Understanding mortgage application - step 3

Dec. 24, 2018

Introduction

It is a good idea to study from my own experience. I like to review uniform residential application if I have 10 to 20 minutes.

Loan application

Here is my application back in July 9, 1999. I like to case study this application and then figure out something to work on.

Understanding mortgage by myself - step 2

Dec. 24, 2018

Introduction

It is a good idea for me to study my own mortgage back in 1999. I like to review section by section, so when I have 10 or 20 minutes, I will look into carefully what I should learn from those finance date.

Good faith estimate

Here is the snapshot I did back in July 9, 1999. Last 20 years I learn from so many things as a home owner. I like to write down one by one, and see if there are valuable thoughts.

Questions to test my knowledge

1. What are major three items on closing cost?
2. What  is interest rate? Do I see any information related to interest rate? How is it determined? What is USA prime rate in 1999?

人的本性就是嫉妒和贪婪

Dec. 24, 2018

Introduction

It can be a good topic for me to study. Specially I like to remind myself not to take risk to go for high inflated home purchase near British Columbia area next few years now. 人的本性就是嫉妒和贪婪

那些无家可归的美国人 过着怎样的生活？

Dec. 24, 2018

Introduction

It is something I like to write about. This is a topic for me to think clearly how to face reality in my daily life. I should choose to work hard, save, cut down to expenses to minimum.

Here is the link.

Homeless people

It is Christmas season. Usually in church, people will work as volunteer to help homeless people.


西雅图市议员迈克·奥布莱恩（Mike O’Brien）表示：“我们城市经济失业率为零，而且我们有成千上万无家可归的人正在工作，但是他们买不起房。这些人无处可去。 每次我们开设一个新的收容所，都会被填满.”

一个流浪汉的帐篷被安置在洛杉矶市中心批发商店“Lucky Ave”前的人行道上。在西海岸上下，有着几十年经验的非营利性和外展工作的人对流浪者数量的激增感到震惊：长期的疾病，失业的工作或家庭危机 ——这些不幸的挫折，许多人不可能从中恢复。
由房地产信息公司Zillow资助并由华盛顿大学执行的一项新研究发现，房价上涨与流浪人数之间存在着密切的联系。作者说，例如，洛杉矶5％的租金增加意味着增加大约2000多名无家可归的人。

“所以每个人都依附房子上，因为租金很便宜，现在他们正在失去这些……然后他们只能在街头结束人生。”

加利福尼亚硅谷的问题则更为突出。高薪和紧张的房地产市场已经把租金炒到了数千块。在那些无家可归者的社区里，房车和汽车聚集在一起，这里是Google全球总部的所在地，与斯坦福大学只隔着几个街区。

艾伦·塔拉詹姆斯彭尼（James-Penney），圣荷塞州立大学讲师，自从她失去了住房，她一直在汽车里睡了十年左右，而她现在在这所学校教授四门本科英语， 一年薪资是$28,000。

她的家，是一个老沃尔沃。

她说：“自2007年以来，我基本上一直无家可归，而且我真的很累。真的太累了。”

她实际上是在高科技行业起步的，在21世纪初期的技术危机中被裁员。像许多找不到工作的人一样，她去上大学，然后一路累积了数万美元的学生债务。

现在她已经54岁了，她在她的车里备课、工作。在她仅有的少数物品中，有一对是她的奶奶的花式高跟鞋，提醒自己“情况不会永远是这样的”。

住房成本的上涨不仅导致低收入工人流离失所：无家可归的青年人数也在上升。

例如，洛杉矶最近的一次调查发现，年龄在18岁到24岁之间是流浪者数量增长最快的年龄段，增长了64％，其次是18岁以下人群。

洛杉矶和其他城市一致努力改善流浪年轻人的生活状况，但这也可能是导致流浪者数量增长的原因。

洛杉矶流浪者服务管理局的政策主管威尔·雷曼（Will Lehman）说，其中一个原因是住房和学费的总成本。 他说，威斯康星大学最近的一项研究发现，每5名洛杉矶社区学院学生中就有1名学生无家可归。

“他们可以支付书本，学费，但是买不起公寓。 他们正在选择优先考虑上学，“雷曼说，“他们都不根据自己的境况做选择。”

在西海岸一带，地方政府正在争先恐后地回答这个问题：“我们能做什么事儿改变现状？现在这些都不起作用，纳税人还要为此付账。”

自2015年以来，选民们已经批准了超过80亿美元的支出，其中大部分是增加税收的可负担住房和其他反无家可归方案。 例如，洛杉矶的选民批准了十二亿美元，用十年的时间建造一万套经济适用住房，解决流浪者的人口膨胀问题。

美联储：近半人拿不出400美元，农场现破产潮后，美国无家可归者飙升

值得一提的是，全球最大的对冲基金桥水创始人亿万富翁雷·达里奥近期表示，当前的经济形势正在按照美国大萧条的剧本发展，美国再次发生金融危机是不可避免的。另据CNBC报道，亿万富翁沃伦·巴菲特今年第三季度在接受采访时警告称，（美国）再次发生金融危机是不可避免的。巴菲特解释道，另一个泡沫产生是不可避免的，因为人的本性就是嫉妒和贪婪

Be a broken record

Dec. 24, 2018

Introduction

I learn some communication rules from the article called "42 rules to lead by from the man who defined Google's product strategy". There are six communication rules. I like to apply those six rule to apply my project management related to my sponsor application from 2016 to 2018.

6 communication rules

Be a broken record
Share everything. Hide nothing.
Every word matters
Tell stories
Stop talking, already.
But, if you know the answer...

Apply rules one by one

I deleted all my sister's comment in my private wechat group. Only keep the bill statements.

Share everything. Hide nothing

I showed all transaction I did through Scotia west union transfer. Here is the blog.

No one listened. My sister told me that you are lucky. One of physics professor a Chinese committed suicide recently.

My sister told me that I am single so I do not learn how to be a responsible person. She is a college teacher and also need to take care her daughter.

She did not pay anything since she argued that she lived with my late mom over 8 years together.

I could not handle the bill over $4000 Canadian dollars, no one wants to pay any of the bill. It is the end of year. I paid all the bill statements first.

