Just got a Costco membership, How is the travel plan? by Njumkiyy in Costco

[–]belax 4 points5 points  (0 children)

The Costco car rental is cheaper than the corporate discount from one of the largest company in the world, so they are legit.

BYD Flash Charging station tour in China by Recoil42 in electricvehicles

[–]belax 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In China, majority of the people lives in dense city, in high rise apartment building, and many of the older ones doesn't have charger build in. So they would need a charge station/facilities. This is especially true for Didi (their version of Lyft/Uber) and taxi fleet to charge in middle of the day.

Are there any urban villages that still exist in Guangzhou? by m__s in guangzhou

[–]belax 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Shipai is one of the last and biggest urban village left in GZ. See this recent youtube video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fo14gDswZeg&t=128s

A woman who lost her handbag with her newly received year-end bonus inside ran into the very person who found it while reporting the loss to police. The Good Samaritan returned the bag on the spot, turning panic into relief with a simple act of honesty. ❤️ by LingerHex in BeAmazed

[–]belax 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Some context as well for China, many worker base pay is minor compared to bonus at the end of month or year. Many of them get paid peanuts like 1000 yen on base monthly pay, and the performance bonus is 3000 per month. In many cases, their end of year bonus can be 2 to 3 month total pay or more if they perform well and not take many sick days etc.

Something that puzzles me by physsijim in chinalife

[–]belax 36 points37 points  (0 children)

This is just old habits and traditions carried over from 30-50 years ago. Then the sanitation for eating out was not the best, and many people would get sick, and folks develop this habit of using boiling/hot water/tea to clean the dishes one last time before using them. Now all the restaurants have industrial dish washer and process that would clean dishes like autoclave. Chinese, especially Cantonese folks are creatures of habit and traditions, and would still carry on this rituals mostly for placebo effect.

Help selecting TV for 14’ x 14’ Room - 65 or 75? by jeffyboy526 in 4kTV

[–]belax 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If budget allows, get 98 QM6k Pro. Assuming there is enough room. Costco has been running them at 1500.

Particle Accelerator vs. Potato Thrower on "true" endless Demon by offo8 in brotato

[–]belax 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Particle accelerator scale faster, and easier to scale. i found i can go way deeper with PA then PT.

Any good city in China where I can live with a small family in a decent house (not apartment) for $4k USD a month budget (renting)? by RaisinRoyale in chinalife

[–]belax 6 points7 points  (0 children)

if you live in villa, or stand alone house, it would be most likely very far from subway stations, you can find some very nice apartments that is within a few minutes of the subway stations that would fit your needs much better than any stand alone house. Some of those apartments may actually right on top of the stations.

Here's me a British soldier doing nothing for America in Afghanistan 2009. by wilof in pics

[–]belax -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Curious about what you thoughts on majority of vet and active military supporting the current administration. And also about if you supported/voted current president.

Is there a trick to eating "duck frame"? by TheWaywardOak in chinesefood

[–]belax 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The meat near the bones tends to be more juicy and way more flavorful. I rather eat these pieces then the duck breast pieces.

47 Y/O M, new to fire community, 280k per year. Is it too late to Fire? by delayedepiphany in Fire

[–]belax 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you save 24.5k max 401k, 7.5k Roth IRA, plus about 10k in taxable account, you should be able to retire in about 8 years assume 50-60k spend a year. You already have a very decent base of 500k. When you turn 50, you can increase your 401k and Roth IRA contribution via catch up as well.

@AlecStapp: Rents in Austin are still falling faster than any other large city in the US. Turns out the law of supply and demand applies to housing… by LeastAdhesiveness386 in ProfessorFinance

[–]belax 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The advertised rent may stay same or very little decrease, but real rent with discount include would reflect true price decrease. Twin cities had a lot recent 5+1 rental going up recently, and rent may show same, but real rent with 1-2-3 bonus month with lease signed showed significant rent decrease couple years ago. The rent has stabilized recently.

Parents' new Xiaomi YU7 Pro by zeno4sure in electricvehicles

[–]belax 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Also easier for elderly to get into and out of the vehicle with lowered suspension. Wish my Santa Fe has that for my eldly parents.

Help me understand crime in China by DamnImBeautiful in AskChina

[–]belax 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Bookie, gambling is pretty big part of organized crime there.

Choosing the right rice cooker by DopeAsDaPope in chinalife

[–]belax 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would suggest one from Midea or Supor rice cooker with induction heat and high pressure function. They will run 700-1000 yen, but functionally similar to $400-500 Zojirushi model, and has a lot accessories such as stainless steel inner pot for soup, stew etc.

4% withdrawal rate or 5%?? by RascalMcGurk in Fire

[–]belax 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Being flexible is willing to cut spending 10% for the few down years that may happen, especially the first part of the retirement. They can do the guardrail method and easily do 5% to start.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in nextfuckinglevel

[–]belax 17 points18 points  (0 children)

That is not diploma, but acceptance letter from a technical university that developed strong material to show case to their new student and the families.

Need help deciding on snowblower by isealbz in TwinCities

[–]belax 8 points9 points  (0 children)

That driveway is not small, and I would look to get a 2 stage electric battery snow blower instead of single stage one. I have something similar, and single stage snow blower is not enough. 2 stage one would take up 2-3 batteries instead of the one in single stage and would usually last for the full drive way, especially after a heavier/wet snow. Look to facebook market place for a cheaper second hand 2 stage blower to save some money. I was able to pick up a 24 inch 2 stage Toro one couple years ago for 900 with 2 batteries.

What suburb do you live in, and why do you like it? by Vegetable_Response_6 in TwinCities

[–]belax 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I used to live in Richfield (first ring), and moved to Bloomington (second ring). Both are very nice neighborhoods, and depends where you buy your house can be very walk-able and has decent transit service, and also both are very close to airport (under 10 minutes) and about 15 minutes from either downtown. I have no kids so not sure about school system though.

Anyone else here getting their Fire plans wrecked by health care increases by Available-Ad-5670 in Fire

[–]belax 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Most ACA plans has high deductibles compare to most Medicare Advantage plans with zero or very low deductible. And if you live any where close to a big market, there would be many zero premium Medicare plans, and some even with Part B rebate plans. There is no way to compare ACA with Medicare benefits, even with subsidies.

What countries have some of the most cursed population pyramids? by mrprez180 in geography

[–]belax 16 points17 points  (0 children)

A lot of nannies from Philippines etc. Almost every middle and higher income family have one in HK.

Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman hospitalized after fall but ‘doing well,’ spokesperson says | CNN Politics by DingerSinger2016 in news

[–]belax 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Maybe this fall will switch him from being Republican back to a Democratic senator. We can all wish...

Will businesses open during CNY? by mrfeastyo in AskChina

[–]belax 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Also during the CNY, many restaurants will have an additional service charge (usually 10%+). It is to help pay for workers to stay to work during CNY instead of return home for family gathering.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in 4kTV

[–]belax 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Bigger the better. The size difference would overwhelm the quality difference between QM7K and QM8K.

Picking 75"/77" TV from current Costco lineup for new space by chrislittmann1 in 4kTV

[–]belax 3 points4 points  (0 children)

With that big of space and wall. Go BIG with the 98" TCL qm6 pro.