胡立阳 - 最受全球华人欢迎的投资理财专家

Here is the article.

美国加州圣塔克拉大学会计学士、企管硕士，26岁才进入美国证券界, 33岁时已经是美国最大的证券公司美林证券第一位华籍副总裁兼硅谷分公司总经理,是中囯人在华尔街的最高职位。

1986年放弃千万年薪，被力邀回台湾担任证券市场发展基金会秘书长，任期中因推广股票投资并教育投资大众，带动了空前的投资热潮，被媒体尊为“股市教父”。

他所著的《胡立阳年轻人开创前程100招》和《胡立阳股票投资100招》曾创下台湾出版史最畅销记录，而《胡立阳股票投资100招》在中国大陆全新编写后出版又荣登各大畅销书排行榜冠军, 并获选为“2008十大理财図书”

胡立阳股市名言

☆"正常人"在股市中是赚不到銭的,你必须与大多数人背道而驰

☆买股票听太太的话准没错

☆不要和股票谈恋爱

☆新手怕大跌 老手怕盘跌 高手怕不跌

☆在股市中，别人因为紧张而犯的每一个错误，都是在辛辛苦苦的为您累计财富。

☆买股票不重要，重要的是卖股票.

☆根据我的覌察研究,每个人的一生中至少都有遇上三次财富重分配的机会,当机会来临时一定要好好把握,千万别让它白白溜走了

☆股票市场是专门为女性朋友设计的,不适合男性

☆“捡便宜反成捡破烂”常令人欲哭无泪。

☆人生的第一桶金不要想从股市中得来,应该要由工作中努力挣得

Actionable Items

I like to learn more from Hu yang.

【解码财商】胡立阳：会卖股才算真高手

Here is the link.

Currency exchange - 30 minute study

January 4, 2020

Introduction

It takes me 30 minutes to call and compare the rate. I like to write down my research, and later I will use them to purchase Canadian dollars.

My notes

I called this morning and ask the rate to purchase Canadian dollars using US dollars.

Kingmark (Canada) Currency Exchange Inc. - 1.285, take US dollar check, write a check
Can-China Financial services Ltd. - 1.295, only take cash, pay using cash
Happy currency Exchange inc - 1.2885
C & C - 1.28

The rate is 1.30 on Dec. 24, 2019. Now the rate is 1.285, 1.5% less.

$254,900 15 365 Ginger Drive, New Westminster, BC V3L 5L5

Here is the link.

About This Home

Welcome to Fraser Mews. Located in a quiet neighbourhood, steps away from Queens Park, Canada Games Pool, and Royal City Center Mall. Centrally located and easy access to transit, shopping and parks. Quiet and private community complex. Pet and rental friendly. Great opportunity for the right buyer; a good investment opportunity. Call now to arrange a showing.

Snapshot

• Price:
 
• $254,900

• Bedrooms:
 
• 2

• Full Baths:
 
• 1

• Square Footage:
 
• 1,079

• Year Built:
 
• 1987

• Listing ID #:
 
• R2426081

• Street Address:
 
• 15 365 Ginger Drive

• City:
 
• New Westminster

• Province:
 
• British Columbia

• Postal Code:
 
• V3L 5L5

• Community:
 
• New Westminster

• Subarea:
 
• Fraserview Nw

• Listing Status:
 
• Active

Building

• Age Of Dwelling:
 
• 33

• Amenities:
 
• Shared Laundry

• Miscellaneous Features:
 
• Central Location, Recreation Nearby, Shopping Nearby

• Stories:
 
• 1

• Style:
 
• Ground Level Unit

• Total Building Square Footage:
 
• 1079

• Year Built:
 
• 1987

Listing

• Title Type:
 
• Freehold Strata

Money

• Association Fee:
 
• 323.93

• Property Taxes:
 
• $2,042

• Tax Year:
 
• 2019

• Actionable Items

I  can only afford 20% down payment. I have one extra bedroom so that I can have a guest to live in. Every month I have to pay $500/ month, and then I will have mortgage $200,000 dollars. ( I am not sure if I can get a loan up to $200,000 dollars. )

I think that I should visit the place, and see how good neighborhood is. Recently there is one unit one sale same size over $400,000 dollars.

“How to Fuel Up Your Brain” with Scott Halford

Here is the link.

Activate Your Brain - Scott Halford

Here is the link.

