September Update: I Almost Forgot Stocks Can Go Down & We Got A Dog!

Dividend Income & Portfolio Update

Personal Highlights – September 2021

• September flew by.  Things are slowly starting to feel a bit more normal (for us vaccinated folk), and we are starting to see some people again, go to restaurants more frequently and finally having that “light at the end of the tunnel” feeling
• Celebrated the wife’s 40th Birthday with a small group of friends and family – and surprised the wife with…..a DOG!  He is a great Pyranese and he is going to be HUGE!  We had a newfoundland for a long time so we are used to big dogs..but I have a feeling he is going to be much bigger.  He just turned 4 months and is fitting in pretty great with the family.  The kids absolutely love him and I think the wife was pretty happy too!  I guess I kinda like him too :). Here is a pic the rescue put up after we adopted him (he is already MUCH bigger).
• Calendar is filling up like crazy.  Holland started grade 1 and is doing great so far – she even got invited to her first bday party for a friend from school.  Both Holland and Isaac are playing indoor soccer, and I registered for soccer as well which should start up soon.
• The Canadian Men’s soccer team had their first 3 games in the final round of World Cup Qualifying.  They ended up with 2 draws and a win.  They are in pretty good shape still – and play 3 more games in October against Mexico, Jamaica & Panama (Can’t wait)!
• Had a blind whisky tasting event which was a blast.  Got to try 5 different scotches, and we were quizzed and questioned.  Bourbon is still my favorite – but I have to say I am coming around on Scotch.  My favorite from the tasting was a Bowmore Vault #2 Edition.  Really good!

Financial Highlights for September:

• I didn’t make any stock purchases in September – but continued bi-weekly contributions to TFSA & Spousal RRSP.
• Still sitting on about 20% cash in my RRSP.
• Got dividends from 11 companies and 1 funds.  Dripped an additional 38 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.
• Since January 1st of 2021, I have received $8409.15 in dividends/distributions.  29% of that income is completley tax free.  My goal is to get that % higher as I continue to work towards maxing out the TFSA’s. 

Passive Income Update For September 2021.

TFSA’S:

Diversified Royalty Income: $26.62 (dripped 9 shares)

Artis Reit: $42.05 (dripped 3 shares)

Western Forest: $20.71 (dripped 10 shares)

European Residential Reit: $8.00 (dripped 1 share)

RBNK: $33.88 (dripped 1 share)

Interrent Reit: $4.50

Canadian Western Bank: $0.29

Manulife: $70.28 (dripped 2 shares)

Nexus Reit: $14.93 (dripped 1 share)

Canadian NET Reit: $9.40

TFSA’s Total: $230.66

RRSP:

Canadian Equity Income Distribution: $372.28 (dripped 10 shares)

Alimentation Couch Tard: $52.68 (dripped 1 share)

RRSP Total: $424.96

Total Passive Income August 2021:  $655.62

Portfolio Update:

It Finally happened…my portfolio actually decreased in value.  This is the first time since the Covid crash that my portfolio has dipped more than 2% in a month.  Am I worried?  Nope – In fact I’ve been expecting a drop for a while and I think this may just be the beginning.  Luckily I have been waiting for some buying opportunities, and am still sitting on over $100,000 in cash in my RRSP.  This small dip doesn’t seem like a huge buying opportunity yet – but I will continue to monitor and if any of the main stocks on my watchlist continue to drop I may buy.  The stocks/ETFs I am currently watching are: Equitable Group, Brookfield Asset Management, Visa, Disney & XAW.  I am also looking to add to my positions in Manulife and RBNK.    Total Portfolio Value now sits at: $526,458.52 (-2.12%)

Current Forward 12 month dividend income sits at: $10,741.51 – which is almost EXACTLY what I earned in all of 2020- the main difference being now I am sitting on about 20% cash.

Cheers!

 

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:
  

• 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):
  

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!

 

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):
  
• 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):
  
• 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):
  
  

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!

 

June Update: Double Vaxxed & portfolio milestone!

Dividend Income & Portfolio Update

Personal Highlights – June 2021

• As of tomorrow morning it will be 14 days since my second vaccine.  By now most people I know have got their second doses (or are scheduled to get it done this month).  Things are slowly opening up, hospital capacity is getting better and there is finally some light at the end of the tunnel!
• We’ve been making it out to the cabin most weekends, and we had our first official “playdate” with one of the kids’ friends from daycare.  It was lots of fun and with restrictions opening up, hoping to do some more soon.
• We had our ELEVENTH wedding anniversary!  We weren’t really able to do much as things were still locked down, but we had some dinner and wine at the lake, and I’m sure once we are allowed/comfortable we will head to one of our favorite restaurants to celebrate properly.
• The housing market is absolutely insane.  Based on recent sales our cabin is now worth (at least) double what we paid for it.  It’s tempting to list it and invest a ton/put the money down on the house but the kids would disown me…plus we have been REALLY enjoying our time out there lately.
• I treated myself to 2 new jerseys for the upcoming Gold Cup & World Cup qualifying games (happening in July & September).  They came in the mail this month 🙂
  
• My daughter finished kindergarten, so now we will be back to a bit of a “normal” routine for the summer.  Starting in September she will be in school full time, so that should also cut our daycare fees down quite a bit!  Here she is on her first & last day of school :).
  
  
  

Financial Highlights for June:

• Added to my position in Greenlane Renewables.  Picked up an additional 20,000 shares in my RRSP!
• Still sitting on about 25% cash in my RRSP.
• Got dividends from 11 companies and 2 funds.  Dripped an additional 43 shares/units.
• Missed out on a huge dividend payment from XAW (since I sold earlier this year) and am still waiting to decide how I want to use the cash.  It sucks not seeing that $1500+ dividend hit the account, but on the plus side…..my portfolio (including cash position) reached another all time high – and a bit of a milestone.  I cracked $500,000 in June, and ended the month with a portfolio value of just over $507,000!

Passive Income Update For June 2021.

TFSA’S:

Diversified Royalty Income: $24.89 (dripped 10 shares)

Artis Reit: $41.60 (dripped 3 shares)

Plaza Reit: $32.13 (dripped 7 shares)

European Residential Reit: $7.84 (dripped 1 share)

Interrent Reit: $4.50

Canadian Western Bank: $0.29

Western Forest: $20.61 (dripped 10 shares)

Nexus Reit: 14.77 (dripped 1 share)

Fronsac Reit: 9.40

Intertape Polymer Group: $52.80

Manulife: $42.00 (dripped 1 share)

TFSA’s Total: $250.83

RRSP:

Canadian Equity Income Distribution: $368.90 (dripped 10.7 shares)

XAW: $8.59

RRSP Total: $377.49

Total Passive Income June 2021:  $628.32

Portfolio Update:

My portfolio (including cash position) increased another 2.87% in June to a new record high: $507,24729.  I am still sitting on about 25% cash in my RRSP – which I plan on being patient with and waiting to see what happens over the coming months.  I put a little bit of it to work adding to my position in Greenlane Renewables when it dipped.

So far in the first 6 months of 2021 I have received $5844.14 in dividend income compared to $6200 in 2020! This is the first time I fell behind compared to last year.  The dip is 100% due to the sale of XAW. 

Hope you had a great June – and hope you are all ready to cheer on Canada in the Gold Cup starting July 11th!

Cheers!