Case study: My 401 K management lesson No. 1

April 25, 2019

Introduction

It is my personal finance research. I like to learn and look into my 401 K management lesson on par tech 401 K fund.

Case study

I did study my par tech 401 K. I invested $8,000 dollars into my 401 K from 2006 to 2007.

I like to put some facts in the following:
1. mutual funds holding from 2006 to 2008.
2. 2008 loss screenshot
3. 2009 to 2019 money market fund

I like to analyze how many mistakes I made as an investor, what common mistakes I made as a naive investor from 2007 to 2019. What can I do in order to improve myself as a problem solver? What was my thinking process? How many big mistakes I made through those 12 years.

1. Buy high sell low in 2008.
2. I should get back to those funds when market comes back. I should follow S & P index.
3. I should not put money market fund in 2009.
4. I should spend time to rebalance, and at least learn how many funds available.
5. I should spend time to chat and look into how to grow those investment. I can grow those $8,000 dollars into $30,000 dollars using Par tech 401 K plan by choosing TRBCX or FXAIX from 2010.

Ideas to work on 

If I learn how to invest in the equity market, those fund from 2010 to 2019 can be tripled in TRBCX fund.

Laidoff in 2007 turns into such great experience for me in my life. If I can handle the 401 K properly and I stayed in the course on equity funds in 2008, then I will let those fund grow to $20,000 dollars.

I should spend at least one hour every week to learn Schwab Charles 401 K website, and also learn all investment funds available starting from 2008.

I should learn personal finance since I have 401 K fund with value over $6,000 starting from 2007.

Good finance habits

I should spend time to learn my 401 K fund by studying the website, chat with the representative online, and also study the learning center from the website.

I should study all available funds and then try out different funds from 2007 to 2019. I am so ashamed that I do not have any transaction from 2009 to 2019.

Ten years blank history as an investor. I am so ashamed that I do not learn and also practice as an investor.

Follow up 

Dec 20, 2019

It is hard to read this case study. I just could not believe that life is so tough for me to accept myself as a learner. It is tough road for me to be a Canadian citizen.

Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Index Fund Investor Shares (VFWIX)

Here is the link.

Case study: How to build my portolio?

April 25, 2019

Introduction

It is my personal finance research. I like to set up my portfolio and one of ideas is to put money into different funds.

My portfolio

Par tech 401 K

I need to set up my par tech 401 K into TBRCX, FXAIX $6,200 dollars. I like to put into the market in next month, hopefully there is one more year bull market before the market crashes.

I like to actively manage the fund allocation, I like to purchase
TBRCX - $3000.00
FXAIX  - $3000.00

If the price falls, then I will purchase more using my Canada cash to dollar cost average the risk. If the price continues to rise, then I will sell 10% profit and put into bond into my par tech 401K.

IRA Ameritrade

I need to transfer my IRA CD from 1.2% 6 year term into Ameritrade. I like to build those $20,000 asset allocation in the following:

One of consideration is to purchase Vanguard total bond fund, and then put rest of them into Vanguard total market index fund, Vanguard retirement fund 2040.

I know that market is high right now, I may think about 60% on bond fund, 40% on those Vanguard total market, and retirement 2040.

$12,000  VBMFX, bond fund
$3,000    VTSMX, vanguard total market index fund
$3,000    VFORX, 2040 fund

If the market crashes, I will sell VBMFX bond fund, and then purchase more 2040 fund and VTSMX fund.

Rental property management

I need to learn how to manage the risk and serve better the community of Chinese attending FAU in the city of Boca Raton.

Rental in the city of Vancouver

I like to enjoy the frugal living life style and stay as a minimalist.

Canada portfolio

I also like to build $30,000 Canada dollars portfolio. The idea is to invest into VBMFX bond fund.

I like to practice dollar cost average strategy, and also like to take advantage of low value of Canada dollar compared to US dollar.

Stock purchase

 I also like to purchase individual stocks, and try to find 20 stocks to hold in long term. I like to learn to find those stocks to hold long term in next 30 years.

Vanguard Target Retirement 2040 Fund (VFORX)

Here is the link.

Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Investor Shares (VBMFX)

April 25, 2019

Introduction

It is my personal finance research. I like to build my portfolio and put at least 25% of my asset into equity fund, and also cash into VBMFX.

VBMFX

Here is the link.

Great Investments for Getting Started - Morningstar Video

Here is the link.

