recent buy - HSE, IGM

bot IGM at $43.7 on Tuesday, HSE at 26.6 today.

My overall portafolio is up about 2%.

recent buy - Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL)

bought UL on Friday. Unilever PLC (PLC) is a supplier of fast moving consumer goods. The two parent companies, Unilever N.V. (NV) and PLC, together with their group companies, operate as the Unilever Group (Unilever). Its products are grouped into four principal areas: Personal Care, Home Care, Foods and Refreshment. The Company's four product areas are: personal care, which includes sales of skincare and haircare products, deodorants and oral care products, foods, which includes sales of soups, bouillons, sauces, snacks, mayonnaise, salad dressings, margarines and spreads, refreshment, which includes sales of ice cream, tea-based beverages, weight-management products and nutritionally enhanced staples sold in developing markets and home care, which includes sales of home care products, such as laundry tablets, powders and liquids, soap bars and a range of cleaning products.

UL is a recession proof stock, fundamental is not bad.
- Dividend is 3.8%
- Payout ratio is 60%, acceptable.
- PE is 17, lower than most of peer
- Return of Equity is 39%, that's pretty strong
- Debt to Capital is 48%, seem ok.

I think UL has found short term bottom, definitely will hold it for long term.

top 10 holdings - Sentry Canadian Income

Sentry Canadian Income fund ranks 1 place for 10 years return among Canadian dividend fund. below are the top 10 holdings in the fund

Top Holdings as at March 31, 2014

Symbol	Company Name	Sector	Geographic Area	Asset Type	% of Total Assets		Performance as at October 24, 2014 1 Year Performance (%)
RSG-N	Republic Services	Environmental	United States	Stock	4.76		16.3
ORCL-N	Oracle Corp.	Computer Software & Processing	United States	Stock	3.71		16.83
UNP-N	Union Pacific	Transportation	United States	Stock	3.57		50.41
CPG-T	Crescent Point Energy	Oil and Gas Producers	Canada	Stock	3.46		-6.65
BIN-T	Progressive Waste Solutions	Environmental	Canada	Stock	3.08		9.46
CNQ-T	Canadian Natural Resources	Oil and Gas Producers	Canada	Stock	3.03		16.87
SU-T	Suncor Energy	Integrated Oils	Canada	Stock	2.77		3.21
MSFT-Q	Microsoft	Computer Software & Processing	United States	Stock	2.47		29.11
ATD.B-T	Alimentation Couche-Tard	Food Stores	Canada	Stock	2.3		61.27
MG-T	Magna International	Automotive	Canada	Stock	2.12		22.49

top 10 holdings -- Fidelity U.S. Dividend Fund

Quarterly Top Ten Holdings^¶

Chevron
J. P. Morgan Chase
Exxon Mobil
General Electric
Cisco Systems
MetLife
Johnson & Johnson
Procter & Gamble
Verizon Communications
Wells Fargo
Total number of holdings	209
Total equity holdings	206
Total bond holdings	3
Top 10 holdings aggregate	33.0%

top 10 holdings -- Fidelity Dividend Fund

Quarterly Top Ten Holdings^¶

Toronto-Dominion Bank
Royal Bank of Canada
Pepco Holdings
SIGMA ALDRICH CORP
SAFEWAY INC NEW
Manulife
SUNCOR ENERGY INC
Bank of Nova Scotia
Tim Hortons
Loblaw
Total number of holdings	617
Total equity holdings	100
Total bond holdings	515
Top 10 holdings aggregate	32.2%

top 10 holdings - Fidelity Global Dividend Fund

http://www.fidelity.ca/cs/Satellite/en/public/products/mutual_funds/equity_funds/global_equity/gdv

Quarterly Top Ten Holdings^¶

Johnson & Johnson
Apple
J. P. Morgan Chase
Exxon Mobil
ROCHE HLDGS AG (GENUSSCHEINE)
Amgen
Chevron
Wells Fargo
Bank of America
Dr Pepper Snapple Group
Total number of holdings	1,255
Total equity holdings	225
Total bond holdings	1,027
Top 10 holdings aggregate	16.8%

book review: Go Canada by Robert J. Haber

quickly read another book "Go Canada" by Robert J. Haber. it worths the time for reading. The author was Chief Investmet Officer of Fidelity Investment Canada from 1997 to 2009. A lot of insider's thought about investment process. Highly recommend.

