My Own Advisor

If you want to be an investor, you shouldn’t be a gambler.  I’ve always liked this phrase and John Heinzl of the Globe & Mail recently had a great little Investor Clinic video about this very concept.   This link starts off my list of outstanding weekend reading for you.   Next, you’ll find the popular Dividend Guy announced a great initiative called the Dividend Growth Index (DGI) that includes yours truly. You can read about the DGI project in more detail and the participants involved here.  I’m looking forward to being part of this effort, where to date, 21 stocks will make up the index.  Some very established dividend investors and financial bloggers are contributing to the index, with some stable and riskier company selections (including one from me) that should make the index interesting and enjoyable for the participants and for readers!   While there is no competition nor prizes here; there is bragging and performance pride on the line; as Dividend Ninja recently said on his blog:  

“…winning isn’t everything, but losing isn’t anything!”

Maybe he’s taking this project a little too seriously? 

Kidding aside Ninja, although staying with the fun theme, I bet a bunch of personal finance and investing bloggers are doing just that this week in Chicago – attending the Financial Blogger Conference.   For a few days this weekend, Chicago will be home to over 250 financial bloggers, financial professionals, columnists, authors and new media types.   It hopes to bring together the best of the personal finance community to network, share and learn.  I know a few bloggers who got on a plane tonight and are attending this event.  Have fun folks - I wish I could have gone to Chicago this weekend but can’t.   Next year though, I’m excited to be part of the first-ever Canadian version, planned for Toronto in September 2012.  I’m looking forward to attending this event already.  Thanks again to Krystal Yee and Preet Banerjee for getting the ball rolling on this and sending me the pre-registration invite.  Not only could this conference be huge but tons of fun.  Hopefully my good friends in the GTA can put me up for the weekend (if you’re reading this)??? 

Well, without further delay, onto this week’s great finds from the blogosphere… 

Dividend Mantra also introduced the Dividend Growth Index.  He also said sometimes saving money can cost you more.

Dividend Monk also wrote about the Dividend Growth Index, as another participant, but also made time this week to post a thorough stock review of Aflac.

Krystal Yee provided 10 financial commandments for 20-somethings.

Preet Banerjee writing for the Globe & Mail wrote about the phone that works like a bank.

Balance Junkie said there is too much principal and not enough principle.

My University Money offered some good tips for note taking.

A guest post over at Invest It Wisely reminded us about personal insurance.  Invest It Wisely also discussed apple picking.  I love apples!

Jim Yih reminded us about the power of compound interest.

Boomer asked readers if home renovations pay off.  Echo from Boomer & Echo posted step 2 in their 11-step plan for financial freedom.

Sustainable Personal Finance wondered if your spending matches your values.

Canadian Personal Finance Blog told us about those surreal paragraphs found in your credit card statements.

Canadian Finance Blog said you can get rewarded for money you are already spending.  Sounds good to me!

The Wealthy Canadian was busy again this week!  His short story about planning for retirement and knowing what you will need for it was excellent.   TWC also wrote about Kevin O’Leary…The Fire of a Dragon and introduced the Dividend Growth Index.

On Young & Thrifty’s site, Dividend Ninja wrote a guest post about the parallels of playing backgammon and the stock market.    If you missed his other guest post, he wrote about Canadian telcos for Dividend Stocks Online.  Ninja also provided his introduction for the Dividend Growth Index.  (I gotta recruit the Ninja to write on my site, this guy is everywhere!)

Canadian Capitalist said dividends are not the only way to return cash to shareholders.  He is absolutely right.  For me though, there is no other option – if I’m going to own companies directly, I’m only owning dividend-paying stocks.  Otherwise, I might as well index everything

Million Dollar Journey had a guest post that wondered what is the pension adjustment about? 

Michael James wrote about buying on dips – not yet convinced this actually works due to opportunity cost. 

Dr. Rathgeber discussed an important retirement “rule” that’s an afterthought for many Canadians, maximizing the RRSP.  If you have time this weekend, check out his site.  He’s got a comprehensive, self-help retirement planning and investment manual well underway for time-strapped Canadians.

Money Smarts Blog told us how to avoid cell phone data roaming charges when traveling to the U.S.

Canadian Couch Potato reviewed The Smartest Portfolio You’ll Ever Own by Dan Solin.

Susan Brunner provided a review of ARC Resources.

My friend The Passive Income Earner introduced the Dividend Growth Index.

Last, but certainly not least, my overseas friend Andrew Hallam shared his million dollar news – he remains cancer-free and his book sales are running high.  Well done Andrew, amazing stuff, continued health and happiness for you!   

Have a great weekend everyone and I’ll be back next week!

Thanks for reading and sharing this article.