March Passive Income Update.

Happy Easter! Another month has come and gone – which means time for the monthly update post!

Personal Highlights for March:

• Finished reading “Warren Buffet & the Interpretation of Financial Statements”.  To be honest It was a terrible book.  I have since started a new book “Astrophysics for people in a hurry” by Neil Degrasse Tyson.
• March was a busy month, so I wasn’t able to post much,  (just 4 new posts) however I did write my longest/most in depth post as I did a Deep dive into my portfolio. You can read it HERE in case you missed it.
• The Winnipeg Jets clinched a playoff spot, which is awesome, although it means it’s going to be an expensive few months.
• Finished binge watching Peaky Blinders on Netflix & American Vandal.  Both were great.
• Our home day care that was set to take both kids starting May 1st called us to inform us they are closing and won’t be able to take our kids.  Now we have 1 month to find a new day care:(
• Amber officially accepted a job offer – and will go back to work May 1st.
• Had our first Easter Egg hunt with the kids – and it was awesome.
• Even with just 4 posts this month, had my second highest all time visitor count in March!

Financial Highlights for February:

• Handed all of our tax info to our “tax guy”.  Hopefully get our refund in April.
• I updated my portfolio page to make my holdings a little easier to read.
• Continued bi weekly payments into RRSPs & Spousal RSP.
• Was a slow month.  Aside from regular bi weekly contributions, no purchases were made.
• Received my first dividends from 2 new holdings I purchased this year.  Power Corp & Western Forest.
• Even with no new stock purchases, dripped 24 new shares/units.  I was paid from 7 companies and 1 fund in March.

Passive Income Update For March 2018.

TFSA’S:

 

Chorus Aviation: $10.88 (dripped 1 share)

Intertape Polymer: $50.40

Diversified Royalty: $9.14 (dripped 2 shares)

Artis Reit: $50.40 (dripped 3 shares)

Western Forest: $10.44 (dripped 3 shares)

Plaza Reit: $25.89 (dripped 6 shares)

Power Corp: $71.70 (dripped 2 shares)

TFSA’s Total: $228.85 

RRSP:

Canadian Equity Income Distribution: $217.63 (dripped 7 shares)

Total Passive Income March 2018:  $446.48

 

Portfolio Update:

My portfolio decreased by 1.45% month over month.  This marks the first time my portfolio has decreased in consecutive months since I’ve been tracking it.  This is also the first time my portfolio has dipped below $300,000 in 5 months. The early retirement portfolio now sits at $298,737.67.

Dividends grew by $147.00 vs last March(Increase of 49%).

It was nice to see a couple new dividends in March, and I am looking forward to June which will be my first distribution from XAW.

Current Watch List:

Andrew Peller: ADW

Cascades: CAS

InterRent Reit: IIP

Northview Apartment Reit: NVU

Caledonia Mining: CAL

My Watchlist hasn’t changed from last month, but I am interested in adding to my position in Western Forest.

 

That’s it!  Hope everyone else had a great March!

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February Update: Breaking Records, New Purchases & More

Another month has come and gone – which means time for the monthly update post!

Personal Highlights for February:

• Finished reading “Predictably Irrational” by Dan Ariely.  Was a pretty interesting read – and reminded me of one of my favourite books “Thinking fast & slow”.  Currently looking for book recommendations on what to start next.  In the mean time I am flipping through “Warren Buffet & the Interpretation of Financial Statements” which I had read a long time ago.
• I was able to write 5 new blog posts in February.
• I reserved my Winnipeg Jet Playoff tickets.  These tickets will end up costing me between $300-$3500 depending how far they go which makes me both happy and frustrated at the same time..hah
• Started watching “Peaky Blinders” on Netflix.  So far so I like it.
• Found a home day care for BOTH kids – which will be able to take them by May 1st so Amber can go back to work once her maternity leave ends….and the best part – it’s 5 minutes from my house!
• Last month I had over 1000 visitors to the blog (which was a new record).  This month I smashed that record:

• I had over 1300 visitors this month!  Thanks for stopping by and reading/leaving comments.

Financial Highlights for February:

• February was the first full month since I transferred all my RBC Mutual funds into my Direct Investing account.
• I updated my portfolio page to make my holdings a little easier to read.
• Started preparing my taxes.
• Continued bi weekly payments into RRSPs & Spousal RSP.
• Made $1250 from selling some memorabilia that was just sitting in my closet.  You can read more about that here
• Made 2 new stock purchases in my TFSA.  Added to my position in Algonquin Power & opened a position in Interrent REIT.  You can read about my most recent purchase HERE
• My overall portfolio value went down for the first time in 6 months due to the volatility in the market, however as things leveled out it finished the month down just -1.07%.

 

Passive Income Update For February 2018.

TFSA’S:

Diversified Royalty: $9.10 (Dripped 2 new shares)

Artis Reit: $50.13! First time breaking $50 (Dripped 3 shares)

Plaza Reit: $25.75 (Dripped 6 shares)

Chorus Aviation: $10.84 (Dripped 1 share)

TFSA’s Total: $95.82  

RRSP:

Canadian Equity Income Distribution: $242.88

Total Passive Income January 2018:  $338.70 

 

Portfolio Update:

My portfolio decreased by 1.07% month over month.  This is first time my portfolio has decreased in 6 months. The early retirement portfolio now sits at $303,31.11.

