Case study: C# expert and algorithm good problem solver

May 25, 2019

Introduction

It is one of my strategies, I worked on one of graph algorithm 399. Evaluate Division, so I just decided to study one of C# post since I find that it is very easy to read and everything looks straightforward. I like to learn from Jesse Drogin. 

Case study

I spent 30 minutes to write C# code based on the study code, and then I found out that there are a few things new to me. I need to learn and work on.

I gave out the first upvote for his post, and then I learned that he shared the post in 2017 two years ago. He has more than 500 reputation and then I know how hard it is to get 500 repuation, related to myself with 96 reputation.

I also checked his linkedin profile, he joined Amazon two years ago. I understand that I found the expert of C# programming, industrial experience, and very good sharing on code on Leetcode.com.

Hard to follow his practice

It is very challenging task to review his practice on Leetcode.com. What I like to do is to review more of his solution on Leetcode.com.

Get some advice

I wrote an email to the author by checking his linkedin profile, Google search his name and find his github, and then gmail account. I sent him an email, and then I got feedback in less than five minutes on Leetcode.com.

Here are the discussion between me and the author:

jianminchen96

3 minutes ago

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@jdrogin Thank you again for generous sharing and a lot of good advice. I will look into them one by one.

I also noticed that you joined Amazon in 2017, and you finished all 360 algorithms before you went to onsite. You have a lot of excellent industrial experience and good problem solving skills to share with me and others on this platform. Let me think about better ways to get to know more.

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jdrogin511

an hour ago

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@jianminchen You are on the right track. Have you read the book "Cracking the Coding Interview"? It is pretty standard overview of all these kinds of algorithms, it will help you with the fundamentals. From there it is just about practice, practice practice. Be sure to do lots of the "easy" ones and do them more than once to make sure you know the basics before toiling with the harder ones. The interviews at tech companies for entry developer role will mostly be easy to medium, hard are a bit beyond what you need to be good at for that purpose. Always figure it out on your own before looking at other's solutions. Also try other sites like Hacker Rank. Also, start learning Python, it is a more common skill than C# these days. Of course C# is a great language to be proficient at, but there are many languages and it will help your understanding if you are familiar with more than one.

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jianminchen96

Last Edit: an hour ago

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@jdrogin Nice to meet you on leetcode.com. Thank you for generous sharing.
I am doing research how to find you past practice on Leetcode.com.

1. all sharing post you wrote on Leetcode.com. Leetcode.com does not provide product feature anymore to list all discussion post one player shares.
2. The algorithms you solved (360 algorithms). I like to learn 100 more algorithm and push myself to solve another 100 algorithms in next few months.
3. I notice that you have good understanding of C# API like Dictionary class, and also backtracking etc. , I like to get to know more about your practice, get some advice on mastering C# in terms of data structure and algorithm problem solving.
4. You are very good role model for me. You have 500 reputation, I know how hard it is to get reputation on Leetcode.com. I have 96 reputation so far. You are very efficient to share knowledge and a good problem solver.

I am practicing for interviewing, and even I do not get a job, I enjoy to be a better problem solver on algorithm and data structure first, and then apply to other area in my life, like personal finance, investment etc. Also I am the interviewer five days a week on interviewing.io. For example, I meet a lot of good engineers last week, Ebay, Nvida, GE healthcare, past Microsofter, I learn a graph algorithm very well since the interviewee worked on graph database on ebay.com. I just encouraged myself to reach out to ask help and advice.

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jdrogin511

an hour ago

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Hi Jianmin,
What can I help you with? Are you practicing for interviewing?

Thanks, Jesse

SONAL DESAI, PH.D

Here is the introduction page.

SONAL DESAI, PH.D. Executive Vice President, Portfolio Manager
Chief Investment Officer
Franklin Templeton Fixed Income Franklin Advisers, Inc.
San Mateo, California, United States

Sonal Desai, Ph.D. is Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of the Franklin Templeton Fixed Income Group. In this role, Dr. Desai oversees Franklin's Municipal, Corporate Credit, Floating Rate Securitized, Multisector, Global (including Emerging Markets), Money Market, and Local Asset Management Fixed Income teams, and co-chairs the Group's Fixed Income Policy Committee. She is a member of Franklin Resources' Executive Committee, a small group of the company's top leaders responsible for shaping the firm's overall strategy. In addition, she serves on the firm's Management and Investment Committees.

Dr. Desai is also a portfolio manager for a number of strategies, including Core Plus, Strategic Income, Low Duration, Global Absolute Return, and Global Fixed Income.

Dr. Desai joined Franklin Templeton in 2009 from Thames River Capital in London. Previous to her current role, she served as a portfolio manager with Dr. Michael Hasenstab for the flagship Templeton Global Bond and Templeton Global Return strategies, as well as Director of Research for Templeton Global Macro, shaping the team's research agenda of in-depth global macroeconomic analysis covering thematic topics, regional and country analyses, and interest rate, currency and sovereign credit market outlooks. She started her career as an assistant professor of economics at the University of Pittsburgh, and then worked for over six years at the International Monetary Fund in Washington, DC. Following this, she joined the private financial sector and worked for about five years as director and senior economist for Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein in London.