Asset allocation

hands off hands on - care to spend on time to invest

Hands on asset allocation

ETF

2:05/ 7:07

Vanguard total world stock index ETF VT (ARCX)

3:32/ 7:07

Vanguard total bond market ETF


Hands off asset allocation

Vanguard target retirement 2040 - VFORX


Actively managed funds

5:16/ 7:07
T. Rowe Price Spectrum Growth
PRSGX
Actively manged fund - growth

2009 $10,000
2019 $40,000

6:24/ 7:07
Dodge & Cox Stock
DODGX
Category Large Value
Morning star  ***
Expense ratio  0.52%
Yield   1.11%

6:30/ 7:07
Dodge & Cox International stock
DODFX

Category: Foreign Large Value
Morningstar ratio: ***
Expense ratio: 0.65%
Yield: 1.38%

6:32/ 7:07
Dodge & Cox Balanced
DODBX

Category Moderate Allocation
Morningstar Rating ***
Expense ration 0.53%
Yield  2.11%

6:40/ 7:07
Dodge & Cox Global Stock DODWX

Category World stock
Total Assets  $1.9 bil
Expense Ratio: 0.74%
Yield  0.86%

7 Investing To-Dos for Retirees This Fall

Here is the link.

Manage market risk with dollar cost averaging

Here is the link. 

The advantages of dollar cost averaging

With dollar cost averaging, you tend to worry less about market fluctuations and whether you chose the right time to invest. If you use this strategy throughout your period of investing, you may be able to reduce the volatility in your portfolio.

Another advantage is that you end up buying more units when prices are lower. A dollar cost averaging strategy involves continuous investment, regardless of the investment’s fluctuating prices. Be sure to consider your financial ability to continue purchases through periods of low price levels.

If you're enrolled in your employer-sponsored plan, like a 401(k), 457 or 403(b) plan, you're actually practicing dollar cost averaging. You're making regular contributions in consistent amounts, through payroll deductions.

Other things to consider

Although dollar cost averaging is a good method for long-term investing without having to navigate market fluctuations, you aren't guaranteed a profit or protected from loss in a declining market. Dollar cost averaging helps you avoid investing too much when the market is high and too little when the market is low.

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Use Dollar-Cost Averaging to Build Wealth Over Time

Here is the link.

The number of shares purchased each month will vary depending on the share price of the investment at the time of the purchase. When the share value rises, your money will buy fewer shares per dollar invested. When the share price is down, your money will get you more shares.

Over time, the average cost per share you spend will probably compare quite favorably with the price you would have paid if you had tried to time it.

Rewards of Dollar-Cost Averaging

In the long run, this is a highly strategic way to invest. As you buy more shares when the cost is low, you reduce your average cost per share over time.

Dollar-cost averaging is particularly attractive to new investors just starting out. It's a way to slowly but surely build wealth even if you're starting out with a small stake.

A Long-Term Strategy

Regardless of the sum you have to invest, dollar-cost averaging is a long-term strategy.

While the financial markets are in a constant state of flux, over long periods of time most stocks tend to move in the same general direction, swept along by larger currents in the economy. A bear market or a bull market can last for months or even years. That reduces the value of dollar-cost averaging as a short-term strategy.

In addition, mutual funds and even individual stocks don't, as a general rule, change in value drastically from month to month. You have to keep your investment going through bad and good times to see the real value of dollar-cost averaging. Over time, your assets will reflect both the premium prices of a bull market and the discounts of a bear market.

Mint.com system design

April 24, 2019

Introduction

It is time for me to learn system design again. I like to spend time to learn and get familiar with the basics again. I got this website recommended by Microsoft.

Maximize Guaranteed Income in Retirement

Here is the link.

TenniStory: Naomi Osaka

Here is the link.

S&P 500 Annual Total Return:13.65% for 2019

Here is the link.

Dec. 31, 2019	13.65%
Dec. 31, 2018	-4.38%
Dec. 31, 2017	21.83%
Dec. 31, 2016	11.96%
Dec. 31, 2015	1.38%
Dec. 31, 2014	13.69%
Dec. 31, 2013	32.39%
Dec. 31, 2012	16.00%
Dec. 31, 2011	2.11%
Dec. 31, 2010	15.06%
Dec. 31, 2009	26.46%
Dec. 31, 2008	-37.00%
Dec. 31, 2007	5.49%
Dec. 31, 2006	15.79%
Dec. 31, 2005	4.91%
Dec. 31, 2004	10.88%

More

Dec. 31, 2003	28.68%
Dec. 31, 2002	-22.10%
Dec. 31, 2001	-11.89%
Dec. 31, 2000	-9.10%
Dec. 31, 1999	21.04%
Dec. 31, 1998	28.58%
Dec. 31, 1997	33.36%
Dec. 31, 1996	22.96%
Dec. 31, 1995	37.58%
Dec. 31, 1994	1.32%
Dec. 31, 1993	10.08%
Dec. 31, 1992	7.62%
Dec. 31, 1991	30.47%
Dec. 31, 1990	-3.10%
Dec. 31, 1989	31.69%
Dec. 31, 1988	16.61%

Index Performance: Return (%)

Here is the link.

