tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67771229363282927532024-03-12T22:12:46.409-04:00Jen Never BlogsA blog by Jennever Pelaez, a Palaweña currently living her dream as a new transplant in New York City. For her day job, she is a tech consultant. After work, she turns to dance and pole dancing to stay fit and creative. Read about her (mis)adventures, view her photoblogs and enjoy watching her amateur travel videos. Jen Never Blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10076827226598781677noreply@blogger.comBlogger336125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6777122936328292753.post-3625919490325984682024-03-10T16:02:00.000-04:002024-03-10T16:02:42.500-04:00In Defence of the British ISA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-Rt6-y6UjJ7M7dJQ-_udEEvDSngvNuubCRaauoVk7lhyphenhyphenWKoxujf3L0fYkI1Q2mUi4iLcI5d3vl5ThKZp2MOivRV2QZNdEHyIzVUDtcz-RN6Jt0XYcKHeWbpeg5-uyJ1dYcT-mSIyrLJNtkCQQarJ1cuIN6F9lYJDvSrbNKYrLO94ukXqRmGu7YKmuYA/s5125/British%20ISA%20hero.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2887" data-original-width="5125" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-Rt6-y6UjJ7M7dJQ-_udEEvDSngvNuubCRaauoVk7lhyphenhyphenWKoxujf3L0fYkI1Q2mUi4iLcI5d3vl5ThKZp2MOivRV2QZNdEHyIzVUDtcz-RN6Jt0XYcKHeWbpeg5-uyJ1dYcT-mSIyrLJNtkCQQarJ1cuIN6F9lYJDvSrbNKYrLO94ukXqRmGu7YKmuYA/w640-h360/British%20ISA%20hero.png" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>When it comes to the journey towards Finance Independence and Retiring Early (aka FI/RE), tax-free investment vehicles are arguably one of the best passive wealth-builders that's accessible for the common person. In a non-tax-free investment account, there are often different layers of taxes that one is expected to cough up: <i><b>capital gains taxes</b></i> (for capital appreciation) and <b><i>income taxes</i></b> (from interest and dividends). On the flip side, in a tax-free investment vehicle, these taxes don't apply. This means the invested value will yield even more growth and offer less to zero financial burden to "cash-out." </p><p>In the UK where I live now, there is what is called <b>Investment Savings Accounts</b> (ISA) which allows an individual to save or invest their post-tax income of up to £20,000 in a tax year. All ISA subscriptions are tax-free. The comparable system in the US would be the Roth IRA, which has an annual limit of $6,000.</p><p>For the upcoming 2024/2025 UK Tax Year, the £20,000 limit has not changed. Instead, a controversial additional form of an ISA has been introduced called the <b>British ISA</b>. This new ISA type will add an additional £5,000 of allowance to the existing ISA. The only, and biggest, caveat is one can only pick UK public stocks in a British ISA. I say it's controversial because this has stirred quite a lot of discussion on social media, mostly on why the British ISA is bad. </p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Here are some commonly raised points, followed with my personal rebuttals. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: #fcf5ff; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Point 1:</b> The £20,000 limit has been frozen for years. Instead of introducing a British ISA, the normal ISA should have instead been increased to £30,000 to keep up with inflation.</span></p><p><b>Jen Never Blogs:</b> Yes, the limit has indeed stagnated since <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/individual-savings-accounts-subscription-limits-for-2017-to-2018-and-other-changes-to-isa-rules/individual-savings-accounts-subscription-limits-for-2017-to-2018-and-other-changes-to-isa-rules" target="_blank">it went up from £15,240 to £20,000 in April 2017</a>. This was 7 years ago, before a pandemic negatively impacted the global economies. </p>
Looking at the National Statistics website (<i>read: I was very curious and it made for a good Sunday morning sleuthing</i>), the data doesn't support that the limit needs to be adjusted to inflation <i>yet</i>. As it is, the recent total ISA average contribution is £5,696 in the Tax Year 2021/2022. The Stocks and Shares ISA average contribution is a bit higher at £8,690, but likely won't be enough cause for the government to raise the limit. <div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkLRJce78PlBH5wcfpPksQOfqe-f34d-6Df0GJmVLmuAmaOitZscewuRAkY_CVn2C6TXekmeRMeVyidF1CROiJ1K4QWCJC8jRhyYezkoc4glIOJKEW1r107CQhp-h0Y9jXF1BPtyGzNuigJSwSnRo5Tkv8YBf7JgW6sZxMvSxs6O6kldCThic_S0enGqU/s3836/SS%20and%20Total%20ISA%20Average%20Contribution%20Annual.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1801" data-original-width="3836" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkLRJce78PlBH5wcfpPksQOfqe-f34d-6Df0GJmVLmuAmaOitZscewuRAkY_CVn2C6TXekmeRMeVyidF1CROiJ1K4QWCJC8jRhyYezkoc4glIOJKEW1r107CQhp-h0Y9jXF1BPtyGzNuigJSwSnRo5Tkv8YBf7JgW6sZxMvSxs6O6kldCThic_S0enGqU/w640-h300/SS%20and%20Total%20ISA%20Average%20Contribution%20Annual.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: <b>Annual Savings Statistics 2023</b> [https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/annual-savings-statistics-2023]</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>By looking at the data alone, it seems to me that:</div><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>The average ISA subscribers are not able to put more than 50% of the current ISA limit. </li><li>Increasing the limit for the entire normal ISA category will only benefit the percentage of high-income earners who are able to easily max out their limit.</li><li>Whether it's by design or not, the current limit prevents the high-income earners from disproportionately getting more tax-free benefits than those earning below the median national income. By pushing from £20k to £30k, this could further widen the already worsening wealth gap crisis.</li></ol></div><div><p>But if we really want to consider inflation in the mix--here's an answer I found after checking it myself. Until today, I did not know that we are well-within the realm of £15,240 in today's inflated value at £19,386. </p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiglB_kG8GOAzj7Bm0q77X8LsA1ddPfECZEH5IvJoA13WSJASUZGCJZv_ys3PUzqtG_y0tpYDNho-qDRZX0kZG_wM4eKU7_lkmRPyNfpQyL9i4hgQDFaCcm9pECUWo9s3rv-uiKMzrRkG4C3r1K1yrAhgNzbsq1c11GlBcegU5UhoUlXCIHWZjat_8Epkw/s1616/Screenshot%202024-03-10%20at%2018.13.29.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="1616" height="359" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiglB_kG8GOAzj7Bm0q77X8LsA1ddPfECZEH5IvJoA13WSJASUZGCJZv_ys3PUzqtG_y0tpYDNho-qDRZX0kZG_wM4eKU7_lkmRPyNfpQyL9i4hgQDFaCcm9pECUWo9s3rv-uiKMzrRkG4C3r1K1yrAhgNzbsq1c11GlBcegU5UhoUlXCIHWZjat_8Epkw/w400-h359/Screenshot%202024-03-10%20at%2018.13.29.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">(</span><i style="text-align: left;">Source: <a href="https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/monetary-policy/inflation/inflation-calculator" target="_blank">Bank of England inflation calculator</a></i><span style="text-align: left;">)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Whether it's the long-winded response or the inflation reasoning, the commonly argued Point no. 1 does not hold up well when compared to publicly available information. </div><div><br /><p><span style="background-color: #fcf5ff; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Point 2:</b> The UK stock index performance has done poorly versus the US stock index. The British ISA will cause people to lose money.</span></p><p><b>Jen Never Blogs:</b> This is probably the most fair criticism out there, purely because if we look at the historical performance of the UK, it does show that the economy has yet to reach the last peak since 2006. Off the cuff, I would just say "<b><i>If you don't want to lose money in a British ISA, no one is forcing you to invest money in it.</i></b>" </p><p>The same $20,000 ISA is still there if/when one wants to invest in US/Global tradable stocks available on ISA platforms. And if you're in a position to invest more, there are other options like the Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPP, also tax-free) or General Investment Accounts (GIA, not tax-free). </p><p>ISAs are a benefit but are not the only way into building wealth.</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="background-color: #fcf5ff; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Point 3:</b> With the new British ISA, people are just going to move their UK stocks in the normal ISA into the British ISA. This will not benefit the nation positively. </span></p><p><b>Jen Never Blogs</b>: This deserves to be dissected into two parts.</p><p><b>Part I</b>: The ability to move the current UK percentage of the normal ISA into the British ISA means it will extend the limit of the normal ISA for use on however you want to use them, including buying more of the US/Global stocks into the normal ISA.</p><p><b>Part II</b>: When it comes to benefitting the nation positively, it's difficult to show a direct result from a low value. So I thought to put this into perspective using real numbers to see if a £5,000 investment will actually move the needle. (Individually, if I'm able to invest £5,000 into the British ISA, I'm leaning on thinking that this won't do anything for the "greater good.")</p><div><b>Case Study</b>:</div><div>In the Tax Year 2020/2021 from the same Annual Savings Statistics Report linked above, there are a <b>total of 10,882,000 UK residents</b> who subscribed to any form of an ISA. Only 37.8% of that population are the residents who are earning £30,000 and above annually--37.8% comprises the the median income earners and everyone above the median. </div><div><br /></div><div>From the top earning bracket at £150,000 and above annual income, this <i>"only"</i> totals to 207,000 people who have subscribed in an ISA. </div><div><br /></div><div>I cross-referenced the 207,000 ISA subscribers from the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/personal-incomes-statistics-for-the-tax-year-2020-to-2021" target="_blank">Personal Income Statistics</a> of the same tax year, and found out that the total number of people who earned that same income bracket is about 464,000 people, making it a 44% of that income bracket population who subscribed in an ISA in that year.</div><div><br /></div><div>Assuming these 207k people have cash to also invest £5,000 into their British ISA, this could mean a cash influx of £1.03B into British businesses from UK resident shareholders. In my line of work, £1.03B is not a huge number, especially when dealing with large enterprise companies. </div><div><br /></div><div>To put this into perspective:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>£1.03B is 4.8% of the <a href="https://www.londonstockexchange.com/indices/ftse-aim-uk-50-index/constituents/table" target="_blank">FTSE AIM UK 50 Index</a> market capitalisation</li><li>£1.03B is 3.1% of Rolls Royce market cap, which by the way did a +380% performance y/y</li><li>£1.03B is 30,986x of the national average income </li></ul></div><p>While we, as common people, might not see the direct results, otherwise known as trickledown economics fallacy, as retail investors, it's possible for us to gain from our investment. Secondarily, having more funding can result into bigger budgets for operating expenses such as higher wages for employees, ability to hire locally, budget for technology automation, etc.</p><p>Of course, this is still based on conjecture. We will not see the Annual Report for the British ISA until 2027 or 2028. I wanted to put this out there because I'm willing to try this out. If in five years, the UK economy doesn't show any improvement, even after all of these pro-UK economy rulings, I'd happily recall this post and write about the points where I was wrong.</p><p>On a personal level, I will gladly participate in the new British ISA, specifically to invest in companies that I already use and support on a daily basis. This is on top of already investing in UK Gilts and in the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS).</p><p>Finally, I'm not claiming to be an authority on what is good or bad when it comes to retail investing or saving up for retirement. I'm not a licensed financial advisor so take this post with a grain of salt. All the links to the sources are embedded in the post so please feel free to review them too.</p><p>My investing principles are guided by my own philosophy in life and my portfolio is well-diversified. That said, I do believe in the saying that <b><i><span style="color: #274e13;">the grass is green where we water it</span></i></b>. I also believe in proactively being a positive contributor in my chosen community and right now, the UK is my chosen home, so why wouldn't I not want to invest in it. </p></div></div>Jen Never Blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10076827226598781677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6777122936328292753.post-4618443287180857022023-10-30T20:31:00.001-04:002023-10-30T20:54:40.354-04:00100 Days of Code: A Winter Tradition, Ruby Edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh92NrjF4P041Yjdo9BEN0bDexLYA2oZ4OZjCULdplku4-lWoIT-ptt1Hjt7l3GPfo2ayj7OTFSiw8v5WXsJu_22tMzJ1oqC2_OLYTyQnh2JKjNdO0iFBD14QtTfXetliRHCEJ3Iw1lKb50aTRi88d6A9VFOL-Ly4gfTCwVhr4oBlNfZ0GuaYxiLu45V5Q/s6048/ruby%20hero%20copy.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3717" data-original-width="6048" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh92NrjF4P041Yjdo9BEN0bDexLYA2oZ4OZjCULdplku4-lWoIT-ptt1Hjt7l3GPfo2ayj7OTFSiw8v5WXsJu_22tMzJ1oqC2_OLYTyQnh2JKjNdO0iFBD14QtTfXetliRHCEJ3Iw1lKb50aTRi88d6A9VFOL-Ly4gfTCwVhr4oBlNfZ0GuaYxiLu45V5Q/w640-h394/ruby%20hero%20copy.png" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I finally figured winter out. </div><div><br /></div><div>The daylight's the shortest, the nights are long and cold. When going out in the dead of winter is more than miserable, it's best to have a hobby that can be done at home. I had to learn this very quickly in New York when I ended up having to spend the end of winter and beginning of spring all cooped up in my apartment during the Covid-19 lockdown--and thus began my winter tradition of learning to code a new language and getting on it for 100 days straight.</div><div><br /></div><div>This time, I'm learning Ruby and hopefully can graduate into Ruby on Rails midway. The plan is to not have a plan. I will not set up goals this time around so it's not so stressful. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>As of October 30, I'm currently on Day 3 of 100. </b>This means I will finish this challenge by <b>February 4, 2024</b>.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">First impressions and thoughts on Ruby</h3><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>It's simple and very human-readable</li><li>Many things make sense like <b><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: courier;">.chomp</span></b>. But some also do not. Like who the heck thought of the <b><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: courier;">.upcase</span></b> and <b><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: courier;">.downcase</span></b> method names? </li><li>I'm enjoying taking notes on syntax and I <i>may</i> eventually publish as a guide</li><li>Currently not using an IDE and just using <b>Sublime</b> and <b>Terminal</b> (very backend and basic for now) and it's considerably light on memory. Once I get to Rails, I'll have to do an update on performance because my Macbook, while good enough, didn't really like PyCharm so much</li><li>It's amazing how even when coding is not my day job anymore, I'm able to process what I want to do and get to a solution</li><li>I said I was dedicating 1 hour per day on this, but always end up exceeding the time</li></ul></div><div><div>I have some fun things I want to do that I will keep in my head for now. I'm excited! This makes me so excited.</div><div><br /></div><div><div>Today, I made <i><span style="color: #800180;">a quick number guessing game that smack talks the user when they don't follow instructions</span></i>. It's akin to what I would write for machine problems back in University. Nothing sophisticated, but it made Marc laugh. </div><div><br /></div><div>Having a winter season suits my personality since I don't really like interacting with people if I can help it. So it's plus points towards a hobby when people I actually like find the fruits of my 'labour' useful and/or funny.</div></div></div><div><br /></div><div>What is your winter tradition?</div><div><br /></div>Jen Never Blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10076827226598781677noreply@blogger.com0London, UK51.5072178 -0.127586223.196983963821154 -35.2838362 79.817451636178845 35.0286638tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6777122936328292753.post-29781968419519933262023-04-18T01:51:00.022-04:002023-04-19T19:11:54.223-04:00Took a Tesla M3 on a Ski Trip<div>New York to Vermont.</div><div>Yes, it's doable.</div><div><br /></div><div>I wanted to make sure this pertinent information is on top because we all hate click-baits. </div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="background-color: #d9d2e9;">The kicker: this road trip was a ski trip. </span></div><div><span style="background-color: #d9d2e9;"><br /></span></div><div>It was winter. Road conditions were icy. It also rained several times during the round trip. Snowboard and ski gear and a large Rimowa luggage are in the trunk.</div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9zf082LRFaIxDgLbRiY9ZQMBYpQrh53zaOdUQjvfs99L8IxqD0g2gOHGoR-sJvoLDGZON34Frw6z1bSj2hFxS0ePnVMPR-XzPOE9Bboa_gGBLdVsn1JaH1DyxyulJWEQ3eP-inDe8Z0N-MfWsJSOsPk0ZwmBA6tZG-BPFbJmyWx72KwaY-Lfn7pB6/s3750/Tesla%20M3%20Ski%20Trip.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2375" data-original-width="3750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9zf082LRFaIxDgLbRiY9ZQMBYpQrh53zaOdUQjvfs99L8IxqD0g2gOHGoR-sJvoLDGZON34Frw6z1bSj2hFxS0ePnVMPR-XzPOE9Bboa_gGBLdVsn1JaH1DyxyulJWEQ3eP-inDe8Z0N-MfWsJSOsPk0ZwmBA6tZG-BPFbJmyWx72KwaY-Lfn7pB6/s16000/Tesla%20M3%20Ski%20Trip.png" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b>Here are some fast facts before retelling the experience.</b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Car</b>: Tesla Model 3, non-long range</div><div><b>Rental Company</b>: Turo</div><div><b>New York to Vermont</b>: 330 miles / 531 km</div><div><b>Trip doable on electric car</b>: Yes</div><div><b>Need to recharge car NY-VT</b>: Yes--we had to charge the car 3x in one day</div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">The Experience</h2><div>We have done many road trips in the past and in different countries. "<i>This would be a good chance to try driving a Tesla for the first time!</i>" It sounded like a great idea, so we picked a car off the <b>Turo</b> app.</div><div><br /></div><div>After all, how difficult could it be?</div><div><br /></div><div>Google tells me that a non-long range Tesla Model 3 can drive up to <b>272 miles</b> or <b>437 kilometres </b>in one charge. Checking the route, there was absolutely no way to miss a Tesla Supercharger along the way. We guessed we would need to charge the car once, maybe when we've reached Vermont.</div><div><br /></div><div><b style="background-color: #d0e0e3;">1:37 PM</b> - Picked up the car in Jersey City. It had 58% battery. </div><div><b style="background-color: #d0e0e3;">2:12 PM</b> - Drove on the George Washington Bridge.</div><div><b style="background-color: #d0e0e3;">2:45 PM</b> - Stopped over at the Supercharger station in Glenville, Connecticut. Charged for half an hour. </div><div><b style="background-color: #d0e0e3;">6:05 PM</b> - Arrived at Brattleboro, Vermont. Fully charged the Tesla while we shopped for snacks.</div><div><b style="background-color: #d0e0e3;"><br /></b></div><div><span style="background-color: #d0e0e3;"><b>8:35 PM</b> </span></div><div><b>The Good News</b>: Finally arrived at <b><a href="https://www.bluebirdhotels.com/hotels/talta-lodge" target="_blank">Tälta Lodge</a></b> in Stowe, Vermont!</div><div><b>The Bad News</b>: Car's battery was at 29%! </div><div><br /></div><div>At this point, it was difficult to understand how the battery dropped so fast. We thought since we fully charged in Vermont, we'd be good for the entire trip to the hotel. Anyway, we let it go.</div><div><br /></div><div>We dropped off our stuff at the hotel and regrouped to see what our options were for dinner. </div><div><br /></div><div><div>It was late so we decided we needed to get something to eat quickly. We drove for 5 minutes and grabbed a quick dinner at the <b>Matterhorn</b>, a pizza place in Stowe that also served sushi, which relative to where we were was actually pretty decent. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGlNjzdLFc5_2OTdJOliyygDzHnKoIZ_vdnUWehG5myYorrp2hDwST-AQbq-aGfL17OXkt-Mn0gi0ECedCuHm2R6dnC2i8zWVeZK6TjZqjF3C0n854PpiR0WfNh0egztyp0UAXS3l_H_bIQbxvlXQ-oTSg2TLTbYvX0ls9Oiz-5NUKAeXbZwLDBOXA/s3663/IMG_0933.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3663" data-original-width="2934" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGlNjzdLFc5_2OTdJOliyygDzHnKoIZ_vdnUWehG5myYorrp2hDwST-AQbq-aGfL17OXkt-Mn0gi0ECedCuHm2R6dnC2i8zWVeZK6TjZqjF3C0n854PpiR0WfNh0egztyp0UAXS3l_H_bIQbxvlXQ-oTSg2TLTbYvX0ls9Oiz-5NUKAeXbZwLDBOXA/w320-h400/IMG_0933.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sushi at the <b>Matterhorn Bar & Grill</b> in Stowe, Vermont. They have a dedicated chef and sous chef just doing the sushi/sashimi orders and poke bowls.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiAOSxA6gmul1xm-uyYzYoQaK3g9OX3lvuq3UAzWo5EnkibWz7sNAGydVSJkddXxvy7dXCX4o8vaCfqdOdGXYSE5yq0pFjR3TmX6io6JHZqKuHc2iT9Lid8008GB84dMiRnUBl2LiKebm2TRbQCxwxcpa75pwhitC1DksUFkVXJB0QHqSm-ZQpXJR1/s4032/IMG_0934.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiAOSxA6gmul1xm-uyYzYoQaK3g9OX3lvuq3UAzWo5EnkibWz7sNAGydVSJkddXxvy7dXCX4o8vaCfqdOdGXYSE5yq0pFjR3TmX6io6JHZqKuHc2iT9Lid8008GB84dMiRnUBl2LiKebm2TRbQCxwxcpa75pwhitC1DksUFkVXJB0QHqSm-ZQpXJR1/w300-h400/IMG_0934.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simple yet delicious thin-crust pizza. I see why this was a big après ski place and they were churning out pizza boxes for delivery nonstop.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><div>We got back to the hotel at 11pm and noticed that the <u>car's battery was down at 17%</u>. </div></div></div><div><br /></div><div>This is when we checked out the car's trunk and noticed that the Tesla's car owner forgot to put the home charging kit in the trunk. "<i>Uh-oh!</i>" As both of us were experiencing a Tesla for the first time, we weren't sure how the battery behaved in the wild. The parking lot was outdoors and snow was piling up quickly. If these Tesla batteries are anywhere near the same as other Lithium batteries, the car's battery might also discharge in the cold.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>The Good News</b>: We went to the hotel reception to ask if they have an EV charger we can use. They said "<i>Sure, use the ones we have outside in the parking lot.</i>" We went to the farther end of the lot and found two charger slots.</div><div><b>The Bad News</b>: It was not a Tesla charger so it required an adapter, which the car did not have in the trunk either.</div><div><br /></div><div>So there we were, thinking: "<i>Do we sleep this off for tonight?</i>" </div><div><br /></div><div><b>The Good News</b>: There was a Supercharger at the foot of the mountain / ski resort. </div><div><b>The Bad News</b>: It was only available for the ski resort's hotel guests. </div><div><b>The Worst News</b>: The nearest supercharging stations were both 1 hour away on opposite directions.</div><div><br /></div><div><b style="background-color: #d0e0e3;">11:15 PM</b> - We were still debating our options. We saw we could buy an adapter from a hardware store, but they didn't open until the morning. </div><div><br /></div><div><b style="background-color: #d0e0e3;">11:30 PM</b> - We started driving to the nearest charging station at Berlin, Vermont.</div><div> </div><div><b style="background-color: #d0e0e3;">11:43 PM</b> - Still driving, the battery dropped to 9%! This was already in the territory of the car's reserved battery. </div><div><br /></div><div><b style="background-color: #d0e0e3;">11:48 PM</b> - BATTERY DROPPED TO 5%!!! We were 400 ft away from the station.</div><div><br /></div><div>We got to the station with the skin of our teeth. It ended up being a good decision to do this, despite how late in the night it was. It would have ruined our first ski day if we decided to sleep on it. </div><div><br /></div><div><b style="background-color: #d0e0e3;">12:22 AM</b> - The car's battery is full-ish. The <i>-ish</i> is because it never really went to 100% in the three times we have charged it.</div><div><br /></div><div><b style="background-color: #d0e0e3;">1:22 AM</b> - Arrived back at <b>Tälta Lodge</b>. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>It was late. I went on reddit. The crypto market dipped. I bought the dip. Except it wasn't just a dip. It was the start of the crypto winter in 2022.</div><div><br /></div><div>Oh, I forgot to mention... </div><div><br /></div><div>This trip happened all the way back on <b>January 4, 2022</b>. Every recollection, up to the timestamps and location, were all retrieved from my iPhone's photo album. </div><div><br /></div><div>Going through the photos and videos again put me right back into my actual memories of that day and all the strong emotions of uncertainty, doubt, regret, but also brought back the exhilarating feeling of <i>just</i> making it to the station before the car's battery conked out. </div><div><br /></div><div>These feelings went on and on every day we had to drive and recharge the car until we got back to New York on <b>January 9</b>, when it was almost zero-visibility due to strong rains for some parts of the drive.</div><div><br /></div><div>Looking back, it was silly choosing to rent an electric vehicle over a fuel-powered car, especially on a difficult drive with a full trunk and without snow tires during winter. And as a lesson, we both learned that when driving a car that is not our own, ESPECIALLY a car type we have not yet used, to do our research on tools and backup tools. (<i><b>Read</b>: An adapter is cheap to buy; probably useful to own one in the toolbox in case of emergencies like this. Reminding the car's owner to leave the charging kit in the trunk is even cheaper.</i>)</div><div><br /></div><div>But also looking back, this ended up being quite a unique, fun trip filled with problem-solving and as a result--we got a story that needs to be told.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Would you drive a Tesla on a ski trip?</b></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxSD8zZhFMSsVp2p4ligMoiBFHeV8l7fGy-QxpFCf05sJhNZu3q7B_ObFvy6-z6QRXqnY_E_pwd6zfP-voU_x_zhtOt0Gm9hUzVWSHY3ksO_I6QgdP5Wf42Ce2Y-efr36XqE1M6eO_d_gdfRCGZA_TGW30ADbVhArz43UvFn3LLYxMmgC_RZSQRpo-/s2340/IMG_6487.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2340" data-original-width="1170" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxSD8zZhFMSsVp2p4ligMoiBFHeV8l7fGy-QxpFCf05sJhNZu3q7B_ObFvy6-z6QRXqnY_E_pwd6zfP-voU_x_zhtOt0Gm9hUzVWSHY3ksO_I6QgdP5Wf42Ce2Y-efr36XqE1M6eO_d_gdfRCGZA_TGW30ADbVhArz43UvFn3LLYxMmgC_RZSQRpo-/s320/IMG_6487.jpg" width="160" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This entire story was brought to you by my iPhone's photo album.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div>Jen Never Blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10076827226598781677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6777122936328292753.post-5828906053204059872022-11-14T11:06:00.004-05:002022-11-15T19:54:55.145-05:00The Tech Olympics<h2 style="text-align: left;">AKA Last Week's Big Week in Tech </h2><div><br /></div>Weeks and months of build-up has culminated into what can only be called as the <b>Tech </b><b>Olympics</b>, but not in the best light. I wouldn't call them fails due to the fact that these companies are still billion-dollar companies (<i>okay, maybe except FTX</i>) and their founders/executives have collectively amassed a fortune, even as much as <a href="https://www.oxfam.org/en/press-releases/ten-richest-men-double-their-fortunes-pandemic-while-incomes-99-percent-humanity" target="_blank">doubled (!!!) their net worth</a> during the pandemic. By economic standards, these are not what I would call failures.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsGr6TDEbiH3he_QrZiqUNvb2LkqehnPzH1UbxlGpWro4IkxiSzWoI8ldMQ1VwKVhA1q9qT5o5OOnI6HOGh3SqtAN4SRvSKvzTo8wUONf-Pp--ukDP_LkFnND4UfClBPOWu8soimu5WPi1qhJ_rd7g5TRkS8crog5AiuD6CtzHqPbX1kie8kP8_8oK/s4920/The%20Tech%20Olympics.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2772" data-original-width="4920" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsGr6TDEbiH3he_QrZiqUNvb2LkqehnPzH1UbxlGpWro4IkxiSzWoI8ldMQ1VwKVhA1q9qT5o5OOnI6HOGh3SqtAN4SRvSKvzTo8wUONf-Pp--ukDP_LkFnND4UfClBPOWu8soimu5WPi1qhJ_rd7g5TRkS8crog5AiuD6CtzHqPbX1kie8kP8_8oK/s16000/The%20Tech%20Olympics.png" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><div><div><br /></div><div>Last week, we had Mark Zuckerberg laying off 11,000 Meta employees. Elon Musk starting to deploy the new changes as the new owner of Twitter. The crypto exchange FTX collapsing under Sam Bankman-Fried's (SBF) house of cards leadership. Those are just the Top 3 from last week's headlines. It's truly an astounding time to be alive, especially if you, like me, are also living in the world of tech.