Being grown up means managing your money. Getting a steady paycheck is definitely a perk of being at a full time job but it’s so hard not to spend it all on a Forever 21 shopping spree or that one really cute pair of boots. Luckily, Reddit offers some pretty good advice when it comes to things I should be doing in my 20s, one of which is opening an IRA.
Reddit offers up a surprising (or maybe not so surprising) amount of very solid advice. r/askreddit is one of my favorite subreddits to read and I’m always learning a ton of life advice, or reading some interesting stories. The askreddit question that spawned this post was something along the lines of “What should I do in my 20s that will help me out later on in life?” One answer was to open an IRA.
So what exactly is an IRA? Lucky for me, my dad has a great grip on these financial shenanigans and he was able to sit down and explain it pretty clearly to me. Unfortunately, my memory is neither eidetic or without fault so even after our hour long discussion, some of the details are still a bit hazy. Cue Wikipedia + Google.
And IRA is an Individual Retirement Account. From what I understand (meaning what I’ve deduced from my Internet research), there are two types of prominent IRAs: a traditional IRA and a Roth IRA. What’s the difference?
A Traditional IRA: A traditional IRA can be opened by anyone employed and there’s a yearly cap of $5500 a year (goes up for inflation every year). When you put the money in, it’s not taxed. Instead, the money is taxed whenever you decide to take it out. Because most taxpayers expect to be in a lower tax bracket when they retire, it’s sometimes advantageous to those who are starting their IRAs later and are making a higher income.
A Roth IRA: The main difference between a traditional IRA and a Roth IRA is when the money is taxed. With a Roth IRA, the money is taxed right as you put it in. So you’re putting slightly less in at the beginning but when you take out the money, it won’t be taxed again. Personally, this is the choice I’m planning on going with because my taxes are low right now. My first job out of college means I don’t have a spectacular income and therefore, lower taxes.
So there you have it, the main difference between the two and one of the things to do while you’re still in your twenties. This post has been sitting here for ages and it’s finally written up. I really need to get on this blogging thing again.
Sunday, January 12, 2014
Friday, December 27, 2013
Books #7-9
I haven’t been keeping up with my blogging lately – in fact I have an IRA post that has been sitting on my Word document that I haven’t finished writing but I have been keeping up with my 22 Before 23 List. In fact, since I’ve had a little time on my hands, I’ve been catching up on reading tons of books. And since I haven’t been keeping up with my blogging, I thought I’d just compile them into one post.
Book #7: Ella Enchanted
Does this count because I’ve read it before in the 6th grade or something? Eh, why not. While I was in Austin for Thanksgiving, Ella Enchanted was on TV and I remembered the movie being way worse than the book. But I couldn’t remember what was different. So I picked up the book and reread it. The book was WAY better.
Book #8: Give and Take
I had to read this book for work as part of our work book club, though we call it “enrichment” instead of book club since that was sort of an old-timey connotation. “Give and Take” is written by Adam Grant, the youngest tenured professor at Wharton. He categorizes people into three types: givers, matchers, and takers. He then goes on to explain why each has its own merits but ultimately those who are “self-focused, otherish givers” are most successful. I think my feelings on the book are somewhat mixed. Some parts I honestly felt like, “Duh, people who give back obviously get more out of life.” And though he does give plenty of examples of givers that have become very successful, it got a little repetitive. I think “Give and Take” probably merits its own blog post but that will have to wait for another day.
Book #9: The Fault in Our Stars
Cue the water works. This book has been on my to-read list for a long, long time. I’ve read “Looking for Alaska” and I do enjoy John Green, but for some reason, I just haven’t gotten around to reading his books. But that’s going to change! “The Fault in Our Stars” is a heart-breaking book, but John Green manages to capture the words of a 16-year-old, cancer-ridden girl so poignantly. He doesn’t set out to write a happy ending YA book, but instead one that’s truthful and has a lot of self-referencing. It makes me wonder, is John Green a mirror of Peter Van Houten, the author in “The Fault in Our Stars?” I haven’t done extensive research on the book, but I think there’s a lot of to be unearthed through his writing. Anyway, I finished this book on Christmas Eve and it made me feel that much more grateful that I had my family around me with everyone happy and healthy.
