Retiring well is a two prong attack. You need to have money to live on and you need to live within your means. To get some extra money, it is helpful to invest some of your earnings. The best way to start out investing is to invest in some nice utility stock. The first list is the utility stock that I currently follow.
ATCO Ltd (TSX-ACO) operates primarily in Alberta, Canada. ATCO LTD. is a management holding company with operating subsidiaries in electric and natural gas utility operations. For my reports dated October 2009, click here or here.
Canadian Utilities (TSX-CU) operates in four business segments: regulated natural gas operations; regulated electric operations; technologies; and power generation. It is 74% owned by ATCO. For my reports dated November 2009, click here.
Consumers Waterheater (TSX- CWI.UN) operate in Ontario. Consumers' Waterheater Income Fund owns a portfolio of waterheaters and other portfolio assets, which they rent to primarily residential customers. For my reports dated September 2009, click here or here.
Emera Inc (TSX-EMA) operates in Canada, US and the Caribbean and has electric utilities and pipelines. For my reports dated March 2010, click here or here.
Enbridge Inc (TSX-ENB) operates in Canada and US. The company is focused on three core businesses of crude oil and liquids pipelines, natural gas pipelines, and natural gas distribution. For my reports March 2010, click here or here.
Fortis Inc TSX-FTS) operates in Canada, US and the Caribbean. Fortis is a diversified, international distribution utility holding company. For my reports dated April 2010, click here or here.
Gas Metro (TSX-GZM.UN) is a Limited Partnership whose core business is the distribution of Natural Gas in Quebec. For my reports dated January 2009, click here or here.
Innergex Power Inc (TSX-IEF.UN) operates in North America. Innergex Power Income Fund acquires and operates a portfolio of hydroelectric facilities and wind farms that produce electricity exclusively from renewable energy sources. For my reports dated January 2010, click here or here.
Superior Plus (TSX-SPB.UN) operates in Canada and US. Superior’s Energy Services division provides distribution, wholesale procurement and related services in relation to propane, heating oil and other refined fuels. For my reports dated in May 2010, click here or here.
Transalta Corp (TSX-TA) operates in Canada, the U.S., Mexico and Australia. It is an electric generation and marketing company. For my reports dated June 2009, click
here or here.
TransCanada Corp (TSX-TRP) operates in North America. TransCanada is a leader in energy infrastructure. For my reports April 2010, click here or here.
This is a list of ones I am not following, but they are in the TSX’s Utility Index.
Atlantic Power Corp (TSX-ATP) operates primarily in the US. It owns interests in a diversified portfolio of power generation and transmission projects. Its website is Atlantic.
Brookfield Renewable Fund (TSX-BRC.UN) operates in Canada and US. The Fund owns, operates and manages 42 hydroelectric generating stations and one wind farm. Its website is Brookfield.
Capital Power (TSX-CPX) operates in Canada and US. It is an independent power generation company. (It has really only been operating since June 2009.) Its website is Capital Power.
Just Energy Fund (TSX-JE.UN) Operates in Canada. Just Energy's business involves the sale of natural gas and electricity to residential and commercial customers under long-term, irrevocable fixed price contracts. Its website is Just Energy.
Northland Power Fund (TSX-NPI.UN) operates in Canada. It is a trust that indirectly owns interests in five power projects. Its website is Northland.
The other part of what I am talking about, of course, is living within your means. This is basically that you do not spend more in any year than you make. Get a program like Quicken or Money and start to track how you spend your money. Once you know this, you can start deciding on how you want to spend your money. I have no problems with credit cards, but I do pay off my bills every month. I know how much I can spend on the credit card and I keep to that. The best think you can do when buying things on credit is to remind yourself that you are indeed spending money.
What you need to do is start to cut back on the spending that is the least important to you. First, you need to stabilize your debt and then you need to start to pay it off. Now is an excellent time to do this, as interest rates are low. You can get a line of credit or a cheaper credit card (in regards to interest rates) to lower your interest payments. There are agencies you can go to, to get help with debt.
The important think is to not retire until you have spending and debt under control
This blog is meant for educational purposes only, and is not to provide investment advice. Before making any investment decision, you should always do your own research or consult an investment professional. See my website for stocks followed and investment notes. Follow me on twitter.
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