I showed them opportunity cost I lost, I spent so many vacation in China, over $4,000 Canadian dollars vacation to entertain their spring festival holidays twice. I did not purchase any real estate in Canada and also in the city of Yichun when I worked full time last eight years, I was pushed to pay so many bills nonsense, whereas they all enjoy luxury cars, houses and wealth. I was under influence of love and care and those brainwash family relationship.

I told her that I was pushed to pay so many bills, over ten thousands US dollars, and then over ten thousand Canadian dollars to support my late mom over last 18 years.



Be a broken record
There is no such thing as too much communication.

If I continue to pay all those bills after my mom passed away since 2017 November, I will no longer need any relative, I will cut off all connections with relatives.

It is simple and I need to get my bill paid at the end of year.

"You are a christian. You should go to heaven if you pay the bill."
"You should not care about money. Just spend it. It is you job to pay bill for next generation."

I learn to give warnings again and again. Be persistent.

She found the solution and part of my bill was paid in 2 minutes using China Alibaba solution. I was nobody and suddenly some one paid the bill since I pushed the envelope.

One of sisters told me that she likes to pay the bill, there are some money leftover from my late mom.
I paid her over ten thousands US dollars and Canadian dollars to support my late mom with retirement stable income, a home fully paid by me.

Case study: prime rate and interest income over ten years

Dec. 24, 2018

Introduction

It is so hard for me to review my personal finance this year. I never do annual book keeping before like this time, and also I keep pushing myself to learn and continue to push myself. So I have to be super patient to myself, I did not know originally how many money I distributed into my 401 K, and how much I distributed into my IRA CD with New York community bank. I like to write a blog to do the case study. I also had a big surprise a few weeks ago, I calculated the interest income is $8000 dollars after 10 years, and then I found a piece of paper with another $3,000 dollar IRA CD deposit in 2014.

Case study

I need to find out the detail about my investment and last 10 years interest income. I need to get USA prime rate interest from 2006 to 2018 first.

Actionable Items

I have to push myself hard and find all possible problems through case study. Who am I, how I make financial decision, what can I improve? Where to seek help? How do I learn by myself? How to share my personal finance to help others in community.

I learn a rule today called Do not be a hoarder, be open to share in this internet age. I will start to share my mistakes first, my loss and pain and struggle, one day I will learn to write my joy and happiness of learning.

Case study: My par 401K plan

Dec. 24, 2018

Introduction

It is time for me to spend at least 10 hours a year to study stock market and come out a plan how to catch up the game to play with time.

Case study

I like to push myself to work on blogs on personal finance. One thing I can do is to study my 401 K with par technology. I was so busy over last 10 years, but I let 10 years skipped and did not do right thing. I did wrong thing at wrong time, I bought high and sold low.

2006 and 2007 performance

Originally I put maximum 15% of my salary, $8,000 us dollar into plan.

2008 performance

2018 performance

Actionable item

I can give myself excuse. I work on my sponsor application and immigration project, but I have to take my personal finance seriously.

I need to learn how to build money community around myself. I need to learn to build wealth. I do not have any one to talk to or discuss since I came to Canada.

How to be a good project manager? 

I need to learn how to manage $8000 dollar very well over 10 years. Instead I spent a lot of time in Canada on USA shopping in the city of Bellingham. I totally ignored the responsibility I have to manage the account.

How to understand the culture like a family?

Dec. 24, 2018

Introduction

It is Christmas party and I heard one statement from the management like a family, we work together. I work for a private manufacture company. I like to write a blog to document how to learn better with culture like a family.

Like a family

I have been worked on the company over 8 years. I started from June 15, 2010. What I did is exactly like Suze Oman said in her talk I documented today in my blog.

#2 Share everything. Hide nothing.

Dec. 24, 2018

Introduction

It is time for me to write a blog for my favorite rule learned today. Now it is 12:07 AM, Dec. 24, 2018. It is called 42 rules to lead by from the man who defined Google's product strategy.

#2 Share everything and hid nothing

It is my most favorite rule. Here is the detail.

At Google, our default mode was to share all information. He says. We strived to empower everyone from an information standpoint. In the internet age, power comes from sharing information no hoarding it. Employees like being trusted and hate being surprised. A policy of complete transparency feeds these needs.

Hard to share mistakes

It is so hard for me to admit my mistakes, specially on personal finance. I have to tell from the data, no matter how hard it is, I have to work on those data, and try to find the issue. No matter how I feel ashamed, it is better for me to feel depressed and do not know what to do next. I just take steps, review financial data, and go ahead to try to analyze by myself first.

#36 Good judgment comes from experience.

Dec. 23, 2018

Introduction

It is one of rules I learn to read from the article called 42 rules to lead by from the man who defined Google's product strategy.

Good judgement comes from experience

“On my team, I asked everyone who screwed up to write a postmortem and publish it to the entire team,” he says. “You would think this would be a shameful experience. But we kept an archive of all these things, and you know what, show me a team that never makes a mistake, and I’ll show you a team that has never done anything innovative.”  Errors shouldn’t be defended or buried. They are what make you smarter. You can learn more from your mistakes than  from your successes if you take time to study them.

Change is the only thing that is permanent - Einstein

Dec. 23, 2018

Introduction

It is my personal finance study week. I came cross Team Building, #23 Don’t hire specialists.

#23 Don’t hire specialists

“Especially in tech,” Rosenberg says. “And don’t grow up to be a specialist. The job will change, and the underlying pace of the technology will transform the landscape so quickly that the specialist’s job will be gone.” As Einstein said, “Change is the only thing that is permanent.”

The meaning of open

Here is the link.

42 Rules to Lead by from the Man Who Defined Google's Product Strategy

Here is the article's link.

Jonathan Rosenberg: Rules to success

Here is the link.

Here is the wiki page.

7:00/ 39:15

Communication 10 rules

1. Over communication all the time. Not update enough.
2. Open to share with everything
3. Do not hoard information. Internet age you learn to share. Trust to make royality.
4. Repetition does not spoil a friend.
5. Secret success is a writer
6. Take class. Write down, give presentation. Understand to communicate well.
7. Great teacher are great leader. Great leaders are good story tellers.
8. Best professor is .... You want to leader, you will teach.
9. Listen you learn how thing works.
10. Strive to respond email quickly. Everything stalls.

