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Notes from the climb.

222 posts from 2021 to 2026 about careers, startups and money.

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  1. w-2 vs 1099: why $48/hr contract isn't the same as a $90k salary (and how to actually compare them)That $48/hr contract looks like $100k annualized. Then you subtract the employer half of payroll tax, health insurance, the weeks you won't bill, and the 401k match you're not getting. Here's the math so you stop comparing headline numbers.5 min read
  2. how long credit rebuild actually takes, and the 3-step order that moves the score fastestMost people rebuilding credit ask "how long?" when the real question is "in what order?" Your score lags 6-12 months behind your actual behavior, and the sequence matters more than the timeline.7 min read
  3. bnpl keeps winning because you don't have $300Buy now pay later keeps you stuck because the next surprise restarts the cycle, not because you lack discipline. The fix is a small buffer fund of $300 to $500 that gives you somewhere else to pull from when the car breaks or the vet bill hits.4 min read
  4. tell your new boss about pre-planned PTO before you start — the email scriptMost new grads sit on pre-booked travel for weeks because silence feels professional. It's the opposite. Proactively flagging a commitment in week 0 reads as good communication; sitting on it for a month looks bad. Here's the four-sentence email.5 min read
  5. the 'do not hire' list isn't real. a year of zero callbacks is, and it has a fixYou're not blacklisted. Your resume doesn't pass ATS scans, every application goes through a job board, or there's a gap nobody explained. The fix is boring and mechanical: rewrite the resume, five informational coffees a week, one sentence that explains the gap.6 min read
  6. the maintenance line your budget is missingYou're making good money and budgeting for rent, food, gas. Then every few months the car needs $600 or the dentist costs $300 and it blows up the plan. That's not bad luck. That's a missing budget line.5 min read
  7. your emergency fund didn't fail when you spent itYou saved for years, the emergency happened, and the fund is empty. That's the emergency fund doing the only job it has. The success was never keeping it untouched forever. The success was having it on the day the basement flooded.6 min read
  8. how to figure out if you're underpaid without just trusting glassdoorGlassdoor's that one number from 2021 in a different city. Here's how to triangulate real comp data: 3-5 sources, 2-3 DMs to people in the same role, and the gut check that actually tells you if you're getting screwed.6 min read
  9. yes, you should empty your HYSA to pay the credit card — here's the mathIf you're sitting on cash in a high-yield savings account while carrying a credit card balance, you're losing money every single day. The interest rate gap isn't close — and the fix takes one transfer.5 min read
  10. when your net worth finally goes positive — and why it's probably not happening in your early twentiesMost new grads spend their first 4-6 years post-college just getting back to zero net worth. That's not failure. That's student loan math. Here's what "finally positive" actually means and why the timeline is longer than TikTok told you.5 min read
  11. why a "trial run" before a raise is almost always a bad deal — and what to counter withYour boss wants you to take on the bigger role now and talk pay in twelve months. That's not a trial — it's a year of senior-level work at junior price, and you're carrying all the risk. Here's the counter that actually works.8 min read
  12. after the 401(k) match, roth, and emergency fund — what's actually nextThe optimization playbook says HSA, then mega backdoor Roth, then taxable brokerage. That's the wrong next move for most 22-24-year-olds. Here's what compounds harder than the next tax-advantaged bucket.6 min read
  13. your employer already pays your salary — don't let them own your portfolio tooNew grads at tech companies inherit RSUs and ESPP shares and freeze on whether to sell. The guilt is real. The math is simple: the company already controls your paycheck. Your portfolio shouldn't double down on the same bet.6 min read
  14. you said yes to the salary range in the screening call — now what?Most negotiation advice assumes you'll be sharp on the first call. Real talk: you froze when the recruiter asked "does $70-80K work for you?" and said yes. Here's how to walk it back without torching the offer.6 min read
  15. the runway question new grads forget to ask before moving cities for a jobMost 22-year-olds calculate "can I afford the move" but not "what's recoverable in week 2 if this falls apart." A Reddit thread about a 10-day firing shows why that's the wrong question.6 min read
  16. the car-payment trap: deciding the number where the car stops being yoursWhen you drive for work, every repair feels like you have to pay it. But without a pre-decided dollar line, you'll keep feeding a car that's already cost more than it's worth. Here's how to set the number before the next breakdown hits.7 min read
  17. what an emergency fund actually feels like to useYou've been told to save 3-6 months of expenses. Nobody tells you what it feels like to actually spend it — or why that feeling is the reason you'll rebuild it.6 min read
  18. the line between helping your family and subsidizing a system that doesn't workThe hardest money question new grads ask isn't whether to help family. It's whether the help buys time for something to change, or just time for nothing to change. When your paycheck becomes the thing holding a broken structure upright, that answer matters more than your guilt does.7 min read
