Saturday, December 28, 2019

Race with my hair

Dec. 28, 2019

Introduction


It is my personal finance research. I am racing with my hair, before my hair turns all gray, I like to build wealth and grow rich, and make a lot of money as a software engineer. Today I went out to meet my high school classmate's daughter and her friend in Canada Vancouver waterfront, so I decide to get familiar with Vancouver city, take picture with my 100% natural black hair.

Let race begin


Some of my classmates in high school has whole white hair. I also notice that last few years I am growing old, more problems come out.

I took picture with various building near waterfront. I like to demonstrate my ambitious goal to race with my hair. Go for my millionaire dream before my hair turns all gray.


美国中餐现状 | 君子:正在崛起的第三种可能

Here is the article.

赵勇经过调查发现,美国中餐馆最近几年开始出现大规模倒闭潮。在接受创业邦采访时赵勇透露,从2018年到2019年,一年时间美国有4000多个中餐馆闭店。

发现问题后,赵勇开始从产品角度分析用户需求,用户已经形成的习惯是非常难改的,一款新产品就要符合用户原有的习惯而非让他重新适应,餐饮也是一样。

中国的卷饼丝毫不逊色于墨西哥卷饼、印度飞饼,为何不能让美国人爱上中国卷饼?

截止2019年,君子食堂已经拿到三轮共数千万美元融资,投资人包括美国最大沙拉连锁品牌Sweetgreen,天使投资机构LDR Ventures,以及百年前由餐饮起家的投资公司DOM Capital等。

Friday, December 27, 2019

90% equity 10% bond portfolio

Case study: 

10% bonds
90% equity fund

SPY - dividend 1.75%
Every year take 50% profit to cash
20% upper limit

Idea how to plan to use the dividend every year: 

退休时,401K里的钱全部转成自己管理的账户,10%的现金,90%的股票。股票全部买SPY。SPY 现在时年红利是1.75%。在股票的上涨年,将上涨的一半转成现金。现金以占总额的20%为限。在股市的下跌年,股票不动。理论上讲,股市如果匀速增长每年8%,只要每年提取少于8%,你账户里的钱永远也提不完。但是股市经常是大起大落。这就需要灵活性。在股市上涨年,多花一些,股市下跌年就少花点。像今年,SPY涨了近30% in 2019,不仿提出10%,来几次豪华游。股市下跌年,就少游几次,或者商务舱改经济舱,豪华邮轮改一般邮轮。在股市的下跌年,只花红利外加20%账户里的现金。如此一来,你账户里的钱永远花不完。下面来个例子。一个100万美元的账户,现金10万,股票90万美元。如果你的运气实在太差,退休后,股市连跌几年。你提钱的公式如下:
第一年:红利: 1.75*900000=$15,300;20%*100000=$20,000。
第二年:红利的绝对值一般不会减少,所以仍是$15,300,账户现金提出20%*$80000=$16,000。
其他年份依次类推。

How to calculate US 500 Index from 1999 to 2013?

Dec. 27, 2019

退休后如何投资?这是每个人迟早都会面临的问题。传统的模式是60%股票,40%债券, 第一年支取4%,逐年随通胀率增加。这个模式越来越行不通了。其主要原因是,股票与债券已经失去了过去的对冲作用。从前,股票涨, 债券跌。反之亦然。但是现在,两者趋于同步。再者,债券的收益率太低。十年的联邦债券收益率低于2%。

有人提出新的模式,即股票80%,债券20%。问题还是没有解决。如果在退休的最初几年,股市下跌,而你还要提现,你的资金可能支撑不了二十年。众所周知,美国股市2000年开始下跌,经过十三年,直到2013年才超过1999年的水平。如果有人刚好在1999年退休,恐怕股票账户里的钱,到2013就提光了,从而错过了近几年股市的大涨。

Fact? Let me do some homework and show step by step how to solve the problem. 

I like to look into the argument: 
US stock from 2000 to 2013, it takes 13 years to go up more than 1999. 

I like to look into US index for each year from 1999 to 2013, table is copied from wiki page. 

