How many mock interviews can help me achieve top talent in the world as a problem solver?

March 18, 2020

Introduction

It is such exciting world. Interviewing.io just recovered after a few weeks, so I had one or two weeks break no mock interview as an interviewer. But this weekend I got one interview as a interviewer. I like to write a research topic called "How many mock interviews can help me achieve top talent in the world as a problem solver? ".

My short research

It is a competitive world. I moved my interest to stock market research, and also spent most of time in the weekend to work on book reading, youtube watching. But one or two hours interview really help me to get connected to top talent engineers in the world.

I remember that no such good communication in my life, and work before. Those mock interviews are really essential for top talent people these days. People are very open to meet strangers, and then so easy and quickly exchange ideas, be polite and respectful to each other's hard work.

I also benefit so good on communication. As a single person, I learn that I do not have competitive partner to exchange ideas; I have to read books quietly, and spent time to look around my community and then help if need.

I have no interviews from Monday to Friday the past week, so I set up two interviews as the interviewee on interviewing.io.

I do think that I am much better problem solver after so many interviews in my past two years busy life.

Every weekday and weekend 10:00 PM mock interview really helps me to stay focus on basics as a software programmer. I really learn from those peers, people share their life with me. I do think that I miss the part of high-pay job, but in other hand, I also have more confidence to make money as an investor.

I know how to advance myself in terms of crafting skills, algorithm and data structure problem solving, system design skills; I just become more patient, and then adapt my skills to new area, like business analytical skills, economy recovery after coronavirus.

Actionable Items

I do not think too much how my blog matches the title of the blog.

Case study: Mock interview as an interviewer - 240 Search in Matrix II

May 18, 2020

Introduction

It was such great experience to work with the interviewee. He was super smart and came out the solution with time complexity O(m), m is maximum of rows and columns. And then I asked him to optimize the time complexity, and then we had very good discussion to explore the binary search algorithm together. I just could not believe that the discussion helps me as well as an interviewer, I need to learn how to be a better communicator, listen to the interviewee, and then learn how to have a good conversation to exchange ideas.

Case study

Here is the gist.



Feedback from interviewer

Feedback from interviewee

Book reading: The Intelligent Asset Allocator

William Bernstein, Ph.D., M.D., author of The Intelligent Asset Allocator
and The Four Pillars of Investing: “If you really want to become
proficient at asset allocation you are going to have to log off the net,
turn off your computer, and go to the bookstore or library and spend
several dozen hours reading books.”

The place of oil and gas in the future of Alberta’s energy sector faces questions

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Suncor Oil Sands Tour

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Time line: One month window

May 17, 2020

Introduction

After market went down to lowest SPX 2200, I have one month window to catch up investment to make 60% return on Canada oil stocks, with my cash $40,000 in my TFSA account after I sold bond and SPX ETF. I like to write a research topic how to value the 30 day time line, the small window to get the best investment.

Old habit

I just went back to stock market in May 2019. I was too lazy to trade, and I also did not know the importance to trade. Those time range after three circuit break is best time for me to invest on Canadian oil stock, one month return is over 60%.

I was still acting on my old routine. I did not understand how important it is to make money, and the most important is to think for myself.

Difficulties

I had hard time to make money in Canada. I did not invest on real estate. I did not invest early from 2010 into stock market. I was young but I did not plan very well.

In order to build wealth, as a 44 year old in 2010, I should start to work on research on personal finance and investment day by day; Try to accumulate 1000 hours study; Try to build community around myself to be frugal.

Emotions

I have to understand one month of April 2020 is best time for me as a naive investor to invest 50% of cash into those Canadian oil stocks. 

Business plan: stock research and how to make it better

May 17, 2020

Introduction

I like to make a plan to work on stock research related to Canada oil industry, so that I can invest $20,000 to $30,000 dollars on Canada oil stocks, and plan to get 10% return in less than 3 to 6 months.

Business plan

First of all, I have to understand how Canada oil business works. What is situation for those big ones? Layoff, economy, house issues, and whole industry over all related to coronavirus.

I also like to review what I did in April 2020. How come I could not find the urgent to investment more money after $2000 Canada dollars purchase of Canadian stock on March 27, 2020.

Also, why waiting is not so good? I should take some risk, and then what is reason to invest after 90% loss of OVV.TO when SPX was around 2200.

I need to learn how to be a good research. Stock investment is to play real money. April 2020 my $2000 portfolio has over 60% return, I should invest more when return is over 10%. I should expect trend.

I need to spot the opportunity, make $24,000 dollars in one month.

Actionable Items

I should watch 10 - 20 videos about Canada oil industries. I should have more knowledge about oil business.

What is Allergic Rhinitis?

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Relieve Allergy Symptoms With Acupressure

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Hay Fever | Hay Fever Symptoms | How To Get Rid Of Hayfever

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The Best Ways to Combat Hay Fever | This Morning

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Hayfever Natural Remedies | Studio 10

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How to get rid of your hayfever & allergies

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Allergic rhinitis: long-term remission rather than simply treating symptoms

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Career research: Performance review

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Leetcode solved algorithm: 1500, five times, good enough to get an offer

It is important to train yourself using Leetcode algorithms.

