Comments on Triaging My Way To Financial Success: Fixed Income Alternatives, Update I:

CD: not sure about the specific ex-dates because I...

2009-06-08T22:07:13.079-04:00

CD: not sure about the specific ex-dates because I bought these simply on very good valuations, but here are the payment dates that I've received funds so far:

KVM: December 1/June 1
KVT: May 1
KVR: March 16
KTP: March 2
KVJ: February 24
KCT: February 2
KNR: February 2

The all of these should have payments on six month schedules

I was thinking about feathering a few of these so ...

2009-06-08T14:21:29.652-04:00

I was thinking about feathering a few of these so I can get a monthly payment. Are the ex-dates pretty close to the payout dates?

trust me, you won't be disappointed with the event...

2009-05-29T20:01:16.179-04:00

trust me, you won't be disappointed with the eventual returns as you continue to put in the work.

Good comments BTB. I'm still an equity guy at hea...

2009-05-27T10:22:42.721-04:00

Good comments BTB. I'm still an equity guy at heart, but I've certainly learnt over the past two years a lot and intend to become more involved in fixed income investments as a way of both diversifying and increasing my returns for the future.

looks like you're slowly turning to the dark side....

2009-05-27T09:47:26.365-04:00

looks like you're slowly turning to the dark side.
I agree 100% with the strategy and allocations, best of luck.

It is absolutely correct, especially if investing in the US or internationally, that prices for bonds and fixed income (even etfs) can fluctuate as much or more than the stock market.

But the added bonus of fixed income instruments is the enhanced security you get in the form of priority of payments over common equity and return of capital.

there were debt issues of GE (issued at 5% interest and 5 year maturity) floating around most Canadian financial institutions back in march and early april that were selling for less than $80 a unit. Now the price is above $104. The key to getting those happy double-digit returns out of otherwise investment grade companies is to always keep some cash on hand and pick up discounts at times when the market starts irrationally panicking (about once or twice a year). Your own time frame and general knowledge of debt, assets, credit ratings and cash flow allow you to pick distressed bonds or other fixed income that other novice investors (who purchase common equity) would balk at.