Case study: $18,000 dollars 2010 asset 10 years return

January 4, 2019

Introduction 

I like to work on a short case study. I brought $18,000 US dollar to Canada in 2010 April, and then I found a full time job as a software programmer in June 15, 2010. If  I have invested those $18,000 Canada dollar into S & P 500 index fund VOO ETF, and based on VOO last 10 years return, what will be my return.

Case study

It is the first day I learn to use the website from bankrate.com to calculate return.
VOO 10 yr return is 13.56%.

Here are references:
1. Bankrate.com webpage to calculate return. Here is the link.
2. My Canada asset in 2010, here is my blog.
3. VOO ETF 10 yr return, here is the web page of VOO.

Reality

I learned VOO ETF until this May 2019, and I learned S & P 500 index return until May 2019. It is 10 year bull market from 2010 to 2019. I am a people person, and I always like to meet people. My problem is that I do not read enough, and not curious to learn personal finance and investment until I was 52 years old, depressed, not know where to move in Nov. 2018.

I was smart back in November 2018. I decided to move my research from algorithm and data structure to personal finance.

I actually did not make interest income or other passive income in Canada from 2010 to January 2019 more than $1,000 dollars.

This is the life. Knowledge is the power. I did not push myself hard to learn how to invest on stock market, instead I chose to sell everything in 2009.

Actionable Items

I like to case study more about my income from 2010 to 2019. How to understand the investment, 10 yr return.

Bankrate.com tool - Return On Investment Calculator Calculate your earnings and more

Here is the tool page.

The first 20 hours -- how to learn anything | Josh Kaufman | TEDxCSU

Here is the link.

Josh Kaufman is the author of the #1 international bestseller, 'The Personal MBA: Master the Art of Business', as well as the upcoming book 'The First 20 Hours: Mastering the Toughest Part of Learning Anything.' Josh specializes in teaching people from all walks of life how to master practical knowledge and skills. In his talk, he shares how having his first child inspired him to approach learning in a whole new way.


1. Deconstruct the skill. 2. Learn enough to self-correct. 3. Remove practice barriers. 4. Practice at least 20 hours.

Why I am afraid of learning from 2001 to 2019?

January 3, 2019

Introduction

It is my personal finance research. I like to learn about investment risk, and how to correct my behavior. I am not sure if I can be better those year from 2001 to 2019, what makes me so afraid to make mistakes, and then let $20,000 US Dollar retirement fund not grow with US economy, since I chose to time the market, sell 15 years lowest time, and never considered to put back into the market, or spend one weekend to learn something from my own experience. How did I lose trust with USA economy, since my startup work experience with Siva inc?

Build a community

I worked on mock interview as an interviewer in 2019, and I like to learn from those interviewees. I also found out that my second elder sister went crazy on this. She is yelling at me, and how much I got paid. She likes to control me, and ask my time to focus on her. 

It is important for me to learn that I have to evaluate relationship I like to maintain. If I can learn from the relationship, and it is not normal to let a relative control my time and emotions. I have to learn to say no since I am no longer to be responsible for maintaining the relative relationship. I have to learn to say no. Do not waste time on chatting. 

First and most important 

It is the first and most important how to build wealth and grow rich. I have to learn to be frugal, and also identify where I waste time and money. 

I did not start to learn personal finance when I was 52 years old. I chose to be a Christian in 2001 when I was a home maker. I started to learn bible and learn about USA as a country. 

I chose to be a Christian in 2001, and I like to learn more about bible teaching. But I do not learn to catch up so many things I need to learn from 2001. 

How Much Investment Risk Should You Take?

January 3, 2019

Introduction

It is my personal finance research. I like to learn about investment risk, and how to correct my behavior. I am not sure if I can be better those year from 2001 to 2019, what makes me so afraid to make mistakes, and then let $20,000 US Dollar retirement fund not grow with US economy, since I chose to time the market, sell 15 years lowest time, and never considered to put back into the market, or spend one weekend to learn something from my own experience. How did I lose trust with USA economy, since my startup work experience with Siva inc?

Investment risk

Here is the article.

Not all stocks are equal

In order to get a good idea of how risky a stock is, take a look at its beta, which is a metric listed in most stock quotes. Basically, a stock's beta tells you how reactive it is to market movements. A beta greater than one means more volatility (riskier) and a beta of less than one means less volatility. For example, a beta of 1.5 means that, when the S&P 500 drops by 1%, that stock could be expected to lost 1.5%.

