Dear wife:
I'm writing you this letter to tell you that I'm leaving you forever. I've been a good man to you for 7 years and I have nothing to show for it.
These last 2 weeks have been hell. Your boss called to tell me that you quit your job today and that was the last straw.
Last week, you came home and didn't even notice I had a new haircut, had cooked your favorite meal and even wore a brand new pair of silk boxers.
You ate in 2 minutes, & went straight to sleep after watching all of your soaps. You don't tell me you love me anymore. You don't want sex or anything that connects us as husband and wife.
Either you're cheating on me or you don't love me anymore. Whatever the Case, I'm gone.
Your EX-Husband
P.S. don't try to find me. Your sister and I are moving away to West Virginia together! Have a great day.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Dear Ex-Husband
Nothing has made my day more than receiving your letter. It's true you and I have been married for 7 years, although a good man is a far cry from what you've been.
I watch my soaps so much because they drown out your constant whining and griping. Too bad that doesn't work.
I did notice your hair cut last week, but the first thing that came to mind was 'You look just like a girl!' Since my mother raised me not to say anything if you can't say something nice, I didn't comment.
When you cooked my favorite meal, you must have gotten me confused with my sister because I stopped eating pork 7 years ago.
About those new silk boxers, I turned away from you because the $49.99 price tag was still on them and I prayed it was a coincidence that my sister had borrowed $50.00 from me that morning.
After all of this, I still loved you and felt we could work it out. So when I hit the lotto for $10 million, I quit my job and bought us 2 tickets to Jamaica. But when I got home, you were gone.
Everything happens for a reason, I guess. I hope you have the fulfilling life you always wanted.
My lawyer said that the letter you wrote ensures you won't get a dime from me. So take care.
Signed, Your Ex-Wife, Rich As Hell & .....Free!
P.S. I don't know if I ever told you this, but my sister Carla was born Carl. I hope that's not a problem.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Saturday, October 16, 2010
DIY 烤出專業級香噴噴地瓜
很長一段時間了，專家們推薦食用地瓜養身、排毒、甚至防癌...好處多多，可是簡便蒸熟(大同電鍋)的地瓜實在不怎麼好吃，購買攤販售的烤地瓜又很貴，所以我特地查了Yahoo知識，試出一個簡單就能烤出! 好! 吃地瓜的方法，推薦給大家。
專家說~~~
『因為蕃薯冷凍後內水份子變大，破壞纖維密度，並將空氣擠壓，
熱傳導加速，可以節省60﹪的烤薯時間，內外熟食度也比較柔軟均勻喔！』
通常購買時會選擇小的或長條型的地瓜，因為家裡是小烤箱，這樣比較不怕高度太高容易烤焦喔！
分享今天的成品~
烤出的地瓜，皮與肉已剝離，撕開外皮後，會有一層QQ的表皮，
偶帶焦香，偶帶蜜。
步驟一：把地瓜洗淨後放進冰箱冷凍庫，凍45分鐘。
步驟二：將冷凍後地瓜放進烤箱(200度)，烤30分鐘。
叮！這樣就有香噴噴專業級地瓜出爐囉！專家說~~~
『因為蕃薯冷凍後內水份子變大，破壞纖維密度，並將空氣擠壓，
熱傳導加速，可以節省60﹪的烤薯時間，內外熟食度也比較柔軟均勻喔！』
通常購買時會選擇小的或長條型的地瓜，因為家裡是小烤箱，這樣比較不怕高度太高容易烤焦喔！
分享今天的成品~
烤出的地瓜，皮與肉已剝離，撕開外皮後，會有一層QQ的表皮，
偶帶焦香，偶帶蜜。
Saturday, September 18, 2010
One of the Sad Kings
Many exiled monarchs has scattered around in Europe and the U.S, for example, the son of late Shah of Iran in U.S., King Constantine II of Greece in London (the King fled his country in 1967), King Michael of Romania , and King Fouad of Egypt in Switzerland.
Those unfortunate kings all have their share of sad stories; they don’t have the same glorious life as their ancestors did. Have they done something wrong? Not really, this is what we have called ‘the fate”. Let us first glance over what has happened to the King of Egypt – Ahmed Fuad II.
Ahmed Fuad II, the last king of Egypt, was born on January 16, 1952. In July 1952, the young Fuad boarded the royal yacht with his parents and three half sisters as they fled the country during Egyptian Revolution. He ascended the throne on the boat while he was in the arms of his nanny. He reigned for less than a year until June 18, 1953. King Fuad II was Egypt and Sudan's last monarch and the last of the Muhammad Ali Dynasty, which had ruled since 1805. His short reign ended when Egypt was declared a republic on June 18, 1953.
Fuad’s mother, Queen Narriman, divorced with Farouk and returned to Egypt in 1953. Farouk then settled in Italy, and placed his children in a small Swiss village with aides – an English nanny, a French governess and an Albanian bodyguard- to look after them. Fuad only saw his father a few times a year. He attended a public school in the village, studying with children of vineyard workers. While no one at home ever talked about him being the king, other kids at school would tease him. Later, Fuad was sent to Le Rosey, an elite Swiss boarding school.
