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Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Author Bio

Tony turned a series of marijuana stock losses in 2017 into a self-employment venture, focused on helping retail investors build better portfolios with exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

He is the founder of ETF Portfolio Blueprint and the Lead ETF Analyst for ETF Central, a partnership between Trackinsight and the New York Stock Exchange. He also currently writes freelance for MoneySense, U.S. News & World Report, Kiplinger, and 24/7 Wall St., and runs an investing-focused newsletter called The Dumb Money Dispatch with 3,300+ subscribers.

Outside of finance, Tony owns a small ranch in rural British Columbia, raising goats and chickens, and also volunteers as a wildland firefighter in his local community. His background includes service in the Canadian Armed Forces as a reservist and stints in corporate security.

Education

  • Master of Science (MSc) in Enterprise Risk Management, Columbia University 
  • Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Criminology, Simon Fraser University
  • Certified ETF Advisor (CETF®), The ETF Institute
  • Securities Industry Essentials (SIE), FINRA
  • Canadian Securities Course (CSC), Canadian Securities Institute

Areas of Expertise

ETFs, mutual funds, Berkshire Hathaway, indexing, dividend stocks, royalty trusts, REITs, infrastructure, aerospace & defence, passive income investing, portfolio construction, risk management, RRSPs & TFSAs.

Social Media Profiles

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tzld96/

https://www.youtube.com/@okanaganhomesteader

Favorite Investment Quote

"Rule No. 1: Never lose money. Rule No. 2: Never forget Rule No. 1." - Warren Buffett 

Recent Articles

ETFs can contain investments such as stocks
Investing

A Canadian ETF Alternative: A Complete Stock Portfolio in 3 Picks

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Creating a diversified stock portfolio is easy thanks to these low-cost index ETFs.

Read more »

a person looks out a window into a cityscape
Stocks for Beginners

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

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

U.S. dividends are subject to an unavoidable 15% foreign withholding tax inside a TFSA.

Read more »

ETF stands for Exchange Traded Fund
Investing

The 1 Index Fund I’d Hold in My Portfolio Forever – No Hesitation

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

I'm a big fan of this gloablly diversified, low-cost Vanguard ETF.

Read more »

GettyImages-1394663007
Investing

Canadian Defensive Stocks to Buy Now for Stability

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Canada has entered a "technical recession" – here's which sectors and stocks may prove more resilient.

Read more »

man in bowtie poses with abacus
Investing

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

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

The TFSA is best used for long-term compounding, not short-term savings.

Read more »

dividend stocks are a good way to earn passive income
Dividend Stocks

This Monthly Income ETF Yields 12% — and it Deserves a Closer Look

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

MOAT is a unique income ETF that sells puts on wide-moat Canadian and American stocks.

Read more »

ETF stands for Exchange Traded Fund
Dividend Stocks

The 1 Strategic Canadian ETF I’d Make Sure Every TFSA Includes

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Is your TFSA heavy in Canadian stocks? This low-cost highly diversified ETF can help balance that out.

Read more »

ETFs can contain investments such as stocks
Dividend Stocks

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

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

This Canadian dividend ETF pays monthly and targets stocks that have grown payouts for at least five consecutive years.

Read more »

middle-aged couple work together on laptop
Dividend Stocks

A 7% Yielding Monthly Income ETF Every Canadian Should Review

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

This ETF combines low-volatility Canadian stocks with a options-based yield overlay.

Read more »

ETF stands for Exchange Traded Fund
Investing

3 Canadian ETFs to Buy and Hold Forever in Your TFSA

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Growth, income, and defensive investors can find utility with these Canadian ETF picks.

Read more »

ETFs can contain investments such as stocks
Dividend Stocks

2 Canadian ETFs to Buy and Hold in a TFSA Forever

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Long-term investors may find either of these low-cost Canadian ETFs appealing as a core TFSA holding.

Read more »

RRSP (Registered Retirement Savings Plan) on wooden blocks and Canadian one hundred dollar bills.
Investing

TFSA Investors: Here’s the Only Time Using a Taxable Account Is a Better Choice

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

If you're going to speculate with risky stock picks, consider using a non-registered account instead of a TFSA.

Read more »

ETFs can contain investments such as stocks
Investing

A 4% Yielding Monthly Income ETF Every Canadian Should Review

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Forget buying a rental property – this REIT ETF pays monthly income and can be held tax-free in a TFSA.

Read more »

woman looks ahead of her over water
Investing

This Is the Average TFSA Balance for Canadians at Age 60

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Here's what investments I think a 60-year-old investor should own in a TFSA.

Read more »

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

How to Use a TFSA to Bring In $500 a Month Completely Tax-Free

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

If you have a sizable TFSA balance, this TSX monthly income fund could put it to work.

Read more »

Blocks conceptualizing Canada's Tax Free Savings Account
Investing

How to Structure a $50,000 TFSA for Practically Constant Income

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Both of these ETFs use covered calls and leverage to deliver double-digit yields.