 Year   change    Total 
          in index   Annual
                        Return
                        Including
                        Dividends
199919.53%21.04%$47.4428.56%18.21%18.93%17.88%17.25%
2000−10.14%−9.10%$43.1218.33%17.46%16.02%15.68%15.34%
2001−13.04%−11.89%$37.9910.70%12.94%13.74%15.24%13.78%
2002−23.37%−22.10%$29.60−0.59%9.34%11.48%12.71%12.98%
200326.38%28.68%$38.09−0.57%11.07%12.22%12.98%13.84%
20048.99%10.88%$42.23−2.30%12.07%10.94%13.22%13.54%
20053.00%4.91%$44.300.54%9.07%11.52%11.94%12.48%
200613.62%15.79%$51.306.19%8.42%10.64%11.80%13.37%
20073.53%5.49%$54.1212.83%5.91%10.49%11.82%12.73%
2008−38.49%−37.00%$34.09−2.19%−1.38%6.46%8.43%9.77%
200923.45%26.46%$43.110.42%−0.95%8.04%8.21%10.54%
201012.78%15.06%$49.612.29%1.41%6.76%9.14%9.94%
2011-0.00%2.11%$50.65−0.25%2.92%5.45%7.81%9.28%
201213.41%16.00%$58.761.66%7.10%4.47%8.22%9.71%
201329.60%32.39%$77.7917.94%7.40%4.68%9.22%10.26%
I will write Excel script to come out the result.

Follow up


Dec. 28, 2019 2:42 PM
It is important skill to learn and then I can quickly calculate the return of S & P 500 index.


I  have over $10,000 us dollars in my 401K account. I should put 60% S & P 500 index, 40% bond, so that in 2002, $6000 S & P 500 index will lose 40% value, $3600 dollars, so I could have sell $1000 bond to purchase equity. So those $1000 dollars will go up to $1260 at the end of 2003, the equity value is $7200, the bond value is $3000. So it is time to think about to sell $1200 equity to purchase bond.

1999
2000 first dip, buy low (10% loss - rebalance)
2001 second dip, buy low (13.14% loss - rebalance)
2002 third dip, buy low (23.37% loss - rebalancne)
2003 bull market, sell those purchase completed in 2000 to 2002.
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013

Every year S & P 500 index has dividend around 2%, so 14 years total return is (1 + 0.02)^14 = 1.3194.

As a long term investor, it is not difficult to figure out that those over $10,000 401 K investment in early 2000, I should have generated at least over 30% dividend, and also market value goes up at least 46%; and also if I have learned how to rebalance the portfolio, then I will buy low and sell high. Those recession from 2001 to 2002 is great time for me to time the market to purchase and sell in 2003 bull market. 2003 I will have 26% profit for additional purchase.

Richard Zhu - Quora

Dec. 27, 2019

Introduction


It is my research how to help my niece Danny to prepare college education, since I spent a few hours to chat with my sister. I like to learn more about college admission. So I like to read all answers written by Richard Zhu on Quora.

How to get best college?


I like to read content related to this area. He wrote one post saying that he spent quarter of million for his bachelor degree. I am thinking that my income over 14 years in USA is around $250,000 US dollars, and I like to learn more about the cost and result.


THE BLOG 8 Reasons We May Need to Cut Ties With Family Members to Be Healthy

Here is the article.


This Disturbing Sign Means It's Time to Cut a Family Member out of Your Life

Here is the article.

One thing I like to look into is to solve my own problem, housing problem in Canada. How can I build wealth and grow rich, be able to afford a home somewhere in Canada.




Date my money - Close TD bank account

Dec. 27, 2019

Introduction

It is waste of money. I have a checking account with $2700 dollars last 8 years, earning zero interest. So I like to close it and then move to Questrade.com account.


Date my money - close CD account with USA Amtrust bank

Dec. 27, 2019

Introduction

I went to crystal mall and got my letter notarized first on December 23, 2019, and mailed the letter to close my CD account with Amtrust bank. This is one of dates called date my money. I will update more on this date.


Follow up 

January 16, 2020

I got official check and I did close the account successfully.

Christian belief and self-learner correlation?

