Help with my Stock Portfolio!

EstateReal said: "live in Canada so I bought TD Canadian stocks. I will buy 5 shares every 2 weeks for 1 year to get the dividends going.. (I might mix them with Scotia too) And then I will diversify with solid Insurance companies.. And maybe a Real Estate Corp. I would like my portfolio to be 70% Bank Stocks. (TD, Scotia, and Royal) 20% Insurance 10% Precious metals, Pipeline, Real estate 1. Any suggestions or improvements on my plan would be really apreciated. Im still new at the stock game and Im open minded. (I like long term dividend producing Stocks, No brainers if you will.. Lower risk) 2. Any stock book suggestions?"

EstateReal said: "Ive added IRETS and ALD to my Stock base. Let me know what you think of these 2 pics and of my portfolio. Any input is apreciated since these are my long term building block stocks. I dont mind being picked apart and listening to suggestions. This is how I learn. Thanks Everyone!! I know have: [B]TD Can.[/B] 30% Bank Stock [B]SNB Can. [/B] 30% Bank Stock [B]ALD [/B] 20% Investment Firm [B]IRETS[/B] 20% Real Estate"

JAP said: "My opinion... you're too heavily weighted in financials. I understand what you're saying about dividends, but if you're going long term, broad diversification is needed. Many novice investors usually equate dividend stocks as being "safe". The amount you'll make from the dividends won't matter that much if financials get hit hard and 70% of your portfolio goes in the tank."

holzie said: "It's in the technique and the kind of nerve you have. Check this article out, it basically shows how important it is to know your company and if you avoid panic on a drop, especially huge drop, your wins are astounding. I always buy what I like and what I know. [URL="http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/03/20/get-ready-for-a-25-drop.aspx?source=eptyholnk303100&logvisit=y&npu=y"]http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2007/03/20/get-ready-for-a-25-drop.aspx?source=eptyholnk303100&logvisit=y&npu=y[/URL] Holz."

LongArm said: "I agree with JAP. Spread out into some different sectors/categories. That way, if one sector is stinking, other sectors will help keep the overall portfolio afloat. Also, if you're going to buy only 5 shares every two weeks, I hope you'll be buying them through a DRIP or something. Otherwise, trading fees are going to take a large chunk of your investment."

EstateReal said: "Alot of good responses here. I took the stocks I did due to the longetivity of the companies. Past performance. Dividends and for the fact that I like these companies and there goals. Basically Banks and Financial Institutions are legalized loan sharkers. They just don't lose much. Real Estate like IRETS. I figure as the company gets older their name will get stronger and they will only have more and more money as they re-invest in Commercial, Industrial and Hospital buildings. So what other markets could I focus on? I was thinking Energy and Metals are a bit risky. What do you guys think??"