Company culture 16 rules

1. Highest paid people opinion
2. Let us have data, go to data. If we have opinion, let us have mine.
3. General manager's job is to get something out of the way
4.
5. Put smart people together.
6. Empower smallest team, small size of the family.
7.
8.
9.
14. Hope is not a plan
15. Success is not a green monster.

20:00 - 30:00/ 39:15
Hiring rule

1. Do not hire a specialist. Hire a generalist. Only thing is to change.
2. Nothing is great than enthusiasm.
3. Urgency of role is
10. Diversity
11. Life is not fair. Do not strive to make life fair

Decision making 28:00 / 39:15

1. It is about consensus. Not humanity.

2. Two people are agree, if one is redundant
3.
4. Choose your goal wisely
5. None of us is smart than all of us
6. Where is harmony there is no innovation. Innovation comes from disagreement
7. How to manage risk?
8. Innovation is not to build risk.
9. Leader prevents bad failures
10.


Humanity

5. You learn more from your mistakes.
6.
7. Do not burn bridges.
8. Observe people when they leave.
9. Would you work for yourself?
10.
11. Develop your own style

10 things I find true about money

Dec. 23, 2018

Introduction

I like to write down 10 advises from Suze Orman at Google at 55:00 / 57:00.

Advises

Suze wrote down 10 things true to money.

1. Focus on people, money will follow.
2. Do nothing better than do something. Do not trust any one if you do not know.
3. Being rich is better than being poor.
4.
5. You do not need in wall street to make money
6. Money, evil
7. There is more money to be made out there
8.
9. You can be a personal finance expert without wearing the suit.
10. Be wealthy, it is just what you do the wealth counts.

How to Revoke Your Living Trust

Here is the link.

Pay government tax

Dec. 23, 2018

Introduction

It is related to short sale, since 2013 the short amount is not subject to tax. Suze talked about at 40:00/ 57:55 in her talk Suze Orman at Google.

Tax credit research

Dec. 23, 2018

Introduction

It is one of Suze talk at Google, she talked about real estate $8000 tax credit, and it was extended in 2008. I like to do this research topic. Another reason is that I reviewed the tax I paid in 2001, I paid over $6000 Federal tax, I am not resident and then I had hard time to recover from the loss, I got laidoff in Sept. 2011 in Florida.

Tax credit research

It is definitely a good topic for me to study. I did study tax I paid over $20,000 dollar from 1999 to 2001. If I save $6,000 in those three years, then I decide to invest a condo in the city of Yichun, Jiangxi province I grow up. The condo has a half million Chinese yuan right now in 2018. I paid one for my mom in 1999, I learned the power I had but I did not learn how to take advantage of it by paying less on tax.

Tax credit research worthy million dollars

It is hard for me to learn that I may create million dollars if I work hard on tax credit research when I file tax return from 1999 to 2001.

A few years ago, probably in 2016, I learned Canadian tax return on tennis court. A person worked on oil industry in Alberta, he worked on high pay job over $150,000 dollars, he paid the tax, next year he had no income, he filed another tax return to calculate two years for that $150,000 dollars. Maximum he can do it for three years.

Do I have time on my side?

Dec. 23, 2018

Introduction

It was the first personal finance in Nov. 2017. I had chance to review all my 401K and IRA distributions, and then I had chance to review my performance. It was so surprising that I did not take 19 years on my side very well.

It is time for me to write a case study

I have a few excuses to explain to myself I did not spend time to learn and I did not know how to evaluate myself honestly.

The reason I chose the topic since I watched the video Suze Orman at Google 10:00 - 17:00/57, she talked about 401 K and how to have time on your side.

I like to contribute the community how I do, what possible issues I have. What lessons I learn?

Facts to review

I worked Par Siva over a year from 2006 to 2007, I put salary $8000 into my 401 K, employer matched 10%. Total value is $8800, in 2008 the value lost 30%. I sell all funds I purchased, I chose all funds in the plan originally. And I chose the money market fund. The employer took away matching dollars. Now it is 2018, the value is $6100. I did not make any change at all, I should move to index fund once I move to Canada in 2010.

I need to push myself do research on stock, funds and get basic ideas how to invest. Another idea is not to be panic, let it be. Now I must have over $10,000 us dollar at least.

Here is my transaction in my personal finance github.

In January 2009, I noticed that my Canada skilled worker immigration application was denied. In order for me to focus on my immigration, I decided to sell all the funds in par siva 401 K, and purchased money market fund since 2009. Now it will never come back my original investment, after over 10 years, it is still $6100 dollars.

If I sell them and pay 10% penalty in 2009 since I had zero income, I can purchase a one bedroom condo in the city of Yichun. Now the value can go up to 4 or 5 times.

Actionable Items

Dec. 27, 2018, 10:50 AM

One of ideas is to purchase index fund like low cost vanguard index in 2010.

Another idea is to stay in the market, do not sell in 2008; wait it come back until 2018, and then sell some index fund.

Most of important is to catch up learning in theory, watch some youtube.com video; I need to learn something from the economist, Google talk, and understand the basics of personal finance.

Suze Orman at Google

Here is the link.

Suze Orman- The Power To Attract Money Vol 1

Here is the link of talk.

Why I did not learn to live below my means in 2002?

Dec. 23, 2018

Introduction

It is hard to admit that I did not learn the lesson to live below my means from 2001 Sept. to 2012 December. I like to write a blog to document my experience and how I learn things slowly.

Case study

FICO score

Dec. 23, 2018

Introduction

I like to write my short lesson how I ruined my credit in 1997. I was in car accident in my classmate's car in 1997. I learned the first lesson in my life about credit.

Car accident

I was in car accident in my classmate's car in 1997. He only got driver license in less than one week, I sat in his car. He stopped the car on glades road 2nd ave in Boca Raton, some car hit the car I sat in from behind. The emergency car sent me to hospital to do a X-ray, I took X-Ray examination in Boca Raton hospital with over $200 dollars bill statement.

