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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

Here’s Exactly How $14,000 in a TFSA Could Grow Into $47,600

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

An S&P 500 Index ETF has historically compounded at a very favourable rate, and in a TFSA that's all yours…

Read more »

various pizza in boxes in a row for lunch
Dividend Stocks

A Strong TFSA Stock Offering a 6% Yield and Monthly Paycheques

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

If you've ever eaten at Pizza Pizza, this TSX royalty stock could be a good "buy what you know" pick.

Read more »

dividend growth for passive income
Dividend Stocks

The Index Fund I’d Buy Today If I Wanted Decades of Passive Income

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

This Canadian ETF only holds stocks that have increased their dividends every year for at least 5 consecutive years.

Read more »

The TFSA is a powerful savings vehicle for Canadians who are saving for retirement.
Investing

Use a TFSA to Make $500 in Monthly Tax-Free Income

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Wringing your hands over the passive income math? This TSX monthly income fund makes planning much easier.

Read more »

ETF stands for Exchange Traded Fund
Dividend Stocks

Want Decades of Passive Income? Buy This ETF and Hold It Forever

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

This Vanguard Canadian dividend ETF pays monthly and has actually managed to beat the market.

Read more »

Warning sign with the text "Trade war" in front of container ship
Dividend Stocks

The Canadian Stocks Worth Owning When a Trade War Hits

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

These TSX grocery stocks have a lower beta and could be more insulated from tariff volatility.

Read more »

Blocks conceptualizing Canada's Tax Free Savings Account
Investing

How to Turn $25,000 in TFSA Savings Into a Steady Stream of Cash

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

This TSX income fund pays a fixed $0.10 per share monthly distribution.

Read more »

you're never too young or old to start investing in stocks
Investing

Just Starting Out? 2 Simple ETFs That Any Canadian Investor Can Use

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

These two low-cost Vanguard and iShares index ETFs provide exposure to U.S. and Canadian stocks.

Read more »

construction workers talk on the job site
Investing

Why Now Is the Time to Invest in Canada’s Infrastructure Boom

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Canada is on a quest to build back better, and this income ETF could be a good way to participate…

Read more »

Oil industry worker works in oilfield
Metals and Mining Stocks

A Monthly-Paying TSX Stock With a 6.3% Dividend Yield Worth Adding to Your Radar

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

This TSX oil and gas royalty cuts you a fat dividend check every month.

Read more »

Blocks conceptualizing Canada's Tax Free Savings Account
Investing

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

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

This TSX income fund's fixed $0.1 per share monthly payout makes calculations a breeze.

Read more »

man in bowtie poses with abacus
Investing

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

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Here's the passive income math using the 4% rule and a TFSA.

Read more »

ETFs can contain investments such as stocks
Investing

2 Monthly Income ETFs With Impressive Yields Worth Considering

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Both of these TSX monthly income ETFs use covered calls and leverage to boost yields to double digits.

Read more »

monthly calendar with clock
Dividend Stocks

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

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

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

Read more »

Middle aged man drinks coffee
Investing

What a Typical Canadian TFSA Actually Looks Like at 55

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Here's what the official data from Canada Revenue says about TFSA usage for Gen X.

Read more »

ETFs can contain investments such as stocks
Investing

Why I Keep Adding to This ETF and Never Plan to Stop

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

ALLW is why I sleep well at night despite all the risks out there for my investments.

Read more »

ETF stands for Exchange Traded Fund
Investing

This Monthly Income ETF Yields 12%, and Every Canadian Should Take Note

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

HDIF is geared for monthly income, but it comes with complexities due to the use of leverage and covered calls.

Read more »

ETF stands for Exchange Traded Fund
Investing

The 1 Strategic Canadian ETF Every TFSA Should Have

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Is your portfolio heavy in Canadian dividend stocks? This diversified ETF can be a global counterweight.

Read more »

Couple working on laptops at home and fist bumping
Investing

Here Are My 2 Favourite ETFs for 2026

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Both of these ETFs target dividend-growth stocks, with one focused on Canada and the other on America.

Read more »

ETFs can contain investments such as stocks
Investing

3 Canadian ETFs I’d Hold in a TFSA and Never Sell

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

These Canadian equity ETFs are fairly affordable and diversified.