Dr. Desai holds a Ph.D. in economics from Northwestern University and a B.A. in economics from Delhi University. She was part of the Templeton Global Bond Fund portfolio management team named Morningstar's Fixed Income Manager of the Year in Canada in 2013.

Investing Insights: 2019 Morningstar Investment Conference

Here is the link.

Finerman's Rules: Secrets I'd Only Tell My Daughters About Business and Life (updated)

Here is one hour interview I like to watch. I am so glad to find  a role model this weekend.

Fast Money trader Karen Finerman on her top investment strategies

Here is 4 minutes video. Very good sharing from Karen Finerman.

Finerman's Rules: Secrets I'd Only Tell My Daughters About Business and Life costs

I like to quickly review the book by looking up youtube.com video.

Karen Finerman

Here is the link of CNBC hostess.

The inspirational business personality, Karen Finerman, has a jaw-dropping net worth of $100 million which proves how successful she has been in her career.

Melissa Lee

Here is the link of hostess. Her wiki page is here.

I Like to get more educated on finance, one thing I can do is to watch more videos from Melissa Lee, so I can get ideas how to continue to learn better on finance and investment.

Another thing I like to do is to have some good role model. I like to be able to communicate better in terms of writing and also face-to-face communication.

Nine Reasons for the Sell-Off in U.S. Stocks

Here is the link.

Here's Why Stocks Have Sold Off So Steeply In December

Here is the link.

The selling on Wall Street just won't quit, and here's how bad it could get

Here is the link.

Plugged In To DFW: End of Year Financial Advice With Jim Lacamp”

Here is the link.

Market selloff similar to 1987 market crash?

Here is the link.

Why every one should learn how to invest on stock market?

May 23, 2019

Introduction

It is a short topic for me to look into. I just could not believe that I do not spend time to do research on stock market from 1996 to 2018. What happen to me as a single lady? Should I have more time since I am single. I should choose to build up knowledge how to invest?

THOUGHTS ON THE MARKET MAY 20, 2019 How Likely Is a U.S. Corporate Earnings Recession? 03:5400:00 With Mike Wilson

Here is the link.

Don't buy this dip, says Morgan Stanley's top strategist

Here is the link.

How smart I can get to learn by myself?

May 23, 2019

Introduction

It is time for me to push myself to learn personal finance. One research topic is to research Nov. 2018 big sell-off. I like to spend one week or two to get into the topic.

Benjamin R. Mandel

Here is the link.

Stocks erase 2018 gains in triple-digit sell-off

Here is the link.

Ben Mandel, JP Morgan global market strategist, and Brian Levitt, Oppenheimer Funds senior investment strategist, discuss their take on markets as stocks plunge in another sell-off.

Stocks are getting slammed, is the market heading for bear country?

Here is the link.

Stephen Gandel Bloomberg Opinion Columnist

Here is the link.

Market Selloff Erases U.S. Stock Gains for 2018

Here is the link.

Stephen Gandel

Market sell-off won't cause a recession next year, says Yardeni Research president

Here is the link.

Year end selling,

Edward Yardeni - Yardeni research president

Continue to grow next year. Recession is not coming next year.

Sell-Off Creates Opportunity for Portfolio Checkup

Here is the link.

Nov. 2018

Technology is big selling. Health case sector, energy sector is hit very hard. By equity side, ...
By bond, ...

It is time for you to do a checkup overall portfolio. Year end is time to take a break to review portfolio. What steps can you take to make it better? Survey the damage of your portfolio.

First step, wellness checkup.

Question: How to rebalance? Let market do the work. 


Asset allocation

In 30s or 40s years old, you probably do not need to worry about. At least there are 20 years before retirement.

Growth is hit very hard.

Question: Holdings are in good shape?

Fundamentals, analyst report.

Your holdings - growth part, taxable holdings, tax gain.
Down market strategy - IRA conversions

947. Most Stones Removed with Same Row or Column

809. Expressive Words

857. Minimum Cost to Hire K Workers

299. Bulls and Cows

399. Evaluate Division

Celebration of 400 algorithm solved mark

May 23, 2019

Introduction

It is time for me to celebrate 400 algorithms solved mark. I just could not believe that I was able to solve 400 algorithms.

400 mark

It is time for me to celebrate 400 mark. I like to write down some notes here as well.

I also like to document my profile, and see how good I am to involve in Leetcode community.

Things I can work on 

I need to figure out how to write post on Leetcode discuss and focus on how to create  some content based on some example, and make it very easy to follow and also demonstrate how to solve the problem by thinking about test cases. Here is the one I worked on to add some diagrams and test cases. I learned from my mock interview, the interviewee is Amazon SDE II, he came out the solution and also explained to me using those test cases.

Right now there is no upvote in my last six posts. I need to work on how to make the content more helpful.

I also need to work on contest performance. One argument is to focus on solving more algorithms and then I may be able to perform better in the contest.

329. Longest Increasing Path in a Matrix

Here is my discussion post.

