[intro-self]
Hello and welcome back to another entry!
[ding and light up on phone]
I received a text message from Red Pocket that my plan was expiring in seven days.
[back to self * Spongebob meme]
Am I going to renew? No. So if you want to exit out, now is the time.
[breaks sound and sad bgm]
However, like a breakup, I think it's important to hear why.
1) It was cheap, like $5 and $10 cheap. It's a great plan if you're anti-social or you just want a plan for your kid to be able to call.
2) The set up was easy. I ordered the $10 plan and that included the sim card. It took about three days to arrive. Then I opened it. Put in the sim card. Called my sister to test if a call goes through. It didn't, but that's because I didn't know I was supposed to wait 3-5 minutes to tell the phone world my phone number exist. So I called customer service and got through within 3 minutes. Told the lady my call wasn't going through and she said I just had to wait. While she had me on the line, she sent me a text to tell my phone I'm on the red pocket network, which is really the CDMA network, so my data would connect better. When I decided to try this plan, data wasn't a priority.
Anyway, so I'm on the road like a normal person and used up the 500 MB of data in two days. Again, not a huge concern because we're under quarantine and I'll be around wifi anyway. Even if we weren't under quarantine, my wifi wouldn't be any different. Basically, the cost of the plan is the only good thing about it. I have to be fair that if I was probably on a bigger plan, it might've made a difference. But again, that shouldn't affect the connection.
This is why I'm really not going to renew my plan with Red Pocket.
The dropped calls. I can tolerate no or slow data, but the drop call is a deal-breaker. If I'm in the middle of a heated conversion and the call drops, I just lost the argument, and if anybody knows me, I don't lose arguments. Just kidding. Of all the phone conversations I've had my entire life, two very important ones just happened to be with Red Pocket Mobile and they were both dropped. It made me look so unprofessional and you can't put a price on reputation unless you're buying Taylor Swift's album.
Ok, I'm going to end that break up story, but lets get technical about other stuff.
Plans/Price: Plans as low as $5 if you buy in bulk and as high as $60 for unlimited. My argument against that is that you can get unlimited everything with Cricket for $55, and you'll get a $5 discount if you are opt in autopay. Cricket can be even cheaper if you have 4 people on the line, which would be $25/person. But maybe it's you just and another someone, it's still $80 for two, which is $40/month. Not just that, Cricket is offering 10gb of hotspot data right now.
Coverage/Speed: With the 500 MB data I had, it did it's job when I used it. Once the 500 MB was done, the connection was pretty much gone. Compared to Cricket, if you max out the 22gb they give to you, there's still some connection to stay connected.
Customer Service: I was really surprised I was connected to someone from Red pocket within 3 minutes. They helped me and I was on my way. But keep in mind, I'm the type of customer/caller who isn't clocked in, meaning I know what I need to say to get what I need done. For example, back in my AT&T days, I wouldn't say, "you didn't credit me $30 for October." I would say, "how much was the credit to my account in October? Ok, and how about November" By doing that, I'm telling the rep to see the issue. Gosh, I can have a whole video just talking about how to prepare yourself as a customer on customer service calls. I used to work at a call center, so I have an idea of what most places has access to.
Anyway, with Cricket, I've always had good service. I think their call center is sourced outside the country, which some people may have an issue with it. But again, those people probably don't know how to talk. I mean, customers are always right and they're the priority, but it doesn't take much to be a nice person. My call wait is about 3-5 minutes also. With the pandemic, workers are low, and it's not just a Cricket thing, it's an every call center thing. Other than calling by phone for issues, I use the chat option as well and most of my issues are resolved through that.
"But Choua, maybe your phone just sucks?!"
Yea, you're right. My phone does suck. It's 2020 and I'm still using an iPhone 6s from 2015. On top of that, it's a used iPhone 6s. However, I've been with the Cricket network for the last 5 years and I've never had a dropped call, so it's the network.
After a month on the red pocket mobile network, I won't be going back. I'll go back to my $25 unlimited everything group plan. I sure miss my unlimited data and speed. I love cricket so much, I'll make a separate entry dedicated to it.
Hello everyone. I have no clickbait photos for this blog, but just tips about how to be a minimalist while you listen to the audio from above. I used to be an apartment leasing agent in the capital of Wisconsin, Madison. I showed/rented studios by the university that ranged from $600-$1300. I always wondered how people lived and thought about how small it was. The minimalist in me can definitely handle that now if that becomes my reality.