</div><div><br /></div><div>As these have been overly discussed on social media, I want to try and spin it into a positive. Because <i>surely</i>, it's not all bad.</div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">What We Learned</h2><h3 style="text-align: left;">On Layoffs</h3><div>Last week started with the dreaded layoff news that was leaked over the past weekend. Since Monday, it has been the talk of the town. My friends who work at Meta were posting about how eerie and quiet their office has been. Mind you, this was just a week after Elon's <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/03/tech/twitter-layoffs" target="_blank">Twitter laid off half of their workforce</a>. </div><div><br /></div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Tech Layoff<br /><br />Meta - 11k (13%)<br />Twitter - 3.7k (50%)<br />Intel - 20%<br />Snap - 20%<br />Netflix - 450<br />Robinhood - 30%<br />Stripe, Lyft - 13%<br />Salesforce - 2k<br />Amazon - 10k<br /><br />120k+ layoffs. 2000-01 dot com layoffs were ~107k. Q4 layoffs have just begun.<br />A brutally cold tech winter is coming.</p>— Deedy (@debarghya_das) <a href="https://twitter.com/debarghya_das/status/1592214346289274880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 14, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><div><br /></div><div>The good was very evident also in social media. At least on my network, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?keywords=%23metalayoffs&origin=GLOBAL_SEARCH_HEADER&page=2&sid=oP-" target="_blank">#MetaLayoffs</a> was trending on Linkedin and I saw a lot of community super-connectors, like my friend <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/activity-6996145368086310912-O7LM?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop" target="_blank">Andrew</a>, quickly respond with resources to help laid-off people find new job prospects. And to those who can't directly help, a lot have shared their network simply through boosting the message by commenting or sharing the posts.</div><div><br /></div><div>Within these week after week of global layoffs, it's also grounding to know that our jobs can be taken away so quickly. Personally, these events made me ponder on previous <a href="https://www.jenneverblogs.com/2017/10/2017.html" target="_blank">experience of being funemployed</a> and what I did then. It also got me to reflect on what I need to do if this happened to me. Thankfully, I'll be a little bit more prepared this time than I was five years ago. </div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">On New Twitter</h3><div>I don't own any Twitter shares so I'm literally not invested in this buyout. But after a decade of being a Twitter user, I would say that it has been long-overdue to shake things up over at Twitter. </div><div><br /></div><div>The stock barely grew over this same decade. The most groundbreaking thing to ever happen would be getting the word count update from 140 to 280 characters five years ago. Apart from that, it has become a really stable but also stagnant social media company. And while constant change is not a great user experience, it also halted innovation. </div><div><br /></div><div>One of the new changes that Mr. Musk swiftly enforced was allowing the common person with $8 to purchase the right to have a <b>blue checkmark </b>every month. </div><div><br /></div><div>To the uninitiated, the blue checkmark was once a status that was awarded to artists, celebrities, politicians, journalists, etc. As public personalities, they needed to go through a vetting process to ensure that they were the same person being represented by the Twitter account. Once verified, they get a blue checkmark.</div><div><br /></div><div>When it became a paid commodity recently, <b>Twitter users did what they always did--have fun on the internet</b>.</div><div><br /></div><div>The biggest immediate casualty was the pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly when a fake Eli Lilly profile with a blue checkmark tweeted that <a href="https://www.proactiveinvestors.com/companies/news/998165/eli-lilly-shares-fall-after-fake-verified-account-tweets-insulin-is-free-now-998165.html" target="_blank">insulin is now free</a>. Then came a flood of fake profiles with the same status as official accounts. And then closely followed by the memes. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCAHaLUidvztBOjaXjFfnMM6ZVBgHNZ4vi5uMAQQcQUlNe-Gj766bpXNW8TyNB8QugFJ6g5TOeOWxvp1DTuiM93z7IenBE5k3cMmlv-pXKOzQpOyPwiycfr8-jc51c6_Kk9aH90EqGV6EnHpnkisX5aML_mJf4kyUR9XL__SpeeJ4aCJKsoUcrpDi4/s506/FhO8mztXoAgNQMq.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="202" data-original-width="506" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCAHaLUidvztBOjaXjFfnMM6ZVBgHNZ4vi5uMAQQcQUlNe-Gj766bpXNW8TyNB8QugFJ6g5TOeOWxvp1DTuiM93z7IenBE5k3cMmlv-pXKOzQpOyPwiycfr8-jc51c6_Kk9aH90EqGV6EnHpnkisX5aML_mJf4kyUR9XL__SpeeJ4aCJKsoUcrpDi4/w640-h256/FhO8mztXoAgNQMq.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Screenshot of the now-deleted tweet from the fake Eli Lilly account @EliLillyandCo on Twitter </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Of course there were real-life repercussions like the entire pharma industry tanking on the stock market but as (real) Bernie Sanders mentioned in his <a href="https://mashable.com/article/eli-lilly-stock-dip-twitter" target="_blank">tweet</a>, really what Eli Lilly should be apologising for is not the fake account that plunged the stock but rather making people pay $275 for a unit of insulin that costs less than $10 to make. And I must say: <i>yasss Uncle Bernie!</i> The entire week was all a bunch of funny memes with a lot of necessary commentary as such. </div><div><br /></div><div>I would be remiss to not mention that Twitter Spaces, aka Twitter's almost copy of Clubhouse (<i>allegedly</i>), has been a great resource throughout my self-dubbed Tech Olympics. It's an exciting world to witness round-the-clock citizen journalism--<i>quite literally, the broadcast went on for 3-4 days, don't quote me on that</i>--and getting big hitters of the industry just casually pop by to talk about the developing story on FTX. </div><div><br /></div><div>It's akin to having all the Late Night hosts do a marathon show and having various celebrities drop by to be interviewed for something not everyone cares about, like their take on NYC bagels. </div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">On FTX Death</h3><div>Speaking of the FTX being discussed on Twitter Spaces... I, along with tens and thousands (if not hundred thousands combined) of people tuned in to the coverage of <a href="https://twitter.com/marionawfal?s=11&t=zrVw9ADsH5Aya8XTHk2K3w" target="_blank">Mario Nawfal</a> on the decline of FTX via this avenue. At one point, it was just playing in the background for five hours while I was sick and resting in bed. </div><div><br /></div><div>Executives of other crypto companies, FTX insiders and former employees, regulators--they all went and took the stage to discuss the unfolding events. It was so live that while discussions were happening, no matter who they were and how many millions/billions they have, they will get interrupted mid-speaking so Mario can announce the Breaking News being delivered to his DMs, after his staff has vetted the news, of course.</div><div><br /></div><div>At some point the CEO of Binance Changpeng Zhao 'CZ' and even Elon Musk himself joined Mario's Twitter Space broadcast.</div><div><br /></div><div>So why was this news so important? </div><div><br /></div><div>It's because FTX was the second largest cryptocurrency exchange in the world, at least until last week. When FTX's entire foundation as a supposed centralised exchange got unveiled to be a scam, the bank run started. Institutions and retail investors alike had to rush into either selling their assets and then cash out, or even simply withdrawing their assets into wallets. More than a billion dollars of customer funds vanished out of thin air, and the value of the Exchange went from $30B to near-zero very quickly.</div><div><br /></div><div>In cases like this, it's hard to find a silver lining when so many people's hard-earned money were knowingly stolen. I empathise and sympathise with everyone who are hurting from all this. On top of that, it worsened the already downward trend of all the currencies and tokens, and at the same time will make it harder for the mass public to adapt into the technology sooner.</div><div><br /></div><div>If there's anything good that came out, it's really cementing the value of compliance for an extra volatile asset like cryptocurrency and the instilling the security that self-custody brings. <b>Not your keys, not your crypto.</b></div></div></div>Jen Never Blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10076827226598781677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6777122936328292753.post-14379376552573432772022-11-07T14:20:00.008-05:002022-11-07T14:43:08.643-05:00Of Losses and GainsI usually don't have regrets because of my <b><i>might as well</i></b> life mantra, but one thing that I have been kicking myself in the bum for was not being more diligent with personal finance earlier. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9OdzjfLZnsAPkujk-bP3wGM27ESAn_Sqqd4OvDJK_4X5ym8P5r8MKF_MyVYyqww_IjTyPrbdat8V-O-UbjfjpW1njym4PX0rsZ7ri3sJyX-svMAXNOQzQAvfGqRIz09jFYs5fctbqA3wcm4G0Dyp2dygZM3TAGktq_YJoUb27XIX-S0TD6zFSkb2X/s1350/page0.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9OdzjfLZnsAPkujk-bP3wGM27ESAn_Sqqd4OvDJK_4X5ym8P5r8MKF_MyVYyqww_IjTyPrbdat8V-O-UbjfjpW1njym4PX0rsZ7ri3sJyX-svMAXNOQzQAvfGqRIz09jFYs5fctbqA3wcm4G0Dyp2dygZM3TAGktq_YJoUb27XIX-S0TD6zFSkb2X/s16000/page0.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo taken on June 4, 2018 on my first day at work in Thomson Reuters at Science Park Drive, Singapore. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Back in June this year (2022), I celebrated my 4th year anniversary with the same company called Thomson Reuters. Pictured in the hero image above are two photos I took during my first day at work in our Singapore office, where I used to live. </div><div><br /></div><div>This moment was sentimental because I had just "exited" my AppDev career after 8 years. From a completely technical career, I career-switched into the industry of enterprise tech sales as a Presales Consultant or Solutions Consultant.</div><div><br /></div><div>But this is not a career post. </div><div><br /></div><div>It is also, yet again, another personal finance post as these are topics that seem to be effortless for me to write these days.</div><div><br /></div>I have been a casual retail investor for more than 8 years now. The one thing I regret is not getting on the company <b>Employee Shares Purchase Plan</b> or <b>ESPP</b> back in June 2018. Back then the <b><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24TRI&src=cashtag_click">$TRI</a> stock was worth $44</b>. With the ESPP perk, there would be an employee discount so that purchase price would be even lower had I signed up to allocate a portion of my salary into buying into my employer's stock.<div><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">Today, $TRI is worth $105 a pop. </h4><div><u>It would have been a 138% investment growth</u>. Pretty impressive stock performance despite the pandemic and all other macroeconomic factors that has happened in the past 4 years.</div><div><br /></div><div>Of course it's one of those <i>shoulda, coulda, woulda</i> moments but so I can feel better about this, I tell myself that this is a clear example of why investing is much better than saving the money in a bank. Investment growth is what can fight the rough effects of inflation head-on.</div><div><br /></div><div>Furthermore, there is so much that can be said about companies that are running marathons and not sprints. While Big Tech companies like <a href="https://www.reuters.com/technology/twitter-start-layoffs-friday-morning-internal-email-2022-11-04/" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/technology/facebook-parent-meta-is-preparing-large-scale-layoffs-this-week-wsj-2022-11-06/" target="_blank">Meta</a>, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/07/investing/premarket-stocks-trading/index.html" target="_blank">etc</a> are currently laying off employees at an astounding rate, Thomson Reuters on the other hand has been consistently, but slowly growing. </div><div><br /></div>From our <a href="https://www.thomsonreuters.com/en/press-releases/2022/november/thomson-reuters-reports-third-quarter-2022-results.html" target="_blank">Q3 2022 results</a>, the company is now on a 3rd consecutive quarter of 7% recurring revenue growth, total organic revenue is up 6%, and the company repurchased $855 million worth of company.<div><br /></div><div>Four years ago, I heavily questioned if I was doing the wrong thing by moving into a non-technical role. I was scared and went home crying from anxiety before I signed my job offer. (<i>I was literally sobbing while walking in my neighbourhood from the subway into my apartment)</i> So far, if we are going to look at <a href="https://www.jenneverblogs.com/2022/11/its-me-hi.html" target="_blank">how my life has progressed</a>, I wouldn't do it any other way. </div><div><br /></div><div>So while I "lost" at the opportunity of gaining a 3-digit percentage growth, I choose to look at joining a good, resilient company as an overall "gain."</div></div>Jen Never Blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10076827226598781677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6777122936328292753.post-9937103877385546022022-11-07T01:56:00.001-05:002022-11-07T01:57:44.553-05:00Are We Beating the Street Yet?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5zN40CjuGdRrrET3M0J_cshc32aFSUPId1VNyy_YMjxQLs1jMyyFvz0XCPBwwa4N5a380jCtRqir5wFlYs8Vu6aVzy_T03dJz3zMdXrU6xu1qsp7HaoFGfjv8Kie-uLewqn8_uyf6XqnHruliIcw8b15Phd9f9qAhkq_JdYunJ385asRoZLw7ls06/s4800/1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5zN40CjuGdRrrET3M0J_cshc32aFSUPId1VNyy_YMjxQLs1jMyyFvz0XCPBwwa4N5a380jCtRqir5wFlYs8Vu6aVzy_T03dJz3zMdXrU6xu1qsp7HaoFGfjv8Kie-uLewqn8_uyf6XqnHruliIcw8b15Phd9f9qAhkq_JdYunJ385asRoZLw7ls06/s16000/1.png" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post, but there is a referral link in this post that would let me earn a little amount through sign-up credits. </i></div><div><br /></div><div>In the spirit of diversifying my investment portfolio and adding an extra stream of passive income, I found out about this auto-trading app called <b><a href="https://streetbeat.com/referral?code=TLU5IJFD" target="_blank">Streetbeat</a> </b>through one of the finance subreddits at Reddit.</div><div><br /></div><div>Exactly 3 months ago, I tested <b><a href="https://streetbeat.com/referral?code=TLU5IJFD" target="_blank">Streetbeat</a>'s Flagship Stocks Strategy</b>. Before I wrote about it, I wanted to wait a little bit to see how it works and if it does what it says it does. It claims to put the same data-powered algorithmic trades that Wall Street is able to do for their bigwig clients into the hands of common retail investors like you and me.</div><div><br />My <u>initial investment was $1,000</u>. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiByLof75_WyxBNmX-HQhh3vPNB90f4pu9Oy7ddOpPFdhnLTAtjhlSrrVK7yJ5IdR07HX4uzPI-5HeZfU6uxYLluvbdXHJI2yB-W0CrCY6uzdof9HkadAta4cpSsszn10IwTW7YvSdmNsm3ba1xla3DLRyHj4bP_8JCiczt7meuzX4a9ysZAlh_nB8P/s4800/4.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4800" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiByLof75_WyxBNmX-HQhh3vPNB90f4pu9Oy7ddOpPFdhnLTAtjhlSrrVK7yJ5IdR07HX4uzPI-5HeZfU6uxYLluvbdXHJI2yB-W0CrCY6uzdof9HkadAta4cpSsszn10IwTW7YvSdmNsm3ba1xla3DLRyHj4bP_8JCiczt7meuzX4a9ysZAlh_nB8P/w640-h432/4.png" width="640" /></a></div><div><div><br /></div><h2>The Good</h2><div><u>After 3 months of trying Streetbeat, my <b>$1,000 </b>has grown into <b>$1,064.66</b></u>. It's not a lot but it's also not zero. The best part is that the gains are also automatically reinvestment and that means there will be compounding of interest.</div><div><br /></div>What I like about <b><a href="https://streetbeat.com/referral?code=TLU5IJFD" target="_blank">Streetbeat</a></b> is that I don’t need to lift a finger to do the trades. It automatically buys and sells the stock positions for me depending on market signals. It’s a true passive income generator, which is something that’s always good for someone like me with a full-time job.</div><div><br /></div><div>Historically, from January 2, 2019 (when the app was launched) to-date (November 7, 2022), <u>Streetbeat's performance is at <b style="background-color: #d9ead3;">+157.15%</b></u> while the <u>S&P 500 only did <b style="background-color: #d9ead3;">+60.06%</b></u> in the same timeframe. So historically, yes, this app did beat the market during that duration. Alas, I only signed up in August of 2022.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-JF6lbzt3GscEIC8-f_uhkReUSM8rrBQZou_-pFIr8KTTvuwChV7k2m2I97SNHz1MZL0hhuVdbVngVvNjQmcqSTkMO7S72YnwvA7woZhsESb7w6zBvP9-L-nReHRD0rIKP8CZFQU6WT9tvZm4md4OQF8gS8rmklHwTpH3A3tC1o5SOoGo8W2w9FLu/s4800/3.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4800" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-JF6lbzt3GscEIC8-f_uhkReUSM8rrBQZou_-pFIr8KTTvuwChV7k2m2I97SNHz1MZL0hhuVdbVngVvNjQmcqSTkMO7S72YnwvA7woZhsESb7w6zBvP9-L-nReHRD0rIKP8CZFQU6WT9tvZm4md4OQF8gS8rmklHwTpH3A3tC1o5SOoGo8W2w9FLu/w640-h432/3.png" width="640" /></a></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">The Not So Good</h2><div><div>As you can see on the <b>3-Month Movement</b>, I gained $ very quickly but then lost all the gains immediately during the time when the interest hikes were announced. Since the auto-trades are based from market signals, they are very much affected by the macroeconomics and global trade.</div><div><br /></div><u>Some days can have as many as 14 trades</u>. And <u>some days have zero trades</u>. </div><div><br /></div><div>A <b>6% return within 3 months</b> is not the best but it’s really not bad at all. </div><div><br /></div><div>All that said, I won’t be topping up my investment in the near future for now because I have other investment vehicles I’m prioritising to allocate funds.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you’re in a country where this app is allowed to run like the US, do consider signing up using my referral code so we can both earn $25 🥹 (<i>hey $25 is $25!</i>)</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><b>Earn $25 from using my referral code</b>: https://streetbeat.com/referral?code=TLU5IJFD</h2><div>For added context on how the trades look like, I'm adding the October performance chart. Noticeably, it has been a green month. I find it interesting that these trades are usually <b>$200</b> tops in total for a day, meaning my invested $1000 is not being traded every day. I guess this makes sense and ensures that the investment risk is not as high. (<i>Read: If it happens to be a day of losses, I won't lose 1.77% of my total investment, if we are to use Oct 19 as an example</i>)</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNknd6xOOmlpCqB_H57nTfF-a8q8kKC0jPWrlQ1H7XqAOqiNRhQO68B3KoPuykPxyuX9VJRrCe8D97Le41XAzEa_HXAFRIrkAdObu6HiHGo9m11cax3QMYWlfyqbLvk1IWI-7NIiJQ5AJRBWscZlcQu4ySsZSCTHlAnZIFZPKaxb7g7owtW09VrByh/s4800/5.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4800" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNknd6xOOmlpCqB_H57nTfF-a8q8kKC0jPWrlQ1H7XqAOqiNRhQO68B3KoPuykPxyuX9VJRrCe8D97Le41XAzEa_HXAFRIrkAdObu6HiHGo9m11cax3QMYWlfyqbLvk1IWI-7NIiJQ5AJRBWscZlcQu4ySsZSCTHlAnZIFZPKaxb7g7owtW09VrByh/w640-h432/5.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Introducing a new way to conclude this type of post by putting a <b>Passive Income Score (out of 7)</b> and an overall <b>Verdict</b>. Because why not.</div><div><br /></div><h1 style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://streetbeat.com/referral?code=TLU5IJFD" target="_blank">Streetbeat</a></h1><div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">Passive Income Score: <span style="font-weight: normal;">5/7 <br /></span></span><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">Verdict: <span style="font-weight: normal;">I actually like Streetbeat. We are not beating the <i>street</i> quite <u>yet</u> but it has a good passive income potential.</span></span></h3></div><p></p></div>Jen Never Blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10076827226598781677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6777122936328292753.post-9035890819542494092022-11-05T02:06:00.005-04:002022-11-05T02:17:17.599-04:00It's Me. Hi.<p>I'm awaking from a long hiatus to write about three major breakthroughs in my journey towards financial freedom. </p><p>But first, a quick background because it's not something that I've written about.</p><h2 style="text-align: left;">A Quick Background</h2><p>I grew up in a middle class family in a Philippine province--the beautiful island province of Palawan. What that means is that whatever the cost of living and socioeconomic standards are in Metro Manila, where I come from is automatically significantly a step lower because it's also a lower 'class' city.</p><p>My parents did well in making sure I get the best possible education in my hometown. And when I moved to Manila for my college education, my Academic Excellence scholarship significantly helped in ensuring I get a degree from a top computer university with minimal expenses.</p><p>As an only child, I will not say we had more than enough, nor were we comfortable.</p><p>Fast-forward to starting my first job out of college during the height of a global financial crisis, otherwise known as <b>The</b> <b>2008 Global Recession</b>,<b> </b>I quickly learned that money was crucial for survival as early as the first paycheck that hit my corporate payroll account.</p><p>In stories here and there on this blog, you'll see how I have come (literally) far--from Manila to Singapore to NYC--and I'm happy to say that while I have not reached my Financial Independence (FI) goal, I'm now at a level that is comfortable enough for me to have multiple ventures and be less risk-averse to achieve my goals.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0AGjLGFiWl35bEoKB_v7Y1LToNH6cMALdDxd-OcL-cEAz8D9PS0rXFoYiQqAujTKAUY_Dl7iZjaNK6BvFTSKbYbM-cGJ-y0X090g8-cfJOZqjMaPpNnzuVEyrz2bjda-WMqTFQDHi2cM_3K0lgKKeBMlxVFdpfaq_3n4akwAUYJSNt_m6QiFRhh2a/s3240/Copy%20of%20@yetanothergoaldigger.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="3240" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0AGjLGFiWl35bEoKB_v7Y1LToNH6cMALdDxd-OcL-cEAz8D9PS0rXFoYiQqAujTKAUY_Dl7iZjaNK6BvFTSKbYbM-cGJ-y0X090g8-cfJOZqjMaPpNnzuVEyrz2bjda-WMqTFQDHi2cM_3K0lgKKeBMlxVFdpfaq_3n4akwAUYJSNt_m6QiFRhh2a/w640-h640/Copy%20of%20@yetanothergoaldigger.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>As far as growth goes, my salary trajectory throughout the years have been astronomical. That said, the cost of living also significantly went up. Lifestyle creep is real and it was only until the pandemic when I started getting more serious with building wealth. </p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">The WHY</h2><p>Like any other objective, it's important to clearly state the WHY--the reason why the objective matters. I have several reasons.</p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>My parents took care of their parents because their parents didn't have a retirement plan. My parents also don't have their own retirement plan. If they get sick during old age, Philippine pension from their jobs wouldn't be nearly enough to cover the expenses. They will rely on me to pay for medical bills and other living costs.</li><li>I want to build my own family and that requires a lot of money, in this day and age. Recent studies show that raising one child until they are 17 years old will cost <a href="https://abc7ny.com/new-study-raising-a-child-inflation-united-states/12150090/" target="_blank">up to $310,000</a>. This number is bound to go up every year, with how inflation rates are going wild in the past years.</li><li>I want to be financially independent to the point where if I want to quit my corporate job, I can still support myself. Being free from money worries has a significant mental health correlation. </li></ol><p></p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Significant W's</h2><p>Earlier this year, I created three different personal finance goals that I want to reach before January 1, 2023 and I'm happy to say that I reached them a full 2 months ahead of schedule.</p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Goal 1: Net Worth</h3><p>This was something I always knew I had to hit so I can get real traction towards my FI goal. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4H6h3RkGl-FOlHM6f8NGzIhdcqUErzSUjC0dfWY5nIZqxQsjJ_XjtJ1Ii62AWrzslNpYEQhhwgahCT4dtbbwyvJlU8e8K1PBoBn12L4sj0bJRR5qUwUbF8FwPgeJdzdb7AnlU59Z9WI0u4TFpsUj4r9oThjnUSZm11g6erBmQ_9TDXVMMUFk3neOn/s3240/NET%20WORTH%20AUGUST%202021%20TO%20AUGUST%202022%20(1080%20%C3%97%201000%20px)%20(1080%20%C3%97%20950%20px).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2850" data-original-width="3240" height="562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4H6h3RkGl-FOlHM6f8NGzIhdcqUErzSUjC0dfWY5nIZqxQsjJ_XjtJ1Ii62AWrzslNpYEQhhwgahCT4dtbbwyvJlU8e8K1PBoBn12L4sj0bJRR5qUwUbF8FwPgeJdzdb7AnlU59Z9WI0u4TFpsUj4r9oThjnUSZm11g6erBmQ_9TDXVMMUFk3neOn/w640-h562/NET%20WORTH%20AUGUST%202021%20TO%20AUGUST%202022%20(1080%20%C3%97%201000%20px)%20(1080%20%C3%97%20950%20px).png" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>If I'm going to be honest, I would have reached this goal so so much faster if I did things differently, like shared housing with a roommate, not living in Manhattan, not paying for the many hobby classes I'm taking--basically not having a life would have gotten me to save so much more of my takehome pay. That said, I'm in a city that every kid has dreamed of living in, including myself. </p><p>The cost of living here is arguably an investment in itself. I get to walk to work, to my every hobby and interest, to see friends--all without needing more than 30 minutes of my travel time. My yoga, pole, improv, dance, indoor cycling, gym classes are all below 10-min walking distance.</p><p>I will not change a thing because by being where I am located, I'm also exposed to the type of mindset that I need to have to continue fuelling my drive. New York City is truly as intoxicating and as frenetic as they say, in a good way.</p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Goal 2: Dividend Income</h3><p>Back in December 2021, I opened a separate brokerage account in <a href="https://www.schwab.com/brokerage" target="_blank">Schwab</a> with an intention of making it a portfolio with only one objective--to create a passive income stream by the way of ETF dividends. No individual stocks, no growth stocks, no tech stocks--strictly ETF only that pays out dividends. </p><p>I was so cute back then setting a goal of $100/year of dividends earned for the Next 12 Months. I quickly learned that it wasn't that difficult to get to $100. </p><p>So in Q2, I upped my goal to a more ambitious $1,000/year of dividend income. That's about $83 of income earned every month without me lifting a finger.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMV22mZQjEkjf6Qs4r-TFxiMkInD5iOsqssG_0wn0tLB9jC3I1PTgOdc3hjoW6g7Ymm2Ydjdd35HpVGMIfMJCYPDhand4u6EMcVwv9doHnZcj6hUw_1eD0kvuKhL-bCIWTC5-2ahGRT19jGMtFhNAM7EyuU3fDQxtaBBmabEcfNtiUtLbWcVMi782d/s3240/Dividend-Yielding%20Portfolio.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="3240" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMV22mZQjEkjf6Qs4r-TFxiMkInD5iOsqssG_0wn0tLB9jC3I1PTgOdc3hjoW6g7Ymm2Ydjdd35HpVGMIfMJCYPDhand4u6EMcVwv9doHnZcj6hUw_1eD0kvuKhL-bCIWTC5-2ahGRT19jGMtFhNAM7EyuU3fDQxtaBBmabEcfNtiUtLbWcVMi782d/w640-h640/Dividend-Yielding%20Portfolio.png" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>Not only did I hit this goal 2 months from my deadline, I also take pride that I hit this goal during a period where the stock market is down. So this means whatever amount I have right now, it is bound to go up even higher when the market eventually recovers, like it usually does after a bear cycle. Oh, and also it's <b>currently at $91/month or $1,100 in a year</b>.</p><p>The <u>rationale for having a goal for Next 12 Months instead of using Received dividends</u> as a metric is so by my supposed deadline on Jan 1, I'm set to have $1,000 for the entire year. </p><p>Because of this progress, I'm setting a new $$$ goal starting in the New Year, and I'm looking forward to hitting that too!</p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Goal 3: Start a Company</h3><p>I have many ideas that I started but failed to fully see through because of my full-time work. So in a way, I 'cheated' to reach this goal. I recently acquired a French SaaS company called <a href="https://coment.in/" target="_blank"><b>Coment</b></a>, which I aim to relaunch by next year. </p><p>It's an opportunity that I came upon by chance and I found it hard to pass this chance to really get my hands dirty at a project that can scale, unlike the personal coding projects I developed for myself in my spare time. (<i><b>Some people baked bread during the Covid lockdowns, I picked up Python!