Disqus - Latest Comments for asithi

Re: One Life: The Cost of Extreme Consumerism

asithi — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 13:20:20 -0000

I think Walmart is largely responsible for not having adequate crowd control. It is not as if a crowd is unexpected. Every year there are injuries on Black Friday at Walmart.

My family never have a Christmas tree (not being Christians). I plan to have a tree next year when we move into our first home because I like the festive decorations for Christmas. My husband mentioned that we should get some gifts for the tree because it would look empty. Just like I am adamant about not having a TV in any bedroom, I do not want any gifts under the tree. I just DO NOT want adopt the consumerism culture of Christmas. I rather spend the money on food and entertain my family and friends than to start gift exchanges where I end up with tons gifts I do not want and debt that I do not need.

Re: Getting In (Physical) Shape

asithi — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 16:03:29 -0000

I usually just borrow some workout DVDs from the public library. Get a couple sets of dumbbells and you are all set.

Once you find the workout DVDs you like to keep, check out ebay or half.com for used ones.

Re: Forget the Blogging Formulas

asithi — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 16:44:25 -0000

I agree. My post lengths varies and frequency varies like crazy. The only consistency is that I post every week, but as for how many times, it depends.

Re: 4,500 Lego people create their own Olympics - Newlaunches.com

asithi — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 19:14:58 -0000

This is pretty amazing! I would love to be able to see it in real life.

Re: Should Weight Loss Claims be Classified as Disease Claims?

asithi — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 10:06:08 -0000

I have to agree with Eric Foard. I think too many people are not taking responsibility for their own health. Sometimes they wait until the it becomes a crisis before taking action. However, I do believe that our food supply is not as nutritious as it used to be when my grandparents were growing up and that the processed food landscape is a little bit more confusing.

Re: job jumper tip #2: be a discriminating networker

asithi — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 18:57:21 -0000

What about the person from a last job that you got along with, who you thinks is a good worker, but was a little competitive with you? Would you try to maintain contact with that person?

I am in that dilemma. I have an old co-worker that is about the same age group and same field as me. It can potentially lead to some job leads in the future because I think she is really bright and will be going places. But my problem is that she is one of those passive aggressive woman that bug me a bit when I used to work with her. I have not left my old job long enough for it to be weird to contact her, but I am still iffy about it. What do you think?

Re: job jumper tip #2: be a discriminating networker

asithi — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 10:33:26 -0000

At this stage, I certainly have more to offer than she does to me. I know she will be taking her state registration exam within the next year, there is much I can do to help her prepare for it without much effort in my part like recommending study guides, review courses, etc.

This is going to sound weird, but I think 20 years from now, I would like to be employed by the federal government once more for the health benefits upon retirement. She will be in a position by then to help me out if that is the case (if she haven't jumped ship like I did between now and then). I just need the to be covered by their health insurance 5 years prior to retirement to be able to carry the benefit through retirement (long term planning huh?).

I think I will wait and see on this one. This year, I plan to attend the department Christmas party (2008). If I still feel forced when I am trying to be nice to her, then I will just not act upon keeping her as a contact.

Re: job jumper tip #3: it’s not all about the money

asithi — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 14:43:38 -0000

When I picked my first post-college job, I went for the job that offered mentorship and training. I made a pitiful salary when compared to my peers, but I did not have a large overhead out of college. Because of all the training I got from my first job, I am a very marketable employee in my field so I did not have a problem getting a higher salary ($12,000) when I jumped 8 months ago.

One thing that people tend to forget about is the other "extra perks" that mentioned in this post. My co-worker and I both left for the same company. He was making $8000 more than me from our last company. But now he is only making $4000 more than me. I think it is because he forgot to factor in the "extra" stuff. By the end of this year, I have the potential to make $5000 more than him even though we are both in the same position (the training you get from that first 1 or 2 job is that important!).