Dec. 27, 2019

Introduction


It is my short research topic. I like to look into my Christian belief, and how it relates to be a self-learner. It is so surprising that I do not learn and read books by myself, and most of time I am so busy with driving, get-together with small group meetings from 2001 to 2018.

I am not sure


This may be a controversial topic. I should think about more carefully. Most of time I read bible and try to memorize bible verses. In reality, there are so many things I should spend time to read and learn.


Thursday, December 26, 2019

Water Heater - Electric - How it Works

Here is the link.

I just paid $1280 US dollars to install a new water heater in my condo in Florida. I paid using my scotia bank credit card, 1.35 (1.30 if I can purchase US dollars by myself).

I like to learn some basics about water heater.



Why expansion tank is needed

Here is the article.

I like to read the article and learn why expansion tank is needed. I just asked home depot's contractor to install a new water heater in my Florida condo. The old one lasted more than 20 years.

My renter sent me the picture of new heater. I was surprised to learn that there is a small expansion tank.




Christmas day - new tradition (series 4 of 10)

Dec. 26, 2019

Introduction


It is not easy to explore Questrade.com, I like to show my asset allocation, and summary of performance. It is the first time I found all the information I need  to prepare a year-end summary. I like to rush to put together, I like to prepare today so tomorrow dinner party I can ask advice from my two friends.

Questrade performance










Actionable Items

I can add Scotia US index fund and Scotia Canada index fund as equity fund, so the portfolio of Victoria will include two more equity fund.

The bond fund is around $27,000, the equity fund including S & P 500 index, TR Unit, Scotia US index fund and Scotia Canada index fund is around $28,000. So my portfolio is 50% bond, 50% equity fund.



Investment or speculation - 前面还有很多坑

Dec. 26, 2019

Introduction


It is time for me to prepare a blog so that I can share two other friends about my investment experience. We will have a dinner party in the city of Surrey.

Investment or speculation


It is not easy to summary what I have learned. I chose to share those two books first.

First book is "The smartest investment book You'll ever read, The simple, Stress-Free way to reach your investment goals",  Daniel R. Solin

Second book is "The Bogleheads' Guide to Investing", Talyor Larimore, Mel Lindauer, Michael LeBoeuf, Foreword by John C. Bogle

Here are my 2019 December review of my portfolios.

Scotia US index fund
Scotia Canada index fund
Par 401 K
Victoria portfolio
Key Largo portfolio

Actionable Items


It is easy to go for speculation because of fear and greedy human nature. I should invest time to read books about investment, and work on my finance literacy. Once I make a mistake like time the market, sell off in 2009, I can realize my problem and make corrections as soon as possible. And also I have community to help me realize and learn how to invest as well.





What is my risk tolerance and time horizon?

Dec. 26, 2019

Introduction


It is hard for me to learn how to define my risk tolerance and time horizon. I am a 53 years old Canadian citizen, and I have to learn how to define my risk tolerance and time horizon as an investor. I just started to invest on equities from May 2019.

Risk tolerance


I like to take some risk, otherwise I could not support myself even though I work full time last 10 years.

I think that I can take more risk than I should. I need to learn how to invest, not speculation.

From 2010 to 2019, my risk tolerance is zero. I put all money 401 K and IRA into capital preserve or Amtrust bank CD.

Time horizon


I do think that it is important for me to learn to live frugal life style. No travel of road trip, airplane travel, clothing shopping. Keep it minimum. I like to have freedom to have free time, so I can learn how to invest, read books and build good confidence on finance, investment, financial planning.




Introduction to personal finance and investment

Dec. 26, 2019

Introduction


I like to put together some advice for my friends to start to learn how to invest. I only started less than one year ago, in May 2019, after 10 years shy away from stock market.

My advice


I like to recommend to watch a few videos to start to learn investment.

1. How to double your money, here is the link.
2. The 20 rules of money, here is the link.
3. 30 signs someone will never become rich, here is the link.
4. My progress report of first six month personal finance research, here is the link.