</b></i>)</p><p>This is obviously a big Work-In-Progress and I feel like for a long time, it will be taking up a lot of my weekends and evenings. I have plans to hire people to run the business once I get enough customers to cover operating expenses. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHPueegqDd1hzpYjeqw4qru1fy62Jt0D2E-Z2lMiCB9PhP4baLfK5X7cbCKxth4c4-FjcGHBCWszda3O0DyWZTg-TxnWpck22qtSdakhfjEBEAk-lsOqemY-zLJbVuo4DPuV1v32_9aiUk_VMhIkY7nSm4_LLMJMCaxUztwz4beNTbuUZIITGfiipO/s2796/Screenshot%202022-11-05%20at%2002.01.45.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="592" data-original-width="2796" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHPueegqDd1hzpYjeqw4qru1fy62Jt0D2E-Z2lMiCB9PhP4baLfK5X7cbCKxth4c4-FjcGHBCWszda3O0DyWZTg-TxnWpck22qtSdakhfjEBEAk-lsOqemY-zLJbVuo4DPuV1v32_9aiUk_VMhIkY7nSm4_LLMJMCaxUztwz4beNTbuUZIITGfiipO/s16000/Screenshot%202022-11-05%20at%2002.01.45.png" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>2023 will be stupid-crazy and I am here for it.</p><p>And that's it! That's my life update. </p><p><br /></p>Jen Never Blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10076827226598781677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6777122936328292753.post-84832646445680948462022-01-16T01:14:00.001-05:002022-01-16T11:55:35.356-05:00Glimpse of American Healthcare thru an Expat's Eyes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhIcWTHK5ZaXcrGmnuPj-wXBHsP7sL9LZ7DWyInnsjBSQE5mytrreNE8qUR4AHu-iFeneTb3hlmj_h0T6W6ZH-_QlCWh-pUvgr3jOPEI8sx5jAPpXQSyb8gHWP0p16ATEm7LX9GBYKoBjmQGaDmhrJM0OI9UztK802L1e_sa6NGHsek_M81Khx9_3Id=s6912" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="6912" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhIcWTHK5ZaXcrGmnuPj-wXBHsP7sL9LZ7DWyInnsjBSQE5mytrreNE8qUR4AHu-iFeneTb3hlmj_h0T6W6ZH-_QlCWh-pUvgr3jOPEI8sx5jAPpXQSyb8gHWP0p16ATEm7LX9GBYKoBjmQGaDmhrJM0OI9UztK802L1e_sa6NGHsek_M81Khx9_3Id=w640-h320" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For the first week of the year, I went on my second snowboarding trip this winter season at Stowe Mountain Resort in Vermont. Every day, the conditions were different. One day, the weather forecast said it was going to be a sunny day but upon getting to the ski resort, it started snowing. Then it just snowed and snowed all day. This meant the goggles I brought for the day were not going to be optimal for my already, knowingly, bad eyesight.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This wouldn't be such a big issue if this was not an East Coast snowboarding trip, but it was. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's not dubbed as the Ice Coast for nothing. Despite having fresh snow, this part of the US has always been known for its icy conditions for snow sports. People who have skied and snowboarded here all their life would have no issues but for someone like me who's still learning to snowboard, not being able to spot icy parts of the mountain from a considerable distance meant it made it even more difficult to progress.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Long story short, I finally decided I wanted to get an eye checkup so I can get contact lenses. The nearest town that had eye clinics was an hour away. <b>It had two clinics and a Walmart with an optometrist.</b> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Clinic #1</b> was a bust. They were not taking any new appointments until end of February. <b>Clinic #2 </b>was also a no-go as they didn't have any appointment slots until March. The <b>Walmart optical shop </b>had a slot... on Saturday morning, which also happens to be our last ski resort day. It was a Thursday and I asked why I couldn't be seen by the doctor when there was more than 30 minutes left before she had to go home and had no appointments. I was told it was going to take an hour and the doctor leaves at 4pm sharp.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here are several things I learned as someone not well-versed in the American healthcare system:</h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Eyeglasses and contact lenses cannot be bought without a prescription. </b>This is not the case in the Philippines and in Singapore. If you go to any Optical Shop, they have an optometrist that will perform the eye exam on-the-spot, usually for free, and will give you the prescription and sell you the glasses/contact lenses on the spot. Because I didn't have a US prescription, I couldn't get any walk-in slots in both the optical clinics and thru the Walmart optical shop.</li><li>Despite actually having a prescription from Singapore, <b>all US pharmacies and optical providers cannot accept international prescriptions</b>. It's illegal for them to sell glasses or contact lenses even if you know your eye grade and even with an existing prescription. So if you don't have a US-issued prescription and need one urgently, tough luck--you'd need to wait and get an eye checkup from a US eye doctor performed to get a prescription. </li><li>Prices depend on where you're getting the eye checkup. In Walmart, it was $75 for the eye checkup and a fee of about $25-45 for a contact lens check. In proper clinics, <b>it will cost somewhere from $120 to $200</b>. Some of them will charge extra for a prescription. All of this sound absurd to me, as someone who used to get this service for free from all the optometrists and optical shops in Asia.</li><li>Whatever brand that the doctor prescribes, that's the only brand that can be sold to you.</li><li>If you have never worn contact lenses before, some eye doctors are not allowed to perform an eye checkup. This is likely a liability preparedness measure. I got turned down when I showed up at my Warby Parker eye checkup appointment in the Meatpacking District. For the curious, there is only one doctor in the many Warby Parker branches in New York that can do a contact lens checkup for first-timers and it's in the Rockefeller branch. The appointments are backed up by at least two weeks.</li></ol></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Anyway, I ended up having to wait a week until I got back in New York to get my appointment with an optical doctor in Hell's Kitchen, which was even more convenient at it is near my place. My insurance ended up covering some portion of it but I still ended up paying $150+ out of pocket as my insurance co-payment, on an 80/20 split. In New York standards, this is cheap. But again, if all of these are services that are provided in a first world country (Singapore) and a third world country (Philippines), it makes me feel that this is more of a systemic issue and a blatant attempt at funnelling money into Big Pharma.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On one hand, I feel sorry for all Americans who have never experienced life outside of the US. On the other hand, I'm appalled that this has been the case and nothing is being done to make optical health more accessible to everyone. Are there no politicians that stand against these? And if there are, why aren't they being voted into office?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I know all this sounds like a massive rant. And it absolutely is. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I get it--it's just part of living here. Part of the American Dream somehow involves really inefficient and expensive healthcare. Personally, I have watched enough American TV shows and Patriot Act so I knew what I was signing up for. That said, I think this needs to be talked about more, especially by people who dream of moving here before they move here.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In an effort to end this post on a good note, it should be said that at least now I have my prescription for both eyeglasses and contact lenses. My optical clinic only charged for the eye exams, including a test for Glaucoma, and the prescriptions <i>and the Fiji water </i>were free. I also ended up being cleared for Glaucoma. And the next time I go snowboarding, and hopefully soon, I will be able to see better. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">All in all a good exercise and I'm happy I got this done early into the year.</div>Jen Never Blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10076827226598781677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6777122936328292753.post-54894215642000681702022-01-11T10:39:00.005-05:002022-01-11T12:45:02.775-05:00Passive Income through Staking Rewards on Flexa Capacity<p><span data-offset-key="855t8-0-0">There have been countless posts on how to stake your <a href="https://etherscan.io/token/0xff20817765cb7f73d4bde2e66e067e58d11095c2" target="_blank">AMP Token</a> on <a href="https://app.flexa.network/" target="_blank"><b>Flexa Capacity</b></a> but I wanted to share my experience for new crypto joiners to see how easy this process was </span><span data-offset-key="855t8-0-1" style="font-weight: bold;">on a Gemini Exchange user perspective</span><span data-offset-key="855t8-0-2">. I did the entire thing on my iPhone.</span></p><div data-reddit-rtjson="{"entityMap":{},"blocks":[{"key":"562c6","text":"There have been countless posts on this but I'll write mine for our new joiners to see how easy this process was on a Gemini Exchange user perspective. I did the entire thing on my iPhone.","type":"unstyled","inlineStyleRanges":[{"offset":113,"length":37,"style":"BOLD"}],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"92f1e","text":"","type":"unstyled","inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"2utdp","text":"1. Gemini Earn Redemption","type":"header-one","inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"ee5jg","text":"Since I started buying AMP last February, I've been stacking them into Gemini Earn. I didn't want to bother with gas fees and I was contented with the then 1.7% interest rate. A few months ago, the Earn interest rate went down to 1.25% and while it wasn't a significant decrease from the previous rate, I felt like my AMP could be passively earning more.","type":"unstyled","inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"2iojj","text":"To take advantage of the dip, I bought some ETH for gas. Then, I redeemed my bag from Gemini Earn. Pleasantly surprised at how quick the Gemini Earn Redemption -> Gemini Portfolio was. Usually it will take up to 5 business days for other coins/tokens. I was fully expecting to wait 5 business days for my Amp to be redeemed, but it was instantaneous. My AMP was in my Portfolio the moment I clicked on Redeem.","type":"unstyled","inlineStyleRanges":[{"offset":137,"length":42,"style":"BOLD"},{"offset":185,"length":65,"style":"BOLD"},{"offset":329,"length":20,"style":"BOLD"}],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"8qpgs","text":"The perks of having liquidity for Gemini on Flexa Capacity. Also proof of Flexa collateralisation at work, using AMP tokens staked in the Gemini pool.","type":"unstyled","inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"41ds1","text":"","type":"unstyled","inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"cr0n2","text":"2. Gemini to Metamask","type":"header-one","inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"9dlu4","text":"As always, Gemini to Metamask wallet is straightforward and most importantly free because Gemini covers the gas fees up to *n transactions. I initiated ERC-20 Withdrawals for both ETH (for eventual gas fees) and my bag of AMP.","type":"unstyled","inlineStyleRanges":[{"offset":77,"length":4,"style":"ITALIC"},{"offset":124,"length":1,"style":"ITALIC"},{"offset":124,"length":1,"style":"BOLD"}],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"bs6l5","text":"Looking at the transaction hash, this took 30 seconds for all the confirmations to complete.","type":"unstyled","inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"b05q3","text":"","type":"unstyled","inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"9bdt5","text":"*I put n because this number seem to have changed. Before it was 20 free transactions, then some are saying 5. Some are saying 10. I know I have done more than five Gemini->Metamask transactions this month alone, and I didn't get charged any fees.","type":"unstyled","inlineStyleRanges":[{"offset":0,"length":6,"style":"SUPERSCRIPT"},{"offset":7,"length":1,"style":"SUPERSCRIPT"},{"offset":9,"length":238,"style":"SUPERSCRIPT"},{"offset":7,"length":1,"style":"ITALIC"}],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"48rke","text":"","type":"unstyled","inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"fgsje","text":"3. Metamask to Flexa Capacity","type":"header-one","inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"aqpgc","text":"I tried to check gas fees last night, only to see it going up to $70-$90 so I thought it would be better in the morning.","type":"unstyled","inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"hcn2","text":"I woke up at 6am this morning, surprised that gas fees were even more expensive than last night. It started at $80. Several refreshes on my Metamask iPhone app later, it went down to $61 and I just grabbed it. Etherscan is telling me this took 30 seconds to fully process staking to the Lightning Pool at 4.5%, a good x3 from my Gemini Earn interest rates.","type":"unstyled","inlineStyleRanges":[{"offset":287,"length":22,"style":"BOLD"}],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"fm974","text":"Now, I'm fully staked and has started earning AMP.","type":"unstyled","inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"7indd","text":"","type":"unstyled","inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"af26m","text":"","type":"unstyled","inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"nopo","text":"Some Takeaways","type":"header-one","inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"5cop9","text":"- As a heavy Fantom and Matic network user, I think Ethereum gas fees is really a joke. But since I wanted to get it done, I just paid the gas. That said, the high gas fees is also a good barrier for people not to Unstake from their pools. I think that's important when the rest of the crypto market is panicking during dips.","type":"unstyled","inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"evkhj","text":"- The Flexa Capacity 'Connect to Wallet' feature needs work. Every time I refresh the page, it always asks me to Connect to Wallet. In most DeFi apps I have used, it will automatically connect you to the wallet because the Approval has already been done initially. As it is now, it takes a lot of steps on mobile to stake, especially when we're waiting for gas fees to go down a little bit before hitting Approve. (Read: Every website refresh on Mobile requires that you Connect to Wallet again, then select the Staking Pool and AMP quantity all over again)","type":"unstyled","inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"44ao1","text":"- Out of curiosity, I checked the AMP Token contract and saw that the Top 20 staking transactions (sorted in Ascending AMP quantity) is going from 1 AMP to 2,000 AMP. My first thought was \"wow, how much in gas fees did they spend on this?\" My second thought was \"if they can stake such low AMP quantity and pay the same high gas fees, why tf did I wait so long to stake my bag?\"","type":"unstyled","inlineStyleRanges":[{"offset":189,"length":49,"style":"BOLD"},{"offset":263,"length":114,"style":"BOLD"},{"offset":189,"length":49,"style":"ITALIC"},{"offset":263,"length":114,"style":"ITALIC"}],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"8vdqg","text":"","type":"unstyled","inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}}]}"><div data-block="true" data-editor="138d87" data-offset-key="6jc1u-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="6jc1u-0-0"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8Q1S692dD8sjiTz1B38yVNCQbcyaedZXulWYlibzPnJXBvSA7RAPhlQsxzlCnR4Y2yDpV-1vfdCv_EKJ0KDBq96H2h7BNaGgmbkdxECi1bYczSJL8j245F3eUsKLaxUku2Y9733Xwj-LU5HS8m6KcfmGtBmUR8fTWIjlXOekVjFMRJtYCWmUnIRW4=s3840" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8Q1S692dD8sjiTz1B38yVNCQbcyaedZXulWYlibzPnJXBvSA7RAPhlQsxzlCnR4Y2yDpV-1vfdCv_EKJ0KDBq96H2h7BNaGgmbkdxECi1bYczSJL8j245F3eUsKLaxUku2Y9733Xwj-LU5HS8m6KcfmGtBmUR8fTWIjlXOekVjFMRJtYCWmUnIRW4=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span data-offset-key="6jc1u-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><h1 data-block="true" data-editor="138d87" data-offset-key="e65q8-0-0"><div class="_15ThA3NFuzpQTnPu0I3QKj"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="e65q8-0-0"><span data-offset-key="e65q8-0-0" style="background-color: #d5a6bd;">1. Gemini Earn Redemption</span></div></div></h1><div data-block="true" data-editor="138d87" data-offset-key="ffiu4-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="ffiu4-0-0"><span data-offset-key="ffiu4-0-0">Since I started buying AMP last February, I've been stacking them into Gemini Earn. I didn't want to bother with gas fees and I was contented with the then 1.7% interest rate. A few months ago, the Earn interest rate went down to 1.25% and while it wasn't a significant decrease from the previous rate, I felt like my AMP could be passively earning more.</span></div><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="ffiu4-0-0"><span data-offset-key="ffiu4-0-0"><br /></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="138d87" data-offset-key="69pec-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="69pec-0-0"><span data-offset-key="69pec-0-0">To take advantage of the dip, I bought some ETH for gas. Then, I redeemed my bag from Gemini Earn. Pleasantly surprised at how quick the </span><span data-offset-key="69pec-0-1" style="font-weight: bold;">Gemini Earn Redemption -> Gemini Portfolio</span><span data-offset-key="69pec-0-2"> was. </span><span data-offset-key="69pec-0-3" style="font-weight: bold;">Usually it will take up to 5 business days for other coins/tokens</span><span data-offset-key="69pec-0-4">. I was fully expecting to wait 5 business days for my Amp to be redeemed, but </span><span data-offset-key="69pec-0-5" style="font-weight: bold;">it was instantaneous</span><span data-offset-key="69pec-0-6">. My AMP was in my Portfolio the moment I clicked on <b>Redeem</b>.</span></div><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="69pec-0-0"><span data-offset-key="69pec-0-6"><br /></span></div><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="69pec-0-0"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4n7j7MQGHwWJntFqhb8PQIfqFT1-xzRMkFJThubu5lRUxs4muAiadcd9R2qQYBEuxe6ShneQJstCeaMNVmSUmACZdtUALnKtm9cxwTGswV-8l8ruq5CRuCL-uXrRSdv0RF5IBkIVDPns7nxsLURPMXpNazt6B9H_a0j3JlrLzQ01gHwCJAfJag3Kk=s1892" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="941" data-original-width="1892" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4n7j7MQGHwWJntFqhb8PQIfqFT1-xzRMkFJThubu5lRUxs4muAiadcd9R2qQYBEuxe6ShneQJstCeaMNVmSUmACZdtUALnKtm9cxwTGswV-8l8ruq5CRuCL-uXrRSdv0RF5IBkIVDPns7nxsLURPMXpNazt6B9H_a0j3JlrLzQ01gHwCJAfJag3Kk=w640-h318" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gemini Earn is an in-exhange program on Gemini where a user can earn income passively on their crypto. Gemini's GUSD stablecoin has an 8.05% APY. Right now, AMP Token is at 1.25% APY. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span data-offset-key="69pec-0-6"><br /></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="138d87" data-offset-key="essb0-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="essb0-0-0"><span data-offset-key="essb0-0-0"><br /></span></div><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="essb0-0-0"><span data-offset-key="essb0-0-0">The perks of having liquidity for Gemini on Flexa Capacity. Also proof of Flexa collateralisation at work, using AMP tokens staked in the Gemini pool.</span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="138d87" data-offset-key="cv4fk-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="cv4fk-0-0"><span data-offset-key="cv4fk-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><h1 data-block="true" data-editor="138d87" data-offset-key="1a4va-0-0"><div class="_15ThA3NFuzpQTnPu0I3QKj"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="1a4va-0-0"><span data-offset-key="1a4va-0-0" style="background-color: #d5a6bd;">2. Gemini to Metamask</span></div></div></h1><div data-block="true" data-editor="138d87" data-offset-key="c002k-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="c002k-0-0"><span data-offset-key="c002k-0-0">As always, Gemini to Metamask wallet is straightforward and most importantly </span><span data-offset-key="c002k-0-1" style="font-style: italic;">free</span><span data-offset-key="c002k-0-2"> because Gemini covers the gas fees up to *</span><span data-offset-key="c002k-0-3" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">n</span><span data-offset-key="c002k-0-4"> transactions. I initiated ERC-20 Withdrawals for both ETH (for eventual gas fees) and my bag of AMP.</span></div><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="c002k-0-0"><span data-offset-key="c002k-0-4"><br /></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="138d87" data-offset-key="e3qfe-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="e3qfe-0-0"><span data-offset-key="e3qfe-0-0">Looking at the transaction hash, this took 30 seconds for all the confirmations to complete.</span></div><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="e3qfe-0-0"><span data-offset-key="e3qfe-0-0"><br /></span></div><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="e3qfe-0-0"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEixS5G42e2PLDIRewEBgIChUUItx2cLvHk7liHuX7yyrHpCBuYj6MKl8m4CyvnUy3capGQHQzp4BNQvLhsQzFypvI_mzdGndLdsGl8ALvMBBhlE56qlryMiCJPaTrMOZW4u4zVfXKX9siSIEhp8ckESRC2TirDmEzAfbwyWfxJ-Wh8mNCkt38Tbs72P=s1158" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="763" data-original-width="1158" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEixS5G42e2PLDIRewEBgIChUUItx2cLvHk7liHuX7yyrHpCBuYj6MKl8m4CyvnUy3capGQHQzp4BNQvLhsQzFypvI_mzdGndLdsGl8ALvMBBhlE56qlryMiCJPaTrMOZW4u4zVfXKX9siSIEhp8ckESRC2TirDmEzAfbwyWfxJ-Wh8mNCkt38Tbs72P=w640-h422" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's a 2-click process to get to the Withdrawal screen. Click <Transfer> and then <Withdraw from Gemini></td></tr></tbody></table><br />If you registered your Metamask wallet address into your Private Watchlist, you will get an email from Etherscan telling you that you received tokens from a Gemini-registered address. </div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="138d87" data-offset-key="n37e-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="n37e-0-0"><span data-offset-key="n37e-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="138d87" data-offset-key="2hml-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="2hml-0-0"><span data-offset-key="2hml-0-0" style="font-size: 0.7em; line-height: 0.7em; position: relative; top: -0.4em;"><span data-text="true">*I put</span></span><span data-offset-key="2hml-0-1"> </span><span data-offset-key="2hml-0-2" style="font-size: 0.7em; font-style: italic; line-height: 0.7em; position: relative; top: -0.4em;"><span data-text="true">n</span></span><span data-offset-key="2hml-0-3"> </span><span data-offset-key="2hml-0-4" style="font-size: 0.7em; line-height: 0.7em; position: relative; top: -0.4em;"><span data-text="true">because this number seem to have changed. Before it was 20 free transactions, then some are saying 5. Some are saying 10. I know I have done more than five Gemini->Metamask transactions this month alone, and I didn't get charged any fees.</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="138d87" data-offset-key="d7t7p-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="d7t7p-0-0"><span data-offset-key="d7t7p-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><h1 data-block="true" data-editor="138d87" data-offset-key="3d1nv-0-0"><div class="_15ThA3NFuzpQTnPu0I3QKj"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="3d1nv-0-0"><span data-offset-key="3d1nv-0-0" style="background-color: #d5a6bd;">3. Metamask to Flexa Capacity</span></div></div></h1><div data-block="true" data-editor="138d87" data-offset-key="6ajj5-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="6ajj5-0-0"><span data-offset-key="6ajj5-0-0">Right now there are three staking pools on Flexa Capacity: The <b>Gemini </b>pool (2.38% APY), the <b>SPEDN </b>pool (4.15% APY), the <b>Lightning </b>pool (4.52% APY). </span></div><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="6ajj5-0-0"><span data-offset-key="6ajj5-0-0"><br /></span></div><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="6ajj5-0-0"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgTgOdf5-s2iCxiWCibzw0vfHPsrLhN4UO8iA_FaieVu8EK5MeULPFZe9r2J20TgzRfH0sZe2N90-4--81LaLfXZLm972rKY74RL2Jr0W8ADjFByVCgs9K5gmYtR7v52hK6nwkblq7mUQd2dkp8AboefMoCYD-6MfMErPk1S3ZUiPhp-N_9ZxHbzS8K=s1165" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="754" data-original-width="1165" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgTgOdf5-s2iCxiWCibzw0vfHPsrLhN4UO8iA_FaieVu8EK5MeULPFZe9r2J20TgzRfH0sZe2N90-4--81LaLfXZLm972rKY74RL2Jr0W8ADjFByVCgs9K5gmYtR7v52hK6nwkblq7mUQd2dkp8AboefMoCYD-6MfMErPk1S3ZUiPhp-N_9ZxHbzS8K=w640-h414" width="640" /></a></div><span data-offset-key="6ajj5-0-0">Basically, these are staking pools where each application/network gets liquidity from. It's what enabled me to redeem my corresponding AMP tokens into my Gemini Portfolio without taking 5 business days and what allowed to collateralise my crypto purchases using the Gemini Pay feature as shown <a href="https://twitter.com/jenndpelaez/status/1474244606514639020?s=20" target="_blank">here</a>. </span></div><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="6ajj5-0-0"><span data-offset-key="6ajj5-0-0"><br /></span></div><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="6ajj5-0-0"><span data-offset-key="6ajj5-0-0">The SPEDN pool provides liquidity to the crypto purchases done via the <a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/spedn-by-flexa/id1456135087" target="_blank">SPEDN app</a>. Right now, there are a gamut of cryptocurrencies that can be spent in actual, physical shops like <b>Bed Bath & Beyond</b>, <b>Gamestop</b> ($GME), <b>Nordstrom </b>and <b>Nordstrom Rack</b>, <b>Petco</b>, <b>Dunkin' Donuts</b>, <b>Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf </b>and so many more. </span></div><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="6ajj5-0-0"><span data-offset-key="6ajj5-0-0"><br /></span></div><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="6ajj5-0-0"><span data-offset-key="6ajj5-0-0">Apart from retail shops, banks like <b>Banco Agricola </b>is now on the SPEDN app as a merchant too. This means El Salvadoreans can now pay/deposit crypto into fiat directly to their bank using the Flexa Network via the SPEDN app. </span></div><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="6ajj5-0-0"><span data-offset-key="6ajj5-0-0"><br /></span></div><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="6ajj5-0-0"><span data-offset-key="6ajj5-0-0">Lastly, the Lightning pool is the network used by apps using Bitcoin. The biggest "customer" of Lightning is El Salvador--a whole country that decided to <a href="https://www.npr.org/2021/09/07/1034838909/bitcoin-el-salvador-legal-tender-official-currency-cryptocurrency" target="_blank">allow Bitcoin as legal tender</a>. This means every El Salvadorean can now pay and accept payments in Bitcoin for goods and services using their digital wallets, all powered by the Lightning network which the Flexa network provides the liquidity for. </span></div><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="6ajj5-0-0"><br /><span data-offset-key="6ajj5-0-0" style="font-size: large;"><i>Going back to the Staking Steps</i></span></div><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="6ajj5-0-0"><span data-offset-key="6ajj5-0-0"><br /></span></div><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="6ajj5-0-0"><span data-offset-key="6ajj5-0-0">I tried to check gas fees last night, only to see it going up to $70-$90 so I thought it would be better to sleep and do it in the morning.</span></div><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="6ajj5-0-0"><br /></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="138d87" data-offset-key="br5cp-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="br5cp-0-0"><span data-offset-key="br5cp-0-0">Then I woke up at 6am, surprised that gas fees were even more expensive than last night. It started at $80. Several refreshes on my Metamask iPhone app later, it went down to $61 and I just grabbed it. Etherscan is telling me this took 30 seconds to fully process staking to the </span><span data-offset-key="br5cp-0-1" style="font-weight: bold;">Lightning Pool at 4.52%</span><span data-offset-key="br5cp-0-2">, a good x3 from my Gemini Earn interest rates.</span></div><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="br5cp-0-0"><br /></div><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="br5cp-0-0"><span data-offset-key="br5cp-0-2"><br /></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="138d87" data-offset-key="58prv-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="58prv-0-0"><span data-offset-key="58prv-0-0">Now, I'm fully staked and has started earning AMP.