In 1965, Farouk died suddenly in Rome. Fuad was 13 and shattered. As a young adult, Fuad spent winter in Gstaad and summers in Monte Carlo, where Prince Rainier of Monaco befriended him. As he grew older, he wrestled with a broken marriage, a lack of steady work and bouts of depression. He was divorced two decades ago and had three children from the marriage.
Fuad is sensitive to charges that his father walked away with massive treasures. Fuad says he receives financial help from Middle Eastern royals and remains especially grateful to the Saudis. His half sisters were all working women. One was an interpreter; another helped her husband run a hotel, a third worked as a translator. He says he has a job as a consultant and has had trouble to paying the mortgage.
In recent years, Fuad lived in a small flat in s middle-class apartment complex outside of Geneva. He grew profoundly depressed as one by one his three sisters died. His mother also died. Now he is alone.
Those unfortunate kings all have their share of sad stories; they don’t have the same glorious life as their ancestors did. Have they done something wrong? Not really, this is what we have called ‘the fate”. Let us first glance over what has happened to the King of Egypt – Ahmed Fuad II.
Ahmed Fuad II, the last king of Egypt, was born on January 16, 1952. In July 1952, the young Fuad boarded the royal yacht with his parents and three half sisters as they fled the country during Egyptian Revolution. He ascended the throne on the boat while he was in the arms of his nanny. He reigned for less than a year until June 18, 1953. King Fuad II was Egypt and Sudan's last monarch and the last of the Muhammad Ali Dynasty, which had ruled since 1805. His short reign ended when Egypt was declared a republic on June 18, 1953.
Fuad’s mother, Queen Narriman, divorced with Farouk and returned to Egypt in 1953. Farouk then settled in Italy, and placed his children in a small Swiss village with aides – an English nanny, a French governess and an Albanian bodyguard- to look after them. Fuad only saw his father a few times a year. He attended a public school in the village, studying with children of vineyard workers. While no one at home ever talked about him being the king, other kids at school would tease him. Later, Fuad was sent to Le Rosey, an elite Swiss boarding school.
In 1965, Farouk died suddenly in Rome. Fuad was 13 and shattered. As a young adult, Fuad spent winter in Gstaad and summers in Monte Carlo, where Prince Rainier of Monaco befriended him. As he grew older, he wrestled with a broken marriage, a lack of steady work and bouts of depression. He was divorced two decades ago and had three children from the marriage.
Fuad is sensitive to charges that his father walked away with massive treasures. Fuad says he receives financial help from Middle Eastern royals and remains especially grateful to the Saudis. His half sisters were all working women. One was an interpreter; another helped her husband run a hotel, a third worked as a translator. He says he has a job as a consultant and has had trouble to paying the mortgage.
In recent years, Fuad lived in a small flat in s middle-class apartment complex outside of Geneva. He grew profoundly depressed as one by one his three sisters died. His mother also died. Now he is alone.
Friday, September 03, 2010
“Grade A” Stamps on Eggs
What does “Grade A” on the egg carton mean to you? Do you think it means the eggs have been checked, and it’s a quality seal? No, the mark on the carton just means that the U.S. Department of Agriculture had a “grader” at an egg-packing facility who checked the eggs’ size and color and made sure the shells weren’t cracked, a USDA official said. The USDA officials have stressed that ensuring egg safety is not their job. Then whose responsibility is it? The answer is “FDA.”
The egg shield comes from USDA marketing side. Egg makers don’t need to stamp the shield on their carton, but the stamp can help them charge more for their products.
USDA is responsible the safety of the meat, not egg. The seal, which USDA provides, will give consumers certain assurances:
1. No white eggs slip into a carton of brown eggs
2. No regular size eggs are classified as extra large
3. None of the eggs are cracked
4. Grade A is the most familiar kind to consumers
5. Grade B eggs can be slightly stained or misshapen
6. Grade AA eggs have the smallest air cell inside the egg
The egg shield comes from USDA marketing side. Egg makers don’t need to stamp the shield on their carton, but the stamp can help them charge more for their products.
USDA is responsible the safety of the meat, not egg. The seal, which USDA provides, will give consumers certain assurances:
1. No white eggs slip into a carton of brown eggs
2. No regular size eggs are classified as extra large
3. None of the eggs are cracked
4. Grade A is the most familiar kind to consumers
5. Grade B eggs can be slightly stained or misshapen
6. Grade AA eggs have the smallest air cell inside the egg
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
TIPS (Excerpt from WSJ)
What are TIPS? TIPS are the acronym for Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities. TIPS are U.S. government bonds whose principal and yield are linked to changes in the consumer-price index.
If inflation appears, a TIPS investor receives a larger payout than a holder of a comparable Treasury with a set of coupon. The downside is that falling prices mean smaller payments, even if an investor’s principal is guarnteed.
If inflation appears, a TIPS investor receives a larger payout than a holder of a comparable Treasury with a set of coupon. The downside is that falling prices mean smaller payments, even if an investor’s principal is guarnteed.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
美國人越來越窮了
美國人的荷包越來越緊了! 原來經濟學家預期美國經濟這一季會復甦. 結果, 歐洲的幾個窮國經濟問題百出 , BP煉油廠在 Gulf of Mexico海底漏油, 出了大紕漏. 就業機會僅僅祇增加了 41,000 工作及其他世界各國的種種問題. 弄得股票市場跌得慘不忍睹. 股票市場跌, 市井小民不安 .導致了五月美國零售業下滑了 1.2%. 這一年來, 由於汽車及建築業的不景氣, 已經使得美國零售業大幅度的下滑. 目前的情況也祇能用
“雪上加霜 “來形容.
