December Dividend Update & Year in Review

Dividend Income & Portfolio Update

Personal Highlights – December 2020

• My fitness kick has slowed slightly over the last week as I was on holidays and Christmas and New Years made it tough – but I fully plan on continuing into the new year.  I’ve got a fitbit tracking my steps, i’m running on the treadmill almost every day and besides the last few days I’ve been eating better and drinking less. Over the last month I’ve already lost around 10 pounds.
• Christmas & New Years Eve although very tame (we stayed home obviously) were great.  We had a very low key Christmas, but were able to see our families on both sides via video calls, and the kids got spoiled as usual.  We had a bunch of appetizers for Christmas, and I made some cocktails, and for NYE the wife made Manicotti with salad and garlic bread (I chipped in with more cocktails, including a Raspberry Margarita to start the day off in the new Blender that Santa brought)!
• We started out the new year by heading to Kildonan Park and going sledding. The kids had a blast (okay I did too) and since the weather is supposed to be great all weekend, I think we will probably be heading back the next couple days.
  
  
• My Brother turned 40 on December 29th.  For his birthday his lady turned one of the spare bedrooms into a study/library/whisky room.  It looks great, and his shelves are now full.  My sister and I decided to get him (and myself) a membership to the Winnipeg Whisky Club, which will allow us to sample a ton of fine & rare whiskies over the course of the year.
• Over the last couple weeks we finally got some snow.  I’ve started piling it all in the backyard for the kids to play on…so far they love it and it’s been nice to get outside when we can.
  
• The wife and I started watching Lost.  She has already seen it – but I never did, so we’ve been spending almost every waking hour (when the kids are asleep) binging it.  Currently on season 2.  There are a LOT of episodes…
• Last but not least, a good buddy had a layover in Calgary on his way home, and stopped by the World of Whisky and was nice enough to bring me back a few bottles that we cannot get in Manitoba.
  
  

  
  Financial Highlights for December:

• Made my first purchase in 3 months.  I picked up 1078 shares of Nexus REIT.  This purchase adds an additional $173.92 to my annual dividend income.
• Portfolio hit a new all time high.
• With the addition of December’s dividends my dividend income for the year was over $10,000 for the first time ever.
• Next month should be a very nice month as far as dividends go.  A few large positions are paying dividends in January such as: Algonquin Power,  Telus, Go Easy, Transcontinental and most importantly XAW (which is my largest holding).
• Already got my T4, so I plan on filing my taxes within the next couple of weeks.  Normally I wait for the first 60 days RRSP contributions, but since I had taken a temporary pay cut for part of 2020 due to covid my income was lower so I’ll save those RRSP contributions for next year.

Passive Income Update For December 2020.

TFSA’S:

Artis Reit: $36.63 (dripped 3 shares)

European Residential Reit: $7.78(dripped 1 share)

Plaza Reit: 31.03 (Dripped 8 Shares)

Diversified Royalty: $24.05 (dripped 10 new shares)

Interrent Reit: $4.50

Manulife: $41.44 (dripped 1 share)

Intertape Polymer Group: $55.15

TFSA’s Total: $200.58

RRSP:

Canadian Equity Income Distribution: $361.76(dripped 12 shares)

RBC US Equity Index Fund: $292.38 (dripped 9.978 units)

Total Passive Income December 2020:  $854.72

Portfolio Update:

My portfolio increased nother 2.73% in December to a new record high: $430,000.53!  Although I still think the market is insane right now considering the state of the global economies and unemployment rates I am feeling pretty optimistic about a few of my holdings for the future.  Specifically Western Forest and New Flyer which both had a terrible year, but things have started to run around.  I am hopeful Western Forest will reinstate the dividend before the end of 2021.

As I mentioned above 2020 was the first year I made over $10,000 in dividend income.  Since January 1st, I earned $10,822.54 in passive income.  Assuming no dividend cuts or increases, my current Forward 12 month dividend income is $12,294.49.  My goal for the year was finish 2020 with a forward dividend income of $12,000 – which I accomplished even with a few dividend cuts due to Covid!  I still haven’t made a goal for 2021 yet, but I’m leaning towards $15,000.

