54 Ways to Save Money

Dec. 6, 2018

Introduction

It is so important for me to learn how to save money. Here is the article link called 54 ways to save money. I like to write down my most favorite 5 ways.

Julia's most favorite ways

I like to work on basics on saving money, since I have so many mistakes, lessons I can write in terms of personal finance. The idea is to study some article, and then I will related to my own experience and share my mistakes and lessons.

My most favorite learning are in the following:

Use the 24 hour rule. 
Treat yourself, but use it as an opportunity to save

18 medium level stack algorithm

Dec. 6, 2018

Introduction

It is time for me to work on stack medium level algorithms. I have to work on 18 of them, I finished two of them today.

Thinking about stack

I did make mistakes this June in one of code screens, I failed to write the algorithm using stack and then using linear time complexity. The algorithm is called infix expression to binary tree. And later on I found one of medium level algorithm tagged by stack on Leetcode.com.

297. Serialize and Deserialize Binary Tree

Dec. 6, 2018

Introduction

It is the tree hard level algorithm. I reviewed my submission three  years ago, which could not pass online judge. I just used the same solution for the medium level tree algorithm less than one month ago, and it works.

My solution

How to live under mean?

Dec. 5, 2018

Introduction

I made so many mistakes in my life to waste the money, so I like to write a blog called how to live under mean.

How to live under mean?

It is hard to make a living in Canada. I documented that I had to pay one maintenance over $800 for car maintenance, just a simple oil change is needed. I did one oil change by myself in Florida before 2010, my friend coached me how to do it, I did climb underneath my Ford Explorer.

I made mistakes to choose dishonest auto shops, and ended up wasting a lot of money from 2010 to 2018.

How to Live on $13,000 a Year

Here is the link.

How to Invest: Becoming a Millionaire | Phil Town

Dec. 5, 2018

Introduction

It is not an easy task to learn to be an investor. I like to make changes, I like to spend time to learn one video a time.

A video to watch

Here is the link of video called "How to invest: Becoming a millionaire".

7:00/ 13:46 overcome the fear. The challenge for you is to buy when other people are afraid. This is a giant secret Warren Buffet to tell people over 50 years.

7:20/ 13:46 The critical thing is to be able to understand the business, you see it as a business. Great management, big mode, you know the margin safety price.

7:47/13:46 Are you worrying about the market continued to go down? We can buy the business on sale, do it then. You do not do it a little bit. You have to load up a damn truck. You hold out a bucket. Do not hold a thumb.

8:33/13:46 You load up the truck.


1. Find a business that you like.
2. Find the value of the business.
3. Watch it until it's at the margin of Safety price.
4. When the price is where you want it, buy it.
5. Start acting like the owner of the business. (8:40/ 13:46)
Not own 50 stocks. Own 5 or 10 stocks only.
6. Start stockpiling it
Control emotion, buy more.


10:02/ 13:46
Every time I buy the stock, the stock prices goes down. I will load the truck every time the stock price goes down.


Big five numbers:
Earnings growth
Sales growth
Book value growth
Cash flow growth
Return on investment capital


11:45
7. You're going to inevitably sell. 
You are going to sell. Sell it on greedy.

8. Repeat

Actionable Items

I like to answer the questions.

1. Find a business you like
What business I like? Software? Enterprise software? Microsoft? Facebook? Amazon?

12 Habits of Phenomenally Frugal Families

Here is the link.

Why it is hard to learn frugal life style?

Dec. 5, 2018

Introduction

It is my personal finance research. I found out that it was so important for me to learn to live a frugal life style.

Case study

I like to do case study of 22 trips to USA shopping from 2010 to 2014.

8 Big Budgeting Blunders – and How to Fix Them

Here is the link.

Tools and Tricks to Curb Impulse Spending

Here is the link.

5 Ways to Avoid Expensive 'Lifestyle Inflation'

Here is the link.

How to Live Within Your Means (Without Feeling Cheap) | Phil Town

Here is the link.

Life style inflation. 3% inflation.
Do not join the country club.

Increase your life style. Buy something to impress people who do not care.

One Life-Changing Class You Never Took: Alexa von Tobel at TEDxWallStreet

Here is the link.

How to double the money?

Dec. 4, 2018

Introduction

It is 25 minutes video. Here is the link.

My notes

1. Income problem
2. Expense
3. Taxes
4. Investments
5. Identity

- negotiate
- live below your mean
- Rent everything
- Fire consultants
- Pay higher, hire less
- Technology - min payroll

Risk tolerance, time horizon

1. Specialize
2.
3.
4.
5.

What if I purchase a home in every city I work?

Dec. 4, 2018

Introduction

It is a good research topic called purchase a home every city I work or live. I lived in the city of Yichun, jiangxi province, Shanghai city, Boca Raton in Florida, Vancouver in Canada. What if I purchase a home in every city I live. How can I possible do that? How to do that if possible.

My research and case study 

I already owned a home in the city of Boca Raton, in 2017, after I purchased in 1999, I paid it off with $25,000 home equity line debt. I had to take loss to purchase US dollars over $22,000 Canadian dollars with rate 0.80.

I also paid for a home as a gift to my mom in the city of Yichun in year 2000, I paid every thing with extra to do internal simple decoration, my mom passed away in November 2017, based on my sister who made purchase, I may own 1/12 share. I am a Christian, and I do not want to get into any dispute since I learn from bible teaching. Also I like to learn how the money doubles value if I gives away, but I spent 10 times more and then ended up nothing left. I want to learn.

I did not purchase a home in the city of Yichun. I paid for one but it is a gift but I did not own it.

It is tough for me to review those financial records of expenses and I did not learn to adapt from 1999 to 2001. Personal finance is not tough to learn and get idea how to live under mean.

Now the topic is how I can purchase a home in the city of Vancouver and Shanghai. How can I do it?

