How do I approach personal finance research by myself?

Dec. 19, 2018

Introduction

It is a good idea to write down how I approach my personal finance research today. I think the idea is kind of creative.

My research 

I did spend over one hour to review all blog posts I did related to personal finance research 48 hours. And then I found one making most sense for my level and my understanding ability. It is called

10 Things The RICH Teach Their Kids About MONEY.

Next step what I did is to replay the video, and try to find a good keyword to search. I found the keyword called rich habit. 

The rest is easy for one hour or two hour research. I found a book called rich habit, and then I narrowed down the topic called Watch your spending.

My research report 

I understand that this habit requires study and patience and delayed gratification. 

This habit is called control your spending. I missed delayed gratification. 

Find if there is a rectangle in binary matrix with corners as 1

Here is the algorithm to work on.

The brute force solution:

rectangle top left, (rowStart, columnStart), rectangle bottom down (rowEnd, columnEnd), the time complexity is O(Rows * Rows * Columns * Columns).

It is a not good solution for very sparse matrix.

One thing is to brute force all element in matrix with value 1. First spend O(Rows * Columns) to put all nodes with value 1 into hashSet.

Now the time complexity can be simplified to O(M * (M - 1)), M is total number of elements with value 1.

Here is my practice.

Case study: 1999 my mortgage closing statement

Dec. 18, 2018

Introduction

It should be very good idea for me to study my mortgage close statement back in 1999. I did not spend time to review line by line, word by word until this November, 2018. I like to build a good habit to do things.

Case stduy

How to Get Rich by Breaking Poor Habits with Author Tom Corle

Here is the link of 28 minutes interview.

Case study: My mortgage interest statements

Dec. 18, 2018

Introduction

I like to build good habit to keep tracking of all expenses. Today I just quickly went over the mortgage interest statement of a home in Boca Raton. I only can find 9 years mortgage interest statement.

Case study

Here is the interest I paid from 2010 to 2017. I did not have all statements.

Facts to review

1. I could not find all mortgage interest statements
2. The interest rate makes huge difference, 2000 year interest rate is 7.125. The loan I got in 1999 is less than US Dollars $25,875.00
3. I need to build good habit, document all expenses; Try to work on basic things.

Idea to recover the data is to look up the prime rate, or I can search all my paper work again.

1999 closing facts:


Purchase price:  $345,00.00
Earnest money: 1671.80
Mortgage amount: $25,875.00
Interest rate: 7.125%
120 months

Cash $9094
Total cost: $36,694.72


Go over second time to help me understand the process.

1999 closing facts:

I met the owner who owned #25, since I still rent the place #22 with my roommate; I took the price to go for the purchase.
Purchase price:  $345,00.00

I paid deposit first, called earnest money.
Earnest money: $1671.80

I visited Amtrust bank to get loan.

Mortgage amount: $25,875.00
Interest rate: 7.125%
120 months

In total, I paid those cash amount. My saving is around $10,000 since I purchased a Ford Explorer in March, $3000 down payment, monthly payment $375.00. I had a job to pay $3600 monthly.

Cash $9094

In 2010, I left USA to immigrate to Canada. My home equity line used is $38,000 dollars. I took cash $18,000 dollars with me. I paid floor ($3900, 2003), new AC ($1900, 2003), refrigerator($500, 1999), furniture over $4000.00, condo association fee over $15,000 (?), property tax ($8000?), interest ($10,000?)

Arguments

 I did not learn the lesson very well after I failed to submit the bank statement for my immigration application in 2007; Later in 2009 I spent over 10 months to file appeal for leave; I still had the habit to ignore the basic book keeping, record and review and audit from 1984 to 2017.

 It is hard to break bad habit. It takes a lot of effort to find the problem in my personal finance, I have to be very humble, find things I can control and work hard on those things first.

Follow up

Feb 7, 2019
I found two more mortgage interest statements.
2002 interest statement $1465.19
2006 interest statement $1405.21

Another two statements were found today. I learn that it takes time for me to get those paper work organized.

It takes time for me to learn how to get organized. There are so many areas I can look into, and it is so exciting for me to learn how to manage myself, parent myself to track my expense.

How (And Why) To Master The Habit Of Delaying Gratification

Here is the article link.

12 Free Apps To Track Your Spending And How To Pick The Best One For You

Here is the link.

The 1 percent will always control the wealth—and here’s how they do it

Here is the article.

Watch your spending

Over two-thirds of the rich in my study were frugal with their money. They spent their money thoughtfully, not emotionally. They bought the highest quality products at the cheapest prices. This habit requires study and patience and delayed gratification.

I like to memorize the whole paragraph. 

I want to be frugal with my money

I decide to spend my money thoughtfully, not emotionally. 

I will buy highest quality products at the cheapest prices

I understand that this habit requires study and patience and delayed gratification. 

Author who studies millionaires: Here’s how habits can make you rich—or poor

Here is the article to read.

Book review: Rich habits

Dec. 18, 2018

Introduction

I like to spend 20 minutes on the book review: rich habits. Here is one hour long interview.

Spending pattern of poor

Dec. 18, 2018

Introduction

It is a short study for me to do called spending pattern of poor. I like to find as many as possible.

30 minutes study

Here is the article to read called bad spending habits that rich people always avoid.

One more comment

Dec. 17, 2018

Introduction

It is 12:39 AM. I need to call it a day and take a shower to go to bed. I like to document one more comment.