美國人窮了, 政府稅收少了. 各政府機構勒緊褲帶, 節衣縮食. 最明顯受影響的是教育機構 . 佛羅里達州 Lakeland的公立小學竟然窮的連學生課堂所需用品的支出都不夠. 最後由當地一家大約有9000名教友的浸信教會全權供應. 同時還提供課外輔導的責任. 教會也藉此到學生家裡去傳教, 吸收了更多的教友 .
有些學校願意讓廠商在學校的球場 ,餐廳 ,甚至校車上張貼廣告 .祇求廠商的贊助. 以彌補學校在經費上的短缺. 某州一牙醫幫學校募得$5000科技實驗費用. 卻同時也替自己的診所帶來了更多客戶. 這些大小企業與學校互助的例子, 在美國每一州每一城都有. 天下沒有白吃的午餐 . 企業界, 教會的資助不是無條件的, 校長們心知肚明, 但也無可奈何. 有了這些錢 , 他們才能維持學校龐大的支出, 甚至雇一個半薪的音樂 或
美術老師. 全美大部分的公立學校 几乎都在乞求金錢及資源的協助 . 這與數十年前, 真有不可同日而語的感覺.
話說至此 報上另一標題有關退休基金也遭修理 . 原本退休基金是按照每年物價指數調整. 結果科羅拉多州及明尼蘇達州已經刪除調整. 當然退休人員, 也不會放過他們. 法律訴訟已在進行當中. 當今政府機構能刪的刪, 人員能精簡就精簡, 課稅項目越來越多 . 美國人真是越來越窮了!
“雪上加霜 “來形容.
美國人窮了, 政府稅收少了. 各政府機構勒緊褲帶, 節衣縮食. 最明顯受影響的是教育機構 . 佛羅里達州 Lakeland的公立小學竟然窮的連學生課堂所需用品的支出都不夠. 最後由當地一家大約有9000名教友的浸信教會全權供應. 同時還提供課外輔導的責任. 教會也藉此到學生家裡去傳教, 吸收了更多的教友 .
有些學校願意讓廠商在學校的球場 ,餐廳 ,甚至校車上張貼廣告 .祇求廠商的贊助. 以彌補學校在經費上的短缺. 某州一牙醫幫學校募得$5000科技實驗費用. 卻同時也替自己的診所帶來了更多客戶. 這些大小企業與學校互助的例子, 在美國每一州每一城都有. 天下沒有白吃的午餐 . 企業界, 教會的資助不是無條件的, 校長們心知肚明, 但也無可奈何. 有了這些錢 , 他們才能維持學校龐大的支出, 甚至雇一個半薪的音樂 或
美術老師. 全美大部分的公立學校 几乎都在乞求金錢及資源的協助 . 這與數十年前, 真有不可同日而語的感覺.
話說至此 報上另一標題有關退休基金也遭修理 . 原本退休基金是按照每年物價指數調整. 結果科羅拉多州及明尼蘇達州已經刪除調整. 當然退休人員, 也不會放過他們. 法律訴訟已在進行當中. 當今政府機構能刪的刪, 人員能精簡就精簡, 課稅項目越來越多 . 美國人真是越來越窮了!
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
不等 不省 不管---作者 趙少康
不等 不省 不管---作者 趙少康
春節時我趁華航有包機直飛澳洲大堡礁，參加旅行團8日遊，澳洲是一個適合全家旅遊的好地方，
有山、有海、有沙漠、有熱帶雨林、有無尾熊可抱、有袋鼠可餵、有賭場可玩，這是我第三次去澳洲，
第一次到名列世界7大自然景觀的大堡礁，雖然不如大溪地夢幻般的美，但能浮潛在世界最大片的珊瑚礁上，與魚共游，也是很難得的機會。
經濟風暴蝕掉老本 與台灣只有2個小時的時差以及只有7小時的飛行時間，更可減少長途飛行的不適。
在從凱恩斯飛布里斯班的途中有一比我晚一期的台大電機系同學跟我說，他在加州矽谷已工作二十多年，
最近回到台灣，他說光是他們班上就有二十多人在矽谷工作，常聚在一起開小型同學會，因受到金融海嘯襲擊，近來心境大變，以前大家都認為人生至此階段，三樣事最重要，即「老伴、老友、老本」，可是經過這麼一陣經濟風暴折騰，「老本」都差不多搞光了，能剩的也很有限了。 所以現在大家聚在一起，對人生價值有了新的領悟，即「不等、不省、不管」，
我問他這「三不」到底何所指，他彷彿從工程師變成一個哲學家，「不等」就是凡事想做就做，不要再等待，誰知道明天、明年會變成什麼樣子？「不省」就是當花則花，別省了半天都被別人賠光了，何不 自己 享受享受？「不管」則是到了這個年齡，於公在外國公司不論主動、被動都會從第一線退到第二線，於私子女也都長大了，要管他們也未必聽、不如別管了。交淺不言深，我當然不好意思問他「老本」到底賠了多少？但看來是受傷頗重，
想想看這些台大電機系的畢業生，當年都是第一志願考進去的，到美國苦讀拿到碩士、博士學位，再到矽谷拚死拚活的幹到5、60歲，好不容易存下的「老本」不是買基金、就是買雷曼債券這類衍生性商品，而誘人的股票選擇權恐也成空，這些人都是一輩子苦幹實幹的人，也不是什麼貪婪倖進之徒，居然落到這步田地，人生觀能無改變？ 「不等、不省、不管」看似消極，其實卻具有積極的精神，而且處在經濟亂世中，什麼是積極、
什麼是消極，完全都被顛覆了，以前人家說的「你不理財，財不理你」，卻變成「你去理財，財去咬你」，馬英九、周美青夫婦把餘錢都存銀行，現在反成為受傷最輕者。 該吃就吃該花就花
