Advertisement

Show Posts

This section allows you to view all posts made by this member. Note that you can only see posts made in areas you currently have access to.


Messages - Kong Vang

Pages: 1 ... 13 14 [15]
211
Does racism exists, absolutely... is it new? No. Is it as widespread or as pronounced as the media makes it out to be? No.  So here’s the real issue and there’s no way around it. Racism has been and will forever continue to be a part of our lives, in some form and shape. So....

People can use racism as a crutch and give themselves an excuse to be idle, to be lazy and to be victims or they can see racism as an opportunity for self improvement, a motivation to exceed and a tool to better themselves and their neighbors. The lazy and opportunistic people will always find a way to talk themselves out of any situation... whether it is racism or poverty. To say I am oppressed, I am a victim, my life is written to fail is totally false and ignorant.  But it is also foolish and incredibly stupid to say racism don’t exist.

At the end of the day, it’s how you choose to look at it and how you can adjust your attitudes towards it that will define your future and the outcome.

212
There’s a saying for people who trades in stocks... “it’s only a lost if you sale”. Unless someone is a day trader, it’s never wise  to hold individual stocks as they fluctuate wildly and can cause panic. In this case, it caused a dump of the stocks. Mutual funds is safer for long term.

Secondary, because the stocks was a gift and Was sold for less than it’s original value, this would be considered a lost and it is a legal tax write off. Unless a ton of money was made elsewhere, the tax bill should be near 0 for this year.

213
General Discussion / Re: Why Do You Support Pres. Trump?
« on: November 02, 2020, 12:41:47 PM »
I am republican because of these two primary reasons, individual accountability and the second amendment. Ammunition and firearms are cheaper when they're in office. Trump has done nothing to hurt me financially, if anything he was doing well until the pandemic. My other two measures of a good leader, employment rate and the stock market. I voted for him because I can't stand the left and their lack of individual accountability .

I also consider myself a Republican... and I do believe in individual accountability, but would not that include accountability from everyone? Especially someone with so much power and influence? I don’t recall Reagan, Bush or Dole constantly bullying people in public and I am sure they never uttered Fake News and I remember all of them released their tax records. As for voting for someone who can give you a cheaper price on guns and ammos is an argument that’s  as ridiculous and idiotic as voting for someone who can get you laid. If anything, vote for someone who will make our country stronger, more safe and prosperous.

214
General Discussion / Re: Why Do You Support Pres. Trump?
« on: November 02, 2020, 12:24:57 PM »
Well, he is like Schindler dude.

Sorry, you lost me. Are you referring to Oskar Schindler? If so, I think you’re way off base.

215
General Discussion / Re: Why Do You Support Pres. Trump?
« on: October 31, 2020, 01:11:16 PM »
Core Conservative are these... limited government, strong Christian values, free trades and anti-communism. So, let me break this down and why I no longer support Trump.

Limited Government - Trump has no idea on where to limit government’s role or where to supply assistance. His view on the government role depends on what will put more money in his pocket. His view changes depending on what policies will benefit his company, his family or his loyal supporters. He could careless on the state of this nation.

Strong Christian Values - Trump has been married 3 times, tied to numerous extramarital affairs and is know to be a womanizer. Trump regularly demeans and bullies those who doesn’t not support or share his views. He has no concept of charity, forgiveness or compassion.

Free Trades - Trump has us in the biggest trade war this generation and certainly of any President in memory can remember.. which would not be so scary if he knew where it is heading or will end. But as with many things under his presidency, he has no clue. He simply acts on his feelings without regards to economic data or advice. Our farmers will struggle for years to come because of his actions.

Anti-communism - Trump not only associates but admires and collaborates with communism head of states. His company regularly have investments and business dealings with communist countries. Again, if communists countries supports his agenda and his financial bottom line, he’s only to eager to drop his capitalist values.

In my view, he should not be the flag bearer of the Republican Party and certainly not my president.

216
General Discussion / Re: Long time reader, first time post.
« on: October 30, 2020, 06:20:12 PM »
First off, ask yourself a few questions before taking the oath to live this type of lifestyle. 

What you are working with is opportunity cost: To give something away just  to gain something in the future. 

Now the factor that you must ask yourself is "TIME" 

You got to see what is more important to you.  If you haven't live in the NOW then how can you live in the future?  Listen to yourself to what you are saying.  I'm living on a frugal diet when I'm 40 to 50 just to retire young in the 60s?  Now ask yourself another question.  You have your richest and gold when you retire young but what's left of you?   You can't even guaranteed that you will be healthy and alive by then to enjoy your riches. 

Whatever you do, know what you are doing and live with no regrets.  If you want to sacrifice your younger years for your older ones then that's you.  I rather enjoy "enough" of every years of my life and still have "enough" when I'm in my golden years. 

Time is something you can not get back.  We live our lives in decades.  You are in your 40s now but your 30s and 20s and 10s already passed.  You got 50s and 60s and maybe 70s and by 80s, we all die.  You don't want to live with regrets in any decades that flew by so fast that you missed it.