229. Majority Element II

This is the algorithm I learned called voting algorithm. I like to take some time to practice and write something to help people thinking based on my mathematics background.

Why I miss the potential passive income from my retirement account?

April 22, 2019

Introduction

It is my personal finance research. I like to have a short research why I miss the market to make passive income using my retirement fund from 2001 to 2019?

High standard

After six month personal finance study, I have to have high standard to push myself to learn equity market, index fund, and then do not put my cash into bank CD if the rate is less than two percent.

I have to understand inflation and other concern, I have to push myself to learn market violality, and then understand and work on long term goal.

402. Remove K Digits - brute force solution

I like to share my brute force solution and write down some lessons to share with others. Here is the link.

402. Remove K Digits - using stack

It is time for me to add one post to share my learning experience. Here is the discussion link.

Time to share my immigration project

April 22, 2019

Introduction

It is time for me to start to work on the documentation of the project, I like to help those self-learner to figure out the immigration application. What are the lessons, tips and how to stay on the course to get the project succeed.

I also need to prepare a list of expenses, and I like to help the principle applicant to learn how to make money to pay my service in terms of hourly rate - half of minimum wage of Canada labor.

Will come back later.

My nephew got immigration visa from Beijng office

April 21, 2019

Introduction

It is a long journey and I like to share a good news. My nephew got a Canada immigration visa which expires May 16, 2019. He will land Canada before that. I will take a few days off to help him settle down in the city of Vancouver.

Lonely Canadian sponsership

It is such great experience to learn how to help a young man to build a beautiful successful life in Canada.

I still remembered the day I went back in 2018, and I saw him to work hard to prepare the admission test for city government job in Yichun. I wondered how I can help this young man grow up and get best education in Canada.

He put his family's expensive car key next to him less than 1 foot away. He needs to learn how to use his parent's asset to get him educated with best English, best business education by self-learning, and also best computer science education in Canada. I am the coach and I will make that happen.

I did write the post about the dispute of the home. I paid all the cost and I learned from my experience that I used to have such economy power if I can learn how to invest those net income $100,000 us dollars back from 1999 to 2001.

Immigration visa

Here is the immigration visa with removed confidential information. I need to figure out what FPC stands for.

Wechat community evaluation report

April 21, 2019

Introduction

It is my short research about my wechat community. Now it is 11:40 PM, I like to start the topic and later I can come out ideas how to nurture my community over there.

My small community

Recently I read a few posts from my friends I knew through mock interviews. One is young engineer working for Google, graduated from Alberta. He showed his travel to Google Hong Kong, New York office.

My ex-coach showed his post to have lunch with his coworkers in Tokyo, he works for Indeed.com in Japan.

Also I knew two young ladies used to work for Microsoft Canada, now they work in Seattle. They posted something to entertain us.

I felt that I should write a post since I do not post anything last six months.

Evaluation report?

I need to get some data to make it like evaluation report.

What if I can learn early about US economy and stock market?

April 21, 2019

Introduction

It is my personal finance research. I found out that I should spend at least 100 hours to do some research how to manage my 401 K and IRA account starting from 2001. I did not do anything until this April 2019, after more than 6 months personal finance research, hundreds of hours watching morningstar.com video about mutual fund, it is the first time in my life that I learn that stock market is the place for me to put those $18,000 seed money from 401 K into stock market.

What if?

What if I already grow my retirement fund to $100,000 US dollars when I am 52 years old. I will have more time to work on algorithm and data structure problem solving practice, and I will have time to work on my personal finance study.

Why a programmer needs to work on at least 4 algorithms daily?

April 21, 2019

Introduction

It is my personal research how to advance myself to top programmer in the world. I study my Leetcode weekly contest performance last six months and also review my emotion to take code assessment in March 2019, and also mock interview online practice. I like to make a statement that performance is like muscle, you have to keep workout to maintain it.

At least 4 algorithms

What are those days like from Nov. 2018 to April 2019? I do not need to work on 4 algorithms a day in 2 algorithm/ one hour format. No pain no gain.

Life will be easy sometimes as a programmer. But it is not exciting as the one with two hours challenging of problem solving.

I do not need to think hard and get frustrated, and mess up API to try to make things work. But I cannot advance myself although I already solve 390 algorithm on Leetcode.com, and also I solved over 100 algorithm on Hackerrank.com contests.

I need to get into mock interview code screen to warm up every day, work on four algorithms. Get frustrated, maybe it is easy level one I solved before, maybe it is a hard level algorithm I cannot solve it at all. I need to put myself under stress, and also under the limit of one hour. Sometimes I am lucky to solve two algorithm in 30 minutes.