</span></div><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="58prv-0-0"><span data-offset-key="58prv-0-0"><br /></span></div><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="58prv-0-0"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjWKYqaNucxKSHMYpev5i-2lqnjLEr2yqZ7nniQzfspc97Bm92kkOKtT7Ug7J5i6_jtw0xcVEKDWc5ajrOUAazBCbf7oCBGV8x_EUtxR7O0-qnjPPPej_m8fLQO12hZGkCSTkrIs7TwSAXvrujHky_Ba6aMvKqeypsAf_sbMUGV6ntiEQcoatM5SYEG=s500" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="95" data-original-width="500" height="122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjWKYqaNucxKSHMYpev5i-2lqnjLEr2yqZ7nniQzfspc97Bm92kkOKtT7Ug7J5i6_jtw0xcVEKDWc5ajrOUAazBCbf7oCBGV8x_EUtxR7O0-qnjPPPej_m8fLQO12hZGkCSTkrIs7TwSAXvrujHky_Ba6aMvKqeypsAf_sbMUGV6ntiEQcoatM5SYEG=w640-h122" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Felt sentimental getting my first AMP reward. Staking rewards is calculated depending on the quantity of AMP Tokens staked and the current APY.</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="138d87" data-offset-key="8j7ri-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="8j7ri-0-0"><br /></div></div><h1 data-block="true" data-editor="138d87" data-offset-key="9mcvu-0-0"><div class="_15ThA3NFuzpQTnPu0I3QKj"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="9mcvu-0-0"><span data-offset-key="9mcvu-0-0">Some Takeaways</span></div></div></h1><div data-block="true" data-editor="138d87" data-offset-key="766qb-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="766qb-0-0"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span data-offset-key="766qb-0-0">As a heavy Fantom and Matic network user, I think Ethereum gas fees is really a joke. But since I wanted to get it done, I just paid the gas. That said, the high gas fees is also a good barrier for people not to Unstake from their pools. I think that's important when the rest of the crypto market is panicking during dips.</span></li><li><span data-offset-key="46lm3-0-0">The Flexa Capacity 'Connect to Wallet' feature needs work. Every time I refresh the page, it always asks me to Connect to Wallet. In most DeFi apps I have used, it will automatically connect you to the wallet because the Approval has already been done initially. As it is now, it takes a lot of steps on mobile to stake, especially when we're waiting for gas fees to go down a little bit before hitting Approve. (Read: Every website refresh on Mobile requires that you Connect to Wallet again, then select the Staking Pool and AMP quantity all over again)</span></li><li><span data-offset-key="2ki8m-0-0">Out of curiosity, I checked the AMP Token contract and saw that the Top 20 staking transactions (sorted in Ascending AMP quantity) is going from 438 AMP to 3,252 AMP. My first thought was "</span><span data-offset-key="2ki8m-0-1" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">wow, how much in gas fees did they spend on this?</span><span data-offset-key="2ki8m-0-2">" My second thought was "</span><span data-offset-key="2ki8m-0-3" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">if they can stake such low AMP quantity and pay the same high gas fees, why tf did I wait so long to stake my bag?</span><span data-offset-key="2ki8m-0-4">"</span></li></ul></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="138d87" data-offset-key="58mru-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="58mru-0-0"><br /></div></div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2DJ4UR7mL5-yRwEVoS9mX9JsqRJK4UkgdoHluyTsdivdntphf6g_e0azFvWBCivTqpxf7jXmLX4jUEN5Z_8SgPbMLwmMWHbIGsBeUIm8CmfUW-lGPjCj0nJMuGylyFq1PhMLx85OMM0WTYyghFiyOuCNWpe46HVT3DZvt8tBtl5KpLNPl4lkpZdrB=s534" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="534" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2DJ4UR7mL5-yRwEVoS9mX9JsqRJK4UkgdoHluyTsdivdntphf6g_e0azFvWBCivTqpxf7jXmLX4jUEN5Z_8SgPbMLwmMWHbIGsBeUIm8CmfUW-lGPjCj0nJMuGylyFq1PhMLx85OMM0WTYyghFiyOuCNWpe46HVT3DZvt8tBtl5KpLNPl4lkpZdrB=w640-h522" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Lowest 20 staked AMP transactions for January 2022 (sorted in Ascending AMP quantity)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Jen Never Blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10076827226598781677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6777122936328292753.post-37575378570128278612021-11-22T18:46:00.000-05:002021-11-22T18:46:29.841-05:00Murphy’s Law and How I Beat It (This Time)This was the last photo I took before I put my camera back into the bag. I was being severely optimistic by waiting until the very last minute before I crossed the Charles River from Lower Allston, where Harvard Business School is, back into Harvard Square.<br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">Time check: 3:57pm</h3><br />The sun was setting. Despite the dark, gloomy clouds, the red-orange streaks of sunset were peeking through the looming threat of rain.<br /><br />I got into Harvard Station at <b>3:59pm</b>. I remember thinking, “<i>Oh there’s a 4pm Outbound train and I won’t make it. It’s alright, the next train usually arrives within the next 5 minutes.</i>”<br /><br />Of course, the ticket machines I tried weren’t working and it took a full minute to find one that works. As I was getting my ticket, the 4pm train arrived on time. I had no choice, even if I ran, I wouldn’t make it.<br /><br />And there it went. The 4pm train left without me.<br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">To up the stakes, here’s the background:</h3><br />I needed to get back to my Airbnb to pick up my bags and then run to Alewife Station. My bus to Manhattan would leave at <b>5pm</b>.<br /><br /><span style="background-color: #f4cccc;">From Harvard to my Airbnb: <b>15min</b><br />From Airbnb to Alewife: <b>18min</b></span><br /><br />In between that, I needed to pee, get some water, and drop off my Airbnb house key. I did the quick Math over and over again and I really didn’t have much time to spare.<br /><br />And then there it was, the announcement that said the trains have stopped for an indefinite time.<br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">Time check: 4:10pm</h3><br />The train LED started getting filled with information again. Instead of ‘Train Stopped’ it now read ‘10min’ for the next train. The train would now be arriving at <b>4:20pm</b>. <div><br /></div><div><i>“Do I have time?”<br /></i><br />I thought about getting out of the station and getting an Uber instead but I looked on Google Maps and saw that the traffic is so bad, the delayed next train will get me to Davis Station before the Uber would.<br /><br /><i>"Do I wait it out or try my luck in the Cambridge traffic?"<br /></i><br />It was 4:20pm and I was still at Harvard Station. At this point, you probably guessed—yes, I waited it out. During that 10 minutes, I thought about worst case scenarios. At the very worst, I’d miss my bus and would need to take another train to South Station to get on a rail train to Penn Station in New York. At the very worst, I’d still be arriving into New York more or less around the same time as my bus.<br /><br /><span style="background-color: #f4cccc;"><b>For reference<br />Rail</b>: 3hr 17min trip, costs about $180 one-away<br /><b>Bus</b>: 4hr trip, pre-paid and costed $35 one-way</span><br /><br />Another worst case scenario is just staying in Cambridge for one more night. The Airbnb I was staying at isn’t booked so I at least had that option.<br /><br />Having the default mindset of laying out the worst case scenarios almost always makes me logically conclude that even at the worst possible outcome, it’s really not so bad. This is what normally gets me to feel undefeated. No matter how many setbacks come right after the other, this is how I’m able to laugh and say it will be alright.<br /><br />And of course as I say this, the train was delayed even more. Murphy’s Law states that everything that can go wrong will go wrong. From a supposed train at 4:20pm, it arrived at 4:25pm.<br /><br />By <b>4:28pm</b>, I exited Davis Station. Really, it's a quick train ride at only a 3km distance.<br /><br />Google Maps estimated an 11min walk from Davis Station to the Airbnb. I fast-walked it in 6 minutes.<br /><br />I got into the house, dumped my things on the floor, ran to the toilet to pee, washed my hands, refilled my water bottle, reorganised my bags, locked the door behind me, put the key back into the lockbox—all this took 3 minutes.<br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">Time check: 4:37pm</h3><br />Google Maps estimated a 17min walk to the Bus Station. From the time I had left, it sounds good enough. But I didn’t know where the bus will be and how to find it. Then I recall seeing in my peripheral a handwritten sign last Saturday about all the NYC buses being on Berth 6.<br /><br />As I’m fast-walking, I kept saying “Berth 6” again and again as my mantra. I was happy I didn’t take an Uber to Alewife because I was walking faster than the cars stuck in traffic.<br /><br /><i>“Berth 6, Berth 6, Berth 6”</i><br /><br />And in the heat of it all, I walked past this church sign that I kept saying I will come back and take a photo of and never did. While laughing, I stopped and snapped a picture.<br /><br /><i>“Berth 6, Berth 6, Berth 6”</i><br /><br />Heartbeat at an average of 168bpm and at a high of 180bpm—That was how pumped I was, determined to catch every walking man / pedestrian light to get to Berth 6.<br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">Total walk time: less than 12 minutes</h3><br /><b>I arrived at the station and at Berth 6 at 4:49pm</b>, with ample time to go to the Station’s toilet to change into another top because I sweated through my sweater top. With a huge long sigh, I looked into the women's toilet mirror and smiled. Then, I walked back again to Berth 6 to board the bus.<br /><br />I’m now writing this post on my Notes app while sitting in the bus to New York, still really can’t believe that I made it on the bus. Today, I kicked Murphy’s Law in the butt with determination and no-nonsense, optimal step-by-step actions.<br /><br /><br />PS If you’re wondering, all the data are from my photos’ metadata and my Apple Watch</div>Jen Never Blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10076827226598781677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6777122936328292753.post-40873059409317827492021-10-12T21:44:00.001-04:002021-10-12T21:49:36.719-04:00Career/Crypto/Life: Questions Answered<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm08X3SRb_nV3JMc9qOT8X1SKbdH7ncnkspwQlFpKy5cVeMomekqCeV9wsm2SqZSnakg6E_2O5pRFvMQP2qwNHf7sIinb_MiDdnd0YEnwSdnvy6IZKZYJ8ix98omsH6XBPHIaGpP5XL-w/s1201/1E9CFCD7-22F0-41B3-A3BE-496A061CC28B.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1125" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm08X3SRb_nV3JMc9qOT8X1SKbdH7ncnkspwQlFpKy5cVeMomekqCeV9wsm2SqZSnakg6E_2O5pRFvMQP2qwNHf7sIinb_MiDdnd0YEnwSdnvy6IZKZYJ8ix98omsH6XBPHIaGpP5XL-w/w600-h640/1E9CFCD7-22F0-41B3-A3BE-496A061CC28B.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><b>What is an AMA?</b></h2><p>AMA stands for <b>Ask Me Anything</b>. Although to prevent spam and other non-essential topics, I limited the topics to career, crypto, and life. Ironically, I fell asleep right after I posted this so I didn't have time to answer all the questions before the 24-hr period of an Instagram Story was done.</p><p>I'm documenting questions I have answered and some that I haven't for two things: so I can answer the questions from friends and so I get to have a blog post after many months of no blog content.</p><p>Starting with this heavy-hitter question:</p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">1. Do you think it's ok/necessary to keep the Philippines so locked down despite such economic hardship during the pandemic?</h3><p>I don't see another option. Our hospitals are overloaded as it is. Letting everyone roam free as if it's normal is a recipe for more deaths, specifically in the social classes who can't afford to be sick.</p><p>This is anecdotal but let me tell you that as early as April last year, a friend of mine died within 24hrs because he didn't get a bed in the ICU. He was a non-Covid case and had the means to pay for hospitalisation. </p><p>Covid cases aside, it is more of a hospital availability issue. Even non-Covid cases are out of hospital resources. As terrible as it is to be locked in, I don't see the Philippines going back to normal until we get herd immunity back home.</p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">2. Can you give me tips on how to be brave and move to a foreign ass place?</h3><p>Gosh I think I wrote several posts on my own experiences of relocating and the Why's. I will try to link them up here as I find them.</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Here's one on <a href="https://www.jenneverblogs.com/2020/02/of-opportunities-and-big-life-moments.html" target="_blank">moving to New York</a> without having been here before</li></ul><p></p><p>The short answer here is to really want it and trick yourself into thinking you don't have other options. Once you believe that the only place to go is outside of your comfort zone, everything follows. </p><p>The sense of urgency will fill you with so much vigour because the stakes are higher. That usually does it for me. In my case, the very first time I relocated I quit my corporate job without having anything lined up.</p><p>100% would recommend to everyone reading this to try it at least once. It's such a powerful situation that you can put yourself in. Imagine feeling like you can do anything and that everything is possible--that's how I felt in the times I made the move without a backup plan.</p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">3. How do you have so much time or better yet mental energy to do all this?</h3><p>I sleep 5 hours per day and am very hyper-focused when I want to accomplish something. That said, I have lots of anxiety that I often release through creative outlets. </p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">4. Will you return to blogging?</h3><p>This question is why I'm documenting this particular AMA on here. I routinely do AMAs on my Instagram and I do enjoy writing those lengthy posts that are definitely not for a short-form media consumption.</p><p>Adding a note to say I like how my name can be used as a pun for almost everything using this syntax: <b><i><span style="font-family: courier;">jennever + verb</span></i></b>. </p><p>...Jennever Blogs </p><p>...Jen<span style="color: #800180;">never</span> Blogs </p><p>...Jen <span style="color: #800180;">Never</span> Blogs</p><p>...which should really tell you when I'll blog again.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD7vR0UU-jz30kdxXW3UNEHztaU0MtYrxgZSqA4X9AneZrnc0mrT5vwswYMWzKVJdL2o5JktAG8EiF1ElZxfcq-zxza4oeK_i5Gh_FVSDUkOyCk89M4R97gxAFgdmJQcz7O0G8zUlhkfk/s1124/IMG_2442.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="884" data-original-width="1124" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD7vR0UU-jz30kdxXW3UNEHztaU0MtYrxgZSqA4X9AneZrnc0mrT5vwswYMWzKVJdL2o5JktAG8EiF1ElZxfcq-zxza4oeK_i5Gh_FVSDUkOyCk89M4R97gxAFgdmJQcz7O0G8zUlhkfk/w400-h315/IMG_2442.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">5. How do you come to terms with the environmental impacts of crypto investment?</h3><p>This one was another heavy hitter. </p><p>To my friend who asked this question, I had to do a lot of additional research on this subject so I can include citations in my response.</p><p>I cannot find an apples to apples comparison on this topic so we will be using extrapolated data to show environmental impact. In this case, I'm also using carbon emission as the main culprit so we have a commonality.</p><p>The case I'm making here is how crypto investing, specifically BTC, is not any worse than global carbon emissions produced by agriculture, particularly livestock production. I know <i>I know</i> that sounded bad. But hear me out:</p><blockquote>
For those with a smaller budget, it would take a single Antminer S19 Pro (an older generation, but widely available unit) a total of 1,356 days to generate 1 BTC in rewards when working with a mining pool. <i>[Source: <a href="http://Decript.io" target="_blank">Decript.io</a>, December 2020]</i><div></div></blockquote><div><br /></div><div>It takes <b>1,356 days</b> to generate <b>1 BTC </b>in rewards when mining BTC. The 1 BTC that gets mined and distributed to the miners in the pool--basically validators of transaction hash. For a total 1 BTC mined, there are transactions that are happening all over the world that can be verified on the blockchain over that space in time.</div><div><br /></div><div>When compared to the equivalent price in gold, the amount of carbon emission for the production of 1 Bitcoin obviously dwarves the emission of gold at <b>191 tonnes of CO2</b> <b>vs 13 tonnes of CO2</b>, respectively. <i>[Source: <a href="https://www.visualcapitalist.com/comparing-the-carbon-footprint-of-gold-and-bitcoin/#:~:text=The%20carbon%20footprint%20of%20a,13%20tonnes%20of%20carbon%20dioxide." target="_blank">Visual Capitalist</a>]</i></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi_lwDA2F8o9piGy27dKPxTYrdZTVUpBxVsNKolA0wLqFIYNfz4JeEw1oL-I4mSBTMmgSc8ckZySMen62KKKOz-DKh1SMDNUy3HcIQU_tqDszG_Q4DnQPBBggpILxFiOqVQ01fhjATAu8/s1766/Screenshot+2021-10-12+at+5.42.05+PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1590" data-original-width="1766" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi_lwDA2F8o9piGy27dKPxTYrdZTVUpBxVsNKolA0wLqFIYNfz4JeEw1oL-I4mSBTMmgSc8ckZySMen62KKKOz-DKh1SMDNUy3HcIQU_tqDszG_Q4DnQPBBggpILxFiOqVQ01fhjATAu8/w640-h576/Screenshot+2021-10-12+at+5.42.05+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Unlike gold that functions more as a value store and of course used in electronics/jewelry/etc, <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/news/how-bitcoin-works/" target="_blank">Bitcoin</a> has the added benefit of being used for a decentralised system called blockchain. Disclaimer to say I'm not a blockchain expert and I still don't fully understand all the intricacies of it. But on a surface-level, you can't really say gold can show the details of a transaction that was sent from a small town in the Philippines to someone in a big city like New York. (<i>This example is just so inspired lol</i>) </div><div><br /></div><div>Nope gold cannot do that. Bitcoin can.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, now that we have that insight, let's go to livestock numbers.</div><blockquote>By the numbers: GHG emissions by livestock
Total emissions from global livestock: <b>7.1 Gigatonnes</b> of Co2-equiv per year, representing 14.5 percent of all anthropogenic GHG emissions. This figure is in line FAO’s previous assessment, Livestock’s Long Shadow, published in 2006... <i>[Source: <a href="https://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/197623/icode/" target="_blank">Food and Agriculture Organization</a>]</i></blockquote><i></i><div>In case you don't have the conversion off the top of your head:</div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b style="background-color: #f4cccc;"><span style="color: #444444;">1 Gigatonnes = 1,000,000,000 tonnes</span></b></h3><div><br /></div><div>That is <b><span style="color: #cc0000;">7.1 Billion Tonnes of CO2 being emitted from livestock production every year</span></b>. This number was an official published number from the FAO for <b>2006</b>. Fifteen years later, this would be an even higher number than before so this is already not an apples to apples comparison, but let us take Bitcoin's latest BTC annual mining count.</div><div><br /></div><div>From this <a href="https://www.buybitcoinworldwide.com/how-many-bitcoins-are-there/" target="_blank">source</a>, it says that an average of 900 Bitcoins are being mined every day.</div><div><br /></div><div>Multiplying this by 365, it gives us around <b>318,600 new Bitcoins every year</b>.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #ea9999;"><span style="color: white;">Then taking the average emissions of </span><span style="color: #444444;">191 tonnes per BTC * 318,600 BTC</span><span style="color: white;"> is amounting to </span><span style="color: #444444;"><u>60,852,600 tonnes</u> of CO2 emission from BTC per year</span><span style="color: white;">.</span></span></h3><div>I know it's terrible that this example still both shows how we, and our future generations, are basically just doomed but here are the facts laid out in numerical form. </div><div><br /></div><div>The 7.1B tonnes of CO2 being emitted by livestock is why I have actively decided to only buy organic and ethically sourced livestock, despite costing more. It is not enough and I doubt even if more people go vegetarian, it will also not make a huge enough dent to the catastrophe that we have brought upon us.</div><div><br /></div><div>What I do know is that Bitcoin and crypto, in general are doing more and more with regards to making these projects greener. Geothermal, solar, wind energy are being harnessed as a means of powering the crypto farms. </div><div><br /></div><div>More and more crypto companies like <a href="https://medium.com/flexa/flexa-is-now-carbon-neutral-eba8e07f5c7" target="_blank">Flexa are now carbon-negative</a>, with the help of green startups like <a href="https://www.canopi.cash/" target="_blank">Canopi</a>. I don't think this can be said for many big conglomerates that are bigger suspects in worsening the climate crisis.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>As of today, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/investment/news/bitcoin-limited-supply-has-driven-up-its-value-nearly-90-percent-has-be/articleshow/85349471.cms" target="_blank">nearly 90% of the 21 million hard limit of Bitcoin</a></b> has already been mined. As a "scarce" crypto--and I put double quotes on that for added emphasis because that point really matters in the crypto world and crypto mining community--this means that every year, there are less and less Bitcoins that can be mined and thus less and less carbon footprint that the project will emit.</div><div><br /></div><div>I realise this is a very long-winded way to answer the question. There are many, many reasons to be excited about crypto and blockchain, in general. The biggest thing I like about it is being a part of the revolution that disrupts Centralised Finance and the powers that allow Oil and Livestock industries to be left unchecked. This is how I come to terms with the environmental impacts of crypto investing.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">6. How to get started on crypto/investing</h3><div>I received various versions of this questions and I promised links to reading materials. With that said, I'm going to put it in a separate post for indexing reasons. </div><div><br /></div><div>This is not a cop-out. </div><div><br /></div><div>I think this topic deserves its own space, especially with the amount of time I have invested in doing my <b>due diligence</b>--or what the investing community calls as 'DD'.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>___</div><div><br /></div><div>If you reached this paragraph, thank you for reading my brain vomit!</div>Jen Never Blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10076827226598781677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6777122936328292753.post-73569581417196283662021-04-18T19:43:00.000-04:002021-04-18T19:43:11.399-04:00Best Basque and Catalan Cuisine in Soho<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4OL1wiSTKksvkicGLETjQl05spcq1GzsJvh8DhMg6sKAKgWie3SHa6dBHHR6jRxEmOSrctpznRwwhSBaeFIALr3vmcWeLwzc_43nnBRnCYbZazdj2uy_wX-Ng2qCaiMtsoqzqPd3xzCd9/s2048/IMG_7917+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1791" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4OL1wiSTKksvkicGLETjQl05spcq1GzsJvh8DhMg6sKAKgWie3SHa6dBHHR6jRxEmOSrctpznRwwhSBaeFIALr3vmcWeLwzc_43nnBRnCYbZazdj2uy_wX-Ng2qCaiMtsoqzqPd3xzCd9/w560-h640/IMG_7917+%25281%2529.jpg" width="560" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Poppins; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">PULPO, ESPUMA DE PATATA & MOJO PICON</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>It's not a secret that the pandemic has been tough on so many businesses in New York City. This is why throughout this time, I advocated and still have been advocating to eat out whenever possible. One of the most impressive traits of New Yorkers though is resilience and with that, I have seen many businesses and restaurants that opened during this difficult time. <b><a href="https://www.haizeanyc.com/" target="_blank">Haizea NYC</a> </b>in the SoHo neighbourhood is one of them and they have the best Spanish cuisine that I have gotten the privilege of eating in this city.</p><p>Headed by affable Chef Mikel de Luis, this restaurant serves specifically Basque and Catalan cuisine, mostly contemporary tapas but also offer some plates good enough for two. In one word, I'd describe the dishes as <i>delectable</i>--dish after dish has a distinct flavour synergy. Chef Mikel will arrange the order that the dishes will come out in a way that makes the dishes complement the subsequent plate.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjioFFhcYzaOQrsuc_ekNcF8TYY365y-MIFMhDzntYn0T7oek1UjDyLrKmOA5qcjjFRW7e5YC1BA_CsguwMOjRkDOycl21YdBs86XMHGIetZ6oQ66MvDrLXtslCzO4RirfU1zkNHHbape4/s2048/Haizea.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjioFFhcYzaOQrsuc_ekNcF8TYY365y-MIFMhDzntYn0T7oek1UjDyLrKmOA5qcjjFRW7e5YC1BA_CsguwMOjRkDOycl21YdBs86XMHGIetZ6oQ66MvDrLXtslCzO4RirfU1zkNHHbape4/w640-h426/Haizea.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">HAIZEA NYC IS LOCATED IN SOHO</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>To start with, the restaurant gives everyone a complimentary to whet the appetite. It's simple and fresh and bite-sized. If given the chance, I can snack on many pieces of this and I'll be a happy woman. The menu changes, so the items written in this chalkboard might not be the same as what you see when you get there. At the time of the visit, they still didn't have a liquor license but the chef told us that by mid-March 2021, that should change. Of course that will be an even better experience for everyone who likes their food with paired with good wine.</p><p>Not in photo: Black squid ink croquettes. This tapa was so delicious that we finished it before getting the chance to take a photo. Growing up in a beach town, I was never a fan of any black squid ink dishes, but this particular recipe made me appreciate squid ink. It was velvety and complemented well with the crispy croquette batter. </p><p>Next came the pulpo (octopus) as seen on the header image of this blog post. The octopus was charred to perfection and very tender. But what really made this dish a stand-out was the deep, savoury taste of the grilled octopus that played well with the bed of sweet and salty potato foam. This dish is absolutely heavenly and you should not make the mistake of not ordering it. I'm so excited about this dish, I'm willing to use double negatives. This dish is also first thing you will see on the Haizea <a href="https://www.haizeanyc.com/" target="_blank">website</a> and Chef Mikel rightly should be proud of it.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmTTl0MxYFr8nhJRR4fp53e9kx_2RdLqGoMXEhoSyx7C4JV2iNab9TLGTy1_P8kvWmwDAkQquYMvb6GRkgWp3KQQTREhsHyxMHKrd-Vk6SHK9XQpuzpPWgLRZ-x7qQrYqOD14MJ_17mxWQ/s2048/IMG_7929+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmTTl0MxYFr8nhJRR4fp53e9kx_2RdLqGoMXEhoSyx7C4JV2iNab9TLGTy1_P8kvWmwDAkQquYMvb6GRkgWp3KQQTREhsHyxMHKrd-Vk6SHK9XQpuzpPWgLRZ-x7qQrYqOD14MJ_17mxWQ/w640-h480/IMG_7929+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Poppins; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">TXULETILLAS DE CORDERO CON TXIMITXURRI DE ESPELETTE, GNOCCHIS DE RONCAL </span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>After seafood, we moved on to lamb and chips for the main dish. This is also supposedly a tapa but I'm calling it a main because of how filling it was. I don't even know where to start in describing this beautiful dish. It's mouthwatering and cooked to perfection. All of the elements on this plate... just works. The peppers are not spicy at all and adds another a layer of depth. The chips are homemade and swimming in aromatic oil. The lamb is succulent and perfectly seasoned. When eaten with a little bit of everything, including the salt, this just burst into a party in my mouth. On my next visit to the restaurant, I will make sure to order this again.