My Own Advisor

 

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when throughout the blogosphere,

Not a creature was stirring, not even Dividend Ninja – oh dear!

The stockings were hung by The Wealthy Canadian with care,

In hopes that Rob Carrick (err, St. Nicholas) soon would be there.

 

As Canadian Capitalist’s children nestled into their beds,

Visions of ETFs danced in their heads.

With mamma in her ‘kerchief and Big Cajun Man in his cap,

They just closed their blog for a brief winter’s nap.

 

When over on Moneyville there arose such a clatter,

Boomer & Echo jumped up, geez, what’s the matter?

Away to the window, Youngandthrifty quickly dashed,

So Dividend Monk joined her, and they threw up the sash.

 

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow,

Gave a lustre to stocks only Susan Brunner would know.

When what to Dividend Mantra’s eyes should appear,

But U.S. stocks on sale along with eight tiny reindeer!

 

With a little old driver, looking so lively and quick,

Preet Banerjee knew it must be St. Nick.

More punishing than taxes Michael James would exclaim,

Dan Bortolotti agreed, so they shouted by name:

 

“Now TFSA!  Now RRSP!  On Prancer and Vixen!

Great registered accounts, so get saving - Donner and Blitzen!

To the highest mutual fund fees, please avoid them all,

Andrew Hallam says so, and yells:  that includes covered calls!”

  

As debt-loads for Canadians reach into the sky,

Money Smarts Blog has a solution ready to fly.

So up to the house-top, the coursers they flew,

Krystal Yee brought some toys and St. Nicholas did too!

 

And then Invest It Wisely, heard on the roof,

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As Retire Happy and SPF listened, their heads turned around,

Down the chimney St. Nick came, with a loud crashing bound!

 

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,

Yet his portfolio was tarnished, fund fees dirty like soot.

A bundle of options, St. Nick flung over his back,

Million Dollar Journey was not pleased when he opened that pack!

 

His eyes – how they twinkled!  His emergency fund how merry,

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

His savings account was full, very tidy, like a bow,

Something David Chilton would be proud of, something he writes about – don’t you know?

 

The stump of a pipe, he held it tightly in his teeth,

Like dividends smoke flowed, encircling his head like a wreath.

The Financial Blogger saw his broad face and his little round belly,

That shook like the markets when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.

 

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

So I bought some more shares in spite of myself.

A wink of his eye, a look to Passive Income Earner instead,

Soon gave me to know, bear markets we don’t dread.

 

St. Nick spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

Filling stockings with bonds, fixed-income should always lurk.

And laying a finger, aside of his nose,

Beating The Index saw him, up the chimney he rose!

 

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like a down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight.

Merry Christmas all bloggers, all readers and to all a good night!

 

Hey, I tried

 

On a serious note, as Christmas draws near, this is my opportunity to thank all the great bloggers and media in the personal finance and investing community, the dedicated readers and all the newcomers who have supported My Own Advisor in 2011.  You’ve made this an enjoyable and rewarding year for me, year one of hosting my own site. 

I’ve had the pleasure of interacting with many great people this year and for that, I am thankful.  I’ve learned from you and I hope you’ve learned from me as well.  I’m looking forward to 2012 and I hope you are too!

I’ll be back in a few days.  Until then – I wish you a safe, happy and healthy holiday!

 

Clement Clarke Moore (1779 – 1863) wrote the poem ‘Twas the night before Christmas also called “A Visit from St. Nicholas” in 1822.  Moore came from a prominent family and his father, Benjamin Moore was the Bishop of New York who was famous for officiating at the inauguration of George Washington. The tradition of reading ‘Twas the night before Christmas poem on Christmas Eve is now a worldwide tradition. The first publication date of ‘Twas the night before Christmas was on 23rd December, 1823.

Thanks for reading!