It is also a good practice for me since I need to get myself focus on algorithm and also learn how to be a good problem solver.

1031. Maximum Sum of Two Non-Overlapping Subarrays

April 21, 2019

Introduction 

It was so painful experience to make the code work. I need to look into how to simplify the code and make it easy to write and less error prone.

Code study

I wrote the code in the contest and spent hours to make the code work. I need to use the debugger to figure out what is wrong.

LeetCode 675. Cut Off Trees for Golf Event

April 21, 2019

Introduction

It is my mock interview for code screen, I spent one hour on it but  I could not solve it. I know that the statement is not so clear and the way to find the next minimum height of tree should be solved using breadth first search.

Half baked solution

It is a hard level algorithm and I had the idea to write the solution, but I did not have time to write down BFS algorithm.

Home purchase study 3939 HASTINGS ST BURNABY V5C 2H8

305 3939 HASTINGS STREET

$299,000.00

Property Description:

Own your own condo in the extremely popular neighbourhood of "The Heights" listed under 300k! Beautiful corner unit STUDIO suite at "The Sienna". Features include a great open floor plan, a HUGE west/south facing patio with unobstructed downtown views for the fireworks, polished concrete flooring, natural gas fireplace, new washer and dryer. In this area of North Burnaby there is no need for a car with all the groceries, amazing restaurants, coffee shops, bakeries and transit just steps away. Well maintained 33 unit strata with low maintenance fees, one parking & one locker included. Don't miss out on the best deal in Burnaby! First showings Wednesday 6-7pm. Open House: Sat/Sun April 20/21 @ 2PM-4PM.

Property Overview

Property Age	Built in 1998 (21 yrs old)
Gross Taxes for 2018	$1,582
Strata Maintenance Fees	$242
Area	Burnaby North
Sub-Area/Community	Vancouver Heights
Property Type	Apt/Condo
Title	Freehold Strata
Style	Corner Unit,Upper Unit
Listing ID	R2359250
Primary Agent	Ben D'Ovidio PREC*
Primary Broker	Sutton Centre Realty
Days on REW	6 Days on REW

Special Features

Features	Drapes/window Coverings
Amenities	Central Location, Recreation Nearby, Shopping Nearby
Appliances	Washer/Dryer/Fridge/Stove/Dishwasher
Building Features	Elevator, Exercise Centre, Garden, In Suite Laundry, Storage
Fireplaces	1

Building Information

The Sienna , Apt/Condo in Vancouver Heights

Units:

33

Floors:

4

Built in:

1998

Active Listings:

1

Learn more about The Sienna

Marketing research

April 21, 2019

Introduction

It is hard for me to work as a landlord remotely. I had to work hard to find a person on craiglist to work on two hours cleaning before the last renter moved in. He is a professor of Florida Atlantic University. Although it was short term, I learned how to serve the customer very well.

Customer obsession leadership

I spent hours to look into craiglist.com and found a cleaner in February, and asked her to clean two hours for the kitchen of my rental property. $25.00/ hour.

After one month, I had to find place for a new Chinese renter, I posted FAU off campus website but I could not get any. So I posted on Zillow.com, but zillow does not allow me since one room for rent.

Zillow is much powerful marketing tool compared to craigslist. So I like to choose Zillow.

Here is the link.

Trulia is bought by Zillow.com and it is such a great website to provide service for customers.

Finance check list every year

April 20, 2019

Introduction

It is my personal finance research. I need to prepare a check list for my finance. I like to avoid the mistake I made on my par siva 401 K from 2008 to 2019. I should rebalance in 2008 when the stock price is 15 years low. I should purchase more instead I sold all equities.

A check list

One thing I can do is to prepare a check list so that I will work on those tasks one by one. Also I have to push myself to learn more about personal finance, so I can come out ideas what to work on. It is so important for me to learn basics from youtube.com.

I need to continue to read more articles on Kipling.com.

The rise of Canadian tennis sensation Bianca Andreescu | The National Interview

Here is the link.

Why giving away our wealth has been the most satisfying thing we've done... | Bill and Melinda Gates

Here is the link.

Satya and Anu Nadella Open Up About Their Family Life

Here is the link.

The David Rubenstein Show: Satya Nadella

Here is the video of 24 minutes. I like to take a break from study and watch the video.

Story starting from Siva startup

April 20, 2019

Introduction

It is a challenging life as a software programmer. I did not do very well in decade from 2000 to 2010. I started to work on two startups, one laidoff in 2001, and then went back to computer science PH.D. program from 2002 to 2006, I joined a startup called Siva in 2006, and then Par Siva 2007, second laidoff, and then Par Tech 401 K plan from 2008 to 2019. The last part is screwed up because of my bias and my mental accounting problems. I like to document this part of experience.