下面是我的一些总结， 包括进入dev 的建议：
1. 你的经理会想方设法的告诉你 dev 期间干活。 但是他不会告诉你上了dev 就算今后出来 等于promotion 无望，在amazon前途就没了。 别的经理也会因为看到你上过dev用你会很小心， 只是把你当个工具。
2. 很多人以为pip + devlist 一个套餐时间很多。 但其实不是这样，devlist 一般一个月， 虽然可以拖到6月， 但是不garantee，大部分经理 会在一个月结束之后直接让你上pip， pip 是30 -60 天， 但是一旦进入pip， 经理有权随时开除你。所以dev + pip 一共只会给你两个月，运气好的话三个月。
3. 在amazon 待过， 等于 FLAG。 实际找工作下来， 真的amazon放在简历上真的没有你想的那么有用，amazon找的人太多了， 通货很严重 除非你在amazon的项目很精彩， 但是拿到面试机会可能性还是有很多的
4. 经理的话永远不要相信， 不管是谁在amazon， 只有手上拿到的才实惠。
5. 有能力还是刷题跳槽走吧， 在Amazon等同于在flaguasp 科技公司简直是自欺欺人， 你当初怎么进的你自己心里不清楚吗. From 1point 3acres bbs
6. 亚马逊有人会和你说有好的组，组和组差异很大。 那我告诉你， new grad 进去就是进了热带雨林， 自生自灭。 指望有好的组带你职业发展是在玩期权， 搞杠杆
7. 亚马逊实习return不能代表任何问题， 也许你的能力并不强。 但是一般sde1 做mentor 都会保你拿return， 哪怕你的技术多么不堪。 因为mentor 一个成功的intern 是sde1 升职 2的必经途径。
8. 即使你在amazon混的很不错， 组遇到很好， 老板不搞政治， 愿意带你， 提拔你， 也要经常出去面试练手， 因为nobody is safe at Amazon.
9. 一旦上了dev， 转组就会被block， 转组几乎是没有可能的。上不上dev 你是不知道的， 除非经理告诉你。
10. 上了dev，不回头的逆风飞翔。

Allergic Rhinitis - CRASH! Medical Review Series

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Allergic Rhinitis

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Allergic Rhinitis - causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, pathology

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Case study: 240. Search a 2D Matrix II mock interview

May 16, 2020

Introduction

It is my mock interview as an interviewee. I worked on the algorithm called Search a 2D matrix II.

Case study

Here is the gist.

My feedback as the interviewee

Interviewer feedback 

Actionable items

The interviewer is a software engineer working for Amazon AWS team in Seattle. I just learn that she is much better in terms of patience, and strive to find optimal solution. I do think that it is time for me to go back to practice more algorithms regularly.

Stock research: Canada oil stocks portfolio

May 16, 2020

Introduction

It is serious business to work on Canada oil stocks portfolio. I made purchase on March 27, 2020, and waited less than one month, the portfolio went up 60%. And Today is May 16, 2020. I asked myself seriously, if I learn something to go up value definitely after more than 50% drop, what should I do?

Stock research

I was busy to write blogs and share my investment on wechat. But seriously I should think about impact of the stock research. One month over 10% correction after biggest crash of oil industry in April is such great opportunity for me to invest more on porfolio.

After 60% up as correction, it is hard for me to invest more on my portfolio.

I should build a checklist to remind myself next time.

GE stock: purchase 40 share after previous purchase has 28% drop

May 15, 2020

Introduction

It is important for me to learn business and USA economy works. Today I made decision to place an order to purchase another 40 shares of GE stock, at price of $5.53.

My purchase

I have to take small steps to purchase stocks, as a long term investor, I have to understand the basics and also understand how difficult to handle tough situation.

GE maybe has financial flaw, but as an investor, I take the risk to invest, and hopefully I can sell when the price goes up 30%, so I can buy low and sell high and make $100 US dollar profit.

I have to go to work before it is too late.

These 7 Money Mistakes in Your 20s Can Haunt You the Rest of Your Life

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Stock picking - 熊市选股6 类方法

Here is the link.

主要围绕近期美股走势，有钱人是如何选择的，分享几个在熊市怎么选股票的方法，最后看一个有趣的老虎证券的调查，介绍炒美股的外国人的情况

Why I Sold Part Of Air Canada

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Stock research - Opportunity loss $24,000 in one month

May 13, 2020

Introduction

It is my daily research time on stock before I go to work. Today I like to talk about opportunity lost I have right now. $24,000 dollars in one month, and how I should have make this profit if I learn how to analyze the situation.

Stock analysis

I purchase Canada oil stock on March 27, 2020 $2000 dollars, and after a few weeks, I sold almost all VFV ETF and VAB ETF, so I have $40,000 dollar cash in my TFSA account. Now the oil stock rebounced, I never come out the idea I should invest more money on oil stock. Why?

The stock already got bottom, and it is safe to invest as a long term investor. I should not worry too much about down side in the long term. But in short term I may have gains more than 30%.

The reality is that the portfolio has 60% return in May.

I should start to learn more about Canada oil industry, and understand what is important to keep business going without bankruptcy concern.

Anyway, if I invest those $40,000 dollars in short term, 60% return I will have $24,000 dollars.

Actionable Items

US stock market is for rich people to make huge profit to make market swing like crazy from SPX 3300 to 2200, Bill arkman made one bet and made profit over 1 billion, and then the rich people like it second swing from 2900 to 2200. Crazy world.

