Case study: 2001 IRA and stock purchase VIGRX fund

January 1, 2019

Introduction

It is my personal finance research. I spent time to review my files and then I found two documents related to my stock and mutual fund purchase. I like to do a case study on them.

Case study

Life is so challenge and I also like to share my limited experience. I am a single person and I do not know what the single means. In terms of personal finance decision, I like to write down my decision making mistakes and share with others.

My problem is to buy high and sell low. I do not understand time is on my side. I was so young back in 2002. I have over at least 30 years to benefit the growth of economy, what should I worry about?

I like to do a case study on a mutual fund VIGRX.

Here is the folder containing my purchase detail in my personal finance folder. I had Atlantic Entertainment 401 K rollover in 2001. Here is my 401 K statement at the end of 2010.

                                                                          Share      Price         Action
2001 Dec 10, 2001 Fidelity advisor equity            158.915   $25.90     Bought

I sold the mutual function Fidelity advisor equity in 2012 with loss over $1000 US dollars.

My analysis

I sold mutual fund in 2002. I totally forgot the fund after Feb. 27, 2002. I did not have job from 2001 September to August 2002, I was a home maker. I need to do research how to be a good home maker.

Today on January 1, 2019. Fidelity advisor equity has price $69.10. If I took the loss in Feb. 27, 2002, and do nothing, my original $3000 dollar fund will worth more than $10981.00, without considering dividends.

Price review

VIGRX fund - from Vanguard website - January 1, 2019

Performance review

VIGRX mutual fund - January 1, 2019

Actionable Items

In order to solve my house problem in the city of Vancouver, I decided to work on my personal finance research. I like to figure out what decision making process I have and how I can make improvements.

In year 2000, I have a good friend from FAU shared me with the tip to buy growth index fund, so I had no idea what to do, I decided to purchase four funds instead. Growth index fund minimum $3000 dollar, other three funds $1000, $500, $500.

When the fund price went down, I really did not understand what the problem was. I just sold it and took the loss. After that, I did not review and try to purchase back to cover the loss in 2002. If I understand the growth index fund long term is up, then I will get back and keep last 18 years.

I like to call my finance lesson worth over $7000 US dollar, 18 years time. Personal finance No. 2, growth index fund, $7000 at least loss.

My learning and decision making has flaws. I listened to my friend's advice, I decided to open IRA stock account, I did purchase. I did not spend time to review my every piece of transaction, and also analyze what I should learn from the transaction.

I have to push myself to learn decision making. Go for one case a time, and go over to review my choice. What is the problem? How to recover? Should I go back to purchase again?

Since I am a single person, I choose not to share my struggle and is shamed about my wrong judgement. Today I like to share and push myself to learn from the mistake, and be a good manager of my money.

I have to push myself to be gentle, and kind. Document every purchase, and do not try to kill wealth from a seed. Specially when I took loss, it was pain. But that is the chance I can really grow. I have to believe in USA, USA economy, and try to think about how hard Facebook, Amazon and Facebook to recruit best problem solvers to work for them. People with best education, reasoning, and family support, there is no way the whole economy will stay down.

One of ideas is to purchase VIGRX mutual fund in 2010 instead of closing the account for investment and IRA. If I purchase growth index fund at lowest point of last 15 years, in 2010. If I put another $3000 dollars, or $6000 dollars, then I will have very successful story to share after 18 years.

Follow up 

April 22, 2020

Based on my research, MSFT stock ten times more from 2010 to 2019. So if I hold MSFT 10 shares stock purchased back in 2001, then the value of stock 660 US dollars will be worth more than $6600 dollars.

Case study: My 401 K and IRA account management

Dec. 25, 2018

Introduction

It is important for me to find out how to improve my management skills. I like to work on my person asset first. I like to write a blog to document my management performance, and I like to push myself to dedicate time, specially holiday season one week break from Dec. 24 to Dec. 31 to do personal finance education, and case studies.

Case study

Here are the facts to document my investment.

Based on my W3 from 1999 to 2001, I invested money from paycheck to my 401 K account.

1999 Atlantic Entertainment $1880
2000 Atlantic Entertainment $3610
2000 Trendium                        $650
2001 Trendium                      $5490
2004 IRA deposit                  $3000

total deposit: $14700

The value in my New York community bank IRA CD in 2018 December is $19300.00

I did have loss in stock market and then I moved everything to IRA CD from 2008. Total income after 18 years is $4600.00 dollars.

If I only count those $10,000 401 contribution from 1999 to 2001, then after 18 years, $4600 return will be only average 2% a year.