First of all, you don't need an all-white room theme, what you already have is fine. I made all my changes naturally over the course of four years, so don't go out and buy a white comforter set today (but ehhh, I ain't stopping you from living YOUR BEST LIFE!). I've been in a different space recently and got to reflect on how I still carried my minimalist habits. Lezzzzgo!
Always make your bed. Your room will be clean and look "minimal" just by making your bed. I wish I had a dirty photo to share, but the 17-year old messy me is gone.
Have a space for everything. You can have everything, but don't put it everywhere!
Hang all your clothes. Try not to let your clothes lay around, it just looks well...messy.
Limit your furniture. I only have a desk and a bed frame. The more things you have, the more surface to just hoard. I recently had a ladder shelf and it just hoarded the things I couldn't let go.
This last one is hard, but just try to look through things you no longer use. If it's over 5+ years, just let it go. Toss it right in the garbage. The next time you'll use it is in 5 years and by then, you'll have a replacement/alternative for it.
Personally, I don't have anything on my wall because 1) have you patched a hole before? it's a pain. 2) It'll get boring, now I need to "change it up." 3) It's more clutter 4) It costs money lol. and even if it didn't, it's probably #3. Maybe I'll do a room tour, which is really just three blank walls. The highlight of my room would be my desk lol.
Once you've worked on your room, I encourage you to try the other rooms as well, especially the bathroom. Like, why do you need two same shampoo bottles in the shower? Are you washing your hair twice? Just put one away!! Don't get me started with the face wash, body lotion, and toothbrush. If you're a family of four, why are there eight toothbrushes and three toothpaste?!!!!???!! Not just in one, but all three bathrooms!!! ahhhh!!! LOL. Nothing is wrong with a lot of things, but just be organized; be an organized hoarder. Being a minimalist in a family can be hard, but my advice is that you stay clean because that's who you are.
You don't have to become a minimalist overnight. I slowly started in 2016 and got really aggressive in 2018. Two years later, I think I'm 7/10 of the way there. Recently, I've stayed at my brother's tiny room that only had a bed and a closet. I brought enough clothes for two weeks and hung them to stay clean/organized. I only have a makeup bag, toothbrush, shampoo, and conditioner as my necessity. I feel trained for a backpack or road trip.
When I first moved back home, my entire Camry was filled, and I had to make more trips after that. Other than my mattress, I can relocate within a day if my wild side wants me to see the world! LOL. Who knows, car life for the summer for my YT channel just might come true. But idk, kinda hate hiking alone and I'd be scared to sleep alone; and I'd be homesick. But maybe that's what God has instore for me since this mortgage plan is delayed. Okay, I'm getting off topic. I just want to tell myself I'm so proud of the changes I've made and the only way is up.
Hello! If you are not an iron chef like me, this recipe is for you! What took the most time was slicing the meat, but if you get ground beef or a cooked rotisserie chicken, this dish can be done in minutes.
Recipe
Choice of meat (chicken or beef)
Cilantro
Green Onion
Lime
laab-namtok seasoning mix
Hmoov nplej ua laj
Thai chili pepper if you can find some
Fish sauce, if you can find some
You could get 5-8 at an Asian store easily.
Direction
Slice/dice/rip the meat and cook if meat is uncooked
Chop cilantro and green onion
Put meat in a bowl
Add cilantro, green onion and sprinkle the seasoning mix to your liking
Add lime and fish sauce to your liking
Add chilli pepper to your liking
I like to eat this with sticky rice or white rice, cucumber, and more whole pepper to each bite. I hope this recipe was easy to follow and tasty. Thank you and see you again!
I'm not ok. I'm not ok with how things are. I'm not ok with what's said to me or about me. I'm not ok with the people around me. and that's how change happens.
I was in my previous or current toxic situation/s because I was ok with it. Because I always chose peace, especially my peace, so I always held back how I felt. I realized what a disservice it was to myself and those my decisions or actions resulted from it. What I mean by that was that maybe I didn't speak up when someone did or said something I didn't like, and so they continued their ways as I continued to respond the same.