My TFSA $64500 deposit.

Feb. 23, 2020 - top performance - maximum gains - $2200 dollars.

Mar. 23, 2020 - loss (9000)

More detail

My TFSA $64500 deposit.

Feb. 23, 2020 - top performance - maximum gains - $2200 dollars.

1 USD = $1.3226 CAD

Mar. 23, 2020 - loss (9000)

1 USD - $1.451, Canada dollar price is down.

May 13, 2020 - break even (450)

Based on my learning about SPX index and possible lowest value 1200, I sold VFV.TO and VAB.TO and moved to cash positions. Since VAB.TO will go down when VFV.TO goes down, it is not good to sell in loss on position of VAB.TO and next to purchase VFV.TO.


I am a new learner but quick learner. I learn that the rich and well-educated people like this big market swing. They like to create swing despite US fed tried so hard to save market.

Meet the Alberta oil town that's hurting to stay alive

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Alberta's Oil Bust | Up Close

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Alberta has gone from oil boom, to oil bust. We take an up close look at the growing desperation in parts of the province.

$40/ hour and get laidoff - hard to make a living

Albert food bank - There is no tomorrow.

35 years old, look for a job.

How bad the economy is.

Canada oil industry study - 60 minute study

May 13, 2020

Introduction

It is tough for me to learn to be an investor. I bought $2000 Canada dollar oil stock on March 27, 2020, and the market gain near two month on May 13, 2020 is over $1200 dollars. I like to write down lessons I learn and how to improve as an investor.

Learn to be an investor

I should ask myself when oil stocks rebounce more than 10%, not until more than 60%. I should follow up with more investment. Also I should spend time to learn the oil business and see if I should invest oil industry as a long term investor.

I have $40,000 cash sitting idle in my TFSA account, meanwhile my oil stocks went up with gain more than 60%. I should invest at least $4000 dollars to help catch up rebounce.

Fort Hills: history in the making

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Pembina Pipeline Corp - 10 minutes study

加拿大能源企业彭比纳管道公司（Pembina Pipeline Corp.）表示，加拿大竞争局（Canadian Competition Bureau）已经批准了其以43亿加元从金德摩根公司（Kinder Morgan Inc.）手中购买资产的交易。

科钦管道从阿尔伯塔省萨斯喀彻温堡（Fort Saskatchewan）到芝加哥，全长2,900公里。其设计产能最高可达每天11万桶。

科钦（Cochin）管道系统。

该交易还包括埃德蒙顿仓储和码头业务，以及温哥华码头、大宗仓储和进出口业务。

根据协议条款，加拿大金德摩根的股东每股将获得0.3068股的彭比纳股票。此次收购价值约23亿元，包括加拿大金德摩根公司优先股和未偿还净债务。

此外，彭比纳将以约20.5亿加元现金收购金德摩根旗下公司Kinder Morgan Cochin LLC。

Pembina Pipeline Corporation是领先的运输和中游服务提供商, 60年来为北美的能源产业服务。Pembina拥有并经营着一个集成系统的管道，在加拿大西部运输各种碳氢化合物液体包括常规和合成原油、重油、油砂产品,冷凝(稀释剂)和天然气凝析液。该公司还拥有并经营着气体收集处理设施和一个石油天然气液体基础设施和物流业务。战略设施位于美国以及加拿大西部东部的液态天然气市场，Pembina还提供了全方位的中游跨越业务和营销服务。Pembina的综合资产和商业运作使它能够在碳氢化合物的价值链为所需的能源部门提供服务。 Pembina是一个可信的社区成员，致力于为其投资者盈利，以一个安全环保的方式运营，且尊重其利益相关者。 Pembina管道公司于1954年9月29日在阿尔伯塔省注册成立。

Canada oil company update - Up to March 19 2020

Companies

1. Pembina Pipeline
2. Cenovus Inc
3. Enerflex
4. Cardinal Energy
5. Enerplus Corp
6. Vermilion Energy Inc.

Facts to review

1. Cenovus Inc.的股价一个月里下跌80%
2. Pembina Pipeline公司就将其资本支出计划削减了约10亿美元
3. Enerflex有限公司支出削减了1.2亿美元
4. Cardinal Energy削减了3600万美元
5. Enerplus Corp.将2020年的资本支出计划减少了40％，至3.25亿美元
6. Vermilion Energy Inc.将其资本支出预算削减了1亿美元，并将股息削减了91％
7. Crescent Point Energy公司宣布将资本支出下调35%
8. Husky Energy公司宣布减少预算开支10亿加元并计划关闭盈利不佳的生产项目

加拿大WCS原油跌入谷底，疫情蔓延和石油价格战已经把加拿大石油产业推到死角，油价刷新历史新低。

省级政府和联邦政府承诺在未来几天内援助石油行业，但到目前为止的援助重点还只停留在直接帮助患病或者被隔离的人。两级政府都表示对能源行业的援助计划即将公布。

WCS原油价格作为阿尔伯塔省原油的基准价格，周三收盘价稍高于9美元/桶；当日美国WTI原油向下触及20年新低——大约20美元/桶。随着股价继续下跌，石油生产商将再次大幅削减资本支出。一些石油公司的股价严重失血，例如Cenovus Inc.的股价一个月里下跌80%。