Algorithm is my first priority

I spent 10 minutes to write a comment. Here is the link. Here are the comment.

Thank you for the kindness to share your personal experience with my favorite algorithm: longest univalue path. I like to share more if you do not mind. We may bring more people to join the discussion on the most favorite tree algorithms. It is marked easy on Leetcode.com but it is hard than some hard level tree algorithms. 

Because I used this algorithm to interview over 15 interviewees on interviewing.io last 10 months over 100 mock interviews. I learned so many solutions through so many talents. 

One more sharing

The intern did share his solution when I interviewed him on interviewing.io recently. I just like to share the link, it was fun to work with young talent and stay open.  And the end of mock interview, the interviewee told me that he is a facebook intern. 

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

Second sharing 

What I learned most is to interview another intern recently but he did not choose to showcase the interview of his approach. At the end of mock interview, he told me that he is a facebook intern. I will write the blog to share with you later. 

My blog will be ready in any time soon, here is my plan to write here:
http://juliachencoding.blogspot.com/2018/12/case-study-longest-univalue-path.html

Third sharing 
I learned how to write a recursive solution directly instead of working around using brute force solution you provided. I learned from one of senior engineer as an interviewer as well.

I learned all kinds of ideas to solve it, you name it. 

How to end 48 hours marathon research in my home office?

Dec. 17, 2018

Introduction

It was long weekend, I stayed at home last 48 hours. I only did personal finance research and wrote blogs. I need to quit now, it is 12:34 AM. I am watching the favorite interview here and then I just wrote the sharing on Leetcode.com about my only algorithm written in weekly contest 115.

I called it quit

It is time for me to quit and prepare to go to bed, I need to go up and go to work this morning. I was late to work every day to get office after 10:00 AM.

Here is my algorithm sharing on Leetcode I wrote in less than 10 minutes.

Tony Robbins - The Secret To Making Money By Starting A Small Business

Here is the interview more than one hour.

The best sharing about career starting from 40:00 - 45:00/ 1:57:40

This is my most favorite interview. I just find that it is so relax and learn things from the talk. I could not believe that the talk was so impressing, hopefully I can make such great presentation through my personal finance blog.

I like to have an interview like this one day with my friend.

THE OPPORTUNITY MINDSET: HOW TO FIND YOUR NEXT BIG OPPORTUNITY | EBEN PAGAN

Here is the link.

What is Chinese dream?

Dec. 16, 2018

Introduction

It is well known topic called American dream. But how about Chinese dream? It is my research topic and I like to contribute the idea about what is China dream. I used to have chance to make myself super rich in 2000, I found a job with a startup company but I wasted the opportunity until I was laidoff in Sept. 2011. Let me write a blog and continue to work on this research. What is China dream?

Case study about China dream

Case study: my shopping trips to Berllingham, WA

Dec. 16, 2018

Introduction

I like to drive my Ford Explorer and take road trips to shopping. I like to study how I built this habit starting from 2011 and ended up in 2015.

Case study

How does it start?

What is the problem?

When I stop to take the road trip?

Why I learn personal finance so late?

Dec. 16, 2018

Introduction

My life is so special and I came cross so many problems. I went through those experience and I decided to study personal finance by myself. Why do I come out the idea so late? Not just after my first job laidoff in 2001?

Lucky to have a physician sister

Dec. 16, 2018

Introduction

It is just for education and research purposes. I like to write a blog using this topic called "What if I can get along with my youngest elder sister?". I grew up with a few sisters, one of them was retired and her goal is to enjoy life and show off her wealth. I like to explore the relationship with another elder sister, she is a physician and works full-time to treat patients.

I may have retired in the year 2001

My youngest elder sister is a physician. She was very popular in treating people nicely and was a director in her 20s years career as a physician. I was just a few years younger than her.

What if I can get along with my young sister? I came out with this idea and would like to write a blog about it.

I owe a big thanks to my sister since she saved my life once when I was young in the last year of 4 years of college.

My doctor's sister told me that I had an appendix infection when I took winter break and stayed in my hometown with my mom. I did not go to see the doctor for a few days until my two sisters accompanied me to see a doctor before I took the train to go back to Shanghai. The doctor in the hospital pushed my stomach very hard to give me the diagnosis, and then I could not walk to my bed while two sisters held me on two sides.

The young sister is also a college teacher with a medical major, she was so scared and left the hospital, and then the elder one stayed with me overnight. She is a physician as well and she knew the dangers of my disease, and she was a very responsible person as always.

I refused to have surgery in the daytime, but in the middle night, my infection went out and I kept calling to help me in the middle of the night; my sister held my hand and messaged my back without painkillers, with surgery. Until the morning I was sent to the surgery room, all my stomach was infected.

I still remember that my sister held my hand all the time when I had the surgery. It took hours and I was totally numbed.

It took nearly a week to kill all the infections and I stayed in the hospital without any money. I did not have any money more than 100 RMB at that time.

Follow up 

Oct. 4, 2021

I like to read my own story back in 2018. I was shy at that time, my writing was not so good but I saw the biggest courage in my life. I started to learn how to share my own story, and write down and enjoy hard work. 

I was so blessed in my early 20s with a big family, sisters, and mom back in the early 1990s. Life was so good after that surgery. 

