Hiya Everyone

So I’ve gone through the process of getting myself stock certificates for 7 different companies, and have enrolled in their Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plans.  I feel I’ve chosen companies that will be around for a long time.

Yes, their prices will fluctuate with the market.  Yes, they could go bankrupt at some point in the future too.   But at the same time, you can’t make decent gains if you don’t take any risks.

The process was pretty painless.  After obtaining the stock certificates (through my online brokerage, Scotiabank iTrade) I filled out all the paperwork that was involved and mailed them in.  I started this process last week so I hopefully will hear back from the companies soon about the enrollment.  Being in these programs will allow my dividends to be reinvested into more stock rather than being sent to me by cheque in the mail.

So without further adieu, here are the companies I have purchased:

1. Scotiabank (TSE:BNS).  I chose BNS for multiple reasons.  First, they’ve been around since 1832.  They’ve got a proven track record for paying dividends and decent stock growth.  I also really love how the company has branded themselves.  They sponsor many of the types of events that I go to, and they seem more of a peoples bank than say, CIBC.
2. Bank of Montreal (TSE:BMO).  Canada’s oldest bank.  Need I say more?  Well sure I do.  It’s been around since 1817.  Again, I believe they are a strong bank and won’t be going anywhere anytime soon.  They’ve been around longer than any of my great great grandparents, and I believe they’ll still be here when my great great grandchildren are born too.
3. Loblaw (TSE:T).  At some point or another, most of us Canadians have probably shopped at a Loblaws, No Frills, Superstore, Independent Grocer, Valu-Mart, the list goes on and on.  Even during this last recession, the stock stayed relatively stable between $28-$36 (though the low was actually at the start of the downslide … by the bottom of the market dip in March the stock was around $30).  The only downside to Loblaw stock is they don’t offer an SPP program.  Only DRIP. Boourns.
4. Enbridge (TSE:ENB).  Enbridge focuses on three main business areas: crude oil and liquid pipelines, natural gas pipelines, and natural gas distribution.  Millions of us use some product every day that utilizes something that requires a company like Enbridge.  And until natural gas and crude oil dry up, I don’t believe Enbridge is going anywhere.
5. Telus (TSE:T).  Some people don’t know that Telus has been around for more than 100 years.  It started out providing telecommunications abilities to Albertans.  Since then they’ve grown to be a huge player in the industry.  They are currently working with Bell to change over their network to GSM to better compete with Rogers.  I believe this company to be founded on good business ethics and their marketing strategy seems solid.
6. TransCanada (TSE:TRP).  This company is responsible for building a huge network of pipelines to tap into and deliver energy sources throughout North America.  Without a company like TransCanada, we wouldn’t have access to a lot of the energy we do today.  Like many other companies, I believe TransCanada will be here long after I’m gone.
7. RioCan REIT (TSE:RIO.UN).  Real estate has a long history of being one of the best wealth building engines that money can buy (or in this case, invest ).  RioCan owns a large amount of retail shopping space across Canada.  At the end of 2008, they owned 59 million square feet of retail shopping space.

There you have it.  I’ll give you reports as to how much money I put into each of these stocks every month and what sort of dividend growth I’m receiving.  I’ll add in other companies in the future, and possibly remove some of these companies if any situation with their programs change.

Talk to you all soon!