当前油价已经远远不能满足盈利能力，长期的崩溃将对整个行业构成生存威胁。油价暴跌后，最近提交的省级预算也失去了意义，收入预期与现实之间出现了无法逾越的鸿沟。防控疫情的成本愈来愈高，挑战越来越大。

多家公司通过削减资本预算，修改原油产量预测和削减股息的方式来降低成本，能源行业已宣布的广泛支出削减超过30亿加元。

仅在本周，Pembina Pipeline公司就将其资本支出计划削减了约10亿美元，Enerflex有限公司支出削减了1.2亿美元，Cardinal Energy削减了3600万美元。

总部位于卡尔加里的Enerplus Corp.将2020年的资本支出计划减少了40％，至3.25亿美元，而Vermilion Energy Inc.将其资本支出预算削减了1亿美元，并将股息削减了91％。Crescent Point Energy公司宣布将资本支出下调35%。这些公司都紧随油砂生产商Cenovus Energy的步伐，后者上周将其年度资本支出计划削减了约4.5亿美元，而Husky Energy公司宣布减少预算开支10亿加元并计划关闭盈利不佳的生产项目。

石油股价暴跌。到周三交易结束时，Husky股价下跌8%，过去一个月下跌70%。Suncor Energy公司的股价下跌了16%，而Cenovus下跌了近18%。

减产计划彻底粉碎了两个月前加拿大石油生产商协会（CAPP）预期增加20亿加元资本支出的希望。

CAPP总裁兼首席执行官Tim McMillan本周曾表示：支出的减少会带来裁员，很多工人会失业。尽管具体数字取决于公司是取消新建和扩张，还是咬紧牙关挺过当前的经济风暴。

他说：“随着过去两周市场的变化，与我交谈过的所有公司都将采取直接而实质性的行动，以确保其交出一张优质合理的资产负债表。”

上周，财长Morneau宣布作为向经济注入流动性战略的一部分，加拿大出口发展（Export Development Canada）和加拿大商业发展银行（Business Development Bank of Canada）将向企业增加100亿加元的贷款。

Canada oil pipeline - 10 minute study

由於境內煉油廠屈指可數，西部加拿大原油大部分出口美國，而阿爾伯塔省深居內陸，要想將原油輸往美國，只能依靠管道或鐵路。目前，西部加拿大對外輸油管道有四條，理論運輸能力為每天400多萬桶，但是由於種種原因，實際運力每天不足350萬桶。

今年春天，幾條輸油管道開足馬力，同時增加鐵路輸運數量，仍然不能將原油運出。日漸增多的原油庫存，使得西部加拿大原油一路走低。無奈之下，阿爾伯塔省政府及石油運營商希望趕快推進新的輸油管道項目，以便根本解決制約西部原油的窠臼。

阿爾伯塔省極力推進的，是跨山輸油管道擴建項目。這個項目已經論證了數年，環評已經完成並得到聯邦政府批準，只需管道經過的卑詩省同意，即可破土動工。

跨山輸油管道擴建項目擬將阿爾伯塔原油輸送至卑詩省的港口，再裝入油輪運往美國或亞洲。

Canada oil sands - 10 minutes study

長期的因素是，加拿大原油質量“與眾不同”。從原理上來說，全球石油的形成過程大同小異，但是由於所處岩石環境不同，各國原油的形態差異甚大。中東石油厚度大、埋藏淺、雜質少，開采出來是液體。加拿大石油主要集中於西部的阿爾伯塔省，該地石油粘度高、雜質多，挖掘出來是固體的“油砂”。

油砂的主要成分是水、黏土、瀝青和石油。石油生產商只有先將石油與雜質分離，然後再用輕質油勾兌，才能借助管道運輸。即使經過勾兌，加拿大原油仍然雜質多、粘度高，提煉起來要求條件相對複雜。因此，在正常情況下，加拿大WCS原油就比美國原油價格低，與布倫特原油、OPEC原油價格更沒法比。

但是，加拿大原油便宜到今天這個份上，還是有點少見。究其近因，是原油產量增加迅速、運力無法跟上所致。

加拿大是世界第三大石油儲量國、第五大原油生產國，在全球石油生產領域占有一席之地。從去年7月開始，石油生產商逐漸增加原油和油砂開采量，並不斷創造新的曆史記錄。從去年7月到今年7月，加拿大原油產量幾乎每個月都超過往年同期。

10 Once Great Athletes Who Now Work Normal Jobs

Here is the link.

Professional sports offer notoriously high-paying salaries. Though they are extremely competitive, if you make it pro in a major sport, you should be financially solvent for life. But athletes are also infamous for big spending. When this happens, they often end up broke and in need of a new job. Today we’re looking at ten once great athletes to who now work regular jobs.

1. Vin Baker
2. Adrian Dantley
3. Karl Malone
4. Deuce Mcmaster
5. Randy Johnson - baseball player 
6. Brian Johnson
7. Giovanni Carmazzi
8. Shandon Anderson
9. Kendall Simmons
10. Vince Young

Top Pro Athlete Pension Plans

Here is the article.

NBA Most Generous Plan

NBA players have one of the most generous pension plans out of all professional sports. They are vested into their pension plans after playing at least three seasons in the league. The minimum benefit for a player who retires at the age of 62 is $56,988 per year—not a bad retirement for a three-year career. The maximum benefit for any player is $195,000. It takes 11 years of NBA service to qualify for this benefit.