  19. your parents are about to sign a loan they can't escape — here's what to tell them before they doParent PLUS loans feel like help. They're actually a trap: 8-9% interest, no income test, can't be discharged in bankruptcy. If your parents are considering one to cover your tuition gap, you need to have this conversation now — not after they've signed.8 min read
  20. how to pick the city you live in at 23DC, Dallas, and Austin top the new-grad rankings, but rent's rising faster than wages in all three. The math matters. The bigger question matters more: what does a Tuesday in your actual life look like, and which city gets you closest to living it?6 min read
  21. the 401(k) match is the most under-claimed money in your twentiesThe 2026 limit is $24,500 — you're not hitting that. The move that matters: contribute up to your match. "I'll start next year" isn't neutral; it's a recurring transfer from your future self to your employer.5 min read
  22. what to do when the job offer never came and AI ate your entry pointGoldman says AI is cutting 16,000 US jobs a month. Class of 2026 hiring is up 1.6%. If you're still searching months after graduation, the hardest part isn't updating your resume. It's telling people you're still looking. Here's what I tell clients in the long search.6 min read
  23. where to park your emergency fund while HYSA rates are still above 4%High-yield savings accounts are still paying ~4% APY, but that won't last. Rate-shopping is the wrong lever. Open the account now while the rate makes the habit easy to build.4 min read
  24. should you freelance or hold out for the corporate job — and how to tell if you're being honest with yourselfAlmost 40% of new grads are considering entrepreneurship. Some of that's real pull. Some of it's cope dressed up as agency. Two questions to tell the difference: is this a fit move or a fear move, and what would you be doing with this time if I wasn't allowed to call it a job?8 min read
  25. renting vs buying at 24: why "throwing money away" is actually the smart moveYour parents say rent is wasted money. The math says buying a house in your mid-20s locks you into a city, a job market, and a maintenance bill you probably can't afford yet. Here's why renting isn't the mistake they think it is.7 min read
  26. why "save 20% of your income" is the wrong first goal in your 20sThe conventional advice says save 20% of your income. But in your 20s, raising your income by 20% compounds harder than saving 20% of what you make now. Here's the math on why the income lever matters more than the savings-rate lever at this stage.6 min read
  27. the first paycheck checklist that nobody gives youHR hands you a stack of forms on day one. Nobody explains what actually matters. Here's the walkthrough I wish I'd had: direct deposit, the 401(k) match, HSA decisions, and the withholding check that saves you from a surprise tax bill.6 min read
  28. gen z's credit card problem isn't math. it's a feeling.10% of young cardholders are now delinquent, the highest rate of any age group. The New York Fed points to sports betting, but the real issue runs deeper: we're spending to close the gap between the life we see and the life we can afford.6 min read
  29. how to actually evaluate a job offer beyond the base salaryMost 22-24-year-olds fixate on the base number and ignore the rest. Here's what I walk through with every client who brings me an offer — total comp, bonus risk, equity reality, and the stuff that actually matters at this career stage.8 min read
  30. the SAVE plan is ending — what you actually do in July if you're on it7.5 million borrowers just got 90 days to pick a new repayment plan. Here's how to think through your actual options without panicking or sleepwalking into whatever the system picks for you.5 min read
  31. I’m in the middle of writing my newest e-book on Investments. Any questions you want answered in it?The goal is to make it as complete as possible and bring along all of you with me on this. Comment your question below and I’ll be sure to add it (and the…1 min read
  32. Almost everyone holds money at a bank, but why not a credit union?An interesting (and slightly declining) artifact of the U.S financial system are credit unions, which are essentially small, localized, nonprofit banks.…1 min read
  33. You’re probably not saving as efficiently as possible.And also getting screwed over by big name banks. If you have a savings account from one of the big banks — Chase, Wells Fargo, BoA, etc — you’re probably…1 min read
  34. One of the best personal finance tricks I learned is to set a Guilt Free Spending number.Shout out to Ramit Sethi, author/founder of I Will Teach You To Be Rich, for this one. The principle is quite simple. Have a dollar amount that you know you…1 min read
  35. A few weeks ago, I launched my FREE 38-page e-book to personal finance.I wanted to share my gratitude for the positive (and constructive) feedback shared— and I wanted to let y’all know that the feedback will be implemented!…1 min read
  36. To my fellow GenZ crowd, don’t “act your wage.” This is so flawed.Popularized on TikTok and the recent wave of “quiet quitters”, doing the bare minimum to keep your job is a sure way to never get promoted. From Napolean…1 min read