What is Amazon stock beta? 1.5
What is Facebook stock beta? 1.2

Other things to consider besides beta:

• History of profitability
• History of growth rate
• Current valuation
• Dividend history
• Sustainability of business

There is such a thing as too little risk

It's also important to mention that there is such a thing as too little risk. Even if you consider yourself to have no risk tolerance whatsoever, the best move is not to simply stick your money in a savings account -- inflation alone will erode your purchasing power.

Review the above statement:
too little risk 
no risk tolerance whatsoever
best move
stick your money in a savings account 
inflation alone 
erode your purchase power

4% inflation rate - consider inflation - learn about inflation

Historically, inflation has averaged just more than 3% per year. This means that if you stick $100 under your mattress, it will have roughly $40 in purchasing power in 30 years. At the bare minimum, your goal should at least be able to keep up with inflation, which even the most cautious investors can accomplish using long-maturity Treasury bonds, and similar investments that are virtually risk free.

Review the above statement:
3% per year - inflation 
average inflation 
$100 -> $40 in 30 years, lost 60%, 3% * 20 = 60%
bare minimum - keep up with inflation 
cautious investors
long-maturity Treasury bonds

Keep LEARNING Motivation - #OneRule

Here is the link.

Keep Learning Motivation: Hello #BelieveNation! In this video we're motivating you to keep learning. Listen to what Bill Gates, Vin Diesel and other successful people have to say about always being a student of your craft. Enjoy!

10 Ways to Keep Learning as an Adult

Here is the article.

How to calculate return on investment to figure how much money you've made

Here is the article.

Linkedin learning: REST API

January 2, 2019

Introduction

It is my favorite topic to learn in 2020. I like to take some risk to start to learn more about web development. I like to take some courses from Linkedin learning, and the topic is called REST API.

Courses to study

I like to find time to study as many hours as I can in 2020. I need to think about how to explain to the project manager that I should learn more about technologies, and then move the website to new platform.

Date my money - get a bank check

January 2, 2019

Introduction

It is my date to my money. I like to get a bank check and then take the check to currency shop for exchange from US dollars to Canadian dollars.

Bank check

I have to show the company name in the bank check.

I compared the rate to Scotia bank, 1.30 on Dec. 24, the money I can save is close to $60.00. I wrote a blog more than two weeks ago. Here is the blog.

INVESTING FOR BEGINNERS PERSONAL FINANCE How to Amass the First $100,000 of Your Portfolio

Here is the article.

Case study: Being frugal and disciplined

January 1, 2020

Introduction

I like to put together to review my financial habits starting from 18 years old, and then I like to analyze and predict my future based on those facts and experience. I like to set up a new year resolution for 2020, and then work on my new year goal.

Case study

I will add more content here.

20 Financial new year resolution - 2020

Here is the article. 

• Identify financial goals.
• Start tracking your budget.
• Check your credit report.
• Commit to no-spend days.
• Get healthy ... without joining a gym.
• Boost retirement contributions.
• Fast-track debt payoff goals.
• Cut back on bad money habits.
• Automate good habits.
• Do home maintenance.
• Cut the cable cord.
• Go to the doctor or dentist.
• Evaluate last year's financial mistakes.
• Rebalance your investment portfolio.
• Assemble your financial team.
• Re-evaluate your employee benefits package.
• Call your credit card company.
• Subscribe to a personal finance podcast.
• Read a personal finance book.
• Fund your health savings account.

50 Ways to Improve Your Finances in 2019

Here is the link.

• Ring in the new year
• Negotiate your salary
• Get ready for next financial crisis
• Become the CFO of your financial household
• Consider a side hustle
• Build a budget
• Adopt financially savvy microhabits
• Open a 529 savings account
• Take advantage of employer benefits
• Find a job with paid sick leave
• Automate bill payments
• Practice financial self-care
• Kick your adult child out of the house
• Build an estate plan for your pets
• Protect your financial information
• Remove yourself as a co-signer on a loan
• Quit smoking 
• Ditch cable
• Find a better bank
• Learn to co-manage your money
• Be smart about what you post on social media
• Avoid drunk shopping binges
• Spend less on working out
• 
  

50 Personal Finance Tips That Will Change the Way You Think About Money

Here is the article.

50. Rebalance Your Portfolio Once a Year

We’re not advocates of playing the market, but you need to take a look at your brokerage account every once in a while to make sure that your investment allocations still match your greater investing goals. Here’s how to rebalance.