Case study: Interac e-Transfer

May 23, 2019

Introduction

It is such great experience to have a nephew to support me and trust me. I got interac e-transfer today. I asked my nephew to transfer $1500 Canada dollars again since I did not have the answer to secret question for e-transfer last time. He sent me again with $2500 Canada dollars instead. 

Case study

It is hard for me to help a young relative to grow his career and make immigration decision. 

I like to find ways to build wealth and grow rich. I also like to support my nephew as a new immigrant. Of course he had some difficulty, he only stayed three days and went back to China. 

Financial pressure 

One of my elder sisters gave me warnings again to focus on myself, not to lose the current job. No one will give you the money if I cannot support myself.

My sister warned me last August when she visited me in the city of Vancouver since I started to work not at 8 AM, 9:50 AM instead. Last year she laughed me that no one can live like me, rent a small room, even a college graduate will own a home in the city of Yichun.

Case study: mock interview using lowest common ancestor in binary tree

May 23, 2019

Introduction

It is my mock interview 10:00 PM PST on May 22, 2019, and I like to conduct a case study, and share how I explore the algorithm and work closely with the interviewee on this algorithm: lowest common ancestor in binary tree.

Case study

I modified the post shared on Leetcode discuss, and then I added what I learned through mock interview as an interviewer.

I worked hard to use the example to explain preorder traversal, and use test case (starting root node 3a using preorder to find node 2d.

Here is the modified post on Leetcode.com.

Feedback from the interviewer

Feedback from the interviewee

Actionable Items

I had two cases the interviewee worked on graph algorithm problem solving, and I was told by the interviewee that he liked to terminate the interview because of anxiety, the interivewee only spent first 20 minutes on mock interview.

In order for me to make it learning experience, I have to lower the standard and make it helpful for both of us in mock interview. I like to adapt and make it good learning experience.

The interviewee usually works hard after the work or weekends to work on algorithm and data structure. It is not easy task at all.

Case study: My portfolio of IRA account on Ameritrade.com

May 23, 2019

Introduction

It is my personal finance research. I have to continue to study morningstar.com personal finance video how to do investment. I like to write a case study about portfolio I like to set up on Ameritrade.com

Case study

I have to take some risk since I am still young. I like to learn how to grow my IRA account and build wealth. One thing I can do is to learn how to manage the risk.

Here is my idea how to set up a portfolio and I like to put those $19,000 US dollars into the stock market as soon as possible.

I like to take some risk and then build a portfolio for the long term growth, at least for 5 years.

I will have tough life since I am turning 53 years old in less than 5 months. I still could not build wealth and be able to afford a one-bedroom condo in Vancouver area. My net asset is close to $200,000 US dollars.

I should take risk and let capitalism do the work, do not hold those cash over $80,000 mixed dollars (US Dollars and Canada dollars). I need to learn how to double those money in next 7 - 8 years in USA stock market.

I just could not believe that I will turn 60 years old in next 7 years. I am still fighting to learn and push myself out of comfortable zone.

Every day I will study personal finance, and learn how to build portfolio and be able to understand better about finance literate.

Case study: I got a new renter to sign up

May 21, 2019

Introduction

It is my personal finance research.  I have to rent out a room in the condo in Florida near Florida Atlantic University starting from March 20, 2019. I like to apply customer obsession leadership principle, and then I like to serve Chinese community in the city of Boca Raton. I finally got one to rent the spare bedroom starting from May 28, 2019.

Case study

It is challenging job to find a renter, and I try various places to post an advertisement. I also explore different ideas and then the one posted on zillow.com is very powerful tool and then I got a renter with mathematics Ph.D. working in wall street as portfolio manager. I just could not believe what I am serving as a landlord. Such a big achievement and wonderful experience.

I have to find places to post advertisement and then attract the best candidate to rent.

I could not afford to fly to Florida to solve any issue. So I have to be very careful and make sure that I will choose best financial successfully person to rent the place.

I do believe that frugal is so important to be successful in United States. Even though the renter has high paid salary, best education in the world, he still likes to save rent. I do believe that frugality is so important as an immigrant.

Case study: mock interview Leetcode 785. Is Graph Bipartite?

May 20, 2019

Introduction

It is a graph algorithm and I stumbled on the algorithm since I misunderstood the problem statement. The graph is given as adjacent list, each node from 0 to N - 1 has a list of adjacent nodes. But I made it a hard problem and misunerstood the adjacent list as the nodes with edge connected sequentially. I asked the algorithm in mock interview, and I took some time to learn from the interviewee as well.

Case study

The interviewee solved the problem perfectly. He explained to me the idea using the example, and also he wrote the code and tested it with two test cases. I walked through the code and he explained to me his design.

Java code is pasted here. Start ->

End ->

Code review

I did make a few changes based on the above code written by a very competitive programmer who worked on graph database before. He definitely demonstrated strong skills to analyze a graph algorithm. The whole process to analyze and write code took him less than 30 minutes.

I just could not believe that it is such good learning experience and I also got good feedback as an interviewer.

Feedback from interviewee

Feedback from interviewer

Algorithms - Overview - Lecture 1

Here is the link. 

The interviewee solved the graph algorithm so quickly on May 20, 2019, and he also shared with me the above link.