Case study

This part is most difficult for me to adapt to good finance savvy person. I have to push hard to make it happen since I turned 50 years old.

I do not know that the programmer should manage her 401 K very well, and should have gained a lot of wealth from 2010 to 2019 bull market. At that time, I was in 40s, now I get old. I am over 50 years old. I like to start to learn again about equity market. I need to remove my bias from 2002 loss in stock market and 2009 stock market crush.

Here are a few blog about Siva, Par Siva, Par Tech stories. Enjoy.

The Rebirth Of Microsoft - How Satya Nadella Saved It (Or Did He?)

Here is the link.

Every week Sunday evening market study

April 20, 2019

Introduction

It is my personal finance study. I have to spend time to work on study on equity market, one of ideas is to reserve every Sunday evening to market study.

Self learner

I have to figure out how to be a good self learner. I have so many things to learn and I like to learn to build good finance habit, seek community to get more advice and also share my learning as well.

I should invest on USA stock market, and also learn more about psychology of investor, mental accounting. I will write down a list of things to work on. It is a life style change as well.

Ameritrade external transfer

April 20, 2019

Introduction

It is my personal finance research. I have to push myself to get into equity market, and take consideration time horizon, I need to break CD in New York Community bank, and then transfer to Ameritrade.

A check list to transfer

I need to make a check list to complete the transaction.

Case study: personal finance bad habit associates with impulsive shopping

April 19, 2019

Introduction

It is my personal finance research. I found out that I did not spend time on my par tech 401 K from 2007 to 2019, I do not do monthly or quarterly or annual rebalance, I do not do the fund analysis or basic follow-up. I do not spend time to look into research about investor psychology. There are so many issues in the management of the account. This is all related how to value the time, value the community, value the money, value the research, value to reinvent myself. I believe that this is associated with my impulsive shopping problem and emotional problems, my decision making process.

Case study

I think that frugality study helps me to learn to separate wants from needs. 24 hours or 72 hours rule helps me to learn how to delay gratification. I also learn how to identify the short enjoyment of holding those clothes or items and short time period sense of ownership. I do not bother use them after the purchase.

I also learn from minimalism life style. When I did shopping coats, one time I drove my SUV and cross border to Bellingham, I bought six coats on sales.

I have to find ways to release my stress, or my social needs. Those emotions went to enjoyment of shopping from 2010 to 2017.

I also heavily shopped when I took vacation in China. My siblings were also very cooperative to allow me do this gifts shopping costing thousand Canada dollars in 2012, 2014.

I think that the way I understand what money is used for is so shallow. I allow myself to spend unnecessary extra coats, jeans, handbags, sneakers. I only wear off one pair of tennis shoes, I cannot wear any off another five pairs of tennis shoes. I do not know that I can just play tennis using my normal sports shoes.

I wrote the wechat post to reflect on the mistakes I made to treat my par tech 401K account.

Wechat post about my bias, holding grudge

April 19, 2019

Introduction

I have not posted anything on wechat over six months. I decided to post one related to my par tech 401 K review.

Wechat post

Here is the image of sharing.

Do not have bias on stock market

Here is the content I wrote in Chinese.

我在2007美国短暂工作一年， 401 K $8000 美元， 公司matches 800 美元。2008年掉了$3000 美元。卖了放在money market, 再也没有动过。12年过去了， 我也老了。重新看帐号， 联系401 K Charles Schwab, 重新调整不要钱， 随意调整。美国401 K 上市公司服务真好。比爹妈还要好。只有二十基金， TBRCX 2010 年到2019年翻了五倍。可惜我这二天才发现。感叹美国股的强大， 自己无知和懒惰。每个季度需要用爱心去看和分析自己401 K 帐号。我十二年偏见， 被解雇的心理创伤。年龄超过五十岁了， 慢慢学会珍惜自己拥有的。能说会读英文， 但是对股市的偏见和美国经济的失望让我体会到真实的人生。做好每一件平凡的事情， 检查每一个帐号。善待每一个人， 善待每一个工作和自己每一份金钱。一颗大树从一颗种子开始。我从此做一个节俭的人。仔细数算自己拥有， 消除偏见。

Enjoy to write blogs every day

April 19, 2019

Introduction

It is my personal finance research. I chatted with my Chinese neighbor in the city of Boca Raton, Florida. We talked about rental business and also how to retire and generate some passive income. I shared with her that I will work on stock market and learn to be an investor after 18 years.

Hard to remove bias

I started to work on stock market from 2001 and then stop in 2009.  I am 52 years old, I started to work on personal finance research, after six months, I decided to work on investment of equities, specially US stock market.

I lost some money on 2002 and then 2008, and I could not get Canada permanent residentship in early 2009. I started to have doubt on myself. I sold everything in stock market, and then focused on work on immigration case.