I need to figure out how to manage my asset better. I should spend time to search ideas how to manage better on my IRA CD.

Actionable Items

One of ideas is to sell $10000.00 in 2008, and then pay 10% penalty, and pay tax, and then purchase a property in the city of Yichun.

I went back to China and changed my status from H1-B to F1 visa. I should prepare myself better in terms of finance. At that time, I was told to work on English test IELTS for immigration to Canada.

I need to spend time to work on my asset carefully every year. I have to push myself to find ideas how to manage.

One of ideas is to move money to stock account I had, and purchased dividend stocks, like MSFT. At that time, Microsoft stock was lowest price around $20.00 to $40.00, dividend will be more than I can get from the interest.

One of ideas is to purchase low cost vanguard index fund in 2010.

Follow up 

Jan. 20, 2019 7:06 PM
In 2019 new year day, I did whole day personal finance research. I found out that in 2001 I sold VIGRX $3000 mutual fund in 2002, with a loss of $1000. I totally forgot it from 2002 to 2019. I documented the transaction in my blog.

I did not review my finance every day. I found the records in my FAU web page. I learn that the index fund should worth $10,000 dollars if I did not sell in 2002.

Follow up 

April 14 ,2019

I think that I should put those fund into bond market, and then when the market has recession, I will put them into Vanguard total market index fund, or a few other Vanguard index fund.

Case study: What is value of my IRA portfolio based on 2001 purchase?

Oct. 12, 2019

Introduction

It is time for me to evaluate my portfolio back in 2001. I already spent over 11 months to study personal finance, so I already have learned so many things in terms of investment, I like to write down my analysis, and see how much I may have gained through the portfolio.

Case study

Let me upload my portfolio based on my personal finance repository on github.

The most important is not to time the market, instead it is time to stay in the market. I sold those IRA mutual fund and stock, and then open IRA CD account in Amtrust bank instead.

What I like to research is to figure out the market value for those funds and stocks if I keep them from 2001 to 2019.

One minute review: my USA retirement fund last 20 years

Nov. 9, 2019

Introduction

It is a good idea to put together some facts called one minute review. 

One minute review 

One minute to review the following facts:

1999 to 2001, $11,530 dollar into my 401 K from 1999 to 2001
2004,  $3000 IRA
2006,  $8000 401 K Siva, Par Tech Inc

Nov. 9, 2019
Key largo portfolio  $20,321.70
Par 401 K $6590

------------------------------
Profit: 
 $7381

1999 Dec  - 2019 May profit is $5479 
2019 May - 2019 Nov profit is $1902

More detail

I did invest $11,530 dollar into my 401 K from 1999 to 2001, and then 2004 $3000 IRA, and then from 2006 to 2007, I invested $8000 dollars my 401 K.

My actual asset for those fund are $26811.70 dollars, key largo portfolio has balance $20,321.70, par 401 K has balance of $6590.

Comparison

I like to profit at least 10 times more in 20 years, but actually I only have profit $7381 with 20 years time range, average for each year is $300 dollar/ year, $369.05/ month, 1.84%.

1999 Dec  - 2019 May profit is $5479 - Here are blog to document my IRA CD with the bank over 10 years.
2019 May - 2019 Nov profit is $1902

25% profit last 20 years is made in last six months since I learn to put those funds back in index fund. I studied Canadian retirement guide. Here is the link.

25% of profit $7381 is made by myself last six month starting from May 2019. 

Actionable Items

I just review the content in my blog, and then put together the above one minute fact review. 

My biggest financial mistake No 1 - $200,000 401 K and IRA gain

Oct. 26, 2019

Introduction

It is my personal finance research. After almost one year financial research, I found out that my biggest financial mistake is how to handle my 401 K and IRA from 1999 to 2019. Twenty years can generate over $200,000 dollars again based on my investment on 401 K from 1999 to 2001, 2004 and 2006 to 2007.

My 401 K contribution

Here is the blog I documented my contributions. I also list in the following:


1999 Atlantic Entertainment   $1880
2000 Atlantic Entertainment   $3610
2000 Trendium                         $650
2001 Trendium                       $5490
2004 IRA deposit                   $3000
2006-2007 Siva, par siva       $8000

Compared to index growth from 1999 to 2019, I do believe that 2010 $1000 on S & P index fund, in 2019 those $1000 dollars investment will be value of $3000 dollars.

I have 20 years to grow those $10,500 dollars from 1999 to 2001. I have 15 years to grow those $3000 dollars starting from 2004, and then I have 12 years to grow those $8000 dollars from 2007.