Why Bonds Are More Important to Your Financial Portfolio Than You May Realize

Here is the link.

Rates Are Rising. Is It Time to Sell Your Bonds?

Here is the article.

I like to take time to read and then understand how important it is to keep bond in my portfolio. And I should look into market shares instead of market value when bear market hits. I should learn the basics in order for me to make money as long term investor.

Making a Case for Bonds

Let’s start by examining the reason you added bonds to your portfolio in the first place. The main reason to buy bonds is to have an asset that hopefully grows faster than cash investments, like bank accounts and money market funds, but doesn’t drop — or at least not as much — as stocks can drop. So, we anticipate that bonds will provide returns somewhere around 4% to 5% over time, which is somewhere between cash, with returns between 1% and 2%, and stocks, historically at 8% to 10%.

If stocks take a turn for the worse, we hope bonds will cushion the fall. Has this been the case? Let’s look back at a couple of past periods and see if this held true — bonds helping a portfolio when stocks fell.

• This was the case in 2008. Stocks, as measured by the S&P 500 index, were down in 2008 (37%), while intermediate Treasury bonds were up 11.35% and international bonds were up 10.11%. Corporate bonds fell, but not by much (2.76%).
• How about in 2002? The S&P 500 index fell (22.09%) while government bonds, corporate bonds and international bonds were up 9.28%, 10.14% and 21.99% respectively.

So, in our last two big market pullbacks bonds would have given your portfolio a boost.

'Bloomberg Technology' Full Show (12-31-19)

Here is the link.

Why real estate investors are flocking to Singapore | CNBC Reports

Here is the link.

Invest with Your Eyes Wide Open

Jan. 1, 2020

Introduction

It is easy for me to learn anything before bear market comes. It is called pre-mortem analysis. What is worst case and how long it takes for my portfolio to recover if bear market hits.

Take some notes

Here is the article.

In addition to knowing what the returns of your investments have been recently, be sure to ask the following:

• What has the portfolio returned on average over the past one, three, five and 10 years?
• What was the best and worst three-month period during the past 10 years?
• What was the best and worst one-year period during the past 10 years?
• What was the best and worst three-year period during the past 10 years?
• How has the investment performed during past wars, bear markets, terrorist attacks and elections?

Case study

As an example, let’s answer these questions assuming you had a moderate portfolio consisting of 75% stocks and 25% bonds, such as a combo of Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund (Ticker: VTSMX) and Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund (VBMFX), rebalanced annually. You would have enjoyed an average return of 11.98%, 7.43%, 11.14%, and 7.06% over the past one, three, five and 10 years (according to Morningstar) for the period ending 8/31/2017. However, to obtain that 7.06% 10-year return you would have had to endure a worst three-month period watching the portfolio fall 23.45%, a worst one-year period with a drop of 32.03%, and a three-year period that lost 3.98% per year. For the 10-year period ending 8/31/2017, a $500,000 investment into this portfolio would now be worth $999,194.

My notes

75% stocks - VTSMX
25% bond - VBMFX

8/32/2007 - 8/31/2017
average return 
past one 11.98%, 
past three 7.43%
past five   11.14%
past 10 years  7.06%

Time to Take Stock Profits? 4 Steps to Consider Now

Here is the article.

History would suggest that a pullback is highly likely because the stock market, as measured by the S&P 500 index, is up over 336% from March 2009 to late July 2017 (19% annualized). It’s probably safe to assume that the stock market, which has averaged 10% per year since 1926, can’t sustain its current 19% pace forever.

Facts:

the stock market, as measured by the S&P 500 index, is up over 336% from March 2009 to late July 2017(19% annualized)

Argument:

How come I did not know at all, I did not spend time to look into S&P 500 index? 
Only thing I wondered if I should invest Amazon stock. I went to Amazon onsite in 2016 June 8. 

I chose not to study personal finance, investment, and how the capitalism works in Canada or USA from 2001 to 2018 December. 


Facts:

If these skewed figures don’t make you want to examine your portfolio further, consider that we are also in the second-longest and second-largest bull market since World War II, and we are sitting in the middle of the second most pricey market since the 1999 tech bubble (as measured by P/E ratios).