  37. In personal finance, it’s often more effective to do the opposite of what ‘everyone else’ is doing. But it’s not intuitive to most.Many people, especially young investors, are pulling out of the market due to fear of continuing decline, and eventually recession. Crypto losses anyone? But…1 min read
  38. $6,000 a year makes you a multimillionaire in 40 years.$2,655,555. You contribute $240,000 ($6K x 40 years) and come out with over 10 times that in retirement. And you can do it in the next 10 minutes: 1. Open a…1 min read
  39. Building something new on the website 👀Check it out: justinhuynh.com1 min read
  40. How I accidentally started a business at 14.Yeah, it’s a funny story actually. I actually wrote about it for my university applications. It started like this, ”I share a room with 10,000 cockroaches.…1 min read
  41. Since I work at a startup, I’m slated to earn 17% less than my peers over the next 10 years.Studies (link below) have indicated via meta analysis that startup employees earn on average 17% than their peers at established companies. Why? Startup Risk…1 min read
  42. Credit cards have a bad rep.Popular financial talk host, Dave Ramsey, is particularly against the use of debt, especially debt with high interest rates. And popular media also continues…1 min read
  43. I’m planning to be financial independent by 32 (without 29 streams of income).It’s part of The Million Impact Mission, my personal mission to reach financial independence (FI) and bring along 1M others with me. You can do this with a…1 min read
  44. Minimalists, Marie Kondo, and Ramit Sethi all have something in common.Minimalists say, “Minimalists are those who are deliberate about removing the excess in their lives and choosing to pursue things that are more meaningful.”…1 min read
  45. I’ve been procrastinating on launching this. But today is the day.It’s quite scary to put something out into the world — fear of scrutiny and judgement are overwhelming. I’ve written, gotten feedback, and rewrote this a few…1 min read
  46. First Generation Americans tend to think about personal finance differently than others.This isn’t about being the victim. But we definitely work a bit harder to understand the financial systems around us. In many cases, our parents simply only…1 min read
  47. There is a cheat code to get ahead.And it's almost never used. Simply, it's the creation of feedback loops. Getting and giving feedback proactively is what levels you and those around you up…1 min read
  48. The raise doesn’t matter."Yay, I got a raise!" What I've realized over the past year is that your mind will quickly normalize about anything. It's actually a natural phenomena. You…1 min read
  49. One of the biggest benefits of startup life is the inherent ability to be ‘free of rules’There’s really no one to tell you how to do a job in a particular way, and you pretty much have free domain over your work and how it is done. It sounds…1 min read
  50. What’s one piece of job-seeking you wish everyone knew?Thanks LinkedIn for the topic recommendation! I think one piece of job-seeking that's super important to my current career trajectory has been cold emails.…1 min read
  51. Most people can actually retire early. Really early. Like in the next 10-15 years early.So, why don't more people do it? It requires great sacrifice (a massive savings rate). Most financial advisors tell us that a 10-15% savings rate is healthy.…1 min read
  52. I'm out of college. Got a job. And now make 💸💸💸.One thing I've realized is that everyone has an opinion on where that money should go. I began to hear more “don’t spend money on that” and “buying that is a…1 min read
  53. Here's why you should be asking for feedback all the time:Getting instant feedback on things you were uncomfortable about means you can iterate right away (i.e. a next meeting) You can create a high value…1 min read
  54. Happy first week of the year, everyone!Fun Fact: This will be the first fresh year of full-time working for me. Same time last year, I was applying for graduation and commencement wondering what…1 min read
  55. In true LinkedIn fashion, I'm excited to announce that the Doorvest Team has just raised our Series A (Total $39M Raise)!As someone who is hyper mission aligned with #Doorvest, here are a few stats that I can share that makes me super proud to be #TeamVestie. 👉 70% of our…1 min read
  56. I’ve had both paid and unpaid internships. Here’s my take:I think there’s a time and place for both. Note: Opinions are solely my own. I truly believe that the learnings from the unpaid internships are what got me…1 min read
  57. Money isn’t the only thing that compounds.I’m 21, and just started recently earning a full-time wage. I’m learning that a lot of people give up things in their 20’s so that they have more to…1 min read
  58. What people get wrong when talking about themselves…(from my experience)They spend way too much talking about themselves. Stop doing this. Your introduction should be short and sweet. You need to answer a few questions: — What…1 min read
  59. Should workers be paid according to their location?I’ve recently seen this debate as some companies force people to go back to the office or have went permanently remote. Some people have been taking Cost of…1 min read
  60. Insane Productivity Statistics from the book Hyperfocus— We interrupt ourselves on average every 35 seconds — We switch between computer applications 566 times a day — It takes on average 25 minutes to get back…1 min read
  61. Be more intentional about stepping back every so often.I try to reflect often. But when you’re in the thick of your career, in the middle of a project, and in the start of midterms, it’s nearly impossible to…1 min read
