I Win the Lotto, Now What?

On my daily drive to work, I would drive by the California Lotto billboard. This got me thinking, what should I do if I win? I know the common advice is to take the money and run, but why? Would I really end up with more money by taking the lump-sum instead of the annual payments?

Since I can be such a nerd, I created an excel spreadsheet that would calculate final take home pay (after tax) for any jackpot amount :) My calculation confirmed the common adage: Take the lump sum.

Here's a snapshot of the worksheet (click on the picture for larger size):

Vote

Consider the low voting turnout in United States, it always amazed me a little when I heard about people taking extreme/expensive measures just so they can vote. Elections in other countries seem more of a sacred event. It is such a stark contrast compare to that in the United States.

For example, recently Taiwan held its Presidential Election and there's tons of Media coverage on all these famous celebrities flying back to Taiwan just so they can submit their votes (I guess there is no absentee ballots in Taiwan). And I personally know friends' parents and relatives who took vacation days and flew back to Taiwan just so they could vote in this election.

It seem so crazy, consider in the States that many people don't even bother to vote. According to wikipedia, U.S. barely made 50% voting turnout while Australia voting turnout is at 95%.

Guitar Prodigy?

So good that you want to ask "is he really playing?"

Money Matter

I did my 2007 tax return today and am getting refunds(yay).

I changed my withholding allowance at the beginning of 2007. Thus, my federal refund is very small; which means I did a good job in estimating the withholding number (yay). However, for some reason, the change did not impact my state withholding as I am getting more back this year than last year (booo). I need to look into that.

Just out of curiosity, I checked my retirement portfolio today too. OMG!!! The percentage of the portfolio market value has decreased by double digit :"(. Since I only buy mutual funds, eventually they should bounce back but GAWD, it's so depressing looking amount getting smaller and smaller.

Logically, especially for long term investing, this is probably a great time going in and buy some stocks for sale.

Emotionally, WHAT IF THE COMPANY GO BANKRUPT OR IF THIS DEPRESSION LAST FOR 50+ YEARS???? :O

Random

I am more productive at home than at work. To get the most out of me (productivity wise), my boss should ask me to telecommute more often.

Hospitals are so depressing. In TV/movies, the patients in wheelchairs usually get push around in the hospital's garden or courtyard, but there are no garden or courtyards in the real-life hospitals. I really really dislike being in the hospital.

My ass is sore from sitting 5 hours straight (because I was so focus on work).

Getting old sucks; there are tons of 'recommended' (invasive) tests to be taken at 50+ yrs old. I am glad I am not that old yet.

I am craving green and healthy foods. Dark, bitter-sweet chocolate sounds good too.

I went to Kanpachi last night. I discovered I really like grill yellowtail collar but I really don't like matcha tea.

No work on Friday, YAY!

You Can't Change Who You Are

Interesting line I read today:

"Your inherent personality was developed by the time you were two years old."

=O

Internet

Because of internet, I am able to do research and find information in my PJ.

How did people live before internet?

Thanks to day light saving

I get to leave work while the sun is still up. *yay*

And surprisingly, the traffic is great today so I got home faster than usual.

Sally and I went to get massage at one of those foot massage places that popped all over town the last year. Even though the name is foot massage, it's an entire body massage (with the client fully clothed). There's no ambient whatsoever (everyone get massage in the same room, it's almost like a barber shop) but since I've sore muscles and need someone to knead it out, it's a great bargain!

And another thing to be grateful, and my hair feel so incredibly silky today!

Do You Want to be a millionaire?

Just solve one of the million prize problems from the Clay Mathematics Institute.

All prizes are still up for grab.

Freebies

We get a lot of freebies here. Free access to bathroom (have to pay in Europe), free water (not drinkable outside of US), free soda refills (rare outside of US), free napkins (have to bring your own in Asia).... And when it's our birthdays, we get free food from the merchants.

Today, my friend got free ice cream from Cuban Bistro; and the ice cream was good! :)

Daily gratitude: Grateful for living in the land of lots of freebies.

Think and Grow Rich

"Think and Grow Rich" is my commute entertainment for this week.

It's very inspiring. I like what I heard so far.

How Could I Not Love SoCal

It's February but it's over 70F today and I saw these beauties:

Capital One Challenge

Capital One sent me a letter that ask me to call 1-877-513-9959 to make my card better.

At first, I thought it was a scam but after reading some review on fatwallet, I called them up and requested an upgrade of the reward program. The best they can offer is an additional 25% bonus on the 1% cash back, which means Capital One would change the cash back from 1% to 1.25%. Better than nothing but still pretty lame.

Daily Gratitude: Hot Pot! Cold day + warm soup = happiness!