Dividends grew by $48.67 vs last February(year over year growth of 16%).

Although February wasn’t a great month for dividend income, I expect to see huge improvements vs last year( mostly due to my funds being switched to direct investing).

Current Watch List:

Andrew Peller: ADW

Cascades: CAS

InterRent Reit: IIP

Northview Apartment Reit: NVU

Caledonia Mining: CAL

My Watchlist hasn’t changed from last month, but I did initiate a position in InterRent Reit.

 

That’s it!  Hope everyone else had a great February – and if you have any book recommendations let me know!!

First monthly update of 2018 & 5 stocks I’m keeping an eye on.

Sweet Jebus…the first month of 2018 is already over & although it went by too fast – I am happy with what was accomplished!

Personal Highlights for January:

• One of my goals for the year was to take the wife out to dinner at least 5 times, and I am happy to say we were able to get a baby sitter and went to a nice steakhouse earlier this month!
• I was able to find the time to write 6 new blog posts as well as play with the theme/look of the site.  This will continue to be a work in progress.
• Added a new section to the website called “My Bar” which although is(slightly off topic) a lot  of fun for me to write about & even more fun making and trying new drinks.
• Started (finally) watching Last Man On Earth on Netflix and it is GREAT!
• Had over 1000 visitors to the website in a month for the first time.

 

Financial Highlights for January:

I am happy to report that I have already followed through with one of my financial goals for the year – and one that I have wanted to do for some time.

• Sold my high cost RBC mutual funds and moved them to my direct investing RSP.  Replaced with a lower cost Canadian equity fund & super low cost Global fund. As detailed in this post
• Started gathering all my statements for tax time 🙂
• Continued bi weekly payments into RRSPs & Spousal RSP.
• Increased Spousal RSP amount by $100 bi weekly to try and get our accounts closer in size.
• Set up an RESP for my kids
• Got out of the Penny stock/speculation game completely(for good) and made 2 new stock purchases.  You can read more about that HERE.

 

Passive Income Update For January 2018.

TFSA’S:

Diversified Royalty: $9.07 (Dripped 2 new shares)

Canadian Western Bank: $0.24

Artis Reit: $49.86 (Dripped 3 shares)

Plaza Reit: $24.75 (Dripped 5 shares)

Algonquin Power: $110.35 (Dripped 8 shares)

Chorus Aviation: $10.80 (Dripped 1 share)

TFSA’s Total: $205.07

RRSP:

Canadian Equity Income Distribution: $213.99

Total Passive Income January 2018:  $419.06

*The transfer of funds from mutual fund to ETF/Direct investing hasn’t happened as of writing this – even though papers have been signed – so next month will represent the new funds.

Portfolio Update:

My portfolio grew by 1.67% month over month and once again hit an all time!  The early retirement portfolio now sits at $306,396.65.  Dividends grew by $14.95 vs last January (year over year growth of 3.69%).  I expect my dividend growth rate to increase quite a bit more this year once my funds are transferred from my Mutual Funds and into my direct investing account/redeployed.  I am also planning on trying to contribute more into my TFSA this year which should help increase dividends for the year.

I’ve decided to add a new section to the monthly updates, which will be my top 5 stocks I am looking to buy in the future/keeping an eye on:

Current Watch List:

Andrew Peller: ADW

Cascades: CAS

InterRent Reit: IIP

Northview Apartment Reit: NVU

Caledonia Mining: CAL

 

How was your month?

Goodbye 2017. Final 2017 Update, Milestones & 2018 Goals…

2017 is over, and although it seems like it went by extremely fast, I am excited by what was accomplished, and what 2018 has in store for us.

In 2017 the following 3 things happened which shaped the way the year went for me:

1. My son Isaac was born
2. Bought our “forever” home
3. Started this blog to help track my goals, progress and keep me sane

One of my first blog posts I wrote was my goals for 2017, and although I didn’t accomplish all of them, considering I only had 6 months since writing them down I think I did okay.  Here is a quick reminder of what they were – and how I did:

Personal Goals (Completed 4/5)

1. Start setting goals! PASS
2. Sell our house & buy a new house PASS
3. Start a website & keep it updated PASS
   
4. Spend more time at home/with family PASS
5. Try 5 new restaurants (with Amber) FAIL

Oddly enough, the only goal I wasn’t able to accomplish was what would SEEM like one of the easiest.  That said there were multiple times that I did try to get out to new places, a lot of the time she was just too tired, we couldn’t get a sitter, etc.  I guess in 2018 I’ll need to try a bit harder.

Financial Goals (Completed 2/3)

1. Get Amber “set up” financially PASS
2. Eliminate all debt (not including mortgage) PASS
3. Get total portfolio Value to $320,000 by December 31 FAIL

2018 was a pretty good year for the portfolio, and I believe I would have hit all three targets if we hadn’t spent a bit more on the house than we had originally planned.  That said, we love the house and I have no regrets.