「人生無常」，常指「生老病死」，大多數人在經濟上都感到無常，大部分人買股票、債券只不過想獲得比定存高一點的利息，以抵消通貨膨脹，讓老年有一點依靠，沒想到變成血本無歸， 「不等、不省、不管」，有花堪折直須折，莫待無花空折枝，該吃就吃、該喝就喝、該玩就玩、 該花就花，人人如此，經濟搞不好還會快點好起來。
春節時我趁華航有包機直飛澳洲大堡礁，參加旅行團8日遊，澳洲是一個適合全家旅遊的好地方，
有山、有海、有沙漠、有熱帶雨林、有無尾熊可抱、有袋鼠可餵、有賭場可玩，這是我第三次去澳洲，
第一次到名列世界7大自然景觀的大堡礁，雖然不如大溪地夢幻般的美，但能浮潛在世界最大片的珊瑚礁上，與魚共游，也是很難得的機會。
經濟風暴蝕掉老本 與台灣只有2個小時的時差以及只有7小時的飛行時間，更可減少長途飛行的不適。
在從凱恩斯飛布里斯班的途中有一比我晚一期的台大電機系同學跟我說，他在加州矽谷已工作二十多年，
最近回到台灣，他說光是他們班上就有二十多人在矽谷工作，常聚在一起開小型同學會，因受到金融海嘯襲擊，近來心境大變，以前大家都認為人生至此階段，三樣事最重要，即「老伴、老友、老本」，可是經過這麼一陣經濟風暴折騰，「老本」都差不多搞光了，能剩的也很有限了。 所以現在大家聚在一起，對人生價值有了新的領悟，即「不等、不省、不管」，
我問他這「三不」到底何所指，他彷彿從工程師變成一個哲學家，「不等」就是凡事想做就做，不要再等待，誰知道明天、明年會變成什麼樣子？「不省」就是當花則花，別省了半天都被別人賠光了，何不 自己 享受享受？「不管」則是到了這個年齡，於公在外國公司不論主動、被動都會從第一線退到第二線，於私子女也都長大了，要管他們也未必聽、不如別管了。交淺不言深，我當然不好意思問他「老本」到底賠了多少？但看來是受傷頗重，
想想看這些台大電機系的畢業生，當年都是第一志願考進去的，到美國苦讀拿到碩士、博士學位，再到矽谷拚死拚活的幹到5、60歲，好不容易存下的「老本」不是買基金、就是買雷曼債券這類衍生性商品，而誘人的股票選擇權恐也成空，這些人都是一輩子苦幹實幹的人，也不是什麼貪婪倖進之徒，居然落到這步田地，人生觀能無改變？ 「不等、不省、不管」看似消極，其實卻具有積極的精神，而且處在經濟亂世中，什麼是積極、
什麼是消極，完全都被顛覆了，以前人家說的「你不理財，財不理你」，卻變成「你去理財，財去咬你」，馬英九、周美青夫婦把餘錢都存銀行，現在反成為受傷最輕者。 該吃就吃該花就花
「人生無常」，常指「生老病死」，大多數人在經濟上都感到無常，大部分人買股票、債券只不過想獲得比定存高一點的利息，以抵消通貨膨脹，讓老年有一點依靠，沒想到變成血本無歸， 「不等、不省、不管」，有花堪折直須折，莫待無花空折枝，該吃就吃、該喝就喝、該玩就玩、 該花就花，人人如此，經濟搞不好還會快點好起來。
Saturday, June 12, 2010
New Tax in 2013
1. How does the 0.9% tax work?
2010 employment income -joint income is $350,000
2010 medicare tax you owe - $350,000 x 1.45% = $5,075
Your employer will owe a matching amount
2013 medicare tax $350,000 x 1.45% +
$350,000 (assumed) - $250,000 fixed) x 0.9% = $5,975
Your employer will not pay this extra $900
2. The 3.8% tax on net investment income
The tax is a flat 3.8% on investment income above the threshold.
threshould for the “modified adjusted gross income” (AGI)
Couple - $250,000
Single - $200,000
Example: If a couple has $400,000 AGI -$200,000 of wages & $200,000
Investment income
$400,000 - $250,000 = $150,000
$150,000 * 3.8% = $5,700 (Extra tax you owe)
Example: A single earns $40,000 but has an investment windfall of $190,000
$40,000 + $190,000 = $230,000
Tax: ($230,000 – $200,000) * 3.8% = $1140
Example: Retiree wih no wages but $90,000 IRA payout and $150,000 investment
Income
$90,000 + $150,000 = $240,000
Don’t owe the new tax!
