287 803.13/Net worth: $240 433.32: November 9, 2020
Total in assets: $277,872.92/Net worth: $226,678.26: August 5, 2020
Total in assets: $276,627.27/Net worth: $227,745.47: June 6, 2020
Total in assets: $263,304.63/Net worth: $211,395.63: April 29, 2020
Total in assets: $241 461,13/Net worth: $194 558,29: March 13, 2020
Total in assets: $282,640.61/Net worth: $235,284.72: February 21, 2020
Total in assets: $304,955.72/Net worth: $257,187.44: February 12, 2020
Total in assets: $296,200.07/Net worth: $250,595: January 16, 2020
Total in assets: $292,715.58/Net worth: $244,970.41: January 9, 2020

2019
Total in assets: $288,237.52/Net worth: $239,582.44: December 31, 2019
Total in assets: $278,823.27/Net worth: $230,902.04: September 17, 2019
Total in assets: $271,896.19/Net worth: 226,137.05: June 24, 2019
Total in assets: $269 950.21/Net worth: $222 942.87: April 5, 2019
Total in assets: $251 634.94/Net worth: $206 278.84: January 18, 2019
Total in assets: $238 656.07/Net worth: $191 009.83: January 4, 2019

2018
Total in assets: $270 679.86/Net worth: $204 306.57: November 16, 2018
Total in assets: $332 750.88/Net worth: $232 609.15: August 3, 2018
Total in assets: $331 413.83/Net worth: $232 280.40: June 20, 2018
Total in assets: $326 085.75/Net worth: $226 801.92: June 3, 2018
Total in assets: $322 479.23/Net worth: $222 850.15: May 4, 2018
Total in assets: $319 644.86/Net worth: $217 246.23: March 16, 2018

2017
Total in assets: $318 544.64/Net worth: $221 989.65: December 29, 2017
Net worth on the date of November 17, 2017: $211 430.89
Net worth on the date of October 27, 2017: $212 633.39
Net worth on the date of September 29, 2017: $206 352.49
Net worth on the date of April 24, 2017: $204 277.66
Net worth on the date of March 31, 2017: $200 325.69
Net worth on the date of March 29, 2017: $198 299.73
Net worth on the date of March 18, 2017: $193 969.21

2016
Net worth on the date of December 30, 2016: $184 074.35

Net worth after debt on the date of January 1, 2014:
$101 172.99 (yes, finally, IN NET WORTH!).

On the date of February 16, 2011, the TMX hit the 14 000+ points, and I had exceeded the 150k in assets! (Not net worth yet).

On September 9, 2010, I reached $100,000 in assets! (not in net worth yet).

On the date of August 5, 2009, I reached my investment goal: I reached $50 000 worth of assets! (NOW, net worth).

On the date of December 5, 2009, I had exceeded the $60 000 in assets! (not in net worth yet). 

My investment portfolio on date of March 10, 2022

Cold cash: $8,043.59

Stocks and Units investment portfolio $CAN 

Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS)

Methanex Corporation (MX)

Fortis Inc. (FTS)

Pembina Pipeline Corporation (PPL)

iShares S&P/TSX Capped REIT Index (XRE)

New Flyer Industries Inc. (NFI)

TMX Group Inc. (X)

K-Bro Linen Inc. (KBL)

TransCanada Corp (TRP)

Canadian National Railway Co (CNR)

Enbridge Inc. (ENB)

Emera Inc. (EMA)

Loblaw Companies (L)

Savaria Corporation (SIS)

WSP Global Inc. (WSP)

George Weston Limited (WN)

Power Corporation of Canada Subordinate Voting Shares (POW)

Intertape Polymer Group Inc. (ITP)

TOTAL: $146,548.84

Stocks and Units investment portfolio $US:

Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK.B)

General Mills Inc. (GIS)

Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund (VONG)

Pfizer Inc. (PFE) 

TOTAL: $4,736.57 US: $5,998.39 CAN

 

Tax-free savings account (TFSA):

Dumont Nickel Inc. (DNI)

CT Real Estate Investment Trust (CRT.UN)

Canadian National Railway Co (CNR)

Exchange Income Corporation (EIF)

Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P. (BIP.UN)

Brookfield Renewable Energy Partners L.P. (BEP.UN)

Andrew Peller Limited (ADW.A)

Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD)

Boyd Group Services Inc. (BYD)

Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust (CAR.UN)

Data Communications Mgmt (DCM)

LifeWorks Inc. (LWRK)

Royal Bank of Canada (RY)

Park Lawn Corporation (PLC)

Toromont Industries Ltd (TIH)

BCE Inc. (BCE)

Boralex Inc. Class A Shares (BLX)

Savaria Corporation (SIS)

Northland Power Inc. (NPI)

Calian Group Ltd. (CGY)

Canadian Utilities Limited (CU)

WSP Global Inc. (WSP)

Granite Real Estate Investment Trust (GRT.UN)

Cargojet Inc. (CJT)

Nutrien Ltd. (NTR)

TFI International Inc. (TFII)

Canadian Imperial Bank Of Commerce (CM)

