Not the most, but I'll take it! I'll be buying 4 shares with the dividend across my RRSP and 2 non-reg accounts tomorrow. My goal is to hit 2,000 $XEQT shares by the end of the year. I'm 142 shares away from that goal at the moment. Check out the in-person personal finance meetup I organize once per month. Facebook group link in my bio! 😀
Happy Friday Blossomers! So hear me out ... I was convinced and opened a VERY SMALL position in $FINN yesterday! I know this etf has only been around since 2023, it's actively managed and know that past performance is not indicative of future returns, but I've been researching this ETF for a while now and connecting with people on Blossom who hold this ETF. Although there is overlap in holdings with my current core ETFS, the returns have been impressive so I wanted to see how this goes. I'm not sure if I'll add more to it yet or for how long I will hold it, because my main priority is $XEQT ..... but this is one of those chances I want to take just like I did with Rocket lab! So let's see how it goes!! Hope everyone has a green day into the weekend! 🚀💸 read more
Hi guys! This is my first post here… I have been saving as much as I can for some years and started investing since October 2025 (a year ago), I could get around 6k or 15% return so far, which I am very proud of, because I started saving each cent since my first 10$ CAD. My TFSA is maximized and for next year I am thinking about doing a lump sum on January 1st and invensting my savings amount (around 17k cad) putting 7k-7.5k in TFSA, 8k in FHSA and 1.5k in RRSP. My I dont know which strategy will be the best: 1) 100% VFV 2) 70% VFV, 20% VCN, 10% VXC 3) 70% VFV, 30% XEQT 4) 100% XEQT 5) Other??? Can you guys share your thoughts on this!? Thank you 🙏🏻read more
After nearly 21 years of picking individual dividend growth stocks, I finally reached a point where I had to ask myself the big question.... Do I want to spend the next 40 or 50 YEARS doing this???? When I started investing, I LOVED stock picking. I enjoyed reading quarterly reports, going through investor presentations, comparing valuations and trying to figure out which company in my portfolio was the best place to put my next dollar. And .... I still enjoy it!!! However, after nearly 21 years of doing it, I started looking at the amount of time I was spending versus what I was actually getting in return.... There is a pretty important distinction between being good at researching companies and actually being able to consistently OURPERFORM a broad market index AFTER fees, taxes, mistakes and all the other things that come with trying to beat the market AND add in the time you spent that could have been spent elsewhere, like at my day job. And the empirical data wasn't exactly making me feel better about my odds... it had been glaringly obvious for years. So I did something I never thought I would do as a lifelong stock picker..... I sold EVERY. SINGLE. STOCK. in my TFSA. And then I moved into 7 broad market ETFs 3 of which factor tilt. I still kept some factor tilting because apparently I wasn't quite ready to give up my active investing addiction entirely 🤪 The biggest change for me wasn't actually my portfolio.....It was my LIFE. I was spending easily 10 plus hours a week researching, monitoring and thinking about my investments. And even when I wasn't sitting at my computer, there was always that little part of my brain wondering whether I should be doing something differently. Now?.... My portfolio requires a fraction of the time. I've gained back more than 10 hours a week that I can spend with my wife, working on the things I actually care about or frankly just existing without thinking about whether some company I own is going to miss its earnings estimate by 3 cents and start to crash.. You can put any of the billion scenarios into that sentence and I was thinking of it (ADHD brain). The reduction in stress has been even more valuable than the time. I didn't even REALIZE I was carrying that market stress around... but my wife sure noticed! I'm no longer constantly asking myself whether I picked the right stock, whether I should sell something, whether I'm missing an opportunity or whether I'm doing enough to outperform the market. The funniest thing is.... well not really funny, kind of sad, after almost 21 years of trying to become a better stock picker, I ended