I'm not saying I'm a silent person, but there were so many battles that I just didn't want to win. I didn't want to correct false information about me because I turned it into a netting system. If someone is only willing to listen to one side of a story about me, that speaks a lot about that person alone. Why would I want a one-sided person's energy/presence? They're both on the same team; the game was already over. It didn't matter what I had to tell or say. If there's one way to "persuade" that person specifically or anyone in general about who you are, it's just to keep being you. For me, that was taking care of my debt, the only battle I wanted to win.
I was especially not ok with my debt anymore in 2018 and so I moved back in with my parents in 2019. Some people think it's the most loser move; like a downgrade. But let me tell you, racking up debt and staying in debt wasn't much of an upgrade either. Actually, it's more like a d for dumbass grade that ends up as an F for failing. You can't tie failure or stupidity to a location, it is based on an individual's intellectual and decisions. I could move to a "smart city" like Los Angeles or NY, it won't make me any smarter. If you are dumb, that's on you.
And I was. I was dumb. I was sooo dumb. I take full responsibility for it. I couldn't manage my money. I allowed pleasing others by letting it literally cost me. The worst part was when you're responded with, "nobody put a gun to your head to make that decision" or "nobody asked you to pay" and lastly, "I didn't ask for it." And they're right. Nobody but me, I had the gun to my head (metamorphically). I chose to pay. I chose to give something that wasn't asked.
So I was ok with debt for a while because I felt that I was contributing. It felt like I woke up from a coma when I gained my senses again from hearing those things. When I reflect back on it, I just think, "why was I ok with that for so long?" I started reading about credit scores and followed Dave Ramsey and other people who were also on a debt-free journey. In addition, I began applying minimalism and feng shui to my life. All this inspired me to take on the journey to taste a debt-free life.
This meant moving back in with my mom; the only person who will ever let me live rent-free. Being around my mom, I was able to see what true love was again. It's someone who accepts me with or without money; me with or without a degree; me with a $20 job or a $10 job. :'( I get really emotional whenever I talk about my mom because there are so many blessings I can't keep up with. So being with her, I was also no longer ok with the kind of love around me.
I just want to wrap up that whatever journey you're working on, only you can set the pace. It's when you're no longer ok with the progress or conditions that you will actually get moving again. So don't be ok. Things can actually be your way sometimes. And if they aren't, try to achieve it in a peaceful and civil way.
-Choua
P.S. My Youtube has reached 1k subs. Now I'll finally get $100 in a year from YT lol.
I felt like I "achieved" nothing in 2019, but I got a chance to really think about all that happened on my late drive back to town.
Attended the BTS concert in May
Went to South Korea in Sept
Started a new job back home
Moved back in with my parents in September rent-free
Surviving a 2-hour distance relationship; I was against LDR all of my life but I am kinda thriving
Gave back to my parents: painted 2 bathrooms, my room, and the kitchen
Got to know about my parents' daily struggles even after living in the US for 27 years
Increased my credit score because I no longer had to pay rent and paid down more debt
Fell in love with, broke my heart from, and finished two Chinese drama with over 65 episodes: Legend of Fu Yao and Rise of the Phoenixes (both are on Netflix)
Continued working on minimalism
My goals for 2020:
Japan/Thailand
House/rental property
Parents: Car for my mom, stainless stove and fridge, update kitchen cabinets and floor
Real estate license or get an IT degree
Get married? have kids? become an adult lol
What I want to work in 2020 is to stop wanting good for others and let them live their best life. Previously, I would talk people into what's good for them, and sometimes even get the things that's good for them. As a result, it was my fault either way. It's not that I no longer care, but I need to let people go after what they want and not what I see is good for them. I feel like I wanted to be appreciated for that; or that I wasn't appreciated enough; like there should be a song or award for my kindness. So I asked myself, did I do a "good deed" because I am actually kind or was it to receive some sort of reward/recognition? I felt frustrated that I was taken for granted and it's no one's fault I felt that way; they owed me nothing. To deal with that feeling, I decided that I will only give because I want absolutely nothing in return. Obviously, that was always my intention, but my subconscious wanted the recognition, so I am going to be very conscious of what I give, regardless if it's physically or mentally. I want to give in 2020 consciously for nothing in return. That's the life and story I want to tell and live with.
Thanks for tuning in. I wanted to keep this entry short.
