These days, every time I read a blog or some online article where people simply preach about 401k or are celebrating their annual max out of 401k contribution, I… just chuckle. That’s me being polite.

People, please stop blindly echoing and following each other. Do some studying, learning, thinking for yourself. There are certain things you need to consider, keep reading.

First thing first, if your company provides 50% or 100% of certain amount of contribution, by all means, take advantage of it. Beyond that, perhaps you should re-consider the benefits and the (over)hype of 401k.

Now, pay attention to the points below. For each, take a minute and pause and see if it makes sense. Don’t just take my words for it.

• At the rate our national debt is going, do you think a bet on having low income tax rate in the future is a smart bet? Especially when income tax rate for low to medium income households are very low currently.
• Following previous point, withdrawal from 401k account is taxed at income tax rate, versus, withdrawal from taxable account and only its gain is taxed at capital gain tax rate. If government must raise taxes, which is likely to be increased more? Which is likely to be lower in the future? The answer is capital gain tax rate.

  “But 401k grows with pre-tax money, blah blah blah…” Yes I know. But if I am to make a conservative plan, which is what we should do for something so far down the road. I will bet on the latter because there is less variables, meaning, I know the taxed principal will be there (I should have a good percetage back to “cash” near “old age”). Better to overestimate than underestimate.

• Depends on the 401k account management, the chance for shady, kick-back, and “hidden” fees is not negligible.
• Many 401k accounts do not provide “good” selection of funds.
• Generically speaking, if you need you money to be locked up in order to save, there is a bigger situation about yourself that you need to handle. Namely, responsibility, discipline, foresight…
• The population is aging. More people are retiring than people joining the workforce. That means likelihood of more people selling (whatever that’s left in the account) stocks and bonds in the 401k than people buying in. This puts pressure against future stock growth. I guess we have to be cautious with our belief in future growth in general.
• Lastly, we don’t live forever and can very well die before 60s. I am not sure about locking up all that money, that I cannot access and use without penalty except for some very dire siutations. There can be good argument against this, but I still think there is value in this thought. Mainly, we are not immortal. Stop living like we are.

So now you have my skepticism with 401k. Again, if there is matching from your company, get it. That’s “free” money. Otherwise, it would be a good idea to spread things out some in taxable accounts than having full belief and your $$$ in the 401k basket. It’s not that difficult… just following the same allocation in both places. You do have some ideas of your portfolio allocation, right?

Meanwhile, I contribute to my company’s matching. Maxing out my 401k yearly? I’ll pass. (I don’t do Roth IRA either…)

Update: Thanks Meg for pointing out my confusing comments with Roth IRA which is corrected. It is my own decision not to. If interested why I don’t, read comment.

I’m thinking about upgrading my computer, as the (un)fortunate nature of being a geek who is into gadget. With my computer science and system administrator background plus personal research, I share some tips and guides if you are in the market of buying a computer.

I can only imagine how confusing it is with all the technical and marketing jargons being thrown around these days.

1. Window 7 — First thing first, if you are looking to buy but can afford to wait until October, wait until October for Window 7. There is the upgrade option from Vista if you buy now, but that’s just extra hassle. Though, this is of no concern for Mac people.
2. CPU — There are so many models out that make all of us dizzy. May I say confusion tactics?

   If you are buying a desktop now, pay for a Core i7, period. If you are buying a laptop, wait for Core i7′s mobile version to come out (rumored to be end of this year). It is both faster and runs cooler (more energy efficient) than the others. Its multi-threading capability is also double by the hyper-threading technology applied to each core. It is a guarantee that the computer will have up-to-par performance for a few more years than if you get Quad Core, Core 2, or AMD.

   There are 3 key parameters to watch out for on a CPU.

   • Speed — Obviously, the higher the GHz, the better processing power. This affects number crunching, media file compressions, video data processing, etc. This is the speed for “one core” on the current multi-core CPU. It is possible that if you buy a faster Core 2, you get better performance than a slower Quad Core, depends on whether your operating system and the particular software are making use of multi-threads
   • L2/L3 Cache — Cache is the “closest” memory, thus fastest, for the CPU to access. L2 being closer to L3. As bigger cache allow more information to be stored when a CPU (aka. the applications that are running) needs it, before reaching to the RAM or hard drive, a bigger cache often improve speed of running application. In other words, it makes it seems like the application is running “smoother” to a user.
   • Front Side Bus (FSB) — This one is less known to most people, often measured in MHz. Moreover, it is removed on Core i7 as it is replaced by an improvement with something many times its speed (too technical to explain here). But anyways, FSB affects the speed of communication between the CPU and the RAM (well, the contoller of the RAM). Thus, it also provides “smoother” application running experience. That is, only if you are looking to buy computers without the Core i7. (Don’t do it!)

   If you do lots of images and video processing, you NEED a powerful CPU.

3. RAM or memory — After files are read from harddrive, RAM is where your applications and the files they need sit when running on the computer. If they are not there, they will have to be read from the harddrive (next topic).