3. Could the 3.8% tax apply to gains on the sales of a home?
Yes, if there is a taxable gain above the $500,000($250,000,ingle)exclusion for Gains on the sales of your residence.
4. What happens if a tax payer who has a large itemized deduction?
Even if taxable income is zero because of deductions, he/she could still owe the
3.8% tax.
Example: Income($100,000) and wages ($200,000) together: $300,000
Loses of ponzi scheme $300,000
($300,000 - $200,000) * 3.8% = $3,800
Still owes $3,800 on net investment income
5. How to minimize these taxes?
SSI and pension doesn’t count as investment income
Roth IRA withdrawals don’t raise AGI and aren’t investment income
Consider installment sales of asset
2010 employment income -joint income is $350,000
2010 medicare tax you owe - $350,000 x 1.45% = $5,075
Your employer will owe a matching amount
2013 medicare tax $350,000 x 1.45% +
$350,000 (assumed) - $250,000 fixed) x 0.9% = $5,975
Your employer will not pay this extra $900
2. The 3.8% tax on net investment income
The tax is a flat 3.8% on investment income above the threshold.
threshould for the “modified adjusted gross income” (AGI)
Couple - $250,000
Single - $200,000
Example: If a couple has $400,000 AGI -$200,000 of wages & $200,000
Investment income
$400,000 - $250,000 = $150,000
$150,000 * 3.8% = $5,700 (Extra tax you owe)
Example: A single earns $40,000 but has an investment windfall of $190,000
$40,000 + $190,000 = $230,000
Tax: ($230,000 – $200,000) * 3.8% = $1140
Example: Retiree wih no wages but $90,000 IRA payout and $150,000 investment
Income
$90,000 + $150,000 = $240,000
Don’t owe the new tax!
3. Could the 3.8% tax apply to gains on the sales of a home?
Yes, if there is a taxable gain above the $500,000($250,000,ingle)exclusion for Gains on the sales of your residence.
4. What happens if a tax payer who has a large itemized deduction?
Even if taxable income is zero because of deductions, he/she could still owe the
3.8% tax.
Example: Income($100,000) and wages ($200,000) together: $300,000
Loses of ponzi scheme $300,000
($300,000 - $200,000) * 3.8% = $3,800
Still owes $3,800 on net investment income
5. How to minimize these taxes?
SSI and pension doesn’t count as investment income
Roth IRA withdrawals don’t raise AGI and aren’t investment income
Consider installment sales of asset
Tuesday, March 09, 2010
Excerpt from newspaper
1. MSFT, YHOO, GOOG, Facebook and Intuit have all built data centers in the Pacific Northwest region, the outskirt of Portland. Why? "low humidity and cool nights" which will prevent banks of humming computers from overheating.
2. Digital Authentication - some forms of biometric identification
a. Fingerprint
b. Vein geometry - camera scans hand using near-infrared light. Software creates a
reference template based on shape and location of the vein structure.
c. Facial recognition - Measure various facial "landmarks" such as distance
between eyes, width of nose, depth of eye sockets and length of jaw line.
d. Iris scanning - Measures pupils, iris, eyelids and eyelashes.
If you wish to learn more about this topic, please visit
http://science.howstuffworks.com/biometrics.htm
2. Digital Authentication - some forms of biometric identification
a. Fingerprint
b. Vein geometry - camera scans hand using near-infrared light. Software creates a
reference template based on shape and location of the vein structure.
c. Facial recognition - Measure various facial "landmarks" such as distance
between eyes, width of nose, depth of eye sockets and length of jaw line.
d. Iris scanning - Measures pupils, iris, eyelids and eyelashes.
If you wish to learn more about this topic, please visit
http://science.howstuffworks.com/biometrics.htm
Sunday, March 01, 2009
Bank Nationalization
The federal government increased the government's ownership stake to 36% from 8% through a conversion of up to $25 billion in preferred shares issued last fall under the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP) on February 27, 2009. Let us recap some important points of this deal.
• Preferred shareholders will convert up to $27.5 billion of shares to common shares under the deal. If the maximum share conversions take place, the U.S. government will own 36% of Citi's outstanding common shares, and existing shareholders will own approximately 26%. The conversion is occurring at a price of $3.25 a share.
• The dilution of existing shareholders (existing shareholder will see their stake diluted by 74%) under the plan was greater than many expected and sparked a sell-off in Citi shares.
• The move doesn't involve additional funds to Citi from the Treasury, which has invested $45 billion in the bank under TARP. However, it will boost Citi by improving the bank's tangible common equity ratio,
• Citi will suspend dividend payments on the preferred shares.
• The government's remaining preferred stock will be converted to a new security that will pay the same 8% cash dividend as the current preferred shares, the Treasury said.
The risk of bank nationalization:
• Full nationalization - giving the government 100% of the bank - would wipe you out altogether; by giving the bank the chance to turn itself around, you may be able to keep some small portion of your shareholding.
• The nationalized banks will be forced to increase lending volumes artificially, making their competitors’ lives even more difficult. Private investors might decide to avoid the banks that remain fully private because of the higher perceived risk. Moreover, that could bring even more banks to the edge of collapsing.
• A new government lending institution, while that institution might be very slow in getting organized and not a particularly intelligent competitor once it did, it would be able to use the resources of the Federal government to make credit-card loans, automobile loans and mortgage loans at subsidized rates.