This entry is dedicated to myself, my sister or anyone who has ever felt their English language proficiency validated their worth. In fact, their lack of English is actually the most beautiful part about them. It means you come from different worlds, with different experiences, views, and goals.
Although I wasn’t born in the United States, I started school in pre-school or pre-kindergarten like any other kids born here. Studies show that you pick up language easier the younger you are. Therefore, I don’t have as much of an accent like my older sisters. They started in grades that was appropriate for their age and had to accelerate their learning to consume the information they learned in a language which was completely foreign to them at that time. Since they were older when they learned English, some of them carry an accent with them when they speak the language. It really isn’t a big deal for every day conversation, but it is when it comes to a job.
One of my sisters felt her English speaking level was a decision factor to a position she wanted and didn’t get. Of course, due to legal reasons (like discrimination), that was never disclosed by the employer. But being the strong person my mom raised all of us to be, she didn’t make an excuse out of the situation. She’s not the type to spend too much time counting her losses, so she simply moved on and found a place that appreciated her.
As a minority, many of us are alone in the jobs we have. We’re barely 1% of a group. Being the only Hmong person isn’t foreign to me; I’m used to it. I just got my review and I couldn’t help it, but be reminded of my sister’s experience. How would anyone else at my job understand what it’s like to be bilingual? How can they ever understand how skilled I am to turn on and off my language processor? And because of that ability, I am beyond their level of coordination about almost everything but the English language. For someone with a college degree and lived in the States since 1993, my English speaking and writing still lacks. This showed me that nothing is safe; I’m not safe. There’s no job security when you work for someone else.
And that’s all fine. With my broken English, I saw how beautiful everything else was about me. I wake up every day knowing I can speak one more language than everyone at my work place and now I wonder how anyone lives a life knowing only one language their entire life. If anything, I see language as currency, so I’m pretty rich. English is just one thing that I lack, but I am independent when it comes to following directions, showing up every day to be someone they can count on, and meeting deadlines. On top of all of that, I think kindness, welcoming, and love is a universal language. But it’s ok, like the lyrics by BTS in “Idol,” I’m in love with myself. I’m in love with my broken English. It reminds me where I came from and who/what I don’t want to be like.
I know what I am (I know what I am)
I know what I want (I know what I want)
I never gon’ change (I never gon' change)
I never gon’ trade
For a good amount of time, I had shut myself from the world. I went from a fresh college graduate to a graduate who wasn’t going to get her masters degree. A great paying job to an average job and then the ultimate fail, part time. All the greatness I was, was lost. All my energy. All my ideas. Everything I was, was gone. I just went downhill with my communication. I stopped responding to people because I couldn’t make things happen if they called me. My parents usually call me because I always had a solution, even though that’s not their purpose. I liked being the hero; I am CK afterall. I liked making things happen. I like telling my sisters I could watch their kids. I liked telling my siblings I can buy them things. I liked doing things for other people. But I couldn’t solve people’s issues or make their wants/dreams come true and I hated that, so I just stopped responding.
Since 2013, I started recording Hmong girls perform at the Hmong New Year, and other performers too, but they were my main focus. I’m not related to any of them in any degree. None of them are my aunt’s-son’s-daughter in law’s-father’s-uncle’s-grandma’s daughter/son. I have absolutely no ties to any of the girls I’ve recorded for the past five years until just this year when my two nieces formed a team.
I go to these Hmong New Years just to record them. Why? Because, seriously, ain’t nobody got time for dat. Their moms, aunts, grandmas, whoever are so busy prepping them. No one has time to sit in the audience and record. That role itself is asking a lot from someone else to take on. If you ain’t family, nobody got time for you.
I also started recorded them because I low key always wanted to be part of a dance team as a young girl. But I just grew up to be a semi tomboy who looooves card games :D and ping pong...and soccer, and tennis, and recording. I just wanted to belong and be surrounded by other like minded girls and that’s where I found my soccer team. :( But no one recorded any of our games :’( :’( :’( :’( Ok, I’ll do that MN J4 2019, I promise. With my drone. So can we get enough girls out to play now?!