Christmas day - new tradition (series 3 of 10)

Dec. 26, 2019

Introduction


It is hard for me to tell which website is better, Ameritrade or Charles Schwab. I have portfolio in both companies, and Charles Schwab purchased Ameritrade recently. What I like to do is to review my Key largo portfolio. I have to get familiar with all features in the website.

Performance


I like to go to Cost basics -> Unrealized Gain/ Loss

I like to memorize all those captions:

Long positions
Totals (Cost, Mkt value, Gain($), Gain (%))
Symbol
Description
Qty
Open date
Cost per share
Cost
Last
Mkt value
Gain ($)
Gain (%) Term

Short positions
Totals: Proceed, Mkt value, Gain($), Gain(%)

Dividends
Here is the shortcut to find dividends, it takes me a few minutes to find the link:
History & Statements -> Transactions -> Dividends



Actionable Items


Based on my understanding, the dividend of S & P 500 index is almost 2% in 2019.

I should not pay attention too much on market value. All I care about is to beat the inflation, and also have growth with the market. If the market goes down, then it is time for me to invest more equity to make more wealth in the future. I should not worry about the market value for my retirement account, because I will not withdraw early (59 year old).




Case study: Par 401 K 2019 Dec 25 review - capital preservation

Dec. 26, 2019

Introduction


It is painful to review 10 years experience I have with my Par 401 K portfolio. I am a hard working person, but I am not so good to be a self-learner. I did not spend time to study money, personal finance from 2007, even though I have Par 401 K starting from 2007. I chose to sell all my funds in 2009, and then leave the fund as is last 10 years.

Capital preservation


I like to show the report in this blog, also I like to confess that it is so humble to show my naive, lack of finance literacy. I should review and examine my personal finance every Christmas day. It is best time for me to do that, since I am a single person, and I do not have to have a party but I have time to review my finance.



Tell my story


I invested my 401 K $8000 US dollars in 2006 to 2007, and employer matched $800 US dollars. I sold in panic when everything went down. And I did not review my finance decision at all after 2008.

I do not spend time to read investment books, I do not spend time to study market at all. From 2009 to 2019, S & P 500 index goes up more than 300%.

Knowledge is power. It is so important for me to find time to work on learning personal finance. I should leave time for me to read books, and also learn importance to make money through investment.

Case study: Par 401 K 2019 Dec 25 review - Large company

Dec. 26, 2019

Introduction


It is rewarding experience to review last 7 months large company's performance. I like to share my portfolio's large company's performance.

Large company





Case study: Par 401 K 2019 Dec 25 review - Asset class bond

Dec. 26, 2019

Introduction


I like to review bond performance in my par 401 K portfolio.

Performance




Case study: Par 401 K 2019 Dec 25 review - contribution type

Dec. 26, 2019

Introduction


If I am the product manager of Charles Schwab, what advice I can give to enhance this feature - contribution type. It is easy for me to track my progress on my 401 K portfolio.


Contribution type




I made a not-smart choice to choose so many funds in my portfolio in May 2019. I should just choose three funds and then my life will be much easy to track the progress. I was just a three month baby to go back to stock market again, I tried to learn how to make investment, hopefully I will not sell everything in bear market.


Case study: Par 401 K 2019 Dec 25 review - cumulative personal returns

Dec. 26, 2019

Introduction


It is the graph called cumulative personal rate. I like to look into the graph, and tell how this graph is design to tell the return starting from January 2019.

Cumulative personal returns




Case study: Par 401 K 2019 Dec 25 review - personal return Barchat

Dec. 26, 2019

Introduction


It is my par 401 K performance. I like to share Charles Schwab's website and its performance feature. Through the study, I understand that it is better for me to explore all the features once, so I will not waste time every day to check balance or market.

My personal performance


Here are some graphs I like to share.

Personal rate of return Barchat






Wednesday, December 25, 2019

80 minutes chat with my younger sister

Dec. 25, 2019

Introduction


I have some Christian counselling experience. I used to attend Willingdon Chinese single group from 2010 to 2016, and we regularly met every week, and we pray and study bible together. I learn that I have to reach out to show my kindness to my younger sister, and then I had chat with her over 80 minutes, in Christmas day. I missed my 10:00 PM mock interview as an interviewer.