Part one: The coming boom,  talks about the commodity boom, some of the info is out of date, as gold has crashed down, oil is also down hard.

Part two: How to profit from it, mainly talks about how to invest, either stock picking or mutual funds etc. How to know the boom is over. valuable points.

My take is individual investor should look into what the big guys are doing, institutional investor has lots thought/layers behind each fund. it helps to see what their long term good fund manager is holding.

TD Aeroplan Visa 25,000 Areoplan Pts, First Year Free, $50 Rebate back

Cost: 0
Earning: $250 + $50 = $300

Procedure:
1, go to http://www.greatcanadianrebates.ca/display/Finance/ and apply for this card
2, you will get a Welcome Bonus of 15,000 Aeroplan Miles with your first purchase and an additional 10,000 miles when you spend $1,000 in purchases on your Card within the first 90 days, plus no Annual Fee for the first year!
3, get $50 rebate in your GCR account. you can either ask them send you a check or pay directly into your paypal account.

book review: The moolala guide to rockin your RRSP

I have been reading the book "The moolala guide to rockin your RRSP" written by Bruce Sellery. Its a general financial planning book. the author is a columnist for newspaper and magazine in Canada. It will be more valuable if its written by a successful investor. anyway, there are some contents interesting, i.e. brainstorm activities you might take on in retirement,

- Travel: where do you want to go?
   -- "Travel with our little trailer, finding mostly undiscovered fun spots to explore and enjoy"
   -- "Walk along beaches and in rainforests in Costa Rica"

- Experiences: What do you want to experience?
  -- " Climb the seven summits"

- Home: In what sort of place, or places do you want to be living?
  -- "have two homes, one in each hemisphere"
  -- "buy a tiny little shack on the beach in Nicaragua and live there six months a year"

- Hobbies: How do you want to spend your time?
  -- "Slow down, hoestly, I imagine a slow and simple pace of like"

- Family: what do you want for your family life?
  -- "Host an annual Grandma and Grandpa camp for the grandkids"
  -- "support the higher education of our grandbabies and take them on fun adventures"

-- Health: what do you want for your health?
  -- "Do more yoga, and slow down and just enjoy the view"

-- Contribution: Where do you want to make a difference in the community?
  -- "Establish a family foundation"

- Work: what sorts of jobs will you do?
  -- "Continue my consulting, but only with people I like on projects I love"

Best country to grow old in

I will choose Canada for my retirement.

http://247wallst.com/special-report/2014/10/10/the-best-and-worst-countries-to-grow-old-in/

1. Norway
> Total population: 5.1 million
> Pct. population aged 60+: 21.8% (27th highest)
> GDP per capita: $46,733 (5th highest)
> Life expectancy at 60: 24 (tied-13th highest)

2. Sweden
> Total population: 9.7 million
> Pct. population aged 60+: 25.6% (7th highest)
> GDP per capita: $34,862 (17th highest)
> Life expectancy at 60: 24 (tied-13th highest)

3. Switzerland
> Total population: 8.1 million
> Pct. population aged 60+: 23.6% (21st highest)
> GDP per capita: $39,301 (10th highest)
> Life expectancy at 60: 25 (tied 2nd highest)

4. Canada
> Total population: 35.5 million
> Pct. population aged 60+: 21.7% (29th highest)
> GDP per capita: $35,739 (15th highest)
> Life expectancy at 60: 25 (tied 2nd highest)

Few countries provided better health care for the elderly than Canada. A 60 year old Canadian could expect to live 25 years, 18.3 of which will be in good health, both among the highest figures in the world. Residents over 50 were also just as likely as younger adults to feel their life was meaningful — an important indicator of mental well-being and a measure in which most countries performed far worse than Canada. Each province and territory in the country provided its residents with insurance for medically necessary care, although many Canadians also had private supplementary coverage.

转载：美国“隐形富人”积累财富的八个普通做法

在美国有很大一批不是富豪但也不是中产阶级的家庭，也可将他们称作是小富人，这类家庭的净资产在100万美元以上。小富人群体在美国不起眼，但日子过得却挺舒服，有人的人在海边有度假屋，有的可以供孩子上名牌大学，有的过世后留下一大笔财产捐给慈善机构。理财专家把这类人叫做“隐形富人”，他们基本上是靠自己辛苦打拼、明智的选择和不贪图享乐来积累财富，他们在积累财富上有八个其实大多数人都了解但却未必能真正做到的普通做法。