After I got the job offer, I made a spreadsheet of the perks and put a $ amount to it. For example, if you get 6 hours of vacation per pay period from your last job, but only 3 hours from your new job, then that is $. 3 hrs x $10/hr x 26 pay period / year = $780. Free gym membership = $45/month x 12 months/yr = $540. You run through this with all your perks, then add it to the minimum pay increase to arrive at your "final ship jumping salary." When you are negotiating your new salary that is what you present to your potential new boss to justify your demand when you ask for more than what they are offering.

Re: gimme my cash blankee

asithi — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 17:00:10 -0000

Having cash is very reassuring. I know that if I get laid off, we will be okay for 6 month to 1 year with only minor belt-tightening. Whereas another couple we know, who rely on their credit cards as their emergency fund, cannot make the mortgage within one month of either one being laid off. They make more money than we do, but their outflow is a lot higher too.

Re: poor kid blues

asithi — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 18:10:29 -0000

I grew up poor. Not just lack of things poor. Sometimes we had to skip dinner because my dad does not get a check until the next day. Whenever I think about my childhood, I feel so unbelievely blessed with my life now.

I rarely talk about my childhood, but when I do it is stop people from complaining their lack of money. I feel like most people do not understand what is the meaning of essentials. If you really do not have money, then get rid of the $100 TV bill and $60 data plan for your cellphone. I have no patience for people that mismanage their money, then complain about it, and does nothing to fix it. I think I might be going off on a tangent here.

Re: 15 ways to make your 9-to-5 a 10

asithi — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 15:50:37 -0000

My younger brother uses his evening commute time to talk to his family. Whenever I get a call around 7pm, I know it is him. Even at 7pm, we would be able to chat for an hour or more before he gets home (LA traffic).

Saying 'good morning' makes a big difference too. I always say it, even to people I do not really know and the grumpy guy that ignores me. For the last 8 months I've been at my new job, I have only gotten Mr. Grumpy to acknowledge my daily morning greetings 2 times. But I think I might be wearing him down because the other day I got a small nod even though he did not say anything.

Re: green acres

asithi — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 10:21:18 -0000

I think family is the biggest appeal of living in CA for me. My in-laws, parents, siblings, and cousins are here. I might not interact with them much, but just being only a couple hours of driving from them makes me feel connected. I would hate to have to spend my vacation just visiting family throughout the year. And when I get annoyed with my parents I can just go home. When do parents stop telling you how to live your life?

But things would be easier in another state, especially one where housing is cheaper. My husband and I talk about selling our house at retirement and downsize to something cheaper at another state, but I think it is just talk. Who wants to start shoveling snow for the first time in your 60s?

Re: go to hell

asithi — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 10:48:41 -0000

I call it my "drop dead" fund. I have a low overhead, so I have almost 14 months of savings that I can use if both my husband and I loose my job. But that is because we do not own a house nor have any kids. I am pretty things will be different once we get to that stage in our lives.

It is a great feeling to have money in the bank. I do not spend much money compared to other women in my office or my sister. I really do not care that I do not have new and expensive clothes every month. But I go on vacations 2 times a year (traveling as if I am a college student again). I have everything I need plus a new luxuries. And I have my "drop dead" fund.

Re: 7 ways to mind your cash when you are abroad

asithi — Tue, 06 May 2008 17:41:08 -0000

I used to try to spend all my foreign money. But I realized that I am buying stuff that I would not buy normally just to get rid of the money. That is bad money management to me. I rather get some of my money back at the exchange than to trade for it for junk.

Re: how to be a location independent family, part 1

asithi — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 10:57:16 -0000

Like weiszguy said, I am too invested in the social network in my community. I love to travel, but I really cannot see myself away from my home for more than 1 month out of the year. I like my home and I like my friends. It took a few years to establish this after moving here. I am not sure I am willing to give that up just yet.