If I learn the money game, and also I work very hard, do not purchase brand new car; keep my old car in Florida. I rent out the second bedroom, do not invite my mom to visit me in Florida; work very hard to save every dollar. I should be able to save $40,000 US dollars from 1999 to 2001. I should be able to purchase a home in Shanghai using $300,000 Chinese Yuan/ 1000 square foot using cash, US dollar $40,000 dollars. But in reality, I was never able to save more than $20,000 dollars and had ideas how to spend the savings from 1999 to 2001.

City of Shanghai

I have so many classmates of SJTU undergraduate and graduate owning home in Shanghai. I worked in the city of Shanghai from 1988 to 1989, and then I went back to work from 1992 to 1994, and changed a job to work from 1994 to 1996. When I left Shanghai, I had $8,000 Chinese dollars, after I purchased expensive airline ticket, I only had less than $1000 dollars left and I was lucky to have scholarship from Math department of FAU. I asked my friend and she asked her boss lady to provide a bank letter to help me to show $3,000 US dollar to cover living expenses back in 1996.

Based on the fact that my finance data in 1996, I did not have chance to purchase a home in the city of Shanghai when I left Shanghai. At that time, the home price is $3000/ square meters.

Technically I could not get a loan since I do not have enough down payment around $60,000 RMB. I changed the job and the two years salary in total is $28, 000 RMB from 1994 to 1996.

City of Boca Raton

I got a computer science master degree in 1988 in Florida. I worked full time from 1998 to 2001 and made over $100,000 net income. I made two purchase of home, one condo in the city of Boca Raton, one is in the city of Yichun, Jiangxi province, China.

I did very good job to purchase the condo in the city of Boca Raton in 1999 when the market price is lowest.

I did not learn how money works, and also I did not learn how hard it will be if I like to exceed my full time job in a startup from 2000 to 2001.

I called it a big check syndrome, lessons I learned from my own experience. I wrote a blog on this.

City of Vancouver

I landed in Canada in 2010. I will write down something here. I should be able to get a loan to purchase a condo in the city of Surrey from 2010 to 2015. I need to work hard and be proactive.

Big check syndrome

Dec. 4, 2018

Introduction

It is the term I learned from "The 20 rules of money" 21:22 - 23:00/ 25:27. I like to apply one of rules big check syndrome to my case study: Personal finance analysis from 1999 to 2001, since I found out that over $100,000 net income from 1999 to 2001 is gone. Nothing left when I left USA to immigrate to Canada in 2010. It is best example to explain called big check syndrome.

Nothing left

It is true that nothing left for those $100,000 US dollars from 1999 to 2001. I only had the gift to my mom a condo and now its market value over $100,000 US dollars. My mom passed away last year, but I did not own anything based on the paper work. As a Christian, I also learn not to argue with my siblings if there is any dispute.

22:34/25:27

Would you rather give you a half million dollars or would you rather take an income stream, guaranteed, $100,000 over 20 years.

Let me tell you why the $100,000 allows you to do more. 22:58/25:27

23:05/25:27
See, this gives me the opportunity to have a stronger backing to make bigger decisions to get bigger doubles.

It's irrelevant if you don't know how to play the money game.
23:25
This [income] is a very, very important game, so don't get too crazy about big check syndrome. And all of a sudden fall for it and lose everything that you got because it can totally mess up your net worth and you work all the way back to your double.

The 20 rules of money, here is the article link with more detail.

Career struggle case study: self learner

Dec. 4, 2018

Introduction

It is a good topic to write down a topic called career struggle, how to be a self learner? I took one day vacation today to attend Microsoft connect event in the downtown of city of Vancouver. I also invited my friend in the Willingdon church, and we had chance to walk in the down town after the event. I like to write a topic related to the money community, and how to be a supporter this holiday season to my community and a friend.

Keep learning

I wrote a blog to document my three purchase of exchange dollars from Canadian to US dollars. Based on the fact that I made mistakes to purchase high and sell low Canadian dollars, I learn that I only need to take five minutes to save thousands dollars. I just need to ask myself a few questions before I make a big purchase, what is alternatives? Where to find it? How long does it take? Do I have time to handle it? Can I slow down and take a small step instead? Here is the blog.

Job experience

I came cross this question from The 20 rules of money.

If you have steady income over 10 years, then you have chance to learn how to play double game of money. It is much better that you just get big pay check for a few years, and then you have to start all over again to find a job. Since you do not learn how to double your money yet. For me it is true that I never had chance to learn how to double my money, I spent years from 2010 to 2017 to pay off a home equity line in USA. I finally did it in 2017 and then I also learned that the value of property doubles again.

I think that learning experience is very important for me. Now I have confidence to learn how to be a good investor since I learn from my own experience from 1999 to 2017. Even though it is just $40,000 dollars, and also I learn how to be a landlord, how to maintain the place, put a central AC in, put a new tiled floor, and how to handle roof leak, hurricane. How to define my market and find my renters.

Cheerful heart

Dec. 4, 2018

Introduction

It is so interesting to write a blog about my personal finance struggle. I did also like to write a topic called legal issue. I had an appeal for leave case in 1999, I spent over 6 months to work on my own case. I like to review the documents and then share my personal experience how to understand the law, and how to work with Canada Federal court registration office, immigration lawyer website, specially case study content on the internet, how to work with department justice lawyer from Canadian Federal government.

My case study

It is learning experience for me to write about personal legal issues. It is a good idea to push myself to get more organized, and document my mistakes and learning. From bad habit, personal finance struggle, and then legal issue related to immigration application process, I went through the training of myself to adapt to the society, country to country.

Here is the first blog I wrote related to my appeal for leave case in 1999.

What is cash?