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj13Nu25tyRBDN5s3dZTKNdaKF2BrqTQHOkdBKU17aY5R3Ts4UFTbLma50cwOcHokOoEr6G1CyqdSSLsvIaZOsCf2SwZnv9iV1xhNe-x4qt3TKJPOOxKnjlLqYNMhyphenhyphenUw0uQ1xJ16mPhR5lt/s2048/IMG_7933+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj13Nu25tyRBDN5s3dZTKNdaKF2BrqTQHOkdBKU17aY5R3Ts4UFTbLma50cwOcHokOoEr6G1CyqdSSLsvIaZOsCf2SwZnv9iV1xhNe-x4qt3TKJPOOxKnjlLqYNMhyphenhyphenUw0uQ1xJ16mPhR5lt/w640-h640/IMG_7933+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Poppins; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;">PASTEL DE IDIAZABAL CON MIEL DE AVELLANA & TIERRA DE ALMENDRA</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Poppins; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p>For dessert, we went for the creamy cheesecake with chestnut honey and marcona almond crumble. The fruits were a pleasant surprise as it's not mentioned in the menu. This was the perfect ending to this palatable journey that made me feel like I was back in Spain. And really, during a time when travel is so limited, this is a great opportunity to get a small taste of the culture while being stuck in the city. </p><p>There are plenty of great restaurants in New York City, but you're looking for something special, give Haizea a visit. </p><p><br /></p><p>You can find <b>Haizea </b>at:</p><p>142 Sullivan Street<br />NY 10012<br />+1 6464762261<br />INFO@HAIZEANYC.COM<br /><a href="https://www.haizeanyc.com/reservation" target="_blank">RESERVATIONS</a></p>Jen Never Blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10076827226598781677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6777122936328292753.post-75967803971155403142021-04-13T14:55:00.002-04:002021-04-13T14:55:39.011-04:00Tools for Technical Presentations and Product Demos <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img class="graf-image" data-height="974" data-image-id="1*yZe6hfWcmKQ-ehgCuSzE3Q.jpeg" data-is-featured="true" data-width="1199" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/800/1*yZe6hfWcmKQ-ehgCuSzE3Q.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i>Presenting an Indirect Tax Solution, which Malaysian-based Companies/Entities used in the recent fast-changing Tax Regime developments in Malaysia</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><section class="section section--body" name="c4ec"><div class="section-content"><div class="section-inner sectionLayout--insetColumn"><figcaption class="imageCaption"><br /></figcaption><p class="graf graf--p" name="7ae8"><i>Note: This was originally published on my Medium and Linkedin pages on March 11, 2020. I'm cross-posting it on my blog because some people might find this useful.</i></p><p class="graf graf--p" name="7ae8">Have you ever done a technical presentation that makes the audience squint their eyes as they fixate on the screen? At this exact point, they will also not be paying attention to what you are saying. How could they, when there are a million things to look at.</p><p class="graf graf--p" name="c0f9">Since my career change from technical and into a client-facing role, I have been very conscious about where my audience’s attention go. This is why I rarely put walls of text in a Powerpoint slide. This is also why I put in the effort to make the deck aesthetically pleasing, and try to change the media every now and then when I’m presenting. Sometimes all it takes is a well-placed video clip in the middle of the presentation to wake people up.</p><p class="graf graf--p" name="7078"><strong class="markup--strong markup--p-strong">Moving on to the Solution/System/Application demonstration portion of a technical presentation</strong>: One thing I always try to remember — and to be honest, sometimes still fail at — is the audience might not necessarily have the same background as me. Some will know more than me, yes that’s always a possibility. But when talking to a group, it’s always safer to assume that one may have zero knowledge about the screens that I will be showing. This helps me put my place in their shoes when I put together my presentation.</p><p class="graf graf--p" name="7078"><img class="graf-image" data-height="1408" data-image-id="1*80scL7dFizlc73VTQRtb9Q.jpeg" data-width="1200" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/800/1*80scL7dFizlc73VTQRtb9Q.jpeg" /></p><p class="graf graf--p" name="99f7">One great thing that I have learned is to use zoom and live annotation tools. Not only do they help in making the audience focus on the exact detail I’m showing on the screen, but it also makes the storytelling more powerful.</p><p class="graf graf--p" name="4ebb">I have listed below the three tools I have been using in my presentations.</p><h3 class="graf graf--h3" name="4725"><strong class="markup--strong markup--h3-strong">1. ZoomIt</strong></h3><p class="graf graf--p" name="5d5e"><strong class="markup--strong markup--p-strong">This tool is FREE </strong>— I thought it would be nice to lead with that. When our laptops were refreshed at work, this is the first application that I downloaded from the Internet on my new laptop. <br /><br />It is my main go-to tool when demonstrating because it has a Zoom function combined with annotation and drawing tools. It is also unobtrusive, runs on Startup, and accessible using customisable Hotkeys. </p><p class="graf graf--p" name="5d5e"><span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">[Add-on note as of April 2021: I have been using this tool for two years now and it has not failed me. I try to use it nonchalantly, as if it's part of my presentation process, but sometimes I still get excited when I present an idea and can further emphasise it with the help of this tool. Download it!]<br /></span><br />It currently only works on all Windows operating systems. Click <a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/zoomit" href="https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/zoomit" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><strong class="markup--strong markup--p-strong">here</strong></a> to download.</p><h3 class="graf graf--h3" name="6c8d"><strong class="markup--strong markup--h3-strong">2. PointerFocus</strong> for Windows, <strong class="markup--strong markup--h3-strong">Limelite</strong> for Mac</h3><p class="graf graf--p" name="538a">I lumped this two together because I use them for their same feature — the <strong class="markup--strong markup--p-strong"><em class="markup--em markup--p-em">spotlight</em></strong>. I use the PointerFocus in my work laptop and Limelite for my Macbook.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img class="graf-image" data-height="659" data-image-id="1*Fg9ZsrYbT5jEFM3SQ19NgQ.png" data-width="1919" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/800/1*Fg9ZsrYbT5jEFM3SQ19NgQ.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i>The spotlight follows the mouse pointer</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="graf graf--p" name="6b02">A <strong class="markup--strong markup--p-strong">PointerFocus</strong> trial is free but every 5 minutes, a pop-up will appear saying “<em class="markup--em markup--p-em">this is a Trial version.</em>” That’s okay if I only want to play around with it, but for presentations in conferences or in Customer meetings, that will annoy and distract a lot of people. <strong class="markup--strong markup--p-strong">A one-time license key is priced at $12.50 + sales tax</strong>. I ponied up.</p><p class="graf graf--p" name="5efd">It has other annotation features as well, and more advanced ways of pointing something to the attention of the audience. There are preset hotkeys.<br />Get the tool <a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="http://www.pointerfocus.com/" href="http://www.pointerfocus.com/" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><strong class="markup--strong markup--p-strong">here</strong></a>.<br /><br /><strong class="markup--strong markup--p-strong">Limelite</strong> works the same way. I like how smoother its rendering is than PointerFocus, but that may be because of the Operating System’s overall better UX. (Thank you, Steve Jobs!) Unfortunately, my work requires to demonstrate systems on Windows so I can only use Limelite for my personal passion projects.</p><p class="graf graf--p" name="57ea">Before I forget — <strong class="markup--strong markup--p-strong">Limelite is FREE</strong>! Install it from <a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="https://www.limeliteapp.com/" href="https://www.limeliteapp.com/" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><strong class="markup--strong markup--p-strong">here</strong></a>.</p><h3 class="graf graf--h3" name="df83"><strong class="markup--strong markup--h3-strong">3. Magnifier tool (native Windows tool)</strong></h3><p class="graf graf--p" name="ee00">For quick magnification needs, the Magnifier tool is also a good option. It’s built-in on Windows so that means <strong class="markup--strong markup--p-strong">it’s free</strong>. My only problem with this tool is that the magnification has an increment of 100s— meaning from 100% (normal display), it will magnify to 200%, 300%, 400%… this goes on until 1600%.</p><p class="graf graf--p" name="3f1e">I wish it has the option to go in between or at least give me control over the zoom. As you know, in Web Meetings there can be some lag time and a magnification with that big of an increase tends to confuse the audience even more.</p><h3 class="graf graf--h3" name="602a">Some Final Tips:</h3><ul class="postList"><li class="graf graf--li" name="8af4">Practice. The goal is to demonstrate without making it look like it was forced. Any zooms and annotations should come in naturally into the presentation. Practising and playing around with the tools will let you know which specific tool would make the presentations more impactful.</li><li class="graf graf--li" name="3812">Don’t go overboard using all of the tools. I usually just use one feature of one tool (usually the <em class="markup--em markup--li-em">zoom</em>) and when I’m trying to emphasize something important, that’s only when I use the annotations.</li></ul></div></div></section><section class="section section--body" name="2029"><div class="section-divider"><hr class="section-divider" /></div><div class="section-content"><div class="section-inner sectionLayout--insetColumn"><p class="graf graf--p" name="1c53">If you’re still reading and have been using other demo tools not mentioned here, please feel free to let me know in the Comments section! I would love to test them out!</p></div></div></section>Jen Never Blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10076827226598781677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6777122936328292753.post-13274014016405474132021-04-12T16:52:00.005-04:002021-04-12T16:56:30.383-04:00First Hamptons Trip and What I Did <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWz-bvkWoJLH8VV6-BLYX0Eyavgo7BbiwAEPT4Ymju0eP6lfOwtwlKOUmDt4muGAmwbObCH4JiHn372vzjXVru-BVvUeIl1BHnTZX0ihWGiMzxkbeETgXR4BGeJdkwwvAEk7CCAwxGFhc/s2048/Off-Season+Hamptons.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWz-bvkWoJLH8VV6-BLYX0Eyavgo7BbiwAEPT4Ymju0eP6lfOwtwlKOUmDt4muGAmwbObCH4JiHn372vzjXVru-BVvUeIl1BHnTZX0ihWGiMzxkbeETgXR4BGeJdkwwvAEk7CCAwxGFhc/w640-h480/Off-Season+Hamptons.png" width="640" /></a></div><p>Within just a two-hour drive from the City, the Hamptons is looking like a great weekend getaway destination to destress from city living. It has lots of valleys where you can rent a house far away from the main road, and the proximity to the beach is more than ideal. Being an island girl, I can tell you objectively that this public beach in particular has no hint of plastic and other trash that one would normally see in beachfronts--what a pleasant surprise!</p><p>I grew up watching American TV shows and movies and the Hamptons would always be name-dropped if the show is set in New York City. And now I can see why. </p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV2mVRiN2YgDXVhobhpSj0WKI2bChdNB70vY09LM8xkoQLSSOs5Ir4fHYkUoV_ad-N1rJ_Kg2NQsx9rPl-7OBE2UORV0b-hJ2kYmWWqt9cQkKqB2DDe5XO624SXimhNj08WKtU0lWIAp4/s2048/IMG_8102.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV2mVRiN2YgDXVhobhpSj0WKI2bChdNB70vY09LM8xkoQLSSOs5Ir4fHYkUoV_ad-N1rJ_Kg2NQsx9rPl-7OBE2UORV0b-hJ2kYmWWqt9cQkKqB2DDe5XO624SXimhNj08WKtU0lWIAp4/w300-h400/IMG_8102.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Seared tuna with pineapple fried rice</i></td></tr></tbody></table>Before going, I was also curious what can you actually do there when it's not summer. Unsurprisingly, the food scene was thriving, with most restaurants getting booked out, up to allowed capacity based on Covid-19 regulations.<p></p>To start off the trip, we stopped by at <b>Cowfish at Hamptons Bay</b> to grab lunch before driving 30 more minutes to the Airbnb. The seafood was well-seasoned and cooked and it was my first time to try wine made in the Hamptons/Long Island. <br /><p>I took the Friday off so technically I was not supposed to be working but I brought my laptop with me to do some last-minute addition to my presentation for a client. Again unsurprisingly, no one in that restaurant was on work mode because it is, after all, the Hamptons, where people come and unwind. I slowly tucked away my laptop as soon as I finished sending my email and enjoyed this seared tuna with balsamic-base dressing.</p><p>For dinner, we went to get takeout from the Italian restaurant called Cappelletti for some nicely toasted pizza crust that is perfectly soft in the middle and one lamb dish I forgot the name of. Then we dropped by the wine shop nearby to try a bottle of Leo Family 2015 Red Wine, and the only reason I can remember the name is because the wine label was so cool, I wish I got more to take back home. This wine is also locally produced in Long Island, New York. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUuvK-hSziWeVLE8GjUSsgrQUzYerCyvlSkT7yAqpMb9mwkUzsgXbfdHiTqMvtcd8GEPk7j9Q994tx4Afa4_GG5jVAjrPuK_rV6TFzkCzDC4W0_Igooq2FRlrB4UP7xj5W2zFU7nQ5SdU/s2048/IMG_8173.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUuvK-hSziWeVLE8GjUSsgrQUzYerCyvlSkT7yAqpMb9mwkUzsgXbfdHiTqMvtcd8GEPk7j9Q994tx4Afa4_GG5jVAjrPuK_rV6TFzkCzDC4W0_Igooq2FRlrB4UP7xj5W2zFU7nQ5SdU/w480-h640/IMG_8173.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Takeout from Cappelletti's</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>The next day, the itinerary was going up to the public beach and of course before getting there, we got lost in a dirt road of what is apparently Private Property. A rich old white man got out of his car and waited for us to turn around. On the way out of that dust road, the man flagged us and said <i>"This is a private property, "</i> we said we got lost looking for the beach, and then he said <i>"Riiiight."</i> </p><p>So what is the point of this mini anecdote? Well, nothing really. But it speaks a lot about what the Hamptons is, which is an enclave of many rich people that have their own private areas, not just residences. There were many other roads that were blocked and had a marking that they were private property.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4vktYDq_WpZAqXQX_yPRD6ALVA_iPeaalYu6NXd5LxAoDstXipMxKcTgSIEYQcWMZtl5vUF6RQn6khetL9kuWgDpyT7fca06aPmUYvUlTSzEatldwJSDB6W3Q2yFYupW-Lc4quD9xiT0/s2048/IMG_8280.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4vktYDq_WpZAqXQX_yPRD6ALVA_iPeaalYu6NXd5LxAoDstXipMxKcTgSIEYQcWMZtl5vUF6RQn6khetL9kuWgDpyT7fca06aPmUYvUlTSzEatldwJSDB6W3Q2yFYupW-Lc4quD9xiT0/w640-h480/IMG_8280.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Seared scallops as a starter</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>For dinner that day, we went to another Italian restaurant called <b>Nick & Toni's</b>. The Google Maps caption says "<span face="Roboto, HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043; font-size: 14px;">Longtime eatery offering wood-oven Italian-Mediterranean fare in a fashionable farmhouse setting.</span>" and the place is really lovely but I probably won't describe it as <i>fashionable farmhouse</i>. We almost didn't go here because it means we'd have to drive back while it's pitch dark in the evening, but the cancellation fee for not going through a reservation is $75 per head, which is basically the average price of a meal per person.</p><p>I had no complaints with the food. The serving portions are unlike the usual American upsized portions, but that's more likely to do with the restaurant's fanciness level. The scallops above were phenomenal, and for main course I had pan-grilled swordfish. For dessert, we took back home a pint of their homemade gelato, which was priced well within reason.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdVQImfORbETKDiu7FG5ujB-vPRhG9GPNmAf8UqdN3wilIshm7zZqPvV8PD5JtUGkRFPrFN_YQVR5NX_1Tz4BrhulJbjdasQas62GIOBDhDrz3A6H0H40boY-cNvBfTfRdYWu2pnj1L7E/s2048/IMG_8323.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdVQImfORbETKDiu7FG5ujB-vPRhG9GPNmAf8UqdN3wilIshm7zZqPvV8PD5JtUGkRFPrFN_YQVR5NX_1Tz4BrhulJbjdasQas62GIOBDhDrz3A6H0H40boY-cNvBfTfRdYWu2pnj1L7E/w640-h480/IMG_8323.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>On that Sunday, before heading back into the city, we stopped by at the Wolffer Estate Vineyard, one of the many vineyards there to eat some lunch, more like tapas, and tried a flight of their homegrown wines. I ended up getting a bottle of the Umbra Merlot 2010 to take back home.</p><p>It seems like an uneventful weekend despite being out and about at the same time. It's great to have to opportunity to walk around on the beach, drive under the trees during sunset while the sun's rays are piercing through the leaves, eat good food and drink great wine. It's definitely going to be a different experience come summer when most people have been vaccinated and can do what people do during summer in the Hamptons.</p>Jen Never Blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10076827226598781677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6777122936328292753.post-35406460716988040492021-04-10T13:30:00.003-04:002021-04-10T14:16:37.400-04:00Conundrum of a Hobbyist<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAMGbM_TMir4rW7sESXq0y4Qa9qNKGBIDbpJjbrmQfyM9r0MAsDMRiCCySIWYWBAERDysvwQL9SHQUgINhyR03YDavB5iUXzq9dko3PHYAEBta3sd8uH2qanpcmc_dK2Hea3_u-KEKxkA/s2048/Copy+of+SaaS.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAMGbM_TMir4rW7sESXq0y4Qa9qNKGBIDbpJjbrmQfyM9r0MAsDMRiCCySIWYWBAERDysvwQL9SHQUgINhyR03YDavB5iUXzq9dko3PHYAEBta3sd8uH2qanpcmc_dK2Hea3_u-KEKxkA/w640-h640/Copy+of+SaaS.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Prelude </h2>I first learned to use <b>Photoshop</b> and <b>Pagemaker</b>, both Adobe products, 18 years ago. It seems like a memory not far away but when I type it out like that, it really makes the sentiments of writing this post bite even harder.<div><br /></div><div>It was in high school when I joined the school newspaper as the layout artist and photojournalist, using both products came with the role. Along with the editor-in-chief, I was spending late-night schooldays and weekends in our office to edit photos and finish the newspaper layout, and same long hours at the printing press to do some last-minute touch-ups. Needless to say, I knew how to use these applications and has always been my go-to when I need them. Pagemaker was eventually sunsetted by Adobe and in came <b>InDesign</b> to replace it.</div><div><br /></div><div>My experience with video editing came from another unusual avenue. Around the same year that I learned the products above, I was a volunteer for our local church's media department. There I learned to use <b>Sony Vegas</b> for video editing those clips that show in-between segments of a Sunday church service. When I moved to the metropolitan city for my college education, I found myself needing to use my video editing skills for school projects. I tried to download Sony Vegas but I had problems making it work. I looked for alternatives and found out about Adobe Premiere Pro. This was the start of getting to know this new Adobe application in my creator vocabulary. Like Photoshop, it's been an application that I'm familiar with because I have almost two decades of history with them. Without doubt, I can say <b><i>I know them</i></b>.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">The Conundrum</h2><div>Over the years, companies moved into a recurring revenue model where one would need to pay a fee every month or year--a subscription--to access an application. This is true for almost every application that doesn't use your personal information as payment like Facebook. Not that this is revolutionary because paid licensing was already a thing in the last two decades. It's just more in-your-face right now with less options for different types of customers, and with so many badly done bundling of products and yes I'm referring to the era of <b>Adobe Creative Cloud</b>.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Speaking of customers, in the case of Adobe you would have:</h3><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Professionals</li><li>Freelancers</li><li>Educators/Students</li><li>Corporations</li><li>Hobbyists</li></ol></div><div>In fairness to Adobe, their 60% off discount for Educators and Students is generous. Adobe giving a huge discount is a win-win for both: the company locks the market share and the students can grow their skillset using the same family of products while educators will be using the products and inadvertently evangelising the brand. As someone who started using their products as a student, it was an easy decision to become a 100% paying customer when I started working. </div><div><br /></div><div>For<b> #1 (Professionals) </b>and <b>#4 (Corporations)</b>, I'd say it's a reasonable operational expense for the business to have great tools that can produce excellent quality work. And with the recurring nature of the subscription, it means all the applications will come with the latest updates every month. Yes, in this case it also becomes a win-win for both the customer and the company.</div><div><br /></div><div>For <b>#2 (Freelancers)</b>, I think this borders on that line where it becomes an unnecessary expense or a solid investment depending on how much volume of freelance work are received. If there's no pipeline of revenue-generating profit, it will not make sense to be spending a monthly or annual fee in keeping the access to the applications.</div><div><br /></div><div>Maybe you already guessed it: I fall under <b>#5 (Hobbyists)</b>. I have an Acrobat Pro subscription paid for by my employer because I use that for work. Aside from that, I don't really need these products in my day-to-day life. In cases where I have free time to create a video for work or for my blog, that's when I reach for the Adobe Premiere Pro. When I want to do a photoblog, that's when I try to reach for my Adobe Photoshop to make sure the photos are clean and cohesive. I genuinely love using these products because it's now second nature to me and I actually kept my annual subscription last year. </div><div><br /></div><div>Did I make full use of it? No. </div><div><br /></div><div>Of course, it's not Adobe's fault that I'm not able to maximise the money I paid for some of my Creative Cloud apps. With that knowledge of how bad my utilisation was, I ended up cancelling my subscription during renewal period. Without Photoshop, I found myself using <a href="http://pixlr.com" target="_blank">Pixlr</a>, a free online photo editing tool, for one-off edits. For creating basic videos for work, I find myself doing basic video-editing using the company <a href="https://screencast-o-matic.com/" target="_blank">Screencast-o-Matic</a>. It's not great but I don't have to pay $240/year for it and it does the job. For creating posters, animated presentations, one-off graphics like the hero image of this post, I use <a href="https://www.canva.com/join/pastel-stare-pick" target="_blank"><b>Canva</b></a>.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwmuqDyKoLSBgPmP-AYlKMYwGo3By2QqvafmauMMpAPfIfOctL3zJlNr9SpNEL8Gb9wmAowjfo4-3Wf2P6Yrefr8eul55NteyQ2K1-uJbjUZF9SB8w_NZWy5zjGaAyNj1qsL4vHsg6wbA/s2048/Screenshot+2021-04-10+at+10.55.43+AM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1431" data-original-width="2048" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwmuqDyKoLSBgPmP-AYlKMYwGo3By2QqvafmauMMpAPfIfOctL3zJlNr9SpNEL8Gb9wmAowjfo4-3Wf2P6Yrefr8eul55NteyQ2K1-uJbjUZF9SB8w_NZWy5zjGaAyNj1qsL4vHsg6wbA/w640-h448/Screenshot+2021-04-10+at+10.55.43+AM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>All Apps license on Creative Cloud is $52.99/month</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Today, I found myself going to the Creative Cloud website again to see if I have an option to only license the apps that I want on a prepaid month-to-month (basically pay-as-you-go) and found that these options are not really visible. I had to get on Chat Support to ask which applications has this option. </div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">No Month-to-Month</h3><div>These options do no have a prepaid month-to-month (pay-as-you-go model) plan. This means each subscription requires an annual commitment.</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Photography Plan (Photoshop+Lightroom on 20gb cap)</li><li>Other bundled Plans except All Apps</li></ul></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Month-to-Month Available</h3><div>These applications will have a prepaid pay-as-you-go option. This means if I only want to use Photoshop this month of April and not for the other months in 2021, it's doable. </div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Photoshop</li><li>Illustrator</li><li>InDesign</li><li>Acrobat Pro</li><li>Premiere Pro</li><li>All Apps Plan</li></ul></div><div>The only caveat is there is a premium for using these apps as needed. For example, the All Apps Plan that's normally $52.99/month on an annual commitment contract becomes <b>$79.49/month</b> if you only subscribe to it one month at a time. Another example is Adobe Premiere Pro which is normally $20.99/month on an annualised contract and this becomes <b>$31.49/month</b> on a monthly pay-as-you-go prepaid model. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ1SHz0NwIuYNUwcP1SPG19lQYze9l9W-gB23ZXKgOl4xgSnaK-SFRDf2drPoNGVJwuPvIWCV3chVSVbnb4zlG2xjvaDBazKXFBFRcL2ZUtI3RKIV5KmPu1YKvqRThq9E-d3AU_ReMCM8/s784/Screenshot+2021-04-10+at+12.59.32+PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="608" data-original-width="784" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ1SHz0NwIuYNUwcP1SPG19lQYze9l9W-gB23ZXKgOl4xgSnaK-SFRDf2drPoNGVJwuPvIWCV3chVSVbnb4zlG2xjvaDBazKXFBFRcL2ZUtI3RKIV5KmPu1YKvqRThq9E-d3AU_ReMCM8/w400-h310/Screenshot+2021-04-10+at+12.59.32+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>For reference, <b><u>both examples have a 50% increase</u></b> in fee. That's 50% additional premium for a month of not subscribing annually. At the end of the day, as a customer, you will have to decide whether to commit to an annual subscription or pay the extra price of doing several one-off months.</div><div><br /></div><div>Personally, I'm going with the latter so I can invest the extra money I'm not spending to pay for an annual license that I seldom use. Maybe it will also help me with my creative workflow and do several projects in one month, instead of one at a time. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm curious to know how other companies are handling non-heavy users. Let me know if you have other experiences like this outside of Adobe. </div>Jen Never Blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10076827226598781677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6777122936328292753.post-34598097248958793362021-04-06T16:49:00.000-04:002021-04-06T16:49:09.755-04:00(Likely) Tax Savings with Honey <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1H6derVR1Oq8SViT5KnCdRlRRq1h3QCw1W7f3uzYHlcnQLyTYf79xJhHGmqgn0oXKKE_RoCw3WTUSZFVB2p5xgb9_7KPMSb1flFeK5XjjTlUZJp6P9AtlCyNwWoF2f8obb2oZj3klt_M/s2048/pexels-pixabay-56876.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1H6derVR1Oq8SViT5KnCdRlRRq1h3QCw1W7f3uzYHlcnQLyTYf79xJhHGmqgn0oXKKE_RoCw3WTUSZFVB2p5xgb9_7KPMSb1flFeK5XjjTlUZJp6P9AtlCyNwWoF2f8obb2oZj3klt_M/w640-h428/pexels-pixabay-56876.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Top View of Bees Putting Honey (Photo by Pixabay | pixabay.com)</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: left;"></div></div></blockquote><p><span style="text-align: left;">Back in January 2020, </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/#" style="text-align: left;">Paypal acquired</a><span style="text-align: left;"> the company called </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/#" style="text-align: left;">Honey</a><span style="text-align: left;"> for a staggering pot of $4B in cash. Honey, which essentially started as a Chrome web browser plug-in, searches every coupon code available online and automatically tries out each code upon online shopping checkout in an e-commerce website. This plug-in makes it possible for its users to save on deals they wouldn't have otherwise known if they didn't Google-search it themselves.</span></p><p><span style="text-align: left;">After the acquisition, another revenue model seems to have bubbled up in the form of gift cards. Now, if you have read my <a href="https://www.jenneverblogs.com/2021/03/t-mobile-prepaid-savings.html" target="_blank">previous post</a> on Target's gift cards, you will already get where I'm going with this. But for the uninitiated, let me take you through my Sephora experience to explain how to get even more savings.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>How to Get Extra Savings with Honey</b></span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJj6w6jg1MUVpX9lm-k8fq94EKDzpfBF51ygCTeBPgWYh2NWxeIewGJKQAXB0k3wtehkwVSP538oB8nUFwqj6Z3fN_k9D8XvBCdxpaJEkwfJCdKxzdQ0EkwBDh4RoeGg6-6_X6bpzwrAU/s426/2021-03-05+14_48_34-Checkout+_+Sephora.