My husband is does not fill every social role that I need in my life. I think that if you are location independent, you have to be satisfy with whatever social role your spouse can fill. My husband is my best friend and we can talk for hours. But he cannot fill the role of my girl friends where we get together and talk about the things that he will never understand. Sure, you can talk on the phone with your friends, but it is not the same. You do not connect the same way as you do with a face to face conversation.

Re: how America grew rich, fat and unhappy

asithi — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 11:16:03 -0000

I do not equal possessions with happiness, but certainly a friend of mine does. This last month, she spent approximately $52k. Her thought process on the purchases:

-wanted to buy a RV, realized the maintenance and storage is not worth it. hence decided to rent one for our annual camping trip instead.

-since renting a RV, maybe she can buy a houseboat instead. found a good deal for a rental, so she rented a houseboat until the end of the year.

-now that she got the houseboat, it sure would be nice to rent some jetskis to go with it. searching around for jetskis, found a good deal and by one instead.

-since she got a jetski, she needs a new truck and trailer to tow the jetski. so she wenting shopping on Monday and purchase a new truck and trailer.

All these purchases have given her much fuel for discussions with her friends. Her though process is just plain scary! And when she asked us to join her for the a weekend of fun at the lake, most of us turn her down because we have other plans. She was really disappointed and hurt.

I think you have to be content with what you do have to be happy. My husband and I made a pact when we got married to not to upgrade our lifestyle quickly with an increase income. We do not have paid TV, eat out as much, or have as much "toys" as our friends, but sometimes I think we are happier than they are. Even if one of us stop working, we can manage our current lifestyle without too much hardship. I think having that peace of mind is worth more than anything else.

Re: 5 ways to learn from others

asithi — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 16:10:05 -0000

I think the source of conflict between my two younger sisters and me are the listening part. They are not interested in listening to any advice I give them (especially financial advice). My husband and I looks like we are "poor" when compared to the external trappings of my sisters with their constant consumption of new cellphones, toys, and designer handbags. But we never worry about money and we go on at least two vacations a year.

At this point, you are probably thinking maybe I should try listening to them? But sometimes I can only listen to so much about new toys, clothes, and how much money they are planning to spend (WBTW, they do not have), that I just want to roll my eyes and walk away. Makes me wonder if I was like them when I was in my early twenties.

Re: work-life balance is a false choice

asithi — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 14:09:42 -0000

I think a long commute does not help because you are "wasting" that time traveling to and from work that you can be with your family. Even though I am using audio books on my commute to learn new things, that is only trying to make the best of the situation.

That is why I am really excited that in two weeks I am starting my new job that is ten minutes away from my house. Now it feels like I am still within the sphere of my family even though I am gone most of the day. Seriously, if my job ever offer to let me work only 6 hours a day, pro-rated pay, I would jump all over it.

Re: a desperate addiction

asithi — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 13:10:41 -0000

"I am almost 40 years old, and this is the first time since I was an eligible voter that my presidential ballot will not have the name “Bush” or “Clinton” on it"

Got you beat here. I cannot remember when the presidential office is not occupy by a Bush or a Clinton. I remotely remember my teacher talking about Chelsea in my government class in junior high school when Clinton was running for prez. Geez, I am ready for a change.

Re: this food and this life

asithi — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 00:33:18 -0000

Hmm....that is food for thought (no pun intended). I never really think too much about what I eat being an extension of my beliefs before. In general, I eat pretty healthy and dining out once or twice on the weekends. Almost everyone seems pretty surprise that I eat pretty healthy, snacking on fruits most of the time at work. Of course, they do not know that I write a health and fitness blog. I guess they see anyone under the age of 30 as being junk good fanatics. But you are right though...if you are serious about money, you serious about what you feed yourself.

Re: 5 ways to take time off work

asithi — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 00:40:12 -0000

Every spring and summer, I work overtime. Instead of getting paid for it, I take it as credit time. So once I am done with the rush at work, I take a week or two off and just bum around the house, going to the movies when everyone else is at work or sitting at the local Starbucks with my journal. That is the only way I can reasonably getting through it knowing that I have the time afterwards to just live life. My co-workers are often amaze that I would "waste my overtime" like this. But seriously, how many new TVs do a person need? My big boxy one works just fine.