Your portfolio? What I did is to put everything to IRA CD with Amtrust bank with 1.1% interest. My Par 401 K is in money preservation. 

second-longest and second-largest bull market since World War II 
P/E ratios - second most pricey market 

Statements:

If you own a portfolio of individual stocks or stock funds, it is likely that a couple of them have been on fire since 2009. For example, Apple is up 1,294% since March 2009, and Amazon is up 1,595%. If you’ve owned these two companies, then congratulations. However, you are likely sitting heavily in these two positions now.
Facts:
Apple stock is up 1,294% since March 2009 to August 2017. 10 times more value. 
Amazon stock is up 1,595% since March 2009 to August 2017. 15 times more value. 

Notes:

• Mutual fund performance numbers were obtain from Morningstar Office
• Bull Market: prices that continue rising without being interrupted by a 20% decline
• Longest bull market, 10/1990 to 3/2000, 114 months, current bull market 101 months, no bull market has made it to its 10th year anniversary. We are at 8.4 years.
• Largest bull market, 10/1990 to 3/2000, 417%, current bull market 336%
• S&P 500 P/E at end of bull market, 3/2000: 28.9, current P/E 26.2
• S&P 500, 3/9/09 to 7/21/17, 336%

Is 4% Withdrawal Rate Still a Good Retirement Rule of Thumb?

Here is the article.

Analyzing the 4% Rule with Real-World Numbers

So here is our investment plan. We are going to take the $1 million and invest half into stocks and half into bonds using the Vanguard 500 Index Fund (VFINX) and the Dodge and Cox Income Fund (DODIX). We are going to rebalance the portfolio every six months. During year one we’ll assume that you withdraw and spend $40,000. In year two we’ll assume that due to rising prices you’ll need to withdraw 3% more, or $41,200. We’ll assume you’ll continue to withdraw 3% more each year.

Here are the annualized returns of each decade:

• 1989-1998: 14.09% per year
• 1999-2008: 2.59% per year
• 2009-2018: 9.45% per year

Vancouver house price

Jan. 1, 2020

Introduction

It is so challenging for me to find an affordable place to live as a 53 year old. I am happy to rent a small place and enjoy urban life. Swimming or skiing is so easy as a renter. But I have to follow up Vancouver house market in the first day of 2020. 

A short summary

I came cross this article and the short summary is very truthful. Here is the article. 

温哥华

　　温哥华，作为加拿大通向太平洋的门户，加拿大第三大城市，200万人口，2000平方公里，2010年冬奥会举办地，2006年被评选世界最宜居城市第三位，同时也是移民城市最佳选择地。

　　2009年9月-2019年9月，温哥华别墅从90万加元涨到155万加元，涨幅72%，年化5.57%;联排从50万加元涨到87万加元，涨幅74%，年化5.6%;公寓从42万加元涨到65万加元，涨幅55%，年化4.48%;

　　同期，温哥华房价大约上涨了75%，年化涨幅5.6%。

　　但就最近1年的房价来说，是下跌的。6月份大温哥华地区独立式住宅，联排别墅和公寓的综合基准房价为998,700加币。这比去年同期下降9.6%，比5月下降0.8%。独立式住宅的跌幅最大，自2018年6月下跌10.9%至1,423,500加币。

　　就整个温哥华地区来说，温哥华西区(Vancouver-west)和西温哥华(West- Vancouver)的房价是最高的，这两个地区的独立屋均价在300万加元以上。

　　其他区域公寓价格在60-75万加元之间，城市屋在80-100万加元，独立屋在150-160万加元(1加元约为5.2元人民币)。

　　如果单纯投资的话，北温哥华是一个不错的选择，北温在地理位置上紧挨西温，但价格上却少了很多。

　　大概700多万人民币就可以买一套位置相当好的独立屋，180万人民币就可以买下面积小一点的公寓。

　　在Downtown，一套50平米左右的公寓月租金大约在2200元加币，加上升值因素，公寓的投资年回报率在10%左右。

投资美股如何报税

Jan. 1, 2020

Introduction

I came cross this answer about tax. I like to take some notes from the content. 

My notes

如果你是住在美国或加拿大以外的外国居民，原则上，你买卖美国或加拿大的股票是不需要向这些国家缴纳资本利得税的。但是，这些国家都有规定，如果你在美国（或加拿大）居留超过半年，在税法上将被视为美国人（或加拿大人），你投资美股的收益就要照常报税。 由于税法条目繁多，我建议你向专业会计师咨询，你的个人情况可能需要特别处理。


Here is the article. 