Read more »

middle-aged couple work together on laptop
Investing

Don’t Overthink It: The Best $21,000 TFSA Approach to Start 2026

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Seriously, just buy XEQT. It really is that simple!

Read more »

Hiker with backpack hiking on the top of a mountain
Investing

Use a TFSA to Earn $1,000 a Month With No Tax

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Owning EIT.UN in a large TFSA can unlock a decent tax-free monthly income stream.

Read more »

Blocks conceptualizing Canada's Tax Free Savings Account
Investing

If the Exchange Rate Swings, This TFSA Strategy Still Works

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

A CAD-hedged S&P 500 ETF can help investors participate in stock market gains while remaining insulated from foreign exchange rate…

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®

These ETFs can help TFSA investors optimize for growth, income, or a balance of both.

Read more »

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

3 Canadian ETFs Worth Tucking Into a TFSA and Holding for the Long Haul

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

All three of these Canadian ETFs boast low fees and decent diversification.

Read more »

oil pumps at sunset
Energy Stocks

Why I’d Choose This Dividend Stock Over Telus or BCE Any Day

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Telecoms are expected to face headwinds from falling immigration, while oil & gas stocks may benefit from the ongoing conflict.

Read more »

ETFs can contain investments such as stocks
Investing

Don’t Overthink It: The Best TFSA Approach to Start 2026

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Just buy XEQT!

Read more »

Retirees sip their morning coffee outside.
Retirement

Retirement Planning: How to Generate $2,000 in Monthly Income

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

This TSX monthly income fund could be a great core holding for retirement accounts.

Read more »

Investor reading the newspaper
Investing

What the TFSA Fine Print Says About Holding U.S. Stocks

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

U.S. investments lose 15% of their dividends when held inside a TFSA.

Read more »

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

Your TFSA Should Be Your Income Engine, Not Your RRSP

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Here's why passive income investors should prioritize their TFSA over a RRSP.

Read more »

four people hold happy emoji masks
Dividend Stocks

For Monthly Income: A 6.25% Dividend Stock to Consider

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Owning this TSX royalty stock is better than starting your own pizza restaurant.

Read more »

oil pumps at sunset
Dividend Stocks

1 Great Dividend I’d Buy Over Telus or BCE Stock Today

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

This TSX oil & gas royalty pays higher dividends with better fundamentals.

Read more »

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

How to Use a TFSA to Generate $363 in Monthly Tax-Free Income

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Passive income planning in a TFSA is easy thanks to this fund's fixed $0.10 per share monthly payout.

Read more »

Silver coins fall into a piggy bank.
Stocks for Beginners

The Simplest Way to Put $21,000 in a TFSA to Work in 2026

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Just buy XEQT and call it a day.

Read more »

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

TFSA Investors: Don’t Chase Yield — Do This Instead

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Total return, fees, and diversification matter far more than headline yield.

Read more »

Getty - percentage sign interest rate return performance sale discount
Investing

Interest Rates Aren’t Falling: Here’s What I’d Do With My TFSA

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Here's something sensible you can do today to ensure your financial well-being.

Read more »

Concept of multiple streams of income
Dividend Stocks

A TFSA Pick Yielding 7% With Dependable Cash Payments

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

This TSX income fund's monthly $0.10-per-share distribution is like clockwork.

Read more »

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

A 3.5% Yielding Monthly Income ETF Every Canadian Should Review

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

VDY might not be the highest-yielding dividend ETF, but it ranks among the best in terms of historical total returns.

Read more »

woman considering the future
Investing

How Much Does a Typical Canadian Have in Their TFSA at 50?

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Here's what the official stats from the CRA say about Gen X and their TFSA usage.

Read more »

ETF stands for Exchange Traded Fund
Dividend Stocks

3 Canadian ETFs Worth Buying and Holding in Your TFSA Right Now

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

These 3 low-cost Canadian index ETFs provide exposure to the broad market, blue-chips and dividend stocks, respectively.

Read more »

Piggy bank on a flying rocket
Investing

Power Up Your TFSA: This TSX-Listed ETF Delivers Tax-Free Monthly Cash Flow

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

XDIV pays monthly income with a current 3.6% 12-month trailing yield.

Read more »

woman checks off all the boxes
Investing

The TFSA Rules Around Global Investments That Many Canadians Don’t Know About

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Planning to own non-Canadian stocks in your TFSA? Give this article a read first.

Read more »

pregnant mother juggles work and childcare
Investing

Why Government Bonds Are Starting to Look Worth a Second Look

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

If you have a lower risk tolerance, an allocation to high-quality bonds could help you sleep better at night.

Read more »

dividend stocks are a good way to earn passive income
Dividend Stocks

How a TFSA Could Help You Earn $4,360 in Tax-Free Passive Income Each Year

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

This income-focused ETF from BMO remains low-cost and highly diversified.

Read more »