80 minutes chat


I have to choose frugal life style. So I do not offer the airline ticket to let my niece Danny Lei to visit me this Christmas holiday season. But once a while I am thinking about the mistake, I need to learn how to plan and budget, and play an important role to support my relatives in China as well.

My niece spent Christmas day in an international school in Toronto area. I do not have time to learn more about her study and progress, since she is 15 years old, starting her school in October 2019 in Canada. I learn from my sister that she spent daily at least 30 minutes to chat with her daughter and learn from her experience.

I talked to my younger sister about her investment on stock market, but I did not learn anything since she does not keep any record. I could not learn from her experience to buy low and sell high on individual stocks.




My worries from 1984 to 2019

Dec 25, 2019

Introduction


I have so many good friends and I attended a best university in China from 1984 to 1988, I have so many classmates and friends living with abundant life, but I am still working hard to build wealth and grow rich, hopefully one day I can own a home in Canada. I like to figure out what is the reason and how I can make some corrections, enjoy rest of my life in Canada. My worries and my family I grow up, and those friends, and I like to make the world a better place for people like me.

My worries 


I like to write down my worries from 1984 to 2019 and try to make sense on those worries. I was not so confident and did my best, sometimes I was lucky but I had to learn to live one day a time.

1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984  I went to Shanghai to attend Shanghai jiaotong university, applied math
1985  In July my father passed away, I was 19 years old; I took an early break and went back to city of Yichun for my father's funeral. I came back early in August to prepare spring term final exams.
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990

1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000

2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010

2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019



Case study: Par 401 K 2019 Dec 25 review - return table

Dec. 25, 2019

Introduction


It is the first time I write a blog for my Par 401 K holding more than 12 years called return table. I am a software programmer full time last 10 years, but I do not have interest to figure out how Charles Schwab designs the website to provide feature. I am just the lucky one to learn and figure out tonight first time. I like to share my experience.

Par 401 K 2019 


Here is the chart I like to learn and ask a few questions on the performance. I like to be curious and learn more about investment. I have to push myself to learn, not just remember a number, 9% return, and return dollar amount is around 600 US dollars in 2019.






Interviewing.io schedule update as an interviewer

Dec. 25, 2019

Introduction


It is my personal finance research.  I find out that I am lack of motivation to make more money in 2020, so I make schedule change on interviewing.io as an interviewer, I like to write down my thoughts and will track the progress once a month.

My schedule change


I like to update my schedule. I like to add Saturday and Sunday 10:00PM in the evening to be an interviewer as well.

Also I like to add system design into my interview. I like to think about working as an interviewer in Saturday and Sunday day time.

It is easy for me to work on system design and algorithm interview if I can meet some one in weekends. So I can be more curious to learn and develop skills as an interviewer.


Smart Investing For Beginners

This article is my bible of investment. I like his explanation of investing vs speculation, using S & P 500 Index as an example, 500 companies to individual stock.

Here is the link.

My favorite teaching graph is the following:


Understand what is market-risk.
What is speculating, not investing - using 500 companies as an example.

Total risk
market risk
specific-company risk

How to eliminate specific-company risk?
Can you dilute market-risk?

Why I worry about market-risk?

Can I learn to be a good financial advisor like Meng Li? | Kevin O'Leary's show | 2019

Dec. 25, 2019

Introduction


It is my personal finance research. I like to learn from the personal financial advisor I met in Scotia bank, and see how I can be a good business advisor as well. I have to talk to my young sister and show her how to invest on stock market, and I have an elder sister who is retired middle school teacher in Shenzhen as well.

Good financial advisor


I do think that a good personal finance advisor will have to keep learning things. Meng Li told me that I can read website from morningstar.com. Based on her advice, I started to watch youtube.com video from January 2019. I met Meng Li in January 2019.

Meng Li also told me that based on my saving balance, I am a not-traditional Chinese person since my saving is too low compared to my age and work experience.