up realizing that maybe the better decision was to stop trying so hard to be one. There was still one question I couldn't answer until enough time had passed.... Did I actually make the right decision? It's now been 10 months since I made the change. It's still a very short period of time... but enough to short out my feelings on things. I've just finished my latest portfolio update, where I go through all 7 ETFs, exactly how I've structured the portfolio, how I'm using factor tilts, and most importantly... What actually happened over those 10 months.... and how did the portfolio perform compared to my benchmark and the S&P 500. https://youtu.be/3khfZJ7SY0g I'm not going to spoil the results here..... watch to see whether I regret walking away from over two decades of stock picking.read more
When I first started investing, I made it WAY more complicated than it needed to be. I thought I needed to find the next crazy stock, own a bunch of different ETFs, and constantly be changing something in my portfolio. Looking back, I probably would’ve been better off just keeping things simple 😭 So for anyone on Blossom who’s just getting started, here are a few of the main types of ETFs I wish I understood when I started: 1) S&P 500 🇺🇸 500 of the largest publicly traded companies in the US. A simple way to get exposure to companies like Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Nvidia, and more. US: $VOO / $SPLG Canada: $VFV / $ZSP 2) Total US Market 🇺🇸 Want broader US exposure? Total-market ETFs include large, mid, and small-cap companies instead of only the S&P 500. US: $VTI Canada: $XUU / $VUN 3) Global / All-in-One 🌎 One of the simplest approaches for someone who doesn’t want to manage a bunch of different allocations themselves. Canada: $XEQT / $VEQT / $ZEQT One ETF can give you exposure to thousands of companies across Canada, the US, and international markets. 4) Dividends 💰 For investors interested in companies that regularly return cash to shareholders, dividend ETFs bundle a bunch of dividend-paying companies together. US: $SCHD / $VYM / $DGRO Canada: $VDY / $XEI Just remember: a high dividend yield doesn’t automatically mean a better investment. Total return still matters. 5) Growth / Tech 💻 If you want additional exposure to growth and technology companies, there are ETFs for that too. US: $QQQM / $VUG Canada: $QQC / $TEC Just remember: adding one of these on top of an S&P 500 or all-in-one ETF means you may be increasing your exposure to companies you already own. The biggest thing I wish I understood earlier: More ETFs ≠ more diversification. Owning $VFV + $QQC + $XEQT might look diversified because you own three ETFs, but there can be significant overlap between their underlying holdings. Sometimes the simplest portfolio is the one you’re actually able to stick with. Pick an approach you understand, invest consistently, keep learning, and give compounding time to do its thing. Not financial advice — just what I wish someone explained to me when I started. ☺️read more
I own both $HHIS and $VFV in my portfolio, so I decided to compare their performance using actual numbers. Here’s the breakdown 💰 $HHIS - High Dividend ETF * Purchase date: July 15, 2025 * Purchase price: $12.92 * Current price: $11.76 * Total dividends: $3.96 (including the upcoming October 6 payout, since the ex-dividend date has passed) * Total return: ~22% 📈 $VFV – S&P 500 ETF * Price on July 15, 2025: $153 * Current price: $195 * Total dividends: $1.99 * Total return: ~26% The Results: Despite HHIS paying significantly higher dividends, VFV has delivered approximately 4 percentage points more in total returns over the same period. And I haven’t even factored in HHIS’s higher MER compared to VFV. VFV also provides exposure to approximately 500 leading U.S. companies, offering broader diversification than HHIS. My Takeaway 🎯 This comparison reinforced my decision to stop buying HHIS and continue building VFV as my core portfolio position. High dividend yields might look attractive, but total return matters more than dividend yield alone. What’s your preference: high-dividend ETFs or broad-market index ETFs?read more
Beautiful run up and a great buy before closing bell yesterday!! Going to be a great Thanksgiving weekend! Started this journey last Tuesday. 🥹 $XEQT **When I don’t trade it all goes back to savings account till I see another dip.