Largest Binary Search Tree (BST), by Apple

December 16, 2018

Introduction

It is my first time to write a comment on my favorite algorithm called largest binary search tree.
Here is the blog's link.

My sharing

I finished all unlocked tree algorithms from easy to medium and hard this month. I really enjoy to solve a new algorithm called largest binary search tree. I will write something here later.

I wrote a comment in the following:

This one is my most favorite algorithm. Thank you for sharing. 

I just write a few comments based on my experience. 
1. Your algorithm time complexity is O(N), N is total number of nodes in tree, bottom up since post order is used in the traversal, most time efficient. Not top down. 
2. Every node is considered for the candidate as a root of binary search tree. Very good brute force idea to search maximum one. 
3. Base case is correct, one node is BST with value 1; Count nodes not edges. 
4. a tip to share, this algorithm is similar to Leetcode: longest univalue path.

8 BIG IDEAS FROM ‘ THE NEW COFFEEHOUSE INVESTOR ‘

Dec. 16, 2018

Introduction

I like to get some ideas from the book called "Coffee house investor". Here is the article.

I always have time for Principles 

The three principles of investing

• Save for a rainy day. (Develop a long-term financial plan- how much you will spend and how much will you save)
• Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. (Diversify in different asset classes-stocks and bonds.Bond percentage=age in years)
• There is no such thing as a free lunch (Capture the entire return of each basket, or asset class, through low-cost index funds( because higher expenses will decrease future returns). Reinvest your dividends. Invest for the long term- decades, not years. Start as early as you can, which is, now. ).

7 MILLENNIAL MONEY MISTAKES

Dec. 16, 2018

Introduction

It is not an easy task for me. I like to read an article in less than 15 minutes, and I like to write a blog about it. The article is here to read.

Reading is such enjoyable 

I like to copy and paste my most enjoyable reading here. I also like to highlight a few keywords to look into. I added subheading for paragraphs.

5. RENTING FOR TOO LONG

There are so many advantages to owning a home versus renting. You can also deduct your mortgage interest on your taxes, which ends up being thousands and thousands of dollars back for most people (it’s like a rebate for buying a house!). Buying a house or condo is also a tangible asset and a great way to diversify your portfolio. You can also live in your investment and let it appreciate (which if you live in a nice in-demand location it probably will).

Hone a new skill using 3 - 5 years

The one advantage of renting that pro-renters tout is “flexibility,” but you still likely have a lease you can’t get out of. You can probably sell a house in most markets faster than getting out of a lease, but I digress. In most markets in the US it’s cheaper to buy instead of rent if you are going to live in the same place for at least 3-5 years.

Julia think that I can learn a lot as a condo owner in 3-5 years. 

Know the market 

I rented for an extra year when I should have bought a condo at the bottom of the market. I was trying to save money for a 20% down payment, which was a stupid decision. Once I saw the property values starting to bounce back I jumped and bought my condo with only 5% down with a small PMI (private mortgage insurance) premium of $61/month to be able to buy my apartment.

No asset except down payment 

This isn’t always a good decision, but for me it was and here’s why: I saw that prices were going up and I was confident that I could pay the mortgage at my current rate for at least the next 2 years comfortably. I was confident that a new job and learning how to start a consulting business were going to pay off. I also saved the $30,000 in my emergency fund in case I needed it for the mortgage down the road.

Work with bank

I made a very calculated decision and ended up paying down the mortgage quickly over the next year until I owed less than 80% of the assessed home value on the mortgage. I got the condo re-appraised the next year and refinanced to a lower rate without the PMI. If I would have bought the condo a year earlier with the same down payment I would have made 25% on my investment given rising home prices in my area.

Seek the second project

Currently I have a 15 year mortgage at 2.625% and I am keeping the mortgage even though I could pay off my condo fully, because I am confident that I can get a higher return on my money than the 2.625% I would get by paying off the mortgage. Do the math, use a simple rent vs. buy calculator and buy it the numbers make sense. It could be one of the best money decisions you can make.

Case study: over 4,000 Canadian dollar sponsor application project

Dec. 16, 2018

Introduction

It is time for me to review how I am as a project manager. I just order a $650 us dollars DNA test using a lab six minutes drive away from my home less than one week ago. I have to do a case study how I manage the project and cut down the cost.

Case study

What is my mistakes?

What I can do to make myself more responsible?

What are most challenging tasks for me in the process?

I will write down more later.

A return to frugality

Dec. 16, 2018

Introduction

I like to write a blog called a return to frugality. I like to study this article first, and then I will write one based on my own understanding as well.

HOW I SAVED 82% OF MY INCOME

Here is the link.

I DIDN’T BUY ANYTHING UNLESS IT WAS USED ON EBAY

Re-discovering eBay was a huge revelation for me. You can literally find anything you want, used at likely a much lower cost than you would pay to buy it new. I needed a pair of new dress shoes this past month (it was my only clothing purchase) and I found a pair of handmade Allen Edmonds for $12 that usually cost over $350 new. They are made in the USA and it’s pretty easy to find barely worn pairs online. They also last forever. I have now made it a habit of looking for anything that I need on eBay first. I have also set up a bunch of alerts for some of my favorite items so I can snag the deals when they are added.

How to teach myself personal finance?

Dec. 16, 2018

Introduction

It is most challenging job for me to teach myself personal finance. I have to push myself to learn, and write, and watch more videos on youtube.com, and read more tips from the well-written articles.