Here is a look at my total dividend income per year since I started tracking this 5 years ago:

Here are my year end Portfolio values on Dec 31 each year since I started as well:

One thing I’ve been working on this year was to try and get more income from my TFSA vs RRSP.  Currently 26.4% of my dividend income is tax free.  Hopefully when I write this recap next year that number is even higher.

This last year has been a wild ride.  We said goodbye to our fur baby Penny, I started a new job after being laid off from my previous job of 16 years, we went to Mexico in January and basically when we got back the whole world shut down.  All things considered the year could have been a lot worse.  We both still have jobs, we have got to spend a lot of time with the kids and we have all remained healthy.  We miss our friends and family, but we are hopeful things start to return to normal in the next few months and until then – like the rest of the world we will continue to stay positive and wait out the storm.

I hope you all had a great year, and have an ever better 2021!

Cheers.

November 2020: portfolio milestone & Unicorns edition

Dividend Income & Portfolio Update

Personal Highlights – November 2020

• My city of Winnipeg is officially in lockdown.  Gatherings outside your household are not allowed.  Truth be told this hasn’t changed much for us, since we weren’t doing any socializing for the last 9 months or so (besides the occasional grandparent visit)
• I’m not sure why but I’ve gotten on a bit of a fitness kick lately.  Starting slowly, but I’ve been running about 5-7 km each day, doing some light weights and eating better.  It’s only been a couple of weeks but I’m down 5lbs already!  I’ve also drank more water in the last 2 weeks than I think I have in the last 4 months.. I’ve greatly reduced my alcohol intake this month as well – as I am trying to just drink on the weekends now…we will see how long that lasts.
• November was my daughter’s FIFTH birthday.  I cannot believe how fast she is growing up…Unfortunately due to Covid 19 we couldn’t do any sort of party, but we had a lot of outside visitors stop by and drop off presents..and as always my sister in law made an absolutely gorgeous cake which she dropped off.  Holland said she wanted a rainbow unicorn cake – so VOILA:
  
• Speaking of Unicorns…I found one too (or should I say two)!  As I mentioned last month the Manitoba Liquor Mart held its yearly fine & rare whiskey release lottery.  I couldn’t believe my luck when both my mom and brother won a bottle for me!  The crazy thing is they won the SAME bottle!  For the uninitiated George T Stagg bourbon is insanely rare/hard to find and super sought after.  In fact you need to win a lottery just for the chance to buy it.  The MSRP was “only” $175, but it resells for in 6-10 times that.  That said, I have no intentions on selling these and will definitely be saving them for a special occasion or two.
  

  
  Financial Highlights for November:

• November marks the second straight month with no new purchases.  I have continued to contribute bi weekly into both my TFSA & spousal RRSP.  I am okay with holding onto a bit of a cash position right now as things seem insanely overvalued.
• November is a very slow month as far as dividends go.  I was paid dividends from 5 companies, and 1 fund this month.  I dripped a total of 35 new shares/units. 
• On the plus side, my portfolio hit an ALL TIME HIGH this month and cracked $400,000 for the first time!
• Some more positive news: A few of my longer term holdings are finally starting to show their value.  All of; Intertape Polymer Group, Transcontinental and Artis Reit are getting closer to their true value. I also hope/expect Western Forest to reinstate the dividend in 2021.  
• December should be a relatively small month as well before a big January (when XAW pays its distribution).   I am hopeful that my RBC Canadian Equity Fund & RBC US Equity Funds will both pay a year end distribution in December.

Passive Income Update For November 2020.

TFSA’S:

Artis Reit: $36.50 (dripped 3 shares)

European Residential Reit: $7.78(dripped 1 share)

Plaza Reit: 30.84 (Dripped 8 Shares)

Diversified Royalty: $23.89 (dripped 10 new shares)

Interrent Reit: $4.29

TFSA’s Total: $103.30

RRSP:

Canadian Equity Income Distribution: $360.46(dripped 13 shares)

Total Passive Income November 2020:  $463.76

Portfolio Update:

My portfolio increased a whopping 12.05% in November to: $418,576.77!  My previous portfolio high was back in January when it was $377,000.  It’s nice to see almost everything in the green and some big gains, but I am still expecting some sort of pull back to numbers that make sense.  That said, I’ve been expecting that for a while now, but they keep printing money and lowering rates..so who knows what will happen.