My retirement life will be super challenging

January 15, 2020

Introduction

It is my personal finance research. I like to write a blog called "My retirement life will be super challenging".

My 401 K and IRA / Risk management

I just had 53 year old birthday in Oct. 2019. I also learned that I had economics behavior problems. I did not spend time to learn how to invest from 1996 to 2018 December, so I left my USA 401 K and IRA accounts no change from 2010 April to 2019 April, capital preservation for Par tech 401 K and IRA CD in Amtrust bank. I will definitely take the consequence, and I will definitely have very challenging life after I retire in Canada.

I was smart to invest my own 401 K for three jobs as a software engineer from 1999 to 2001, Online gaming system, Trendium inc, and then from 2006 to 2007 Par tech inc. I invested IRA one year in 2005 as well. So I invested over $22,000 US dollars.

If I did not close all my funds and then put into IRA CD from 2006 to 2009, my retirement fund will grow with US S & P 500 Index, those over 10 years will create more than three times more market change, over $66,000 US dollars. I just could not believe that my huge mistake and I have common mistakes called recency bias, and paralysis by analysis.

But I got lost in my busy life to learn how to handle my money properly. I did not spend time to learn until I felt depressed in November 2018. Since I could not solve my own housing problem in Canada, I only could save a down payment less than 20% after I worked 10 years full time.

I have to figure out how to catch up, and push myself to learn as a self-learner.

Actionable Item

I learned from MIT open course Andrew Lo, finance introduction, time and risk management are two things to make finance really hard. I messed up two things, one is 20 years time, one is risk management from 1999 to 2019. What should I do next?

I have $9000 Canadian dollar RRSP, and less than $30,000 US dollar IRA and 401 K. I had 53 years old birthday in Oct. 2019. How can I make a living to use those small amount retirement fund?

Make sure that I will work on something meaningful, help myself and also share my struggle and hard work journey as well. I may need to work on research about social service, social housing, and gain more skills like living in rural area and small cities.

Make millions as an investor

Feb. 24, 2020

Introduction

I like to write a short research topic called how to make millions as an investor. Now it is 12:45 AM, I had two hour nap from 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM, and I need to go back to sleep in 10 minutes.

Make millions as an investor

I did case study on my mistake on investment on VIGRX from 2001 to 2002. I made a series of mistakes on other stocks like MSFT, Oracle and Intel as well, and other funds.

I like to read as many topics I can, learn how to make millions as an investor, if market goes up or down for a few cycles, next five or six years, before I turn 60 yrs old.

I like to live a frugal life. I drove 2001 Honda accord, less than 5000 KM a year. I do not spend money on clothes any more. I do not take vacation.

Recently I came cross the return of top 10 stocks from 2009 to 2019, those stocks are called 10-bagger stock to 60-bagger stock. I was so surprised that I do not hold any thing on stock market from 2010 to 2019. I did purchase a lot of technology stock just after 2001 Sept. 11 event. Here is the folder on github.com.

Actionable Items

I like to work on a case study, how Amtrust interest with over 5%, so I gave up my portfolio and moved my IRA to Amtrust bank IRA CD.

Also I did not study how to invest from 2001 to 2019, over 18 years.

So you want to be a 401(k) millionaire? Here's how to do it, according to Fidelity

August 30, 2018


Here is the link.

Values are rising
Retirement funds (year-over-year)

• Average 401(k): $104,000 (up 6%)
• Average IRA: $106,900 (up 9%)

What's in your 401(K)? Vanguard, average retirement account
Ages 65+

• Average: $209,984
• Median: $64,811

1:57
157,000 people are super saver, based on Fidelity, with over a  million dollar

Tip #1
Be aggressive

• Invest heavily in equities
• Be heavier equities when younger, roll out over time
• Gauge age and risk tolerance

Tip #2  (3:22/ 6:04)
Know your end goal

• Always take a longer-term view
• Have an eye on growth
• Don't react to market swings

Tip #3

Examine allocations

• At minimum once a year
• Quarterly when near retirement
• Re-examine when life changes take place

Jeanne Thompson - Fidelity

Target fund - when you are 50, still 10 year to retire, 85% equities, 15% bond

Marathon, a sprint,

60% market,

Allocation once a year. Asset class

Less than 1% - move to cash, but most of them stay on the course

Those over 10 years,
$73,000 -> $200,000 approach $300,000

Do not react too quickly.