My personal finance struggle

Dec. 4, 2018

Introduction

It is one of my research area called personal finance. If I can handle very well my finance, then I will have more confidence to handle better on my career as a software programmer.

Mistakes after mistakes

It takes some discipline to learn how to save money. I did my personal finance review, I spent over $4500 Canadian dollar on one month trip in 2012. I am single, all I can do is to purchase an airline ticket and then that is all. Minimal life style.

I did the totally opposite. I did not learn how to say no. How to budget and how to negotiate with relatives, siblings, and seriously deal with relationship with people.

I own nothing in the city of Yichun and I do not own any property in British Columbia area as well. It is more challenging for me to solve problems compared to year 2001 and year 2010.

One thing I like to do is to write about personal finance, and also I have to push myself learn some basics. If I can prepare very well, then when the market went down in 2008, instead I closed all accounts, sell all stocks and mutual funds in 2009, I will carefully consider and use all money to purchase Microsoft stock with $20.00 dollars a share. Since I learn that there is a few ways to double money, one is to buy stocks, good company stocks on bear market.

Never too late

I start to document all purchases, and I like to document my personal finance and see how I can grow from a seed in Canada and have some wealth and asset one day.


Wealth, like a tree, grows from a tiny seed
the richest man in Babylon, Georges Clason

Say goodbye to Leetcode medium level tree algorithms

Dec. 4, 2018

Introduction

It is my vacation day. I also like to write a blog to document my experience to work on 5 medium level tree algorithms. The learning experience was so great, and the learning is neither too hard nor too easy. It is perfect for me. I never enjoyed so much to experience the learning and training.

My thought process

It is my training to go over medium level Leetcode algorithms. I just reached 100 medium level algorithms. I changed my perspective. Before I will feel very good if I win a gold medal or silver medal on Hackerrank.com. Now I know it is just one more practice on one more algorithm. I can do it every day five medium level algorithms without too much stress.

Medium level tree algorithms (solved 37, total 39, shared 29)
94. Binary Tree Inorder Traversal using stack
94. Binary Tree Inorder Traversal use recursive function
95. Unique Binary Search Trees II
96. Unique Binary Search Trees
98. Validate Binary Search Tree
102. Binary Tree Level Order Traversal submitted in 2015
102. Binary Tree Level Order Traversal submitted in 2018
105. Construct Binary Tree from Preorder and Inorder Traversal
106. Construct Binary Tree from Inorder and Postorder Traversal
113. Path Sum II
114. Flatten Binary Tree to Linked List
129. Sum Root to Leaf Numbers
145. Binary Tree Postorder Traversal
173. Binary Search Tree Iterator
199. Binary Tree Right Side View
222. Count Complete Tree Nodes
230. Kth Smallest Element in a BST
236. Lowest Common Ancestor of a Binary Tree
337. House Robber III
449. Serialize and Deserialize BST
450. Delete Node in a BST
652. Find Duplicate Subtrees
662. Maximum Width of Binary Tree
654. Maximum binary tree
684. Redundant Connection union find using array
684. Redundant Connection using Dictionary<Int, HashSet>
701 Insert into a binary search tree
841 binary tree pruning
863. All Nodes Distance K in Binary Tree

It is my vacation day

Dec. 4, 2018

Introduction

It is my vacation day. I attended Microsoft connect event in downtown Scotia theater, I invited a friend to come with me, and I met a new friend. A beautiful day to enjoy and learn Microsoft tech event related to technology, AI etc.

Living a More Minimal Lifestyle

Here is the article I like to study.

Car dealership ripoff: Hidden-camera investigation

Dec. 3, 2018

Introduction

It is time for me to learn something about auto maintenance. I did review my first service from dealership over $800 dollars. I like to study more based on my experience.

Here is the video link.

HOW TO DOUBLE YOUR MONEY

Dec. 3, 2018

Introduction

How to double your money? I like to have some study on this topic. Here is the link.

Take my notes

1. Compound interest + time
2. Bear market, when stock are on sale.
3. Game with luck
4. Play safe

Case study: three exchange transactions

Dec. 2, 2018

Introduction

It is hard to read my sales data. I did make mistakes to buy high and sell low in Canadian dollars from 2010 to 2017. I need to come out the idea to cover the loss, one idea is to buy low if I have US dollars in short future

Three transactions

It is a good idea to write blogs related to personal finance, and then I can train and learn how to improve my problem solving skills. I had issues since I did not make any purchase of a condo from 2010 to 2015 before condo price went up. I think that the problem is that I do not document and learn from small projects in my life first. The idea to fix and learn is to start from a vacation, rental car, buy or sell Canadian dollars  small projects first to improve my analysis.

Here are the facts:

2010 April 23, I purchased Canadian dollars using $17,000 us dollars. At that time, one US dollar can get 0.98 cents. Usually I can get better rate not from bank. Here is the blog.

2017 August, I purchase US dollars using Canadian dollars 12,000 dollars, one Canadian dollar exchanges 0.78 US dollars. Here is the blog.
2017 Sept, I purchase us dollars using Canadian dollars 10,000 dollars, 0.80. Here is the blog.

So I purchased Canadian dollar with high cost, and purchase with high cost. The difference of each transaction can add up to 4000 dollars.

I need to purchase Canadian dollars in 2010 multiple times, and learn the market and get ideas. Only purchase if I need. When I need to purchase, plan early, study Canadian economy and understand oil industry of Canada.

Analysis

What I did is to purchase high and sell low. And the purchase of Canadian dollars costed me more in 2010 when the price is highest one. And I purchased US dollars when Canadian dollars is lowest time in 2017.

Actionable Items

I break the money rules, buy low and sell high. I need to purchase some Canadian dollars if I have US dollars to cover my loss.

