Millennials: 3 Terrible Money Habits You Must Stop

Millennials are great in saving but poor in investing. Their savings could grow their cash ten-fold by investing in quality dividend stocks like Allied Properties Real Estate Investment Trust (TSX:AP.UN) and Pembina Pipeline Corporation (TSX:PPL)(NYSE:PBA).

| More on:

The millennials in Canada are the most significant component of the country’s workforce. About 80% of this younger generation has savings, but 60% are afraid of losing their money.

Hence, their investing philosophy differs from earlier generations. But millennials need to start developing good investing habits to secure their financial futures.

Retirement savings are not a priority

Millennials, unfortunately, do not set aside cash for retirement. Their top financial priorities are paying off debts and raising capital to use as a down payment on a home. With this mindset, few millennials include retirement as a financial priority, and therefore, many put off investing.

Holding cash instead of investing

Since the Great Depression, millennials have become fiscally conservative. They have taken a pessimistic view of the financial markets, particularly the stock market. However, they’re also losing out on profitable opportunities.

Stocks like Allied Properties (TSX:AP.UN) and Pembina (TSX:PPL)(NYSE:PBA) could address their financial concerns. The real estate investment trust (REIT) could help in raising capital for the down payment on a home while the energy stock could assist them in building a retirement fund.

Allied Properties is a solid choice for investors seeking monthly passive income. This REIT stock focuses on owning, developing, and managing urban office spaces in prime locations.  The leased area of the company’s total real estate portfolio is 96%, with an occupancy rate of 96.2%.

Millennials would receive extra money from Allied’s monthly dividend payout. If there’s no immediate need for cash, the dividends could be reinvested to enjoy compounded returns. The REIT stock’s current dividend yield is 3.1%.

Allied Properties is a prominent commercial REIT because of its success in converting industrial properties into modern work areas. The REIT’s 148 properties are in Montreal and Toronto. Thus, Allied Properties has strong growth prospects because of its concentration in these two major metro areas.

The REITs re-purposed industrial structures attract tenants that prefer different offices over the traditional settings. Aside from having a good inventory of properties, Allied’s light industrial structures offer lower rates.

In case millennials are not aware, Pembina is a pure income energy stock. This $25 billion pipeline company is also financially strong to endure or survive whatever storms the energy market will face.

Millennials would also benefit from the stock’s high dividend of nearly 5.0%. For eight consecutive years, Pembina was able to increase dividends. There’s nothing that would tarnish the company’s dividend track record.

Similarly, Pembina’s excellent performance would continue for many years. To date, the company has 11 projects that could deliver large-scale growth and value chain secured projects under development that will run through the middle of 2023.

No investment plan

By investing in quality stocks like Pembina and Allied Properties, the millennials’ misgivings around the stock market would end. If they discover that they would gain and not lose money from both stocks, they could then start preparing an investment plan.

Having an investment plan would help millennials chart their financial destiny. Unless they start investing in safe, dividend-paying stocks, millennials might not have enough funds to endure a financial crisis.

Fool contributor Christopher Liew has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Pembina is a recommendation of Dividend Investor Canada.

More on Dividend Stocks

Silver coins fall into a piggy bank.
Dividend Stocks

A Smart Strategy to Use Your TFSA to Effectively Double Your $7,000 Contribution

There's real potential to double your $7,000 TFSA contribution over time with a combination of price gains and dividend income…

Read more »

Canadian Red maple leaves seamless wallpaper pattern
Dividend Stocks

A Cheap Canadian Dividend Stock—Down 12%—Worth Buying Today

Canadian Natural Resources (TSX:CNQ) stock is under pressure, but for no real good reason, other than fear of lower oil.

Read more »

coins jump into piggy bank
Dividend Stocks

BCE vs. TELUS: 1 Stock Stands Out for TFSA Investors Right Now

TELUS delivered record free cash flow and Canada's best churn rate. Meanwhile, BCE is rebuilding. Which Canadian telecom stock is…

Read more »

senior couple looks at investing statements
Dividend Stocks

Are You Using Your TFSA the Right Way? Many Canadians Aren’t

Explore effective investment strategies in your TFSA to enhance returns instead of using it simply as a savings account.

Read more »

workers walk through an office building
Dividend Stocks

This Canadian Dividend Stock Is Down 57% and Worth Owning for Decades

Thomson Reuters stock is down 57% from its peak and offers a growing dividend. Here is why long-term investors may…

Read more »

dividend stocks bring in passive income so investors can sit back and relax
Dividend Stocks

2 No-Brainer Dividend Stocks to Buy Hand Over Fist

These two blue-chip TSX dividend stocks can be excellent holdings for an uncertain market environment.

Read more »

eat food
Dividend Stocks

1 Canadian Dividend Stock Down 25% to Buy Now and Hold for Decades

High Liner Foods (TSX:HLF) stock is down 26% on tariffs & costs, but boasts a juicy 5% yield amid surging…

Read more »

Concept of rent, search, purchase real estate, REIT
Dividend Stocks

2 TSX Stocks That Look Strong Even if Consumers Pull Back

When consumers tighten budgets, staples and housing-linked cash flow can hold up better than discretionary spending.

Read more »