  62. Why you should get comfortable with your own thoughtsPeople often don’t like to be alone with their thoughts. That’s why most people seek random external stimuli. We typically try to focus on things that are…1 min read
  63. It’s important to build relationships.We know this. That’s probably why you’re on LinkedIn. But have you ever wondered why? The internet gives us unlimited information. But only people’s…1 min read
  64. “Join a startup.” — they said.Reflecting back, it’s crazy to think I joined Doorvest just over 4 months ago and became part of the Vestie Team! I went from freelancer, intern, marketing…1 min read
  65. The Universe 25 experiment is one of the craziest experiments.A scientist named John Calhoun created the “ideal world” for mice to live in called the “Paradise of Mice” that had an abundance of food, water, and space.…1 min read
  66. Budgeting really isn’t about saving money.*It’s about finding what’s worth spending money on. If you decide to splurge on the $100K Plaid trim Tesla, it’s fine…as long as it makes you feel fulfilled.…1 min read
  67. Start thinking about your purchases in units of time and not money.Money is basically stored physical versions of your time. You go to a job (or are self-employed) to trade your time (and skills) for money. But when you…1 min read
  68. When it comes to being successful, it comes down to two things: time or money.— Time You can put in the time to get really good at something. The more time you spend doing something, the better you’ll get at that one thing. There are…1 min read
  69. I always tell my friends to start posting on LinkedIn. It’s been a part of my career success so far.But everytime I mention it, I get pushback — “I’m worried about what my friends and family will think.” Truth is. No one actually cares. Everyone’s generally…1 min read
  70. The most important skill to work in a startup:Googling! I’m halfway joking. But really, working at Doorvest has afforded me the opportunity to do things that I’ve never done before and had no experience…1 min read
  71. Why is Elon Musk living in a $50k house?It's fascinating the a man with nearly $200B in net worth chooses to live in a $50K home. You would think he would have a $100M mansion with state of the art…1 min read
  72. The grass is not always greener on the other side.I think we look at people and always think they have it all figured out, that their life is great, and that we would love to have their life. But as I talk…1 min read
  73. Jobs that people don't want to do.People love tech jobs. They're often paraded around like a badge of honor — "ex-Google", "ex-LinkedIn", "ex-Facebook". But what often aren't talked about are…1 min read
  74. A thought for this week: people aren't equal.This isn't a race, social, or political post - please do not make it one. People have natural abilities - ones that they are born with, but also ones that…1 min read
  75. I used to be a terrible writer. I’m still not great, but better.I failed my English entrance exam for college, which meant I had to take a remedial English course. And even after 3 college English courses, I didn’t feel…1 min read
  76. Being direct.I thought one of my weaknesses was being direct. But I think it’s more than that — it’s my inability to choose the “best” wording for conversations I…1 min read
  77. Time pressure is an amazing productivity tool.A few months ago, I thought I was at my limit. I was doing a part-time internship, full-time university, and an accreditation program. The last two weeks, I…1 min read
  78. Be open to both good and bad experiences. Good judgement can come from bad experiences; good experiences can come from bad judgement.The key in all of this is to trust chance, and to steer it in such a way that you’re always learning from it. These are the kind of humble choices — each of…1 min read
  79. Looking to work in the #fintech, #proptech, or #realestate space?The Doorvest team is hiring for our Houston team! We’re looking for amazing talent to join us as our Renovations Project Coordinator and Renovations…1 min read
  80. I’m now a graduate!Even though half my college career was spent on Zoom, I’m happy to have graduated with my Bachelor’s in Economics with a specialization in Data Analytics…1 min read
  81. Stop underestimating your ability and start overestimating your ability to learn.When I talk to people, I’m brutally honest that I don’t know how to do most things even if they’re “supposed to be” in my wheelhouse. On the flip-side, I…1 min read
  82. Whatever the original motivation for going some place, remember that you’ll rarely get what you expect when you go there — and this is almost always a good thing.— Rolf Potts, Vagabonding1 min read
  83. We’ve devised a culture of picking a belief and never changing. We’re scrutinized for changing ideas, swapping beliefs, and rethinking through ideas.We’re scrutinized for changing ideas, swapping beliefs, and rethinking through ideas. Too often, people become “religious” to the thoughts shown to them.…1 min read
  84. Learning from the experiences of others is important and it can lead you to amazing places.But cut from that same cloth, if you rely too much on what you’ve learned and ignore what your gut tells you, you’re likely to miss out on unexpected answers…1 min read
  85. I started part-time with Doorvest 6 weeks ago. Yesterday, I signed my first ever *full-time* contract!I would like to take this time (and your attention) to give back. I’ve had many mentors that helped me to get here + those who took the chance on my random…1 min read