So there we have it, that’s three books since my last post, which was about three weeks ago. I think that’s pretty good progress on my 20 books before I turn 23. The next few books I’m looking to tackle are going to be doozies. I’m going to read “The Gunslinger” by Stephen King, attempt “The Fellowship of the Ring” (I know, I know, how can I not have read these books already), and “Why We Broke Up), by Lemony Snicket. That last book I started after “The Fault in our Stars” but honestly, I had an emotional night after John Green’s novel so I needed a break from all the waterworks. Anyway, here’s my quick book update, I may try to finish up that IRA post that I’ve had sitting on this document for a while now…
Book #7: Ella Enchanted
Does this count because I’ve read it before in the 6th grade or something? Eh, why not. While I was in Austin for Thanksgiving, Ella Enchanted was on TV and I remembered the movie being way worse than the book. But I couldn’t remember what was different. So I picked up the book and reread it. The book was WAY better.
Book #8: Give and Take
I had to read this book for work as part of our work book club, though we call it “enrichment” instead of book club since that was sort of an old-timey connotation. “Give and Take” is written by Adam Grant, the youngest tenured professor at Wharton. He categorizes people into three types: givers, matchers, and takers. He then goes on to explain why each has its own merits but ultimately those who are “self-focused, otherish givers” are most successful. I think my feelings on the book are somewhat mixed. Some parts I honestly felt like, “Duh, people who give back obviously get more out of life.” And though he does give plenty of examples of givers that have become very successful, it got a little repetitive. I think “Give and Take” probably merits its own blog post but that will have to wait for another day.
Book #9: The Fault in Our Stars
Cue the water works. This book has been on my to-read list for a long, long time. I’ve read “Looking for Alaska” and I do enjoy John Green, but for some reason, I just haven’t gotten around to reading his books. But that’s going to change! “The Fault in Our Stars” is a heart-breaking book, but John Green manages to capture the words of a 16-year-old, cancer-ridden girl so poignantly. He doesn’t set out to write a happy ending YA book, but instead one that’s truthful and has a lot of self-referencing. It makes me wonder, is John Green a mirror of Peter Van Houten, the author in “The Fault in Our Stars?” I haven’t done extensive research on the book, but I think there’s a lot of to be unearthed through his writing. Anyway, I finished this book on Christmas Eve and it made me feel that much more grateful that I had my family around me with everyone happy and healthy.
So there we have it, that’s three books since my last post, which was about three weeks ago. I think that’s pretty good progress on my 20 books before I turn 23. The next few books I’m looking to tackle are going to be doozies. I’m going to read “The Gunslinger” by Stephen King, attempt “The Fellowship of the Ring” (I know, I know, how can I not have read these books already), and “Why We Broke Up), by Lemony Snicket. That last book I started after “The Fault in our Stars” but honestly, I had an emotional night after John Green’s novel so I needed a break from all the waterworks. Anyway, here’s my quick book update, I may try to finish up that IRA post that I’ve had sitting on this document for a while now…
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Lessons Candy Crush Has Taught Me
We all have that one friend that whips out her phone during any down time and stares intently at the screen crushing candies until she inevitable runs out of lives and then starts asking you to send them to her. In some circles, it’s two people that send each other lives. In some circles, it’s that one friend that keeps telling you to start playing Candy Crush because it’s “the best game ever! No really, try it!” Some of us might even be that (girl)friend that installed it on her man’s phone just so she could send herself live (may or may not have been guilty of this in the past). But what can we make of this Candy Crush phase? Here are a few lessons this addicting game has taught me?
1) Think ahead – as you progress in the levels, it’s less about just moving around the candies and more about planning ahead. What you do during one move can affect the board later on and come back and bite you. Planning ahead can save you grief later on and thinking about how your actions can affect things down the road.
2) Sometimes you just get lucky – no matter how strategic you are, sometimes you just need a little luck. Sometime the board is stacked in your favor, sometimes you just happen to do the right thing at the right time. Luck isn’t something you should count on but if it plays into your hand, don’t question it. just let it happen.
3) Patience, patience, patience – things don’t always happen on the first try. Or even the fifth try. Or even the 234748365 try. Just be patient. If things were always easy, we would never feel a sense of accomplishment when we finished something hard. Patience helps us learn the ethics of hard work and it keeps us hungry.