I did not pay since the insurance should pay. I was got collected and it was delinquent over 90 days. I learned that it was not good, so I paid it. After a few months, insurance agent called me to offer me exactly amount of bill to settle the case.

I got involved in a car accident, but I had delinquent history from that day on.

Recourse loan

Suze Orman's Money Class

Dec. 23, 2018

Introduction

It is called money class. I like to learn and also I am searching more topics for me to learn for this holiday break week from Dec. 24 to Dec. 31, 2018. I like to push myself hard and learn things about more about personal finance, money.

Money class

Here is the video's link.

10:00 - /2:35
"From now on, I will spend one hour to work on finance every day."

Debt is bondage

Dec. 23, 2018

Introduction

It is my personal finance research. I learn a new statement called debt is bondage. I like to write a blog how I approach it and learn some basics.

Debt is bondage

Case study: Self-esteem issues

Dec 23, 2018

Introduction

It is the same issue with weight control, credit card issue. It is  called self-esteem issue. I had overspending issue, impulsive shopping, and the problem shows up in my years in Canada again from 2010 to 2018. I like to do a case study on this issue.

Case study: self-esteem issues

I learned to write a topic since I learned the topic from Suze Orman interview in Philipine, the video link is advice on managing personal funds. 30:00 - 39:00/ 44:55

Case study: Things I learned in 2009 with only passive income

Dec. 23, 2018

Introduction

It is time for me to review my expenses in 2009. I only had some passive income, I quickly borrowed from home equity loan. I like to do a case study on this finance decisions.

Case study: very low income

It is most tough time for me in my life. The home price went down, but my home equity line was still open with $58,000 dollars. I was so afraid that the line will be closed since home price goes down. I made a few transactions to write check to myself $10,000 a time after I settled down the appeal case in Oct. 2009. I like to make sure that those money can be available for me to use, I  had to withdraw some money in my checking account.

I had a Ford Explorer, the gas price was highest in the history, over $5.00 a gallon. I spent time to work on my appeal for leave case starting from February, 2019.

I own one condo with two bedroom one bathroom near campus. How do I learn to survive and also learn something new?

My analysis

First of all, I did not prepare the worst personal economy situation in my life in 2009. I had best education from 2002 to 2008. But somehow I was not so confident and did not learn quickly enough in my personal finance at all.

I had four year graduate study for my Ph.D. study, I had an intern and full time job almost one year with salary $46,000 US dollars from 2006 to 2007. I put $8000 us dollars into my 401 K, and did spend one vacation to cost me $1,000 us dollars to New York and visited Yale and MIT and Harvard and went out with my SJTU classmate from China.

Suze Orman on ANC: Advice on managing personal funds

Here is the link.

Suze Orman on ANC: Advice on managing personal funds

Here is the link.

Suze Orman Retirement Road Map For Ages 20s 30s

Here is the link.

Case study: Western union money transfer history

Dec. 23, 2018

Introduction

I made so many mistakes in early 2000, I spent six thousands dollars to pay for a home for my late mom; and then later I paid over thousands for her trips to USA and other travelling cost in her early 70s. I like to do a case study since it is time for me to learn from my mistakes and things I have to learn.

Case study

I did not do booking every year. I do believe that if I work hard, then money will follow. But it does not work very well. Recently I started to dedicate my time to do personal finance research. It is my first time to read those transaction history through my scotiabank history of transfer.

I like to look into this issues. I think that one of things I have to push myself is to learn to negotiate, and learn to find alternative ways, and build relationship with local banks, and do business through investment. West union is an easy way but I never learn anything through those hard earn money.

What I should do is to invest some money and create win win solution for me and also my mom. Maybe I can purchase a home and use me and my mom's name both in 2010. At that time, my sister paid a 2000 square foot only with $100,000 Chinese yuan, she paid $100,000 yuan to put everything inside the unit, a few years ago she sold for 100% profit. She invited my young sister to purchase one in the same community.

Another thing is that I should review my income and expenses every year. And also I need to try to get relationship with other siblings as well, compare notes, exchange my bank transaction to other siblings, make it public, and share the lessons I learn all the time. I have a sister who is a college teacher, who is good at investing on stock trading; a physician and a middle school teacher.

I have to handle 2018 project, I paid over $4000 Canadian dollars, I tried to show my effort to push to collect the payment. I looked up the internet and found those transactions to share the payment, since I was pushed to pay by my siblings before.

I tried to reveal what I did to other siblings since I paid to my mom through one of siblings to my mom. I paid cash $5,000 yuan if I did not use western union transfer. I spent over $4,000 Canadian dollars for two vacation each time in 2012 and 2014.

I do not try to solve my own problem in the city of Vancouver near 10 years, but I tried to pay all the expenses for entertainment purpose. That is not acceptable for me to review and audit those expenses.

Actionable Items

I spent time from 2010 to 2018 working full time, but I found out that there are some issues related to my savings. I think that most important is to stay financial independent, and also be able to stay emotional independent. Do not mix money with emotions.

Personal finance is so tough game to play. My sister kept telling me that you are a Christian, if you pay the relative's bill, you will go to heaven. I just show the facts to her, how much I paid through years. This is the first time I reviewed my transaction history with her first time. I learned the lesson to share early, build relationship with other siblings.

To learn person finance, it is time for me to push myself hard to review, audit, and learn how to solve my problems in terms of problem solving, working with people, and do the right thing right time.

Follow up 

July 27, 2022

I like to review the blog and write down my understanding of my financial history. 

Dame Helena Morrissey live on stage

Here is the link.

The man who leases out his life

Here is the link.

Followers of the philosophy live by a minimalist, frugal lifestyle enabling them to save as much money as possible to retire as early as they are able. In Curelop’s case, the target age is 28.

Money Class: 20% and 8 months saved?! Is this the right time to invest and buy?

Here is the link.

The tightward gazette

Here is the article to read.

437-Mustachianism 101: The Philosophy of Mr. Money Mustache

Here is the link.