Re: the common thread in your bad jobs is YOU

asithi — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 15:06:46 -0000

I think sometimes guys are clueless this is how some women feel about the work environment. Being a civil engineer, I have been in situations where I am the only female in the group. Sometimes I feel uncomfortable, especially out in the field compared to working in the office. I am not a girly girl by any means, but it is easier for the guys to go water a tree than me.

Two weeks ago, I had this discussion with another young engineer. I was telling him how I am anxious about my upcoming rotation next year to the construction office since I know I will once again be the only female in the entire group. Of course, he did not get it - saying that he does not look at female engineer as being any different than a male. Yeah well, he has also not earn less than a female while doing more work.

But one thing I learned is that I always need to ask for more because I know I will end up getting less, which will then be what the guys are getting. In general though, this type of gender bias is very subtle in the work place.

Re: 7 mistakes not to make in a crisis

asithi — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 16:52:32 -0000

Having good health is always important. When you are feeling aches and pains, it is hard to stay positive. But when you are healthy and moving, things really do not look that bad after a good night of sleep.

Re: how to make millions, now

asithi — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 10:53:55 -0000

I am mildly concern, but not enough to stop me from continuing our contributions to our 401k. As a matter of fact, we are going to increase our contributions by $300/mon. We should have at least 25 year to retirement. I am just glad that this is happening now for us than later.

But with my parents, I think my dad might have to work a little bit longer than he initially planned.

Re: minding the little things

asithi — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 11:16:23 -0000

I been putting off going to my dentist for a cleaning. I think my problem is that I do not like my dentist too much, but am too lazy to look around for a new one. You figure I would learn my lesson by now since the last time I put off seeing my dentist for a while, I ended up having to do a root canal.

Re: what’s the dealio with retirement accounts?

asithi — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 11:20:32 -0000

Since everything is on autopilot, it requires more effort for me to stop the wheel than to just let it keep turning. With 25 years until retirement, I have plenty of time. I try not to think about it too much.

Re: heading to the feds

asithi — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 11:00:14 -0000

I work as a civil engineer with the government my entire working career. Compared to a lot of friends, I started out making $10k-$15k less than them. But with incremental pay raises and promotions, we are making the same amount now 5 years later. My husband is the entrepreneur in my relationship and we need the stability with health insurance and steady paychecks that my job provide. But you need a lot of patience working for the government.

A few of our local government entities are already planning 1 day a month furloughs for 2009. Which is a 5% pay reduction. Though the government entity I work for also have budget problems, I am okay with a furlough as long as we do not have any laid offs. That is the great thing about living on only 40% of your income. We can go to bed at night no matter how bad things get.

Re: black friday death

asithi — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 16:13:11 -0000

I heard that they are going to press charges against the first 20 customers. There was a security guard at the scene who basically did nothing while this was happening. But then again, would you charge into a crowd like that and risk getting trample yourself?

Every year something happens at a Walmart. I would think that the company would know from previous experience how to handle a crowd. They should not be allow to advertise for Black Friday if they do not have a plan for crowd control! This is too sad.

asithi

Re: why you’ll be richer without kids

asithi — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 13:09:41 -0000

I look forward to having kids in a couple of years. Being the eldest in my family, I love having younger people around asking for my help and opinions. It is an emotional decision.

As for saving money, you can't take it with you when you die. What is the point of accumulating all this wealth if you are going to die alone? People first, money second has always been my governing value. No matter how much money you have or how great your career is, you are going to be remembered by how many people cried at your funeral.

As Kate mentioned, having kids means that there will be at least one human being who will take an interest in my care when I am elderly.

Re: rebuilding the idea of elitism in America

asithi — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 13:51:59 -0000

Exactly. Drinking buddies are for entertainment.....just like Paris Hilton is entertainment.....

