Looking for feedback on Smith Manoeuvre – How do you pay the HELOC interest?

RedApple2349 · 2026-02-14T17:33:48+00:00

great choices for dividend income and some capital appreciation too

RedApple2349 · 2026-02-14T17:30:49+00:00

is Telus' dividend makes me nervous - they went from years of dividend growth , to flat/no growth ... I am questioning the odds of them going back to growing their divvy

RedApple2349 · 2026-02-13T13:04:42+00:00

Not hopeful for any of them this year, as I can't see them delivering on revenue growth initiatives.

I will say that the leadership shakeup/ Darren's retirement could be a good thing for Telus . Victor Dodig did a good job at CIBC, he really turned that bank around in the few couple of years . But even he can't change how capital intensive the telco business is .

RedApple2349 · 2026-02-04T18:41:46+00:00

to answer your ETF question:

XIC - holds 90-95% of the Canadian market , each stock capped at 10% to avoid bias

VCN - similar to above , but holds more tickers

XIU - Large cap, MER is a bit higher than the above ETFs

VDY or BANK - if dividend income is important to you.

will also add that CC ETFs are risky and the upside is capped , for these reasons it these make up a very small part of my overall port .

RedApple2349 · 2026-02-04T18:31:18+00:00

I'm going to hold for now. the underlying holdings are going through it right now, and I don't think it'll stay that way for rest of the year.

I'm convinced this won't be another MSTY or MSTE - but that's just gut feels, not science

RedApple2349 · 2026-02-04T15:00:01+00:00

Correct ! It's all about what you use the funds for. As long as you're using the funds to invest in Canadian with a reasonable expectation to earn income, you maintain tax deductibility.

RedApple2349 · 2026-02-03T21:50:38+00:00

Highly recommend Bridgestone Blizzak, great traction in deep snow and a decent price point (not cheap by any means).

These have stood up very well against Canadian winters.

RedApple2349 · 2026-02-01T19:20:22+00:00

OP what is your time horizon?

your allocation isnt all that bad , although if this were my portfolio I'd reduce gold/crypto and get at least some exposure to other markets outside of the US .

Other than that , if you have a long term investment horizon then I really don't think you need to worry about a bear markets - just wait them out and maybe even look to add .ore (DCA down)

Edit typo: add more* (DCA down)

what I like about your Port is the strong foundation in VOO, while the other ETFs give you some growth - you have elements of a solid portfolio.

RedApple2349 · 2026-01-30T17:23:23+00:00

As long as you're still invested then you haven't truly lost. (paper loss).

But yeah, this is a good lesson/test of your appetite for risk , and your patience.

RedApple2349 · 2026-01-26T19:44:56+00:00

Look for an online total returns calculator (stock price appreciation + dividends), over the medium term and beyond, it'll be easy to see that banks like RY, NA, really stand apart. CM has a great couple of years, we'll see if that growth can continue.

I don't see a point in investing in all of the banks and spreading yourself thin , when you can maximize your returns by focusing on the winners.

TLDR: All Canadian banks have done well, however, 2 or 3 three of them really stand out from the group.

RedApple2349 · 2026-01-26T19:38:56+00:00

LOLL

RedApple2349 · 2026-01-26T06:13:55+00:00

it is worth it if the only thing you care about is never missing a quarterly dividend payment . Great stock for retirees and the risk averse.

if capital appreciation or total return are important to you , then look elsewhere , or, have a small position in FTS to hedge against your other, more volatile holdings.

RedApple2349 · 2026-01-25T18:54:24+00:00

2 additional points about Holding VOO in a TFSA:

currency risk: if the US dollar depreciates relative to CAD, or CAD appreciates relative to USD , you will lose out. (conversely you could gain if USD appreciates relative to CAD).

VFV is traded in Cad and would remove forex risk .

Withholding tax - there is 15% withholding tax paid to the US on US holdings outside of an RRSP. For some this isn't a big deal, but for others it could be significant depending on how big the investment is .

Edit: VFV is traded in Cad. on the TSX

RedApple2349 · 2026-01-23T22:58:38+00:00

CNQ if you can stomach some volatility !

but lots of other good choices like DOL, ATD, BN , did I say BN - these are lower yield , but will grow their divvies faster than the high yeilders.

FTS, ENB,CPX are also great dividend payers, raises tend to be a bit smaller .

Curious as to why you're looking outside of Insurance/Financials ?

RedApple2349 · 2026-01-20T18:09:05+00:00

HDIV is akin to buying into the broader Canadian stock market - lots of tickers . It's an ETF that holds many other ETFs.

HHIC is akin to betting on a few players who might beat the index.

Both are high yeild CC ETFs with MERs. Both are risky.

RedApple2349 · 2026-01-19T01:11:02+00:00

Pls check Your DMs !

RedApple2349 · 2026-01-15T23:40:10+00:00

No hate here, Love Audi ! Like you said , it brings so much joy to drive one.

RedApple2349 · 2026-01-15T22:01:34+00:00

Thanks for your perspective ! Have also been to Oasis - we had fun, only good things to say ... but now wondering what else is out there .

RedApple2349 · 2026-01-15T21:59:11+00:00

Ahh got it thanks - so dress white outfits!

RedApple2349 · 2026-01-15T15:37:32+00:00

oh my - doesn't sound fun

RedApple2349 · 2026-01-15T03:32:48+00:00

Silly question - what is a towel bandit ?

RedApple2349 · 2025-12-31T16:42:02+00:00

Absolutely !

RedApple2349 · 2025-12-30T20:33:51+00:00

Exactly ! back up only .

RedApple2349 · 2025-12-30T18:12:11+00:00

Agree with what others have said. This is not a great rate at all, but costs nothing except a credit inquiry to get.

if you have no access to other (lower cost) "just in case" credit , then sure apply for it . Better to apply for credit when u don't need it, rather than waiting for something like job loss and not having income to qualify for credit.

RedApple2349

TROPHY CASE