3 Things That Allowed Me To Save Half My Income Without A Budget

Here is the link.

The article is well-written. I like to write down a few ideas based on the article in the following:

Go over the article like the following:

Budgets and I, however, have never gotten along. Every month, Mint sounds the alarms telling me in which categories (plural) I have overspent.

Julia's thinking process:
what is Mint? an app I just found out this Nov. 2018. After I paid over $300 inactive fee on BB&T account. 

Budgets and I, however, have never gotten along. I totally agreed. 

I was single all my life. I did not learn to work with high skilled person all my life. I lived with my 70 years old mom in Florida 4 months in 2010 and 5 months in 2001. I learned and copied all her ideas. She only had less than three year formal educations. 


All other times I live with roommates. They are professors right now, some are Ph.D. with Tsinghua universities, business owners. They taught me a lot of things about business. However, I still fall behind in terms of wealth building, career development. 

1. Cut fixed expenses to the core.
2. Force myself into savings.

Thinking about purchases in terms of cost per hour

Dec. 16, 2018

Introduction

It was busy Sunday afternoon, I spent hours to take pictures to document some expenses I made from 2010 to 2018. I could not believe that I spent thousands of dollars on those clothing and shoes. I like to do a research how to change my mindset.

One video to watch 

Here is the video I choose to watch.

By thinking about purchases in terms of cost per hour.

To achieve a high savings rate, start viewing your purchases in terms of units of your time. 

I could not believe that I spent over $5,000 Canadian dollars on one trip to China for one month vacation. How can I spot the problem right away, and stop to spend money like crazy.

6 strategies to save a fortune, from real people who bank half their income

Here is the article link.

Saving 50 Percent of Your Income

Here is the article I like to read.

Weight watch research

Dec. 16, 2018

Introduction

I did some weight research starting from 2014, and then I spent a lot of money on food. I like to write down my research and figure out what I should do.

The 50/30/20 Rule of Money

Dec. 16 2018

Introduction

It is my short research called save over 50% income, and then I came cross this video called "The 50/30/20 Rule of Money".

The 50/30/20 Rule of Money

Here is the video link.

Is Facebook Stock a Buy? | FB Stock Analysis

Dec. 16, 2018

Introduction

It is my favorite company. I like to spend time to learn more about Facebook from stock analysis.
Here is the video link.

Is Microsoft Stock a Buy? | MSFT Stock Analysis

Here is the link.

Taylor Morrison CEO Offers Read on U.S. Housing Market

Here is the link.

Consumer research

Dec. 16, 2018

Introduction

It is something new for me to look into called consumer research. I like to start some baby steps to look into the area.

U.S. Housing Market Struggles With Rising Rates, Prices

Here is the link.

Priced Out: The Bay Area Housing Struggle

Here is the link.

Priced Out: The Bay Area Housing Struggle

Here is the link.

Working Abroad - Top Five Companies Always Hiring

Here is the link.

Most hard thing to do this weekend

Dec. 16, 2018

Introduction

It was busy Saturday and Sunday. I take picture using CamScanner app to document all my expenses so that I can get organized on my personal finance. I spent so many hours to review those expenses. What is most hard thing to do this weekend?

A few things to reflect

One of hard things is to read those purchase of clothing. I had difficult time to figure out what item on those receipts. The cost of each receipt is over 50 dollar minimum, if I add all those items together, then it will be over $10,000 Canadian dollars. I need to review my personal consumer history once I put all them in my github.

My personal finance journey in Canada starting from 2010 (first 24 months)

Dec. 16, 2018

Introduction

It is very tough journey for me to stay in Canada starting from 2010. I did not have a job and I immigrated to Canada without enough working skills and also financial knowledge on April 23, 2010. I like to write down my journey starting from April 23, 2010.

My rich journey

April 23, 2010 

I arrived to Canada, and then I made a transaction almost losing $4,000 dollars based on my real consumption. I purchased Canadian dollars using $17,000 dollars in one transaction, the first day I arrived in Canada. Here is the blog to document my purchase.

Actionable Items:

Learn asking questions. Think about alternatives. Do some research in advance. Do not go for a big purchase any time. I did make mistake on brand new car in 1999 Ford Explorer, 2002 on SONY laptop $1800 us dollars, 2001 Shanghai vacation with my relatives over $6,000 us dollars. I have the issues to handle big projects, I am not a good project manager at all, I could not make a plan and a budget and I was under influence of people.

Anything above $1,000 dollars, there is business opportunities for me to learn save at least 10% cost.

January, 2012 

China vacation over one month. I ended up spending over $5,000 Canadian dollars, more than 50% saving from June 2010 to 2012 January, 18 months full time work.

Here is my cashout in China in one month vacation. I took the cash over $16,000 Chinese yuan. I was an ATM machine; I did not do enough research how to protect myself financially. I chose the wrong time wrong place to take vacation,

Here is the summary of withdraw.

I have to go through the learning process again, how to learn to stay away from impulsive spending, without a budget, and I did not have my own home in the city of Vancouver. My mom had her salary enough for two people expense, her home paid off by me back in 2000. I just spent those cash for a holiday. It was so brutal to learn those financial mistakes I made in January 2019. Personal finance research is a tough business to push through.

