August 2021 Update: Vacation, Birthday, soccer And of course dividends!

Dividend Income & Portfolio Update

Personal Highlights – August 2021

  • What a month.  It didn’t rain basically all summer – until I took my holidays.  We spent the about 8 days up at the cabin, and although the weather didn’t cooperate fully – we still had a blast.  It was also my (38th) birthday so a couple of drinks may have been had as well 🙂
  • We took the kids to a new petting zoo/farm just north of the cabin.  It was pretty cool – they had horses, ponies, chickens, goats, bunnies, Llamas a pig and more.  It was basically a big free for all and you could just walk up to and pet anything.  My daughter (5) loved it – my son (4) refused to touch a single animal..but he said he had fun….haha
  • It’s been a hell of a month/Year for Canadian Soccer.  The Women are Olympic champions and the Men begin their World Cup Qualifying campaign this week (3 games in 8 days).  They play Honduras, USA & El Salvador in this window.  If I am feeling ambitious I may do a quick preview and/or recap of the games.  Needless to say this is BY FAR the most excited I’ve been for Canadian (mens) soccer in my entire lifetime.  We have a legit shot at qualifying for the World Cup and we have some absolute World Class players (finally)!
  • It’s getting to that “busy parent” time of the year.  We just signed up both kids for soccer starting in 2 weeks, and have Holland’s Grade 1 orientation next week – while Isaac goes back to preschool next year.  With Holland going to school full time this year – and only part time daycare – one financial positive is it will save us $300+/month in daycare fees.  The plan* is to put it all directly into the TFSA.
    *In reality it will probably go to bourbon, wine, kids clothes and whatever is left MAY make it into the TFSA.
  • My little man finally got a haircut (much needed).  Before & After pics below:
    Back to school haircut
  • I’ve decided to try and supersize my savings/retirement plans.  I’m not sure exactly how long I’ll be able to stick to this – but the goal is to continue all my bi-weekly contributions (maybe even up them slightly) PLUS add the full monthly child benefit AND the bi-weekly savings from daycare into the TFSA(s) as well.  We typically get a decent tax return as well – which I plan to dump almost the whole thing into the TFSA as well.  Although my TFSA value is sitting around 80k I still have contribution room left ($35-$40k) and the wife has a ton of room – so hoping to max mine out ASAP and then really focus on hers.  

  • We’ve been eating pretty good lately (not healthy…just good) haha.  Steaks, Pasta, Pork Chops, Shrimp and lots of wine! I’ve been trying to experiment a bit more with cooking as it’s never been a strong suit of mine- but so far so good.    A few meals from the month(wife made the pasta):Screen Shot 2021-08-31 at 8.44.17 PM
    Red Wine

Financial Highlights for August:

  • Purchased an additional 101 shares of Manulife in TFSA bringing my total share count to 352.  At the current share price, this will allow me to drip 4 shares per quarter.
  • Purchased another 119 shares of RBNK which is an ETF that holds the 6 major Canadian Banks and pays a monthly dividend.  I now have 483 shares and will probably continue to add here and there.
  • Continued bi weekly payments into the spousal RRSP, and TFSA(s)
  • Still sitting on about 20% cash in my RRSP.
  • Got dividends from 6 companies and 2 funds.  Dripped an additional 24 shares/units.
  • On pace to not have a single month under $500 in dividend income for the whole year. Assuming I deploy the cash in my RRSP by January 1st 2022, I am hoping next year I won’t have a single month under $1000.

Passive Income Update For August 2021.

TFSA’S:

Diversified Royalty Income: $25.21 (dripped 9 shares)

Artis Reit: $41.90 (dripped 3 shares)

European Residential Reit: $7.86 (dripped 1 share)

RBNK: $25.48 (dripped 1 share)

Interrent Reit: $4.50

Nexus Reit: $14.88 (dripped 1 share)

Canadian NET Reit: $9.40

TFSA’s Total: $129.23

RRSP:

Canadian Equity Income Distribution: $371.18 (dripped 9 shares)

RRSP Total: $371.18

Total Passive Income August 2021:  $500.41

Portfolio Update:

My portfolio (including cash position) stayed pretty steady at: $535,700.52.  I am still sitting on about 20% cash in my RRSP – which I plan on being patient with and waiting to see what happens over the coming months.  

