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Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Tony turned a series of 2017 marijuana stock losses into a freelance career advocating for ETF investing. He currently holds a Master’s in Risk Management from Columbia University and is a Certified ETF Advisor (CETF®). Tony is the founder of ETF Portfolio Blueprint (etfportfolioblueprint.com) and the Lead ETF Analyst for ETF Central, a partnership between Trackinsight and the NYSE. His analysis has also been featured in publications like Kiplinger, 24/7 Wall St., U.S. News & World Report, TheStreet, and Benzinga.

Recent Articles

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

Why I Think This Canadian ETF Deserves a Spot in Everyone’s Portfolio

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

It really can be as easy as "just buy XEQT"

Read more »

diversification is an important part of building a stable portfolio
Dividend Stocks

Here’s What’s Really Happening With Telus’s Dividend

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Telus cut its dividend as predicted, but the stock still isn't out of the woods.

Read more »

ETF stands for Exchange Traded Fund
Investing

Here Are 3 Canadian ETFs I’d Hold in My TFSA for Years

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

These Canadian ETFs from BMO provide broad diversification, lower risk, and monthly dividends.

Read more »

man touches brain to show a good idea
Investing

Here’s the TFSA Mistake I See Canadians Make All the Time

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

U.S. stocks and ETFs held in a TFSA will lose 15% of their dividends to foreign withholding tax.

Read more »

ETFs can contain investments such as stocks
Investing

Want Instant Diversification? Here Are 3 Canadian ETFs I’d Buy

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

This 3-ETF combo covers U.S., Canadian, and international developed equity markets.

Read more »

Blocks conceptualizing the Registered Retirement Savings Plan
Retirement

TFSA vs. RRSP: The Simple Rules Canadians Forget

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Here are the factors I would personally weigh when deciding between TFSA versus RRSP contributions.

Read more »

up arrow on wooden blocks
Dividend Stocks

The Canadian Companies That’ve Been Quietly Raising Their Dividend Payouts

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Here's a simple way to target Canadian dividend-growth stocks.

Read more »

A close up color image of a small green plant sprouting out of a pile of Canadian dollar coins "loonies."
Dividend Stocks

Why Canadian Dividend ETFs Could Be the Simplest Way to Defend Your Portfolio

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Dividend investing isn't a perfect strategy, but it's "good enough" for beginner investors.

Read more »

ETFs can contain investments such as stocks
Investing

A Canadian ETF Alternative: A Complete Stock Portfolio in 2 Picks

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Just two low-cost index ETFs can provide investors with a diversified equity portfolio.

Read more »

Electricity transmission towers with orange glowing wires against night sky
Investing

The Utilities Play: Boring, Reliable, and Suddenly Very Profitable

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Here's why Canadian utility stocks could be a better way to capitalize on AI spending.

Read more »

Canada national flag waving in wind on clear day
Investing

The Sectors Where Canada Actually Beats the United States

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Canadian energy stocks and financial stocks continue to outpace their U.S. counterparts.

Read more »

coins jump into piggy bank
Bank Stocks

What Investors Should Understand About Canadian Bank Stocks This Year

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Here's my take on the outlook for Canadian bank stocks heading into the second half of 2026.

Read more »

traffic signal shows red light
Investing

Small Print TFSA Rules Affecting U.S. Stocks

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Give this article a read before you buy and hold U.S. stocks inside a TFSA.

Read more »

senior couple looks at investing statements
Retirement

CPP and OAS Aren’t Enough: Here’s How to Fill the Gap

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

A TFSA plus an income ETF can be a retiree's best friend for augmenting CPP and OAS.

Read more »

woman stares at chocolate layer cake
Investing

What the Typical 25-Year-Old Canadian Has Saved in a TFSA

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Here's how much the average 25-year-old Canadian has in a TFSA, and one ETF I like as an all-in-one holding.

Read more »

Investor wonders if it's safe to buy stocks now
Investing

The Key Things to Understand Before Holding U.S. Stocks in a TFSA

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Here's the truth behind the pros and cons of owning U.S. stocks inside a TFSA.

Read more »

investor schemes to buy stocks before market notices them
Dividend Stocks

BCE’s Dividend: What Every Investor Needs to Know

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

BCE's dividend has stabilized after last year's cut, but the company is still facing significant headwinds.

Read more »

Two seniors walk in the forest
Investing

The Typical TFSA Balance for Canadians Approaching 60

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Here's what someone approaching retirement typically has in a TFSA, and how I would personally invest it.

Read more »

Canadian dollars are printed
Dividend Stocks

Your TFSA Should Be Your Income Engine, Not Your RRSP

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

A high-yield fund inside a TFSA can create hands-off passive income.

