(10-25-2015, 12:05 PM)jhpaul Wrote: I'm in a very awkward stage of my life where I need to look to invest in real estate (ie. move out of my parents home) but the housing market's just crazy where I live (Greater Toronto Area)... So I thought I'd stick to dividend stocks for now.

(10-25-2015, 12:05 PM)jhpaul Wrote: I invested in these two when I was young

(10-25-2015, 12:05 PM)jhpaul Wrote: I'm in a very awkward stage of my life where I need to look to invest in real estate (ie. move out of my parents home)

(10-25-2015, 09:12 PM)Dividend Watcher Wrote: Paul, you've got a good start there.

(10-25-2015, 12:05 PM)jhpaul Wrote: I'm in a very awkward stage of my life where I need to look to invest in real estate (ie. move out of my parents home) but the housing market's just crazy where I live (Greater Toronto Area)... So I thought I'd stick to dividend stocks for now.

Ummmm, at 26 it may be time to move on but I wouldn't be in a rush to buy a "money pit" just yet. Especially in your market right now. An apartment in the suburbs maybe? Oshawa? Oakville? Get your emergency funds locked up, add a little to your portfolio as you go, drop in to the Zanzi on Yonge every once in a while (did I say that? ) and enjoy life.

I just commented on BLTN's portfolio thread over here for a U.S.-centric view. We have quite a few Canadians here that may have some good suggestions for you too.

Looking forward to seeing how you progress.

(10-26-2015, 09:32 AM)Kerim Wrote:

(10-25-2015, 12:05 PM)jhpaul Wrote: I invested in these two when I was young

You're still young! You're off to an incredible start given your age. I am not very familiar with a number of your holdings, so it is difficult for me to evaluate, but the time factor makes your selections process more forgiving.

(10-25-2015, 12:05 PM)jhpaul Wrote: I'm in a very awkward stage of my life where I need to look to invest in real estate (ie. move out of my parents home)

I understand that life is a whole lot more than finances, but from a financial standpoint, if you can stand it, maybe staying under their roof a bit longer would be worth it (if you can stand it)? That is assuming that the arrangement allows you to save a lot of your income that would otherwise be going toward housing. If you do move out and are considering buying, maybe look for a duplex or a multi-room place where you can rent out the other rooms and have tenants subsidize your living. That would be a great way to move out but not take a large financial hit, while diversifying your income streams.

(10-25-2015, 12:05 PM)jhpaul - 10 months later Wrote: It's been 10 months since I've visited this website. I've been really busy with life lately - I've recently got a new job (with the same company; small increase in pay) and I started learning a new language (Spanish). I am hoping to be more active in this forum later in the year. But I have been purchasing more stocks within the last couple of months to increase my dividend income. Here's an update as to how much have changed since my first post 10 months ago.

Dividend Stocks
BCE (tsx)       25 shares  - 
CVE (tsx)       24 shares - 
DRG.un (tsx)  100 shares - 
ENB (tsx)       50 shares -    - Thinking of adding adding more shares; lost about 20% in value; but this is definitely long-term
GE (nyse)      55 shares - 
G (tsx)          115 shares - SOLD
POT (tsx)       34 shares -    (Potash market crashed this year; so I lost about 50% of the value but I am holding it for long term)
TD (tsx)        25 shares - 
H (tsx-)        75 shares  - NEW ADDITION
DIS (nyse)    12 shares - NEW ADDITION
CNR (tsx)      20 - NEW ADDITION
MFC (tsx)      100 - NEW ADDITION
MG (tsx)      25 - NEW ADDITION
ABBV (nyse) - Purchased it earlier in the year but sold it after a few weeks

Mutual Fund Holdings:
- CIBC NASDAQ Index (This is where I have exposure to technology stocks) - 103.5 units  - 103.835 units 
- CIBC Monthly Income Fund   - 1274 units - 1471 units
- CIBC Managed Income Fund  - 389 units - unchanged
- TD DJIA Index - 264.725 units - 269.26 units
- TD International Index - 231.199 units - 236 units

You will notice that I have not added any new shares to existing stocks that I own. I've just purchased new stocks. I've increased my annual dividends by about 80% since the last time I posted. I want to purchase more shares in the tsx since I am Canadian. If anyone else is an investor in the Canadian market, please feel free to share your thoughts! If you have any recommendations for purchase in the tsx market, please feel free to share .

Thanks!