The Benefit of bank nationalization:
When a bank is nationalized, the public's interests are put before shareholders. That means a struggling bank can be restructured in ways that best suit the financial health of the nation.
In addition, if the government bought up the toxic assets, that could wipe out some of the uncertainty that has been plaguing financial markets for months because it hopefully would keep the value of the assets from falling further.
• Preferred shareholders will convert up to $27.5 billion of shares to common shares under the deal. If the maximum share conversions take place, the U.S. government will own 36% of Citi's outstanding common shares, and existing shareholders will own approximately 26%. The conversion is occurring at a price of $3.25 a share.
• The dilution of existing shareholders (existing shareholder will see their stake diluted by 74%) under the plan was greater than many expected and sparked a sell-off in Citi shares.
• The move doesn't involve additional funds to Citi from the Treasury, which has invested $45 billion in the bank under TARP. However, it will boost Citi by improving the bank's tangible common equity ratio,
• Citi will suspend dividend payments on the preferred shares.
• The government's remaining preferred stock will be converted to a new security that will pay the same 8% cash dividend as the current preferred shares, the Treasury said.
The risk of bank nationalization:
• Full nationalization - giving the government 100% of the bank - would wipe you out altogether; by giving the bank the chance to turn itself around, you may be able to keep some small portion of your shareholding.
• The nationalized banks will be forced to increase lending volumes artificially, making their competitors’ lives even more difficult. Private investors might decide to avoid the banks that remain fully private because of the higher perceived risk. Moreover, that could bring even more banks to the edge of collapsing.
• A new government lending institution, while that institution might be very slow in getting organized and not a particularly intelligent competitor once it did, it would be able to use the resources of the Federal government to make credit-card loans, automobile loans and mortgage loans at subsidized rates.
The Benefit of bank nationalization:
When a bank is nationalized, the public's interests are put before shareholders. That means a struggling bank can be restructured in ways that best suit the financial health of the nation.
In addition, if the government bought up the toxic assets, that could wipe out some of the uncertainty that has been plaguing financial markets for months because it hopefully would keep the value of the assets from falling further.
Friday, June 27, 2008
How to backing up your Internet favorites
The simplest method is to export your favorites to a file and save it in your document folder, on your desktop, or on a USB thumb drive. You can then use this file to restore your favorites in case of disaster. To do this:
1. Click on the “File” or “Add to Favorites” button depending on the version of IE.
2. Select “Import and Export”
3. Click “Next”
4. Click “Export favorites” and walk through the steps that follow.
Detailed instructions for all versions of IE are at:support.miscrosoft.com/kb/211089
1. Click on the “File” or “Add to Favorites” button depending on the version of IE.
2. Select “Import and Export”
3. Click “Next”
4. Click “Export favorites” and walk through the steps that follow.
Detailed instructions for all versions of IE are at:support.miscrosoft.com/kb/211089
Thursday, February 14, 2008
When you have nobody to depend on, you are on your own….
It was dark. I eagerly greeted my exhausted husband returning home from work. Instead of joining me for dinner, Dan walked straight to the front door, and peered through the glass door. After a few minutes, he opened the door and darted to the street. I hurried to look through the window, there was a parked car on the street and Dan was engaged in a conversation with the person inside the car. The car moved slowly into our driveway, parked, and out came an old, fragile, silvered haired woman. Dan helped her out of the car and invited her into our house for water and the bathroom. Her name is Edema, 96 years old. This stranger was lost for nearly 3 hours after her hair appointment. I was shocked; why was this 96 year old woman behind the wheel on her own? What was going on with her life? After listening to her story, I understood her predicament, she has nobody to depend on and she is completely on her own. She had a beautiful family, middle class; a few years ago her husband passed away. Her only son passed away when he was in his 30s; the only relative she has left is her daughter-in-law who is in Tampa, approximately 180 miles away from Jacksonville. When the police finally arrived to escort her home, she thanked us and waved goodbye. I helped her to her car and I could see the frightened look and uncertainty in her sad eyes. She was nervous and had trouble getting back into her car. I begged the police, “Forget it, don’t let her drive in the dark!” The young police officer told me that the old woman was doing all right, I was the one who stressed her out. I hopelessly watched her clumsily got back into her car and followed the police car home. After that, we completely lost our appetite; I cannot imagine myself in her position. Fortunately, she can still see and hear very well, she is still on top of everything and knows what is going on in the world. What an amazing person!
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
DOW passed 14,000 mark
The Dow Jones industrial average swept past 14,000 for the first time on Tuesday, July 17.
S&P and NASDAQ were also trading high. If you take a close look at today's stock market, stocks rallied on cyclical stocks, such as railroad stocks, industrial (CAT, GE, DE…), and technical stocks. AXP (American Express) is the one of few non-cyclical stocks gaining in the market.
What caused cyclical stock rallying? Oil prices have moved up tremendously and alternative energy is inevitable, especially ethanol fuel. Ethanol is produced by fermentation of sugar or starch. The main source of bio-ethanol fuel in the United States lies in corn. Corn has thus become a very profit commodity, this is a classical demand and supply scenario. When the farmer has excess money in hand, he will buy better and faster growing seeds from companies such as Monsanto (MON), fertilizer from Agrium (AGU), agriculture machinery from John Deer (DE) or Caterpillar (CAT). Furthermore, they need railroads to transport the products. In addition, most of the new ethanol plants dotting the Midwest are gas-fired. In the mean time, corn growers are using much more fertilizer, which is produced using natural gas; gas company XTO energy (XTO) was also participating in today's rally.