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="294" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJj6w6jg1MUVpX9lm-k8fq94EKDzpfBF51ygCTeBPgWYh2NWxeIewGJKQAXB0k3wtehkwVSP538oB8nUFwqj6Z3fN_k9D8XvBCdxpaJEkwfJCdKxzdQ0EkwBDh4RoeGg6-6_X6bpzwrAU/w276-h400/2021-03-05+14_48_34-Checkout+_+Sephora.png" width="276" /></a></div></div></div></blockquote><p><span style="text-align: left;">As web browser plug-ins go, Honey pops up on the upper righthand corner of the browser to:</span></p><p><span style="text-align: left;">1) Tell you that it found coupon codes and if you want to try applying those coupon codes</span></p><p><span style="text-align: left;">2) And show that on top of the coupon code, there is an extra way to get savings on your online purchase via a gift card</span></p><p><span style="text-align: left;">Selecting <b><u>Continue</u></b> takes you to a Honey overlay window where you can decide how to pay for the gift card. It can be thru Paypal (of course) or credit card. Note that in this purchase, the face value of the gift card will not be the same price you will pay at the Honey checkout, but a lower value as indicated by the Extra Honey savings estimate.</span></p><p><span style="text-align: left;">After that simple purchase, it will take you back to the checkout screen and auto-fill in the gift card details in the appropriate fields. If the auto-fill is not enabled for the e-commerce website, the gift card details can be copied and pasted into the check-out page.</span></p><p>It's pretty straight-forward. Upon reviewing and placing the order, the Order Total will breakdown the merchandise subtotal, the other in-store discounts, tax, shipping fee, and the gift card value. </p><p>See below how the Checkout page will look like.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1dI34DBe9-XR5peA833xFQqf74JarZP_UaE2d6J8W1lIdD-VPMrrCypPyXfA1qoASXPNFAcmfW9Kj8ThzWx46JJAJw3LW0JbURv6uBcCmk6ldhmnhLWvNt5r2Y52ogZtJ6zW3eMoumdc/s1891/2021-03-05+13_27_03-Checkout+_+Sephora.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="955" data-original-width="1891" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1dI34DBe9-XR5peA833xFQqf74JarZP_UaE2d6J8W1lIdD-VPMrrCypPyXfA1qoASXPNFAcmfW9Kj8ThzWx46JJAJw3LW0JbURv6uBcCmk6ldhmnhLWvNt5r2Y52ogZtJ6zW3eMoumdc/w640-h325/2021-03-05+13_27_03-Checkout+_+Sephora.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The gift card details will either be auto-filled in or can easily be copied from the Chrome plug-in</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Sephora (or other online shopping websites) will receive the full payment value of the gift card, while you, the consumer will be paying for the face value amount of the gift card at a discount. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbLqIGFeTz-Onnez7f2Fl-TRhJEYsZ-5f-2jAf5VXEIutxIPWf1pMcpJN6BPDpO7uuxzWlMK_THjoDFcfxsYTX3fbUYv9BPYDBUSZg1cK0XavQ7SDNv66xGBvxGJyCP3Cc4GdOSg_gGys/s1706/2021-03-05+13_29_26-Checkout+_+Sephora.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="546" data-original-width="1706" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbLqIGFeTz-Onnez7f2Fl-TRhJEYsZ-5f-2jAf5VXEIutxIPWf1pMcpJN6BPDpO7uuxzWlMK_THjoDFcfxsYTX3fbUYv9BPYDBUSZg1cK0XavQ7SDNv66xGBvxGJyCP3Cc4GdOSg_gGys/w640-h203/2021-03-05+13_29_26-Checkout+_+Sephora.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The gift card is applied upon checkout. The gift card redeemed is lower than the initial estimate because I used my Sephora points to get an additional $10</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">Estimated 6.5% Extra Savings</span></b></p><p>I realise that by showing these screenshots, <b><i>it looks like I paid for $39.19</i></b> so let me try to break it down: In this cart, I paid for two full-priced items that costs $46, but because I have my $10 discount I'm only paying a new total of <b>$36</b>. In NYC, the sales tax rate is <b>8.875%</b> and that will be an additional <b>$3.19. </b>The grand total for this is <b>$39.19</b>. </p><p>But what I actually only paid is <b>$36.63</b>. In this transaction, there is a <b>$2.56</b> in extra savings from using Honey. It may seem small, but this is still a <b>6.5% discount off the total price</b> while using a web plug-in that's non-invasive, easy to use, and doesn't require an installation of another app. It makes me also think of the hundreds, if not thousands, I have spent on online shopping during the Covid-19 lockdowns and how much I could have cumulatively banked had I been using Honey before.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOxIMOthIQEA76sHh8GIWvZb86HgehHDI4n3RP76LGFbHuitJrEOc6RsYMbCmcFcOuCqee6GUFGktvJaGebrMAExfaPK49OxzAlPFdVTLPeKIu396kUhu6jylB2oTbA-IY1CXxCOASF6s/s876/2021-04-06+12_48_10-PayPal_+Activity+-+Brave.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="371" data-original-width="876" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOxIMOthIQEA76sHh8GIWvZb86HgehHDI4n3RP76LGFbHuitJrEOc6RsYMbCmcFcOuCqee6GUFGktvJaGebrMAExfaPK49OxzAlPFdVTLPeKIu396kUhu6jylB2oTbA-IY1CXxCOASF6s/w640-h272/2021-04-06+12_48_10-PayPal_+Activity+-+Brave.png" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>And to connect with the point that I was alluding to earlier by comparing this to <a href="https://www.jenneverblogs.com/2021/03/t-mobile-prepaid-savings.html" target="_blank">Target's Gift Card Center</a>. Based from my job working in the Tax Technology industry, I'm inferring that these "savings" are actually tax savings from buying thru a gift cards, which in the US is not liable to taxes. Even though the total discount (6.5%) is not equal to what I'm supposed to pay for in New York City (8.875%), I can see how it's likely that Honey is using the same tax savings model and taking a percentage as service fee. </p><p>For indemnity purposes, I would like to say this merely a deduction of Honey's additional revenue segment and not something I am sure is factual. Regardless of how they are doing this model, I'm a fan of their service so I wanted to share it for everyone to also take advantage of. <a href="http://joinhoney.com/ref/fub68zn" target="_blank">If you don't have a Honey account, it's very easy to sign up here.</a></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Numbers At A Glance</b></span> </p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><b>Subtotal Orders in Cart</b>: $46</span><br /><b>Store Discount</b>: $10<br /><b>Subtotal after Discount</b>: $36<br /><b>Sales Tax on $36</b>: $3.19<br /><b>Grand Total</b>: 39.19<br /><b>Price of Honey Gift Card: <span style="background-color: #f1c232;">$36.63</span></b></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="color: #444444;">Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored but the links to the Honey website contain a referral code that gives the author a reward for every sign up. Jennever Pelaez is not a tax consultant and this post should not be taken as tax advice. This post is not, in any way, affiliated nor endorsed by her employer Thomson Reuters. </span></p></div>Jen Never Blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10076827226598781677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6777122936328292753.post-35828306010142838672021-04-05T02:20:00.004-04:002021-04-12T11:40:06.718-04:00Day 8 and Going Steady<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrMU4peJjSClF0QP1WIBKPmCr4_Td5SXFFt3_8sJAshC2dxGeNIegZJbBxNcZGO7e9timHhjTj9xXAX4xWBZoo7BBY9OOsiisXV5ScZ1urWsohBIOjI6utJxAJ0EwJexXa_iSYqoTA4eE/s2048/Day+8.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1461" data-original-width="2048" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrMU4peJjSClF0QP1WIBKPmCr4_Td5SXFFt3_8sJAshC2dxGeNIegZJbBxNcZGO7e9timHhjTj9xXAX4xWBZoo7BBY9OOsiisXV5ScZ1urWsohBIOjI6utJxAJ0EwJexXa_iSYqoTA4eE/w640-h456/Day+8.png" width="640" /></a></div><p>I honestly didn't think that the societal pressures of posting daily--not that anyone's really policing--will make me be serious about coding my one hour per day. And if I'm going to be even more honest, I have been logging 2 to 4 hours daily instead of one. I'm enjoying coding in Python too much. It's a different kind of high compared to the effect of a good session of pole-dancing, with neither being better than the other. I just love expanding the things I can do with it.</p><p>To anyone who's wondering, no, I didn't start from scratch. I learned the basics of Python several years ago, also last year, and then I took a refresher early this year. Yes, I took the beginner classes twice before but never really got the will to move forward. </p><p>This is where I'm positive that the <b>#100DaysOfCode</b> challenge really helps. After I passed the basics portion of this current course, I realised I've been pulling around two hours or more to apply the things I have learned. So last week, I decided to just take the plunge and not really overthink this.</p><p>Apart from making the 10 Python apps that are included in learning Python, I have also been actively creating my own programs as another way to exercise my brain. </p><p>In the past week, I ended up creating <b>my own Weather app that sends me a text message of the weather in Celsius</b>, and just now <b>a web map program that retrieves data of eateries/food carts from the New York City website and plots it into a map</b>. Two very simple applications that have real-life, practical use. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxXIGCUMVSBH6CHfasiCzJaEtQVvLrSsy8Yo6EOilAoL2_tehf2JabCcjj9fyOy6lzbrcmbFbtyFuBrFUU8CAnnop3vNjbQr_TcxeI7_UutAE1ur0UvQvOEQfaVPHkIY033Y0rWy4LTSc/s1264/IMG_9022.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1264" data-original-width="1125" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxXIGCUMVSBH6CHfasiCzJaEtQVvLrSsy8Yo6EOilAoL2_tehf2JabCcjj9fyOy6lzbrcmbFbtyFuBrFUU8CAnnop3vNjbQr_TcxeI7_UutAE1ur0UvQvOEQfaVPHkIY033Y0rWy4LTSc/s320/IMG_9022.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Weather App that texts me</b></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><i><span style="color: #073763;">For this app, I used <b>ArcGIS</b> (for geocoding), <b>DarkSky</b> (to get the weather data), and <b>Twilio</b> (to send the text message). I finished this in less than an hour, while watching a movie. And I felt the need to say that duration because I have this noted on my To-Code list when I was trying to get started again on Python last year. My frustration with getting the weather in Fahrenheit made me want to create this so I will know how to dress up for the day. I ended up not starting it because I thought I needed to learn everything about the programming language before I can make something like this. In the end, all it took was sitting in bed and break down the project into small tasks that are easy enough to tick off.</span></i></div><div><i><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></i></div><div><i><span style="color: #073763;">It's a work-in-progress because I want to add some more useful and dynamic features.</span></i></div><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyJYA4t1Jk79CczVf4lddsWRjTrbN-PO7MrM1SWML6X0JyvRjorKquTumFj3JQOCWQrSXh87v47Ocs_eOyhFl9CN3QD54MySRMQpXjuLx3y4VXdoySXBqpyByNe-8h53L7ko-x9-4UbN0/s2048/Screenshot+2021-04-05+at+1.48.31+AM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1127" data-original-width="2048" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyJYA4t1Jk79CczVf4lddsWRjTrbN-PO7MrM1SWML6X0JyvRjorKquTumFj3JQOCWQrSXh87v47Ocs_eOyhFl9CN3QD54MySRMQpXjuLx3y4VXdoySXBqpyByNe-8h53L7ko-x9-4UbN0/w640-h352/Screenshot+2021-04-05+at+1.48.31+AM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Web App that loads all the eateries and food carts from the NYC Parks and Recreation website</b></td></tr></tbody></table><p><i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;">After I finished App #2 from my course, I chose between sleeping or giving this personal project a headstart. It was late on a Sunday, and as <strike>bad</strike> impulsive decisions go, of course I chose to tinker with this. I must say though, it's great that the US and New York, in general, have data repositories for just about anything under the sun. Alas, I didn't really get a chance to prep and cleanse the data. While this web mapping program is working, it's not as fast as it should be. I'm flagging this as another WIP so I can improve the runtime and to add more information variables.\</span></i></p><p><i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;">For this app, I used <b>folium </b>(for mapping), <b>Nominatim</b> (for geocoding), and got the data from the <b>New York City Parks and Recreation</b> department website.</span></i></p><p><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><i><b><u>Facts derived from this exercise</u></b></i><br /><i>Number of food carts/eateries with permit: <b>237</b></i><br /><i>Number of properly maintained addresses for these permits: <b>114 </b></i></span></p><p><br />My biggest frustration from coding in SAP ABAP in my former career life was that the programs I was creating mostly helped corporations. The programs I used to create revolved around Finance/Accounting/Sales and Distribution/HR/Materials Management (<i>you see, even typing this severely bores me</i>) and at the end of the day, I'm still just helping solve a corporation's bottom line, with a very minuscule impact.</p><p>Rant aside, I'm excited to be on this current path. At the rate I'm going with 2 applications (of 10) per week, I will likely finish the course in 4 weeks. By then, I'd need to either do personal projects or take another course. Suggestions are welcome!</p>Jen Never Blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10076827226598781677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6777122936328292753.post-49991421834841589932021-03-29T19:11:00.002-04:002021-04-10T13:55:24.300-04:00#100DaysOfCode<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsuVZuMWyhTdqfp31T6cMjcZiXlOexRrqvcm64TCz_45-KnpWeHAFuMdCIUD2xfjRFzemquu0t01wGhNUbHyrree__Tfz1ZClIDWHE5upxW_9VrSbmNkJpFAqDU740JGzTizeb8csQEeI/s2561/100+Days+of+Code+Main+Canvas+copy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1228" data-original-width="2561" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsuVZuMWyhTdqfp31T6cMjcZiXlOexRrqvcm64TCz_45-KnpWeHAFuMdCIUD2xfjRFzemquu0t01wGhNUbHyrree__Tfz1ZClIDWHE5upxW_9VrSbmNkJpFAqDU740JGzTizeb8csQEeI/w640-h306/100+Days+of+Code+Main+Canvas+copy.png" width="640" /></a></div><p>I'm finally doing it. </p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true" data-lang="en" data-theme="light"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">1/100: I almost didn't want to start because of how vulnerable it makes me feel to document this online. I'm committing to learn every day for 100 days.<br /><br />As a former SAP ABAP dev, I'm constantly amazed at how much more efficient <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Python?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Python</a> is. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/100DaysOfCode?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#100DaysOfCode</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/jennevercodes?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#jennevercodes</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WIP?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WIP</a> <a href="https://t.co/hY5refNSjA">pic.twitter.com/hY5refNSjA</a></p>— Jen Pelaez (@jenndpelaez) <a href="https://twitter.com/jenndpelaez/status/1376354726028193793?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 29, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<p>During the height of Covid-19 lockdowns, I was always anxious and conscious about using all the newfound free time for something more sensible than binge-watching TV. After much planning on when to start (so I can end at a date that's significant to me) and then foiling said plans because work and life are still very much a thing, I finally went for it last night. Since I pressed that Tweet button, I have butterflies fluttering in my stomach.</p><p>I chose Python because there are so many things that it can do. Many programs you see out there, whether web-based or in a mobile app are coded with Python as the underlying language. Over time, this language has also been getting a bigger share of programmers using it. That's important because that means the language and all the IDEs and tools will all continuously improve.</p><p>And not really high up on the list, but another reason is because a lot of the built-in modules were built using C-Language, which was my language of choice back in college. Not that I'm still familiar with it now. Sometimes, it's nice to have that continuity.</p><p>Not going to lie, I'm still experiencing a lot of difficulties figuring out how to structure my syntaxes. It's definitely a big shift from coding in SAP ABAP, which is very much line-by-line. There was an object-oriented side to ABAP which is more similar to Python, but I didn't really go deep with it because of how complicated it gets in SAP. Python, on the other hand, makes everything looks so easy. Gone are the days where I have to write long lines of code to remove unwanted characters from a string. In Python, I can do that by merely typing exactly 8 characters + the character I want to remove. </p><p>This example is very specific because I wracked my head trying to code the way I've been used to from the recent years, only to find out that all I had to do was to add <b><span style="font-family: courier;"><span class="o" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #404040; font-size: 12px;">.</span><span class="n" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #404040; font-size: 12px;">strip</span><span class="p" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #404040; font-size: 12px;">(</span><span class="s2" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #404040; font-size: 12px;">)</span></span> </b></p><p>It's too early to say. I'm in Day 1 and today about to start my Day 2 exercise. <i>*crossing fingers*</i></p><p></p>Jen Never Blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10076827226598781677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6777122936328292753.post-19754091091520807032021-03-12T00:54:00.002-05:002021-03-12T00:54:27.793-05:00Save $80+ annually on Prepaid Refills c/o Target <p><b>Spoiler</b>: The savings is a combination of Tax Savings on Gift Card classification of T-Mobile Prepaid Refill Cards (and other telcos too!) on Target's Gift Card Center. </p><p>I originally posted this as a LinkedIn article but it's cute enough to be personal blog content. This is not a sponsored post. </p><p>If you found this through Google, I hope it helps even just a little bit. Happy saving!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7PijTI3Bwezi0kKDz_acdaGs-p3vj51SqYwiKi9clhC7MGUPy-5ypJMaQWU9qY8iJhvXF3XddZkJTUwUE8BXcumFbJi1Puf4BnlzMGRlbvUdzhgkkPNuh-BoGnxJe71uct4z3XvPnUmE/s2804/TAX%252C+T-MOBILE%252C+TARGET+%25285%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2804" data-original-width="1122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7PijTI3Bwezi0kKDz_acdaGs-p3vj51SqYwiKi9clhC7MGUPy-5ypJMaQWU9qY8iJhvXF3XddZkJTUwUE8BXcumFbJi1Puf4BnlzMGRlbvUdzhgkkPNuh-BoGnxJe71uct4z3XvPnUmE/s16000/TAX%252C+T-MOBILE%252C+TARGET+%25285%2529.png" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Jen Never Blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10076827226598781677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6777122936328292753.post-61461859413594981752021-03-11T10:44:00.002-05:002021-03-11T10:44:34.140-05:00Revisiting a Game-Changer in TV History and Some Life Musings<p>In the age of multiple streaming sites and Roku, I'm constantly undergoing the phenomenon called paradox of choice. So many options and at the same time I don't want to invest my downtime periods watching something that's not good, subjectively of course. </p><p>That's why these days HBOMax has been my go-to, instead of Netflix, for their TV and movie selection which doesn't include formulaic teeny bopper plots and no auto-playing of trailers that give away everything about the storyline. Last night, while scrolling through the menu, I decided to click on an original HBO title that took everyone into another world called Westeros. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPCkawooDkpuXsdZXEFimDFE9nrISpXRcckpONGd7EAAYh8Q9kMYrOkmycRqcxyLkC4uJvGMwx5TTwS4dL9LPG6pNuOScCg8rCXvd6uzZ8YtVG4nxhyphenhyphenfwSxyqTBNtHao_Ov_rXAq9NY5A/s720/Ned+Stark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="406" data-original-width="720" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPCkawooDkpuXsdZXEFimDFE9nrISpXRcckpONGd7EAAYh8Q9kMYrOkmycRqcxyLkC4uJvGMwx5TTwS4dL9LPG6pNuOScCg8rCXvd6uzZ8YtVG4nxhyphenhyphenfwSxyqTBNtHao_Ov_rXAq9NY5A/w640-h360/Ned+Stark.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Funnily, in my memory I thought this show aired about 6 years ago. I asked Alexa which year this show had premiered and I was legitimately shocked when she responded with "2011". On April 17, 2021 this show is officially 10 years old. How does that make you feel? </p><p><b>Another question: Where were you 10 years ago? </b></p><p>I know exactly where I was. This time last year, I did my first big career move. From spending two years working as a technical support representative, I moved into SAP ABAP programming by asking a Department Manager to take me on his team. This time last year, I was rehearsing an intermission group dance number for an upcoming Town Hall with the SAP Practice team. The song remix ended in Taeyang's Wedding Dress. </p><p>I attended a week-long SAP ABAP programming basics bootcamp, which I eventually learned was a lot quicker than the bootcamps ran by the company's competitor System Integrators. I remember being so confused at the terminologies and the transactional user interface because I was used to IDEs and different programming languages from my college years. It's fascinating to remember knowing nothing and innocently diving into an uphill battle.</p><p>More than the vivid memories, I remember the feeling I had a decade ago because of how strong it was and even addictive. Craving for that same feeling is what makes me want to constantly challenge my status quo. As an end-result, it has also given me growth in various areas.</p><p>At the time, something bigger was happening so I don't remember exactly when I first watched this show. I'm sure I had to torrent it to watch it in Manila, and that week after week I tuned in 12 hours later after it had aired in the US.</p><p>This show will age well and 10 years later, the pilot episode still wows to the point where it's easy to forgive tiny plot logic holes. I loved seeing Ned Stark again and the young and innocent Stark kids with their direwolves. (Lady! 😢) Young Joffrey was as repulsive as his older version and I'm again reminded of how annoyingly bratty Sansa is. Knowing what I know now, I am looking at the cast who I know are going to be offed soon or later in a much different light and attention.</p><p>I can't wait to read the final book of this series to see how GRRM will finish a truly epic story of the game of thrones. </p>Jen Never Blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10076827226598781677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6777122936328292753.post-73675295232934806312020-07-24T12:23:00.001-04:002020-07-24T12:23:28.249-04:00Blame Taylor SwiftTo quickly set the scene, I'm listening to the newly released Taylor Swift album right now. Somehow it made me reminisce the really good moments in my life.<br />
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As I looked back on the time I lived in Singapore, I'm reminded of the amount of times I have used Changi Airport as my home airport. More than an airport, it was a place where I had experienced a plethora of strong emotions--The intense excitement from a start of every adventure, the equally strong feeling of post-travel blues upon returning, the immense anxiety of getting held in the immigration interrogation room multiple times (<i>it's a long story, ask me in person and I'll tell you about it,</i>) the pain of saying goodbye to friends who have decided it's time to leave the transient place, the even more painful heartbreak of hugging the person you love for the last time in a long time. Changi houses a memory collection of that small city-state that I will fondly remember throughout my life.<br />
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The fact that most form of air travel are restricted right now has only increased my longing for literally the best airport in the world. I don't know when I'll step foot on it again, and I thought it might be good to write about it so I can process this emotion better. It must be the Taylor Swift songs in the background because now I'm just a pure mess, tears streaming and snot uncontrollably dripping.<br />
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I thought of writing a list of the things I miss about Changi, but I'll leave this here for now. As with anything, short and (bitter)sweet posts are sometimes enough.Jen Never Blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10076827226598781677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6777122936328292753.post-9938369956345346882020-06-30T03:51:00.001-04:002020-06-30T03:51:39.116-04:00The worst thing about prison... was the Dementors<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click the image to view this dishwasher magnet on Amazon!</td></tr>
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<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=jenneverblogs-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B07ZZLH83W" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
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Early this month, I got this dishwasher magnet to help bring some order in the apartment dishwasher. It was frustrating me that sometimes, a newly washed load of dishes will be mixed with a roommate's dirty dishes. I like to think it's an innocent mistake, an easy one to make. In the times that I, myself, questioned the state of the dishes in the dishwasher, I took the conservative approach and just ran a new wash cycle. "<i>Better safe than sorry</i>," I thought.<br />
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So I was trying to get my two roommates to adopt the system of flipping the magnet, but alas, my attempts were futile as I was 80% the one handling the loading of dirty and unloading of clean dishes.<br />
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I ran the dishwasher last night and flipped the magnet to show the '<b>Clean</b>' side.<br />
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This morning, I saw Prison Mike and it gave me so much glee, which is to say the magnet was flipped to its '<b>Dirty</b>' side and it wasn't done by me.<br />
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I ran to get my iPhone so I can take a photo. Finally--and as corny as this sounds--we have seen process adoption and this makes me happy!</div>
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<br />Jen Never Blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10076827226598781677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6777122936328292753.post-78765828224155577362020-06-30T02:50:00.002-04:002020-06-30T02:50:26.901-04:00Wisely Transferring Money from the USAs if that title is not a clear giveaway--Yes, I use <a href="https://transferwise.com/invite/u/jenneverp" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">TransferWise</a>!<br />
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It's quick, easily accessible, has one of the best foreign exchange rates and lowest transfer fees, has intuitive user interface, <b>and have I mentioned</b> <b>it's really quick</b>?<br />
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6777122936328292753&useLegacyBlogger=true" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6777122936328292753&useLegacyBlogger=true" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6777122936328292753&useLegacyBlogger=true" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6777122936328292753&useLegacyBlogger=true" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6777122936328292753&useLegacyBlogger=true" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6777122936328292753&useLegacyBlogger=true" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>It took <b><u>9 seconds</u></b> to send money from my Transferwise US Dollar account into my Singapore bank account. If there is a competitor that does it faster, let me know in the comment section below.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fast transfers and money savings from great forex rates</td></tr>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6777122936328292753&useLegacyBlogger=true" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6777122936328292753&useLegacyBlogger=true" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6777122936328292753&useLegacyBlogger=true" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6777122936328292753&useLegacyBlogger=true" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6777122936328292753&useLegacyBlogger=true" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6777122936328292753&useLegacyBlogger=true" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>There are many other FinTech companies like TransferWise that have been disrupting the brick and mortar banking institutions all over the world. I happened to pick TransferWise a couple of years ago and just stuck with it because my customer experience with the company has been nothing less than excellent. </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">The Issue</span></b></div>