Market Fair Value

Here is the link to read about market fair value.

Give Your Portfolio a Checkup - Morningstar Individual Investor Conference 2013

Here is the link.

2:04/ 50:09
Six steps in the portfolio checkup process
Step 1: Gauge viability of your current plan
Step 2: Evaluate portfolio positioning
Step 3: Check liquid reserves
Step 4: Review individual holdings
Step 5: Troubleshoot potential risk factors
Step 6: Conduct a cost, tax-cost audit

Step 1: Gauge viability of your current plan (Accumulators)

• Use an online calculator to gauge adequacy of current investments and savings rate. 
• Thumbnail test: 12% to 15% current salary = annual savings target
• Another: 25 times current income needs = at-retirement target ($100,000 in annual income needed --> $2.5 million portfolio)
• More precise online tools include:
• T. Rowe Price Retirement Income Calculator
• Fidelity Retirement Quick Check
• Fidelity Retirement Income Planner

5:49/50:09

Step 1: Gauge Viability of Your current plan (Accumulators)

The best tools are holistic and factor in:

• Inflation
• Reasonable return expectations
• Taxes
• The role of other income sources such as pensions and Social Security

6:07/ 50:09

Step 1: Gauge Viability of Your Current Plan (Accumulators)

Also check progress toward maxing out tax-advantaged vehicles for the year

• 401 (k) contribution limits for 2013
• $17,500 if under 50
• $23,000 if over 50
• IRA contribution limits for 2013
• $5,500 if under 50
• $6,500 if over 50

7:42/ 50:09
Step 1: Gauge Viability of Your Current Plan (Retirees)

• If already retired and taking withdrawals, check viability of current withdrawal rate
• The traditional rule of thumb is that 4% with an annual inflation adjustment is a safe withdrawal rate for most
• For someone with an $800,000 portfolio:
• Year 1 Withdrawal: $32,000
• Year 2 Withdrawal: $32,960 (assuming 3% inflation)
• Recent research has suggested that an even more conservative withdrawal rate (3%) makes sense given low bond yields

10:55/ 50:09

Step 2: Evaluate Portfolio Positioning

• Morningstar's X-Ray tool is a good starting point
• Portfolio Manage enables you to X-Ray, as does Instant X-Ray (on Tools tab of Morningstar.com)

12:30/ 50:09

Step 2: Evaluate portfolio positioning 

• Focus on asset allocation relative to your targets (Morningstar Lifetime Allocation Indexes, target date funds can be a starting point)
• Next check sector/ style positioning
• Geographic exposure
• Individual stock overload

14:36/ 50:09 <- I need to work on this research. Do not panic! 

Step 2:What should you do if you're light on stocks?

• Take comfort in the fact that stocks in aggregate aren't notably expensive, though not cheap either (average price/fair value for Morningstar's covered stocks = 1.01)
• Employ a dollar-cost averaging strategy, deploying fixed amounts at regular intervals
• Make sure you have a good value-oriented manager (or two) in your portfolio
• Look to Morningstar's highly rated stocks for ideas

18:19/ 50:09
Step 2: What should you do if you're light on bonds?

• Rebalance into bonds, but limit interest-rate sensitivity and keep credit quality high
• Invest with flexible core funds such as Harbor Bond (HABDX), Metropolitan West Total Return Bond (MWTRX)
• If retirement is close at hand and you're notably underweight bonds, de-risk immediately
• Move bond money to cash
• Dollar-cost average over a period of months

step 2: Evaluate portfolio positioning: Some benchmarks

Total U.S. market style                            Price/fair value by style

24   24  25  Large                                     0.93   0.99  1.05  Large

  6     6    7  Mid                                        1.03   1.05  1.10  Mid

  3     3    3  Small                                      N/A   N/A   N/A Small

 V     B        G                                            V        B       G

V - Value

B - Blend 

G - Growth 

To check benchmarks in 2019, please check this web page: Market fair value. 

22:41/ 50:09
Step 2: Evaluate Portfolio Positioning: some benchmarks

Global market cap distribution
U.S.: 46.2%
Rest of world: 53.8%
Developed markets: 88.6%
Developed markets: 11.4%

25:11/ 50:09
Step 3: Check Liquid Reserves
Baseline amount if retired:
6 months' to 2 years' worth of living expenses

Baseline amount if working:
3 to 6 months' worth of living expenses

Do not count:
Residual cash in mutual funds, short-term bonds

27:45/ 50:09
Step 4: Review Individual Holdings
Morningstar ratings and analyst reports enable you to quickly review status of current holdings.
For funds, red flags include:

• Manager, strategy changes
• Persistent underperformance v. cheap index fund
• Dramatically heavy stock, sector bets

For stocks, red flags include:

• High price/fair value
• Negative moat trend

30:41/ 50:09

Step 5: Troubleshoot Potential Risk Factors

Risk Factor 1: Potential yield-chasing in bonds, where landmines abound

• Limited yield cushion on higher-risk bond categories
• Excessive interest-rate sensitivity

Risk Factor 2: Potential overvaluation in certain dividend payers

One more slide:

Moving to Index Funds? Bring This Roadmap Along

Here is the link.