SIR Royalty Income Fund (SRV.UN)

ATCO Ltd. (ACO.Y)

Aecon Group Inc. (ARE)

Brookfield Asset Management Inc. Class A Limited Voting Shares (BAM.A)

Metro Inc. (MRU)

Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. (ATD.A)

Fortis Inc. (FTS)

CGI Inc. (GIB.A)

TMX Group Limited (X)

Brookfield Infrastructure Corporation Class A Exchangeable Subordinate Voting Shares (BIPC)

Brookfield Renewable Corporation Class A Exchangeable Subordinate Voting Shares (BEPC)

Suncor Energy Inc. (SU)

Rogers Communications Inc. (RCI.B)

Telus Corp (T)

JFT Strategies Fund Class A Units (JFS.UN)

Bitcoin Fund The Class A units (QBTC)

Purpose Bitcoin ETF CAD ETF non-currency hedged units (BTCC.B)

3iQ CoinShares Ether ETF (ETHQ)

Tilray Inc (TLRY)

North West Company Inc. (The) (NWC)

Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS)

National Bank of Canada (NA)

Stelco Holdings Inc. (STLC)

Hammond Manufacturing Company Limited Class A Subordinate Voting Shares (HMM.A)

Saputo Inc. (SAP)

Labrador Iron Ore Royalty Corporation (LIF)

Intertape Polymer Group Inc. (ITP)

TOTAL: $129,844.38

RSP investment portfolio: 

Emera Incorporated (EMA)

Ovintiv Inc. (OVV)

Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD)

Telus Corp (T)

Royal Bank of Canada (RY)

Savaria Corporation (SIS)

Thomson Reuters Corporation (TRI)

Park Lawn Corporation (PLC)

Richards Packaging Income Fund (RPI.UN)

Toromont Industries Ltd (TIH)

CAE Inc. (CAE)

CGI Group Inc. Class A Subordinate Voting Shares (GIB.A)

Boralex Inc. Class A Shares (BLX)

Quebecor Inc. (QBR.B)

Logistec Corporation Class B Subordinate Voting Shares (LGT.B)

Brookfield Renewable Partners L.P. (BEP.UN)

Leon's Furniture Limited (LNF)

Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS)

Brookfield Renewable Corporation Class A Exchangeable Subordinate Voting Shares (BEPC)

Cascades Inc. (CAS)

JFT Strategies Fund Class A Units (JFS.UN)

AirBoss of America Corp. (BOS)

Suncor Energy Inc. (SU)

Pender Growth Fund Inc. (PTF)

Rogers Communications Inc. Class B Non-voting Shares (RCI.B)

ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc. (ATA)

Algoma Central Corporation (ALC)

Finning International Inc. (FTT)

Guardian Capital Group Limited (GCG)

Information Services Corporation Class A Limited Voting Shares (ISV)

Interfor Corporation (IFP)

Maple Leaf Foods Inc. (MFI)

National Bank of Canada (NA)

Nutrien Ltd. (NTR)

Open Text Corporation (OTEX)

Taiga Building Products Ltd. (TBL)

Vitreous Glass Inc. (VCI)

Power Corporation of Canada Subordinate Voting Shares (POW)

North West Company Inc. (The) (NWC)

Total: $66 231,54

CIBC Dividend Growth Fund + CIBC Emerging Markets Index Fund + CIBC Monthly Income Fund: $3,554.12

Others: $1,159.90

NBI Income Fund: $1,315.86

Manulife Fidelity NorthStar GIF CAP

Manulife Simplicity Growth Portfolio 

Maritime Life CI Harbour Seg Fund

Maritime Life Fidelity True North Seg Fund

Manulife GIF MLIA B World Invest

Total: $8,437.69

Other various: $25,122.65

TOTAL: $105,821.76

Social Capital at Desjardins Membership share: $35

Online money: $63.95

Savings + Stocks, units, mutual funds + Tax-free Savings account + RRSP:

On the date March 10, 2022

$396,355.91

My debt situation on date of March 10, 2022

Margin account debt: $46.642.90 @ 4%

Annual interest: $1,865.72

On the date March 10, 2022

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

Welcome in my investment portfolio Intertape Polymer Group Inc. (ITP)!

I finally did it!!! A couple of days ago, I had sent all of my taxes paper so my tax income declaration can be quickly done and completed. It should be done within the next 5 weeks. It's actually around $6,500 that I invested in my RRSP for 2021. It's quite a big amount knowing it represents a monthly contribution of $541.66. I haven't invested that much in my RRSP for a very long time. Now that I have a net worth in the 300k, it would be a bit strange not to push over in the RRSP contribution field in order to get a little tax break that I obviously truly well deserve. With inflation going on, I had been extra careful with my expenses, but if I can get back a bit of money, it would be fun.