Even though my portfolio fell short of the aggressive $320,000 goal I had set, I did hit a new milestone in 2017 as my portfolio finished the year at $301,375.67 which was the first time it broke $300,000!  My portfolio started the year @ $251,880.81 which means I was about 500 dollars away from a yearly increase of $50,000!

My goals for 2018 are going to be short and sweet:

2018 Personal Goals:

1. Increase the amount of blog posts – and the range of content on this site
2. Get life insurance &  a will in order
3. Take the wife to 5 new restaurants (Going to try this again)

2018 Financial Goals:

1. Sell off my Mutual funds through my bank and replace them with low cost ETF’s and individual stocks
2. Receive $10,000 in passive dividend income
3. Increase overall portfolio to $350,000.00

Now onto the fun stuff….December Update:

 

Personal Highlights for December:

• Celebrated our first Christmas with Isaac
• Hosted our first ever Christmas Family dinners (40+ people on xmas eve and 30 on Boxing Day).
• The kids got RIDICULOUSLY spoiled, our house is filled with toys, books, clothes, and more.  We plan on going through a bunch of their old toys, clothes, and donating this month.
• Isaac has started pulling himself up on the table, and got his first 2 teeth

Financial Highlights:

• Total investment portfolio broke the $300,000.00 milestone
• Amber’s TFSA recieved over $100 in dividends for the first time and also recieved more than my TFSA for the first time.
• Continued bi weekly payments into RRSPs & Spousal RSP.
• Amber’s TFSA/RRSP are now over $20,500.  (They didn’t exist 6 months ago)

 

Passive Income Update For December 2017.

J’s TFSA:

Diversified Royalty: $9.03 (Dripped 2 new shares)

Lucara Diamond: $7.00 (have since closed this position)

Artis Reit: $49.59 (Dripped 3 new shares)

Plaza Reit: $24.62 (Dripped 6 new shares)

Ambers TFSA:

Chorus Aviation: $10.76 (Dripped 1 share)

Intertape Polymer: $49.49

Alimentation Couche Tard: $11.25

TOTAL TFSA’S:      $202.59

 

RRSP:

Canadian Equity Income Distribution: $213.01

Global Dividend Fund Distribution: $422.33

Total Passive Income July 2017:  $837.93

Portfolio Update:

With the contributions to Amber’s TFSA, my continued bi weekly contributions and this seemingly never-ending bull market our portfolio hit an all time high: $301,375.67!  Looking forward to see what 2018 brings!

 

November 2017 Update. Sit down with me, let’s have a drink.

Happy December!  Here is a quick update for November.  Had a pretty busy month!

Personal Highlights for November:

• Our daughter turned 2 – and we had our first (of many) parties in the new house.
• Got the Christmas tree set up and decorated.  Had my first couple rum & eggnogs:)
• I’ve always been big into cocktails, and trying new concoctions, and lately I’ve been taking it to the next level, trying to learn a little more about the history of certain drinks, experimenting with different flavors, techniques, etc.  I’ve started posting some of my favorites to my Instagram.  I think eventually I’ll add a section to this blog as well where I will post some new recipes, rate some different spirits, etc.  Pictured below: Americano & Classic Negroni!
  

Financial Highlights:

• Due to the stability concerns in Zimbabwe I sold my shares of Caledonia Mining.  This is still one of my favorite stocks, but until things play out I thought I’d get out and watch from the sidelines.  I also decided to close my position with Lucara as the stock has been pretty disappointing.  I decided to use the proceeds to get back in the Marijuana industry as I had previously liquidated my shares of Organigram & Aurora.  I purchased 7071 shares of LGC Capital (LG) for $0.21 and 4000 shares of National Access Cannabis (NAC) for $0.20.
• Redeemed my credit card reward points for $650 which I put into my RSP.
• Continued bi weekly payments into RRSPs & Spousal RSP.
• Amber’s TFSA/RRSP are now over $20,000.  (They didn’t exist 6 months ago)
• Amber’s TFSA recieved it’s first dividend from Chorus Aviation (which dripped an extra share).

Now on to the fun stuff.

Passive Income Update For July 2017.

TFSA’S:

Chorus Aviation: $10.72 (dripped 1 share)

Diversified Royalty: $8.99 (Dripped 2 new shares)

Artis Reit: $49.32 (Dripped 3 new shares)

Plaza Reit: $24.50 (Dripped 5 new shares)

TFSA’s Total: $93.53  

RRSP:

Canadian Equity Income Distribution: $209.32

Total Passive Income July 2017:  $302.85

Portfolio Update:

My portfolio grew by 3.38% month over month and once again hit an all time!  Total investment portfolio now sits at $297,039.95.  Assuming there isn’t a market crash I should break the $300k mark by the end of the year!

The sell off of Caledonia & Lucara will see my yearly dividends reduced (for now) but I am hopeful the growth in NAC & LG will more than make up for it in the long run.  I still want to get back into Caledonia Mining eventually as I believe it is hugely undervalued.  I also still have my eye on Andrew Peller.

Hope everyone else had a productive month as well!