After sitting in the audience crowd, I decided to run in the 2019 Miss Hmong Madison Pageant competition. I guess one of my rules of life has always been don’t watch life pass you by watching from the sidelines, along with asking myself, “Why can’t I do that? Why am I not doing that?” My answers and results led me to all the things I’ve accomplished, if that’s what anyone wants to call it. When I decided to run for the pageant, I felt part of me was ready to be judged, literally. I was ready to be ok if I’m a failure in one’s eyes, but yet a goal in another. I was ready for the negativity because I had freed myself from it and it wasn’t going to affect me anymore.
Being a part of the pageant, exciting and non exciting things has been on my radar. One ignorant Hmong man (wait, does he even deserve to be called that?) who works for a Hmong news station recently shamed a non-stereotypical “Miss Hmong” pageant who took top three. He literally said, “She is the winner of the Hmong beauty pageant...is this the best hmong people have to offer?... :P “I FEEL SORRY FOR HMONG PEOPLE.”” I will leave his name unknown because his negativity doesn’t deserve to be searched. On top of that, nobody needs to see bad grammar. Not only was his grammer off, bish didn’t even do the research that she wasn’t the first place winner to whine over anyway.
The only thing I have to say to anyone that just sits back and criticize on these individual who chooses to make themself known to the public, whether it’s the pageant or people like Tou Ger Xiong-the comedian, is that they’re the biggest cowards and don’t know how to ask to be loved. Instead of just straight up saying they’re a piece of shi##, it’s easier to call out others and shift the focus on how shitty of a person they are. They are the most scared to be judge because of how harsh they see people. What comes out of their mouth is what goes into their mind of how they think of themselves. That is the worst thing than anything; you judging yourself; you not accepting yourself. I feel sorry FOR YOU. I don’t feel sorry for you. I will let you continue to prison yourself with unhappiness and negativity. I will let you continue to poison those around you, so you can see how toxic you are. I don’t want you to change. Stay ignorant
There’s a plant, Moses in the cradle, my mom received from someone, I forgot who. It was to help with health issues. My mom planted and cared for it and was able to brew it to drink it with her meals. The plant only had so many leaves until it regrew/reproduced. This pace was too slow for my dad, so he went to home depot to look for the plant, with a photo he had taken on the canon camera my mom (+ siblings?) had given him; he’s not a smartphone person. With limited English, an employee was able to identify the plant, then he took a photo of it on his Canon camera. He came home that day (or did he wait for me to come home on a weekend?) and showed me the name of the plant. Knowing the CIA that I am, he knew he could count on me to find what the plant was and how to find more.
It wasn’t easy, is what someone else would’ve said. I found it literally in minutes (I swear, my parents must always be amazed when I do that). I wasn’t ballin either, so we ordered 1-2 sets of 8 mini ones, like a root that’s about to be a leaf, just to be sure it. It arrived to their house and my parents were glad it was the correct one. They said to order another set, and I did. From there, they started splitting and repotting the plant.
A couple months later, I went home and the plants took over the coffee table. It was just amazing because it showed how my parents/Hmong parents are great gardeners. I could never do that; I don’t even dust fake plants. But the problem to their skill was limited space and storage. I went back (to my) home and ordered two five-shelf organizers shipped to their house. Then I went back home a couple months later, and there were a bunch of planting pots all over the kitchen floor and counter on top of the filled shelves. There was no room to walk and eat! LOL. Went back home, ordered them somewhat a mini greenhouse to put the plants on the floor outside. Those shelves were packed within weeks.
The winter months came and there was no way all the plants could fit in their house since the summer gifted them with great weather. My brother opened his duplex home for two five shelves of plants to go over there. This process itself took two hours. 30 minutes to load, 30 minutes to reorganize the setup situation at my parents' house. Then when we got to my brothers’, 30 minutes to assemble new shelf and 30 minutes to unload. I could’ve let my parents do all this by themselves because they didn’t ask me, but I didn’t need that. I simply saw that they were great at keeping the plants alive and I wanted more plants to be alive. Oh, and winter was coming.
I wish I have the tools and skills to design a nice garden shelf for them. But I don’t, and it’s ok. A hero can still show up to save the day. I gave them what I could, which was use my points to pay for all the shelves. Had I waited until I had the tools and skills, there wouldn’t be as many plants as there are today. Never once did my parents ask if I can buy any of the shelves or organize the plants. They actually wanted to pay for it but it was priced so much when they went to look. With my CIA skills, they costed nothing. I mean, I used my points (that was expiring) to pay for it.