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(<i>Note: If you're reading this post for anecdotal experience on how to send money from the United States using TransferWise, feel free to skip this part. You do not need to be subjected to my life drama.</i>) </div>
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In Singapore, the income taxes are not usually automatically deducted from the salary, unlike how the US or the Philippines do it. The responsibility of paying for the taxes is on the employee and the filing of the tax return and the payments will normally be around April of the next year for the current fiscal year. But once a foreign employee leaves Singapore for good, there is what will be called a <b>tax clearance process</b>. The standard process is for the employer to withhold the last month's salary of the employee while the Internal Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) calculates for the total income taxes due. The tax liability will then be deducted from the withheld salary, and whatever's left will constitute as the backpay.</div>
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Due to a mix of terrible timing and company admin mix-up, I ended up having not enough funds in my withheld salary to pay for the entirety of my income tax. And since I have moved most of my Singapore Dollars here in the US, I'm now met with the need to send some money back to Singapore so I can pay my taxes to IRAS.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Before Sending Money From US to International Bank</b></span></div>
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My Savings and Checking accounts here in the US are with Chase Bank. Before hopping onto TransferWise, I did the following:</div>
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<ol>
<li><b>Check the current foreign exchange rate of USD to SGD</b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizhawwVVYKlpqLgu0Ti8u9iH7w0muLg3tK1FeluSga18y-86IQmPkb3PkwqCfSv2katK7YaJE8OReYEPv2GUSBGFpvaRHT1LaVDp42aJZZNYI3snU0CSu2OsH-PIq9MMWrquCTbFAzw6w/s1600/Step+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="792" data-original-width="1118" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizhawwVVYKlpqLgu0Ti8u9iH7w0muLg3tK1FeluSga18y-86IQmPkb3PkwqCfSv2katK7YaJE8OReYEPv2GUSBGFpvaRHT1LaVDp42aJZZNYI3snU0CSu2OsH-PIq9MMWrquCTbFAzw6w/s320/Step+2.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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As of June 28, XE said if I sent <u>3,000 US Dollars</u>, it would be worth roughly <u>4,179 Singapore Dollars</u>.<br />
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<li><b>Check how much it will cost to wire the money directly from my Chase bank account into my Singapore POSB bank account.</b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWFKPnxkZ7D8bf_kI2VVOgcErMo6Zr6qXLPrjZlA3GpVP_ucwkiehTYfyJ87MCOeyz0ANAXg8jU6bxDB96NopdvmMqIxPimN7EutAoViybigymB-sPJJ537_phObJJCWnfi_MqrI2l3w/s1600/Step+2.0.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1344" data-original-width="1108" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWFKPnxkZ7D8bf_kI2VVOgcErMo6Zr6qXLPrjZlA3GpVP_ucwkiehTYfyJ87MCOeyz0ANAXg8jU6bxDB96NopdvmMqIxPimN7EutAoViybigymB-sPJJ537_phObJJCWnfi_MqrI2l3w/s320/Step+2.0.png" width="263" /></a></div>
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The forex quote can be easily done in-app thru Chase online banking. This screenshot says not only is the equivalent of 3,000 US Dollars going to be short by $120 vis-à-vis the current forex conversion, there is also a Wire fee of $5 on top.<br />
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<li><b>Check how much TransferWise will charge and the USD to SGD forex rate in-app</b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQVI8FJRt5vxZYyYyvjDu5gscGIcxOefZnj9j1aGXC4LRJP-YGjjVOdlA92IlJcpvlTJQyuRbwEEYoaVShOR8xmDy8uB76Gp83uoWRo6ZdHWTEK4CD0kDhY7xVbvFimEqau8zMGfOgMRk/s1600/Step+3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1212" data-original-width="1108" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQVI8FJRt5vxZYyYyvjDu5gscGIcxOefZnj9j1aGXC4LRJP-YGjjVOdlA92IlJcpvlTJQyuRbwEEYoaVShOR8xmDy8uB76Gp83uoWRo6ZdHWTEK4CD0kDhY7xVbvFimEqau8zMGfOgMRk/s320/Step+3.png" width="293" /></a></div>
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And of course, the last check: Looking up the same transaction on the TransferWise. I don't know why this still surprises me every time. Quickly comparing this result versus how much Chase was intending to charge, it was a no-brainer that I should go with TransferWise for this international money transfer.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6777122936328292753&useLegacyBlogger=true" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6777122936328292753&useLegacyBlogger=true" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6777122936328292753&useLegacyBlogger=true" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6777122936328292753&useLegacyBlogger=true" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6777122936328292753&useLegacyBlogger=true" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6777122936328292753&useLegacyBlogger=true" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>For those who have time to spare, there are several companies that you can send money through like <b>Xoom</b>, <b>XE</b>, and others. There will be some pre-work done like comparing the forex rates and transfer fees before proceeding to select which transfer will result in best bang for the buck. In my case, I couldn't be bothered because the difference, from experience, is always very nominal.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">The Process and Other Considerations</span></b><br />
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Maybe I went about this the long way around--This is how I transferred my funds from Singapore to the US so I decided to do it the same process, just flipped the other way around.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9znWEnmEt1mzI2Haqr159k2xQhFtehknwo-HcdhzoWIur7rcKFHRrdyZuc8iomAD2OOxfHfd8rKUL0U9Rkd-njJa_IlO2aASb5ZexN6y8aRnpKZmfffIQnAGFvlGMXPstX9bBd37pHTk/s1600/Screenshot+2020-06-30+at+1.35.09+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="502" data-original-width="1404" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9znWEnmEt1mzI2Haqr159k2xQhFtehknwo-HcdhzoWIur7rcKFHRrdyZuc8iomAD2OOxfHfd8rKUL0U9Rkd-njJa_IlO2aASb5ZexN6y8aRnpKZmfffIQnAGFvlGMXPstX9bBd37pHTk/s640/Screenshot+2020-06-30+at+1.35.09+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>Did I really just whip out a PowerPoint process flow SmartArt? Yes, I did! </i><br />
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6777122936328292753&useLegacyBlogger=true" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6777122936328292753&useLegacyBlogger=true" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6777122936328292753&useLegacyBlogger=true" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6777122936328292753&useLegacyBlogger=true" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6777122936328292753&useLegacyBlogger=true" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6777122936328292753&useLegacyBlogger=true" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>I thought it would be easier to illustrate how this transfer went through by using the trusty process flow tool in PowerPoint. I also added the time it took these companies to hand the money to each other. During my quick research, the Internet told me that ACH--the US financial network of payments and money transfers--usually takes 1-2 business days to complete domestic transactions.<br />
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Surprisingly, my transfer got completed in just 25 minutes since I submitted the wire transfer request from my Chase bank account.<br />
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It was a bit confusing on which number I needed to use, so I have marked the fields in Green arrow below as the ones I put in my wire transfer recipient details. I went for the <b>Routing Number</b> instead of the <b>Wire transfer number </b>purely out of semantics because Chase asked for a 'routing number' in the online banking app.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjV1OoG3sxqM9p0DyOnlju4N-OluUb9ZzxwXP1eOQLNMhtwSZZhWwISkXBkeSHqcxyNxQ_PL0CSE0KBO29uIJVCX3m70x5bQW7_SLTmYh3ElFZbDpEykSOShNVZyccjo94DtdbAbBb788/s1600/Screenshot+2020-06-30+at+12.58.38+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="611" data-original-width="1600" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjV1OoG3sxqM9p0DyOnlju4N-OluUb9ZzxwXP1eOQLNMhtwSZZhWwISkXBkeSHqcxyNxQ_PL0CSE0KBO29uIJVCX3m70x5bQW7_SLTmYh3ElFZbDpEykSOShNVZyccjo94DtdbAbBb788/s640/Screenshot+2020-06-30+at+12.58.38+AM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TransferWise USD Balance Bank Details</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6777122936328292753&useLegacyBlogger=true" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6777122936328292753&useLegacyBlogger=true" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6777122936328292753&useLegacyBlogger=true" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6777122936328292753&useLegacyBlogger=true" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6777122936328292753&useLegacyBlogger=true" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6777122936328292753&useLegacyBlogger=true" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
One can open up to 50 balances from difference countries and in their respective currencies. Setting up a Balance is extremely easy. Once the 'Balance' is created, a virtual bank account will be created under the name of the TransferWise account owner.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS45E2CvK-_omi5KEkceFnD69MQ3jo-1eJJz8xWWiqMxsGYxSYbexAHNu2fKwLn2PC-uiMr3qMJRvhzNEC-50jHc2IY2wcEO2ADHLjOP-GN1-z5e6YRqbdcYwI8faiQ_A-ufXU-8d-P3M/s1600/Screenshot+2020-06-30+at+12.57.13+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS45E2CvK-_omi5KEkceFnD69MQ3jo-1eJJz8xWWiqMxsGYxSYbexAHNu2fKwLn2PC-uiMr3qMJRvhzNEC-50jHc2IY2wcEO2ADHLjOP-GN1-z5e6YRqbdcYwI8faiQ_A-ufXU-8d-P3M/s400/Screenshot+2020-06-30+at+12.57.13+AM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Opening a USD 'Balance' is as easy as selecting USD from this menu. A virtual bank account will be shortly created under the TransferWise account holder's name. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Another thing that should be considered is if the US bank charges a Wire transfer fee. In my bank's case, there is a domestic Wire transfer fee of $25. This is another big thing that made me raise an eyebrow about US banking in general, but it may have been a matter of expectations. Coming from Singapore, there were no wire charges for Incoming and Outgoing bank transfers. Having that as my baseline admittedly destroyed subsequent banking experience for me.<br />
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For reference on the Outgoing <u><b>Domestic</b></u> Wire fees, I have pasted a table below from a Finance blog. I'm not a finance person nor is my blog a finance blog, so I want to leave this to the experts. Head on to <a href="https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/banking/wire-transfers-what-banks-charge/" target="_blank">Nerd Wallet</a> for more information about Wire transfers.<br />
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<table class="tablepress tablepress-id-6123 slimtable table_visibility-public" id="tablepress-6123" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(210, 215, 220); border-bottom-left-radius: 0.125rem; border-bottom-right-radius: 0.125rem; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(210, 215, 220); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(0, 95, 185); border-top-left-radius: 0.125rem; border-top-right-radius: 0.125rem; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 4px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: Gotham, system-ui, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; max-width: none; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; transform: translateZ(0px); width: 631px;"><thead style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<tr class="row-1 odd" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><th class="column-1" style="background-color: #f5f6f7; border-bottom-color: rgb(210, 215, 220); border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(210, 215, 220); border-left-width: 1px; border-style: none none solid solid; box-sizing: border-box; color: #005fb9; margin: 0px; padding: 0.8em; vertical-align: middle; width: 114px;">Financial institution (click name for full review)</th><th class="column-2" style="background-color: #f5f6f7; border-bottom-color: rgb(210, 215, 220); border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(210, 215, 220); border-left-width: 1px; border-style: none none solid solid; box-sizing: border-box; color: #005fb9; margin: 0px; padding: 0.8em; vertical-align: middle; width: 114px;">Incoming domestic wire</th><th class="column-3" style="background-color: #f5f6f7; border-bottom-color: rgb(210, 215, 220); border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(210, 215, 220); border-left-width: 1px; border-style: none none solid solid; box-sizing: border-box; color: #005fb9; margin: 0px; padding: 0.8em; vertical-align: middle; width: 114px;">Outgoing domestic wire</th><th class="column-4" style="background-color: #f5f6f7; border-bottom-color: rgb(210, 215, 220); border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(210, 215, 220); border-left-width: 1px; border-style: none none solid solid; box-sizing: border-box; color: #005fb9; margin: 0px; padding: 0.8em; vertical-align: middle; width: 114px;">Incoming inter-<br />
national wire</th><th class="column-5" style="background-color: #f5f6f7; border-bottom-color: rgb(210, 215, 220); border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(210, 215, 220); border-left-width: 1px; border-style: none none solid solid; box-sizing: border-box; color: #005fb9; margin: 0px; padding: 0.8em; vertical-align: middle; width: 114px;">Outgoing inter-<br />
national wire</th></tr>
</thead><tbody class="row-hover" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<tr class="row-2 even" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td class="column-1" style="background-color: white; border-left-color: rgb(210, 215, 220); border-left-width: 1px; border-style: none none none solid; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; padding: 0.8em; vertical-align: top; width: 114px;"><a href="https://www.nerdwallet.com/banking/banks-credit-unions/bank-of-america" style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: objects; background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #005fb9; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Bank of America</a></td><td class="column-2" style="background-color: white; border-left-color: rgb(210, 215, 220); border-left-width: 1px; border-style: none none none solid; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0.8em; vertical-align: top; width: 114px;">$15</td><td class="column-3" style="background-color: white; border-left-color: rgb(210, 215, 220); border-left-width: 1px; border-style: none none none solid; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0.8em; vertical-align: top; width: 114px;">$30</td><td class="column-4" style="background-color: white; border-left-color: rgb(210, 215, 220); border-left-width: 1px; border-style: none none none solid; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0.8em; vertical-align: top; width: 114px;">$16</td><td class="column-5" style="background-color: white; border-left-color: rgb(210, 215, 220); border-left-width: 1px; border-style: none none none solid; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0.8em; vertical-align: top; width: 114px;">$35 sent in foreign currency;<br />
$45 sent in U.S. dollars</td></tr>
<tr class="row-3 odd" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td class="column-1" style="background-color: #f5f6f7; border-left-color: rgb(210, 215, 220); border-left-width: 1px; border-style: none none none solid; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; padding: 0.8em; vertical-align: top; width: 114px;"><a href="https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/banking/capital-one-bank-review/" style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: objects; background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #005fb9; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Capital One 360</a></td><td class="column-2" style="background-color: #f5f6f7; border-left-color: rgb(210, 215, 220); border-left-width: 1px; border-style: none none none solid; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0.8em; vertical-align: top; width: 114px;">$0*</td><td class="column-3" style="background-color: #f5f6f7; border-left-color: rgb(210, 215, 220); border-left-width: 1px; border-style: none none none solid; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0.8em; vertical-align: top; width: 114px;">$30</td><td class="column-4" style="background-color: #f5f6f7; border-left-color: rgb(210, 215, 220); border-left-width: 1px; border-style: none none none solid; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0.8em; vertical-align: top; width: 114px;">Not available</td><td class="column-5" style="background-color: #f5f6f7; border-left-color: rgb(210, 215, 220); border-left-width: 1px; border-style: none none none solid; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0.8em; vertical-align: top; width: 114px;">Not available</td></tr>
<tr class="row-4 even" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td class="column-1" style="background-color: white; border-left-color: rgb(210, 215, 220); border-left-width: 1px; border-style: none none none solid; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; padding: 0.8em; vertical-align: top; width: 114px;"><a href="https://www.nerdwallet.com/banking/banks-credit-unions/chase" style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: objects; background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #005fb9; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Chase</a></td><td class="column-2" style="background-color: white; border-left-color: rgb(210, 215, 220); border-left-width: 1px; border-style: none none none solid; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0.8em; vertical-align: top; width: 114px;">$15</td><td class="column-3" style="background-color: white; border-left-color: rgb(210, 215, 220); border-left-width: 1px; border-style: none none none solid; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0.8em; vertical-align: top; width: 114px;">$25</td><td class="column-4" style="background-color: white; border-left-color: rgb(210, 215, 220); border-left-width: 1px; border-style: none none none solid; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0.8em; vertical-align: top; width: 114px;">$15</td><td class="column-5" style="background-color: white; border-left-color: rgb(210, 215, 220); border-left-width: 1px; border-style: none none none solid; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0.8em; vertical-align: top; width: 114px;">$5 sent in foreign currency;<br />
$40 sent in U.S. dollars</td></tr>
<tr class="row-5 odd" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td class="column-1" style="background-color: #f5f6f7; border-left-color: rgb(210, 215, 220); border-left-width: 1px; border-style: none none none solid; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; padding: 0.8em; vertical-align: top; width: 114px;"><a href="https://www.nerdwallet.com/banking/banks-credit-unions/citibank" style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: objects; background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #005fb9; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Citibank</a></td><td class="column-2" style="background-color: #f5f6f7; border-left-color: rgb(210, 215, 220); border-left-width: 1px; border-style: none none none solid; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0.8em; vertical-align: top; width: 114px;">$15</td><td class="column-3" style="background-color: #f5f6f7; border-left-color: rgb(210, 215, 220); border-left-width: 1px; border-style: none none none solid; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0.8em; vertical-align: top; width: 114px;">$25</td><td class="column-4" style="background-color: #f5f6f7; border-left-color: rgb(210, 215, 220); border-left-width: 1px; border-style: none none none solid; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0.8em; vertical-align: top; width: 114px;">$15</td><td class="column-5" style="background-color: #f5f6f7; border-left-color: rgb(210, 215, 220); border-left-width: 1px; border-style: none none none solid; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0.8em; vertical-align: top; width: 114px;">$35</td></tr>
<tr class="row-6 even" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td class="column-1" style="background-color: white; border-left-color: rgb(210, 215, 220); border-left-width: 1px; border-style: none none none solid; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; padding: 0.8em; vertical-align: top; width: 114px;"><a href="https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/banking/fidelity-review-cash-management-account/" style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: objects; background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #005fb9; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Fidelity</a></td><td class="column-2" style="background-color: white; border-left-color: rgb(210, 215, 220); border-left-width: 1px; border-style: none none none solid; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0.8em; vertical-align: top; width: 114px;">$0*</td><td class="column-3" style="background-color: white; border-left-color: rgb(210, 215, 220); border-left-width: 1px; border-style: none none none solid; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0.8em; vertical-align: top; width: 114px;">$0*</td><td class="column-4" style="background-color: white; border-left-color: rgb(210, 215, 220); border-left-width: 1px; border-style: none none none solid; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0.8em; vertical-align: top; width: 114px;">$0*</td><td class="column-5" style="background-color: white; border-left-color: rgb(210, 215, 220); border-left-width: 1px; border-style: none none none solid; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0.8em; vertical-align: top; width: 114px;">3% of amount in foreign currency;<br />
$0 sent in U.S. dollars</td></tr>
<tr class="row-7 odd" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td class="column-1" style="background-color: #f5f6f7; border-left-color: rgb(210, 215, 220); border-left-width: 1px; border-style: none none none solid; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; padding: 0.8em; vertical-align: top; width: 114px;"><a href="https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/banking/hsbc-bank-review-checking-savings-and-cds/" style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: objects; background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #005fb9; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">HSBC Bank</a>**</td><td class="column-2" style="background-color: #f5f6f7; border-left-color: rgb(210, 215, 220); border-left-width: 1px; border-style: none none none solid; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0.8em; vertical-align: top; width: 114px;">$15</td><td class="column-3" style="background-color: #f5f6f7; border-left-color: rgb(210, 215, 220); border-left-width: 1px; border-style: none none none solid; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0.8em; vertical-align: top; width: 114px;">$35</td><td class="column-4" style="background-color: #f5f6f7; border-left-color: rgb(210, 215, 220); border-left-width: 1px; border-style: none none none solid; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0.8em; vertical-align: top; width: 114px;">$15</td><td class="column-5" style="background-color: #f5f6f7; border-left-color: rgb(210, 215, 220); border-left-width: 1px; border-style: none none none solid; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0.8em; vertical-align: top; width: 114px;">$35</td></tr>
<tr class="row-8 even" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td class="column-1" style="background-color: white; border-left-color: rgb(210, 215, 220); border-left-width: 1px; border-style: none none none solid; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; padding: 0.8em; vertical-align: top; width: 114px;"><a href="https://www.nerdwallet.com/banking/banks-credit-unions/pnc" style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: objects; background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #005fb9; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">PNC Bank</a></td><td class="column-2" style="background-color: white; border-left-color: rgb(210, 215, 220); border-left-width: 1px; border-style: none none none solid; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0.8em; vertical-align: top; width: 114px;">$15</td><td class="column-3" style="background-color: white; border-left-color: rgb(210, 215, 220); border-left-width: 1px; border-style: none none none solid; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0.8em; vertical-align: top; width: 114px;">$30</td><td class="column-4" style="background-color: white; border-left-color: rgb(210, 215, 220); border-left-width: 1px; border-style: none none none solid; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0.8em; vertical-align: top; width: 114px;">$15</td><td class="column-5" style="background-color: white; border-left-color: rgb(210, 215, 220); border-left-width: 1px; border-style: none none none solid; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0.8em; vertical-align: top; width: 114px;">$45</td></tr>
<tr class="row-9 odd" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td class="column-1" style="background-color: #f5f6f7; border-left-color: rgb(210, 215, 220); border-left-width: 1px; border-style: none none none solid; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; padding: 0.8em; vertical-align: top; width: 114px;"><a href="https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/banking/usaa-bank-review/" style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: objects; background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #005fb9; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">USAA</a></td><td class="column-2" style="background-color: #f5f6f7; border-left-color: rgb(210, 215, 220); border-left-width: 1px; border-style: none none none solid; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0.8em; vertical-align: top; width: 114px;">$0*</td><td class="column-3" style="background-color: #f5f6f7; border-left-color: rgb(210, 215, 220); border-left-width: 1px; border-style: none none none solid; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0.8em; vertical-align: top; width: 114px;">$20</td><td class="column-4" style="background-color: #f5f6f7; border-left-color: rgb(210, 215, 220); border-left-width: 1px; border-style: none none none solid; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0.8em; vertical-align: top; width: 114px;">$0*</td><td class="column-5" style="background-color: #f5f6f7; border-left-color: rgb(210, 215, 220); border-left-width: 1px; border-style: none none none solid; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0.8em; vertical-align: top; width: 114px;">$45</td></tr>
<tr class="row-10 even" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td class="column-1" style="background-color: white; border-left-color: rgb(210, 215, 220); border-left-width: 1px; border-style: none none none solid; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; padding: 0.8em; vertical-align: top; width: 114px;"><a href="https://www.nerdwallet.com/banking/banks-credit-unions/us-bank" style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: objects; background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #005fb9; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">U.S. Bank</a></td><td class="column-2" style="background-color: white; border-left-color: rgb(210, 215, 220); border-left-width: 1px; border-style: none none none solid; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0.8em; vertical-align: top; width: 114px;">$20</td><td class="column-3" style="background-color: white; border-left-color: rgb(210, 215, 220); border-left-width: 1px; border-style: none none none solid; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0.8em; vertical-align: top; width: 114px;">$30</td><td class="column-4" style="background-color: white; border-left-color: rgb(210, 215, 220); border-left-width: 1px; border-style: none none none solid; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0.8em; vertical-align: top; width: 114px;">$25</td><td class="column-5" style="background-color: white; border-left-color: rgb(210, 215, 220); border-left-width: 1px; border-style: none none none solid; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0.8em; vertical-align: top; width: 114px;">$50</td></tr>