2010 April 23
US dollars $17,000 -> $15,000 Canadian dollars, exchange rate 0.98

2017 August
Canadian dollar $12,000 -> $9400 US dollars

2017 Sept 5
Canadian dollar $10,000 -> $8019 US dollars

I purchased high to get Canadian dollars in 2010, and I sold low in 2017 low price Canadian dollars.

I should prevent this happen long time ago. I should spend time to study Canadian economy, if I can work on weekend 1,000 hours, each hour study I can save $7.00 dollars on those three transaction. In total I can save $7,000 dollars in loss.

Case study: 2017 Sept 5 $10,000 Canadian dollar exchange

Dec. 3, 2018

Introduction

It takes time for me to catch up to build some good personal finance skills. I have to push myself learn first, make sure that I can come out various ideas to solve problems I have in daily business. I always try to be top ranking in Leetcode weekly contest, what I do is to play contest every week, and then record my performance. I like to apply the same thing for my personal finance, push myself to review, think, write and then search more ideas.

Case study

I like to do a case study of my purchase US dollar last year Sept. 5. How can I handle the business transaction better? Can I make difference to save $100 dollars, where to look into? How to follow up after one year?

I like to think hard and build a good money community around myself, through my coding blog.

Statistics

$10,000 Canadian dollars was exchanged to $8019 US dollars on Sept. 5, 2017.

How to make good business partnership?

Dec. 3, 2018

Introduction

It is the small research topic for me to spend time, now it is 12:07 AM. I need to go to sleep in 20 minutes, what I like to write a blog about how to make business partnership with friends, family and at work. I have to learn how to work on small project very well with people first, then I can make a big money like real estate investment, stock and other things. Sometimes it takes a decade for people to build trust each other to work together.

Case study

Chipotle's $10 Billion Question: Will a New CEO Fix Old Problems? - A Case Study for Entrepreneurs

Here is the link.

Case study: 2017 August 16 $12000 Canadian dollar exchange to US dollars

Dec. 2, 2018

Introduction

I had my first personal finance month. I started to review all my financial data, and then started to review one by one. I have to push myself learn better and quick, I decide to write blogs related to my personal finance, analyze and figure out what I should do better. The money I can save is the money I earn, if I can make $1000 dollars difference through those transaction, I definitely should spend at least 100 hours to work on them.

Case study

I was so surprised that I missed the chance to invest any condo from 2010 to 2015 even though I had a very stable job last 8 years. With my management experience, I know that if I make mistake like the condo purchase project, I have to push myself to do more research on each purchase decision. If I do not work on good research on daily business decision, how come I can expect myself to make big reward on condo purchase.

The reason I had to purchase US dollars is to pay off my US home equity loan. I had deadline to meet, Dec. 2017. So I decided to do two transaction, since it was the first time I purchase US dollars from King market.

I should at least spend 10 hours to study the history of conversion rate, and then figure out what is best time for me to make purchase of US dollars. How many times should I make transaction? How many things I have to learn from youtube.com, or through the experience once a time.

I think that I should do it early in 2017, August is too late. I should make small transaction a time, and then I figure out what I should learn and catch up. $12,000 dollar is just too big amount for one transaction. I paid for 0.78 invert rate, one month rate I got 0.80 invert rate for $10000 dollars. 0.02 for 10000 is $200 dollars. If I can purchase US dollars when the exchange rate is 1:1, then I can save at least $2000 dollars.

The Billion Dollar Mistake Starbucks Just Made! - A Case Study For Entrepreneurs

Here is the link.

7 Signs You Are Going to Be Successful

Here is the link.


#1: Super Competitive - 1:09 #2: Finish Things - 2:16 #3: Circle Out-Earns Them - 2:53 #4: Mind Never Stops - 3:29 #5: Credible People See You Going Places - 3:57 #6: Always Learning - 4:55 #7: Extremely Obsessive - 5:10

10 Signs You Won't Be Rich

Here is the link.

1) You don´t like rich people 2) You think rich people are special 3) You don´t spend enough time learning 4) People make you easily feel guilty 5) You worry too much about what people think about you 6) You worry too little about what the right people think about you 8) You listen to every single thing your parents tell you to do 9) You´re an expert at making excuses 10) Your attitude sucks

Case study: 2010 April 23 $17000 US dollar exchange

Dec. 2, 2018

Introduction

It is time for me to work hard on personal finance. I have not learned how to be an investor in Vancouver area, I did not purchase a condo from 2010 to 2015 before the price double and double. I learn that in order for me to get smart on investment, proactive, I have to start from small project, and figure out how to make or save money through each transaction over $200 dollar, analyze them and ask why, what to learn, how to reduce risk to make mistakes. I need to case study those transaction, and then I can figure out what to do next.

Case study

I landed in Canada in 2010 April 23, I drove with my friend starting from April 10 and then landed in Canada. I made a purchase $17,000 dollars in one transaction one day.

Analysis of my transaction

I used us dollars $17,000 to get $15280 Canadian dollars. I did not hold on the transaction, open a US dollar saving account first, and then find alternative to purchase Canadian dollars. I should spend some time to do research on US dollar to Canadian dollars. 

Based on the transaction, I think that I need to bring into at least three options when I made big finance decision. 

A few ideas I should try. Break into the purchase from one time deal into six deals, $2,000 dollars a time and then learn how to get better deal, learn from the experience itself. I can talk to bank clerk every time and then get the tips and learn how to bank in Canada better. 

If I make a big purchase too quick and do not do enough home work, then I will have to learn how to catch up. Just tell myself hold on, let me think about more. 

At that time, I should work on anything making difference more than $100 dollars. I do not have job waiting for me. I need to spend time to figure out things by myself. 

No, The Canadian Dollar Is NOT Soaring... It's CRASHING - This Is WHY

Dec. 2, 2018

Introduction

It is 24 minutes video. I like to do some study just after my personal finance. Since I lost thousand dollars in 2017 in purchasing US dollars, I like to come out the idea what I should do.