18:00
Engineer mindset like the programmer. Optimize the algorithm

20:00
Live close to work

22:00
Test the assumption

You can retire in 10.9 years with a saving rate of 64%

Dec. 23, 2018

Introduction

It is one of topics in the presentation "Mr Money Mustache - The man who retired before age 30
". Here is the video. The topic starts from 17:00 - 22:00/ 26:45.

Case study

$40,000/ year vs $400,000/ year, both are 10% saving. The two will retire in the same years.

How long is your prison sentence?
(aka mandatory working for money)

Low income is more important to learn how to save 64% of income.

Brainstorm the idea

I like to explore idea how I can do it in one year to save 64% income.

1. I choose to walk around neighborhood instead of driving to tennis court. Save gas.
2. Spend more time on walking instead of other expensive sports.
3. No vacation international, say no to life style and cut off wechat with family group.
4. Admit my problem solving skills in terms of algorithm and data structure. No more private coach or other worry about applying fancy and top paid salary job.
5. Spend more time to work on 200 more medium level algorithm problems solving in next 6 months.
6. No clothing shopping, any expense about 100 dollars except auto insurance etc.
7. Every time Costco shopping no more than $100 dollars a time. Reduce the waste of food. Purchase big bags of fresh potatos, onions, carrots all the time.

Authentic vs Scammy

Here is the video link. The topic of Authentic vs Scammy starts from 23:00 - 26/ 26:00

Case study:

Tesla same market value of GM, but GM sells more than 300 times more cars compared to Telsa.

Mr Money Mustache - The man who retired before age 30

Here is the link.

Fact 1:

Fact 2:

Fact 3: Work is better if you do not need money

How 'Mr. Money Moustache' Retired at Age 30

Here is the link of 5 minutes video.

Challenge yourself, work on wisdom, knowledge and make yourself more like a problem solver.

Why frugal living is so hard to practice

Dec. 23, 2018

Introduction

It is one incident happening in last year vacation in China. My mom was dying any time, and my sister is a physician who tried to extend her life for extra one or two weeks using medicine. And there is this accident.

Super marketing shopping

I spent a lot of money on Beijing to visit China open event, I covered one portion of my another elder sister's expense. I paid $1000 Canada as usual every year for my mom's support in Feb. 2017.

I made a purchase a one Chinese yuan fruit and took home. My elder sister turned those fruits showing bad part, post on family wechat group.

I made a comment on her behavior, it is the society called "笑贫不笑娼".

I decided to cut her off as a wechat contact in December 2018, and exit the family wechat group.

Mr. Money Mustache

Here is the article.

吝啬不能让你发财,节俭却可助你获得财务自由

Here is the article.

"钱胡子先生"（Mr Money Mustache）。那这是44岁的加拿大人阿德尼（Peter Adeney）的博客，他的名字在提前退休人士中如雷贯耳。怀特这才发现，自己无意中参与了一场在世界各地的年轻员工中越来越受欢迎的运动：FIRE（financial independence, retire early，意思是经济自由、提前退休）。

基本模式是这样的：该运动的支持者会尽可能节俭地生活，在二、三十岁时将一半或者更多的收入存起来。目标是在三、四十岁退休。

这场运动的"提前退休"部分可能在说法上有些不妥。许多FIRE的践行者并不打算拿50年的时间来打桥牌或者坐游轮。相反，重点是在财务自由上：目标是存足够的钱，生活得足够简单，这样，接下来的几十年就可以做别的事情，而不是在一份白领工作中追求加薪升职，或者担心欠银行大笔贷款。

尽管这些想法已经存在了很多年，但在过去10年里，网络社区让FIRE运动真正形成了气势。

The best way to become a millionaire in five years or less 03

Here is the link.

Healthy Finances

Here is the link.

Case study: 2012 China vacation one month

Dec. 22, 2018

Introduction

I spent more than one hour to go over the expenses I spent in China one month vacation in 2012. I just could not believe how much I spent. I had debt in USA over $30,000 US dollars in 2012. I like to write a case study on this one.

Case study of my vacation in 2012

Beside the above expenses, I paid for $7000 yuan for airline ticket, $3000 - $4000 for two long distance road trip, and also all other expenses.

I also gave out cash gift over $2,000 yuan called red packet in Chinese new year to relatives. My asset in China is zero, I took out cash from Scotia debit card every day at most $400 Canadian dollars.

I like to go over those purchases and find all kinds of decision making. Why I made the purchase decision, what problem I need to look into solve.

Vancouver airport clothing Hudson

I came cross the jacket with Canada on the sleeves, so I made purchase four of them, giving away as gifts to four sisters. $100 dollars for gift. Do I plan it or not? Have a budget?

Why I paid for expensive medical exams?

I like to go over my decision process. Do I apply 10 hours rule if I decide to spend over near $600 yuan to do medical exams? What is impulsive shopping for medical service? My sister told me that she got annual free exam, and then she shared the exams she had. I immediately went for the exam, and I did not care if Shenzhen is most expensive city compared to my hometown.

Why I chose to spend vacation in January?

The airline ticket costed me over $1000 Canadian dollars. I chose to purchase those foods from Costco. I spent over $100 Canada dollars for extra bag, and then I ended up to pay for all gas $1 yuan/ km to China. Since the train ticket ran out in Chinese new year.

The Air Canada round trip in slow season can be half of the price, I only need to pay less than $3,000 yuan.

Why I purchased expensive leather coat?

Since my sister told me she paid $5,000 RMB for a leather coat, usually she told relatives fake price. I ended up to spend hours to shop the leather mall to purchase a $1200 yuan leather coat.

Looking good but going no where. I need to learn this principle related to personal finance.

Here is the leather coat's receipt.

Healthy food or all kinds of snacks in China

I spent near $1600 yuan in Canada to bring to Yichun, and aslo spent over $2400 yuan on food, all kinds of gourmet food. Food is the biggest waste as well. I paid over $4,000 for one month vacation.

Here is the Costco receipt.

Why round road trip from Shanghai to Yichun?

I prayed the road safety for the trip. My brother was the driver. I came out the idea to purchase food over $500 yuan for road trip, all kind of fresh vegetables etc. to help the driver to stay alert. That was the first day road trip from Shanghai to Wuxi, and then Wuxi to Yichun. 