Argument that the share holder will protect down side.

Asset class -> cash -> security type gets cheap -> ...

2014 index fund -> market performs very well.

Manager, manager strategy -> underhood

total bond market fund -> exposure ...

Main index fund -> basic understanding what is the portfolio. Roll up your sleeves a little bit more.

Not every index fund is cheap. Lowest cost ......

How to control emotions as an investor?

May 20, 2019

Introduction

It is my personal finance research. I have to learn how to save another $5,000 dollars in expenses, so I can feel much better if I make mistake and market value of my 401 K and Canada TFSA account market value go down $5,000 dollars.

Emotions

I have to educate myself related to finance, investment and also basic strategies. I have to put $30,000 US dollars in stock market, and then $40,000 Canada dollar into TFSA as well. It is tough for me to manage and I will make mistakes.

Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM)

May 20, 2019

Introduction

It is hard for me to put all my US 401 K back into stock market, and right now it is May 2019 already. I like to continue to learn more VYM ETF, so that I can invest 25% of $20,000 US dollars into high dividend ETF.

How to read and learn VYM?

I have to learn the basics of VYM. It seems that it does not show negative return as index did in 2018. It is categorized large value. I have to learn how to put together a portfolio for myself, if the market goes continuously, I can have some return. If there is a bear market, I will not have too much risk overall.

Jack Bogle on What's Next for Active Investing

Here is the link.

Bogle: Index Funds the Best Hope for Corporate Governance

Here is the link.

Bogle's 'Reasonable Expectations' for Market Returns

Here is the link.

Bogle: Stocks Should Outpace Bonds Over the Next Decade

Here is the link.

Bogle: Buy and Hold Is Eternal

Here is the link.

Jack Bogle: What the Business of Investing Is All About

Here is the link.
Question: What is about investing?

Answer:
Give human beings the opportunity to implement financial goals.

Question: How to serve people better?
Answer:

Manage other people

Educate yourself -

understand compound interest table - 6% percent, cut back the cost

25%  vs 75%  return
you put 100% capital, 100% risk, and then you get 25% return, and 75% goes to management.

Bogle: Keep Investing

Here is the link.

Time: 2009 interviewed by Christine.

12 times wild and down day -
capital

investors are losers, some one is the winner.
Wall street wins - over 600 billion dollars, fees, commissions etc. - crying out for the change

stock trading - 72 days - frequent trade 2% - compared to 2 or 3 days/ year
credit too easy
government intervention
credit standard is devastated low

Government is only vehicle left - since great depression

Differently - investment is simple thing, own business

3:00 / 7:07
Questions: long term investor vs speculator

Answer:

Own business, own all the business if index chosen.

Index - own all business - let capitalism do the work. 7% a year, 2.5% dividend yield.

wild swing - investment does steady line - upward

not smart enough to buy high, not smart enough to buy low -

Sharp market decline is good for buyer. It is good for some one since the stock market is for buyer or seller.

Stay on the course, keep investing.

4:28/ 7:07
Question: tell us the genesis of Enough book

Answer:
My critic of American society, finance system, and how we do business, how we do with our lives and all other things

Improve whole society ...

Let me smart enough to ...
Try to accumulate ...
Keep investing ...

Enough - book and how book is written?
Think about building better world. Rather thinking about wealth and fame and power.

Service for community, for better world, rather than accumulating money, wealth and power

Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR)

Here is the link.

Modern Portfolio Theory (MPT)

Here is the link.

3 Fund Portfolio Investment Strategy: The Only Time Its Cool To Be Lazy In Personal Finance

Here is the link.

The 3-fund portfolio consists of investing in 3 asset classes:

• US Stocks
• US Bonds
• International Stocks

Since I use Vanguard, this is the three core funds in that portfolio

• Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund (VTSAX)
• Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund (VTIAX)
• Vanguard Total Bond Market Fund (VBTLX)

Efficient Frontier

Here is the link of the article.

The efficient frontier is the set of optimal portfolios that offer the highest expected return for a defined level of risk or the lowest risk for a given level of expected return. Portfolios that lie below the efficient frontier are sub-optimal because they do not provide enough return for the level of risk. Portfolios that cluster to the right of the efficient frontier are sub-optimal because they have a higher level of risk for the defined rate of return.

Money Mistakes to Avoid on Your Financial Independence Journey

Here is the link.


#1 Not invest aggressively right after the college. Non-aggressive allocation, 50% bonds, 50% stocks
#2 Buying a new car - Brand new BMW, luxury, double mistake
No longer a brand new car - used car philosophy
#3 Not tracking expenses carefully
#4 Not having routine money meetings
#5 Not become financially literate sooner 4:55/6:13

Formal money meetings
topics of discussion:Financial goals

• Monthly budget
• Spending habits
• Financial accounts
• Kids' investments
• FIRE concepts... Financial independence, retire early

At least once a month 

OUR STOCK PORTFOLIO UPDATE | We're Rebalancing Our Portfolio (Ep. 6 - May 2019)

Here is the link.

Reduce risk and increase return -

Rebalance - diversification - Get all stocks back to original we have in percentage.