S&P and NASDAQ were also trading high. If you take a close look at today's stock market, stocks rallied on cyclical stocks, such as railroad stocks, industrial (CAT, GE, DE…), and technical stocks. AXP (American Express) is the one of few non-cyclical stocks gaining in the market.
What caused cyclical stock rallying? Oil prices have moved up tremendously and alternative energy is inevitable, especially ethanol fuel. Ethanol is produced by fermentation of sugar or starch. The main source of bio-ethanol fuel in the United States lies in corn. Corn has thus become a very profit commodity, this is a classical demand and supply scenario. When the farmer has excess money in hand, he will buy better and faster growing seeds from companies such as Monsanto (MON), fertilizer from Agrium (AGU), agriculture machinery from John Deer (DE) or Caterpillar (CAT). Furthermore, they need railroads to transport the products. In addition, most of the new ethanol plants dotting the Midwest are gas-fired. In the mean time, corn growers are using much more fertilizer, which is produced using natural gas; gas company XTO energy (XTO) was also participating in today's rally.
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Health Information
SIGNS OF A STROKE (WITH 1 NEW ADDITION)
STROKE: Remember The 1st Three Letters...S.T.R
My friend sent this to me and encouraged me to post it and spread the word. I agree. If everyone can remember something this simple, we could save some folks..
Seriously.. Please read:
STROKE IDENTIFICATION:
During a BBQ, a friend stumbled and took a little fall - she assured everyone that she was fine (they offered to call paramedics) and that she had just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes. They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food. While she appeared a bit shaken up, Ingrid went about enjoying herself the rest of the evening. Ingrid's husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital - (at 6:00 pm, Ingrid passed away.) She had suffered a stroke at the BBQ. Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Ingrid would be with us today. Some don't die. They end up in a helpless, hopeless condition instead.
It only takes a minute to read this... A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke...totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.
RECOGNIZING A STROKE
Thank God for the sense to remember the "3" steps, STR . Read and Learn! Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.
Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:
S * Ask the individual to SMILE.
T * Ask the person to TALK to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently) (i.e.. . . It is sunny out today)
R * Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.
*NOTE: Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick' out their tongue If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other, that is also an indication of a stroke. If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call 911 immediately !! and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this e-mail sends it to 10 people; you can bet that at least one life will be saved.
STROKE: Remember The 1st Three Letters...S.T.R
My friend sent this to me and encouraged me to post it and spread the word. I agree. If everyone can remember something this simple, we could save some folks..
Seriously.. Please read:
STROKE IDENTIFICATION:
During a BBQ, a friend stumbled and took a little fall - she assured everyone that she was fine (they offered to call paramedics) and that she had just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes. They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food. While she appeared a bit shaken up, Ingrid went about enjoying herself the rest of the evening. Ingrid's husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital - (at 6:00 pm, Ingrid passed away.) She had suffered a stroke at the BBQ. Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Ingrid would be with us today. Some don't die. They end up in a helpless, hopeless condition instead.
It only takes a minute to read this... A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke...totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.
RECOGNIZING A STROKE
Thank God for the sense to remember the "3" steps, STR . Read and Learn! Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.
Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:
S * Ask the individual to SMILE.
T * Ask the person to TALK to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently) (i.e.. . . It is sunny out today)
R * Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.
*NOTE: Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick' out their tongue If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other, that is also an indication of a stroke. If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call 911 immediately !! and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this e-mail sends it to 10 people; you can bet that at least one life will be saved.
Monday, January 08, 2007
First movie review - Six Degrees of Seperation
I recently watched the 1993 movie – “Six Degrees of Separation”. This is my New Year’s resolution; I want to learn new things. Watching movies will be a good starting point.
This story is based around the idea that everyone is connected to everyone else by a maximum of six other people; it's just finding those six that make the link. This is an extremely interesting story, told in a series of anecdotal discussions between the main characters and their friends and business partners at various different social occasions.
In New York, the art dealers John Flanders ('Flan') Kittredge and Louisa ('Ouisa') Kittredge are ready to have a business dinner with their South African friend and client Geoffrey Miller, when a wounded young black man comes to their fancy apartment asking for help, telling them that he had just been robbed in Central Park. He introduces himself as Paul (Will Smith), a friend of their son and daughter in Harvard and son of Sidney Poitier. The couple invites him to stay with them. During they night, they discover that Paul is not who he claims to be. When they investigate the life of Paul, they find the hidden truth, and their investigations are intriguing and lead them to re-evaluate their own lives.
This movie refreshed my memory; I almost forgot who Sydney Poitier was. He was the handsome actor in the movie “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” and the first African-American to win the Academy Award for best actor.
In the movie, the art dealer mentioned that he owns the double-sided Kandinsky painting. Kandinsky was a famous Russian abstract painter, usually regarded as the originator of abstract art. His artwork is well represented in the Guggenheim Museum, New York. Next time I am in New York, I will go to museum to see his artwork.
Did you know that wines from even numbered years are superior to odd numbered ones? Yes, that‘s what I learned from the movie.