In May, I invited a few people to go to Kevin O'Leary's show, Li meng did not have time to go. I only had chance to go out with my ex-coworker Jenny Wong, who left a few months later for a US company in downtown, working with me as a coworker six years. Jenny Wong is my coach, she coached me how to read a book, and also be curious to outside world. She reminded me to invest into stock market, since she has two sisters who are software engineers in Vancouver area. They all invest in stock market, and one of them purchased a home recently.

I learn from young generations in Vancouver. Jenny Wong and Meng Li are good examples for me to present and share my experience.

I just wrote a blog to share my experience to have 17% return on Scotia US index fund.

Christmas day - new tradition (series 3 of 10)

Dec. 25, 2019

Introduction


It is my new tradition in Christmas day. I like to review my investment account, and then think about what I should do next at the end of 2019. I like to work on my Par Tech 401 K plan, I had the account starting from 2007, and my original investment is $8000 US dollars. Blogs are found using keyword 401 K, link is here. I like to spend 30 minutes to review my portfolio.

Par 401 K 


I like to present the return, and also spend time to explore Charles Schwab all funds performances in my retirement plan.


What I like to do is to review all available funds in the 401 K plan, and I like to check the return in 2019.

Here is the statement of Sept 30, 2019.


Asset allocation



31% bonds, 28% large capital, 21% small capital, international 12%, special 8%

Personal performance


Here is performance provided by Charles Schwab.


Interest paid $62.25, dividends/ capital gains $185.32, market change is $354.08. The return is close to $600 US dollars.

More reports 


The website is designed by biggest brokerage firm in USA. So it is the first time I will review the features in this website.


Net positions
Cumulative returns
PRR Barchart
PRR Table 1
PRR Table II
Investment Summary
Balance History
Allocation history

PRR Barchart
There are four options, standard, yearly, quarterly, monthly.


Q1 2019   01/01/2019-03/32/2019 PRR 1.17%
Q2 2019   04/01/2019-06/30/2019 PRR 1.47%
Q3 2019   07/01/2019-09/30/2019 PRR 1.13%


Jan          0.56%
Feb         0.15%
March    0.45%
April      0.42%
May      -3.46%
June       4.66%
July        0.74%
August  -0.68%
Sep         1.08%
Oct         1.69%
Nov        1.94%

PRR table 



PRR table II

Here is the table. 


Allocation history 


April 27, 2019



May 1, 2019

It is such great feature to look up daily balance. 

Allocation by asset class





Activity details by position





Actionable Items


I put together a complicated portfolio in May 2019. My return is 9.70%.

One of ideas is to push myself to take more risk, but then I will have to catch up more investment when bear market hits in 2020.

Here are highlights:
1. Make sure that I download all statements in 2019. Check in my Github personal finance folder.
2. I have to read each statement, and ask at least three questions in each statement; What I do not know, what I should look into.
3. Understand my asset allocation right now, it is 30% bond, 70% equity.
4. Wait until Dec. 30, 2019 for the last statement in 2019.

There is no fee to rebalance. The Charles Schwab is the biggest brokerage firm in USA, and the website has very good performance analysis report.

As a project manager of my 401 K portfolio, I have to spend at least one hour to review the website, and then I should find out some problems in my portfolio, and then think about how to make improvement.

Here is the blog to show that 10 years from 2009 to 2019 capital preservation. I just could not believe that I do not think about or talk about my retirement fund 401 K 10 years. Living as a single person, I have so much challenge to manage my own finance. Ignorance and lack of self-learning is such a big issue over my adult life from 2001 to 2019.



Stay optimistic and embrace bull market in 2020

Dec. 24, 2019

Introduction


It is interesting to learn that I have to parent myself, make sure that I will not get depressed. Last December I felt so depressed since I could not own a home in Canada, so I started my first time personal finance research in my life starting from 52 years old. In May 2019, I also felt so pressured to get into stock market in 10 year bull market, my research is short since I only spent two months to work on investment research. I like to write a blog called "stay optimistic and embrace bull market in 2020".

Bull market in 2020


I already write my favorite blog called bear market first, since I know that bear market is time for a well-educated investor to make a lot of money since most of people will panic, like me in 2009, depressed, no job in USA, Canada immigration application case was denied in January 2009.