But that's not all. NBA players are also eligible to participate in a league-sponsored 401(k). Do you think your 401(k) plan is good with a 50% matching policy? The NBA matches a player's contributions up to 140%.

Former Basketball Stars Who Are Surprisingly Poor Now

Here is the link.

Basketball stars get ridiculously rich. It's the American way. But some players have struggled with their obnoxiously huge wads of cash in ways that most people could've easily seen coming. Latrell Sprewell was one of the bigger hotheads of the NBA, and in the end it severely affected his finances. He managed to earn a whopping $100 million over the course of his career, but he's lost virtually all of it, thanks to some bad decisions that started in 1997. He was infamous for getting into fights; Sprewell once got so mad at something that his coach PJ Carlesimo said to him during practice that he attacked him. This led to his $24 million contract being voided. He managed to get it back in the end, but it proved that when he was angry, he wasn't thinking clearly. This continued when Sprewell was offered a contract extension from the Minnesota Timberwolves that would've earned him up to $30 million. He spit on the offer, saying it wasn't enough money because he had, quote, "a family to feed." Either that's one huge family or they eat a ridiculous amount of food. In the end, he only played one more year and earned significantly less. Everything went downhill once he stopped playing. He racked up legal fees, lost his yacht and both of his mansions, and failed to pay $3 million in taxes. Out of that fortune of $100 million, it is estimated Sprewell is now worth $50,000 and lives in a rental property.

From ALL STAR to STARBUCKS - What happenend to VIN BAKER

Here is the link.

FANG stock soar - up to May 12 2020

What is the game to play? Expectation - future growth.

Google 37%
Microsoft 39%
Apple 46%
Amazon 46%
Facebook 55%

NBA Player bankruptcy - Allen Iverson

比如，入选名人堂的前 NBA" 战神 " 艾弗森 ( Allen Iverson ) ，就是一个例子。

在 NBA 生涯里，他的薪水和代言至少赚了 2.5 亿美元（约合 17.6 亿人民币），结果在退役不到 3 年就宣布破产。

据说，他有次向前妻大发脾气，翻开了自己两个裤袋，诉苦自己 " 现在连一个汉堡包都买不起了 "。

NBA player bankruptcy - 文 · 贝克

据美国 " 体育画报 " 披露，约 60% 的 NBA 球员，在退役 5 年内破产，甚至还有一些人不得不去乞讨、偷盗。

2006 年，文 · 贝克退役，在 NBA 职业生涯中，他一共赚取了 1.05 亿美元。这笔财富，足以让普通的美国家庭好几代人实现财富自由。但短短几年内，贝克就破产了。

幡然醒悟的贝克戒掉了酒，最后，在星巴克找了份工作。

但正如他所说，薪水比在 NBA 时少了好几个零。

NBA player bankruptcy - 丹尼斯 · 罗德曼

这样的结局并不算太差。

还有 NBA 球员因为破产，不得不去蹲大牢。

丹尼斯 · 罗德曼，在 1996~1997 年赛季时，年薪就已达到了 900 万美元，在 NBA 球员中排名第 10。等到 2006 年正式退役，14 年的职业生涯，一共赚取近 3000 万美元。

然而，2012 年罗德曼被曝出破产的消息，还因欠下前妻 5.1 万美元的配偶赡养费、两个孩子 80 万美元的孩童赡养费而被起诉，最终被捕入狱。

NBA player investment success stories

上面三个脱逃 "NBA 魔咒 " 的球员大概有这么几个共同点：肯学习，有正确的金钱观，在自己熟知的领域行走，最终实现了财富增值。

而破产的 NBA 球员呢，则恰恰相反。

NBA 球员工会副主席麦考伦就说："NBA 的 450 名球员中，有 150 名球员都是月光族。"

布里奇曼在他打球期间，就开始经营他的副业——温蒂汉堡。

现在，温蒂汉堡已经是美国知名的连锁速食店。Wendy's 

Kobe, BodyArmor sports drink - 20 million US dollar return to work with Coca Cola in 2018

