Posted on May - 11 - 2012

Smith Manoeuvre Portfolio – May 2012

It’s been almost half a year since the last update (Dec 2011) with a bit of activity in the leveraged portfolio.  We have added to a couple of our existing positions, and added a couple more new positions.   With the TSX in negative territory year to date, its a tough time to write this report as everything is down!  But despite the market volatility, I’m happy to report that several of our picks have increased their dividend in the first half half of 2012.

So which dividend paying companies increased their distributions thus far in the year?  In my portfolio, I have Royal Bank, Scotia Bank, TransCanada Corp, TD Bank, Canadian Utilities, Rogers Communications, Pason Systems, Corus Entertainment, Thompson Reuters, Canadian Pacific Railway,  and Canadian Oil Sands.

What did I buy over the past few months?  I added to a couple of my existing holdings, namely, Pason Systems and Leons Furniture.  New positions include Encana and Transcontinental which has already increased their dividend since purchasing.

My dividend watch list remains similar where I am looking to increase my position in BMO, TD, ENB, FCR and possibly add new positions in TMX Group (X), Bonterra Energy (BNE), Canadian National Railway (CNR) and Bell Aliant (BA) when their valuations become attractive.

The Smith Manoeuvre Portfolio as of May 14, 2012 (prior to open):

More Stats

  • Total Cost Base of Equities (inc. fees)

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Posted on May - 04 - 2012

Selecting A Suitable Life Insurance Policy

As the main breadwinner, the entire member of the household relies on you. It is your duty to supply your family with all their daily needs. You are the person they set up in showing the perfect example of a responsible parent. They ask your permission for every decision they intend to do. These are the major duties of being the breadwinner so it is also your duty to take care of yourself in terms of health. As much as possible, keep yourself from getting involved in any kind of accident because the family depends on you severely and they cannot risk losing you at such an early age. The entire family may not be prepared to handle their financial conditions once you die unexpectedly. To resolve this issue, apply for a life insurance and get approved immediately.

Being the major income provider of the family, you may be attempting to apply for a life insurance.

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Posted on April - 17 - 2012

Preparing to become a Pet Owner

Bringing home a pet from the pound saves money as such pets are bound to cost less than purebred ones. Unless the pedigree of an animal is of great significance, adoption might be a good way to provide home to animals from the pound. Typically, pets from shelters are available after they have been neutered, microchipped, and given their shots.

If opting for a pedigreed animal, then it is necessary to learn their specific behavioral issues, grooming requirements, etc. to prepare and allocate a row on the monthly budget sheet. As with other life expenses, it is prudent to shop around to keep grooming and sterilization costs low.

Other One-time Costs

Depending on the animal, some basic equipment such as collar, leash, food and water dishes, brush, litter box, scoop, and toys may be required. If not adopting, then neutering and microchipping may have to be paid for.

Ongoing Costs

  • Vet.

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Posted on April - 07 - 2012

Affordable Car Insurance Companies

The recent financial meltdown has influenced almost all of the businesses and corporations. In order to save the companies from the bankruptcy, theyve boosted the normal prices and the auto insurance companies arent the exception. Essentially car insurance rates are now much more pricey than it ever was.

There are lots of methods to lower the premium rates that almost all the policy holders utilize, particularly when getting covered by the insurance companies for high risk drivers. Several of those solutions are described below.

1. Keep a good credit score: A good credit score attracts cheaper premiums. It describes you as being a trustworthy man given that if you can handle your financial budget youll be able to handle the payment part of the car insurance too. In simple terms, by having a good score, an insurance company can easily give you lower insurance rates in comparison with having poor scores.

2.

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Posted on April - 01 - 2012

5 Ways To Automate Your Finances

Im convinced that the one thing that could greatly improve finances for many people is also dead simpleautomation.

Studies (heres onepdf) have shown, for example, that when an employer automatically signs up new employees to the companys 401k plan, a greater percentage of employees participate in the plan. While many of these employees would not enroll in the retirement plan if left to their own devices, they apparently also wont go to the trouble of canceling their enrollment when the employer takes the initiative.

Financial automation, moreover, has never been easier. With the internet transforming everything from online banking to investing, a fully automated financial life is a snap. Although some might still use traditional methods, there are ways to let our high-tech world do it all for us. We can automate virtually everything from our bills to our investments.

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Posted on March - 30 - 2012

How to Shop For The Best Remortgage Rates

Shopping for a remortgage involves identifying lower interest rate deals. With so many rates and deals posted in the press and online, it is hard not to be enticed. But finding the best deal from a lending firm offering refinancing mortgages takes some effort and sometimes the lowest interest rate isn’t necessarily available or always the best deal.

Financial firms looking to help consumers refinancing their existing mortgage widely advertise their lowest rates to get people to inquire. But in most cases, to actually qualify for these low rates one must have a sparkling CV relative to lender attractiveness. Just as in any mortgage, the lender will review one’s income, debts, capital, credit worthiness, job stability as well as the current equity in the property. Read more…