Read more »

Blocks conceptualizing Canada's Tax Free Savings Account
Investing

Why Many Canadians Aren’t Using Their TFSA the Right Way

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Here are the two most common mistakes I see TFSA investors making.

Read more »

dividends can compound over time
Investing

3 Habits That TFSA Millionaires Have in Common

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Following these three simple steps could help you attain a seven-figure balance in your TFSA.

Read more »

middle-aged couple work together on laptop
Investing

The Average TFSA Balance at 55, and How to Improve Yours

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Here's what the average 55-year-old Canadian has invested in a TFSA, and how to improve.

Read more »

Piggy bank with word TFSA for tax-free savings accounts.
Investing

Your TFSA Should Be Your Income Engine, Not Your RRSP

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

If you're after passive income, prioritizing the TFSA may be sensible.

Read more »

Piggy bank and Canadian coins
Investing

A Canadian ETF I’d Seriously Consider Adding to My Portfolio in 2026

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

I'm focusing on my emergency fund for the rest of 2026, and this safer ETF fits the bill.

Read more »

ETF stands for Exchange Traded Fund
Investing

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

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

A TFSA offers powerful benefits, so it's best not to waste them on low-returning investments.

Read more »

middle-aged couple work together on laptop
Investing

Here’s What the Typical Canadian’s TFSA Balance Looks Like at Age 60

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Here's how much the average Canadian 60-year old has in their TFSA, and which ETF might be suitable for this…

Read more »

woman considering the future
Investing

2 Canadian Stocks That Could Hold Up in a Technical Recession

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Low-beta stocks from less cyclical sectors could hold up better in a technical recession.

Read more »

Map of Canada showing connectivity
Dividend Stocks

What’s the Deal with Telus’s Dividend?

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

I wouldn't be surprised if Telus eventually followed BCE and cut its dividend to conserve cash.

Read more »

Senior uses a laptop computer
Dividend Stocks

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

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Concentrating all on a single stock is universally a bad idea, but I would make an exception for Berkshire Hathaway.

Read more »

TFSA (Tax-Free Savings Account) on wooden blocks and Canadian one hundred dollar bills.
Investing

Maximizing Returns: How to Best Use Your TFSA in 2026

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

r/justbuyvgro on Reddit has a point when it comes to TFSA investing strategies.

Read more »

Blocks conceptualizing Canada's Tax Free Savings Account
Investing

The TFSA’s Hidden Fine Print When it Comes to U.S. Investments

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

U.S. dividends lose 15% before hitting your account in a TFSA. Here are some ways to mitigate that.

Read more »

pig shows concept of sustainable investing
Investing

What the Average Canadian TFSA Balance Looks Like at Age 50

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Here's how much the average 50-year old Canadian has in their TFSA, and one ETF that could put it to…

Read more »

Piggy bank with word TFSA for tax-free savings accounts.
Retirement

This Is the TFSA Balance You’ll Likely Need to Retire Comfortably in Canada

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Here's how much an investor needs to accumulate in a TFSA to retire comfortably off it alone.

Read more »

pig shows concept of sustainable investing
Investing

How Much Canadians Typically Have in a TFSA by Age 55

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Here's how much the average 55-year old has in their TFSA, and one possible ETF for putting it to work.

Read more »

TFSA (Tax free savings account) acronym on wooden cubes on the background of stacks of coins
Investing

How Does Your TFSA Compare to the $109,000 Milestone?

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

As of 2026, $109,000 is the theoretical maximum a Canadian investor can contribute to their TFSA.

Read more »

Blocks conceptualizing Canada's Tax Free Savings Account
Retirement

A Simple Way for Canadians to Earn $500 a Month Tax-Free From a TFSA

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

This BMO balanced ETF is highly diversified and pays a 6% annualized target yield with monthly distributions.

Read more »

Canadian Dollars bills
Dividend Stocks

How to Build a $50,000 TFSA That Throws Off Nearly Constant Income

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

This diversified BMO ETF delivers a high yield without any gimmicks or excessive fees.

Read more »

Hiker with backpack hiking on the top of a mountain
Investing

How to Use a TFSA to Bring in $1,000 a Month Completely Tax-Free

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

This TSX fund pays a fixed $0.10 per share monthly distribution, which makes passive income planning easy.

Read more »

ETF stands for Exchange Traded Fund
Dividend Stocks

The Top 3 Canadian ETFs I’m Considering for 2026

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

These iShares ETFs target broad, blue-chip, and dividend-focused Canadian stocks at a low fee.

Read more »

ETFs can contain investments such as stocks
Dividend Stocks

2 Canadian ETFs I’d Lock Into a TFSA and Never Touch

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Let the broad diversification and low fees of these two Canadian ETFs work for you!

Read more »