Re: use your words to change your mind

asithi — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 12:40:26 -0000

"I always felt a little bit sick saying it. I knew that telling people “I am an accountant” was not embarrassing or shameful - it’s a perfectly good profession, I’m good at it and I have had a good run with it. But for years I have not felt it represented who I was … or am."

You know Steve, I often feel the same way about telling people that I am an engineer. There is nothing shameful about it like you said and I am licensed, but sometimes I feel that certain people start to look at me a little differently when I say it to people that I meet for the first time. Maybe it is because I am female. Maybe it is because I look young. I am not sure what it is. But when I tell people that I am a paper pusher, that ends the discussion. But when I tell them that I am an engineer, I start getting all kinds of questions or sometimes complaints (because I work for a local government agency) that I just do not want.

Lucky you, I still have no idea what I want to be when I grow up. But I am generally happy at my job, so I am not in any rush to figure it out. It is great to discover my passion, but I am practical enough to know that sometimes having a passion for something and being good enough to make a living can be two different things.

Re: i saw what you spent last summer

asithi — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 20:01:00 -0000

I am starting to see that myself with my peers. People that I thought were going much better than me and husband are actually in a worst financial situation. Here we were pitying ourselves that we could not afford a house during the peak when everyone brought their first homes, and just three years later we brought our first home at a huge discount. The boats, the jetskis, and iphones are starting disappear among my peers. Since we never have those toys to begin with, our lifestyle have not change. Sure, we are nervous, but not worry. We are so lucky. But then again, we did not upgraded our lifestyle the first 8 years after college graduation like our friends did. Often we wondered why were not doing as well as our friends, but I guess I can see that they are doing that much better than they appear. I feel for them and do not talk about my home purchase and plans with them, but I cannot help but feel surviver guilt that this economy is not effecting us.

Re: linklings and a giveaway

asithi — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 18:06:50 -0000

Always like your blog. Now give me the prize! :D

Re: intelligence and wealth

asithi — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 10:33:12 -0000

I don't think smart people and wealth goes hand in hand. However, I do believe that smart people have a higher chance in getting wealth (whether it is earning more income or just from inheritance). But I have known some smart people with big money issues. They just do not know how to manage their money.

Re: debt free

asithi — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 09:27:07 -0000

"But I’d feel better having some debt AND some cash flow, rather than no debt and no cash flow."

That statement reminds me of when I just graduated from college. No debt, but no income either. A little on the scary side because you still got to find the money to eat some how.

Now I have a mortgage and cash flow from my job. I guess I am the type of employee that the bosses like, enough debt to be reliable at work, but not too much debt to compromise my integrity.

asithi

Re: I Am Fat

asithi — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 18:46:38 -0000

Sometimes I notice sometimes you have to break down all the items in your meal to add onto the nutrition tracker on Sparkpeople. They do not seem to have problems with the package food, but it doesn't do a good job with the food you prepare at home. How does your hamburger break down? Since it is a home made burger, I think that is where sparkpeople is giving you a problem in terms of the calories count.

1 hamburger bun = 200 calories?
mustard = 60 calories?
patty = 100 calories?
miracle whip = 100 calories?

So each burger is only 460 calories? Are you sure there wasn't something else in it that you are not accounting for?

But truthfully though, if you find that you are not starving and can only eat 1900 calories, you shouldn't force yourself to eat more. I wish I have your problem. I can easily go over 2100 calories a day.

Re: How to Deal with People who are Stealing your Content

asithi — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 14:52:10 -0000

Yep, that is why I stopped providing full text feeds. I know I probably lost some readers that way, but I am willing to have less readers as long as my content remains on my blog.