This story is based around the idea that everyone is connected to everyone else by a maximum of six other people; it's just finding those six that make the link. This is an extremely interesting story, told in a series of anecdotal discussions between the main characters and their friends and business partners at various different social occasions.
In New York, the art dealers John Flanders ('Flan') Kittredge and Louisa ('Ouisa') Kittredge are ready to have a business dinner with their South African friend and client Geoffrey Miller, when a wounded young black man comes to their fancy apartment asking for help, telling them that he had just been robbed in Central Park. He introduces himself as Paul (Will Smith), a friend of their son and daughter in Harvard and son of Sidney Poitier. The couple invites him to stay with them. During they night, they discover that Paul is not who he claims to be. When they investigate the life of Paul, they find the hidden truth, and their investigations are intriguing and lead them to re-evaluate their own lives.
This movie refreshed my memory; I almost forgot who Sydney Poitier was. He was the handsome actor in the movie “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” and the first African-American to win the Academy Award for best actor.
In the movie, the art dealer mentioned that he owns the double-sided Kandinsky painting. Kandinsky was a famous Russian abstract painter, usually regarded as the originator of abstract art. His artwork is well represented in the Guggenheim Museum, New York. Next time I am in New York, I will go to museum to see his artwork.
Did you know that wines from even numbered years are superior to odd numbered ones? Yes, that‘s what I learned from the movie.
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Financial note
Why financial advisers love to sell VA(Variable annuities) to their clinets? Primirarily financial advisers can earn fat commissions from their clients and it is easy to sell. Most consumers fall for the sales pitch of getting tax deferred savings by investing in mutual funds through a VA as well as the promise that they won't ever get less out of the VA than they put in.
Advisers doesn't tell you: you will pay an extra fee each year that hoovers around 1.3% to give you that asset protection, which kicks in only if you die. If you take all your money out while you are alive, there's no guarantee you'll get at least your original deposit back.
If you withdraw it, you are going to owe income tax, not capital gains ta, on your earnings.
To learn more abour Va, check out the web site suzeorman.com
Advisers doesn't tell you: you will pay an extra fee each year that hoovers around 1.3% to give you that asset protection, which kicks in only if you die. If you take all your money out while you are alive, there's no guarantee you'll get at least your original deposit back.
If you withdraw it, you are going to owe income tax, not capital gains ta, on your earnings.
To learn more abour Va, check out the web site suzeorman.com
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
My kids graduated
In the past two weeks, my two sons have graduated from university and high school. My husband and I watched them march across the stage along with the music to receive their diplomas. We felt so proud and happy at that moment.
Let’s turn the clock to the time they were born; they were both under 7 pounds and three weeks before their due dates. Stephen was born without hair, and Alex was born with a full head of hair. Stephen was a very mature child, and Alex was quiet and thoughtful. Alex has always adored his brother.
There are all kinds of schools in this world, but there is no school that can teach you to be a parent. I guess we have been lucky. Our two boys have always behaved well and have never given us too much trouble. Thankfully, in my twenty-two years as a parent I have not received a late night phone call from the police. They are both diligent and hard working students. They know we have been tried our best to be good parents; we have shared almost every important moment in their life - birthdays, ball games, swim meets, parties, school activities, etc. I know they appreciate us being there with them. When they were happy, we shared their joy; when they were sad, we struggled with them; when they were sick, we just lost sleep. When they were young, we instructed them to read certain good books. Today, they advise us what to read. Our role has gradually changed, but I’ll tell you, I have learned so much while bringing our boys up.
Today, they are not the two small children I remember; they are both graduated and moving on to different phases of their lives. Stephen is beginning his next journey; he’ll step into the world and learn how to be an independent young professional. Alex will continue his education to become a future scientist. In a world where not many children move on to college and many do not even complete high school, I think that we have earned an A plus as parents. Good luck, boys! Set your goals high, you can become whatever you want to be.
Let’s turn the clock to the time they were born; they were both under 7 pounds and three weeks before their due dates. Stephen was born without hair, and Alex was born with a full head of hair. Stephen was a very mature child, and Alex was quiet and thoughtful. Alex has always adored his brother.
There are all kinds of schools in this world, but there is no school that can teach you to be a parent. I guess we have been lucky. Our two boys have always behaved well and have never given us too much trouble. Thankfully, in my twenty-two years as a parent I have not received a late night phone call from the police. They are both diligent and hard working students. They know we have been tried our best to be good parents; we have shared almost every important moment in their life - birthdays, ball games, swim meets, parties, school activities, etc. I know they appreciate us being there with them. When they were happy, we shared their joy; when they were sad, we struggled with them; when they were sick, we just lost sleep. When they were young, we instructed them to read certain good books. Today, they advise us what to read. Our role has gradually changed, but I’ll tell you, I have learned so much while bringing our boys up.
Today, they are not the two small children I remember; they are both graduated and moving on to different phases of their lives. Stephen is beginning his next journey; he’ll step into the world and learn how to be an independent young professional. Alex will continue his education to become a future scientist. In a world where not many children move on to college and many do not even complete high school, I think that we have earned an A plus as parents. Good luck, boys! Set your goals high, you can become whatever you want to be.
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Taiwan’s First Family Crisis
Sunday, May 07, 2006
My uncle
My uncle just passed away in
Saturday, June 12, 2004
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