Actionable Items

I like to evaluate myself based on my USA 401 K and IRA, my return from 2009 to 2020 is less than 2% annual return. All of those mistakes can be traced back in 2001, I sold VIGRX in 2001 with 30% loss; I did not learn that I have to read at least one investment book related to growth fund, and understand the concepts like index fund return. Later in 2009, since my Canada immigration application was denied in December 2008, I sold all equities in my 401 K and also IRA. I made mistake to move to IRA CD with Amtrust bank.

I got depressed in 2009 since I learned that I may be worth nothing from 1996 to 2009, the home  I purchased does not worth too much, I had 10 year old paid SUV but gas price was $5.00/ gallon, and I had less than $28,000 dollar US retirement fund, and the bank gave me $65,000 home equity line starting from 2006.

I have to examine how to stay healthy, wealthy; Never purchase any brand new car, only gas-efficient car instead.

Case study: Biggest three mistakes as a home maker in 2002

January 1, 2019

Introduction

It is the idea to write top three mistakes I made from Sept. 2001 to August 2002 as a home maker. I decided to study bible and learn to be a Christian, I baptized with my mom in 2001 in Palm Beach Christian church. I like to do a case study on this topic called biggest three mistakes as a home maker.

Case study

I stayed at home and invited my mom to come to Florida second time in 2001 Sept, I made so many mistakes in terms of being a good person in the community and also in my personal finance.

I made so many mistakes and it was so hard for me to learn how to make a living without income. I just made net income over $110,000 US dollar from 1999 to 2001 two jobs in three years. But I did not calculate how much my net income is. I only had less than $20,000 US dollars net asset in my checking and saving account. I burned net income with $90,000 dollars with a 3 years old Ford Explorer with $8000 debt (I paid 27 installments + $3000 down payment), a mortgage, paid off my mom's home and internal furnished ($8000 US dollars), all those cashes went away under pressure of relatives, vacation to Shanghai, long distance phone calls with arguments (60 cents/ minute international long distance), furniture, vacation to California, New York, and Smoky mountains, Miami, Orlando (4 round trips from Boca Raton to Orlando from 1999 to 2002).

Overspending problems

I still paid $2,000 US dollars to my relative after I paid off my mom's home. I paid one way airline ticket to invite my mom to visit me in 2011 second time. I like to live with my mom and try to help her recover from her first stroke in her 70s. She was 70 years old.

I did not have skills to make a living and learn how to save money. I had to push myself learn and live without income in USA.

Waste of food

For example, I bought a bag of white flour, more than 50 lbs from Costco. I tried to learn how to make bread, and then I tried to learn how to use baking soda to make a bread. After a few months, I threw away whole bag of white flour since there were some bugs growing inside.

I also have to learn how to deal with my loss of job, learn how to handle finance challenges. I decided to attend bible study in a small group.

Liabilities

I had car loan to pay every month $376.95 (47 installments, 20 left, $7539), and mortgage to pay $480/ month for a condo, and also I had to pay food and gas and car insurance etc.. Only thing I learned is that Ford manufacturer interest rate is low as 1.99%.

Careless and minor incident

I made a lot of mistakes in terms of driving my car Ford Explor 1999. I did not pay attention to what I did, one time I forgot to close gas cap, the light shows to check gas; I called my friend to ask his advice, and I tightened the gas cap.

Bible study 

I already built a bad habit to show off the wealth. This is the first time in my life that I chose to be a Christian and learned to be humble. I stayed with bible study small group and I chose to be a Christian.

Canadian immigration

I had to push myself to overcome the stigma on myself. I learned that it was hard for me to make a living now. I did not have permanent resident in USA, I started to search for my opportunities, I consulted the Canadian immigrant, I did not have enough score to immigrate to Canada, I missed two points; If I have a spouse with a university degree, I can add 3 points; Or if I have a relative in Canada, I also can have additional 3 points. I had to stay in Florida.

Biggest finance mistake 

First thing I found out today, this New year's day, the biggest financial mistake I made in Feb. 2012. I sold VIGRX mutual fund in my IRA account. Here is my blog.

I may argue to myself that if I do not learn what is growth index fund, then I will sell it as a loss in next recession around 2008 as well.

One of ideas is to purchase the growth index fund back in next recession in 2008. When I closed stock and IRA stock account in 2010, actually I should put everything in VIGRX growth index fund instead, 15 years lowest point, 15 years implies from 1994 to 2009.

Actionable Items

One thing I analyze today, new year's day after more than 17 years.