4) Take a break – after a week or two of being stuck on the same level, sometimes I feel like throwing my phone (on my bed so it doesn’t break, let’s not get crazy) and screaming at the world. At that point, it’s time to take a break. Like everything else in life (work, relationships, math, cooking), sometimes you just need to step back and take a break from it all. Sometimes we put on our concentration caps so we can focus but sometimes that cap becomes tunnel vision and we’re unable to see past our box. Taking a break and stepping away from it all gives us a chance to regroup and our brains a chance to think about something else. I find that after a break, 15 minutes or a full night’s rest, the level doesn’t seem so challenging anymore.
5) Rely on your friends – Candy Crush is really a social game. Granted it’s not Survivor or anything like that, but it helps to have some friends on your side. Whether it be to ask for extra lives, a little advice on a particularly hard level, or just to provide a little friendly competition, having friends is a plus. Also, you need your friends for support (and tickets). Without them, you’d lead a lonely existence and be a hermit.
6) Sometimes, shit happens – sometimes, no matter what you do, everything explodes and you’re left with shit on the board. It happens. Just like luck happens, shit also happens. There’s nothing to do but shake it off and move on. Those stupid hurricanes wreak havoc on everything and all you can do is grimace, curse a little, and move on.
So there it is: life lessons from Candy Crush. What else has this colorful, addicting game taught you?
1) Think ahead – as you progress in the levels, it’s less about just moving around the candies and more about planning ahead. What you do during one move can affect the board later on and come back and bite you. Planning ahead can save you grief later on and thinking about how your actions can affect things down the road.
2) Sometimes you just get lucky – no matter how strategic you are, sometimes you just need a little luck. Sometime the board is stacked in your favor, sometimes you just happen to do the right thing at the right time. Luck isn’t something you should count on but if it plays into your hand, don’t question it. just let it happen.
3) Patience, patience, patience – things don’t always happen on the first try. Or even the fifth try. Or even the 234748365 try. Just be patient. If things were always easy, we would never feel a sense of accomplishment when we finished something hard. Patience helps us learn the ethics of hard work and it keeps us hungry.
4) Take a break – after a week or two of being stuck on the same level, sometimes I feel like throwing my phone (on my bed so it doesn’t break, let’s not get crazy) and screaming at the world. At that point, it’s time to take a break. Like everything else in life (work, relationships, math, cooking), sometimes you just need to step back and take a break from it all. Sometimes we put on our concentration caps so we can focus but sometimes that cap becomes tunnel vision and we’re unable to see past our box. Taking a break and stepping away from it all gives us a chance to regroup and our brains a chance to think about something else. I find that after a break, 15 minutes or a full night’s rest, the level doesn’t seem so challenging anymore.
5) Rely on your friends – Candy Crush is really a social game. Granted it’s not Survivor or anything like that, but it helps to have some friends on your side. Whether it be to ask for extra lives, a little advice on a particularly hard level, or just to provide a little friendly competition, having friends is a plus. Also, you need your friends for support (and tickets). Without them, you’d lead a lonely existence and be a hermit.
6) Sometimes, shit happens – sometimes, no matter what you do, everything explodes and you’re left with shit on the board. It happens. Just like luck happens, shit also happens. There’s nothing to do but shake it off and move on. Those stupid hurricanes wreak havoc on everything and all you can do is grimace, curse a little, and move on.
So there it is: life lessons from Candy Crush. What else has this colorful, addicting game taught you?
Saturday, November 30, 2013
Austin Adventures
As my trip in Austin is nearing a close, it’s only appropriate that I take some time to reflect on my trip and everything I’m thankful for this year. Setting aside one day a year to be thankful seems like a nice idea, but I try and remind myself to be thankful everyday.
My trip to Austin can really be summarized by one phrase, “Nothing in moderation!” We really went all out: food, lights, dancing, and family. I only wish my dad and brother had made it out to Austin to join us but thanks to technology, we were able to Google Hang out them in Thanksgiving morning and have a nice chat with them.
To be honest, I don’t think words are doing a good job of telling my Austin trip story. Photo journal it is!
My trip to Austin can really be summarized by one phrase, “Nothing in moderation!” We really went all out: food, lights, dancing, and family. I only wish my dad and brother had made it out to Austin to join us but thanks to technology, we were able to Google Hang out them in Thanksgiving morning and have a nice chat with them.
To be honest, I don’t think words are doing a good job of telling my Austin trip story. Photo journal it is!