Sometimes we don’t need a hero, we just need someone there. One could have all the skills and tools in the world and do absolutely nothing with it. As soon as I saw how good their gardening was, I knew I had to step in to take it to the next level.
JFK once said, “Don’t ask what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”
I say, “Don’t wait to be asked what you can do, do what you see need to be done.”
"Garden as though you will live forever." – William Kent
My 2018-2019 journey is over. I went into this with no idea of what I’ll be judged on. I was told the topics to prepare for, but no one in my family has done it before, so we didn't know what to expect. People that know me were curious why I decided to do it, so here’s why:
I wanted a representation of myself: college grad, Hmong Leeg, and an independent woman under her own roof.
I had participated in a variety of competition and I’ve put off the pageant for a long time because I wanted and waited to become my idea of a Miss Hmong and reach more milestones/experiences.
I was tire of the fake, cliches, and temporary parts of the pageants. That’s everything from actual contestant to the fake things they say. I wanted to change my own views of the pageant status for the Hmong community. Had I won, I would execute my platform, something that some pageants do not show/communicate properly.
My biggest fear going into this was how I would sound. I’ve never really spoke in a huge crowd or even with a mic, so I was extremely concerned that I would sound like the Hulk. One of my biggest downfall was my confidence in walking. I was really bad at it, because I don’t … I just don’t, I don’t know. I mean, what if you’re physically disabled and you can’t walk? The things that should be judged on should be universal things; just your 2 cents. Like, how does walking show/make me a great Miss whatever? If anything, that should show the speed of my brain :P. I’m super kidding! It should’ve just been, how did you present in the category.
What I got out of the pageant was more than what I came for. I went in as a tennis player (solo) and came out with a soccer team (get it?). Running for the pageant can be stressful (and I thought I would have achieved it alone for a second? Face slam). At the very least, you will need one person on the day of to help you dress. There’s no way your outfits will turn our near perfect without a second set of eyes. Anyway, lets start the list of what I gained:
Bond with amazing girls; our group did ⅚ as paj huam for our talent. That itself is powerful. Every single paj huam had such beautiful rhyming and a very important message/topic. I wished I would’ve had more time to prepare a semi lengthy paj huam.
Amazing support from my family. If you didn’t know this, now you will. Not every pageant contestant comes up with all the ideas by their self from scratch. Our 2019 MHM had an aunt who sew together her history costume that was brainstormed with her mentor. As for me, I drafted my design, but one sister executed it and the other brainstormed the speech.
Learning about the Hmong language and culture itself. If you have time, seriously, go watch all the paj huam the girls performed. It is extremely beautiful; I’ll have to translate it some time for our non and limited Hmong speakers. I learned the paj huam just weeks before the final event. I was extremely proud to walk on that stage with my Hmong Leeg tongue.
I encourage everyone who is eligible to run for the pageant, wherever it is, to do it if they can (ok, not everyone all at once now :P jk. Do ittttt!). If you are tire of seeing what doesn’t represent you or your idea of a Miss Hmong/whatever, get it done yourself, or tell your aunt, friend, nieces, whoever they are, they need to get on that stage. I learned that the pageant doesn’t have “bad” contestants. It simply has contestants that are willing to put themselves on stage more than anything and that means the “good” ones sitting comfortable in the audience crowd or at home letting that happen. There are no bad contestants, just a lot of individuals who do not believe in their self enough to try it. The next time someone has a negative thing to say, go say it on stage; don’t write a shady comment/letter on social media because YOU are the reason the pageant (or whatever other issue you have) continues to stay the way they do.
I have more thoughts on this, but we’ll see how much I want to share or even put it on a video :P As always, thank you for reading. Subscribe to my youtube channel for Hmong music and Hmong New Year dance performances. Like my FB page if you want to follow my journey in other directions of life. Thank you and happy new year from the Hmong calendar.
I'm so glad I finally organized a way to file my thoughts and entries. Going into 2019, it'll be like this:
Soul Sunday - Rest day and preparing entries for the week
Movie Monday - I watch a lot of movies, so this should be the most exciting posts
Travel Tuesday - Travel tips or talk about past/future travels
Wonderful Wednesday - Talk about the good stuff in the news or in life
Throwback Thursday - Share my memories or advice from reflecting the past
Foodie Friday - Talk about the food I've eaten, cooked, or restaurant recommendations
Saving Saturday - Tips about money in general; debt, deals, and living.