Case study: My 401 K and IRA performance vs Vanguard total market index VTI ETF

April 28, 2019

Introduction

It is my personal finance research. I like to do a case study of my 401 K compared to VTI ETF performance.

Case study

Let me put all my deposit of 401 K into github for me to look up first.

I just could not believe that I have not done any research on 401 K portfolio research starting from 2002 to 2019. It is over two decades. I just could not believe that I have such difficulty to learn new thing on investment.

My 401 K and IRA managed by myself

Here are blogs by searching IRA CD on my blog. I put my IRA CD staying with New York community bank from 2006 to 2019, here is the blog.

1999 Atlantic Entertainment   $1880
2000 Atlantic Entertainment   $3610
2000 Trendium                         $650
2001 Trendium                       $5490
2004 IRA deposit                   $3000
2006-2007 Siva, par siva       $8000

I experienced two recession, 2002 and 2008. And I decided to pull all funds out of stock market in 2009. I just could not believe that my decision and I could not explain myself the behavior.

Facts:

1. I do not actively learn how to invest. I do not study my 401 K Par technology Charles Schwab account, I do not even know what funds are available for 401 K investor after 2009.

2. I do not pay attention to stock market, and I do not do any study on my 401 K fund performance at all from 2010 to 2019.

3. I do not question myself the way I manage the asset I have.

And VTI ETF performance is unbelievable.

Case study: Work on US millionaire dream

Oct. 1, 2019

Introduction

It is my personal finance study. I will have birthday this month, I will celebrate 53 years old birthday. I am working on the millionaire study in USA. How can I be a USA millionaire?

Case study

I went to USA in 1996. I lived in USA from 1996 to 2010. This year my rental property value went up, the neighbor sold a few months ago $135,000 US dollars. I went back to set up my Par 401 K and Key Largo IRA, and also I plan to find some very good investment stock to purchase when recession comes.

How can I be a USA millionaire? One idea is to get a job from Facebook in MPK park. I went to Facebook onsite in August 2019, but I could not get an offer.

I know that wealth is like a tree, start from a seed. Right now, I have to figure out how many double games I should play in order to reach million dollars. Only three double away.

Here is the math:
$135,000 real estate
    35,000 IRA, 401 K and cash
-----------------
$170,000 US dollars
$170,000 -> one double -> $340,000 -> second double $680,000 -> third double $1,308,000

It is impossible that my condo will double the value. The property tax in Florida is 2%, and the maintenance fee is $250/ monthly.

Actionable Items

I never thought about from 2001 to 2010 that I may become a millionaire in USA asset. I went through difficult time in 2008, lived on home equity line, and then filed appeal leave for Canada skilled immigration case.

But if I have confidence no matter poor or rich, with/ without a job, I always work on research how to invest, work on personal finance research, actually in 2009, it is best time to invest my IRA and 401 K into US index fund.

I had net income over $110,000 US dollar from 1999 to 2001, but I did not learn enough about investment. Based on my research, ROSS store stock was around $2 dollars in 1999, but in 2019 the stock is around $100 dollars. If I learn how to analyze the business, then I will definitely will save all money on clothes, invest on ROSS stock.

Here is the blog I documented my 401 K contribution from 1999.



 

Business plan for my USA IRA portfolio Corona

April 12, 2020

Introduction

I chose to be a passive investor, long term investor. And I tried to simplify my investment plan, only invest three ETFs with balanced portfolio for my USA IRA account. But I changed the mind and built up Corona portfolio. I need to catch up and write a business plan for this near $1500 US dollar portfolio.

Business plan

I like to write down the business plan, what rules should I follow as a long term investor. What should I work on in order to make this investment great experience.

I will add more detail later.

Here is the blog about my purchase.
Here is the link to access my purchase of Ford and GE stocks.

I set up jstock portfolio on my mobile phone.

Actionable Items

April 14, 2020

I have to write down why business plan is so important for me as a long term investor. After my careful study of my 2001 stock purchase, I purchased 10 share with $66/ share exactly on Sept. 11, 2001. If I hold the stocks, from 2010 to 2019, those 10 shares will be 10 times more. The market value will be at least $6600 dollars. I asked myself what is going on with me as an investor.

I do believe that around 2005 Amtrust offered 5.0% interest, after 4 years or so, I decided to sell MSFT stocks and then moved the fund to Amtrust 5.0% interest CD. I am not so sure, since I did not write down any business plan for my 2001 stock purchase. I did not save all brokage firm statements.

As a 53 year old, I like to challenge myself to think myself as a business, a public company, I like to brand myself, think logically and sounding reasoning. Do not do too much trades, just work on one by one carefully. Write business plans and share with others.