  86. The four types of work:Necessary Work — Work that is productive, but unattractive Purposeful Work — Work that is productive and attractive Unnecessary Work — Work that is both…1 min read
  87. The illusion that is self-improvement.When I talk to a lot of my peers (students and entry-level folk), they always tell me they read every book imaginable, listen to all the Gary V. audio clips…1 min read
  88. I’ve read a lot of business and leadership books the past year. They’re honestly 90% all the same.You can usually get the gist of what the rest of the book will say after the prologue and first chapter. What’s the point of the extra 200 pages of fluff…1 min read
  89. The new American dream is living in a van?The vanlife movement is really intriguing to me, especially as a young person without liabilities (i.e. family, non-remote job, etc). With decentralization…1 min read
  90. The future of incentive-alignment in pricing and how #HigherEd could align with studentsIncentive-aligned pricing ensures that both parties of a transaction are working towards the same goal. Right now, students pay universities $100K+ to get a…1 min read
  91. What is fair?As I age, I've thought about the systems that affect me. Is it fair that I was able to get a college education? Is it fair that I've had success in my life?…1 min read
  92. Hey students, I think one of the most important things I’ve done this year was outline what I was looking for in a position.I still don’t really know what role truly excites my soul. Perhaps that role doesn’t even exist. But this past year when I worked at XY Planning Network, my…1 min read
  93. My 1 month experience working at a startup:I wouldn’t call myself an evangelist, but I’m a firm believer as a personal growth junky that being at a startup is where I need to be. A month at a startup…1 min read
  94. Do you sleep once per day? Maybe it's not natural.This week, I experimented with bi-phasic sleeping! The premise? Maybe humans were meant to sleep in multiple sessions a day in the past - when humans had to…1 min read
  95. I haven’t posted on LinkedIn for the past 3 days. But I have an excuse!I’ve been grinding away to create blog.doorvest.com (an updated version for Doorvest’s blog and content future). Not only that, but I’ve also been busy…1 min read
  96. Curious people are successful people.Curious people learn just for the passion of learning something. They don’t do it for the next hot trend, but they do it because they want to understand. But…1 min read
  97. “In every organization, everyone rises to the level at which they become paralyzed with fear.”— Tribes, Seth Godin In other words, “when you do a great job, you get promoted. And that process repeats itself until finally you end up in a job you can’t…1 min read
  98. You’re not afraid of failure. You’re afraid of criticism.People talk about embracing failure, but that’s usually not an issue. It’s criticism. You don’t want to take the blame. You don’t want people to call you out…1 min read
  99. I have a month left until graduation.It’s a conflicted feeling. Part of me is scared to face the real world. The other part of me was ready to kick some ass since I’ve been a freshman. And even…1 min read
  100. Want to become a better writer?The special secret is to just write. I completely flunked my first pre-college exam. I had to take a “pre-college” English course in order to meet the basic…1 min read
  101. I went back and read the beginning posts of my LinkedIn journey.Things have changed. And honestly, I didn’t realize the impact it would make on my life. It doesn’t seem like people read my posts to be honest (except the…1 min read
  102. I’ve spoken to over 50 founders and CEOs. Here’s the advice they wish they knew at 21 (Part 7 of 7)[PART 7/7] 💡 Listen first. My thoughts below: One of the mistakes I made early on was wanting to display what I knew by talking first. People don’t care what…1 min read
  103. I’ve spoken to over 50 founders and CEOs. Here’s the advice they wish they knew at 21 (Part 6 of 7)[PART 6/7] 💡 Learning to learn is the most important skill (that everyone can do). My thoughts below: This was one of the first pieces of advice I got…1 min read
  104. I’ve spoken to over 50 founders and CEOs. Here’s the advice they wish they knew at 21 (Part 5 of 7)[PART 5/7] 💡 Extreme focus + delayed gratification = superpowers My thoughts below: Having extreme focus allows you to put all of your efforts in one…1 min read
  105. I’ve spoken to over 50 founders and CEOs. Here’s the advice they wish they knew at 21 (Part 4 of 7)[PART 4/7] 💡 Understand the regret minimization decision-making framework. My thoughts below: That was a mouthful. I’m cheating - this is an idea popularized…1 min read
  106. I’ve spoken to over 50 founders and CEOs. Here’s the advice they wish they knew at 21 (Part 3 of 7)[PART 3/7] 💡 Find mentors, but don’t be committed to just one. My thoughts below: Obviously I’ve had lots of mentors. They’ve bolstered my career, helped me…1 min read
  107. I’ve spoken to over 50 founders and CEOs. Here’s the advice they wish they knew at 21 (Part 2 of 7)[PART 2/7] 💡 Your life is a business. My thoughts below: Business is the game of solving problems. Human nature dictates that we thrive from solving…1 min read
  108. I’ve spoken to over 50 founders and CEOs. Here’s the advice they wish they knew at 21 (Part 1 of 7)[PART 1/7] 💡 You, alone, are solely responsible for your actions and your own environment. My thoughts below: Designing your own environment allows you to…1 min read