Canadian to US dollar

I choose to study 24 minutes video. Here is the link.

655. Print Binary Tree

Dec. 2, 2018

Introduction

It is a medium level tree algorithm. I had tough time to come out the clean and simple solution. I spent first half hour to struggle and write a solution, and then I decided to simplify the solution. I felt so tired after one hour, I solved the algorithm with a few submissions.

My practice

As a programmer, I learn that I have to put myself under stress test every day. If I do not that, I cannot stay as a software programmer longer than I expect. The way I handle medium level tree algorithms, I started with tough feeling, and then slowly I think I can live with those challenges, as long as I take it slow, try to work hard by myself first.

One of good thing is about some algebra, combinatorics related; I have not practiced a long time, but I can come out by myself without any problem, there is sum of a series numbers, 1, 2, 4, ..., the sum should be 2^N - 1.

Here is my discuss link on Leetcode.com.

144. Binary Tree Preorder Traversal

Dec. 2, 2018

Introduction

It is time for me to work on medium level tree algorithms. I only have 8 unlocked medium level tree algorithms to work on. After I worked on one tough medium level tree over one hour, this one is considerably so easy for me to write, I did in less than 30 minutes.

My practice

I spent over 20 minutes to write the solution, I felt not stress at all. Here is my discuss link.

Courage to say goodbye to second tooth in 2018

Dec. 2, 2018

Introduction

I had a dentist appointment to extract one tooth in November, and then next dental appointment in January 2019 for cleaning. I like to book appointment in December to extract one more tooth. I like to write a blog called courage to say goodbye to second tooth in 2018

Time to say goodbye

I had periodontal issue. I had a deep pocket around one tooth, the measure is 10 for pocket. I knew the suffering, and I decided to extract it in less than one month. I will choose to live without two teeth and no implant plan at all. That is tough and I like to take it as is.

10 Shades of Wannabe Entrepreneurs

Here is the link.

Case study: moving violation driving ticket

Dec. 2, 2018

Introduction

I got a driving ticket in 2014. I took it very seriously, since I got two violations in 2010, and the police officer gave me the chance, took my excuse. But in a few years, I got another ticket, I knew that it was very serious. I spent one month to read driver license book, page by page, paragraph by paragraph, I tried to understand the basics. I also plan to review the book every year, I put into my office to make sure that I will read the book in lunch time if need.

Personal finance month

I did choose to pay the ticket right away. I learned that it is not good practice to argue. I need to take seriously and learn the driving rules, try to remember one by one. In 2017, I had a car accident, one car hit me from behind, and he hit and run. He told me that let me catch the bus, it was bus's fault, I did not even have time to look at his driver license number. It happened in less than two minutes, the hit and run whole process. I did not even have time to step outside the car, the big truck ran away.

So I like to do case study of driving ticket in 2014. I had personal finance month, I came cross the driving ticket, and then I skipped the document. And I just like to share and document my case study on this ticket.

Case study: 2014 rental car in Philadephia

Dec. 2, 2018

Introduction

I just had my personal finance month this Nov. 2018. Now it is December 2. I learned from the fact that I could not invest the property in 2014 and 2015, one mistake I thought was to follow up after the visit of Abbotsford uptown condo site in Dec. 2014. Based on the management experience, I know that I must have at least over 10 cases not to listen and observe the way I can make or save money over one hundred dollar amount. I like to find those ones and I like to do case study.

Case study

I had a friend who invited me to attend the get-together in Philadelphia in 2014 with our Ph.D. advisor. I made a plan to attend, and then I added two more things. One is to drop by Boca Raton, Florida, with a rental car, visited my renters and rental property after five years; Another thing is to add a rental car in Philadelphia.

Do I take time to learn how to save and solve problems on the travel?

My friend in Florida kept asking me why you stopped by Florida, I told him that the trip was extra to my Philadelphia trip.

My professor friend advised me to take the public transit in Philadelphia. She did not rent the car, I had so many classmates, they all are professors, they do not rent the car at all, they chose to use public transit.

I reviewed my personal finance, and then I came cross this expense. I tried to reason to myself. How do I make plan and budget? The trip included the visit to Florida, ticket price is $750, and then whole trip costed more than $1,500 us dollars.

In order to save money, learn to be a good investor, I have to start from the small amount, I have to learn how to save $200.00 dollars first, how to use public transit, how to work with friends, take the advice. Try something new. Do not choose money to solve all the problems.

Here is the receipt I put into my personal finance github folder.

$60.00 dollar for loss damage, and $40.00 dollars for tax; when I budget, I only check the daily rental price $29.00 dollars. $60 dollar budget ended up paying $163 dollars, extra $100 dollars.

Use public transit, I can solve the problem in less than $50.00 dollars. Instead I chose to rent a car and ended up paying more than $250.00 dollars.

950 reveal cards in increasing order

Dec. 2, 2018

Introduction

It is very challenging algorithm. I studied leader board after the contest, a lot of top ranking 500,  or submission with more than 5,000, or solved 500 algorithms, they still score the same score as I do. Those players solved the first two algorithms as well. I felt much better, and I decided to write a blog to explain why my idea will not work in theory.

My practice

I came out the idea but it did not work. Instead I went ahead to try to write a solution in the contest, over 30 minutes. After the contest, I spent another 30 minutes. And then I studied all 28 discuss post.

I like to write down my idea and the analysis, and then look into facts, argue why it will not work. What I should work on to advance my skills in problem solving.

weekly contest 113

Dec. 1, 2018

Introduction

It is my favorite weekly contest and I played today again. I sovled the first two algorithms,

My performance

I solved the first two algorithms. I spent over 40 minutes to work on the algorithm called 950 reveal cards in increasing order. I could not make it. After the contest, I continued to work on the algorithm more than 30 minutes. I learned something new today.