If it is true, then I should work hard and push myself to embrace bull market in 2020. How to work on the new opportunities?

I have to work on my short term and long term goal.


Christmas day - new tradition (series 2 of 10)

Dec. 25, 2019

Introduction


It is my new tradition to work on my investment on Christmas day. I have to calm down, and review the portfolio, and make a plan for next year. This second one is my Scotia US index fund I set up in January 2019.

My portfolio


I make an appointment with Scotia bank about home loan application, and then I made the purchase of Scotia US index fund. At that time, I knew the stock market crashed 20%. So I thought that it is a good time to get in the market.

I have to build good habit to save all the statements monthly, and also act as a hard-working self-learner in investment, personal finance. And also I like to push myself figure out how to advance my expertise in this area. The good idea is to blog my experience and share with others, and then I can spot big issues later on.

Actionable Items


I should review the fund through Scotia website, right now my return is 17.41%, profit is $711.64, and book value is 4067.16.

I should write an email to thank Li Meng, a Waterloo university math graduate; She persuaded me to purchase Scotia fund, originally I asked loan information. She is so sweet and hard working professional.

If there is a dip in 2020 like 20%, then I should open a portfolio, make purchase $1000 to $1500 dollars.



Christmas day - new tradition (series 1 of 10)

Dec. 25, 2019

Introduction


It is my Christmas day. I got up around 12:30 PM, and I spent two hours to dance following dancing tutorial. Next one is to plan what  I should do for one week break until January 2, 2019. I like to go over my portfolios, so that I can push myself to form a habit to review my finance statements, and also help myself to figure out how much I can spend on holiday expenses staying with frugal principle and tight budget. The first one is to review my Canada RRSP I just set up less than one year.

Scotia RRSP - Canada index fund


I chose to have a Canada index fund in my RRSP, since I like to learn dollar cost average and how I should build a good habit to invest monthly.

The Scotia bank does not provide rich product features like Ameritrade or Questrade or Charless Schwabs. I will also take time to make sure that I download all statements, and also review my status.

There are a few factors not to select Canada index fund, the cost of fund is higher than Vanguard ETF, and also Canada economy is 8% of the world, small fraction compared to US economy.

The advantage is to apply monthly contribution, $120/ month.

I left $50,000 Canada dollars in 2017 in saving account without any interest, and then put into saving account with 1.8% interest. So I decided to move to questrade.com to build Victoria portfolio.



The profit can be calculated using book value and market value, right now it is $171.00, 5%.

Actionable Items


I think that 5% is a good return, compared to the market S & P 500 Index return from May 2019 to Dec 2019 13.49%. The cost is 1%, which is too high compared to Vanguard ETF.

I invested $3000 dollars in May 2019, and then $120/month. So it is better to follow Scotia US index fund.

One of ideas is to move to questrade.com RRSP account.

If there is bear market in 2020, 20% dip, then I will open another portfolio with initial deposit $1500 - $2000 and start to invest month by month $50 dollar.



Financial crisis - report written by Dr. Wang Qian from Vanguard

Dec. 25, 2019

Introduction


It is my personal finance research. I know that if I can know more about finance literacy, I will have chance to make a lot of money in the stock market in the long run. I do have very strong research experience from algorithm and data structure research from 2015 to 2019. I do believe that the problem solving skills can be applied to my personal finance.


Financial crisis


I like to read the article carefully. I like to write down some notes and then look up more from the internet.


Expect at least 30% upside for Facebook shares in 2020, says Aegis Capital's Victor Anthony

Here is the link.


Tuesday, December 24, 2019

S&P 500 has potential to break out to almost 4,000 in 2020, says Pro

Here is the video.

Julian Emanuel, BTIG managing director & chief equity and derivatives strategist, offers his prediction for the S&P 500. With CNBC's Scott Wapner and the Fast Money traders, Tim Seymour, Joe LaVorgna, Christian Fromhertz and Guy Adami.

Actionable Items


The market may or may not go up in 2020. I like to learn more about how to invest as a long term investor.