Re: 10 Blog Tips for Successful Blogging

asithi — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 16:55:46 -0000

Or they fill it with enough widgets that it takes forever for the page to load. Who wants to sit and wait?

asithi's last blog post..Shopping and Vanity Sizing

Re: Commenting @ Blog Bloke = Greater Visibility for You

asithi — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 10:34:37 -0000

I never think too much about what commenting does for my site. I am just a talkative person by nature, so I tend to leave my comments all over the blogsphere when I find something of interest. But it is good to know this information.

asithi's last blog post..Eat 200-300 Calories Less for Weight Loss. What Does Calories Look Like?

Re: Blog Rivalry

asithi — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 10:31:27 -0000

That would be great. I have some stuff scraped, but I am not sure how to get the other websites to stop. At least they link back to my site.

asithi's last blog post..Eat 200-300 Calories Less for Weight Loss. What Does Calories Look Like?

Re: The Blogosphere is Rigged

asithi — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 01:04:51 -0000

Initially I thought the problem is my writing style. But you're right. It does not matter what I write or what style I used. I am just not part of the club. But in some ways, it is a good thing. Low expectations from my readers mean less need to "perform."

asithi's last blog post..Your Dream Weight and Your Happy Weight

Re: The Importance of Linking

asithi — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 00:42:14 -0000

Yep, whenever possible, I try to link to others and to my older posts. When I find that certain blogs direct a few clicks my way, I will reciprocate. It is all about trying to help promote each other, especially the blogs with a smaller readership like mine.

asithis last blog post...Women’s Hormonal Phases - Your Late 20s Through Your Early 40s

Re: A New Social Order: The High Cost of Web 2.0 Networking

asithi — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 13:47:09 -0000

Good thing I do not have to worry too much about "catching up" with technology in my profession. I can get by very well just knowing a new tricks with Microsoft Office and a little bit of CAD.

asithis last blog post...Wedding Blues

Re: A New Social Order: The High Cost of Web 2.0 Networking

asithi — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 10:28:46 -0000

My two youngest sisters were sent off to college with horrifying stories of ID theft from me. When they first had internet access in their teens, there was the understanding that they do not put up any identifying information about themselves. And they know that I regularly google them to make sure they are not putting themselves at risk on the internet. Call me big sister, but I always tell them that 'if they do not want me or my parents to find out about it, don't post it up.'

Re: 10 Reasons Why I Don’t Like Your Blog

asithi — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 16:01:44 -0000

I am still working on the writing style. My problem is that I am an engineer, so when I write at work it is with authority. For my health and fitness blog, I find that sometimes I tend to write without as much personality as I like to be. It's amazing how blog writing is its own style.

asithi's last blog post..Importance of Breakfast for Weight Loss and Funny Clip

Re: How I got 300% More Blog Traffic in just One Week, Part 1

asithi — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 14:04:09 -0000

I cannot wait until you write that SEO post. I definitely need a little more help in that department. Glad you didn't quit, but for a while I sure was wondering....

asithis last blog post...Yogurt a Health Food? Do You have Dental Insurance?

Re: The Last Word on Minimalist Blogging

asithi — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 11:10:19 -0000

Blog design "experts" it is almost like the interior decorators in for these models. Sure the models look nice, but I cannot imagine a family living in them. It certainly would not be my home. With blogs, you can look at these "experts" for ideas, but in the end it all comes down to how you want to showcase your virtual home.

asithis last blog post...Dim Sum and Income

Re: The Last Word on Minimalist Blogging

asithi — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 17:47:18 -0000

Maybe Dennis is looking for the checkbox to be notify when there is followup comments via email? I was looking for that myself since I rarely like to subscribe to a comment feed.

asithis last blog post...Dim Sum and Income

Re: What Is Blogging Really?

asithi — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 11:33:00 -0000

Tried Twitter. Like you said, it feels like social chat. It really sucked up my time. And I do not feel like I actually created anything by the time I am done.

Tried Facebook. Not sure I like it too much either.

At least with my own blog, I feel like it is my digital home. People can drop by, but nobody else is paying the rent so I do not have to worry about being kick out.

asithis last blog post...Food Variety Might be the Reason We Fail at Diet Meal Plans