I learn how to invest after five year blogging

Oct. 15, 2019

Introduction

It is my personal coding blog, I choose not to set up advertisement on my blog. I know that my blog is to serve myself as a mediocre researcher, below average. I just follow my tennis sport coaching advice, journal your practice, widely popular in sports training. And then I found a big surprise of benefits of blogging recently, in the fifth year of blogging.

2017 second hand mobile phone purchase

I laughed about myself recently, since I wrote something on wechat group 1988 SJTU. Here is the picture.

I did not relearn how to invest again until 2019. Here is the blog I wrote and shared with my wechat group we attended SJTU from 1984 to 1988.

I did invest my IRA and 401 K from 1999 to 2009 in stock market, but I did not learn the basics. After I got my Canadian immigration case was denied, I went into self-doubt and then decided to close all my accounts with brokage company, and moved the fund to Amtrust CD account.

From 2009 to 2018, I did not spend time to learn anything about stock market at all. I turned 52 years old in Nov. 2018, but I could not get a high paid job as a software programmer. I need to be a problem solver, I decide to move on to personal finance research.

Actionable items:

1. I like to work on research how many biases I have, and how many things I should relearn.

Learn to invest and take risk is just one of things I found out in 2019.

2. Review year 2001, after my first laidoff, with $110,000 US dollars net income from my short three year full time work. How many things did I do wrong? How many good things I learned from the lesson?

3. Why do I not have ambitious to be a millionaire back from 1998 to 2001? Do I have some research on personal finance from 2001 to 2010?

4. I had lot of timet to study and work on some research from 2001 to 2010. I was not patient and stubborn. What is the cause?


5. Why I push myself so hard to write blogs every day? What motivates me to continue?

Life is so tough. I remembered the feeling I stayed at hotel in pullman in redwood city this August 18, August 19. I just could not believe that I fell in love with a suite and I definitely like to own a home in Canada.

I work so hard, why I cannot own the home with my own saving. I even could not afford the down payment after working full time 10 years.

If I know the status 10 years ahead, Nov. 2018, I was so depressed on tennis court and did not know what to do. What should I plan to work on starting from June 2010.

Every day I should study personal finance, stock market, I will be a frugal person. No vacation, no clothing purchase, no more car maintenance, take public transit. I will track down every dollar I spent, is it my need or my want. Should I pay the bill or not? Can I argue to take alternative?

I will examine all my social connections, relatives, put everything under consideration. Should I study by myself or spend time to socialize, I will ask myself why?

Follow up 

Jan. 2, 2019

It takes me 5 years to figure out what I need in order to be successful as an immigrant, and also as a software programmer, a problem solver. I need to learn the basics of personal finance, investment on stock market, real estate. I need to learn how to manage my time, so that I can have more time to take some courses from MIT open courseware to learn portfolio management, and I can watch more videos and learn ideas how to manage money, being frugal.

Life is tough. I do not come out the idea what to work on to get most of output. I do think that a best blog should not show so many ads to distract users. Sometimes ads by Google can show up anywhere, it is so disturbing. I like to treat my readers better.

So far, there are not so many readers to get back to me and share with me their reading experience.

Research talk: 20 years $200,000 USA IRA investment goal

Nov. 9, 2019

Introduction

It is my personal finance research. I like to work on the short research if I can make it happen from 1999 to 2019 to grow $200,000 USA IRA investment goal.

Case study

I did invest $11,530 dollar into my 401 K from 1999 to 2001, and then 2004 $3000 IRA, and then from 2006 to 2007, I invested $8000 dollars my 401 K.

Can I grow those fund from 1999 to 2019, and the goal is $200,000 dollars? My actual asset for those fund are $26811.70 dollars, key largo portfolio has balance $20,321.70, par 401 K has balance of $6590.

I was a young Chinese single lady from 1999 to 2019. I worked on a few projects and failed a few of them, including computer science Ph.D. degree, US green card application, and a few other projects.

In order to grow those money, there are a few ideas to make it happen.

Idea 1: I can purchase $10,000 ROSS stock, in 2019, the stock value 40 times more.
The problem I had is that I like to bargain hunt, but I did not know how ROSS business works. I never pay attention to the stock. I bought over 10 technology stock, expensive ones instead. I drove Ford Explorer brand new purchased in 1999, I purchased Ford stock, I purchased Bank Atlantic Entertainment stock account the company I worked for.