Day 2 after my sister arrived, we went to HopDoddy's for lunch. Amazing hamburgers and parmesan truffle fries!
Decorated the cousin's Christmas tree! Thanksgiving means it's the start of the Holiday season!
Lots of cousin bonding!
Finally met my cousin's daughter! So adorable! :]
Thanksgiving cookies and the day after Thanksgiving barbecue!
Friday night we went to Hideout Theater. It's an improv comedy club where the players are all students and they're directed by two directors who lead them in different scenarios. It's also a competition style so players get eliminated as the night goes along and single players are doing solo sketches at the end. It's fantastic! I definitely want to see if theres any improv lessons around in LA. It would be a great way to meet new and funny people!
After Hideout Theater, we went to Mozart's Cafe. It's a lovely outdoor patio coffee bar and every holiday season, they have light shows each hour. I have plenty of videos on my Instagram if you want to check them out!
Time in Austin well spent! It's been a lovely trip and a wonderful five days in the Lone Star State!
Sunday, November 17, 2013
Wonder Girl!
This weekend was completely and utterly booked. I originally planned this trip as a sort of secretive, low-key weekend because my friend had written the music for a musical and I wanted to be there to support him. It’s not every day someone you know qualifies for a Richard Rodgers award and his work has the potential for opening on off-Broadway. I won’t pretend I know much about the award but I do know that friends always need support. So I bought a plane ticket to come see his musical and also spend a little time with friends I didn’t get to see last week. It also qualifies for my “Buy an impulse plane ticket” on my 22 Things list.
With the advent of my dance teacher’s memorial, however, I moved the date of my trip a day earlier so that I was able to perform. I’m so lucky to have found a job that lets me have flexible time off and since I can work from almost anywhere with an internet connection, I was able to get my work done while at home. But enough about my personal life, let’s get to the musical! To say I enjoyed it would be a ridiculously sad understatement.
Because my friend wrote and conducted the music, he had to be there a little earlier. I got to tag along and the experience was breathtaking. My heart is beating so fast just thinking about it.
Wonder Girl is put on by BareStage Productions, the oldest student-run theater company at Cal. The cast was small – several actors played multiple roles – but the energy pre-performance was electric. While walking in, I was hit by the full force of “Take Me or Leave Me” being belted by multiple cast members and all I could feel were chills running up and down my arms. They were getting ready, putting on make up, but the energy from them was exhilarating. They cycled through a few famous musical songs and I couldn’t help but join in on the fun, singing along (albeit quieter because my voice is hardly pitch perfect) and just marveling at the sheer passion and energy that revolved around the room.
I sat in the pit for a pre-performance run through of a song and every moment I was thinking, “I can’t believe Stefano made this. I can’t believe this pit is so willing to trust him and trust the trajectory of this show. I can’t believe this is student-run. I can’t believe there is so much talent I never knew about.” As the lights dimmed and I took my seat in the audience, I braced myself for what I knew was going to be an amazing performance. There’s no way a roomful of that much energy was going to churn out something mediocre.
Wonder Girl is a superhero tale, but it’s not just your average superhero tale. There’s humor, there’s pop culture references, there’s puns, and there’s a bit of darkness. I don’t want to give away the plot but there are so many new and fresh ideas that pour from the musical and really give you pause. Weston Scott, the writer, has decided to take a new angle on the ever-loved superhero concept and give his main character, Wendy, much more vulnerability. With a few dark turns, it’s easy to see why Wonder Girl is universally appealing to all, yet specific in its telling. (Does that sound cliché?)
The blocking and directing were equally fantastic. With a small stage space and I’m sure a smaller budget, Wonder Girl managed to use its set to help telling the story without sloppy scenery changes or forcing the audience to imagine the background. With two square revolving doors in its design, the stage was able to transform from bedroom to football field to a clever way of switching and transforming characters. Whoever thought of that is ingenious and deserves some sort of set design award. I’ll award him the “After the Diploma Set Design Award.” Feel free to come claim it whenever.
Lastly, the music. The music was the original reason I came to see (hear?) this musical at all. Music has always been in a permanent fixture in my life – from learning to play the piano to dancing, it’s always there. I could, however, never think of creating music. The concept is absurd to me. It’s absolutely baffling and my pitch is absolutely imperfect. To learn that my friend had composed everything from scratch and watching it all take life was astounding. I think I’m running out of synonyms for amazing but there’s really no way to describe the awe and admiration I have for his talent. The pit was spot on in its delivery and I can’t imagine Wonder Girl sounding any other way. Everything just fit together so perfectly.