Study leetcode weekly contest leader board

Dec. 1, 2018

Introduction

It is a good idea to look into leader board after weekly contest. Here is the github I like to look into.

45655 MCINTOSH DR CHILLIWACK

Dec. 1, 2018

Introduction

It is time to study the market and then figure out what to do next.

305C, $212,900 CAD, 3 bedroom, 1 bath.

How to Inspect Your Business

Here is the link.

customer service
brand
skills
11:00 sharing his learning in Harvard business school
Expansion

How to Find the Leaks in Your Business

Here is the link.

Mild procrastination

Dec. 1, 2018

Introduction

It is one habit to look into. How to procrastinate on purpose? Strategically procrastinate?

Choose easy, less time consuming. Give an alternative a try.

Creative writing

Dec. 1, 2018

Introduction

It is one habit from 12 shocking habits of successful people. I like to write a blog about this topic called creative writing.

7:30 - 8:10 video

Delayed gratification

Dec. 1, 2018

Introduction

It is one of 12 shocking habits of successful people called delayed gratification. I like to apply the habit to myself and then I like to study on this habit.

Delayed gratification

12 Shocking Habits of Successful People

Here is the link.

1 Waking up early, productivity 2 failure is gold if you learn 3 ignore conformity, innovation, unique solution, avoid compassion 4 reading every day, knowledge, vocabulary, sleep better 5 spend money, invest, calculated risks, delayed gratification 6 sacrifices for goals dreams, time, love, work 7 creative writing brings clarity about own story
8 mild procrastination: passive is lazy, strategic is active, good time planning, shift focus. 9 self improvement as habit, learning new techniques 10 networking, who you know is important 11 exercise consistently, working out, good for self esteem, ambitious, self discipline, goals 12 daily meditation, against stress, better problem solving, better memory. Think about your goals or reflect on emotions, relax

THE 7 HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PEOPLE BY STEPHEN COVEY - ANIMATED BOOK REVIEW

Here is the link.

My auto maintenance

Dec. 1, 2018

Introduction

I owned a used car starting from December 2014, and I like to review my maintenance cost. It is time for me to train myself to work on detail in terms of payment, how to reduce the cost and live on minimum.

Case study 

I made purchase in 2014, and then first maintenance costed me $900 dollars eight months after the purchase. So I stopped to visit the auto shop, I had to cut my expenses since I could not afford it.

One is to drive less, and the other one is to understand what is need for the car. Every year I only drive less than 3000 KM, I just drive local highways.

Financial data to maintain the car

How to maintain the car every year? I paid $5500 for a 2001 Honda Accord with 148,000 KM in Dec. 2014.

Here are some maintenance I did after the purchase.

1. 2015 August $900 auto maintenance on car dealership. (cost too much for 3000 KM driving)
2. 2016              $500 auto maintenance
3. 2017 car accident, over $2700 repair by auto insurance (Need to find statement)
3. 2018 $50 oil change

I like to review what I have done in terms of maintenance. In order to train myself smart on living, I need to study things related to auto maintenance.

6/13/2016
Oil change
Brake fluid flush             $100
Transmission fluid flush $199

I wrote a blog called my office to show how I learn to put a backup tire to get tire repaired on tireplus.com.

🌳💪HABIT 7 - SHARPEN YOUR SAW💪🌳

Here is the link.

🚦🍃HABIT 1 - BECOME PRO-ACTIVE - ACTION CHANGES THINGS🍃🚦

Here is the link.

Calculation of passive income

Dec. 1, 2018

Introduction

I was surprised to find a form of IRA distribution in 2005 with $3,000 dollars. I like to get all financial data together first, so that I can make some simple analysis of my 401 K investment and return from interest.

Case study: home purchase in year 2000

Dec. 1, 2018

Introduction

I like to conduct a case study of a condo purchase in 2000. I chose to support my mom since I had a full time software engineer job in Florida starting from December 1998, and then I decided to mail a personal check $300 dollars once two months. I was not sure how long I can stay on the job. After one year, my sister told me that she bought a condo for our mother using all the money I sent.

Wealth, like a tree, grows from a tiny seed
the richest man in Babylon, Georges Clason

Case study

Here is the hand writing note from my sister. She shared with me last year 2017 after my mom passed away in November.

I had chance to review the note shared from my sister after 17 years. She chose to share since my mom passed away in November, 2017. I like to review the purchase and make a case study.

Case study

It is so important for me to learn from the purchase in 2000. I paid the whole cost, less than $8000 us dollars from 1999 to 2001, 890 square foot. 

To be a good investor, I should learn to be a caring person first. To help my mom to have her own home when she was 70 years old in 1999. I also learn that invest early, and also think about long term. A home is the most important thing in China, I used to have the financial ability to do so many things in my home town Yichun city from 1999 to 2001, I could make such great influence.

Delay gratification

I wish that I learn money rules, delay gratification.

I wish that I saved all my income from 1999 to 2001, and then invested all of them into the real estate market in the city of Yichun. 

The millionaire next door

Dec. 1, 2018

Introduction

It is the book I like to learn from called The millionaire next door. I like to take some notes from the wiki article.

My IRA stock account in 2007

Dec. 1, 2018

Introduction

It is my personal finance month. I like to review my limited stock experience, I used to play with stock and mutual fund around 2007, and then I sell everything in 15 minutes low. I believe that the price should be before the crash. It is time for me to learn in theory first.

My case study

Here is the email I sent to my friend in 2007 and exchanged the idea how market worked.

If I do not do anything, the balance of those portfolio will worth more than $4,085, since MSFT stock is around $100.00 dollars.