一、量入为出。

在家庭生活上量入为主的理财观念人们都听腻了，好像这根本就不是秘诀，但这却是不少家庭不太容易做到的事。尤其是在美国，能享受的地方太多了，放着请福不享，却要过着节俭的日子，很多人认为这样不值得。人们 在消费上往往追求时髦，要住好房子、开名车、世界各地旅游、高级餐馆就餐、高档服装加身。还有的人不断更新高科技电子产品，iphone 5没买几天就换成iphone 6了。美国的“隐形富人”过的不是这种生活方式，他们把守的一个基本点是量入为出，在消费上不跟风。他们对购物相当地严谨，在保证基本生活需要外不会将钱抛向昂贵的物质消费上。他们甚至会购买二手货，比如汽车、家电，而且物品只要能用就不轻易更换。那么，他们省下的钱干什么呢？美国“隐形富人”主要将省下的钱用于投资以获得回报。

二、过简单生活。

与量入为出相关联的是美国“隐性富人”的生活观，在生活上“隐性富人”力求简单，而今日的简单生活却可换来老年的舒适生活。很多人抱着及时行乐的态度看待生活，尽情享受当下的物欲。美国“隐性富人”之所以能够在收入和多数美国人差不多的情况下积累较多财富，主要源于他们的生活观。简单生活不等于过苦行僧的日子，而是将不 必要的开支压缩到最低点，积攒下的钱用于投资可以带来复利的领域，以钱赚钱，已钱生财。更多的贪图物质享受，在收入平平的情况下要想积累财富几乎不可能。美国也有另一类人，及其节俭甚至到了吝啬的程度。“隐性富人”不是这类靠及其节俭来积累财富的人群，他们更关注家庭的合理理财，然后在投资上获取回报，既要保证生活质量又能增加收入来源，这的确需要很好的理财规划。

三、教育自己。

接受高等教育在美国历来被视为改变经济地位的手段，而教育并不仅仅是在学校的事，所谓活到老学到老意味着教育会贯穿人们的一生。人们拥有的高收入潜能源于自己所接受的教育和专业技能，这是人生最宝贵的资源。在大学毕业后人们仍可通过后续教育来提升自己的知识和才能。大多数美国人大学毕业 后开始工作，经过一段的工作实践后再利用业余时间来读研究生或是考取专业性的执照，这种后续教育对人们建立人脉和在工作中提升薪水都有一定助益。薪水高了自然就会有能力攒钱和投资，所带来的效益是连锁性的。在工作中提高技能和管理能力，就有机会获得晋升、提高收入。一个人投资50万美元按照年投资回报率6%计算，一年的投资收入是30000美元，而人们要积攒50万美元并不是一件容易的事。但在工作岗位，收入提高30000美元或是通过第二职业赚取30000美元，对有些人而言确是可以实现的。

四、选择合适的专业领域。

对于芸芸众生而言，能自己创业当老板当然是发家致富的一种方式，但如今的现实是至少80%的人还是个工薪族，为老板打工。要想成为富人，工薪族不是没有可能，但前提是要有个高薪的 工作。找到高薪工作不是靠嘴吹出来的，而是要有真才实学，要经过专业的教育和训练、在竞争中脱颖而出。对于多数人来讲，通过高薪工作成为富人是一种选项，成为某一领域的管理人才、专业人才都可以为富裕的生活铺平道路。在美国，很多行业是高薪职业，大学毕业生的年薪在10万美元以上。进入这些行业和领域，不仅生活无忧，也会为未来积累财富奠定基础。 一部分美国“隐性富人”走的就是赚取高薪的道路，从年收入5万美元起步，然后努力几年收入达到10万美元，最后再向更高的收入进军。

五、攒钱和投资要早。

所谓早起的鸟儿有虫吃是有道理的，做什么事领先就等于是占领先机。资本投资的特性不是投机而是时间，投资越长获利越大。因此越早储蓄和投资对于人们积累财富越有利。理财专家不断强调人们从工作开始时就要利用雇主提供4101K退休福利来攒养老钱，其实这不但但是为养老做准备，更重要的是奠定早期投资的基础。人们很多时候是为日常的菜米油盐费心，过日子离不开这些。但如果小两口在过日子之中能够节省一些钱财并用于投资，经过几十年的努力，家底要想不变厚都不可能。