  109. 5 pieces of success (from Steve Jobs — RIP)Be passionate about the work you do. ”The reason is, is because if you don’t have it, any rational person would just give up.” Simplify everything.…1 min read
  110. Wow. I’ve been with @Doorvest for about a week.Here’s what I learned about being at a venture-backed startup: 👉 Your teammates are everything. — They make the work fun and they’re an asset to the work you…1 min read
  111. One of the funniest parts about making content (and scheduling it)?I schedule these posts usually 1-2 weeks ahead of time. Sometimes, by the time it goes live, it really fits in with what’s happening in my life at the moment…1 min read
  112. You don’t always hit home runs. Sometimes you strike out.…and that’s okay. Get up and try again …and one day, you’ll hit every one.1 min read
  113. I own 12 t-shirts. They’re all black, size small, and from Banana Republic.Some people find this odd until they learn about decision fatigue. Basically, it’s the idea that the more decisions you need to make, the worse you’re going…1 min read
  114. You’re the story.I think it’s great that a lot of the people closest to me read my LinkedIn posts. They’re always supportive and they tell me exactly which one they learned…1 min read
  115. I’ve never gotten a job traditionally yet.I came to the realization after talking with @Kristina Nguyen the other day that all 3 of my previous and my current positions all came from cold emails.…1 min read
  116. 👏 Adding a connection on LinkedIn isn’t networking. 👏Networking is truly important to your career. There’s actually a cheesy saying that “your network is your net worth.” There’s some truth to that. But you…1 min read
  117. I’m happy to announce I’ll be joining the Growth team over at Doorvest starting today!If you saw my Monday post, hopefully I didn’t leave you in too much suspense. But this was my “news to come” :). Doorvest helps you identify, purchase, and…1 min read
  118. The REAL Conversation Cheat Code — How to build a deeper friendship❌ How are you? ✅ How are you, really? ❌ What’s up? ✅ What title would you give this chapter in your life? ❌ What do you do? ✅ What are you passionate about?…1 min read
  119. I’m naive. It’s my competitive advantage.I believe I can do anything. Let me explain: A few years ago, I talked to someone I looked up to and they told me, “Always say yes, even if you don’t know…1 min read
  120. Today is my last day at XY Planning Network!News to come on what’s next. But I’d like to give my public thank you and shout-out to XYPN for being an awesome place to start off my career journey. To…1 min read
  121. Slack CEO Stewart Butterfield is going to duplicate Clubhouse.He said it directly to Clubhouse CEO Paul Davison. And he’s not the only one — there are plans for Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn too! He said, “I’ve always…1 min read
  122. LinkedIn is creating a “Creator Mode”I’m glad to see LinkedIn start to support creators. Here’s what to expect: 1. The profile of a creator will be optimized for growth. 2. A “follow” button…1 min read
  123. One of the best performing stocks of the decade wasn’t a tech stock.It was Domino’s ($DPZ). In 2009, the company was in complete disarray. Their revenues were down and their pizza was ranked in taste next to Chuck E Cheese’s.…1 min read
  124. After writing over 110 LinkedIn posts over the past 4 months, here’s what I learned:1️⃣ Growth is slow — I’ve probably written enough for a small book in the past 4 months. I’ve met a ton of people and I have a few I regularly talk to now!…2 min read
  125. Remember that you must die.Not to be grim, but this is a Stoic philosophy called Memento Mori. Steve Jobs said, “Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever…1 min read
  126. Your financial advisor (or your favorite finance Youtuber) might have told you about their great portfolio of diversified ETFs.Their portfolio of diversified ETFs might sound impressive, but in reality, ETFs are just baskets of stocks and bonds. An ETF company (typically BlackRock or…1 min read
  127. What’s a SPAC?A Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC) is a company that takes another private company public by merging with that company. Why? This allows the…1 min read
  128. The Federal Reserve is not LITERALLY printing money. (PART 2)If you missed out on my post from yesterday on Quantitative Easing, you can find the link to that in the comments below. Today, I want to talk about the…1 min read
  129. The Federal Reserve is not LITERALLY printing money. (PART 1)A lot of people I talk to imagine a movie scene with a printing press and millions of dollars flowing through it. That's not what the Federal Reserve does.…1 min read
  130. How I’m getting paid to attend the University of California, Davis…First things first — no, I’m not a super genius who got a full ride research scholarship to attend UC Davis. I knew a couple people who did, and they were…1 min read
  131. After studying Personal Finance and Game Theory, most people are playing a losing game with money.With some people being billionaires and others not being able to have a positive net worth, there is obviously a wealth gap. Most Americans live paycheck to…1 min read
  132. Story time: Learned some new code + a new redesign.I was talking to Steve Dougan, James Kuttner, and Orlando Hui over at Doorvest a couple weeks ago. Steve: “What do you do for fun?” I gave him a non-answer…1 min read