Idea 2: I can learn how to invest basics, so I can try to double those money once at least in 20 years span. So I can learn how to make another one.

Idea 3: I have to build confidence on one area of my life. My home purchase value went up and down.

Comparison

I like to profit at least 10 times more in 20 years, but actually I only have profit $7381 with 20 years time range, average for each year is $300 dollar/ year, $369.05/ month, 1.84%.

1999 Dec  - 2019 May profit is $5479 - Here are blog to document my IRA CD with the bank over 10 years.
2019 May - 2019 Nov profit is $1902

25% profit last 20 years is made in last six months since I learn to put those funds back in index fund. I studied Canadian retirement guide. Here is the link.

I like to show those facts, and I do have strong mathematics background, 10 years experience working in a manufacture company in Canada, and also experience in NSF, Par Tech, Siva, Motorola, Trendium, Online Gaming, Daleen.

How hard it is for me to learn personal finance, motivation to become a rich person, a millionaire?

NEXTERA ENERGY (FPL)

Feb. 4, 2019

Introduction

It is my personal finance research. I did purchase FPL stock in 2001 20 shares with $55.00 dollars. Now the price is $177.82 dollars.

2001 IRA account stock purchase

Case study: 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2007 airline ticket expenses

Jan. 14, 2019

Introduction

It is my personal finance research. I worked three startup companies Atlantic Entertainment, Online Gaming, Trendium, Siva, I was under stress to survive in the full time job, developed the skills in terms of problem solving skills. Of course, I did not do very well. I like to do case study how I spent money on. I believe if I can control my income and expense very well, I may be able to survive and today I should live in USA happy and have very good career.

Case study

I like to case study my trips paid by myself, and trips I paid for my mom to visit Florida two times from 2000, 2001, 2002.

More detail,

Actionable items

It is my personal finance research. I worked and made income from 1996 to 2010 over $250,000 us dollars, from 1999 to 2001 I made net income over $110,000 us dollar.

But when I left USA to immigrate to Canada in 2010. I knew that I did not learn how to handle money very well, I put all my IRA and 401 K in money market fund, less than $25,000 US dollars. And I borrowed against the condo I purchased in 1999, with home equity loan $38,000 dollars, less than $25,000 US dollar cash, I landed in Canada to start a new life. The condo I owned had market value $48,000 US dollars.

It is not how much I made mattered. It is how much I saved mattered. 

As a person with some management skills, I noticed there are hundreds of mistakes I made in terms of money.

I did not learn personal finance in 2001 my first laidoff; I did not learn personal finance in 2007 second laid off. After I worked full time job over 8 years in Canada, I found out that I could not afford and got a loan in Chilliwack, two hours away small city one bedroom home. I decided to learn personal finance in my life first time.

I just could not believe that I can get a golden medal on hackerrank weekly contest, but it took me hundreds of hours to work; I start to work on all my personal finance study by myself.

2019 June - 2019 November six month baby investor

Nov. 30, 2019

Introduction

It is very stressful to stay in the stock market even though I already know all the analysis of my own portfolios, I did research based on Canada retirement guide and do believe that the research makes sense. The road to take risk is tough, one thing I can manage is to stay in the market one year and learn from one year experience.

My portfolios

I already stayed in the market over 6 months. I totally felt good last 10 years to let fund stay in bank with 1% interest or no interest, but stay in the market and go up and down, I feel stressful. It is called loss aversion.

I had painful experience in short time in 2001 and in 2009. But I did not think carefully, over 20% loss, and then put all my USA fund in IRA CD or money market fund over 10 years. Even though each year only less than 1% interest.

It is called stubborn, getting old, no more learning in my personal finance. It is hard for me to push myself to advance in my career, so I chose to work on personal finance instead. Now I feel that it is tough to live a life like staying in market.

I can push myself to stay in the market one year. I will see how many things I learn, every time I feel stressful, I will try to learn something new on personal finance.

Actionable items

Based on my experience in 2001 and 2009, I did not invest enough time to learn investment. I just did the investment and managed my 401 K and IRA. I did not fully review every year. So this bad habit of personal finance caused me struggle last 23 years in north America.

It is better for me to invest time to learn basics first. I learned how to work on algorithm and data structure last five years, I like to use those experience to work on my personal finance as well.

Research talk: 20 years $100,000 IRA investment goal

Nov. 9, 2019

Introduction

It is my personal finance research. I like to write a blog on this short research. 20 years $100,000 IRA Investment goal.

How to reach the goal?