I just reinvested my all distribution to $MSTE . Im good as long as below $3.00 per share. What about you ? Are you going to have some shares #followme
🚨 A DECADE of dividend investing 👨💼 My portfolio is now worth ~$2M 💰 And it pays me roughly $10,500 in dividends EVERY MONTH 💵 8 HIGH INCOME ETFs with ZERO PRICE DECAY that I own or plan on buying!📈🔥 $SCHD 🏆 Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF ~3.0% yield ~531% total return Pays quarterly Launched Oct 2011 $QDVO 🏆 Amplify CWP Growth & Income ETF ~11.2% yield ~52% total return Pays monthly Launched Aug 2024 $OVL 🏆 Overlay Shares Large Cap Equity ETF ~10.5% yield ~208% total return Pays monthly Launched Sep 2019 $SEPI 🏆 Shelton Equity Premium Income ETF ~7.9% yield ~27% total return Pays monthly Launched Sep 2025 $IDVO 🏆 Amplify CWP International Enhanced Dividend Income ETF ~6.1% yield ~114% total return Pays monthly Launched Sep 2022 $GPIQ🏆 Goldman Sachs Nasdaq-100 Premium Income ETF ~9.9% yield ~105% total return Pays monthly Launched Oct 2023 $XQQI 🏆 NEOS Boosted Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF ~20.2% yield ~21% total return Pays monthly Launched Jan 2026 $HAKY 🏆 Amplify HACK Cybersecurity Covered Call ETF ~15.0% yield ~48% total return Pays monthly Launched Jan 2026 *Bookmark this one* 🔖👇 read more
I wanted to see how HHIS (Harvest Diversified High Income Shares ETF) stacks up against 9 other Canadian-listed broad-market income ETFs. Here's what caught my attention: 🔥 HHIS offers the highest forward yield at 27.03%, but ranks only 7th out of 10 in total return. 🏆 HDIV leads at +26.80%, despite offering a much lower 10.04% yield. 📊 HHIC stands out with a 17.39% yield and +20.72% total return. My takeaway: HHIS is clearly attractive for investors prioritizing immediate cash flow, but several competing broad-market ETFs have delivered stronger total returns with lower headline yields. Again I still love HHIS and it is my top holding as of today.read more
Age matters, but your timeline, goals, and comfort with risk matter more. The basic idea is simple: the longer you have before needing the money, the more market volatility you may be able to handle. As retirement gets closer, stability and income become more important. 🚀 Age 20: Maximum Growth Focus: Time, habits, and broad equity exposure Example ETFs: $XEQT, $VEQT, $VTI, $VOO You may have decades ahead. Your biggest asset is not your portfolio size. It is time. A market drop can feel scary, but it can also be an opportunity to keep buying at lower prices. 🧱 Age 30: Build the Base Focus: Growth plus financial protection Example ETFs: $XEQT, $VEQT, $VTI, $VFV Invest aggressively, but do not ignore the foundation: • Build an emergency fund • Pay down high-interest debt • Protect your income • Increase contributions as your income grows ⚖️ Age 40: Balance Growth and Stability Focus: Compounding with less unnecessary risk Example ETFs: $XGRO, $VGRO, $VTI + $BND You may still have 20+ years to invest, but your responsibilities often increase too. Growth still matters, but your portfolio should be strong enough that one bad market does not derail your plan. 🛡️ Age 50: Protect What You Built Focus: Growth, income, and reducing sequence risk Example ETFs: $XBAL, $VBAL, $SCHD, $VDY You still need stocks because retirement may last decades. But adding high-quality bonds and cash can reduce the chance of selling equities during a market downturn. 💸 Age 60+: Income and Flexibility Focus: Income, stability, and access to cash Example ETFs: $VBAL, $XBAL, $VRIF, $BND The goal is no longer just growing the biggest portfolio. It is making your money last, creating sustainable income, and keeping enough safe assets for near-term spending. 🧠 The Real Rule Your age is a guide, not a command. Someone who is 30 but needs a home down payment in two years should not invest that money like a 30-year retirement portfolio. Someone who is 60 with a pension and a 30-year retirement may still need meaningful stock exposure. 📌 Invest for your timeline, not your birthday. read more