  133. Why people like Gandhi and Buddhist monks rate their lives as happier than most millionairesMeaning. People who do (what they call) “meaningful” work are far more likely to rate their life as “happier.” One of the most important factors to a…1 min read
  134. Stop asking for someone’s opinion.Instead, ask for their advice. Marketing and psychology professor Robert Cialdini says that asking for “advice” has a positive association that makes people…1 min read
  135. One of the best things about being a student……the title of “Student” I think the title of being a student is far too underutilized. When you talk to professionals and tell them “I’m a student looking…1 min read
  136. Those close to me know I do a lot with data.I study Data Analytics @ the University of California, Davis, Data Science @ Codecademy, and I do data at my current internship @ XY Planning Network. I…1 min read
  137. STOP INVESTING.…until you have enough cash. Look, investing is all the craze today. In fact, it’s a meme that’s been gamified. And now, it’s cool and accessible to be an…1 min read
  138. As we (hopefully) near the end of COVID as more get vaccinated, the joys (and miseries) of remote work are getting more traction.Pre-pandemic, employers told us that employees are more productive with supervision and that employees were expected to work 40-hour weeks. One, if that was…1 min read
  139. My generation grew up believing that stress and anxiety was bad. And for some reason, we are the most stressed and anxious generation.I think most people are tired of COVID posts, but Gen Z (young adults and teens) report some of the highest stress levels of every other generation during…1 min read
  140. Quick Tip: Making LinkedIn more accessible.Full credit to #YourKoreanDad (or Nick Cho) for pointing this out and teaching it to me via Reels — But hashtags can be accessible or not! If you’re using…1 min read
  141. The more you want a job, the more unworthy you feel of wanting a job.The more you chase happiness, the lonelier you become even if you’re surrounded by those who love you. The more rich you become, the poorer you feel…1 min read
  142. I love this drawing by @lizandmollie!Especially as a student, I talk to my friends and salary and job title are the only parts we talk about. “Oh, Justin! Did you see Joe get that new job with a…1 min read
  143. After a week of @Codecademy’s Data Science Career Pathway, I wish EdTech was the standard for me now.I’ve been pretty critical of the cost-benefit ratio of higher education. I know that I’m fighting a losing battle for my generation. For now, higher-ed is…1 min read
  144. There’s a lot of random words when talking stocks.Here are stock types explained: 1. Growth — stocks that are rapidly growing in revenue, but often don’t have profit (i.e. Tesla) 2. Blue Chip — large…1 min read
  145. Quantity > QualityWe’ve all heard the story of the pot experiment where one group was tasked to make one perfect pot and the other group was tasked to make 100 pots. Lo and…1 min read
  146. Do you always put a message when sending a LinkedIn connection?I’ve tested both personally. And based off my small sample sizes, I’ve had much more success getting in front of people by NOT putting a connection message.…1 min read
  147. We hear about one-hit wonders all the time who struck the luck jackpot.The startup founder who went from 0 to $1M ARR overnight. The day trader who bet on GME. The Youtuber who grew to a million subscribers. Okay, maybe one of…1 min read
  148. Having trouble staying consistent? Try this.Find an external event that will force you to stay committed. Take school as an example. I hate studying for school and I often have trouble staying…1 min read
  149. Why are output-based goals the gold standard?Input-based goals are much better. They 👉 force you to be accountable 👉 are directly in your control 👉 aren’t impacted by other people Want to grow your…1 min read
  150. Ever start a project, but then get overwhelmed by the sheer size of it?Yeah. Me too. Sometimes I’m handed things I have no idea how to do nor how to approach it. Maybe you are given too many options. And maybe you’re afraid to…1 min read
  151. Two years later and I finally got an 800 credit score! (without paying a dime in interest :))Here’s how: Consistently pay bills and debt on time. Keep the balance below 20% of the total credit you are offered. Keep old accounts if possible or not…1 min read
  152. Lots of people are in debt. But how do you actually get out?There are two methods: Avalanche (paying off your highest interest debt first) or Snowball (paying off the smallest debt first). You will pay less money…1 min read
  153. Should you even be investing?I have friends who have started asking me about personal finance. I’m extremely honored and happy that they’ve come to me. But the one topic I always get is…1 min read
  154. Here’s how I’m balancing being a full-time student, part-time intern, freelance writing, and creating the framework for a future business…I’m slowly dying. Just kidding, but I am in a “sprinting” phase — probably overleveraging my time…But that’s a story for another time. The secrets below ;).…1 min read
  155. 🛑 Hey you! I need your help.I'm writing a comprehensive guide on personal finance. But I'm running out of ideas — What personal finance questions do you have? Comment below 👇 (and…1 min read
  156. My #1 reason for starting random projects:Learning. Throughout high school and college, I’ve had a number of side projects. I created websites, detailed cars, bought and resold items, ran an…1 min read