I paid for all gas and tolling fee from round trip over $2000 Yuan. I also stuck on the highway overnight and slept inside the car on rest stop on highway overnight when my brother drove from Yichun to Shanghai. There was a car accident and we got stuck early in the morning from 1 AM to 3 AM.

The road trip was not safe at all. A lot of speeding and all kinds of issues.

Why round road trip from Yichun to Shenzhen?

Actionable Items

I need to learn how to plan, budget in my personal finance every day. All problems came out and I noticed the danger everywhere. Road trip safety, food safety and all other issues. I tried to cash out crazy with so many $2000 Yuan withdraws.

Do I have to take vacation in Chinese spring break? 2014 I took the vacation again in spring festival, again, I spent over $4,000 Canadian dollars again. In 2014 December I became a Canadian citizen. My coworker as a sales manager told me, Julia, you are a Canadian citizen now, we just had one week break in December. All projects just started in New year. I listened and understood that it is not a good decision for me to a full time programmer to take two weeks a break in Chinese spring festival.

I no longer took my sister's advice to take vacation in spring festival. But not for financial problems of spending problems.

With the above review, I did show poor planning, no budget, impulsive shopping, indulge in food, solve problem without carefully considering the cost, under influence. The vacation was too long, I spent money on the road trip.

Ideas to cut expenses

1. Do not purchase food from Costco, $1600 yuan saving, plus extra bag fee charged by airline;
2. Avoid road trip, it is expensive and not safe. I should not choose to pay fee on road trip over $3000 yuan.
3. Avoid time in Chinese spring festival. Choose April, make it short as one week. Airline ticket saving is $3000 yuan.
4. Do not purchase clothes in airport Hudson, $800 yuan saving. Do not give gift to others, they all are adults.
5. Use vacation day to spend time to go over medical exams if need in Canada. Saving is $950 yuan, I should not choose to do exams in Shenzhen. Choose to study some youtube.com video, learn something cheap.
6. Do not need so many coats. I purchased expensive leather coat $1600, one coat full retail price $400 yuan, three on sale, $100 dollar each. Two other coats for myself, two for my mom as well.
7. That is the last chance that I can purchase a home in China as a Chinese citizen. I do not make my sisters and brother as a business partner, I wasted time on parties on food and nonsense.
8. I am not a good role model for young generation. Discipline, hard working, and self-control on personal finance.
9. Red packet to give out cashes, pay all road trips cost even my brother has to take the road trip by himself for business. This is time for me to negotiate to share the cost.
10. I allowed the relative to act financial irresponsible through road trip. I got into highway and stuck in the middle of night on the highway.
11. Get the salary in the city of Yichun university, a teacher over 20 years annual base salary. Use that to determine how much I should spend in a month.

Suze Orman | 7 Super Tips

Here is the link.


7 Super tips - stick to who you ant to become

12:23 - 15:00/ 17:21

Now it is time for you to work on you love, not for money.

She got a job working on shoe company under $30,000 dollars in the city of New York. How do you expect me to make it?

Get there 7 AM instead of 8 AM. Come in Saturdays, everything they ask you. Not ask them a pay raise. This is not about money, it is for you to establish yourself best worker they see.

I like to learn how to lecture money

Dec. 22, 2018

Introduction

It is my decision to go for personal finance research and I put my algorithm and data structure problem solving to the second priority this Nov 2017. I need to figure out why I make mistakes in my decision making by reviewing the spending and earning, two laidoffs in startup companies in United States in 2001 and 2007.

My role model 

I spent time to watch the video called "Suze Orman Shares financial survival tips". I heard the sentence she said loud. I lecture money all over the world.

Suze Orman Shares Financial Survivial Tips

Here is the link.

Suze Orman: To really save money, do this...

Here is the link.

Weekly contest 116

Dec. 22, 2018

Introduction

It is the weekly contest 116. I wrote the first two algorithms. And I like to spend a few minutes to document my experience.

weekly contest 116

Here is my performance.

Changes I made

This time I started to write the code directly on Leetcode.com. I tried to simplify the process, avoid debugging the code. I had to push myself think hard.

The first algorithm took me almost first 30 minutes to solve it. I did not read carefully about the problem statement, I solved one I practiced before; after I submitted and failed, I learned that the giving condition is different, N + 1 unique numbers, one unique number has N + 1 copy. So only one number has more than one copy.

The second algorithm I also worked on preprocessing carefully. I ran into so many issues and it took me almost 50 minutes. I need to learn how to expedite the process. I spent over 25 minutes to debug the code, and I found out that I failed so many edge cases. I submitted five times.

Good discussion about last algorithm is here. I spent over 5 minutes to look into the top player with a lot of competition experience, the leetcode profile is here.

Statistics 

Q1 1939 solved
Q2   990 solved
Q3   301 solved
Q4     40 solved

My ranking is 1045/ 2964. Starting from ranking 306, players solved only two algorithms. I plan to spend to go over those players with the score 7 as I have.

Here is the link of algorithm 962: Maximum width ramp.

What is definitely amount money I desire?

Dec. 22, 2018

Introduction

It is my study about book called think and grow rich. What is definitely amount money I desire? Today is Dec. 22, 2018, I like to figure out my desire in 30 minutes.

Facts to review

It is hard to make more money at work.

It is risky to go for a new job with more pay and more challenges.

I have to cut all expenses to minimum, no shopping, only minimum to survive. No entertainment, no vacation, only take walks, public transit, research and study.

I have to start to build habit to document all expenses, review and audit them.

I can adapt to a new city in Canada to make a living. I can go for cheap town to live or I can continue to live under means in the city of Vancouver.

I have to understand how things work in Canada.

I have to cut down all expenses. I have to ask relatives to pay their own bills. It is hard for me to do it, but I have to learn and push myself hard to do it.

Definitely amount money I desire

I used to think about if I can go to Canada and find a steady job to make $30,000 dollars/ year in 2009, I worked on my appeal case from January to Oct. 2009.

I need to desire more, if I can not achieve the goal, then at least I may have the experience.

Let me give a desired amount money I desire. Based on money rules, I have to learn how to play double game first and then how to get the result.

