Another thougth on optimizing TFSA.

How about using the TFSA and RRSP in conjunction with each other.

Say you put in $5000 into the TFSA in 2009 and it grows to $8000.

Towards the end of 2009, you can sell your shares within the TFSA, withdraw it and put it into your self directed RRSP where you can buy whatever you want, including the shares that you have just sold.

Now you still have the shares, but you also have an RRSP contribution and likely a tax refund that you can then put right back into your TFSA in 2010. You will have the $5,000 room from 2010 plus the $8,000 that was withdrawn in 2009.

The above obviously assumes that you have available space in your RRSP constribution room.

Just a thought from a little guy.