NBA player investment failures - Make quick money

Scottie Pippen gets 3 years for fraud

在此起彼伏的破产危机之下，也不是没有球员想通过投资理财来保证自己的退役后生活。

但却常常适得其反，甚至加快了破产进程。

德里克 · 科尔曼退役后，在自己的家乡底特律疯狂投资，多次开餐馆，入股房地产行业，结果草草收场。

一顿操作下来，科尔曼欠下了 470 万美元债务，无奈宣布破产。

沃克也想过投资，他在芝加哥南部买了 140 多处房产，结果碰到房地产泡沫，成了接盘侠。

另一个退役球员皮蓬，对自己的投资能力很有自知之明，所以特地选了一家金融机构帮其打点财产。

结果，皮蓬怎么也没想到，他挑选的金融机构为他投资了一些根本不可能有回报的产品，还让他赔进去 2500 万美元。

一气之下，皮蓬将这家机构告上了法庭，结果只拿回了几百万美元。

一个不可忽视的原因就是，NBA 球员习惯了赚快钱的方式，所以当他们投资时，也想迅速获得成功，这样的结果往往只能是上当受骗，成了韭菜。

再者，NBA 球员的学历普遍不高，很多都是大学辍学，有的甚至长期生活在贫民窟，眼界狭小，在投资理财上可谓是个小白。

可以说，挥霍无度、纸醉金迷的生活，盲目炒作、一心只想赚快钱的理财方式，在 NBA 特有的机制和球员自身的缺陷下，被无限放大，最终导致了一系列的破产和人生悲剧。

NBA 退役后陷入破产危机的又一位球员拉特里尔，在职业生涯末期曾拒绝了一份 3 年 2100 万美金的合同，并语出惊人：这些钱不够养家糊口。

但他不知道的是，一个普通的美国人要赚够 2100 万美元，需要五六个世纪。

如果照他这么说，绝大多数的美国人都要饿死街头了。

归根结底，以拉特里尔为代表的破产球员，还是对金钱缺乏敬畏。没有对金钱的敬畏，哪怕在薪酬后面再多加两个零，破产也是早晚的事。

一旦失去了对金钱的敬畏，离失去金钱就不远了

NBA player bankruptcy: 安托万 · 沃克

安托万 · 沃克，在 11 年的 NBA 生涯中，获得了 1.08 亿美元的收入，同样因为挥霍无度破产。

据说，最多的时候，他供养着 70 多名亲戚朋友，他们的吃穿用住都由沃克一人承担，堪称 " 一人养全村 "。

除此之外，沃克经常去拉斯维加斯赌钱，一掷千金。

说来讽刺的是，1999 年，沃克与凯尔特人签订了一份 6 年 7100 万美元的合同，当时的凯尔特人主帅里克对沃克说：从此以后，你再也不用担心没钱花了。

谁知道，2010 年沃克就无奈宣布破产，还欠下了 1270 万美元。

NBA 的许多球员，出身贫民家庭，从小就没有正确的消费观，很容易在财富面前迷失自我。

就拿沃克来说，从小在贫民窟长大，抢劫、赌博、盗窃等，是他童年的几大记忆。以至于在他坐拥过亿财富时，童年的贫穷反而加剧了他消费的欲望。

除了挥霍无度之外，职业问题也是球员破产屡见不鲜的一大原因。

NBA 球员吃的是青春饭，一旦巅峰时期过去，身体的各项机能就会逐渐老化。

对球队来说，这样的球员并不是好的投资标的，他们更喜欢有前景、易于转手的年轻球员。

据统计，NBA 球员的职业生涯平均为 4.8 年，许多球员年纪轻轻时就无奈退役了。

10th anniversary - June 15 2020 as a software programmer

May 12, 2020

Introduction

I like to count down 10th anniversary that I work on my current full time job. I like to make a few activities to celebrate the success of employment, wealth I build and also confidence I have as a software programmer.

Brainstorm ideas

I like to come out at least 10 ideas to celebrate the event. I like to work on the task early, and then work on it one by one.

1. Run 10 K from waterfront down town to Stanley park along sea wall; 
2. Play tennis against wall 10 hours at least;
3. Run 10 K at least 10 times;
4. Lose 10 lbs at least in next month;
5. Practice to starve and eat less 10 times;
6. Skip 10 meals at least; 
7. Buy 10 stocks to help Canada economy growing; 
8. Find 10 places to write and share my experience;
9. Invest 10 distressed stock, get know more about business;
10. Write down lessons learned from 10 year full time work

S&P 500: Next 3 months will bring a near 20% decline to 2,400 – Goldman Sachs

Here is the article.

Here are my highlights:

1. 20% decline from SPX 2900 to 2400 in May to September;
2. Major US banks losing profits for loan-loss reserves
3. Labor market is being hit harder
4. Companies cut dividend payments and also CAPEX (?) spending 

Goldman Sachs recently came out with its analysis on the leading US equity benchmark, S&P 500. While the bank anticipates the equity gauge to rise further towards 3,000 by the year-end, it also expects a near 20% declines to around 2,400 in the three-months to come.

Some of the risks cited in the report are:

• Infection rates could increase outside worst-hit NY as states reopen their economies.
• A drawn-out economic rebound.
• Major US banks losing profits for loan-loss reserves … the labor market is now being hit harder and thus additional reserve will be required … more companies will cancel stock-buybacks (these have been a major source of demand pushing the stock market higher over the past 10 years).
• Companies cutting dividend payments and also CAPEX spending (which will slow corporate growth ahead).
• November presidential election policies (especially on corporate tax - Dems could reverse Trump's corporate profit-friendly tax moves).
• US-China tensions being stoked further as Trump turns more aggressive in his China approach.

It’s worth mentioning that the S&P 500 managed a gain of less than a point to end Monday’s trading session near 2,930.

Zack.com - OVV.TO intrinsic value

Stock research - OVV.TO and my plan of investment

May 11, 2020

Introduction

It is not an easy task to work on OVV.TO stock research. I like to see if I can work on the research and see what is OVV.TO intrinsic value.

Stock research

Intrinsic value $5.86 dollars based on zack.com. Here is the page.

Industry ranking top 31% (78 out of 253)
Style scores: B value C Growth D momentum B VGM
Zacks Rank: 3 - hold

MarketBeat - OVV stock research

May 11, 2020

Introduction

It is my plan to do better research on stock OVV.TO, so that I can make good investment decision on this stock.