I like to write down the money I desire today is $100,000 Canadian dollars in Canada asset first.

First principle is called Desire

Dec. 22, 2018

Introduction

What is the principle called Desire? Why it is the first principle in think and grow rich Earl Nightingale. Here is the link.


Burning bridge, never going back.

Ideas, thoughts, organized plan

Dec. 22, 2018

Introduction

It is the first time I learned at work called ideas and thoughts and organized plan. I learn how to work with new designer and  marketing coordinate at work starting January 2017. I had to learn how to work and it take some time for me to learn how to work with people.

Case study: My laidoff in 2001

Dec. 22, 2018

Introduction

The habit to do more than paid for is one of principles I learn today. It is one of principles I learn today from think and go rich Earl Nightingale. I like to apply this principle to write a case study why I got myself laidoff in 2001.

Case study

It is one of stigmas in my career and also a business woman.  I could tell so many mistakes I made in the short career to work for a startup called Trendium.

I did write a big check syndrome to document my first three years career in United States.

Case study: decision should be made quickly and definitely and change it slowly

Dec. 22, 2018

Introduction

It is the video 23:00 / 38:58, one of mistakes decision making is to make decision slow but change very often. Here is the video. I like to case study how many cases I make decision and they are not good ones based on this process.

20:00 - 25:00 / 38:58

neighbor, cheap commodity newspaper, 
keep master mind group - twice a week, maintain harmony
close relatives - not good for decision make

23:00 - 25:00 / 38:58
Be optimistic
quick to make decision and not to change
Make up your mind and stay with it
Gossiping neighbors

27:00 - 29:00 / 38:58
Master your mind group

Stimulate your own thinking.

case study: Decision making slow but change very often

Dec. 22, 2018

Introduction

It is the video 23:00 / 38:58, one of mistakes decision making is to make decision slow but change very often. Here is the video. I like to case study how many cases I make decision and they are not good ones based on this process.

Specialized knowledge

Dec. 22, 2018

It is one of principles called specialized knowledge from the book Think and grow rich earl nightingale - Napoleon Hill.

Faith and self confidence formula

Dec. 22, 2018

Introduction

It is time I listen the audio 30 minutes from this link on youtube.com. Think and Grow Rich Earl Nightingale - Napoleon Hill, here is the link. 

10:00 - 13:00/ 38:58 topic about faith 

Giving out thanks to people

Dec. 22, 2018

Introduction

It is time for me to work on a list of people to give thanks this past 2018. I practiced a few times yesterday, I learned how to express myself quickly and catch the chance to express to my friends.

Apply appreciation principle

I learn that I make so many mistakes in my personal business decision. I lose thousands of dollars because I am lack of finance knowledge, good habit to think, and a mindset to make decision. One example is $17,000 US dollar one exchange to Canadian dollar in 2010, I did this case study recently in 2018.

I gave out a bottle of wine and a box of chocolate to my friends I made at work. I like to seek out more opportunity this weekend.

Think and Grow Rich Earl Nightingale - Napoleon Hill

Here is the link.

From an idea, mindset, and then organized plan.

But control your mind, you can control your destiny in the world.

My asset in China

Dec. 22, 2018

Introduction

It is so hard for me to write on this topic. I went back to China last 22 years a lot of times. I always want to purchase a home for myself in my home town Yichun city. Until last year I found out that I cannot purchase a home any more since I am a Canadian citizen starting from 2014.

What is my asset in China?

I do not have any asset except $20,000 Chinese deposited into China bank in 2014. Since I planned to support my late mom. At that time, she started with dementia over 83 years old.

I earned my interest starting 2010, first two years 3.25%. And now it is 1.75% interest annually.

I need to figure out how to build wealth in China. Instead of spending $5,000 Canada for a vacation one month in 2012, I had to support my mom as a daughter. Now I have no excuse to waste money in China, I have to push myself as an adult, and then figure out how to build wealth instead of spending.

I documented my mistake in 2001 to spend $5,000 us dollar on a vacation to China, and also I took extra trip to Mexico to get visa for H1-B first. I learned the vacation costed me money I could pay for a condo in the city of Yichun in 2001.

I learned the lesson to make a plan, adapt to life challenges based on society, countries, and economy and other things.

What is my financial IQ?

Dec. 22, 2018

Introduction

It is my short research I like to do. How to evaluate my finance IQ? I like to learn how to build wealth, and I like to figure out how to do it in this winter break from Dec. 22 to Dec. 31, 2018. I like to do non-stop research and work on my personal finance.

10 Best Ideas | THINK AND GROW RICH | Napoleon Hill | Book Summary

Here is the video to summarize the book. I like better this one. I need to get ideas quickly.

(2:15) 1. MINDSET The real thing that will make you rich is your mindset. Focus on modeling how successful people think. Thoughts ARE things. (3:00) 2. DESIRE Want it bad enough - it becomes an obsession. "Burn the ships" mentality vide. (6:00) 3. FAITH Fake it till you make it advice: “Dress for job you want, not job you have” with his discontentment of being able to sit in a room alone” -Seneca Do the work. Active form of boredom by journaling: http://www.mybestjournal.com (21:00) 10. JOURNAL WORKSHOP MONEY FROM CH. 2 1. Fix in your mind the exact amount of money you desire. 2. Determine exactly what you intend to give for this money. 3. Establish a definite date by which you intend to acquire this money. 4. Create a definite plan to acquire the money, and take the first step immediately. 5. Put the four items above into a clear, concise sentence describing each part. 6. Read the statement aloud twice daily, in the morning and at night.

Think and Grow Rich

Here is the article link.

Here’re Napoleon Hill’s seventeen principles of success. Think about how they can work towards bringing health and happiness into your life.

1. Definiteness of Purpose
2. Positive Mental Attitude
3. Self-Discipline
4. Personal Initiative
5. Enthusiasm
6. Creative Vision
7. Accurate Thinking
8. Controlled Attention
9. Learning From Adversity and Defeat
10. Maintenance of Sound Health
11. Budgeting Time and Money
12. Pleasing Personality
13. Applied Faith
14. Teamwork
15. Going The Extra Mile
16. Master-Mind
17. Cosmic Habit-Force

These principles are of no particular order, but they follow a pattern.