Life is so tough as a lonely Canadian. I chose to blog starting from 2015. I was so shy to write and express myself using English. I could not write complete statement since I am afraid to express my thoughts and make it helpful for others and myself.

I do learn that those biases really prevent me to build wealth and grow rich.

Leetcode 402: remove K digits - Using stack

April 19, 2019

Introduction

It is an easy solution to write using stack after I wrote a solution using brute force solution.

My solution

Here is the code I wrote using stack.

The 6 Best Vanguard Index Funds for 2019 and Beyond

Here is the link.

The 5 Best Vanguard Funds for Retirees

Here is the link.

First mock interview code screen day

April 19, 2019

Introduction

I plan to take 5 mock interview a day on April 19, 2019. I like to warm up myself, and practice 10 algorithms and then write down some ideas how to train myself on algorithms.

Rookie investor common mistakes

April 19, 2019

Introduction

I make so many mistakes from 1996 to 2019. It is over 20 years. I like to write mistakes I make and also make a table to map them to common mistakes. I like to demonstrate what I have learned last six month. It will be helpful for me to stay prepared for future investment.

Lessons learned

First, I should not sell all mutual funds in my par siva 401 K to money market fund in 2008;
Second, I should think about when to go back to the market, stay on the course; Purchase those funds back;
I did not learn what is index fund, what other basic things related to finance and stock market;
Third, I did not even spend time to look into all product features of Charles Schwab from 2010 to 2019 March;
Fourth, I did not download and save each year balance. I did not take any risk to try any purchase in my 401K account.

Ideas

At least I should give myself $2000 to $3000 to put into stocks, I should allow myself to pick up stocks and learn from mistakes.

At least I should read and learn from all funds in my Par Siva 401K fund. I should look into those common mistakes as a new investor.

Mapping

More practice more failures

April 19, 2019

Introduction

I like to get used to learn by practicing mock interview on Leetcode.com. It is so easy for me to stay active and keep myself challenged once a few hours.

Case study: Submission log analysis

April 18, 2019

Introduction

It is so nature for me to manage myself. I just need to open Leetcode mock interview code screen, then I can work on two algorithms in one hour.

Log study

The coding is like sports. I have to keep myself fit, then I have to continue to practice and do workout.

Here is my last 5 days log of submission on Leetcode. I only submitted last Saturday weekly contest, and then Friday evening two mock interview code screen.

I should push myself to work on two mock interview code screen, so I can work on 4 algorithms at least.

Actionable Items

I should balance my activities every day. If I continue to work on algorithm practice daily, I will benefit more and learn better to continue to improve performance.

I need to work on two mock interview code screen a day. Rest of day I can just relax and enjoy all other activities.

Leetcode 75: Sort Colors

April 20, 2019

Introduction

It is so much fun to work on this algorithm this Saturday morning. I like to write down my feeling and experience. Thank you Microsoft.

Learning is hard and fun

I worked on the algorithm after mock interview on April 19, 2019. After one hour 29 minutes interview with an anonymous interviewee from 10:00 PM to 11:29 PM, the interviewee shared a lot of his onsite experience with Google.

I started to work on the algorithm Leetcode 75 Sort color again. I could not make it work based on the study of code in the most popular discussion link.

I went to bed and came back Saturday morning. But my thought is "life is tough." Problem solving of 75: Sort Colors is more than I expected.

I expected to practice 5 mock interview on April 19, but I did not do any since I had so many activities to fill, follow up study of previous day mock interview, 401 K study with classmate, and mock interview etc.

My drawing

I spent time to work on the test case [2, 0, 1, 2], and figure out how to do it on paper first this time.

Here is my discussion post on Leetcode.com.

I got a code assessment invitation on May 18 from Microsoft. That is the reason I work on Leetcode mock interview and came cross this algorithm.

Leetcode 402: remove K digits - Brute force solution

April 18, 2019

Introduction

It is so painful since I could not pass all test cases after more than 40 minutes in second mock interview. It is a medium level algorithm. I will fix the bug and also analyze my solution written in mock interview.

Code study

I spent 40 minutes in mock interview but I only passed one test case. Afterwards, I spent almost one hour to play all test cases and then make it work.

It is a brute force solution. Somehow my nature to find a solution and also write a solution does not produce good fruit. I like to make it work and then compare to the solution using Stack, I learn the huge difference in terms of ease to write and efficient of time complexity.

I am not the material of stack thinking yet. I will be one day. I just need to practice daily, and make it like lunch or dinner activity.

Naive solution 

I came out the naive solution first, and without searching for optimal linear solution, I started to write code.