Actionable Items:

I also needed to learn how to take vacation. When to take vacation, how long should I take when I have a full time job. I was lucky in 2012 to take one month vacation. The website was not down. A few years later, the website was hacked and I learned that I was luck those years from 2010 to 2014. I should take one week vacation only at most one time, and be a responsible person. If anything happens at work, then I will be back in less than one week. I also need to cut expenses down, say no to a lot of expenses. Specially I should say no to extra spending. I bought over 10 pieces coat prices in 2002 vacation in China alone.

I will write down more challenges I came cross after 2012 January.

I do not take any vacation day in 2010 and 2011. Instead I should take 1 or 2 vacation days to get familiar with small cities near Vancouver, and I should start to learn to invest in real estate. At least I should spend time to study videos on youtube.com.

Big waste

I took FAU graduate study on research from 2010 June to 2011 August, I did  not have income from United States. Instead I paid over $2,000 US dollars to pay 2010 Fall term, 2011 spring and fall term out-of-state tuition. I learned that I cannot make it work for a late project.

$2,000 dollars is over 400 hours work as a minimum wage worker. If my research has value, then some one will pay for me to do the work. I was so scared to stop the program when I signed to quit the program, relinquish my F1-status in 2011.

Summary 

It was very tough first two years in my life in Canada in terms of my personal finance and I did not learn the value of dollars, my vacation of China $5,000 dollars, which can be 30% of 1500 square condo in the city of Yichun, Jiangxi province. I did not learn how much power I can use those money on investment instead of on food, travel, sightseeing, and those cash gift. I like so many expensive things, road trip, winter coats, and gourmet food.

Statistics 

It is easy to come out the loss of all the cash in the following:

$4000 one transaction loss, $17000 US dollar to purchase Canadian dollars
$2000 US dollars tuition
$5000 Canadian dollar one vacation to china

In total, over 10,000 dollar loss.

Opportunity cost - I should invest a condo in Chilliwack with price around $50,000 Canadian dollars in 2011, so I sell it with triple price in 2018.

I no longer can purchase a condo in China since I am in Canadian citizen. But I got Canadian citizen in 2014. I should consider to purchase a home in 2001 in my home town.

Why Your Home is Too Big - Downsize & Make $2 Million

Dec. 16, 2018

Introduction

It is very good presentation and I like to write down what I learn from the video. I like to write a blog about it.

Downsize study

Here is the link.

2:00 - 3:50
based on UCLA study - 2,000 SF Living space case study
Excellent presentation
We look for amenities for ...
Common living area space
Needed space

6:00 - 8:00/ 9:07

Why people buy the big house?
Status - Finance independence
Big space for entertainment purpose
Expectation/ reality

Invest money?
Mortgage and comparison

Difference = $1,000 month

Another idea is to rent out extra rooms in the big house.

Passive Income Ideas - Our Top Six Money Makers!

Here is the link.

Can I save 70% income monthly?

Dec. 16, 2018

Introduction

It is very hard for me to work with expenses, specially on food expenses. I like to brainstorm the ideas for me to cut down the expense, how to save 70% income monthly?

My 30 minutes research

I like to do it just for one month.

The idea is to cut down the food expenses monthly to $200 dollars. No clothing purchase, no road trip besides Costco, work and church.

I will only choose to purchase milk, bread, potato, chicken, and carrots, once a month I will buy some green leaf vegetables.

I need to spend time to study all my auto maintenance history. I will like to change engine oil only once a year, and do not go for the auto shop who does on purpose create problems on my car. I need to be willing to pay Canadian tire service for an oil change, but politely decline extra service.

I need to say no to any vacation idea, and I have to study my problem as an impulsive shopping, push myself to learn how to do good booking, calculate how much it costs me as a home owner in Florida, a renter in the city of Vancouver. I will spend time to do research on real estate market near my home.

Those research I choose to do is to help myself to handle irregular expenses like auto maintenance, and other things like vacation, immigration project, tutoring service.

How to Make Money - 8 Side Hustles You Can Start Today (#SideHustle)

Here is the link.

Case study: four vacations in 2014

Dec. 16, 2018

Introduction

It is so hard for me to review my vacation history in 2014. I did not plan very well and almost got my messed up financially and affected my work and emotions. I like to case study my four vacations took in 2014.

Case study

January - 2 weeks vacation in China
August - 9 days vacation to California
Oct - vacation to Florida and Philadelphia

I will add more detail here later.

House Buying Hacks – 5 Tips We Use to Buy Real Estate (#RealEstate)

Dec. 16, 2018

Introduction

It is most favorite video I like to watch. Since I heard something called city master plan. I like to learn from the video. Here is the link.

My study

staged home - case study: while owners still lives in the home
How to hack and find a solution?
Thanksgiving and Christmas
Redfin.com

Tip $5
Do not get emotion attached

Beware:

How We Save 70% of Our Income - Financial Independence Journey

Here is the link.

72 hours rule

Dec. 16, 2018

Introduction

It is my favorite video to talk about 70% of your income. There is rule called 72 rules. I like to think about how many hours rule I should apply for me to learn. I made an impulsive brand new card For Explorer 1999 in 1999, and top expensive 1800 laptop in Sept. 2002. And the pattern persisted in 2012 China vacation, 2014 vacation.

72 hours rule

Here is the video for me to study, the title is called "How We Save 70% of Our Income - Financial Independence Journey".

Achieving Financial Independence in a Consumer Culture

Here is the link.