   Besides the amount of memory, you should pay attention to their speed (measured in MHz). If the CPU is something besides Core i7, get RAM that has speed up to the FSB speed (see above about FSB). If the CPU is Core i7, get RAM that is as fast as you can afford.

   In a nutshell, the size of RAM affects how many applications you can run. The speed of RAM affects how smooth your applications run when you are running them.

4. Harddrive — Most people overlook the speed of the hard drive when they purchase. Your computer only runs as fast as the slowest component in it. Frequently, that slowest component is the hard drive. It is measured in Revolutions per Minute (RPM).

   I see lots of people with laptop that only has harddrive with 5400 RPM when a slight (and cheap) upgrade to 7200 RPM can make things just that much better. For desktop, the conventional speed is 7200 RPM, but you can find ones at 10,000 RPM, though often with much less storage.

   Of course, as solid state drives (SSD) slowly become more common (and hopefully cheaper soon). This concern for RPM will soon be out of the window.

   Performance of harddrives are measured in terms of sequential/random read speed, and sequential/random write speed. For SSD, different manufacturers produce different quality in terms of those measurement. For all SSD, their weakness is the random write speed. If you care about performance, pay attention to all four but especially the random write speed.

5. LCD screen — LCD has been the trend for a long time. That is, the fluorescent backlit LCD. We have the new LED backlit LCD.

   In other word, the way they called LED monitor or LED TV are technically wrong. Anyways…

   The advantage of LED backlit LCD or monitor is more energy efficient (longer battery life), better color and brightness, and perhaps longer screen life (well, LED last longer than fluorescent light but the LCD panel is another story). Of course, LED will cost you more. This applies to the purchase of a LCD TV too.

   On top of all this, there is the difference between White LED vs. RGB LED. In a few words, RGB LED will most likely produce better, more accurate color than WLED because simply because RGB LED produces Red-Green-Blue backlight against the LCD panel while WLED produces only white backlight. WLED costs manufacturers less to produce… aaaah, capitalism.

   Last thing about LCD screen, do not forget about choosing the right screen size and its resolution that fit your eyes’ preference.
   XGA (1024×768)
   SXGA+ (1400×1050)
   UXGA (1600×1200)
   WXGA (1280×800)
   WXGA+ (1440×900)
   WSXGA+ (1680×1050)
   WUXGA (1920×1200)

6. Graphic related
   • A good graphic card can help your CPU with playing HD video.
   • Understand the video output you want — VGA(analog), DVI (basic digital, I think this should be minimum), HDMI (connection to your HD TV), DisplayPort (equiv. and competitor of HDMI)
7. Battery — Not much to say except, choose between 6-cell or 9-cell on for laptop purchase.
8. Noise and heat level — Powerful CPU produces heat. But Core i7 is tested to be good with being efficient and thus, less heat. That is why I said to wait for Core i7 mobile version of CPU.

   Noise could be a problem on laptop and desktop caused by the fan that required to dissipate heat. It also depends on the manufacturers/companies, so check reviews of your desired computer about the noise level.

That’s all the tips and guides. The truth is, for most people who are only using their computer for word processing, normal video viewing, and internet browsing, just about any computer you buy new now will be enough. Given, if you keep your computer uncluttered, it will smoothly for a long time.

For me, I have decided to wait for Windows 7 and the Core i7 mobile CPU at least. Hopefully, the new SSD and LED LCD have gotten more common and cheaper by then? (in a few months).

The truth is, my current laptop, XPS M1210 — 2GHz Core 2 CPU, 2GB RAM, 7200RPM 250GB Harddrive — is still a mid-range laptop even now, which I bought 2.5+ years ago off Craiglist. I am in no hurry to upgrade. Oh, my trusty XPS M1210… so I tell myself :P

This post is soley for me to vent. What am I venting about? They have made the noise that a Caltrain would make much louder. The annoyance? It can be heard much better now in my neighborhood. The double annoyance? Read on.

I suppose that is their “solution” to the increasing amount of people jumping on to the track seeking death. It is tragedy. We need to do something about it.

I am no genius, but do they really think making the train louder is going to stop people from killing themselves? The possibility of someone being on to the train track, NOT knowing a train is coming or NOT knowing they should dodge the train is… x –> 0. Almost zero.

If anything, the louder noise is going to improve their timing to jump to make sure they die… “Yes, the train is coming now, prepare to jump.”

Did I miss something, or did they completely miss the point?

The key is not that people are committing suicide. The key is why they are committing suicide.

There are reasons why people are jumping, and they are never too far from social difficulties and the lack of human connection. Until we look at these fundamentals, people WILL find means to end their life if they had already chosen to, even if they put up electric fences around the track. They will just jump on the fence to electricute themselves.

Sheesh.

