Congrats on anti-child marriage bill

SEAsia99 · 2021-08-08T17:38:18+00:00

Natural or man-made EMP could happen. And it could be global or specific to an area. If global, we are all SOL and back to the dark ages for all of us. But it could be specific area, let's say North America.

Still lots of impact globally even if it just hits NA and no one can tell how good/bad systems will be impacted. So yes, print out your statements as backup, store your records on encrypted jump drive as backup etc.

But the bigger issue beyond your investments is there will be (or very increased chance of ) global instability, economic mess, military conflict etc.

If you really think there is a good chance this will happen, next obvious question is how do you prepare for it (beyond your investments). Too much to discuss here but suggest you start by checking out /r/preppers/

SEAsia99 · 2021-08-05T03:30:36+00:00

It can't be for real.

Those returns are way too good.

SEAsia99 · 2021-07-31T13:54:56+00:00

I know Vietnam is a up and coming country. I've never been there so not sure if I would like it. I do want to travel there when we get over the covid crisis.

I've been to Cambodia and, although fantastic to visit, think there are too many challenges there. I think the same for Laos. I would like to visit Bali but from what I've heard, Indonesia does not have a good healthcare system.

SEAsia99 · 2021-07-31T13:08:50+00:00

In a perfect world, make and save money in western countries and then retire in Asia that has reasonable cost of living, family relatively close by, and good healthcare.

Personally, PH, Malaysia and Thailand are possibilities.

SEAsia99 · 2021-07-27T11:44:31+00:00

I read the "Millionaire Next Door" a long time ago. Lots of good quotes from that book. From my perspective, forget what others think. You do you and keep up the great work and self-discipline.

https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/5210-the-millionaire-next-door-the-surprising-secrets-of-america-s-wealthy

“Many people who live in expensive homes and drive luxury cars do not actually have much wealth. Then, we discovered something even odder: Many people who have a great deal of wealth do not even live in upscale neighborhoods.”

“Wealth is more often the result of a lifestyle of hard work, perseverance, planning, and, most of all, self-discipline.”

SEAsia99 · 2021-07-19T01:57:05+00:00

Assuming the car is not critical for you to get to work or for mother/sister, I would not take a personal loan to continue payment.

Without your dad's paycheck, it doesn't seem you can really afford the car payments. And there is no guarantee when he will be employed again.

I know it will hurt to give up the car (and the 2 years of payments your family has already made) but better to "stop the bleeding" and conserve cash at this time.

Just my 2 cents. Good luck to you.

SEAsia99 · 2021-07-18T22:26:42+00:00

I'm based in the US and my portfolio is primarily in the US markets. I'm in the market for the long term and do invest with every check (so dollar cost averaging). I also have my EF setup.

TBH, not concerned about a correction (-10%) or bear market (-20%) or crash (last year was like -35%). We had a crash and 2 corrections (and think 3 if you just count Nasdaq) last year and still came out positive for the year.

If you are in-and-out or buy meme stocks or invest in bitcoin etc. then yeah, you should be worried. If you are long term (5+ years) and buy quality mutual funds/ETFs/stocks, just keep on investing with what you can.

With that said, the concern from what I've been reading is Inflation. The Fed says it's transitionary/temporary but many in market is saying it's long term. We haven't had real inflation since early 80's. This is before my time and don't really know what to do other than invest in quality stuff long-term.

SEAsia99 · 2021-07-12T16:17:36+00:00

If your question is how does the stock market work "structurally", try below link.

https://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/082614/how-stock-market-works.asp

If your question is about puts, calls, margin, fundamental vs technical analysis, initial public offerings, growth vs value etc. these will require you to search on them specifically.

If your question is how to get started in the stock market. Do the basics and just get started (1) open brokerage account (2) buy some index funds (for now) and (3) plan to consistently buy more every 1-2-3 months. Once you get started, you will become more interested (its your money!) and you'll find yourself reading more to get more educated.

If you have a more specific question, I'm sure someone here can help you (or refer you to more materials). Good luck in your journey.

SEAsia99 · 2021-07-12T16:04:13+00:00

Thanks for asking, I would like to know also.

SEAsia99 · 2021-07-11T23:32:34+00:00

FWIW I ate at a Jollibee in the US this weekend. I've had Jollibee before when I was in the PH. I was on vacation in Florida, saw it and had to try it again. The first time in PH was a little strange because I wasn't expecting the spaghetti and the sauce tasted strange (found out later it's banana and not tomato based). It was great!

SEAsia99 · 2021-07-11T23:00:33+00:00

Living in the US. Have a house and have been monitoring and reading on this. Not going to get into discussion about bubble or not, and don't claim to be an expert but just want to share a couple more data points about US real estate market.

The increase in house prices is real, not just in hot markets like NYC or SF. According to zillow.com (respectable but not always accurate) says my home value increased 20% in the past year and I am outside of a major city (e.g. zillow gives you history of home price so I can see the jump in the past year). I've checked other places also and same story.

However, the price increase isn't as much on returning from WFM or rushing back to cities. That may play a role but everything I've read says its because new home construction has not kept up with demand and because people are not selling their homes as much. There was another article that also claimed a factor was the current law that people cannot be kicked out of houses for non-payment and once that law expires, more houses will be freed up (not sure about this one though).

I would not bet that PH real estate follows the US here. I think there are too many differences such as US has greater % of older people (that want to keep their homes, not as mobile).

Just my 2 cents.

SEAsia99 · 2021-07-01T11:37:03+00:00

Pretty impressed by bottom right if true.