We Invested $10,000 Today & We’re Sharing Our Stock Portfolio (Ep. 1 - Dividend Income)

Here is the link.

How to Start Investing & Our Financial Independence Plan (#FinancialIndependenceRetireEarly)

Here is the link.

From 2008 to 2018, index fund gain is more than 80%. I did sell the IRA stock in 2008 and then put into CD. Over 10 years I got around 20% over 10 years.

How We Save More Than $30K a Year - Things We Don't Buy

Here is the link.

Case study: 10 mistakes I made as a sister in my personal finance from 1996 to 2018

Dec. 16, 2018

Introduction

It is my personal finance research. I found out that I had a huge problems to deal with my relatives as a sister. I have to work on the problems, and I like to figure out how to find solutions.

Case study: 10 mistakes I make as a daughter from 1996 to 2017

Dec. 16, 2018

Introduction

It is my personal finance research. All I like to do is to find things to work on. I have limited time to start all over again to build wealth. I have to admit my mistakes I made as a daughter from 1996 to 2017.

Case study

Learn to solve my personal finance problem one by one

Dec. 16, 2018

Introduction

November is my personal finance month. I continue to spend time in December after work and weekend to study all expenses and incomes in my paper work, I notice that there are more challenge problems for me to solve. I have to deal with myself emotional, self-discipline, irresponsible people, under influence, personal finance app learning, book keeping, long history of impulsive shopping and decision making.

More challenging

Originally in 2015, I started to write coding blog since I like to advance myself in algorithm and data structure problem solving. Late in 2018, I figured out that there are some patterns coming out. I keep solving same kinds of problems again. I think that it is time for me to invest other area using my problem solving skills.

I had an elder sister who visited Vancouver in August 2018, and I was so shamed to share my living condition with her. It was hard for me to be true to myself. I do not know how to solve my problems. I do not own any real estate in British Columbia from 2010, and my asset in Canada could not make a down payment, with stress test, I cannot even think about getting a loan for a one bedroom condo in the city of Surrey.

It was the most challenging problem I have to learn to solve in my life again. I did not know how to start to solve the problems.

I started my journey one day to work on my book keeping in Oct. 2018.

How We Save 70% of Our Income - Financial Independence Journey

Here is the link.

Case study: China vacation one month in 2012

Dec. 16, 2018

Introduction

It is so hard for me to review those receipts. I checked my 2012 vacation and then I came cross so many cash withdraw receipts. I was using money, cash to pay all kinds of expenses, and I also gave out cash gift for Chinese new year. I just could not believe that I was under influence. What was the problem to spend like crazy?

Case study

I like to study those impulsive spending, I used those hard earning money to pay for expenses. I need to figure out what the problem is.

Case study: Shenzhen medical examination in 2012

Dec. 16, 2018

Introduction

It is hard feelings to go over those expenses I had vacation in 2012. I like to challenge myself, how to be a disciplined person? I like to write a blog to document my expenses in Shenzhen, why I chose to pay those medical examination instead of using Canada medical examination?

Case study

I came cross the receipt I paid in 2012 to do physical examination, it costed me over $1,000 Chinese yuan. First of all, those examinations are expensive compared to my home town; secondly, those tests are unnecessary, I already paid MSP health insurance in Canada.

My sister told me that her school offers her a free medication examination every year. She wrote down the examination she got. And then I decided to take all those examinations by myself while I took one month vacation in China, Shanghai, Yichun, Shenzhen.

Actionable Items

I need to slow down in Canada. I need to take some time to get familiar with Canada medical system. I need to figure out how to avoid this impulsive decision.

Increase Your Financial IQ - Kim Kiyosaki - Interview with a Rich Woman

Here is the link.

This is my favorite interview. I really like to learn from the sharing.

Case study: 2003 $3590 dollars project to tile the floor

Dec. 16, 2018

Introduction

It was a tough project I chose to work on. I planned to take away the carpet and put tile on the floor in July 2003. I like to write a blog to document the experience and share what I learned and what I like to review in terms of project management.

Case study

It was tough for me to make decision to put a new floor inside my home in 2003.

Case study: Laptop purchase $700 US dollars

Dec. 16, 2018

Introduction

I went over all the paper work again and today I found this receipt dated on Oct. 11, 2007. I make the purchase a laptop with cost $700.00 dollars. I did not do booking every year until this Oct. 2018, I remembered that in 2010, I took two laptops with me to Canada, and left one super expensive laptop SONY to my friend's house.

Case study

I think that the reason I could not build wealth from 1996 to 2010, the main reason was that I could not book all the expenses, I did not analyze carefully about my purchase. The SONY laptop costed $1800 dollars, and it worked perfect, but I ended up purchase of more laptops.

Here is the receipt I found. I just could not believe that I had this consumer behavior, definitely I need to figure out how to fix it. Sometimes it is hard for me to admit the mistake again.

Actionable Items

If I make mistakes to purchase expensive items, then I should document all the purchases first; and I should try to resell those items, or give away to my relatives in high school when the laptop are still in good quality.

Another thing is never to purchase brand new top brand laptop, I should always try to reduce the waste of money by scrutinizing the big purchase very carefully. Compared to my monthly income, my legal status in USA, I should be very careful on this long term effect.

If I cannot control the expenses and waste over $1800 dollar purchase, then I will have problems to control all other things in my life and career.

