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Author: Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Tony started investing during the 2017 marijuana stock bubble. After incurring some hilarious losses on various poor stock picks, he now adheres to Bogleheads-style passive investing strategies using index ETFs. Tony graduated in 2023 from Columbia University with a Master's degree in risk management. He holds the Certified ETF Advisor (CETF®) designation from The ETF Institute. Tony's work has also appeared in U.S. News & World Report, USA Today, NYSE ETF Central, NASDAQ Fundinsight, Cboe ETF Market, TheStreet, and Benzinga. He is the founder of ETF Portfolio Blueprint (https://etfportfolioblueprint.com)

Recent Articles

Blocks conceptualizing Canada's Tax Free Savings Account
Dividend Stocks

Use a TFSA to Earn $500 a Month With No Tax

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

This TSX fund is all you need in a TFSA for tax-free passive income every month.

Read more »

Senior uses a laptop computer
Dividend Stocks

My Single ‘Forever’ TFSA Stock Pick

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Even with Warren Buffett gone, Berkshire Hathaway remains a buy-and-hold forever stock for me.

Read more »

A glass jar resting on its side with Canadian banknotes and change inside.
Investing

How to Build a Retirement Portfolio That Actually Generates Income

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

This balanced ETF can be a one-stop solution for income-focused retirees.

Read more »

ETF is short for exchange traded fund, a popular investment choice for Canadians
Investing

Power Up Your Defences: Canadian Utility ETFs for Steady Income

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

These utility ETFs use leverage and covered calls to turn a defensive sector into a higher-yielding income tool.

Read more »

Exchange Money Dividend Payout Yield Income Stocks Invest Getty
Investing

The 4.8 Percent Monthly Income ETF That Canadians Should Know About

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

While concentrated in the Canadian financial sector, this income ETF is diversified across stocks, bonds, and preferred shares.

Read more »

A worker gives a business presentation.
Investing

What Falling Interest Rates Mean for Canadian Investors

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Here's how the current trend of interest rate cuts and pauses could affect some ETFs.

Read more »

Canada day banner background design of flag
Investing

Balance Your TFSA: A Top Strategic Canadian ETF to Own

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Is your TFSA too heavy in Canadian stocks? This Vanguard ETF could help balance it out.

Read more »

Woman running in front of pack in marathon
Investing

Why Chasing High Yields Is the Fastest Way to Lose Money

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Read this before you get suckered into a yield trap.

Read more »

Colored pins on calendar showing a month
Energy Stocks

A Perfect TFSA Stock: A 6.5% Yield With Constant Paycheques

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

I love this TSX oil & gas royalty as a high-yield passive income stock.

Read more »

ETF stands for Exchange Traded Fund
Investing

A Magnificent ETF I’d Buy for Relative Safety

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

This ETF invests in Canadian stocks but with a tilt towards the least volatile bunch.

Read more »

ETF is short for exchange traded fund, a popular investment choice for Canadians
Investing

A Canadian Bank ETF I’d Buy With $1,000 and Hold Forever

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

This Canadian bank ETF employs light leverage to boost returns and yield, at the cost of higher fees and risk.

Read more »

ETF stands for Exchange Traded Fund
Investing

Balance Your TFSA: A Top Strategic Canadian ETF to Own

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

This ETF can help you diversify internationally beyond North American stocks.

Read more »

ETF stands for Exchange Traded Fund
Investing

3 Canadian ETFs to Buy and Hold Forever in Your TFSA

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Combining just three low-cost index ETFs results in a diversified TFSA portfolio.

Read more »

Investing

Building Your TFSA: Why Canadian Stocks Should Still Be Your First Choice

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

There are good reasons beyond patriotism to overweight Canadian stocks inside a TFSA.

Read more »

Canadian Dollars bills
Dividend Stocks

2 Passive-Income ETFs to Buy and Hold Forever

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Both of these monthly income ETFs target dividend-paying Canadian stocks with above-average yields.

Read more »

Young adult concentrates on laptop screen
Dividend Stocks

If I Could Only Buy and Hold a Single Stock, This Would Be It

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Berkshire Hathaway breaks the "don't put all your eggs in one basket" rule.

Read more »

Yellow caution tape attached to traffic cone
Investing

The CRA Is Watching Your TFSA: 3 Dangers to Avoid

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Investing in a TFSA comes with great power, but also great responsibility.

Read more »

Financial analyst reviews numbers and charts on a screen
Dividend Stocks

Here’s Why I Can’t Bring Myself to Touch XIU With a 10‑Foot Pole

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Despite XIU's legacy and size, there are cheaper and more tax efficient S&P/TSX 60 ETFs available now.

Read more »

ETF is short for exchange traded fund, a popular investment choice for Canadians
Investing

Want a $1 Million Retirement? Look at These 3 Canadian ETFs to Hold for Decades

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

These low-cost Vanguard ETFs own Canadian stocks and are great for beginner investors.