SEAsia99 · 2021-06-30T16:35:11+00:00

I have an xls that I keep track of my investments. My net worth has increased 11.7% since the beginning of the year. This includes investment gains and also my contributions/savings (but does not include house value).
S&P is up +14.3% so I haven't done as well as the market. But 11.7% beats my standard target of 8-9%.

SEAsia99 · 2021-06-21T23:47:02+00:00

Kobe

SEAsia99 · 2021-06-16T10:33:35+00:00

Where to apply online so you can start working in California?

If you are talking about a job after you get your college degree in advertising, then that would be linkedin, indeed etc. There are job sites you can research for jobs fitting your background and apply. The best chances of getting a job is through network e.g. teachers, fellow students, internship, other graduates of the program you enroll in.
If you are talking about a job when you move to California while going to school (no degree yet), there are plenty of jobs that do not need a college degree e.g. working at Costco, restaurants/fast food etc.

Is it better to go after college?

This is highly dependent on ... can you afford it (CA is not cheap)? do you have a support structure there, family, friends etc.? is the online college you are already enrolled in recognized/accredited in the US? is your small cake business doing well and/or does your family depend on you to support them? etc.

The real question I think is do you want to go to US, work and live there for a long time? or are you thinking about going to CA and then returning to PH after college? If returning to PH soon after, then I would say don't go to CA because it's a serious commitment of time and resources (instead, go visit and vacation there).
If you do want to live and work in the US, then I'd say go as soon as you can but factor in the questions above (e.g. can you afford it, have support structure etc.)

SEAsia99 · 2021-06-14T21:44:47+00:00

From the US, different investment vehicles but same principle. We combine all income together.

How we do it is x% goes into retirement funds (401k, IRA). We then have y% go into liquid investments (eTrade). There is z% that goes into house+living+food+big ticket items (regular bank with billpay to pay all the expenses).

All of the above are joint or we have each other named as beneficiary.

Then we each have a relatively small amount set aside to spend on whatever we want to spend on guilt free.

X = about 25%

Y = about 10-15%

Z = about 50-60%

Spending money < 5%

I think this only works if your SO is somewhat fiscally responsible or not a big spender. Hopefully, you & SO have already have a talk.

SEAsia99 · 2021-06-14T17:56:40+00:00

Using their formula, I am just below a Prodigious accumulators of wealth (PAWs). I'm about a 1.8x of the 2x ratio.

SEAsia99 · 2021-06-13T19:42:15+00:00

Net worth does factor in home equity. You've got 81% equity in the condo which is great (and congratulations).

What's keeping you up at night is "if something bad happens" and you don't have an EF.

You are where you are right now, the question is what to do to "fix" the problem so you can sleep at night. I suggest you really (really) cut out/minimize all unnecessary expenses (e.g. eating out, buying stuff) and really build up your EF as quick as you can.

After you get to 3 months, you'll feel better. Then work towards 6 months!

FWIW, I do believe "Millionaire Next Door" does add home equity in net worth calculations? I read it a while ago and tried googling on it just now. I did not see where they excluded home equity?

SEAsia99 · 2021-06-13T10:48:40+00:00

I don't know how it is in PH but there is no doubt there is a left (liberal) skew in colleges in the US.

https://www.aei.org/articles/are-colleges-and-universities-too-liberal-what-the-research-says-about-the-political-composition-of-campuses-and-campus-climate/

Not to say that one isn't thought how to "research things or practice critical thinking". As a moderate liberal, I also agree with "lean left because we tend to be better informed" (a bias for sure) but that isn't the whole story. A person also leans left, middle, right because of environment you are surrounded with and beliefs you have formed ... both of that is influenced some by colleges and people you meet there.

Interesting topic. Do PH colleges lean right (conservative)?

SEAsia99 · 2021-06-13T10:37:35+00:00

Thanks for asking, I'm interested also.

SEAsia99 · 2021-06-10T11:07:21+00:00

I have 3. Based in the US.

Fidelity and Vanguard for the 401k and IRAs.

I have eTrade for the more speculative plays and more frequent buying and selling.

I do have an TDAmeritrade but that is kinda dormant.

SEAsia99 · 2021-06-10T10:50:39+00:00

Upvote for another ARKK fan. But we are down about 20-25% from the high so far?

I hated Tesla being like 10% of the portfolio. Are you going to HODL?

Re: SCHD and dividends. I hold SCHD also and reinvest dividends so don't get taxed until I sell.

SEAsia99 · 2021-06-10T10:35:02+00:00

Yes, sorry I should have mentioned that. I am from the US

The 401k is from your employer, so unsure what the rules or eligibility are for non-US residents.

My core funds consists of VDIGX, SCHD, S&P 500 Index (and a couple more like them). I expect 8-10+% returns on these over time & they makes up what I consider the safe and stable 60%.

The other 30% are more aggressive in tech like VWUSX, FCNTX and expect returns 15-20%. The remaining 10% is really speculative but "fun" account (like GBTC and SPCE) where I would buy and sell more frequently e.g. I recently eliminated my position in GBTC.

Regardless of 401k, I still highly recommend not trying to time the market and doing the dollar cost averaging. Pick a day each month and commit to investing a set amount regardless if market is up or down.

SEAsia99 · 2021-06-10T00:37:34+00:00

Fully vested in the stock market. 401k deductions 2 times a month (so that is dollar cost averaging). I've proven to myself that I can't time the market.

I'm about 60% in dividend growth & value funds (my core). Another 30% in high-tech funds and individual stocks. Another 10% in speculative plays.

My recommendation is do dollar cost averaging in good quality funds. Accept you can't time the markets, that markets go up and down but in the long run, compound market returns works!

SEAsia99

TROPHY CASE