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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

coins jump into piggy bank
Investing

Why Investing $1,000 in Stocks Today Could Be Worth More Than Your Entire Life Savings Someday

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Buying and holding the S&P 500 remains a viable way to financial freedom.

Read more »

ETF stands for Exchange Traded Fund
Investing

Interest Rate Cuts Are Especially Good News for These 2 TSX Sectors (and These ETFs)

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

These two TSX sector ETFs pay nice dividend yields and could respond well to interest rate cuts.

Read more »

resting in a hammock with eyes closed
Energy Stocks

1 Dividend Stock I Like Better Than BCE for Set-and-Forget Investing

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Unlike BCE, this critical pipeline company hasn't cut its dividend.

Read more »

money goes up and down in balance
Bank Stocks

Here’s How Many Shares of RBC and TD You Need to Pay Your Monthly Bank Fees

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Owning productive assets like stocks can help you pay for the various fees life throws at you.

Read more »

Partially complete jigsaw puzzle with scattered missing pieces
Stocks for Beginners

60 Easy Canadian Stock Picks for Your $500

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

You can buy 60 of the best blue-chip stocks in Canada via this low-cost index ETF.

Read more »

Blocks conceptualizing Canada's Tax Free Savings Account
Investing

How I’d Structure My TFSA With $7,000 for Consistent Monthly Income

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

This TSX monthly income fund pays $0.1 per share like clockwork.

Read more »

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

Is Algonquin a Good Dividend Stock to Buy?

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

If you're a dividend investor, consider avoiding AQN and picking this utility income ETF instead.

Read more »

ETFs can contain investments such as stocks
Dividend Stocks

A Dividend Champion Every Canadian Needs in Their TFSA

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

This ETF is purposely built to capture Canada's best dividend paying stocks.

Read more »

Printing canadian dollar bills on a print machine
Dividend Stocks

TFSA Cash Machine: 2 Monthly Payers You’ll Want to Own in 2025 and Beyond

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

These TSX listed funds pay dividends on a monthly basis.

Read more »

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

1 Dividend Stock to Calm Your Fears About Running Out of Money in Retirement

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Enbridge is a blue-chip company I like using as a case study for income investing.

Read more »

ETFs can contain investments such as stocks
Dividend Stocks

Just Opened a TFSA? These Index ETFs Are Great for Beginner Investors

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Investors can create a globally diversified, low-cost portfolio with just three index ETFs.

Read more »

ETF stands for Exchange Traded Fund
Investing

These 2 ETFs Could Be Safe Havens During the Next Market Crash

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Both of these ETFs have relatively stable share prices and pay monthly income.

Read more »

House models and one with REIT real estate investment trust.
Investing

3 TSX REITs Every Canadian Real Estate Investor Needs

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Grabbing these three TSX REITs gives you residential, retail, and industrial real estate exposure with monthly income.

Read more »

Natural gas
Dividend Stocks

How Many Shares of Fortis and Enbridge Do You Need to Pay the Gas Bill?

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Dividend stocks can help you cultivate a mindset of owning productive assets to pay for expenses.

Read more »

monthly calendar with clock
Investing

This TSX Monthly Income Fund Pays $0.10 for Every Share You Buy

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Passive income investing is easy thanks to funds like EIT.UN

Read more »

ETFs can contain investments such as stocks
Dividend Stocks

Don’t Fall for BCE’s Dividend: Buy This Monthly High-Yield ETF Instead

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

This infrastructure-themed ETF owns a variety of telecoms, pipelines, and utilities.

Read more »

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

All the Brookfield Stocks Explained for Beginning Investors

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Confused about all the Brookfield tickers floating around? Here's a guide for making sense of this mess.

Read more »

Middle aged man drinks coffee
Dividend Stocks

Buying Stocks Doesn’t Have to Be Hard: It’s Actually as Easy as Grabbing a Double Double

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Here's a simple "buy what you know" example using the parent company of Tim Hortons

Read more »

man crosses arms and hands to make stop sign
Investing

Everyone’s Saying, “Just Buy XEQT.” Please Don’t

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

"Just buy XEQT" is an over-simplification and won't make you a good investor.