Since January 1st, I’ve earned $9967.82 in passive income.  Assuming no dividend cuts or increases, my current Forward 12 month dividend income is $12,157.85.  My goal for the year was finish 2020 with a forward dividend income of $12,000 – so assuming no more cuts, mission accomplished!  I’m still working on a goal that is large but attainable for 2021, I am leaning towards $15,000 in dividend income.

Cheers.

May 2020 Update: Dividends, Renovations & Bourbon

Dividend Income & Portfolio News

Personal Highlights – May 2020

• 2 Years ago we thought we were going to sell the cabin because it was hard to enjoy with a 1 and 3 year old… but as the kids got older, we’ve really started enjoying it again.  We decided if we are going to keep it – we should finally make a few much needed changes.  We bought new beds, a new BBQ, brought a few new chairs out, and spent 2 full days ripping up the old carpet/flooring and putting new floors in.  It looks and feels like a whole new cabin.  Pic below:
  
• On the Covid front – our province is on “Phase 2” of reopening.  Most things are open now, although strict guidelines are still in place.  I haven’t yet gone to any restaurants or malls or anything.  Although I have made a couple trips to the hardware store.  We’ve been really lucky so far in Manitoba *knock on wood* with under 300 confirmed cases since the pandemic started.
• The liquor mart got their yearly supply of my favourite bourbon that they carry so I stocked up.  It only comes in once or twice a year, and always sells out, so I need to make sure I stock up when it is available:)
  
• If I am being completely honest, between Covid, and the protests happening down south, I have lost quite a bit of interest in stocks, sports, etc.  I find myself refreshing twitter, reading articles, and going down the rabbit hole reading comments or arguing with people.  On the one hand I feel like I need to take a break from it for my own mental health, but on the other hand this is too important to just ignore/take a break.
• I’m going to keep this short this month. Truth be told, I feel kind of like a Jackass even writing a dividend report/blog update with everything going on in the world right now, but it keeps my mind busy.  I hate that we even have to say #blacklivesmatter.  How fucked up is that? Seriously – think about that for a second. How did we let it get to this?  Silence and status quo I think is the biggest factor.  If you see or hear something racist, sexist, homophobic – please do your part and call that shit out.  It won’t be easy, it will be uncomfortable, but it needs to be done.

• Financial Highlights for May:

• Continued bi weekly contributions into TFSA, Wife’s TFSA & Spousal RRSP
• May is usually a slow month, not many dividends paid.  The good news is there were no cuts/suspensions this month.
• I was paid dividends from 5 companies, and 1 funds this month.  I dripped a total of 43 new shares/units.
• Even though I had to take a temporary pay cut, my spending has been way down, which has more than made up for the temporary cut.  I guess it is easy to increase your savings rate when you can’t go out anywhere…haha
• Next month XAW pays its semi annual dividend.  This should give my income a nice boost. They haven’t announced their distribution yet, and I assume it will be lower than last year due to Covid, but it should still hopefully work out to over $1000.

Passive Income Update For May 2020.

TFSA’S:

Diversified Royalty: $22.62(dripped 13 shares)

Artis Reit: $28.22 (dripped 3 shares)

Power Corp: $98.90 (dripped 4 shares)

Interrent Reit: $4.29

Plaza Reit: $29.68 (dripped 10 shares)

TFSA’s Total: $183.73

RRSP:

Canadian Equity Income Distribution: $352(dripped 13.845 shares)

Total Passive Income May 2020:  $535.73

Portfolio Update:

My portfolio was up slightly to: $334,531.46  This represents a increase of 1.62% from last month. I expect continued volatility in the market (and my portfolio) for the foreseeable future.

My long term plan hasn’t changed. I haven’t sold a single stock, and I continue to look for good deals.  I’ve updated my watchlist, I am currently keeping an eye on: Manulife, First National Bank, Alimentation Couche Tard, Metro and Canadian Western Bank (among a few others).

Passive income in May was $535.73.  This is one of my slowest months, but luckily it should be followed by one of my largest.  Next month XAW pays one of it’s semi annual distributions.  With everything that has gone on in the market, I am not too sure how much to expect from XAW but it should be a much needed boost.

Assuming no dividend cuts or increases, my current Forward 12 month dividend income is $11,340.46.

Stay safe!

Cheers.