Hope you had a great month.  If you aren’t already on the Canada Soccer Bandwagon…GET ON IT!  First game is Thursday vs Honduras!

Cheers!

 

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July 2021 dividend update.

Dividend Income & Portfolio Update

Personal Highlights – July 2021

  • Things are slowly opening up here in Winnipeg.  Masks are no longer required in most places – restrictions on gatherings have been lifted and case counts are way down.  I’ve been to a couple of restaurants for the first time in what seems like a decade, and have been able to see a few people in person again- it feels good – but also still feels weird. 
  • It’s been a hell of a month for Canadian Soccer.  The women just won gold at the olympics and the men just about took Mexico to extra time in the Gold Cup Semi Final.  I am beyond excited for the upcoming World Cup Qualifying games in September.
  • We had our first little harvest from our garden (and by “we” I of course mean Amber):
    garden harvest
  • With things opening up a bit more we took the kids out to a couple of restaurants and also made it to the zoo!  There is a farm/petting zoo just north of our cabin we are hoping to make it to this month while we are on holidays too.  Wife & Kids at the zoo (animatronic dinosaurs):
    zoo
  • We’ve been doing homemade pizza night about once a month lately – and honestly….it’s damn good.  My favorite so far is spicy sausage, corn, spinach, peppers and garlic (pictured below):

    Garlic Sausage Pizza

Financial Highlights for July:

  • Lots of positive news on the earnings front.  CAE reported strong results, Intertape Polymer had great results PLUS a dividend increase, GoEasy continues to kill it, and Western Forest & New Flyer were both positive too.
  • Added 100 shares of Manulife to TFSA
  • Sold entire position of Plaza Reit to purchase RBNK
  • Spousal RRSP which was opened about 3 years ago cracked $40,000 for first time!
  • Still sitting on about 20% cash in my RRSP.
  • Got dividends from 14 companies and 2 funds.  Dripped an additional 52 shares/units.
  • Greenlane Renewables has had a nice run this week – earnings are tomorrow so very interested to see how they look & if they will be profitable.
  • Another all time portfolio high. It is unbelievable how fast things start to compound once your portfolio gets to a certain size (and the market continues to roll).  My portfolio increase by over 33,000 month over month!
  • First time receiving over $500 in tax free dividends in a month!

Passive Income Update For July 2021.

TFSA’S:

Diversified Royalty Income: $25.06 (dripped 9 shares)

Telus: $58.81 (dripped 2 shares)

Artis Reit: $41.75 (dripped 3 shares)

Plaza Reit: $32.29 (my last divy from PLAZA as I sold shortly after)

European Residential Reit: $7.89 (dripped 1 share)

Algonquin Power: $212.32 (dripped 11 shares)

Power Corp: $106.51 (dripped 2 shares)

RBNK: $25.41 (dripped 1 share)

Interrent Reit: $4.50

Nexus Reit: $14.83 (dripped 1 share)

Canadian NET Reit: $9.40

TFSA’s Total: $538.77

RRSP:

Canadian Equity Income Distribution: $370.09 (dripped 10 shares)

GoEasy: $181.50 (dripped 1 share)

New Flyer: $59.93 (dripped 2 shares)

Transcontinental:$206.10 (dripped 8 shares)

Alimentation Couche Tard: $52.59 (dripped 1 share) 

RRSP Total: $870.21

Total Passive Income July 2021:  $1408.98

Portfolio Update:

My portfolio (including cash position) increased another 6.51% in July to a new record high: $540,270.31.  I am still sitting on about 20% cash in my RRSP – which I plan on being patient with and waiting to see what happens over the coming months.  

Hope you had a great July.  August should be fun, I celebrate my 38th birthday, and then next month my wife turns the big 40!

Cheers!