Kim Kiyosaki on my "Business Bliss Live" web show

Here is the link.

Weekly contest 115

Dec. 15, 2018

Introduction

It is my favorite weekly contest. I played the contest but I only solved the first algorithm, I ran out of time to fix time out issue on second algorithm.

My performance

I need to look into the issues I had and then figure out what to do. Here is my ranking. I have not written any code last week. I was too busy to work on coding practice.

Dec 17, 12:36 AM

It is always a good idea to show some solution I wrote in the contest.

Here is the first algorithm I shared on Leetcode.com.

10 Things The Rich Do That The Poor Don't - Why You Are Still Broke

Here is the link.

12 Shocking Habits of Successful People

Here is the link.


1 Waking up early, productivity 2 faillure is gold if you learn 3 ignore conformity, innovation, unique solution, avoid comparrison 4 reading every day, knowledge, vocubularity, 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 story8 mild procrastination: passive is lazy, strategic is active, good time planning, shift focus. 9 self improvement as habit, learning new technicues 10 networking, who you know is important 11 excersise 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

7 Habits of Highly Effective People - Self Improvement by Stephen Covey

Here is the link.

1) Be Proactive: Take responsibility and know you’re in charge 2) Start with the end in mind: Have an end goal 3) Put first things first: Do important and non-urgent things first 4) Think Win-Win: Find situations where everyone wins 5) Seek first to understand, then to be understood: Listen before you start talking 6) Synergize: 1 + 1 = 3 7)Sharpen the saw: Invest in yourself for the best ROI

It is very challenging topic, and I know that I have weakness how to deal with people, stress and all other things.

12 Habits of Millionaires - Money Making Habits and Mindset of the Wealthy

Here is the link.

1. Have A Budget 0:11 2. Be Proactive 0:36 3. Read 1:05 4. Curiosity 1:54 5. Pursue Curiosity 2:28 6. Mentor 2:48 7. Goals 3:22 8. Daily Lists 4:08 9. Multiple Revenue Streams 4:49 10. Don't Diversify 11. Avoid Wasting Time 6:20 12. Focus On Highest Earning Activities 7:10

Being financial smart - my sponsor application project

Dec. 15, 2018

Introduction

It is my personal finance research and I like to find all problems I have. In order to prepare myself to be a good project manager, and learn people skills, I have to work on some basics, write down my problems at the end of 2018.

Case study

I worked on the project related to sponsor application to Canadian permanent residentship. I am the aunt but I have to learn how to work with the relatives and learn how to do it in the advance.

This year I paid $650 DNA test, and I paid principal applicant $490 landing fee, and I paid extra $600 dollars tax in order to be financial supporter. I start to audit those big expenses, since I do not purchase any clothing besides food in 2018. I have to give myself an explanation why I made mistakes to end up pay other person's bill.

I like to come out the ideas how to start a project. One idea is to ask relatives to deposit all expenses to my account before I start to work on the project in 2016 October. If they choose not to pay in advance, then I should not start the project at all.

It took me over hundreds of hours to study and all kinds of research, and then I ended up investing over thousands of expenses to the project. Every time I like to communicate with the principal applicant, he even does not listen anything. The whole process is a big alarm for me to be a project manager, I have to learn how to be proactive, and ask deposit in front. I have to learn how to manage a young person and his relatives.

If I cannot control the money in the project, I can not control the project at all. All I do is to work hard on my side, and pay other person's expenses, and leave the principle applicant and relatives to waste money and time on other things.

How much I paid for private coach June 2018?

Dec. 15, 2018

Introduction

It is hard for me to review my payment for the private coach this June 2018. I like to do some case study about this payment and experience.

Case study

I met a friend from pramp.com, and then we worked together to practice algorithm and data structure more than five times. I did share my experience of my payment to the coach, 1 minute 1 dollar for the private coach, I paid $1000 Canadian dollars for private coaching. And she told me that it was too expensive. She did not choose to pay any coach at all.

I also met a friend who gave me three free one hour mock interview this June, 2018. He later joined biggest companies one of top 100 in USA.

I did share my experience through mock interview on interviewing.io. The interviewee asked me why you chose to hire a coach. Through the feedbacks, I know that I have to learn lessons, stay in budget, maybe I should take one or two hours. That is all.

I remembered one time the coach asked me what I like to work on. I could not tell what I like to work on. I should embrace the hard work, if I do not practice hard enough, go over all those hundreds of algorithms on Leetcode.com, then I could not make it at all.

7 Expenses ALL Rich People Avoid - People

Introduction

It is 12 minutes video called 7 expenses all rich people avoid. I like to write a blog to document all mistakes I made in last 20 years, so that I can explain why I left Florida in 2010 without any wealth left.

7 expenses

Here is the link.

1. College Debt 2. Social Events 3. Cars 4. Houses 5. Food 6. Clothes 7. People

Do I have all expenses covered in next 12 months? Do the person survive? Do not remember the shame, manipulation and other things?

I could still remember in 2001 the manipulation I got from relatives, and at the end of the trip, I spent so much to please relatives, thousands of US dollars to pay TV, food, and also group trip to Shanghai. I like to write down those expenses and lessons I learned in my financial life.

No one cares any more after 18 years. But I will remember forever that the lesson I learned from the trip in my personal finance life, and it is important to understand that I paid full price in my life. I asked a friend to lend me the money for one month in 2002, and worked so hard hour by hour over 8 months full time to pay back those debts I had for one week vacation.