 

April: Saying Goodbye, Dividends, Birthdays & A Podcast

Dividend Income & Portfolio News

Personal Highlights – April 2020

• Let’s get the bad news out of the way first.  We had to say goodbye to our sweet dog Penny this month.  She was a beautiful girl, with a gentle soul.  She lived a long, happy life and graced us with so many memories.  I even proposed to my wife with the dog (as a surprise) almost 12 years ago.  Here are a few of my favourite pics of Penny:
  
  

  

  

  

  

• Losing a pet is never easy – it’s even worse when you are in the middle of a global pandemic with two toddlers at home.  The kids have handled it pretty well so far.  Every now and then they(we) have a cry and remember the good times with Penny.
• Onto some less depressing news.  The weather has finally started warming up, so we have been able to get out into the back yard and stretch our legs a bit more.  Isaac just had his 3rd birthday, and got a lot of outdoor/yard toys.  I expect the next few days will be spent almost entirely in the backyard playing with new toys, kicking a ball around and of course drinking some cold beers.
• I was a guest on a podcast for the first time ever. I had a great time, and although it’s clear it was my first time..i’d definitely do it again. It was the FI_Garage podcast.  The guys sit around, drink beer and talk about investing.  What’s not to love.  You can check it out HERE
• I started re-watching Parks & Recreation with the wife since she has never seen it. If you haven’t ever seen it – do yourself a favour and check it out. It streams on Amazon prime.
• I posted some hopefully possible positives that could come from the Covid 19 pandemic.  You can read that post HERE
• My little man turned 3 on April 28.  Although we couldn’t get the family and friends together for a big party, we had some people drop by with presents, and still spoiled him with pizza and ice cream cake.  Here’s a few of our favourite photos of our little baby boy…I cannot believe he is 3 already!

• Financial Highlights for April:

• Continued bi weekly contributions into TFSA, Wife’s TFSA & Spousal RRSP
• Took a temporary pay cut at work due to Covid.  It’s hard to complain when so many people have lost their jobs. We are lucky in the sense we can both work from home, and are at least saving some costs on daycare for the time being.  That said, we miss our daycare family so much and cannot wait until the kids can go back.
• Our variable mortgage rate dropped, which ends up saving us about $200 per month.
• Since the Covid pandemic, I have received dividend suspensions from CAE and Chorus Aviation. I ‘ve also received  dividend cuts from: Diversified Royalty & New Flyer Group.  I expect my distributions from XAW & RBC Canadian Equity Income fund to be lower than expected as well.
• I was paid dividends from 9 companies, and 1 funds this month.  I dripped a total of 86 new shares/units.  These reduced prices have caused a huge spike in dripped shares per month. SIX double digit drips this month!
• Portfolio increased over $42,000 month over month, and is now back to the same level it was at in August. I don’t understand this market. I feel like we are in for another big drop…but I also thought it would have happened already, so who knows.

Passive Income Update For April 2020.

TFSA’S:

Diversified Royalty: $26.00(dripped 18 shares)

Artis Reit: $28.08 (dripped 3 shares)

Algonquin Power: $185.31 (dripped 10 shares)

Interrent Reit: $4.29

Plaza Reit: $29.44 (dripped 10 shares)

Chorus Aviation: $36.76(dripped 12 shares)

TFSA’s Total: $309.88

RRSP:

Canadian Equity Income Distribution: $351(dripped 13 shares)

Transcontinental: $192.83 (dripped 16 shares)

New Flyer: $57.16(dripped 4 shares)

Go Easy: $123.75

Total Passive Income April 2020:  $1034.62

Portfolio Update:

My portfolio jumped back up to: $329,207.77.  This represents a increase of 14.78% from last month. This market is crazy.  Over the last 3 months, my portfolio has gone:
– 5.41%, -19.73%, +14.78%

My long term plan hasn’t changed. I haven’t sold a single stock, and I continue to look for good deals.  I’ve updated my watchlist, I am currently keeping an eye on: Manulife, First National Bank, Alimentation Couche Tard, Metro and Canadian Western Bank (among a few others).

Passive income in April was $1034.62.  This was the second time in the first 4 months of 2020 my income was over a thousand!  I only achieved $1000+ twice in all of 2019!

Stay safe!

Cheers.