Stay optimistic and embrace the bear market in 2020

Dec. 24, 2019

Introduction


It is my personal finance research. I found out in March 2019 that I missed 10 year bull market from 2010 to 2019. At the beginning, I had some anxiety and felt depressed since I learned that I missed basic book keeping, I had to review all my citi bank credit card statements from 1996 to 2019 first. I have to learn personal finance basics first. I like to write down my journey from May 2019 to December 2019.

May - December 2019


I think that I did great job this May after a short research about market, I set up multiple portfolio to invest index ETFS (S & P 500, bonds). From May 2019 to Dec 24, 2019, my market value from all my portfolio is $5000 dollars more than my book value, 5% profit. I have to go through emotions, and discipline myself to invest long term from 7 to 10 years. 

Also I learn the important to enjoy simple life. Be frugal and I do not need to take vacations to go out of Vancouver area. I should be happy since I do not waste money on housing, I enjoy to live close to downtown Vancouver.

Next bear market


I do believe that a lot of people will get super rich since next bear market. Because people with good education of personal finance, investment will make purchase value stocks and then hold until the market gets out correction.

But if bear market comes in 2020, I will figure out a lot of opportunities, and will see the market value of my 10 year full time saving loses 30% value. But I do think that it is important to hold portion of market, US economy, not just think about market value itself. I have to think about long term, how to build wealth, and grow rich from 2019 to 2016. I will grow from 53 years old to 60 years old.







Why do people claim that most software engineers would never be promoted to principal in big companies, such as Google, Facebook, and Amazon?

Here is the answer I like to analyze.

I have two classmates in FAU who are/ were principle engineers in Microsoft. I also went to Microsoft SQL server event a few years ago, I met two principle managers as well.




Monday, December 23, 2019

Bear market and long term investment - series 10 of 10

Bear market and long term investment - series 9 of 10

Bear market and long term investment - series 8 of 10

Bear market and long term investment - series 7 of 10

Bear market and long term investment - series 6 of 10

Bear market and long term investment - series 5 of 10

Bear market and long term investment - series 4 of 10



当市场让人措手不及或者突然掉头向下的时候,对于任何投资者,此时都很难坚持自己的长期投资计划。当投资者在面对一些市场冲击时,一味地关注价格和账户的数字并不能对更远期的投资目标有什么帮助。相反,无论市场多么动荡,投资者都需要仔细检视自己的投资组合在完全满足自身生活开销的基础上,是否与自身的风险承受度相匹配。完成一个长期投资目标有时候对投资者最大的要求便是保持定力,坚持到底。

Actionable items

Say Yes!
坚持自己的长期投资计划
需要仔细检视自己的投资组合
完全满足自身生活开销
与自身的风险承受度相匹配
保持定力,坚持到底

Say No!
一味地关注价格和账户的数字

What is my long term investment plan? Double the money in 7 years, if S & P 500 index return 100% in 7 years. Make money when I sleep. 

I will study more, and see if there are more opportunities after I push myself to learn how to invest. 


Bear market and long term investment - series 3 of 10

面对不利市场环境时坚持投资纪律
市场不利情况的出现,很容易引起投资者情绪上的波动。我们经常会看到投资者在市场大幅波动的时候被自己的情绪带动着匆忙交易,有些则被市场恐吓住,无法做出有效的思考或者完全不知所措。这时,拥有明确投资计划投资者则会更好的严格遵守投资纪律按部就班的对投资组合进行再平衡或者简单的持股不动,从而以良性的投资心态度过市场中“黑暗”的日子。

Actionable Items

  1. 更好的严格遵守投资纪律
  2. 按部就班的对投资组合进行再平衡
  3. or not 2, 简单的持股不动
  4. 良性的投资心态 
  5. 良性的投资心态度过市场中“黑暗”的日子
更好的严格遵守投资纪律按部就班的对投资组合进行再平衡或者简单的持股不动,从而以良性的投资心态度过市场中“黑暗”的日子。

Why I panic in 2009, and sold all my funds?
Why I did not go back to the market from 2010 to 2019? 

  1. 良性的投资心态 - how to have it? Get educated first. Be frugal! Allow mistake in investment.