北美股票投资获利所涉及的税务主要是资本利得税（Capital Gain Tax，也称资本所得税），其总的原则是一年之内所有交易挣到的钱，减去亏掉的钱，再减去交易的手续费，如果结果是正数（净收益）就按照规定的税率上缴资本利得税，如果是负数（净损失）就用来抵消其它年份的净收益。 对于美国的税务居民，你要考虑长期资本利得税和短期资本利得税两种算法：持股时间超过一年的投资收益属于长期资本所得，不到一年的属于短期资本所得。这两者的税率不同，短期资本所得的税率与你的个人所得税率（Income Tax）是一样的，而长期资本所得的税率较低，目前是15%（如果你属于最低或次低所得税缴纳人群，这个税率是5%）。不过，从2011年起，长期资本利得税率将调整至20%。 对于加拿大的税务居民，你不用考虑长期投资还是短期投资，只要把所有投资收益的50%按照你的个人所得税率进行报税，另外50%的投资收益是完全免税的。当然，如果你这一年没有净收益，只有净损失，你就要如实申报并记录在案，以便用来抵消其它年份的净收益。 如果你是住在美国或加拿大以外的外国居民，原则上，你买卖美国或加拿大的股票是不需要向这些国家缴纳资本利得税的。但是，这些国家都有规定，如果你在美国（或加拿大）居留超过半年，在税法上将被视为美国人（或加拿大人），你投资美股的收益就要照常报税。 由于税法条目繁多，我建议你向专业会计师咨询，你的个人情况可能需要特别处理。 

双倍回报和三倍回报的ETF基金

Jan. 1, 2020

Introduction

It is important for me to learn to tell investment from speculation. I like to learn how to invest, and grow wealth when market goes up, and learn how to invest when bear market comes. 

Double return - derivative product 

Here is the article. 

双倍回报和三倍回报的ETF基金：
美国股市目前正在流行双倍回报和三倍回报的杠杆型ETF基金，它们完全可以满足投资者对低风险和高回报的需求。

这里所说的双倍回报ETF是ProFunds公司发行的Ultra ProShares系列和UltraShort ProShares系列股票型指数基金，包括大盘看涨时买入正向双倍回报的QLD，SSO，DDM，UWM或UYG等ETF基金，大盘看跌时买入反向双倍回报的QID，SDS，DXD,TWM或SKF等ETF基金。

三倍回报的ETF基金是Direxion Funds公司推出的正向回报和反向回报的杠杆式ETF基金，其中交易量最大的有跟踪大型股指数的BGU和BGZ，跟踪小型股指数的TNA和TZA，跟踪金融股指数的FAS和FAZ等。

这些杠杆ETF在每个交易日的涨跌目标是其跟踪指数的正向200%或300%，以及反向-200%或-300%。举例来说，如果那斯达克100指数在一天之内上涨1%，QQQ也会同期上涨1%，但QLD会上涨2%，是QQQ的两倍。而如果那斯达克100指数在某一天下跌1%，QLD则下跌2%，但QID会上涨2%，获得反向的双倍回报。所以，像QLD和SSO这样的正向双倍回报的ETF基金适合在大盘看涨时买入，而QID和SDS这种反向双倍回报的ETF基金适合在大盘看跌时买入（注意是买入，而不是卖空）。

您如果想了解更多关于双倍回报和三倍回报杠杆型ETF基金的情况，请访问以下网址：

www.proshares.com
www.direxionfunds.com/direxionshares

AI Superpowers': A Conversation With Kai-Fu Lee

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Your Ultimate Guide To Saying “No” To People You Can’t Say “No” To

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FAMILY OBLIGATIONS

Why you feel you can’t say no. They are your family. You grew up with these people, or married them, or raised them.

“Relatives are the people you love most dearly, and conversely are the ones who infuriate you with their incessant requests,” says Newman. “For complex reasons that have developed over the years, you don’t want to disappoint them or be faced with their disdain. To make matters worse, you may have convinced yourself that you’re supposed to be there for them, that it’s your job to help solve all their problems and keep the peace.”

Your family often knows your weaknesses and knows how to use them to wear you down.

What’s even worse is that your family often knows your weaknesses and knows how to use them to wear you down.

How to say no. This varies greatly by who in your family is requesting what, but the key is to be firm and honest. If someone wants your time and you can’t be there, tell them you can’t be and explain why. Be direct and stand your ground if they protest.