I was so excited, I hand wrote 4 entries scheduled to post next week. Putting this together was such a great way to let my audience know what to expect and when. Had I never started writing, I wouldn't have concluded on that schedule.
I hope to make time to do videos for some of these entries as well, but writing is where I start. Thanks for tuning in and come back for next week's entries!
I finally understand how benefits and taxes it by applying my coupon deciphering skills.
Before: I thought if you made 40k, you were in the 22% tax bracket; the whole thing. Look at the chart below from forbes.com
I finally read today on nerdwallet.com that your whole salary/income gets distributed throughout the tax rates. For example, lets use a salary of 40k/year.
Now, this is where your pre-tax options kick in. See the $1,300? It's taxed at 22%. But let's say you're going to get braces and you plan to pay $1,300 toward it. Instead of just calling it a day with you benefits after doing the math, if you have a flexible spending account (FSA), you can put that $1,300 in there and now it won't get taxed 22%, which is $286 you would've paid toward taxes. But because you're telling the government you're going to use it toward ortho, the government is not going to make you pay $286.
Something to think about as you get older and have kids and all is your health. There's a high deductible health plan (HDHP) that you could pay $16/month or $44/month for one that's lower deductible since you're paying more per month.
The total so far is 26 paychecks * $16 = $416
and the low deductible is 26 paychecks *44 = $1,144
The difference between the two is $728/year. Now the question is: A) Do you want to save $728 and tell yourself you shouldn't go to the hospital unless it's a real emergency or B) Pay the $728 more and be at peace if you have any health concerns.
What's easier to control, your health or your money? You can't predict what can happen, so for the $728 difference, I am going to pay it to be at peace.
This is just the short and simple version. I hope this helps anyone that's confused like me. Everyone's situation is different, so ask your human resource about everything you're unsure of. Happy adulting!
Hello everyone! This is the most simple dish to make ever. I'm only making this video because I think it'll be useful to one person in the entire world and that's good enough for me. I make this dish when I'm on a really tight budget; it costs about $2 in tomatoes and $4 meat = $6 for 2 meals or 3 if you really want to stretch your dollar. Lets get into it
Cook time: 10 minutes
Ingredients:
3 - Tomatoes, whatever your choice is
1 - 1 lb ground beef ( or slice your own beef too)
Green Onion
Cooking Directions
1. Just put it all in the pan! Turn the heat on high because you want to steam the oil and liquid
2. Cook until most of the extra liquid is gone.
3. Serve with rice :D!
Hello everyone. I just learned how to make this simple dessert that I thought was extremely difficult and out of my league to attempt. However, after spending 30 minutes on youtube, my fears disappeared. The reason I wanted to learn how to make this treat was that I hated paying for them. By the end of this entry, you will also master this recipe. Let get right into it.
1. Ingredients
Recipe:
1 Cup - Rice Flour
1 Cup - Tapioca Flour
1 Cup - Coconut Milk
1 1/4 Cup - Sugar
1 1/2 - Cup - Water
2. Mix everything together in one bowl until sugar dissolves
3. How to cook it: Making this dessert is only by steaming.
Prepare your steamer and on the top tray, get your cake pan or mold ready in place.
Use your measuring cup to pour about 1/4 in of the mix into the cake or mold and let it cook for 8-10 minutes
If the first layer is solid, pour the mix on top of the first layer to create the different layers of colors. Let it cook for 8-10 mins again. Repeat steps 2 and 3 until the pan is filled
Let it cool completely...or eat it while it's warm; that's ok too.
**Alternative for steaming: Because I don't want to own a huge steamer, I had to find another solution.
Option 1: Use a boiling pot. Crumble aluminum into a ball to create the height between the water and space for steaming. Add enough water for the pot to boil without covering the aluminum. Then place the bake pan on top and pour mix. Make sure you have a lid to cover the pot.
Option 2: Use a silver strainer to create a height. Then add water and let it boil. Place cake pan on top of the strainer, pour mix, and cover the pot with the lid.
I hope to film this on my youtube channel soon so it's not as scary as the 10+ minutes out there. Thanks for tuning in