If you’re in Berkeley, Wonder Girl is a must. I regret not going to more student performances in my days there. I saw Twelfth Night performed a few years ago, since my acceptance of Shakespeare into my life, and again, I was so impressed by the talent that blossoms at Cal.
I want to say congratulations to all the cast and crew of Wonder Girl. You’ve certainly impressed me and I’m sure you’re going to wow audiences to come. Consider me a walking, talking advertisement for your show and if you need a Wonder Girl groupie, consider me sold! T shirts and swag will be accepted.
With the advent of my dance teacher’s memorial, however, I moved the date of my trip a day earlier so that I was able to perform. I’m so lucky to have found a job that lets me have flexible time off and since I can work from almost anywhere with an internet connection, I was able to get my work done while at home. But enough about my personal life, let’s get to the musical! To say I enjoyed it would be a ridiculously sad understatement.
Because my friend wrote and conducted the music, he had to be there a little earlier. I got to tag along and the experience was breathtaking. My heart is beating so fast just thinking about it.
Wonder Girl is put on by BareStage Productions, the oldest student-run theater company at Cal. The cast was small – several actors played multiple roles – but the energy pre-performance was electric. While walking in, I was hit by the full force of “Take Me or Leave Me” being belted by multiple cast members and all I could feel were chills running up and down my arms. They were getting ready, putting on make up, but the energy from them was exhilarating. They cycled through a few famous musical songs and I couldn’t help but join in on the fun, singing along (albeit quieter because my voice is hardly pitch perfect) and just marveling at the sheer passion and energy that revolved around the room.
I sat in the pit for a pre-performance run through of a song and every moment I was thinking, “I can’t believe Stefano made this. I can’t believe this pit is so willing to trust him and trust the trajectory of this show. I can’t believe this is student-run. I can’t believe there is so much talent I never knew about.” As the lights dimmed and I took my seat in the audience, I braced myself for what I knew was going to be an amazing performance. There’s no way a roomful of that much energy was going to churn out something mediocre.
Wonder Girl is a superhero tale, but it’s not just your average superhero tale. There’s humor, there’s pop culture references, there’s puns, and there’s a bit of darkness. I don’t want to give away the plot but there are so many new and fresh ideas that pour from the musical and really give you pause. Weston Scott, the writer, has decided to take a new angle on the ever-loved superhero concept and give his main character, Wendy, much more vulnerability. With a few dark turns, it’s easy to see why Wonder Girl is universally appealing to all, yet specific in its telling. (Does that sound cliché?)
The blocking and directing were equally fantastic. With a small stage space and I’m sure a smaller budget, Wonder Girl managed to use its set to help telling the story without sloppy scenery changes or forcing the audience to imagine the background. With two square revolving doors in its design, the stage was able to transform from bedroom to football field to a clever way of switching and transforming characters. Whoever thought of that is ingenious and deserves some sort of set design award. I’ll award him the “After the Diploma Set Design Award.” Feel free to come claim it whenever.
Lastly, the music. The music was the original reason I came to see (hear?) this musical at all. Music has always been in a permanent fixture in my life – from learning to play the piano to dancing, it’s always there. I could, however, never think of creating music. The concept is absurd to me. It’s absolutely baffling and my pitch is absolutely imperfect. To learn that my friend had composed everything from scratch and watching it all take life was astounding. I think I’m running out of synonyms for amazing but there’s really no way to describe the awe and admiration I have for his talent. The pit was spot on in its delivery and I can’t imagine Wonder Girl sounding any other way. Everything just fit together so perfectly.
If you’re in Berkeley, Wonder Girl is a must. I regret not going to more student performances in my days there. I saw Twelfth Night performed a few years ago, since my acceptance of Shakespeare into my life, and again, I was so impressed by the talent that blossoms at Cal.
I want to say congratulations to all the cast and crew of Wonder Girl. You’ve certainly impressed me and I’m sure you’re going to wow audiences to come. Consider me a walking, talking advertisement for your show and if you need a Wonder Girl groupie, consider me sold! T shirts and swag will be accepted.
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