It is such great learning experience to practice the algorithm in mock interview. I have 60 minutes, this was the second algorithm, and I came out the idea to find minimum number using O(N * N) algorithm. Without searching for optimal solution, I decided to write the code to implement the idea.

Do not stop until I am finding the way

April 18, 2019

Introduction

It is my personal finance research. I need to set the target to my savings, no matter it is in 401K, IRA, RRSP, or saving. Except the emergency fund, I should set the target, find some fund to make sure that in the long run, every 10 years the fund can double the value.

Do not stop until I find the way

I need to learn how to research into personal finance, and I have to solve my personal finance problems. 

Hedged or unhedged: What's best of your ETF?

Here is the link.

The 30 Largest Companies on the Stock Market

Here is the link.

Foreign Investing: When to Hedge and When Not To

Here is the link.

Investors of All Ages Leaning Toward Equities

Here is the link.

5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Hitting the 'Sell' Button

Here is the link.

Question 1: Do I sell it last December?

Question 2: Period of month or now?

Question 3: What is tax consequence of your decision?

Question 4:

Question 5: If I sell now, then when I will get back in?

Market turns around, turns around quickly. What I learn from this experience?

Put $10,000 us dollars into equities in 2019

April 17, 2019

Introduction

It is my personal finance research. I like to get back into the stock market, I like to continue to learn from morningstar, and one of questions is to ask myself "Can I take the risk of loss of $10,000 us dollars" in short term.

Analysis

I like to build my portfolio. One thing I find out is that I do not have enough fund to retire. One of ideas is to take risk to purchase index fund or TBRCX. If the stock market does not crash, I will put the gain of 20% into cash fund.

For example, if I put $10,000 US dollar 401 K into TBRCX, and 2019 return is 40%. So I will have market value $12,000 US dollar. I will sell $2000.00 dollar and put into the cash fund. So my portfolio will have 8% low risk fund, 92% TBRCX.

Downturn Protection Not a Reason to Go Active

Here is the link.

A Dynamic Approach to Asset Allocation

Here is the link.

Case study: 401K and IRA account management lessons

April 17, 2019

Introduction

It is so challenging for me to work on 401K and IRA account management. What I did from 2001 to 2019 is below the average, very low performance. I have to push myself to learn personal finance and stock market, economy. I have to push myself to build wealth in the US stock market and it is very challenging job for me to work on.

Management lessons

I should seek the help to solve the problem if I do not really understand the economy recession. I sold all stock and mutual funds in 2009. The behavior is not acceptable as an adult. I have to stay open and keep learning.

I should understand that the difference will be huge after 20 years.

Case study: why I choose Christian belief in 2001

April 17, 2019

Introduction

It is my personal finance research. I like to have a short research about my belief and push myself to learn more about my choice.

Road to personal finance excellence

April 17, 2019

Introduction

I like to learn how to get on the road to personal finance excellence. I did build my 401K and IRA account with balance over $10,000 in 2002 and over $20,000 in 2007, but I did not connect dots from 2007 to 2019. I got lost and completely avoid stock market and forget to get back in stock market. I did not stay in the course of equity market, I missed last 10 year bull stock market run.

Why I am lucky one?

I start to learn personal finance by myself, and then I start to learn how to invest and learn from morningstar.com videos on youtube.com. I keep learning every day, weekends I spend whole day to work on learning.

I have strong math foundation and I can understand the concept pretty quickly. Through six months learning, I start to find mistakes I made on my 401K account and IRA CD account. It is slow but I have confidence that I learn something new about economy and how I should embrace the economy as an individual.

Keep a journal

It is hard for me to grow up as a person with financial wisdom. I have to keep a journal what I read and what  I watch last six months. I start last two months to focus on morningstar videos a lot.

First three months I worked on frugal study, minimalism, cheap vs frugal, Warren Buffet's investment, and all other books and strategies talk etc.

Why I think I am lucky? 

I still remembered the day I played tennis against wall in Nov. 2018, central park in the city of Burnaby, Canada. I found out that it was so depressing in my personal finance, I have no clue what I should do. I chose Christian belief after my first laidoff in 2001, and then I experience another laidoff in 2007; I changed the country to immigrant to Canada, and work on an ordinary job and push myself hard to advance to next level. After three years from 2016 to 2018, two onsite from Amazon, I understand that the ultimate goal is to build wealth and grow rich. Why I am ashamed of talking about it, blogging about, expressing anxiety and painful experience on it.

I decide to move on personal finance research. I know that I can not reinvent myself just being a Christian. I could not reinvent myself being just a hard working algorithm and data structure specialist. My college classmate in SJTU talked to me to say that I should not try to apply Amazon anymore. She mentioned once that she worked on her retirement fund in stock market. That is also a reminder for me to go back to the stock market.