六、保护财富。

人们在生活中不断地积累财富， 但往往疏忽保护财富。洪水、飓风、地震等自然灾害都可能对民众的住宅等财产造成损失。在工作或生活中有可能受伤、生病甚至是残疾，收入来源可能会切断。家庭拥有住宅是好事，但也可能在自己的地上造成他人受伤而形成民事赔偿。

除了购买适当保险以外，保护家庭财富最好的办法是低调，千万不能大嘴巴。

七、住房投资优于汽车投资。

有房 有车现在成了家庭生活的基本之需，但从积累家庭财富的角度看，两者却存在很大的差异。汽车是消耗品、首先是汽车的折旧率高，其次是每年在汽油、保险和维修上的费用不低。在美国一般汽车的价格在2-3万美元，但养一辆车每年的花费要在5000-10000美元之间。美国的“隐性富人”对汽车的态度基本上是不买豪车，减少在汽车上的支出。汽车只是代步的工具，这是多数富人的共识，就连不少超级富豪也是开着很普通的汽车。

投资住房就与投资汽车不一样了，住房会增值，这就有了投资的价值。同时购买住房的贷款利息可以抵税，这等于是从山姆大叔口袋里往外掏钱补贴自己。不少“隐性富人”除了拥有一套自住的住宅外，通常也会购买一、两处度假式住宅用于出租、赚取租金增加收入。在自用住宅上，“隐性富人 ”多不会购买豪宅，而是购买中等价位的住宅，这样既可以住的舒服，又不会把钱都投到住宅上把自己栓死。

八、投资上谨慎。

美国“隐性富人”具有一定的投资能力，但他们不属于大富大贵之人，因此在投资策略上非常谨慎。“隐性富人”的投资资本多来自自己通过家庭理财积攒的钱，可以说每一分钱都是血汗钱，在投资上自然也格外小心。高风险投资虽然可以快速获利，但赔本的几率也大。美国“隐性富人”的投资策略是以稳为主，注重分散风险，这种投资策略是大多是理财专家推荐的，而“隐性富人”则是更加注重这种投资策略。

Get $400 cash when you open a CIBC checking account and visa card

CIBC has a very good deal to get people open a checking account and the new CIBC Tim Hortons Double Double visa card right now. Details can be found on cibc web site.

https://www.cibc.com/ca/visa/doubledouble-visa-card.html?WT.mc_id=Int-SPOT-TimHortons-DD-E

I am very happy to receive the $400 cash from CIBC in Sep 2014. I am going to close it after 3 month as the checking account has monthly fee ( everyday plus checking account has the lowest fee $9.95/month ). WIth President Choice checking account, I really don't need the cibc checking account.

I put this post in invest category, the cost for this deal is my time and effort to set it up, the return is $400 - $9.95x 4 = $360 for 3 month. the visa card also has $20 award after $$200 spending. so the return is really $360+$20 = $380.

Recent buy - RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust

I bought 100 shares of REI.UN at $25.7 on Friday, as I really like the biggest REIT in canada. I probably could get it at 25.6 as it was my inital order, but after waiting for a while, I decide to just buy it at 25.7, 10 cents won't make too much difference in the long run.

Business Summary:
    RioCan REIT is a closed-end real REIT. The trust owns and manages profolio of shopping centers, with ownership interests in a portfolio of 331 retail properties in canada and US.

Below are some of the fundamentals about REI.UN.

- Valuation: PE is 11.0, one of the lowest in REIT, the average PE in REIT is 21
- Profitability: Profit Margin is 62%, one of the hightest in REIT, average REIT is 38%
- Return on Equity: 10%, vs average REIT's 7%
- Divdend yield: 5.51%, lower than the average REIT's 5.8%, but it's enough for me to start the position. my threshold is 4%
- Payout ratio: 60%, this is safer than most REIT ( average is 108%)
- Debt to capital ratio: 45.34% vs 48.05% average for REIT
- Insider buy, CFO just bot 5000 shares at 25.82 in Sep, 2014, so my price is even better.
- Retail REIT continues to benefit from US retailers expanding into Canada. retail penetration in Canada is 40% (square per capita) less than US.

Overall, I think this is the best REIT so far. I will buy more if the price goes lower. For 100 shares of REI.UN, I am expecting to get dividend $141 per year. RioCan's next earning release is Nov 5, 2014, the conference call No is 416-340-2218.

Category classification for blog posts

As a avid reader of money sense magine, I will use the same categories for my blog posts. They are:

- Save
- Debt
- Property
- Invest
- Retire
- Spend
- Plan
- Tax