Read more »

ETF stands for Exchange Traded Fund
Investing

The Best ETF to Invest $1,000 in Right Now

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

This S&P 500 ETF is low-cost and great for beginner investors.

Read more »

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

3 Major Red Flags the CRA Is Watching for Every TFSA Holder

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Here are some things you should not do in a TFSA to stay on the CRA's good side.

Read more »

ETFs can contain investments such as stocks
Investing

Vanguard S&P 500 ETF: A Smart Buy for Long-Term Investors Right Now

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Here's a breakdown of the practical differences between all three of Vanguard's S&P 500 ETFs.

Read more »

a person watches stock market trades
Investing

1 No-Brainer ETF to Buy If You Think Stocks Are Overvalued

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

This ETF targets U.S. value stocks using a rules-based index methodology.

Read more »

ETFs can contain investments such as stocks
Investing

The Canadian ETFs Most Investors Are Overlooking Right Now

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Neither of these ETFs holds flashy companies, but they can make sense for contrarian investors.

Read more »

ETF stands for Exchange Traded Fund
Investing

2 Canadian ETFs to Buy and Hold in a TFSA Forever

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Both of these Canadian ETFs pay monthly dividends and can be great core holdings inside a TFSA.

Read more »

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

The Best S&P 500 ETF to Invest $500 in Right Now

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Here's why I prefer BMO's S&P 500 ETF over the rest.

Read more »

Blocks conceptualizing Canada's Tax Free Savings Account
Investing

Use a TFSA to Make $500 in Monthly Tax-Free Income

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Every share of this TSX income fund you buy will pay $0.10 monthly.

Read more »

ETFs can contain investments such as stocks
Investing

My Top 3 Canadian ETF Picks Heading Into Market Uncertainty

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

The stock market is highly volatile right now, but these defensive equity ETFs could help investors sleep better at night.

Read more »

ETF stands for Exchange Traded Fund
Investing

Looking for Market Defence? Canadian Dividend ETFs Are a One-Stop Solution

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

This Canadian dividend ETF focuses on companies that have increased payout for at least six consecutive years.

Read more »

ETFs can contain investments such as stocks
Investing

3 ETFs to Buy Not Named VFV

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

VFV is highly popular, but I think these other U.S. equity ETFs deserve a closer look.

Read more »

ETF stands for Exchange Traded Fund
Investing

2 Monthly Income ETFs With Yields Reaching as High as 12%

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Both of these income ETFs pay monthly and generate high yields from covered calls and light leverage.

Read more »

Yellow caution tape attached to traffic cone
Dividend Stocks

4.66% Yield? Here’s a Dividend Trap to Avoid in March

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

I'm surprised this bank is still around, much less paying a 4.66% dividend yield.

Read more »

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

My 2 Favourite High-Yield ETFs for Passive Income in 2026

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Both of these Canadian Bank ETFs employ leverage and covered calls to deliver 10-14% yields.

Read more »

young people stare at smartphones
Dividend Stocks

BCE’s Dividend: What Every Investor Needs to Know

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

BCE's dividend is safe for now, but I'm still not bullish on the company's long-term prospects.

Read more »

top TSX stocks to buy
Investing

How Canadians Can Invest in the S&P 500, Nasdaq 100, and Dow Jones With ETFs

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Are you interested in U.S. stocks? Here are three ways you can add them to your portfolio via index ETFs.

Read more »

A worker uses a double monitor computer screen in an office.
Investing

The Only Index Fund I’d Buy and Never Sell

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

I would be comfortable holding this index ETF through the worst recessions and bear markets.

Read more »

Concept of multiple streams of income
Energy Stocks

A Hands-Off Canadian Energy Stock That Cuts You a Cheque Every Month

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

Owning shares of FRU is like striking oil in your backyard, but better.

Read more »

Sliced pumpkin pie
Tech Stocks

The Canadian Company Wall Street Is Ignoring — and Why That’s Your Opportunity

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

I don't usually pick stocks, but this TSXV naval defence startup is going on my watchlist.

Read more »

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

How to Invest Like Ray Dalio With This All-Weather ETF

| Tony Dong, MSc, CETF®

ALLW is a highly unique hedge fund like ETF that may be enticing to advanced investors.

Read more »