My 401 K since 2008

Dec. 1, 2018

Introduction

It is time for me to write a blog, what I like to do is to remind myself to work on this 401 K one hour at least every year. I like to learn how to make good profit in long term.

Case study

I worked full time less than one year, I invested $8000 us dollars to my 401 K account in 2007, and the company matched 10%, total investment is $8800 dollars. And then I did sell all funds to bonds, money market fund after I lost over $3000 dollars in market crash.

I like to learn from the lesson.


Actionable Items

It was really excellent time for me to learn from stock market in 2007.

I think that I should spend  at least 10 hours to study on this issue. Anything related to over $5000 dollars, 10 years time, I should come out at least more than three ideas. Instead of selling everything, it is not wise decision at all.

Today is Dec. 1, 2018, the account without employ matching $800 has a balance of $6170.70.

451-The Millionaire Next Door Wealth Index: How Do You Stack Up?

Here is the link of 19 minutes video.

Millionaire next door part 2

Nov. 30, 2018

Introduction

It is my personal finance month. I like to spend time to understand the book called Millionaire next door. Here is one of videos I watched.

The wisdom to take vacation

Nov. 30, 2018

Introduction

It is my personal finance month. I did put together all last paycheck from 2010 to 2018. I like to test and figure out my wisdom to take vacation day off through the years.

Vacation planning

I did not learn well how to plan vacations. Here are the detail for each year vacation:

2010   No vacation, start the full time job June 15, 2010
2011   No vacation
2012   Vacation in Chinese spring festival (One month ?)
2013   No vacation
2014   Vacation in Chinese spring festival (One month ?)
2015   Vacation in October, two weeks
2016   Vacation in October, two weeks
2017   Vacation in October, two weeks
2018   multiple short vacation, see my blog.

Ten minutes work on my paycheck stubs

Nov. 30, 2018

Introduction

I like to keep all my paychecks from 2010 to 2018. I put all last paycheck every year together. I need to spend 10 minutes to sort all other paystub by each year.

Play safe

I made huge mistakes to throw away checks from 1996 to 2010. So I could not analyze my behavior, I got so many issues, impulsive shopping, and all kinds of waste, I just could not believe that nothing left from $100,000 net income from 1999 to 2001. I also did not save monthly statement for my checking account, saving account from 1996 to 2018.

This time I keep all paystub because I know one day I may be able to analyze data like when to take vacation, how many and how short it can be etc.

Learn how to communicate

Nov. 30, 2018

Introduction

It is so surprising that I learned so much from mock interview today. The interviewee just showed me how he talked and communicated, and worked hard on the algorithms.

Comparison 

I just could not believe that I found a role model for my interview. I like to learn from this interviewee.

I will keep it anonymous but I like to identify a list of things I should work on. I will take some notes from replay.

How to communicate in the interview?

I like to write down a few tips from this 55 minutes mock interview.

Both of us agreed to show case our interview on interviewing.io. The interivew is available on interviewing.io right now. I like to use this interview to help myself to handle stress in the interview. I should learn how to think out loud all the time, and also work hard on the communication. Make sure that I constantly listen and also give some feedback through the interview all the time.

I like the interviewee since he handled the stress very well, he did not solve the algorithm before; he could not memorize anything from previous practice. At the beginning, he asked clarification, play with a few examples, and also tried to implement one of cases using recursive function. Of course, he tried to hide his nervousness, but he did very well. He took hint and actively involved the discussion about the bugs in the code. He just took action to fix them quickly.

My Show case:

10/29/18 at 10:04 PM Lexical Lguana interviewed by Platinum Burrito on interviewing.io

Vacation in 2012 to China

Nov. 30, 2018

Introduction

It is my personal finance month. I like to review my vacation in 2012 to China from my personal finance viewpoints.

My second year 2011 in Vancouver

Nov. 30, 2018

Introduction

It is true that I did not any vacation day second year in the row on my current job. I just could not believe that when I read the data on my last paycheck in the year 2011.

My first year 2000 in Vancouver

Nov. 30, 2018

Introduction

It is so funny if I write down my thinking process. I did get together all my last paycheck of year from 2010 to 2018. I like to analyze something from those paycheck.

My thought process

It was tough year for me to go back to full time job. I did not have chance to work full time for a long time. I even did not have a full job over three years in my career. I wonder how that will be and how a person grows in technical strength. I was so curious to learn.

I did not take any sick day, any vacation in 2010.

I just could not believe that how strong I was. I like to make things work again, I was jealous of my two sisters who enjoyed long career staying on one or two jobs. I never made it work for myself.

I did not find any sick pay or vacation pay on my 2010 paycheck. I just could not believe my thinking process and my determination.

2018 vacation 3 weeks count down

Nov. 30, 2018

Introduction

It is important for me to learn budget my three weeks vacation, and I still have three days to spend on my vacation in 2018. I like to write a blog about my vacation days in 2018. I got a lot of complaints since I took one day here, one day there, but I learned from my past experience. I benefited from my vacation this year most, I had an international travel, good experience of modern travel, and also enjoyed spring, summer and also fall.

My vacation experience

It is never too late to get smart on planning and also predicting my needs. I like to show case my vacation this 2018.

Learn to survive so many vacations

I had hay fever since the spring blossom. I had hard time to get over it over 2 months. This is the first year I had hay fever. We had good time to get together with three classmates of SJTU 70141. Hay fever started from my first vacation in March, and lasted to my second vacation to China.

I got complaint to take vacation back to China too early. The project just started at work. So I decided to listen the complaint. But my attitude is to be humble as Christian, I planned to take a vacation only using two days, one weekend. Since the ticket is around $550 dollars. Later, I just added one more day. But because the time difference, I came back to Vancouver and gained half day.

Just after I came back from China in April, the website was down, one of my SQL server database was deleted because virus software treated it as a virus. I was so glad to sit in the office and caught this event. Never ignore my coworker's complaint. They are working hard for me as well, complaints are good!

