Increasing Retirement Portfolio contributions

I’ve decided to re-allocate and increase my Retirement Portfolio contributions from $150/bi-weekly to $175/bi-weekly. Not a big increase, but every dollar counts.

My current portfolio is very very conservative, with 80% in fixed income mutual funds. Because I plan on using the First-Time Home Buyer’s Plan, I’m happy with the way I’ve been contributing over the past year.

But now that I’ve built up a good fixed income base (that I can count on when the time comes to buy my first property), I’m going to start diversifying my portfolio a little more. Especially now with the market still down.

So, here is how I’m going to make my purchases for a while:

• 28% – fixed income (Canadian MM & T-bills)
• 42% – international equity
• 15% – US equity
• 15% – Canadian equity

Of course, nothing is set in stone. This is just what I’m trying out for now.