In order to build wealth and stay health, I think that it is also very important to learn stay independent as a single lady. I also need to learn how to identify those irresponsible people in my life, and stay away those social event and vacation.

7 Expenses ALL Rich People Avoid - College debt

Dec. 15, 2018

Introduction

Here is 12 minutes video called 7 expenses all rich people avoid. I like to write a case study based on 7 expenses, my over $2,000 us dollars expense from 2010 to 2012 to pay tuition out of state.

7 Expenses ALL Rich People Avoid

Dec. 15, 2018

Introduction

It is 12 minutes video called 7 expenses all rich people avoid. I like to write a blog to document all mistakes I made in last 20 years, so that I can explain why I left Florida in 2010 without any wealth left.

7 expenses

Here is the link.

1. College Debt 2. Social Events 3. Cars 4. Houses 5. Food 6. Clothes 7. People

Case study: 2006 GM onsite interview for human interaction design

Dec. 15, 2018

Introduction

I am the project manager and I like to give myself assignment to write down the experience I had. How I learn and what I learn from those experience. I find that I made so many mistakes in my personal finance and career, and I also have chance to learn so many things through years. I did case study of my airline tickets, and then I came cross this GM onsite interview in the city of Detriot in 2006.

Case study: 20016 GM onsite interview 

I like to write down more here when I have time.

My Canadian asset in 2010

Dec. 15, 2018

Introduction

To build wealth, one thing is a must to document all expenses and income. I like to write down my personal history to build wealth in Canada. I came to Canada in April 23, 2010. And I brought $17,000 us dollars to Canada, and then I started to work full time from June 15, 2010 in a small manufacturer company.

My asset

I brought my 1999 Ford Explorer and some belongings to Canada. Here is July 1, 2010 my bank statement.

I brought $17,000 US dollars to Canada, in two months I found a full time software programmer job.

One idea was to pay my USA home equity loan using $12,000 US dollar and start to live on pay check from pay check in Canada. Or another idea is to save $10,000 dollar more to have a down payment for a condo in the city of Surrey in 2011. Another idea is to borrow another $17,000 US dollars from my home equity line and purchase a condo in the city of Surrey.

In 2017, I had to pay back to my USA home equity line $25,000 us dollars.

Actionable Items

I have to build a habit to do finance analysis every month. I should spend a few hours to document all expenses, income.

I should start to study real estate market from 2010, from Chilliwack, Abbotsford, and Surrey. I should go out to learn and figure out real estate market.

I should make a plan and budget, and set limit of expenses. I need to learn how to discipline myself financially.

Brainstorm idea

From the viewpoint of Dec. 15, 2018, what I should do in 2010 July, I should borrow another $17,000 us dollar to reach maximum home equity line in USA, and then I should purchase a two bedroom condo in the city of Surrey, 10 years old or so. I will try to rent out one or two bedrooms separately, and I will spend time to learn the city of Surrey, and force myself to adapt to finance challenge.

The reason to purchase two bedroom condo is to think in long term. There is much easy to sell and also the price can go up more compared to one bedroom condo. The passive income from the rent will help to reduce risk of foreclosure etc.

The total loan amount will be around $150,000 include two homes, one is USA, one in the city of Surrey. There are four bedrooms, and I have chance to serve four people for their housing need.
Interest rate was very low, us home equity loan is less than 2.25%, Canadian is less than 3%.

Follow up 

Nov. 11, 2019 4:59 PM
It is my holiday called remembrance day. I like to work on the research, and write down my thought process about my decision making back in 2010.

I was not confident back in 2010 even though I got the full time job. I had to learn how to hold a job longer than two years.

April 29 2025

I spent 5 minutes to read the blog. Now all condos in Surrey is above $250,000 Canadian dollars. 

2008 road trip from Boca Raton to Tampa

Dec. 15, 2018

Introduction

I came cross my credit card statement when I searched for the airline ticket. I like to write down the road trip I had from Boca Raton to Tampa, and share my experience to visit a startup company for a short interview in 2008.

Road trip

Here is credit card statement with gas expenses.

I drove to Tampa and had a short onsite interview from a small startup company. I had chance to meet a few software engineers.

Google map to show the route

I chose to take I75 instead of I94. One feedback I got from the owner of the company was that I took too long to get there. I drove Ford Explorer 1999, and I drove normal speed under speed limit.

Road trip 14 days in 2010 - Boca Raton to Vancouver

Dec. 15, 2018

Introduction

It is time for me to write a blog to show all my hotel receipt on 14 days road trip in 2010. I did not have wisdom to plan the trip, my friend organized the whole trip. I just learned that the travel can be so efficient in 14 days, I should learn to save money and also visit so many national parks in the United States.

My 14 days road trip

I will write down more.

Actionable Items

I should learn from the road trip. My friend planned the whole trip and also drove 80% of time. I learn the value of dollar. We visited over 10 national parks, the cost of gas is less than $1,000 dollars, and the cost of hotel are less than $1000 dollars.

Follow up 

Dec. 1, 2021

Here is the instagram link I posted some photos for the trip. 

Here is another link. 

Here is the third link. 

Here is the fourth link. 

May 29, 2024

I have chance to review those photos, and I am so happy to go over those photos on instagram.com.