Read more »

ETF is short for exchange traded fund, a popular investment choice for Canadians
Investing

2 Canadian ETFs to Buy and Hold in a TFSA Forever

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

This Vanguard dividend ETF duo is low-cost and fairly diversified.

Read more »

Transparent umbrella under heavy rain against water drops splash background. Rainy weather concept.
Investing

Got $100,000? The 1 ETF I’d Buy Today and Never Sell

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

This ETF uses the legendary "all-weather" hedge fund strategy pioneered by Ray Dalio and Bridgewater Associates.

Read more »

stocks climbing green bull market
Investing

The 1 Growth ETF That Could Turn Patient Investors Into Millionaires

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

An S&P 500 index ETF could help you compound your portfolio, but only if you have a high risk tolerance.

Read more »

Canadian Dollars bills
Dividend Stocks

Build a Lucrative Passive-Income Portfolio With $50,000

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Here’s how I would combine two monthly-paying, high-yield TSX ETFs for passive income in a TFSA.

Read more »

Man looks stunned about something
Metals and Mining Stocks

Don’t Buy Gold Mining Stocks Yet — Not Before You Read This Warning

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Gold is in a bull run, but investors should heed these warnings before buying gold miners.

Read more »

ETF stands for Exchange Traded Fund
Investing

2 Things About XQQ That’s An Absolute Deal Breaker

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

The higher expense ratio and currency hedging makes XQQ less attractive versus other Nasdaq-100 ETFs out there.

Read more »

ETFs can contain investments such as stocks
Investing

The 2 ETFs I’d Buy With $1,000 and Hold Forever

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Both of these ETFs are highly diversified, low cost, and can can complement Canadian dividend stocks well.

Read more »

ETFs can contain investments such as stocks
Investing

3 Canadian ETFs to Buy and Hold Now in Your TFSA

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

You can combine just three low-cost index ETFs to obtain a globally diversified stock portfolio.

Read more »

ETF stands for Exchange Traded Fund
Dividend Stocks

3 High-Yield Dividend ETFs to Buy to Generate Passive Income

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Dividend ETFs can be augmented with covered calls and leverage to boost yield, but this adds complexity and higher fees.

Read more »

ETF is short for exchange traded fund, a popular investment choice for Canadians
Investing

Earn a 14.5% Yield With This Bitcoin-Focused ETF

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

This Bitcoin-linked ETF sacrifices price appreciation for above-average monthly income.

Read more »

ETFs can contain investments such as stocks
Dividend Stocks

3 Canadian ETFs to Buy and Hold Forever in Your TFSA

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Combining just three low-cost index ETFs results in a diversified TFSA portfolio.

Read more »

ETF is short for exchange traded fund, a popular investment choice for Canadians
Dividend Stocks

These Are My 2 Favourite ETFs to Buy for 2026

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

I'm personally bullish on real assets for 2026. Here are two TSX ETFs that could provide exposure with decent dividends.

Read more »

man crosses arms and hands to make stop sign
Investing

2 ETFs You’ll Want to Avoid in January

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Both of these ETFs are prohibitively expensive for what they do.

Read more »

Hiker with backpack hiking on the top of a mountain
Investing

Use Your TFSA: Earn $420 Each Month in Tax-Free Income

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

This TSX income fund pays you $0.10 per share every month.

Read more »

ETFs can contain investments such as stocks
Dividend Stocks

1 Top High-Yield Dividend ETF to Buy to Generate Passive Income

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

This TSX dividend ETF pays on a monthly basis and currently sports a 4.4% yield.

Read more »

jar with coins and plant
Investing

Transform Your TFSA: Build the Ultimate Canadian Dividend Portfolio

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Both of these Vanguard ETFs pay monthly and target dividend-paying Canadian stocks.

Read more »

ETF stands for Exchange Traded Fund
Investing

Turn a $20,000 TFSA Into $75,000 With This Easy ETF

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

S&P 500 and chill.

Read more »

ETF is short for exchange traded fund, a popular investment choice for Canadians
Investing

1 ETF I’ll Hold for Dear Life

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

I would be comfortable holding this ETF though a repeat of the Great Depression.

Read more »

ETFs can contain investments such as stocks
Investing

A Top ETF to Buy With $2,000 and Hold Forever

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

This BMO ETF features an 80/20 stock/bond mix at a reasonable fee.

Read more »

ETFs can contain investments such as stocks
Stocks for Beginners

Start 2026 Strong: 3 Canadian ETFs for Smart Investors

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

These Vanguard ETFs target Canadian stocks using a variety of methods and are great for beginner investors.

Read more »

ETF stands for Exchange Traded Fund
Investing

Here Are My 2 Favourite Growth ETFs for 2026

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

These two ETFs provide one-stop-shop exposure to TSX listed growth stocks.

Read more »