$FINN is an interesting choice if you want one ETF focused on innovation, AI, cloud computing, semiconductors, cybersecurity, and digital platforms. But it does not cover everything. It covers one important part of the future: global innovation. 💻What FINN Owns Its largest holdings include: • $AMZN: 10.25% • $NVDA: 10.07% • $MSFT: 8.58% • $AAPL: 5.55% • $GOOGL and $GOOG: about 9.66% combined • $TSM: about 5.36% across listings • $INTC: 2.86% • $SKHY: 2.52% FINN holds about 124 companies, but the top positions still make up a large portion of the portfolio. 💡 Why I Like It FINN gives investors exposure to several major long-term themes in one fund: • Artificial intelligence • Cloud computing • Semiconductor demand • Cybersecurity • Digital commerce • Automation and software Instead of choosing only NVDA, MSFT, or AMZN, you receive exposure to a broader basket of companies shaping technology. ⚠️ The Trade-Off FINN has an MER of approximately 1.09%, which is much higher than broad-market ETFs such as $XEQT, $VEQT, $VFV, or $VTI. It is also concentrated in technology and growth stocks, so it could fall sharply when valuations decline or investors move away from risk. 👀My View FINN could work as: • A focused long-term innovation holding • A satellite position beside a diversified core ETF • An option for investors who believe AI and technology will keep reshaping the economy I would not treat it as a complete portfolio because it does not provide the same broad exposure to financials, energy, bonds, real estate, and other sectors. FINN may cover the future of innovation, but it does not cover the entire future of investing. read more
Not my first six-figure account, but my first $100K milestone on Wealthsimple — and hitting it at 22 feels pretty damn good. Unlocked Premium too 😮💨 Not a flex post, just sharing because seeing other people hit milestones like this always motivated me. It’s possible. Stay consistent and keep building.
Last week, a reporter from The Canadian Press read my blog post on what a 2% investment fee costs over a lifetime and asked if she could interview me for a story on fees. It came out today and has been picked up by BNN Bloomberg and CTV. Fees are the reason I got into personal finance in the first place. At 18 I heard the Freakonomics episode "The Stupidest Thing You Can Do With Your Money," and I'd also watched my parents pay a little over 2% a year on their mutual funds without getting much tailored advice for it. On $100,000 invested, a 2% fee is $2,000 a year. It comes straight out of the fund's return, so you never get a bill in the mail and a lot of people don't realize they're paying it. Over 30 years at an assumed 8% a year, that $100,000 grows to about $952,000 with a 0.2% fee and about $574,000 with a 2% fee. That's roughly $377,000, or about 40% of what you would have ended up with. When she asked what people should do about it, my main answer was to ask any advisor up front how they get paid. Some advice is worth paying for. But if 2% a year gets you a fund pick and a phone call once a year, it's worth knowing what that costs in dollars before you sign up. You can read the full article here if you're interested. https://www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/business/are-investment-fees-worth-it-experts-say-they-must-meet-a-high-bar/article_837ca5d2-cdf8-5bb7-8e45-901f8218a2b8.html When did fees first click for you?read more
10 Ways to Decrease Risk When Investing… 1) Diversify across stocks & sectors 2) Use broad-market ETFs as your core like $VOO$QQQM$SPMO 3) Avoid oversized positions 4) Stay away from leverage 5) Keep an emergency cash reserve 6) DCA 7) Increase your time horizon (Go Long) 8) Add bonds/Treasuries for stability 9) Rebalance your portfolio (Trim winners & buy beaten down high quality names) 10) Focus on quality companies at reasonable valuations $GOOGL$MU$NVDAread more