MarketBeat

I like to review all those information from MarketBeat.

HOW WERE OVINTIV'S EARNINGS LAST QUARTER?

Ovintiv (NYSE:OVV) issued its earnings results on Thursday, May, 7th. The company reported $0.10 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.18 by $0.08. The business had revenue of $2.64 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.58 billion. Ovintiv had a net margin of 11.06% and a return on equity of 7.25%. View Ovintiv's earnings history.

WHAT PRICE TARGET HAVE ANALYSTS SET FOR OVV?

21 equities research analysts have issued 12 month price objectives for Ovintiv's stock. Their forecasts range from $2.25 to $28.00. On average, they expect Ovintiv's stock price to reach $11.57 in the next twelve months. This suggests a possible upside of 97.4% from the stock's current price. View analysts' price targets for Ovintiv.

WHO ARE SOME OF OVINTIV'S KEY COMPETITORS?

Some companies that are related to Ovintiv include Continental Resources (CLR), Noble Energy (NBL), Devon Energy (DVN), Apache (APA), Marathon Oil (MRO), Cenovus Energy (CVE), Parsley Energy (PE), EQT (EQT), Sasol (SSL), WPX Energy (WPX), Cimarex Energy (XEC), CNX Resources (CNX), Murphy Oil (MUR), Southwestern Energy (SWN) and Range Resources (RRC). View all competitors.

WHICH INSTITUTIONAL INVESTORS ARE BUYING OVINTIV STOCK?

OVV stock was bought by a variety of institutional investors in the last quarter, including Aperio Group LLC, BlackRock Inc., Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc., Swiss National Bank, State Street Corp, Contrarius Investment Management Ltd, SG Americas Securities LLC, and Bank of New York Mellon Corp. Company insiders that have bought Ovintiv stock in the last two years include Brendan Michael Mccracken, Bruce Gordon Waterman, David Glen Hill, Douglas James Suttles, Fred J Fowler, Howard John Mayson, Michael Gerard Mcallister, Michael Williams, and Thomas G Ricks. View insider buying and selling activity for Ovintiv.

Stock research - OVV.TO and my plan of investment

May 11, 2020

Introduction

It is not an easy task to work on OVV.TO stock research. I like to see if I can work on the research and see what is OVV.TO intrinsic value.

Stock research

Intrinsic value $5.86 dollars based on zack.com. Here is the page.

Industry ranking top 31% (78 out of 253)
Style scores: B value C Growth D momentum B VGM
Zacks Rank: 3 - hold

Healthy Investing Habits

May 11, 2020

Introduction

It is such a good topic. I learn the lesson from 1996 to 2019 being poor and struggle overall in my adult life. I like to start to work on personal finance research and then I start to build good habit, and choose being frugal being my slogan.

Healthy investing habits

I like to study more from this morningstar video.

Here is the link.

Healthy investing habits

9:26/ 29:00 - 17:00/ 29:00

Healthy Financial habits to cultivate now

Build good habit - really ingrained your brain -> Focus on more important task -> lead good outcome

1. Mindful spending - what do you spend money on?
2. Investment policy statement - asset allocation, when how often to revisit - enforce discipline on the plan
3. Get organized 

Great time to look into: 

What to deploy money on? -> Save more -> Investment 

Get organized - 

Create a system to get organized - system on track of ...

Financial documents on ...

Master directory - retrieve important documents 

At work - Sql server architecture review

At work - JavaScript code review

At work - SQL server code review

May 11, 2020

Introduction

I like to take some time at work to review my code and then try to make it work better. I was busy with so many projects and everytime I came cross the issues, I know that it will take some time to fix them. I have to learn better project management, last month my weight went up to 198 lb, and it reminded me that I should slow down, and work on basics at work as well.

SQL server code review

I like to review SQL server code on my current website, and then I came cross this article written in 2007. I found out that it is such a good article, and I like to find more similar article.

The article is titled "SQL server code review checklist for developers". Here is the link.

7 Best Investments During A Recession

Here is the link.

1. Walmart 2. Duke Energy 3. Gold 4. Barrick Gold 5. GLD ETF 6. Berkshire Hathaway 7. Holding Cash

The Worst Mistakes Beginner Traders Make

Here is the link.

1:00 Too Emotional/Losing Control 1:30 Lack of recording your trades 2:06 Expecting easy profits 2:31 Blindly following Mechanical systems 3:20 Improper/Bad Timing 4:17 Placing Stops too tight 5:01 Not calculating Risk/Reward Ratio 6:02 Not cutting losses and Exiting too early

Trading Like a Pro 3: Mindset of Winners: Confidence, Work and Character

Here is the link.

Confidence -They have a deep rooted unshakable belief and confidence in their trading ability -They are humble to the power of the market and don't get a God complex. -They are completely honest with themselves and others about their abilities Work and Character -Always adapting with changing market conditions. -Constantly looking for any new edge -They have solid patience -They have a real good understanding at what their strengths and weaknesses are -Spend many, many hours studying, refining, researching, thinking -They focus on improvement one step at a time... A strategy that you used 10 years ago may no longer work or may work with some adjustments. The players change, the market conditions change. If I have a great strategy it won't necessarily work for the rest of your life... This is a game which can be very logical and systematic but a lot of emotions also come into trading. Allowing yourself to think about what is happening with my trading and strategy - how can I improve?