I taught we were done with the snow, but yesterday morning when I woke up, it was absolutely a monstrous scene! My father took care of the highway, I was working, I couldn't contribute this time. But I am the one who takes care of the side of the house, which I haven't been able to complete yet. It doesn't matter if it's not done right now, but I prefer to clean it and removed most of the snow, for security reasons and for personal satisfaction, which is really important. I only clean one side of the house that leads to the balcony. I have cleaned it all winter long so there's not a lot of snow there, just the snow that we received yesterday. I will try to get some pictures and I will add them in here later on. Wintertime is complicated in New Brunswick and it gets even more complicated for elderly people, who have to get the highway clean and have to watch for the roof, which also need to be taken care of from time to time - unfortunately. This means that you basically have to remove the snow from the roof.

Spring is coming, but slowly. I notice that days are now longer. I finish my day of work at 6 p.m. and I had started noticing that it's now not completely dark once I am done with work. It's been a long winter, making it difficult to enjoy the outside. Because of the COVID situation, I haven't gone to the gym or anything like that while being in New Brunswick. So let's just say that the "vacation" money that I had but away monthly in my budget will probably get all blown up once I hit back Montreal... Right now, I am just in need of doing a bunch of activities, and whatever ones. Maybe it's the reason why I got crazy yesterday. Let me explain... (It involved me and my margin account, amount other!!).

Yesterday, while reading this, don't ask me why, but I got super excited and I just jumped in, I invested in Intertape Polymer Group Inc. (ITP) because it was trading a bit below behind the $40.50 per share for which Clearlake Capital Group LP is going to buy ITP. Clearlake Capital Group LP doesn't seem to be anywhere to be seen over the TSX, so I guess that once Clearlake will buy ITP, there will be no more Intertape Polymer Group Inc. (ITP) trading over the TSX. I made a small investment on ITP inside my TFSA portfolio, and I made a bigger one - but nothing much - using margin money - over my non-registered portfolio. ITP will remain over the TSX for a little while, so in the meantime, I will be able to enjoy its dividend.

Today, the TSX registered good results, closing on a satisfying 21,493.23 points. My non-registered portfolio closed the session at $145,382.76, my US portfolio at $4,769.73, my RRSP portfolio at $66,339.68, my TFSA portfolio at $129,340,33.

This is what inflation actually looks like in New Brunswick

Sincerely, in New Brunswick, I find that grocery items are more expensive than in Montreal. In my life, I never saw a normal bag of apples selling for almost $8 each. Usually, it's a lot cheaper. 

When you take 2 seconds to think about it, it's kind of weird to see our Canadian apples being more expensive than bananas that don't grow here, but it's how it is. Those delicious apples stay right where they were. I am certainly not going to buy food on which prices are too high for my taste. I can survive without apples, oranges, and clementines. Oranges and clementines are usually expensive, but they come to sell from time to time. In Montreal, Segals grocery store is located on St-Laurent Blvd. It's the perfect place to buy fruits and vegetables at a bargain price. They usually always have some bargain price on blue cheese, which I really like and haven't purchased while being here in New Brunswick.

Today, I went outside two times, helping my poor dad with all that snow that just keeps accumulating non-stop. I went this morning, and again in the afternoon. Both times, I came back inside totally exhausted. Let's say I got plenty of exercise for the day. There's so much snow all around the house! I didn't see that much snow in a very long time, since this is the first time in 10 years that I am spending a full winter in New Brunswick. I didn't take any pictures today, but I may be able to do that tomorrow. 

The Bank of Canada 0.25 raised on the lending rate, unfortunately, has an effect on the interest rate of my margin account that I hold over National Bank Direct Brokerage. My interest rate over my margin account jumped from 3.75% to 4%. Nothing too drastic, but fact that the interest rate goes up is helping me to get the extra motivation to pay it down. Each year, I declare the amount of money earned as interest on my margin debt as a financial fee, and getting this deduction is really helping. I pay down my margin debt, but I don't expect to pay it all down anytime soon.

I really hate the whole process surrounding my income taxes. It needs to be done every single year and it's not really fun. However, for 2021, I contribute over $7,000 to my RRSP. I hope it will help me not to pay too much extra in taxes. I remember that 2020 hasn't been too bad, and I contribute less than $7,000 to my RRSP.

I am now on my highest net worth value EVER: $347,573.53

The TSX closed this past Friday session on a good 21,402.43 points. While noticing that my non-registered was exceeding the $144,000 value, I knew it was time for another investment portfolio update. And so I did, to finally find out that my net worth had now reached $347,573.53. I am now missing less than $2,500 before hitting the $350,000 net worth. If the value of my investment portfolio grows, even by a tiny little by this next Friday, I have all the chances in the world to hit on the magical $350,000. That's because I am getting paid this upcoming week.

On top of that, both Bitcoins and Ethereum are gaining in value, which is helping me a lot because I own several units of ETFs related to Bitcoins and Ethereum. I just cannot wait to sell all of my crypto-related ETFs. They now had been in my TFSA portfolio for too long now. However, I am confident that I will be able to sell at profit, one day.

I had experienced my first DRIP with National Bank Direct Brokerage. I set up the DRIP a little way back over the phone with one of their brokers. My main dividend payers pay quite well. I just let the dividend roll in to generate new shares each month. My annual dividend income is now really super close to $11,000, which is fun to watch.

It's just unfortunate that all of that good stuff has to happen while Russia is invading Ukraine.