Read more »

Hourglass and stock price chart
Investing

The Best Ways to Invest With the S&P 500 and TSX at All-Time Highs

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Yes, the market is looking expensive right no. No, it doesn't mean you should sit in cash on the sidelines.

Read more »

A woman stands on an apartment balcony in a city
Investing

Earn Monthly Rent Income Tax Free in a TFSA With This TSX Apartment REIT

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

I'd rather own this TSX apartment REIT over a Toronto condo.

Read more »

a man relaxes with his feet on a pile of books
Investing

Is VEQT the Smartest Investment You Can Make Today?

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

VEQT is a fine investment, but it's far from the "best" out there in 2025.

Read more »

3 colorful arrows racing straight up on a black background.
Stock Market

Why it’s OK to Invest Even With the TSX at All-Time Highs

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Bull markets can cause a different type of anxiety compared to bear markets.

Read more »

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

VFV versus VSP: Which S&P 500 ETF is Better for Canadian Investors?

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Both of these ETFs track the S&P 500 Index but do so with slight differences.

Read more »

dividends-sign-on-desk
Investing

2 Monthly Paying Dividend ETFs Canadian Retirees Can Buy for Steady Income

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Both of these ETFs pay monthly yields of 3.5% and above.

Read more »

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

Forget AI ETFs: This Global Technology ETF Is More Diversified

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

This TD ETF is cheaper and has a longer track record.

Read more »

a woman sleeps with her eyes covered with a mask
Tech Stocks

3 Ways to Invest in AI That Will Let You Sleep at Night

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

These AI ETFs can make the ups and downs of the sector easier to stomach.

Read more »

Man holds Canadian dollars in differing amounts
Investing

Your First Stock Purchase Could Be the Most Life-Changing Decision You Ever Make

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

TL;DR: Pick quality blue-chip companies instead of unprofitable meme stocks.

Read more »

Income and growth financial chart
Investing

$1,000 in the ZSP ETF Could Turn Into $26,000

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

The S&P 500 Index remains one of the cheapest, best performing benchmarks for ETFs to track.

Read more »

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

All-Time Highs for Stocks: These 2 ETFs Still Look Undervalued

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Value ETFs and low volatility ETFs can provide respite from an overheated market.

Read more »

ETF stands for Exchange Traded Fund
Investing

Can Buying the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF Make You a Millionaire?

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Investing in VFV can make you a millionaire, but only if you follow these steps.

Read more »

Piggy bank on a flying rocket
Investing

Why Investing $1,000 in Stocks Today Could Be Worth More Than Your Entire Life Savings Someday

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Here's why investors should always maintain a long-term mindset and stay the course.

Read more »

Start line on the highway
Investing

Why Starting Small in Stocks Today Could Make You Rich Tomorrow—Even If You Know Nothing

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Thanks to index funds, even new investors can become rich over time if they're patient and disciplined.

Read more »

Income and growth financial chart
Dividend Stocks

The TSX Index Is Crushing BCE Stock This Year – Here’s Why

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

BCE is dead money. Invest in the S&P/TSX 60 instead.

Read more »

pig shows concept of sustainable investing
Investing

It’s Not Too Late to Start Investing for Your Family’s Legacy

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

if you take care of others, these steps can help you ensure stability.

Read more »

chart reflected in eyeglass lenses
Investing

The Most Important Thing for Canadian Investors to Watch in 2025

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Here are two notable microeconomics trend sand events you should keep an eye on.

Read more »

man crosses arms and hands to make stop sign
Investing

3 Mistakes Canadian Stock Investors Might Be Making

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Fixing these three common errors can help you improve your net returns.

Read more »

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

Is the Vanguard S&P 500 Index ETF (VFV) a Buy Now?

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

VFV is dirt cheap and highly popular, but valuations are currently running hot.

Read more »

stocks climbing green bull market
Investing

Should You Be Buying Stocks If the TSX Is Hitting New Highs?

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

The short answer: yes, invest consistently and often.

Read more »

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

1 Top Artificial Intelligence ETF to Buy Right Now

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

This AI ETF charges a relatively low fee for active management.

Read more »