To achieve something, you must first conceive what you want — your definite purpose — knowing where you want to go. Then, you must have a positive mental attitude to go with it.

In other words — you must believe you are going to achieve your definite purpose —then you must build your world around it — using all these principles — especially the mastermind.

Go read, or re-read, Think And Grow Rich.

And I’ve already given you a spoiler. The Napoleon Hill secret is:

“Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve with positive mental attitude.”

Think and grow rich - Napoleon Hill

Dec. 22, 2018

Introduction

It is a book called think and grow rich. Here is 41 audio book by Earl Nightgale.

Learn how to apply 10 hours rule

Dec. 22, 2018

Introduction

I like to write a blog and then do some research about how to apply 10 hours rule. I spent a few hours to review my 2012 vacation shopping expenses. I like to conduct analysis, and then I like to figure out what kind of person I am as a consumer. What are my weakness as a consumer?

Earl Nightingale - WINNERS ATTITUDE (Earl Nightingale Motivation)

Here is the link.

Earl Nightingale - How to Become Financially Independent (Earl Nightingale Personal Development)

Here is the link.

Earl Nightingale The formula to becoming rich (the most powerful motivational speech ever)

Here is the link.

12:00 - 13:00 / 18:59

13:00
One hour early a day - clean sheet paper, write your financial goal.

What is goal? How to reach your goal? Ways to improve? Contribution and service.

Five ideas a morning.

Most of them are worthless. One idea can get the income.

15:00
Think well, you need to discipline your attitude and mind.


16:30
Act like the person you like. Before you can do something,

Always get suspicious.

Cause and effect.

Three things to remember.

How To Be Wealthy And Why 95% Never Will Be

Here is the link.

14:00 - 16:00/ 16:43

To be a rich grad

1. Continually educate yourself in business & investing.

(The 'B' & 'I' Quadrants) - B (business owner), I (investor)

Once you have knowledge, you can seize opportunities when they come along, because you can recognize them.

2. Become an Entrepreneur

 On the right side of the quadrant, as an entrepreneur, you gain time freedom and financial freedom.

WHY the Rich get Richer

Here is the link.

Joshua Fields Millburn on The Power of Being a Minimalist with Lewis Howes

Here is the interview link. 

How Minimalist Living Can Help You Pay Off Debt

Here is the link.

How To Get Out of Debt

Here is the link.

Happy new year - MP Lighting

Dec, 20, 2018

It is my favorite time to choose a Chinese song to sing for the party 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM, Dec. 21, 2018. Next week we will have one week off. I found a few of them.

Here is NO.1., 10 minutes.

南方群星大拜年 - 新年團聚+ 赚钱的年+ 爆竹 / 红包/ 年糕+共渡幸福年

Here is No. 2, 8 minutes. 

Here is No. 3, first three minutes. 

Here is No. 4, eight minutes. 

南方群星大拜年 - 年年欢乐年【南方年年欢乐年 / 金狮来拜年 / 都说新年好 / 新年好运乐陶陶】MEDLEY

Life is tough and I like to write down lessons I have learned

Dec. 20, 2018

Introduction

It is 12:31 AM, and I have to go to sleep now. I spent over two and half hour from 8:30 PM to 12:30 AM to go over all those shopping receipts from 2010 to 2018, and figured out how much money I sent to my mom from 2010 to 2017. I like to write a blog to document my learning.

Life is tough

I have to learn how tough life is. I have not learned enough lessons. I went through all the documents of expenses I used for west union, thousands dollars I paid for supporting my late mom from 2010 to 2017. I like to look into how many issues related to this area, I wish that I negotiate the different way to pay instead of giving out cash. Life will be much more tough for me to handle since I am aging as well. Siblings in China are tough, I have to learn how to make a living in Canada, instead of taking so many trips to China from 2010 to 2017. Over ten thousands of dollars were wasted on those trips.

I also went over hundreds dollar purchase I made. I think that it will be very helpful for me to figure out what kind of consumer I am, how I make decision through those purchases.

In order to survive in Canada, personal finance is such tough to learn and I have to figure out ways to continue to learn by myself.

418 13228 Old Yale Road, Surrey

Dec. 20, 2018

Introduction

Here is the home I like to study.

Why You Shouldn't Loan Money To Family

Here is the link.

The Secret to NOT Being BROKE! - Dave Ramsey Rant

Here is the link.

Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey Summary | 7 Baby Steps

Here is the link.

An animated summary of the Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey. Dave Ramsey’s 7 Baby Steps explained. The 7 Baby Steps: Baby Step 1: $1,000 cash in a beginner emergency fund Baby Step 2: Use the debt snowball to pay off all your debt but the house Baby Step 3: A fully funded emergency fund of 3 to 6 months of expenses Baby Step 4: Invest 15% of your household income into retirement Baby Step 5: Start saving for college Baby Step 6: Pay off your home early Baby Step 7: Build wealth and give generously

958. Check Completeness of a Binary Tree

Dec. 19, 2018

Introduction

It is one of algorithms in weekly contest 115. I learned a new idea to solve the algorithm today.

A new idea 

It is so busy recently but I had chance to explore the idea I saw in the coding blog from Linkedin.com sharing post. Here is the link.

I wrote a comment after I learned the idea, and I did some minor change. Here is my comment.

Thank you for sharing. 

Your solution will be perfect one since it is much easy to write compared to my solution written in last week Leetcode contest 115.

But I played with different ideas based on your approach, and the map using size N = 100 is very challenging one. I came cross the index out of range error. I did not fully understand the given condition of 100 nodes at most in the tree, if it is a complete tree, then map should be fit into 101. Otherwise, the size can be 1 + 2 + ...+ 2^100. 
I spent time to learn your idea and play with different approach. None of them works and I could not make any improvement, so I tried to make a minor change to entertain the hard work and things I learned. 


I chose not to use map instead, I choose to use two variables to help me track, count of nodes in the tree and sum of index. The code passed Leetcode online judge. You give us a lot of inspiration I am talking from weekly contest players viewpoints. 

Leetcode discuss link is here.