Expenses and the Oil

 

The price of gas and diesel is soaring with demand while there is a more overall want for supply from countries as the price of oil per barrel is $110 US currently. The US and Europe is on the hunt for more oil supply with the most of Europe is boycotting Russian oil.

Meanwhile, it's become more of a hit on my wallet paying near double for gas than it was months back. Add on the steady markup of groceries results in personal expenses being on the rise with the cost of living far ahead of the average 2% yearly raise unionized employees receive. 

Meanwhile, oil related and pipeline companies are making more money with the popular stocks like Enbridge (ENB) and others aglow with company news of increased revenue with some hiking dividend distributions to stock holders as a "special' dividend or an increase going forward.

Some good news while the Markets are in a general depressed state these days until a recovery that usually follows when the Bulls get to running and more "buying" than selling is on the go in general. But there are always some gems during even the worst of times.

Unfortunately for now and although it has a history of bouncing back quickly, Bitcoin and a lot of Altcoins have followed the stock market down with a pattern that will probably be permanent like a ball and chain. Where the millions that change hands and rapidly at times is in the NFT and Metaverse niches looking for big gains.

Not my thing where I find dividend paying stocks safer on the risk part of it but it's new, growing and exciting for those folks involved with that tangent of the crypto world.

The DIY Marketplace

 

There's not many "feel good" news stories in the press where it's filled with war, killings and violence here on the home front. My brother used to say, don't watch it and less to get stressed out about. He has a point but I like to stay informed 

With the Market news however, once involved ... it's wise to keep up with what's going on, especially if your a DIY investor.  

Short term news about market fluctuations doesn't make me sell in a panic where I'm in for the long haul. I tend to look for bargains during down markets with the stocks I have on my watchlist.

I'm a fan of Bloggers that get transparent and highlight their buys/sells where I compare but don't necessary follow their exact moves. I select my own "Picks".

In recent Dividend Earner posts, he shows "Picks" starting from scratch in a dividend growth portfolio, starting with GWO, Great-West Life (Insurance provider in Canada). I agree that it is a good choice and comes with a decent dividend.

He's 2nd pick is a BMO ETF from BMO's list of ETFs I look over quite often where I feel they offer higher dividends than the average out there. 

ZWU:TO, or BMO Covered Call Utilities ETF.

I own BMO Covered Call Canadian Banks ETF ... ZWB. The Management Fee is higher than I like to see but worth it with them doing the leg work and rebalancing for me. 

All the stats and holdings are shown on BMO's ETF page on the link above.

That's just two picks of many decent dividend paying stocks/ETFs out there. Ideal, is a combination of growth and dividends that increase over time and that can be a challenge but there are a lot of choices in the marketplace that fit, possibly making adjustments depending on how a company or ETF is performing.