Third vacation I was caught in a complicated project, I had to say so many sorry for the delay of coding. I learned the principle to communicate, do not be afraid of failing. I tried to apply customer obsession principle. Have a backbone principle.

Fourth vacation is to be a good sister to treat my elder sister visit of Vancouver. I tried to negotiate to cut down her expectation to one day off.

Fifth vacation is to take one day for Microsoft event.

I still have two more days to plan for vacation. I like those most challenging ones. Keep it secret!

👑♛ HOW TO LIVE LIKE THE RICH ♛👑 - THE MILLIONAIRE NEXT DOOR - THOMAS STANLEY - ANIMATED BOOK REVIEW

Nov. 29, 2018

Introduction

It is 6 minutes video. I like to take some notes. I purchased the book in 1997 when I was an intern worked for Daleen Inc. But I never read the book and understand the ideas. Here is the link.

Take my notes

Millionaire do not buy luxuries.

Track expenses

First millionaire - most are self made millionaires.

Two kinds of beer, free and Budweiser.

4:36/6:51
Most millionaires do not buy luxury goods. They more like financial independence than social status.

Millionaires keep track of spending, they can answer the questions like "Do you know how much money is in your bank account right  now?"
"How much money does your family spend on food, clothing and shelter each year?"

5:15/6:50
Do not give cash gift to children. Make them more likely bad financial situation.

Non-millionaire tends to give cash gift.
Make them self-sufficient

10 Passive Income Ideas: How to Make Money Online & earn Passive Income from multiple streams

Here is the link.

HOW TO BECOME RICH - THE RICHEST MAN IN BABYLON 💰 - GEORGE S. CLASON - ANIMATED BOOK REVIEW

Nov. 29, 2018

Introduction

It is 9 minutes video, the link is here.

Take my notes

1. Pay your means
2. Live below your means
Vacation, car, home, ...
3. Make money work for you
stock, real estate, diligent work to find good investment
Compound effect
4. ...

The Richest Man in Babylon - Best Ideas Summary

Nov. 29, 2018

Introduction

It is five minutes video. Here is the link. I like to write down the transcript.

Transcript

Get best clothes and food. But he never makes a fortune.

Understanding how money works.
How to put his money to work for himself.

Tell the difference from luxuries from necessities.

Controlling expenses
Money soldiers

Good investment vs poor investment

Men of Action

Always invest in your know best

Controlling expenses and investing in what you know well.
Never assume that you know it all.
Keep your mind open. Live below your means.
It takes them decades to learn that seeking advice.

Control your expenses.

Get together last paycheck stub every year from 2010 to 2018

Nov. 28, 2018

Introduction

It is the first time I like to spend time to work on personal finance, and one thing I like to do is to get all last 8 year last paycheck, scan them, and then I like to do some analysis based on the data.

Brute force search

I did search again since I could not find the last paycheck in 2017, actually I did not find any paycheck stub of 2017. I search 7 bags of paper work, and then I wondered how come I did not do this at the end of each year. This time I am lucky, I reopened one of bags, I found a pile of 2017 paycheck stubs.

I learn the lesson to work on my person finance. It takes a lot of time for me to organize the paper work this month. I could not believe that I found my biggest problem.

Actionable Items

I need to be patient and allow myself to learn the basics. Keep all the documents of my personal finance data, and then try to get ideas how to analyze them.

It takes over 20 years for me to learn that I need to keep organized document income and expense. It is the day one again feeling.

Got a Linkedin invitation

Nov. 28, 2018

Introduction

It is an invitation from LinkedIn.com. I got a message as well, the software engineer from Turkey sent me an email, saying that "I visited your profile on leetcode.com, and I like to get connected on LinkedIn". I was so glad to get connected, since the engineer took a lot of C#, object-oriented courses and got a lot of certificate on Linkedin.

Certificate to look into

I was too busy and then I stopped pluralsight.com and also frontendmaster.com a few months ago. I noticed that I did not have time to study since I have to train myself on Leetcode.com.

29 certifications

C# 6.0 First look
C# First look
C# Best Practices for Developers
C# Design patterns
C# Interface and generics
Learn ASP.NET Core MVC
Multithreded Programming in C#
SQL Tips, Tricks, & Techniques
C# Object-Oriented Programming Tips and Tricks
C#: Delegates, Events and lambdas
...

Time to pay property tax?

Nov. 27, 2018

Introduction

It is my personal finance month. I also have to pay property tax over $1700 dollars. In order to get 3% discount, I have to pay before December 1, 2018.

My understanding

It is also the important time for me to document all my income and expenses from 1996 to 2018, do as much as I can, write and share lessons and mistakes I learn. It takes a village to raise a child. To build a money community around myself, I like to reach out to the community, show my struggle first, and write down my questions, and also encourage myself to adapt my finance skills from work to my personal finance. I spent hundreds of hours to design and code the program to help business to analyze, review and make informed decision, I should be able to do those things to myself as well.

Stack medium level algorithms

Nov. 27, 2018

Introduction

It is time for me to move on stack medium level algorithms. There are 19 unlocked medium level algorithms for me to work on. I could not wait to start.

8 medium level tree algorithms

Nov. 27, 2018

Introduction

I like to work on medium level tree algorithms in the short future. Now I find that it is the best time work on those medium level tree algorithms. I am getting used to solve problems very often, I believe that it is very good practice to train myself think more carefully, and learn how to build confidence in the problem solving.

One story to share 

I like to write one story to share for the next 8 medium level tree algorithms.

Wealth: How to Win the Game - Part 8

Here is the link.

The serving on great level. Not just focus on money.

Cash Is King: Part 1 - Saving vs. Investing

Here is the link.

The value of capital - 7:30/ 11:39