If someone wants your talent, but you just don’t have the time to help, a simple, “You can do that as well as I can,” works wonders for both nicely declining their request and boosting their confidence. You could also add, “I’ll tell you how.”

And if someone in your family is requesting a big favor of you, such as watching their kids, saying, “That’s a responsibility that makes me nervous,” will be enough to put them on track to looking for someone else.

And if you still have problems saying “no”, realize that doing so often benefits your relationship with your loved ones in the long run.

“Parents, children and partners present the supreme challenge in the quest to mark your boundaries and be more of a ‘no’ person,” says Newman. “You will begin to resent family members, no matter what their age or who they are, if you continue to bow to their every need and want.”

Technology: AI in China

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10 tips for buying rental property

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I read the article once. I am surprised to learn a few facts.

7. Remember to renew your leases

If mom-and-pop landlords have one glaring blind spot, it’s the failure to renew tenant leases in a timely manner, according to George.

“You’d be surprised how many landlords don’t renew their leases every year, so they’re letting their tenants go on month-to-month leases,” she says. “What’s wrong with that? What’s wrong is, their whole thinking is that now, if I want to get my tenant out, I can’t because now they’re not strapped to a lease.”

“Also, they can’t raise rent,” says George. “The only way you can change rent is if you have them sign a form changing the lease every year. That’s how you keep your tenants in check. When you let it slide like that, it can be really difficult to get your tenants back on track,” George says.

Depending on the state, landlords can give notice of eviction for a specified period. In California, where George is based, the state allows landlords to give 60-days’ notice for tenants who have lived in the property for more than a year (or 30 days for less than a year), though the situation may be different in rent-controlled cities. The landlord also might offer a new lease contract at the same time.

Reference Guide: Foreign Withholding Taxes on ETFs for Canadian Investors

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As a self-learner to evaluate tax issues, I like to read the following content, and ask myself a few questions.

ETF Structures - common structure examples

There are three common ETF structures available to Canadian investors that provide access to international markets. First Asset's international ETFs employ the most tax-efficient structure by investing directly in portfolios of international stocks (see Structure 3).

Structure 1:

U.S.-LISTED ETF THAT INVESTS DIRECTLY IN INTERNATIONAL STOCKS
INVESTOR HAS DIRECT EXPOSURE TO INTERNATIONAL MARKETS

With this first structure, there are two levels of withholding tax a Canadian investor may be exposed to. First, an investor is subject to the taxes levied by the country in which each foreign stock is based. Second, the U.S. government may levy an additional withholding tax, up to 15%, on certain distributions made by the U.S. ETF to a Canadian investor's account. The amount of taxation depends on local jurisdictional tax legislation, as well as any respective income tax treaties.

Structure 2:

CANADIAN-LISTED ETF HOLDING A U.S.-LISTED ETF THAT INVESTS IN A PORTFOLIO OF INTERNATIONAL STOCKS
INVESTOR HAS INDIRECT EXPOSURE TO INTERNATIONAL MARKETS

Also known in Canada as a "wrapped" ETF, within this structure a dividend paid by a foreign company may be subject to withholding taxes since the payments are sent to the U.S. ETF. Distributions by the U.S. ETF may then be subject to an additional U.S. withholding tax as they are distributed to the Canadian ETF.

Structure 3:

CANADIAN-LISTED ETF THAT INVESTS DIRECTLY IN A PORTFOLIO OF INTERNATIONAL STOCKS
INVESTOR HAS DIRECT EXPOSURE TO INTERNATIONAL MARKETS

This is the most tax-efficient ETF available to Canadian investors. Withholding tax only applies to the Canadian investor according to the country where the foreign stock is domiciled. A dividend paid by a foreign company may be subject to one level of withholding tax as the payments are made to the Canadian ETF.

Withholding Tax Levels by Account Type

RRSP, TFSA, RESP & TAXABLE ACCOUNTS

Investors should consider the account type that the ETF is held in, as this also impacts the amount of withholding tax an investor is subject to. The chart below illustrates what levels of withholding tax a Canadian investor would be subject to depending on the account type the investment is held in.

Tax I: Withholding taxes levied by the country where the underlying stocks/holdings are domiciled
Tax II: Additional withholding tax (15%) levied by the virtue of being a U.S.-listed ETF

Actionable Items

I am considering to purchase Nasdaq 100-index ETF, and I have to think about purchase of US ETF directly or Canada version ETF.