10 stock 10% - go back to same percentage

Option 1: Sell stocks making up more than [X]%. Use that money to buy stocks making up less than [x]%.

Not sell all.

4:05/ 12:54
Option 2: Don't buy stocks making up more than [x]%. Only buy stocks making up less than [x]% of your portfolio.

Case study: one hour consultation of study program and my notes

May 19, 2019

Introduction

It is time for me to take some notes after one hour consultation about the study. I like to take some notes. My nephew and I spent one hour to get some consultation about the study program for him.

Case study

Facts to be collected before evaluation:

GPA  3.0/ 3.1 Computer science, university degree, graduated three years ago

SFU and UBC requirement: 3.5 GPA
Recommendation: Vancouver island university

IELTS:  6.5
Recommendation letters, transcript and other documents

Timeline:

Next September admission

IELTS test results

Cost comparison

Permanent resident
1 : 1.5

Consider to enroll bachelor degree program instead of master degree program.

Evaluate the goal - adapt to Canada as a new immigrant.

Case study: Trinity university MBA program

May 19, 2019

Introduction

It is time for me to go over 20 - 30 minutes to find a degree program for my nephew as a new immigrant. We did visit one of offices in Crystal mall and get advice what universities to apply.

Case study

The consultant gave out the advice and let us know that UBC and SFU requires GPA undergraduate 3.5. Other choices are MBA Sauder business school in UBC and trinity university MBA program.

Case study: How to help a young immigrant in three days?

May 19, 2019

Introduction

It is the first time I have to push myself to learn how to help a new immigrant to adapt and learn Canada in three days. My nephew landed in May 15, 2019 as a new immigrant and left on May 19, 2019 and went back to China.

Case study

I took three days to learn how to help the young Chinese to do all the paper work as a new immigrant. And also I had chance to put together some analysis and figured out how to help him. I am the sponsor, and also I need to learn how to help my nephew and give out my advice on a few areas.

I chose to show how to be frugal and it is hard for me to practice. I made mistakes and then I found the issue, and I asked the chance to fix the problem.

Let me document my experience in the following.

Corrections

After I opened the account for my nephew with my deposit of $3,000 Canadian dollars to his new account, in half an hour, I heard that he talked about purchase of a IPhone in Canada top brand latest version. I noticed that I made mistake. He does not consider what is his need and what is his want. He does not care about anything in Canada.

I have to figure out ways to take fund back. If there is need to pay rent or tuition to adapt Canada, then I should consider to support. Otherwise, I am supporting an impulsive purchaser.

I spent $1859.25 Canadian dollars to cover his airline round trip, three day rents, and other expenses. It is $600 dollar for a day. That is too expensive. My nephew argued that it worth for him, $1,800 dollar for three days. He actually took money from me and his parent both. He is a not-grown-up financially. He does not count the cost for me to file the whole application for his permanent resident.

Actionable Items

I also have to work on my decision making process. I should carefully calculate the expense and make sure that I calculate the risk as well. I should not come out $3,000 dollars from no where. I should add $500 dollars and then go up for another $500 for specific reasons.

I also did write a blog to document that I should have been able to save the airport parking fee waiting outside the airport instead. Here is the blog.

Robert H Lee - A Canadian Story (produced by CCS)

Here is the link.

Ideas shared:

Networking, frugal, and his real estate business secret.

Payback time.

His education of MBA in UBC.

The making of real-estate mogul Robert H. Lee

Here is the link.

Brian D. Davison

Here is the profile of the computer science professor.

Thoughts on Guy Kawasaki's learnings from his time with Steve Jobs

Here is the link.

8 lessons from running Bing Search at Scale for last 8+ years!

Here is the link.

Case study: Open a checking account in Scotia bank

May 18, 2019

Introduction

It is my personal finance research. I like to write down my experience and share how good Canada is as a country to help me and my nephew as a new immigrant.

Case study

My nephew is a 25 years old, last three years not working, a young Chinese with university degree computer science. He decided to land in Canada as a permanent resident, but he only stayed less than one week.

I like to open a checking account for him. Since he did not bring any money to Canada. He rushed last day to take Air Canada flight to Vancouver. I talked to the teller in Scotia bank, and there is a teller who is a Chinese speaking clerk. She helped us to get an appointment 3:30 PM otherwise it takes a long time to book the appointment.

Things I learn 

I had chance to meet Juan Diego Gallego who opened the account for my nephew. And also he shared his experience on investing as well.

I also learned from Scotiabank that they are willing to help a new immigrant and impress me very well with nice and great attitude to serve me and my nephew as customers.

Case study: Renting in Vancouver as a new immigrant

May 18, 2019

Introduction

It is my challenging job to be a sponsor for a young Chinese, my nephew. I am not one of his parents, I have no clue what he thinks and manages things. He landed in Canada last 48 hours before immigration visa expired, he drove 10 hours over 10,000 KM from Yichun to Shanghai overnight, and took the flight Air Canada on May 15 afternoon 3:00 PM, he made it on landing on May 15, 2019.