One thing I know for sure.  Just make sure you don't die while saving them coins cuz someone else is gonna take away your coins.

Hey Duma…
 
Thank you for sharing. Frankly, these were not the questions or reactions I was fishing for but nonetheless it’s the start of an open dialog.

From reading your reply, I get the impression that your opinion of FIRE is someone who sacrifices a lot of conveniences and comfort in the pursuit of money. Again, forgive me if I misinterpreted your message incorrectly as it is hard to read between the lines. The only way to directly address your comments is of course to expose more of myself. To your point, I don't believe I am losing TIME or had to sacrifice anything of value being on FIRE.

It was in my late 20s is when my income started to take off and as a result of the higher income, I started to “live”. Bought a house, new cars, exotic vacations, furniture and electronics for my home. Most of these purchases were on credit, gambling that my future income will support my wants. In 4-5 years’ time, newer model of my cars came out, the electronics were obsolete, and my clothes were out of style… of course this meant having to buy everything all over again. It was after repeating this process for a second time that I came to realize something very profound, something I am still holding onto today.
 
“Why am I buying things with money I don’t have to impress people who I did not like?”
 
Buying stuff did not make me happy, at least not lasting happiness. Slowly and many times by trial and error, I started to change my habits. I stopped buying things to begin with. I went from a do I want it to a do I need it mindset which lead me to start buying things with cash. As time passed, I stopped partying, I stopped drinking, and I stopped watching TV. I don’t follow anyone on Twitter or Instagram, I don’t have a Facebook account and I don’t know who got kicked off the island on Survivor. As a side effect and almost by accident, I then had more time on my hands. I started to exercise more, went hiking, spending more time with friends and family and helping them with their projects and errands. I learned how to cook and got good at cooking.
 
My frugal lifestyle means I go to funerals in the same sport coat and dress shoes as the last funeral I was at… But to me, I truly think my friends and family is more appreciative of my presence and support and is less concern about the clothes I am wearing.
 
My frugal lifestyle means my vacation are spent with a few good friends hiking part of the Pacific Coast Trail and less about the size of the hotel we stayed at or if the lobby floor was paved with real marble.

My frugal lifestyle means I drive in a 10 year old Camry but it is reliable and paid for and I don't have to worry about the next monthly payment.

One question I ask myself every day and I would like you and everyone reading this to also ponder… “IF they stop paying me tomorrow, will I still be going to work and do my job?” If the answer is NO, which it was for me, then the picture becomes really clear on what I need to do and change. With some luck, I will be able to do the things I love with the people I like. My wish to not to be rich, my wish is to be in a position where I can choose the work I enjoy. NO regrets.


217
General Discussion / Re: Long time reader, first time post.
« on: October 29, 2020, 02:56:24 PM »
I am sorry if I came of as arrogant or self promoting. That was not my intent at all.

First off, I do see a lot of our Hmong people struggling financially... especially those around my age or my generation. And yes, I do have to admit, saving money and investing money has been difficult for Hmongs in general. When you're only making 30k a year and have a family of 4 to support, it is hard. I get it, I get the struggle. So, me coming here and saying I am saving 50% of my income may seem like I am bragging about myself. Please understand this is far from it. My intent is not to boast about how much I am making or saving. My intent is to find people who's doing FIRE, whether knowingly or not, and help each other succeed.

I understand FIRE is easier with a higher income, but there are some in the FIRE community making less than 60K a year and still manages to say 1/3 of their income. I also want to stress that it is not just about how much you make, FIRE also stresses the importance of living within your means, in some cases far below. This may seem uncomfortable to some, but as with most things in life, we can only change our life if we change our routines.

I think we can all agree that working until we are 65, if you're lucky, before you can retire is not ideal. I would even guess that most of us would rather not do so?

218
General Discussion / Re: Long time reader, first time post.
« on: October 29, 2020, 12:45:57 PM »
The FIRE community is really toxic
I join a discord group and these people are freakin selfish as fawk

It consist of high incomer
Earn as much as you can
And screw the rest

think $200k+ annual is normal

I am not sure I agree with your assessment. I consider myself part of FIRE. Yes, it's true that I am fairly new to FIRE, but I am pretty generous in most way and I don't feel I am toxic to myself or anyone. I make about 120k a year and because of my frugal lifestyle, I am able to save almost 50% of my income yearly.

I have a 10 year old car, that I keep in running order. I don't have cable, my cell phone is 25 bucks a month. I don't eat out very much and when I do, it is only with friends on special occasions. I love to travel but usually get by on 1 to 2 star hotels. I give to the MS Society, Red Cross and my Church. I help my family during weddings, special gatherings and deaths.

I also don't think everyone else is screwed. I think anyone can do it and I would love to give advice to anyone who's interested. 

KV


219
General Discussion / Long time reader, first time post.
« on: October 29, 2020, 11:53:08 AM »
A little about myself. Male, 41, single (not looking), and obviously Hmong.

Just wondering if anyone here is aware of FIRE or doing Financial Independence Retire Early? Any mutual friends on this subject is welcome.

KV

Pages: 1 ... 13 14 [15]
Advertisements