Trading Like a Pro 2: Habits And Patterns Of Winning Traders

Here is the link.

Winning Traders They run their winners with incredible consistency When in a winning trade they will not start looking for a reason to exit if anything - they will look for a reason and price level to ADD! Risk They take low risks and won't let any one position damage them.

Trading habits & Patterns of Winning traders

Losing trades

• They cut losers without question
• They never go home with a loser (short term traders)
• They cut the trade if it's not acting right without hesitation
• Their tolerance for loss is very low - they don't fear being wrong but fear serious damage

Winning trades

• They run their winners with incredible consistency
• When in a winning trade they will not start looking for a reason to exit if anything they will look for a reason and price level to ADD!

Risk

• They take low risks
• No risky positions relative to account
• They won't let one position damage them

Trading Like a Pro 1: Habits and Patterns Of Losing Traders

Here is the link.


What Losing Traders do - they take small profits - biggest theme amongst losing traders statements - they won't take losses - adding to losers, stopping for the day, week. - they have no real trading strategy - they just move from one system to another. - they don't truly accept risk - snatching profits using very tight stops - don't full commit to trading - they need to not be wrong - they just aren't happy unless they breakeven or at least make a little profit. -they won't give trading the respect it deserves (partly the industries' fault). Trading is a hard occupation to be in and successful traders deserve a lot of respect. - expect to compete against the best in the world...and win - unfortunately, the odds of short term success in trading are not bad (50%?). In any other profession the odds of success from the start are low - pilot or surgeon for instance.

Actionable Items

Strategies

- My strategy is to hold 20 Canada stocks, and 20 US stocks.

How To Be In the Top 10% of Successful Traders

Here is the link.

What are they doing that is making them stand out from everybody else? What are they doing- the mindset, process, whatsoever that makes them succeed.

If they are profitable they have a trading strategy works but what about their mindset - the psychology or thinking part.

What is it about their approach to trading that makes them succeed? What are they focused on?

The average trader out there is constantly looking at charts, prices, charts again, markets, patterns, strategies..etc - always looking for the next trade.

Profitable traders are focused on their performance - they know that profitable strategies are not difficult to find - its all about putting the right strategies and applying that to the right market conditions.

They are focused on their past performance and how they can improve on that. Your mindset, approach and performance are very much more important than looking out for the next best trade.

4 Trading Mistakes that Traders with Some Trading Experience (6 months to 12 months) Make

Here is the link.

1) Trading the right market - Why am I trading? I see many traders sticking to one market but using or tweaking a strategy that doesn't work that well with that market. If you are scalping you need a market that is conducive to scalping while if you're swing trading you need a market that is moving - perhaps not too aggressively but moving nonetheless... Using the right tools in the right conditions can change your performance overnight so this is something you need to pay attention to.
2) Putting things into perspective - I see this a lot - I see a lot of traders trying to put everything in and getting caught too much in the present moment. Well guys, the markets are going to be here tomorrow - you don't need to keep stressing yourself and pushing yourself too hard. You are already in a privileged position to be able to be trading compared to many other people...
3) Life balance - Again, this does improve your trading. You've got to have time to take a break, hobbies and family. That will not only improve your life but also your trading.
4) I think you need a system to be alerted of new ideas or trading opportunities. Some traders just wait for the opportunities to come to them but that is too slow and in any case I believe that creates the danger of getting involved in stuff that you shouldn’t be involved in.

Common Psychological Trading Mistakes

Here is the link.

1) Beliefs about market direction - leave the beliefs to talking heads on Bloomberg - you are a trader. For about beliefs - you are just looking for good trades. 2) Increasing position size aggressively. I've done this myself and got smacked down on the face several times due to this. 3) Chasing the trade when you have no good risk/reward. We want to get onboard trades but not at any cost. If you can't have a good entry then you have no business being in the trade. 4) No plan - this is a big one. Trading with no plan is no good. You need at least a basic plan - have some risk management in place! 5) Ignoring the trading plan - due to fear of loss you don't close trades because you don't want to crystallise the loss. 6) Being wrong and letting ego keep you wrong. 7) Jumping in with no defined setup. 8) Seeking other people's opinion.

How to Create Wealth In 2020

Here is the link.

This Is Why 90% Of Traders & Investors Lose Money...

Here is the link.

Due diligent. Investigate. Avoid cheating.

Why 80% Of Day Traders Lose Money

Here is the link.

Overconfidence
Downplay their losses
Without enough research jump into research


Four emotions

Hope
Greed
Fear - Missing out little longer
Regret - What if I invest all of ......

Low investment
more risk

Gigi Hadid: What Would Gigi do? | 10 Things You Didn't Know | British Vogue

Here is the link.

In this exclusive Gigi Hadid interview, we asked what would Gigi do if someone was being mean to her sister Bella Hadid? Or if she was sitting next to her ex-boyfriend on a six hour flight? Or if she had to pretend to have a British accent? Fortunately, the British Vogue cover girl always knows what to do - and now she wants to know what you would do. Watch the film and then comment below.

Vogue meets celebrities and models of the moment to find out everything from their most-prized posessions to their most embarrassing stories; what they eat and who they date. From Gigi Hadid to Karlie Kloss, this is the series that lets you get up close and personal to your pop culture idols.