<tr class="row-11 odd" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td class="column-1" style="background-color: #f5f6f7; border-left-color: rgb(210, 215, 220); border-left-width: 1px; border-style: none none none solid; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; padding: 0.8em; vertical-align: top; width: 114px;"><a href="http://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/banking/wells-fargo-bank-review/" style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: objects; background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #005fb9; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Wells Fargo</a>***</td><td class="column-2" style="background-color: #f5f6f7; border-left-color: rgb(210, 215, 220); border-left-width: 1px; border-style: none none none solid; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0.8em; vertical-align: top; width: 114px;">$15</td><td class="column-3" style="background-color: #f5f6f7; border-left-color: rgb(210, 215, 220); border-left-width: 1px; border-style: none none none solid; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0.8em; vertical-align: top; width: 114px;">$30</td><td class="column-4" style="background-color: #f5f6f7; border-left-color: rgb(210, 215, 220); border-left-width: 1px; border-style: none none none solid; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0.8em; vertical-align: top; width: 114px;">$16</td><td class="column-5" style="background-color: #f5f6f7; border-left-color: rgb(210, 215, 220); border-left-width: 1px; border-style: none none none solid; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0.8em; vertical-align: top; width: 114px;">$35 in foreign currency; $45 in U.S. dollars</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
[<i>Source: <a href="https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/author/spencer/" target="_blank">Spencer Tierney</a> of the finance blog <a href="https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/banking/wire-transfers-what-banks-charge/" target="_blank"><b>Nerdwallet</b></a></i>]<br />
<br />
<div>
<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6777122936328292753&useLegacyBlogger=true" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6777122936328292753&useLegacyBlogger=true" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6777122936328292753&useLegacyBlogger=true" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6777122936328292753&useLegacyBlogger=true" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6777122936328292753&useLegacyBlogger=true" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6777122936328292753&useLegacyBlogger=true" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>Once the money was in my TransferWise USD Balance, I initiated the next leg and quickly added my Singapore bank account as the recipient.<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6777122936328292753&useLegacyBlogger=true" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6777122936328292753&useLegacyBlogger=true" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6777122936328292753&useLegacyBlogger=true" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6777122936328292753&useLegacyBlogger=true" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6777122936328292753&useLegacyBlogger=true" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6777122936328292753&useLegacyBlogger=true" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<div style="background-color: #e3c376; padding: 20px;">
<b>Some things to note: </b><br />
<br />
<ul><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6777122936328292753&useLegacyBlogger=true" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6777122936328292753&useLegacyBlogger=true" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6777122936328292753&useLegacyBlogger=true" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6777122936328292753&useLegacyBlogger=true" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6777122936328292753&useLegacyBlogger=true" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6777122936328292753&useLegacyBlogger=true" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>
<li>There is a nominal fee amounting to 0.5% of the total amount being transferred. (<i>This amounted to $14.79</i>)</li>
<li>There is an option to take away that fee from the total amount. <i>(I did this, so instead of sending $3,000, I was effectively only able to send the equivalent of $2,985 so I can use the $15 to pay for the transfer fee)</i></li>
</ul>
<br />
<b>Quick Facts:</b><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Chase domestic outgoing wire fee: <b>$25</b></li>
<li>Time it took the wire to get to TransferWise: <b>25min</b></li>
<li>Chase <b>cut-off time</b> <b>for online wire transfer</b>: <b>4PM EST</b> (After cut-off, the wire will be processed on the next business day)</li>
<li>Chase <b>cut-off time for in-branch wire transfer</b>: <b>5PM EST</b></li>
<li>TransferWise fee: <b>roughly 0.5%</b> of amount being transferred</li>
<li>Time it took the money to get to Singapore bank from TransferWise: <b>9 seconds</b></li>
<li><b>Money savings</b> of this transaction (after fees): <b>roughly $60</b> for a transfer for $3,000</li>
</ul>
</div>
<br />
I don't want to do Math right now, but the only time it would have been practical to send the money through Chase was if the amount was so high, the TransferWise fee would offset any loss in bad forex rate using Chase global wire transfer.<br />
<br />
All fees considered, I still managed to <b>save roughly US$60</b> from going through TransferWise on this US$3,000 money transfer. At the end of the day, it's still up to the person to weigh in if not going through the bank to save some money is worth the trouble. Personally, apart from the obvious money savings, I also don't want to feel like I was being cheated by my bank.<br />
<br />
Anyway, off I go to pay my owed taxes in Singapore!<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="https://transferwise.com/invite/u/jenneverp" target="_blank">Sign Up at TransferWise now and get a free international transfer!</a></li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Disclaimer</b>: This post is not sponsored, but if you click one of the TransferWise links and sign up, I'll receive a referral fee.</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Jen Never Blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10076827226598781677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6777122936328292753.post-73571410586828766192020-06-22T02:49:00.000-04:002020-06-29T20:54:45.869-04:00Cloth Masks and Lower TCO<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagB7RaIyMPUHypKqyhhvfl8fovrGs49KDgIAHF7VeMgVZaOm6q4Zc3suzbvFazJ3M4gBE82S6oXanPLjuQjjjiBaMe722ItW-IR2-XTG8saYMQsIO89fqpjybuPHhT0tSpcNl6Ln53Cw/s1600/Hero+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagB7RaIyMPUHypKqyhhvfl8fovrGs49KDgIAHF7VeMgVZaOm6q4Zc3suzbvFazJ3M4gBE82S6oXanPLjuQjjjiBaMe722ItW-IR2-XTG8saYMQsIO89fqpjybuPHhT0tSpcNl6Ln53Cw/s640/Hero+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Supermarkets, taxis, and other indoor public places in NYC require a mask to enter as mandated by the City and State</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Back in April, I ordered a 6-pack of washable masks by <a href="https://greenfieldclothiers.com/" target="_blank">Martin Greenfield</a>, a local men's bespoke suit tailor from Brooklyn, New York.<br />
<br />
My decision to invest in proper cloth masks was due to almost running out of my disposable masks, which I had been alternately reusing until they were close to disgusting state. Another big pull was how the masks looked so <a href="https://greenfieldclothiers.com/collections/masks/products/six-masks-for-essential-workers-six-masks-for-you" target="_blank">sleek and fashionable</a>, even on the female models of the masks. As I've briefly mentioned, this company only made clothing for men and I was thrilled to see their well-tailored masks that were unisex.<br />
<br />
Most importantly, Greenfield Clothiers was one of the local businesses that stepped up to the plate at the time when there was a massive shortage of masks for both New York healthcare staff and essential workers. Since they had to stop production of the usual suits, the company pivoted into washable cloth masks that they sell in packs of six. And for every pack sold, they would also donate 6 masks to essential workers who needed them the most.<br />
<br />
Instead of me adding up to the number of people ordering surgical and N95 masks, I quickly ordered this. Since I received the masks in the mail, I have not looked back. These masks are now my staple whenever I go out.<br />
<br />
Aside from the comfort level and wearability, these masks do a great job at not suffocating me. I wear this even when I cycle for hours with ease. I wore them in the <a href="http://www.jenneverblogs.com/2020/06/why-i-protest.html" target="_blank">WE ARE: Peaceful Music Protest</a> and didn't have any issues chanting while marching-dancing. I also got compliments because they are not the usual consumer cloth masks one can get directly from essential stores/street vendors and online.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyqSN_6780QInFhwx4RTJL3DpMeCDFotoEkwyKlhdROXtXI_QfL9t8rNKbi2bQIlCh-7iCen09BtQrQSBrzCQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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These masks can be bought on their <a href="https://greenfieldclothiers.com/collections/masks/products/six-masks-for-essential-workers-six-masks-for-you" target="_blank">website</a> at <b>$108 for 6 masks</b>. The price seems hefty but for a piece of a necessary clothing item--a ticket to go inside most places right now, if you will--it's an easily justifiable one.<br />
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At that price, one mask works out to be priced at <b>$9 each</b>. (<b>Read</b>: $108 paid for 12 masks, because 6 goes to the buyer and the other 6 gets donated to essential workers) Right now, mass-produced disposable masks are at an average price of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=surgical+masks+disposable&crid=1VVGSVGYK89L9&sprefix=surgi%2Caps%2C148&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_5" target="_blank"><b>$0.50 per piece</b></a>.<br />
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<i><span style="color: #073763;">For the sake of date relativity: Today is <b>June 22, 2020</b>. This is important to establish the <b>Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)</b> of both cloth masks vs disposable masks.</span></i><br />
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At a conservative estimate that the pandemic will be in full swing until the end of the year and we would all be required to wear masks in public until then; from today until the end of the year, there's <a href="https://www.timeanddate.com/date/durationresult.html?m1=6&d1=22&y1=2020&m2=12&d2=31&y2=2020" target="_blank"><b>192 days</b></a>. Now, one might say "<i>Hey that's not fair, I don't go out every day!</i>" To which I'll respond with, "<i>Sure, you don't. But it's not like a Covid-19 vaccine is sure to be safely on mass release by December 31 either.</i>" </div>
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For all intents and purposes of this non-scientific blog, let's assume that the wearer of the mask will go out every day until the year ends.</div>
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-size: large;">Cloth Masks (specifically from Greenfield Clothiers)</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #444444;">Min</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">2 masks for 192 days = $18</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #444444;">Max</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">6 masks for 192 days = $54</span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-size: large;">Disposable Masks</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">192 days x 0.50 = $96 </span></div>
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I have been alternately reusing and washing 2 masks since April. It's been two months now but I have not seen any signs of wear and tear. In terms of going out--even if I don't have anywhere to be, I make it to a point to walk/cycle outside for 30min to an hour just so I can get my fresh air and exercise. No matter how short the time I'll be outside, I never leave the house without my cloth mask.<br />
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No contest. The cloth masks win by a mile! And really, not just in TCO but also for the environment. Refraining from using disposable masks means less trash to throw away in the garbage can. A cloth mask not only saves money in the long run, it also ensures environmental sustainability. Imagine an entire city with no disposable mask waste. As a roll-over effect, there'd also be less demand for disposable masks for mass use. Healthcare workers will no longer have a disposable mask shortage and they can get protected at all times whenever they work. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlW7Q5OkcLbylgwkdqoNzbGxAZv737z5556JuzyJB6uIxjt0VqzMeBD1gu8tKoKJZOuuvQcFO8mJcRkuUfxkSXDeMnNMSmhNPgfz9IsM2153TJr-O1GjtBFM4IRRpCkIomDWnEaAG0F0I/s1600/supportlocal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1076" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlW7Q5OkcLbylgwkdqoNzbGxAZv737z5556JuzyJB6uIxjt0VqzMeBD1gu8tKoKJZOuuvQcFO8mJcRkuUfxkSXDeMnNMSmhNPgfz9IsM2153TJr-O1GjtBFM4IRRpCkIomDWnEaAG0F0I/s640/supportlocal.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Supporting local businesses by patronising their goods: Pack of 6 masks from Greenfield Clothiers </td></tr>
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Any cloth mask will of course net a lower total cost of ownership over time, plus all of the other benefits stated above. As for its <b>Unique Selling Point</b>, I believe these ones I currently own have a higher level of durability versus some mass-produced imported cloth masks that are easily procurable on the streets right now. Unfortunately, I don't have solid proof on that claim. Subjectively though, I would say these masks can be worn with a suit and still not look out of place. For someone like me who's supposed to also go back into doing onsite client meetings once cities have fully reopened, I'd want to retain professionalism even in times of masked commute.<br />
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Lastly, it's been a long road but I now fully believe that there are certain material things that are built to last. Often times, they are not mass-produced. Likely, they are also not cheap and that's why we call it an 'investment.'</div>
Jen Never Blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10076827226598781677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6777122936328292753.post-82922039250277032782020-06-07T20:00:00.000-04:002020-07-02T11:27:16.013-04:00Of Bad and Great CX, and Getting My First American Credit Card<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCIgXL26MAzk90kG7AHu0qTTM8tie3O1mWzYQWoZYjKWzz4WkWbmSBJq88R_PGrm6N05ZAT4rodwSU5G_biY1VHbPEpgK8OK0apyV7emZX2r8-9NOcCCix_5sM1v5Yk0SAnzL0deRCE8c/s1600/Amex+Parody+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCIgXL26MAzk90kG7AHu0qTTM8tie3O1mWzYQWoZYjKWzz4WkWbmSBJq88R_PGrm6N05ZAT4rodwSU5G_biY1VHbPEpgK8OK0apyV7emZX2r8-9NOcCCix_5sM1v5Yk0SAnzL0deRCE8c/s640/Amex+Parody+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It's not the first time I'm sharing about commending customer service professionals, especially when they deserve it. But this goes beyond just one experience. I'm actually smiling now while typing this because I'm easy like that and my interactions were some of the most pleasant ones I have had in any customer service setting. I also want people reading this to take 5 minutes of your day to leave a note--whether in surveys or thru the company's contact form--for the people who made your life easier. Do it!<br />
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Good job, American Express! I have just not had a bad experience with their customer service. They are consistently beaming with professionalism and always, always manage to resolve my needs--all in the first contact. Seems to me that they hire the best of the best in this field.<br />
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<i>*cue winding down tune*</i><br />
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<div style="background-color: #72bac6; padding: 20px;">
Let me take you back to an experience in August 2019, while checking in at Hilton in Taipei for work. I get in at 6AM from a red-eye flight from Singapore. I try to do an early check-in and my American Express corporate credit card got declined during the check-in. My employer had already approved my previous month's expense report but the payment hasn't been wired yet. I sat at the hotel lounge and called Amex Asia's hotline and all within that same call, they were able to reinstate my credit card access. And all that was done in the most professional and empathetic manner.</div>
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Since I got transferred to the US office this year, I had to trade my Singaporean Amex into an... <i>American </i>American Express. In the corporate card envelope, I received a note saying I can also apply for a Personal credit card. I disregarded it because I bank with Chase and wanted to get a Chase credit card so it's easier to pay bills.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">That's Why It's Called Chase </span></b><br />
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I was told that I qualified for a credit card on the same day I applied for my Chase bank account. The only reason why my banker couldn't proceed was because I hadn't received my Social Security Card yet at that time. (<b>Read</b>: It takes 2-3 weeks to process and send the SSN to the applicant's mailbox) My banker told me to just come back to proceed with the credit card application once I have the card. But then, Covid-19 happened and even banks had to shut down.<br />
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For the sake of time relativity, it's early June now as of writing.<br />
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Since March, the Chase online credit card application website was down for maintenance. I stalked it almost every day because I wanted to get my credit score started so I can rent my own place. Alas, I never saw this website up and running, no matter which device I use.<br />
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I also set an appointment with an available banker so I can open an account. I made a mistake of going to the bank, because the appointment details had the address of my bank branch. I got there earlier than my appointment, only to see it closed. Then I checked my phone and it said there the banker will call me on the time of the appointment. My phone was in my hand while I stared at the screen, waiting for it to trill. The call never came.<br />
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I didn't set another appointment but I would routinely go online to check if I can apply for the credit card, but the online application website was still down.<br />
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<b>Note</b>: As of today, Chase Bank's new online credit card application portal is now up! Whichever IT Systems Implementer they hired should do reparations, because they probably lost Chase a good amount of business.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Don't Live Life Without It</b></span><br />
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Then I suddenly remembered the note from my corporate card saying I can apply for a personal credit card with American Express. I went to the website, picked the best cashback card, and without really researching about it, I filled out the short application form.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwYIdNPnQB4w2hiUYPzxabmM3WaFxPLqeQfTqWcWxf549EU4J-xwrhvrxgx5_aBlc46eXNvCpbhhyphenhyphenrGkGw_UQayqFzITjeCUXpzfCZ6DWw8K3J8TTQvf4n7cawGMQd3LHrq3vK4l7gxwk/s1600/Screenshot+2020-06-06+at+12.08.31+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="644" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwYIdNPnQB4w2hiUYPzxabmM3WaFxPLqeQfTqWcWxf549EU4J-xwrhvrxgx5_aBlc46eXNvCpbhhyphenhyphenrGkGw_UQayqFzITjeCUXpzfCZ6DWw8K3J8TTQvf4n7cawGMQd3LHrq3vK4l7gxwk/s640/Screenshot+2020-06-06+at+12.08.31+PM.png" width="257" /></a></div>
I clicked on Submit and right away I got an email saying I should call the hotline so they can verify some information, and if I don't call, they will call me. I thought an information verification was normal because I have no credit history in the United States. I dilly-dallied for a bit before calling. I got a customer service professional named Amit who right away cut through the chase (heh) and connected our call to Chase so Amex can verify my bank details and address. After that group call, Amit told me my credit card application is approved and I should be getting the details over email so I can set up my online account. I could also, if I want to, start using the card right away through digital banking while I wait for the physical card to arrive in the mail.<br />
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<b>Time Elapsed from Online Application to Approval</b>: <b style="background-color: yellow;">16 minutes</b><br />
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I don't know guys, but I was very impressed. Even compared to Singapore standards, that level of efficiency was higher.<br />
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I have done a fair amount of research about credit history because that idea is still foreign to me. But I never really bothered to look into various credit card companies outside of Chase. Mostly because majority of my American friends are using Chase credit cards so I subconsciously thought that it was an overall great company to bank with.<br />
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<div style="background-color: #72bac6; padding: 20px;">
<i>To apply for an American Express Blue Cash Preferred credit card, same as mine, use this <b><a href="http://refer.amex.us/JENNEP8G2m?xl=cp01" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">link</span></a></b>.</i></div>
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Now onto the reason why I'm smiling and laughing while writing this. Long-winding intro, but bear with me!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Courtesy Call</b></span><br />
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Since now I don't have to use my Chase debit card for my daily spend, in a few days I managed to accumulate small purchases across different merchants. I don't get to go out and most of those shops are considered non-essential so they're only available online.<br />
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I got a call from a gentleman with a number that said it's from Phoenix, Arizona. I picked up and this guy tells me he is from American Express and wants to verify my information. I quickly said "<i>Why are you calling me?" </i>He thought I didn't hear his introduction so he repeated himself. Then I rephrased myself saying,<i> "I didn't report anything, why should I tell you my information? You're not calling from an American Express number.</i>" He picked up what I was implicitly trying to say so he said I can give the American Express hotline a callback.<br />
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I quickly ran through my purchases to see if there's anything suspicious. Then I picked up my phone to call the hotline.<br />
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The customer service rep named Anne kept apologising and saying they're doing this as a part of security measures to ensure that my newly requested card was not being used by someone else. She did this thing where she put me on hold while she called my phone number on file, which I answered too. To which she responded with "<i>I'm glad to hear it's the same voice!</i>" Then we went on to do a check on my recent purchases as a final check. And this is where I was already laughing.<br />
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One thing I actively tried to do over May was hold off on buying the things I needed and wanted to buy until I get a credit card... for the sake of... <i>*wait for it*</i><br />
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...credit card points or for cashback.<br />
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These were non-essential items that was on my list for a long time and I saved them up until I can buy them. You can't see me now, but oh I'm laughing. I'm sure I'm not the only one who does this. Right? <i>Right?</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBWb7yRY6c0lXRXrOSSLfy-nJpOTssakQL1K9dtQshiEV5Q44_VZM5hTYZc5Gqu_akHgSPMqlxI5wVlEY8IeLLk4V7v7tJJq5_egtsRXU0m6klE6aKsxMx2J8nv_udmTg75jAWgI4Ovvg/s1600/Screenshot+2020-06-07+at+12.14.31+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1446" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBWb7yRY6c0lXRXrOSSLfy-nJpOTssakQL1K9dtQshiEV5Q44_VZM5hTYZc5Gqu_akHgSPMqlxI5wVlEY8IeLLk4V7v7tJJq5_egtsRXU0m6klE6aKsxMx2J8nv_udmTg75jAWgI4Ovvg/s400/Screenshot+2020-06-07+at+12.14.31+PM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just some of my early purchases :(</td></tr>
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Anyway, this was probably a <i>you had to be there</i> moment because it was pretty hilarious to me, especially when she asked me about two purchases from the same merchant--<b>Rayban</b>. Okay, I know <b>exactly</b> why that must have looked like someone was skimming off my card.<br />
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I...I cancelled my first order on the Rayban website because after the discount, it didn't reach the minimum required to get a $30 cashback reward. After cancelling, I ordered the same glasses but with polarised lenses... and that pushed the total up the minimum $150 spend.<br />
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<i>I am laughing my ass off right now. It's even sillier when I type it out. Also, if you must know... I actually did the Math on this! Even with the more expensive item, with cashback it ends up being cheaper than getting the lower priced item with no cashback. </i><br />
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I didn't have the heart to tell this to Anne, but I said yes I cancelled the first order and that should just disappear from my statement eventually. She said not to worry, Rayban will just cancel the charge hold eventually too.<br />
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She gave me the final spiel and instead of the usual response to "<i>Is there anything else I can help you with?,</i>" I told her that a gentleman called me from a number that's not registered to American Express. Flustered, she said "<i><b>Ah that man. Actually, he... he holds a higher position than me. He was giving you a courtesy call personally. To assure you and give you peace of mind, he is indeed from American Express. We really appreciate that you actively don't give out information to anyone, and what you did of calling us directly was right.</b></i>"<br />
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The overall tone of our call was very relaxed and we would chuckle with each other a lot. I am so glad I didn't really have any embarrassing purchases because that would have been way more awkward.<br />
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To anyone reading this far, I get that I'm looking very silly right now. That assumption is fine. I agree.<br />
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However it would be remiss of me not to point out again how great the customer experience was, even in such uncomfortable situation. If there's one takeaway here, it should be to highlight the consistency of customer professional experiences with American Express, then and now. And finally, it doesn't take much time to commend people when they did a good job in helping you out. Feedback is great not just for complaints, but also as a way to say you appreciate them.<br />
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To apply for an American Express Blue Cash Preferred credit card (same as mine), consider using this <a href="http://refer.amex.us/JENNEP8G2m?xl=cp01" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">link</span></b></a> so I'd get referral $$ 😊. <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">...</span></div>
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<i><b>Disclaimer</b>: This post was not sponsored by American Express. Great customer service often inspires me to write about the experience. To Amit, Anne, and the many other Amex professionals I have spoken to over the phone, you guys are (literally) the best!</i>Jen Never Blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10076827226598781677noreply@blogger.com0