Apparently August is the new July when it comes to BC weather.
The past week we've seen sunny 30C days and warm summer nights out here in the BC wilderness. Top priority for me has been finishing several small landscaping projects on our RV site. We actually may be switching RV lots in the next couple weeks, but more details to come on that.
The summer stock markets have been extremely volatile; popping and dropping with every debt crisis update and jobs report. Our stock portfolio has lost 20% since the highs of March:
- 10% was a result of the overall drop in the market
- the other 10% loss was my fault for putting too much cash in two spec stocks (Yellow Media, Bio-Exx) - I've made a good whack of cash trading both those names in the past and I definitely got too cocky and ignored my #1 investing rule: Diversification is the key to protecting capital.
That being said, it's times like this I wish we had more moolah to invest 'cause there are definitely some bargains out there. We're fully invested right now with no intention of selling anything, although I think the markets will continue to drop next week.
Our portfolio in order of weighting:
- Alaris Royalty Corp
- Student Transportation
- Pembina Pipeline
- Data Group Income fund
- Superior Plus
- Inter Pipeline
- Canfor Pulp Income
- Chorus Aviation
- BTB Reit
- Just Energy
Alaris (AD.to) and Student Transportation (STB.to) are 40% of the portfolio, only because they've both moved up so much since I bought them in 2008. I've slowly been selling them down, but they'll probably stay at this weighting until fall-ish. The rest of our names are evenly weighted, and if I had more cash I'd be adding to all of them at these levels.
Bored with stock stuff? Okay, moving on...
The mutts are getting regular walks and playtime down at the local playground/dog park. Shelbert needs a haircut at the moment and refused to sit still for a photo, but Norman is a ham and loves the camera.
He also loves the BC wilderness and all the cool things to chase: squirrels, garden snakes, chipmunks, butterflies, tall grass - it's heaven for pups. Especially rescue pups from Arizona.
My Fella is in his own personal heaven because we're in the midst of salmon fishing season and he's had quite a few bites so far.
mosquito bites, that is ... (the fish always win, honeybunny)
And this has nothing to do with anything, but instead of eating fruit for breakfast I've started eating vegetables (raw cauliflower, carrots, celery, etc.) The truth is, I'd rather drink my fruit than eat it and it's hard to justify slurping wine for breakfast... even though it is technically fruit :)
Ah yes, the Market! What a couple of weeks! We have been luckier than most as we took our financial advisers advice and diversified into precious metals. That has cushioned the blow a little but still, ouch! Luckily we can wait this thing out, it just means delaying a couple of home projects until next year and forcing one more year out of the poor, abused Honda that we will drag through Mexico one more time.
Posted by: Croft | August 07, 2011 at 09:28 AM
Oh yes, summer has arrived here on Vancouver Island as well! Low to mid twenties and lots of sun! Maybe it was worth the wait!
Posted by: Croft | August 07, 2011 at 09:31 AM
Mexi-Croft
I think we may hit some new market lows this week... probably not even worth looking at the portfolio for awhile. Good thing summer is finally here to distract us.
Nice benches, by the way. They look great on your patio!
Posted by: kelsi | August 08, 2011 at 06:12 AM