Case study

I was a busy aunt. My philosophy is to save money to be frugal. First day he stayed in Chinese airbnb like motel $50 Canada/ day. It took me three hours to call and talk and I found the place. Next morning I had to work on another place before May 16 - May 30 for a cheap price before he moved to long term rent starting from June 1, 2019. My ideal rental fee is $500 - $550/ month.

I talked to one of landlords on the internet and then I found out the place for him to stay until June 1, $400 dollars for rest of month, May 18 - May 31. I explained to the landlord, the money I save will help me to pay necessity. I like to save $200 dollars and work hard for it.

I also shared my story about my huge finance mistake on 401 K account.

But my nephew booked round trip airline ticket and will fly back to China on May 19, 2019. He chose not to stay another two weeks at all.

PhD Program or Microsoft Employee? Do both! This is my story

Here is the link.

After informing my advisor that I was leaving, he wisely suggested that instead of directly quitting the PhD program that I instead take a leave of absence for up to two years.

By the end of those two years I was already well integrated in my team at Bing and I felt like I might be able to continue the PhD on a part-time basis. I was determined to find a practical problem that would benefit both my research and my employer. I met with several teams inside Bing to learn about their most difficult challenges. In the end, I decided to focus on IP geolocation (finding the city level location of IP addresses), with a focus on mining search engine logs.

Case study: 60 shares BND ETF purchase

May 18,2019

Introduction

It is the first transaction I did on Ameritrade in my IRA account. I purchased 60 share BND recently. I like to do a case study.

First transaction

Here is the snapshot of the transaction:

Ideas to work on 

I need to come out the portfolio for my IRA account. I need to put the fund into market. The growth fund has negative return in 2018. It is all time high in 10 years.

I need to work on short term, middle term and long term goal. One of ideas is to purchase some 10+ year growth fund. How to invest those money into the market?

I have to close stock account in Ameritrade since there is an issue for Canadian citizen. I own a home in United States, but I work full time in the city of Vancouver, Canada.

Advice matters - winter 2019

Here is the article.

Avoid panicking selling

Overall, 2018 has been a difficult year for investors. North American markets are down for the year and many are concerned about slowing global growth. All the recent headlines might make you want to cash out your investments and wait it out on the sidelines. That’s an understandable feeling. However, it’s not a good idea. Leaving the markets in the midst of volatility is usually motivated by fear, which is responsible for some of our biggest investment mistakes. Anyone who sold during the 2008-09 market meltdown locked in steep losses and most likely missed a powerful rebound.

A new immigrant story

May 15, 2019

Introduction

It is the day my nephew landed in Canada as a new immigrant in Canada. He took the air Canada flight from Shanghai to Vancouver. I went to the airport at 11:40 PM, and waited three hours, he came out and I met him.

A new immigrant story

I have to take my nephew to the daily rental place since I do not own a place in the city of Vancouver. My nephew was so excited but I could not tell. This is his first international flight.

Now I am not lonely Canadian any more. I have a nephew who is also Canada permanent resident. I landed in Canada in April 16, 2010. My nephew landed in May 15, 2019. In 2010 I was 44 years old. Today my nephew is 25 years old.

A parking receipt 

I like to document the receipt and remember the story of me as a Canadian citizen, work hard to solve my own problem. I welcome my nephew as a new immigrant, and promise his parents to treat him nicely and help him if I can.

Being frugal 

I talked to my roommate Angie, and she asked me where your nephew is. I said that he lives in a motel now. I talked about expensive of parking in airport, she told me that I should wait outside the airport, grocery store or somewhere. Free parking and wait.

I like the idea.

146 LRU Cache

Introduction

It is such exciting opportunity for me to learn another hard level algorithm. I spent more than one hour to write C# code, I was able to pass some of test cases. Before I write a completed solution to pass all test cases, I like to document the half-baked solution.

My practice

Here is my C# solution which failed some test cases.

Actionable Items

My goal is to complete 10 hours practice on this algorithm. I like to write down a few mistakes in my design in the practice.

785. Is Graph Bipartite?

May 20, 2019

Introduction

It is medium level algorithm. I came cross the algorithm in one of mock interview on Leetcode.com recently I had hard time to understand the problem, since I misunderstood the problem with node adjacent list. I worked on a much hard problem. This is my common mistake. Once I mistunderstand the problem. I even could not classify the problem as a simple depth first search algorithm.

My practice

Once I understood the problem, I also could not understand the depth first search algorithm shown in discussion post. So I asked the algorithm in mock interview on May 20, 2019. the interviewee worked on graph database and he is so confident on graph algorithm.

I learned how to solve the problem using depth first search again.

Here is my C# practice using depth first search.
Here is my C# practice using union find algorithm.

Highlights of my practice

Weekly contest 136

May 12, 2019

Introduction

It is my favorite weekly contest 136. But I had hard time to manage my performance in the contest. I only solved second algorithm.

Performance review

I first spent 10 minutes to read the third algorithm. It took me more than ten minutes to understand the problem. I thought about the solution first.

I moved to second algorithm and I read the problem statement, I understood how to write a solution.

I moved to the first algorithm and try to understand the problem. It is an easy problem, but I do not know who designed the problem. I do not know what facing north - G implies. It took me over 10 to 15 minutes to try to figure out the problem statement. There are a few places confusing.