I have a young sister who invested on stock market and then she bought an expensive car using the profit. But she could not explain what she learns and how she learns clearly. She talked about the feeling about an individual stock and how she feels the price should go up etc.

I have science education and good at math. I have near 10 year experience to learn how a business works in Canada. I like to push myself to learn something and make judgement based on my understanding.

I have to learn how to make passive income, put trust on whole economy, and whole young generation. My time is limited. I cannot go out weekend to pick up a minimum wage job to make extra cash since I need to have a good rest after the whole week full time job.

I also work a lot of hours on programming, contest, and blogging etc.

So I learn how to step out my depression finance situation, and learn how to work on next step, and what to look into.

Here are highlights:
1. Work on daily on personal finance study
2. Try to get as many as possible ideas related to personal finance
3. Move to frugal life style
4. Move to minimalism study
5. Learn how to manage the rental property very well.
6. Learn how to get back to stock market
7. Understand hedge, dollar cost average, growth stock fund, emerging ...
8. Keep learning and play a small step every time
9. Come out the portfolio for my retirement USA fund $26,000 dollars - rebalance ...
10. Expand my personal finance research into more areas.

To summarize, I am lucky for the following facts:

I have time to learn the personal finance.
I find very good study material from Morningstar.com videos on youtube.com.
I have retirement fund $26,000 dollars for me to play, this is really challenging part.
I have a full paid-off condo in USA near Florida Atlantic university for me to learn marketing, sales, and small business.
I also have $50,000 Canada dollar cash for me to learn how to invest as well. 

Thank you Par Tech

April 16, 2019

Introduction

It is my personal finance research. I found out today that my biggest mistake is not to work on my 401K from 2007 to 2019, and then my asset still is around $6,200 us dollar. Originally I invested $8000 us dollars. I like to figure out the deepest part is that the feeling of laidoff, the painful experience. I should have embraced much early and be happy to work with those 401K with Par tech 401 K plan with Charles Schwab. I will not have any employer who will provide such great platform for me to grow my 401K plan. Although I wasted last 12 years and I did not make any profit compared to my original investment. I did not trade anything from 2010 to 2019 March.

Reasons

I do not know psychology investment too much. I just learned this year. I may have loss aversion, and I remembered the pain of loss of $3000 and I took the loss and sold all funds to keep in money market in 2008.

I also can relate to the difficult time to start full time job again in the city of Vancouver. I also think that my lack of research of personal finance. My motivation to build wealth and grow rich is too weak to tell.

I was struggled to from 2008 to 2010 to get residentship from Canada, I filed the appeal for leave. I got $30,000 home equity line debt from 2009.

A check list

I need to make a check list for annual checkup. Also I need to spend at least 10 hours to review those $6,000 dollar asset.

The rebalance is free and transfer is free. There is  no limit to rebalance. All those features will be charged in non-401K account Ameritrade.com. I chatted with Ameritrade.com, mutual fund is $45.00 dollar and stock is less than $7.00 dollars. This is the first and only chat I have from 2007 to 2019, and it is in March 2019.

I learn that the platform 401K is such great tool, and I have to keep the balance above $5,000 dollars.

Case study: My par tech 401K to TRBCX fund

April 16, 2019

Introduction

It is my personal finance research. I continuously study personal finance, and there are so many projects to work on starting from Nov. 2018. Finally I have time to work on my par tech 401K, and then I learn that I should have taken risk and put those fund in growth fund starting from 2007.

Case study

It is the first time since Par tech changed to Charles Schwab and I had time to look into what are available funds starting from 2010 to now. It is nine years. I can not explain what is my issue. Ignorance, arrogant, and I do not have a husband and a boy friend to remind me to review the account, download statement every year, show some interview to learn how to rebalance the account, and learn some strategy like three buckets shown in Morningstar Christian.

I just was busy with all kinds of activities and do not know that my job is to grow those fund in 12 years, double at least. TRBCX fund is one of funds available for me to purchase any time, no minimum, the performance from 2010 to 2019 is 10 year 14%. If I move the fund into TRBCX, I should have 5 times more value.

What is wrong with those 10 years?

That is so far biggest bad behavior I have found in my adult life from 2010. I just could not believe that as a software programmer, a single person over 44 years old, new immigrant to Canada starting from 2010, I do not show responsible to grow my babies. Those earned income in my full time job in a startup company called Siva, Par Siva from 2006 to 2007.

Case study: From TRBCX fund to my par tech 401K

One of ideas I like to write is to get familiar with all my par tech 401K funds. What I can do is to go over each fund, and then write a report for each fund. There are at most 30 most funds, most important one is this TRBCX fund. With super good 10 years performance, I should have noticed long time ago, but I have not build a habit to review quarterly, annually.

How to learn TRBCX fund very well? I have to make a plan and also start to work on it.