Time to get back to the investment game

The COVID-19 is giving me the opportunity to get my retirement fund in shape.

The current focus is Financial sector, Energy sector and Utility.

I am overweight on financial, underweight on energy, underweight utility.

Energy is risky, if I am going to buy, CVE is my choice.

Utility is not cheap enough, if I am going to buy, FTS/CU will be my choice.

I am patiently waiting for the right moment to take action. buying microsoft in March was perfect timing, I wish my luck come again.

Bought CGX at $24/share

Bought CGX at $24/share.

Cineplex is a movie theatre operator in Canada. Its share price has dropped significantly in the past few month from $36 in Oct 2018. current dividend yield is 7.15%. PE is 20. even if the share price don't not go up, I am still satisfied with 7% yearly income.

Bought some BNS at $70.8/share

Due to the weakness in BNS stock, I pickup som$70.8. dividend is close to 5%. great long term holding. if it goes under 70, will buy more for sure.

Scholarship from University of Toronto

I am so excited to know that my daughter got acceptance offers from University of Toronto,

 - Computer science program with UofT scholar scholarship - valued at $7500.
 - Computer Engineering with Dean's merit scholarship - valued at $10,000
 - Architecture study with UofT scholar scholarship - valued at $7500

I guess the Dean's merit scholarship is

President’s Scholars of Excellence Program

Back to Scholarships

Eligibility (Basic Eligibility): 

Student must be applying to the first year of undergraduate studies

Award type: 

Admission Scholarship

Action: 

Automatically Considered

Level of Study: 

Undergraduate

Description of Award: 

Approximately 100 of the most highly qualified students applying to first year of direct entry, undergraduate studies will be distinguished as President’s Scholars of Excellence. They will receive a $10,000 entrance scholarship in their first year of studies; guaranteed access to part-time, meaningful, on-campus employment during second year; and guaranteed access to an international learning opportunity during their U of T experience. Additional features may be offered by the admitting Faculty; these will be communicated explicitly in the letter of admission. Outstanding students are considered automatically for these scholarships. The scholarship is tenable only in the Faculty that makes the offer. Payment of the award is conditional on full-time registration at the University in the fall of the year the award is granted; retention of the higher-year opportunities attached to the award requires the student’s continuing full-time registration in good standing.

Academic Year: 

2018-2019

Value/Amount: 

Program includes a $10,000 entrance scholarship in the student's first year of studies, guaranteed access to part-time on-campus employment during second year, and guaranteed access to an international learning opportunity during their U of T experience.

Full Eligibility Requirements: 

Recipients must be: applying to the first year of undergraduate studies; outstanding academic achievement; etc.

How to Apply: 

No Application Necessary; outstanding students are considered automatically for these scholarships.

How/When is it paid?: 

Payment will be applied to your student account after registration in September.

Availability: 

Unrestricted

Software Engineering at University of Waterloo

A recent graduate from UW created this, I found it has very valuable insight, as my kid is probably going to take computer science study at UW later this year.

https://classprofile.andyzhang.net/

Computer Science is the hottest sector today, new graduate are paid over 100K/year. Its a rewarding career. 

some highlights that interested me are:

- California is popular location for Co-op as student go to senior year, East canada is the popular place for the first year.
- Women are paid the same as men on average during coop
- Students who join hackathon and work on side project are better
- python is the most popular coding language.
- the majority of desktop OS is MacOS
- Web development is the most favorite work

Start to build up my TFSA account

In the past few years, I have been using my regular investment account. I found its too much hassle to file tax, as I have to report every transaction at end of year. So I decided 2018 is the last year. Starting from 2019, I will use TFSA accounts instead and reduce my investment from regular account. Add up account limit for both my wife and mine, we can use over $100k in TFSA. that's enough for now. Also government allows increased contribution in 2019.

https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/topics/tax-free-savings-account/contributions.html

The Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) program began in 2009. It is a way for individuals who are 18 and older and who have a valid social insurance number to set money aside tax-free throughout their lifetime. Contributions to a TFSA are not deductible for income tax purposes. Any amount contributed as well as any income earned in the account (for example, investment income and capital gains) is generally tax-free, even when it is withdrawn.

The annual TFSA dollar limit for the years 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 was $5,000.

The annual TFSA dollar limit for the years 2013 and 2014 was $5,500.

The annual TFSA dollar limit for the year 2015 was $10,000.

The annual TFSA dollar limit for the year 2016 and 2017 was $5,500.

The annual TFSA dollar limit for the year 2018 is $5,500.

The annual TFSA dollar limit for the year 2019 is $6,000.

What is my core living expense

Just did a calculation how much the core living expense is for the family

Its around $2000 CDN per month.
If I include other expense like kids expense, mortgage etc, the total is about $3500.

The core living expense covers property tax, utilities, grocery, internet, cell phone plans, gas, public transit.

$2000/month passive income is certainly easy to achieve. Even $3500 passive income is reachable if I do some re-arrangement.