The first 30 minutes I spent time to read the first three problems. Next 40 minutes I spent time to write a solution for the third algorithm. I just could not believe that I did spend forty minutes.

Last 10 minutes I came out dynamic programming solution, but I ran out of time to write code.

Top 5 mistakes people make when investing in ETFs

Here is the link.

The Basics of the Bid-Ask Spread

Here is the article.

ETF investment problem

May 11, 2019

Introduction

It is my time to look into ETF investment problem. When market crashes, how much the price can go down quickly?

11 ETF problems

Here is the article for me to read.

How to measure the risk?

May 11, 2019

Introduction

I just transferred from NYCB to Ameritrade IRA account $16,000 US dollar, I have to work on the task to put money into stock market this weekend. What is the risk of growth index fund? How much percentage I should allocate to 10+ year growth fund. It is so challenging but I like to work hard on this task.

Idea 1

I like to propose the idea to apply 30% into those growth fund, around $5,000 dollars one time in the market. One idea is to put those funds into market over next 12 months, so I can practice dollar cost average and reduce the cost.

Idea 2

I need to put 10+ growth fund into Vanguard account since it is free to purchase and sell Vanguard fund.

$5,000 dollar into growth fund, so I can follow up if market crashes next 12 months.

Long-Term Unemployment Affected Older Women Most Following Recession

Here is the blog.

10. Regular expressions - Past practice review

May 11, 2019

Introduction

It is time for me to review my learning experience of leetcode 10: regular expression, and also I like to create one or more posts on Leetcode.com to share my C# practice. I like to cover as many topics as I can.

Preparation

I like to start to work on the project to share my experience of learning recursive function, dynamic programming. I should take some time break to share with others, and therefore I can push myself to focus on basics of learning. Do not rush, reflect on my past mistakes, learn how to solve the problem with various solutions.

Here is the first post.

236 Lowest common ancestor - C# various topics covered through 2019 practice

Here is the post I write and share.

I also copy and paste the content in the following:

It is my practice for busy season from March to May for two online code assessments and one more phone screen. One of ideas is to finish another 100 algorithm on Leetcode, and pace myself sometimes to work on one algorithm with various approaches. It is for potential phone screen, I may get invited any time. So I like to learn how to prepare more carefully through practice.

Here are various topic I cover in my practice, and I also like to share the discussion post for each idea. Some of ideas are just to study code on existing discussion post.

I also use the algorithm to interview people on interviewing.io. It is important for me to learn various solutions first in order to be a good interviewer, and also learn from interview experience through a lot of interviewees.

If you have advice for adding more topics on this algorithm as an interviewer, please leave in the comments. I will add them one by one.

Topics

child-parent map, parent node, BFS
Post order traversal

how to build a path from p or q to root
how to build a path from root to p

recursive function - Do not understand
Recursive solution Easy to understand
Recursive solution with backtracking

Naive solution with Timeout and Complicated function
Timeout challenge
Timeout challenge - using a string to store path
Fix naive solution timeout with complicated function
learn elegent solution using back tracking and space efficiency, avoid timeout

Women over 50? Help not wanted

Here is the link.

Search articles:

Long-term unemployment affected older women most following recession
Over 50, Female and Jobless even as Others return to work
For older women, a dismal job outlook.

In a game of wealth, fat cats who don't share keep winning

Here is the link.

Book: The wisdom of finance

Larry Cunningham: "Berkshire Beyond Buffett" | Talks at Google

Here is the link.

The world of finance has a dark side, but that's only half the story

Here is the link.

My new circle friends after I turned 50 years old

May 11, 2019

Introduction

It is not my purpose to be social and my original goal is to work on mock interview, pramp.com, interviewing.io, wechat.com. Now those friends are connected to LinkedIn.com, wechat.com and other areas. Today I got chance to learn that one of connection joined Facebook, so I looked up LinkedIn message and remembered that we met three time on pramp.com in the row less than two months from Dec. 2017 to January 2018, the engineer in Microsoft joined Facebook.

Get connected again

It is hard for me to push myself to get connected again. But in reality the connection stays the same even if he joins Facebook. He really likes to share and spend time with me another 30 minutes on the phone. He advises me that Microsoft has great culture, and I should try more companies besides top four companies. I should try to focus on Microsoft.

I have to work hard on the application process with Facebook in 2019. I really like to learn the basics of computer science, maybe I should work on the basic skills how to pass the phone screen.

I have to push myself to learn and get connected. I have to ask tips and advice from the friend. This is the first time I learn his first name, an Indian name meaning "light".

Get connected again 2

Last week one of my wechat friend joined Google. I still remembered that he shared with me the story about application. The code he wrote and shared seem lost in wechat history. Stone brook university I may get connected more than one on wechat.com group, at that time, pramp.com always got problems, so we chose to move on wechat to get audio instead while discussing the algorithm.

Get connected again 3

I also got connected on wechat. This young Canadian joined Google Beijing. He showed us the hong kong Google, and then he showed us Google United Kingdom.

Actionable items

I turned 50 years old in 2016. I started to write a blog in 2015.