It is not rare for me to run into someone, or hear indirectly, where the conversation goes like this…

I have cut my spending by half in this last month!
I have control my diet (Whatever kind: low-carb, Atkins, full-vegan…) in the last 2 weeks! (Sometimes they celebrate 2 days! Woot!)
I have gone to the gym or exercise everyday for the past week!

Following all these are usually..
“I’m awesome! Time to celebrate! Reward Time!”
To which my response is… *chuckle*

My prediction for these people is, with almost certainty, that they will not last. They will not keep up whatever they are doing. Because they had just demonstrated that they are five-minute enthusiasts (more on why later). And indeed, that is what most people are.

Inevitably, if I do run into those people again in a few weeks or months and ask them about “how they are doing with…”, nearly 100% of the time, they had stopped whatever they were doing. This is excluding those who didn’t even start with all their talks, which there are many. Quite sad.

Am I being pessimistic? I’ll let you decide, but only after you consider the following situations that surround us now. Maybe you are part of it.

The amount of health problems and the issue with obesity.
The amount of people struggling financially.
The amount of people with all kinds of mental, emotional, personal issues.

It is a fact that these difficult situations are with us now. It is also a fact that we have more information than ever on what and how to do to help ourselves. Such irony.

What happens? Inconsistency. We are good talkers. We know the right thing to say. We memorize all the great tips and theories. Yet, we don’t do. And for majority, if we do at all, it is only for short period of time, which does not lead to learning.

So, I mention above about people who celebrate their milestones are more than likely five-minute-enthusiasts. It is not that celebration is bad. A little celebration, patting yourself on the back is all good and dandy, and sometimes necessary encouragement.

However, these celebrations are over dramatization. It is excessive drama of a small step on a journey to become something better, or further, something great — that is, if they truly aspire to be better or great. They had expended more efforts in celebrating than focusing on what they need to continue to do and thus completely miss the point. Therefore, such excitement, celebration, over dramatization is a sign that their effort is doomed to inevitable quitting.

Another problem with over excitement and over dramatization is that people binge on whatever they need to do and then burn out in no time. Not only will that not help but often make matters worse.

They binge on saving for a month, only to spend more than they ever did before the month.
Or they binge from eating for a month, only to eat a crate of chocolate afterward.
Or they binge on exercising for a month, only to burn out and quit, or had overdriven to the detriment of the body causing more harms.
Or they binge on abstinence, only to sleep with 10 people in one night… uh, wait, is this possible?

Anyways… just don’t binge!

Whatever tips, methods, doctrines you follow. Give it your consistency without binging. I can assure, whatever you did, right or wrong, after you’ve given it some time and effort PLUS sincerity, you will learn something. And it will be a type of learning that stays with you forever. And that, will allow you to decide what’s next and how to improve beyond your current self.

Perhaps it is a good idea for you to start doing consistently, and not just reading, thinking, talking, celebrating consistently.

The noise of the day fades away.
The night is quiet and…
Space surrounds the alone being.
Solitude.

The night can be so lonely. Especially if you are alone.

In solitude, how do you feel?

Whatever it is. That reveals truth about you. How you feel when you are utterly alone speaks much about your true self.

As humans, having time to be physically alone is imperative. Imperative in that it lets each of us to feel the true self and thus helps us grow character, a genuine character. Because of the silence, the emptiness around, without noise and distraction, who you are becomes so naked — the amazing, yet scary part. Because it is scary, we always try to run away when alone or begin to feel lonely.

Solitude, aloneness then become amazing.

One of my favorite Taiwan artist Wang Leehom echos this thought and wrote:

I have come to believe that men mature in isolation. Isolation, being along with one’s thoughts can be a form of meditation and enlightenment. Perhaps one matures when he realizes that he is ultimately alone in this world, and that he must take responsibility for his own life, because no one else will.

Physically being alone speeds up this realization. Like Tom Hanks in “Castaway”. I believe in building from the ground up, whether it be corporate models, orchestra scores, or interpersonal relationships. For example, one needs to learn to love himself before being able to love others. One needs to be able to live in harmony with himself before being able to live together with another person. I guess if I look at it that way, I sure am leading the life these days, becoming a secure individual.

Thinking, meditating, feeling, composing,…searching for that rhythm in my soul that will make the whole world tap their feet. Yes, I miss my friends, and loved ones, but tonight, I wouldn’t trade this loneliness for anything.

So too I would never trade the peace that sprouts from emptiness, silence, solitude for anything.

The truth about meditation lies in that it lets you sees, and thus lay down, the identities you take on throughout the day, when you are with others. Thus the practice of meditation is to enable us to bring this observing quality into our daily life, which is why it is called a practice. Solitude is the first level, the physical level of meditation. Physical isolation is the entrance into meditation for modern people.

How is this relevant? Well, if you can face and accept and flow with the overwhelming quality of solitude, of utter loneliness, it cannot be any tougher than to face the daily stress in life — bills, budgets, work, relationships… Knowing that, how can you not be able to act with peace. Hence, we say it’s “ground work”, starting with the self.