What I have learned today [2015/6/8]

1. Bloomberg published the list of cities that young people cannot afford. Well, then time to either having multiple roommates or moving a bit far from the expensive cities. I hope better public transportation alleviates some rent pressure. Well, with autonomous cars, it will really change the game because people can afford to live more farther since they won't need to drive anymore.

2. US is paying down its credit card debt, sort of. But the credit card default rate is lowest since 1995. Yay! I highly suggest those that have decent credit scores to refinance their debts using LendingClub.com.

3. Bar tenders are becoming popular and deserving more respect with the rise of hipster and people just caring more about quality. Personally, I think this is a good in the sense that bars are providing more utility but in a Christian perspective....hmmmm...I am not so sure. As long as people drink more responsibly, this would be a good thing. I guess I will pray more ^^

4. Always wash your hands and if you are sick stay at home. Don't go around infecting others.

5. Don't short on valuation....Don't short Shake Shack..



From Penguin Watch

What I have learned today [2015/5/6]

1. Iran is one of the largest pistachio producers.

2. You can avoid high credit card utilization rate by paying off the balance before the statement is due and always increasing credit.

3. When in doubt about administrative issues or situations, ask the senior people. They will tell you what needs to be done.

4. Commercial wines are usually clear. And usually with time, the wine will become darker.

5. Russia is large but almost considered landlocked given that most rivers do not lead to the sea.

6. In investing, be ruthless in self-assessment. See whether your original thesis worked and be brutally honest.

7. Griffith Park has an abandoned zoo.




*From Floating Forests

What I have learned today [2015/4/26]

1. Many criminals that claim insanity are not actually insane...now this is scary.

2. In Chile, developer can go to prison if the building collapses.

3. Colombia has a culture of really objectifying women, overly emphasizing beauty. Wow...where are the feminists when we need them? Should pray Colombia and help them abandon the distorted expectations about women.

4.Casino did not pay $41.8 million to a slot machine winner claiming that the slot machine had computer glitch. Somethings are just too good to be true.

5.Security experts hacked surgical robots. This is scary, they hacked the pacer before now surgical robots. The chances of someone hacking surgical robots is very low but I guess it could happen....would be a good Hollywood movie plot.

6. A French company going to make custom perfume that smells like someone you like. Ohhh imagine the good memories from the smell but also the confusion if you smell it from unexpected places. Also, I can see people trying to use this perfume to get attention from potential spouses or clients. It could happen...Must ensure that the perfume's secrecy is well kept.

7. So many errors in the IPO data....wow.

8. The modern credit card was created by Diner's club.




*From Floating Forest

What I have learned today [2015/4/23]

1. Four Seasons has a private jet travel tour (about 16 days) that costs $119,000. It is uber luxurious and of course, I just wonder if it is all necessary. Isn't part of traveling about being a little uncomfortable and pushing your boundaries?

2. Internet of everything will require massive storage so investing in data storage companies would be a good investment idea.

3. Americans have on average 3.4 credit cards. I thought that they would have more.

4. Hawaii gets as much as 12% from solar energy. I would thought either Arizona or CA would have more solar energy.

5. There is lot of magma under Yellowstone. Hmmm...I guess natural disaster insurance premiums would go up?




*From Penguin Watch

How to stop overspending with credit cards

An article on the Atlantic discusses how Americans overspend when they use a credit card and how financial literacy has not done much.

A credit card is a good financial tool that enables you to smooth your spending and maintain proper liquidity (in need of urgent cash). Plus, certain cards even offer cash backs and other types of rewards. However, credit cards only a good tool if you pay it on time or do not incur much interest. Once you start incurring interest than the credit card company will own you....

So the point is to not overspend and spend wisely. How can we do this? The best way is to be financially savvy and to budget and ensure not to overspend. I use Mint.com to keep my spending in check and always try to not spend money. Also, once you realize that you don't need much money to be happy, you will be able to control your spending.

However, such mind control may be difficulty. In such case, here are some helpful tips that are better than freezing your credit card.

1. Stay away from temptation. If you tend to spend a lot online then try to stay away form the computer as much as you can. If you buy a lot on mobile then don't enable mobile payments. Also, try to stay at home as much as possible, trust me you will use less money automatically.

2. Keep yourself busy. If you are busy then you will have less time to spend money. Try to get a new hobby that doesn't cost much. Spend more time with your family. This will all save you from spending excessively.
 

3. Find out what makes you spend. People do not realize this but we consume excessively, in a vein attempt to fill in something that is missing. Try to find out what is missing what makes you go on shopping sprees. May be you had certain trauma of being behind the fashion, in such case, address the cause and you will likely to spend less.

We live in a capitalistic society and credit cards are not going to go away. Thus, be wise and spend wisely ^^





*From Floating Forests