I worked full time from Dec. 1998 to Oct. 2001, I invested on my 401 K around $15,000 US dollars. Based on my the research in 2019, the index from 2010 to 2019 over 300% increase, and then from 2001 to 2009 up and down, say that it is 100% increase.

How to grow those $15,000 dollars to $100,000 from 1999 to 2019?

I was in my 35 years old, and I was working on so many things. I had a good friend who I met once two weeks. I did ask about my 401 K, I was too shy.

I even thought about paying Corba insurance just after I got laidoff. One month will cost me around $200 dollars.

In fact, my investment of those $15,000, and additional $3000 deposit in 2004, I only have a balance $20,300 call key largo. I put into equity fund, 10 years high bull market this May 2019.

Actionable items

I went to Facebook onsite in my 53 years old age. Am I super talent, top 10% in my age or not? I do not think so.

What I can do is to review my experience, case by case study, and then I like to push myself to build wealth and grow rich.

I love to be 53 years old

Nov. 10, 2019

Introduction

It is such a great topic called "I love to be 53 years old". I like to write down a few facts and arguments to support myself.

My experience

I am lucky to have health, a full time job with 10 years experience, and also I live in Canada. I like to work on a job not too challenging, and also I have freedom to explore so many things on the internet. I like to meet people, write coding blog, and also enjoy simple things in life without spending money. 

I added this paragraph to make my article making more sense. 

Facts

I also like to write down what I have learned through my wealth, how to grow rich; I like to write down my lessons. I have to push myself to be a learner. I also like to share with others, since I do believe that not every one is so smart and have good reading content when dealing with details. 

I turned 53 years old in Oct. 2019. Life is tough and I like the challenge. I like to be a frugal person, and also I have to work on my physical fitness, so that I can enjoy life better and stay health.

I left United States in 2010 April, but I own a condo back in the city of Boca Raton, I made the purchase back in 1999, and the price goes up value. I wrote blogs with tag called understanding my mortgage.

I also learned how to invest my USA 401 K and IRA this May, and then put into US stock market, the value goes up $1,900 US dollars starting this May. So my asset in USA is up, but less than $200,000 US dollars.

I need to work on my asset in Canada. I have not invest anything starting from 2010 to 2019. I have to push myself to be a learner, and also a problem solver. I like to learn to be a frugal person starting this May 2019.

One bedroom condo price is too high in Surrey or Colverdale, and I am thinking about moving to a small city like kamloop. But it is still too expensive with price around $150,000 old condo.

I have to learn how to grow rich and build wealth in Canada. I remembered that I brought $18,000 US dollars check when I came to Vancouver back in April 2010. I waste money in China on party with my siblings, and then wasted my saving over a year in one month vacation from 2012 to 2017, I did not learn how to invest in Canada from 2010 to 2019 May. I learn the lesson. I could not pay a down payment for a home, how come do I spend money like crazy. Emotion is so challenge for me to learn as a single person.

I am working on my Canadian portfolio called Victoria and RRSP portfolio. I have to learn how to manage the portfolio as well. Here are the blogs.

I was not a good learner from 2001 to 2019 May as an owner with 401 K and IRA in USA, I only put in the bank with minimum interest rate. I finally got the time to move those funds out of USA New York community bank. Here are blogs related to my IRA CD.

I am a Canadian now. How can I survive next 20  years in this country?

Personal finance 

I love to learn personal finance starting from May 2019. Even though I am not able to own a home in Canada, and I am 53 years old. I have to push myself to learn from my own experience.

References:
1. My Canada asset in 2010. Here is the blog.

How to spot my own weakness and then work on improvements?

Nov. 9, 2019

Introduction

It is my personal finance research. I like to continue to search my weakness, and then work on improvement.

My weakness

I found out that I should work hard to learn how to invest on equity fund in 2019. I have USA IRA fund over $20,000 dollars near 20 years, and 401 K over $6,000 over 10 years. I have to learn that it is my job to learn how to double those money every 7 years.

It is my long term goal to learn all those index funds, individual stocks. I can not let go 20 year, and I only make $5,000 interest with lowest interest 1.2%.

I am 53 years old. It is easy to get stubborn, and it is so hard for me to learn personal finance, and learn the importance to be frugal first. So I can learn that I have to push myself to learn to invest on equity market.

Risk is hard to manage. I have to push myself to learn the basics. Invest 100 hours, continue to learn until I can understand and communicate financial literacy.

References:

1. Par tech 401 K, here are blogs.
2. IRA, IRA CD, VIGRX index fund 2001, here are blogs.
3. Buy high sell low, here are blogs.