  157. The year is 2022.The pandemic is over. You can see your friends again, eat inside of a restaurant, go to the gym, and live your life unrestricted. What are you doing first?…1 min read
  158. Life Lessons from NarutoI grew up watching Naruto. And while I didn’t know it at the time, it shaped a lot of my views on work, friendship, and power. Here are my key takeaways for…1 min read
  159. Companies are built on the weekends.After speaking with a few founders that would sit down with me, I always found one thing consistent amongst all of them. They worked their butts off in the…1 min read
  160. It’s not you versus everyone else.Since kindergarten, we were always “ranked.” Who had the highest grade? The smartest? The most athletic? It’s a broken mindset bred out of competition. The…1 min read
  161. We’ve been thinking about education all wrong. Education isn’t about learning.The current education system is based on memorization. It goes something like: Memorize a textbook Take a test Forget everything after finishing the test…1 min read
  162. PSA: You don’t have to become what your parents want you to become.— A random Asian kid on LinkedIn Honestly, I don’t care what you become. But choose it for yourself. I tried the traditional first-generation Asian immigrant…1 min read
  163. BREAKING: Tesla/Elon Musk has purchased $1.5B worth of Bitcoin according to an SEC filing at $42K/coin.Yes, it sounds like a lot of money, but in the grand scheme of things, it's a rather small bet. For context, TSLA stock shot up $20B in value this morning.…1 min read
  164. 4 Productivity Tips to Rule Them AllBatching is your best friend — I don’t write daily LinkedIn posts. I sit down for an hour on a weekend to produce 7+, sometimes more if I’m inspired. Stop…1 min read
  165. The secret of going to an academic research school that they don’t tell youBefore I got into University of California, Davis, people told me that it was a great idea to go to a research school. They told me it would present a number…1 min read
  166. The Curse of KnowledgeI recently signed up for @Ali Abdaal’s Youtube email list (I’ve been toying with the idea…). But here’s an excerpt that I really resonated with: “If you’re…1 min read
  167. Who else wants to create value and connect with others?A couple of my friends asked me, “why do you always post on LinkedIn? You get like 4 likes.” Ouch! But it’s true. I get 4 likes. 4 people who connected with…1 min read
  168. What everyone ought to know about the weapons of influenceI just read “Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion” by Robert B. Cialdini, Ph.D In the book, he talks about how people are persuaded and how you can become…1 min read
  169. Here’s a quick way to invest and get tax-free growth for the next 40 yearsThis will take you ~10 minutes at the maximum. Open a Roth IRA at any major brokerage that offers commission-free trades (Vanguard, TDAmeritrade, etc). It’s…1 min read
  170. The secret of successful people (hint: it has to do with “snacking”)I’m taking a digital education class right now as I develop my own coursework. And as I dig into the data, there are habits and trends that we always follow…1 min read
  171. What everyone should know about schools and entry-level positionsI’ve always been asked (interview or not) the magical question of “where did you go to school?” From family to friends to complete strangers. PSA: School has…1 min read
  172. Build A LinkedIn Following You Can Be Proud Of…LinkedIn is an interesting invention. There are people who don’t like you, people who you used to work but don’t anymore, someone who loves your content, and…1 min read
  173. Would you rather be the smartest person in the room or the least informed?If you’re the smartest, you can teach others generously. If your the least informed, (and if you were hungry) you could level yourself up extremely quickly.…1 min read
  174. Would you rather take a full ride to a lesser brand school versus an ivy that will cost you 250K over 4 years?There isn’t a right answer. I used to be pretty adamant that I would never take the ivy league road with a ton of debt. And I still am, but I definitely see…2 min read
  175. Imagined you’re faced with this scenarioYou’re buying a new car. Let’s say it costs $30K at the base, and the dealer is offering you an entire speaker set for $500 (half off the MSRP!). You’re…1 min read
  176. One easy trick to make everything betterDon’t cut corners. In a hyper productivity-focused world, we are all looking to for the next tip to make our life 0.0001% better. From personal finance to…1 min read
  177. Kintsugi — Being BrokenI’ve always been rather fascinated with Japanese traditions and culture. There’s just something about Japanese attention to detail and craftsmanship that I…1 min read
  178. User-Generated Content (UGC)— The Most Powerful Marketing For FreeUGC (content generated by users of a product or service) is the most powerful marketing tool that companies and brands have. And it’s practically free.…1 min read
  179. Becoming BankruptWhile we try to avoid financial ruin, it’s inevitable that some of us will face it at some point. Maybe it’s a failed business with a ton of debt, or maybe…1 min read
  180. “Do this to make $500 an hour”My IG reels has a ton of videos of people saying things like this. And they’re getting hundreds of thousands of likes and a ton of engagement. PSA: If they…2 min read
  181. I sold a stock that I was 1200% up on.I’m so glad that 2020 was full of legendary gains for many investors (including new ones). I’m looking at all you newly minted millionaires who threw money…1 min read
  182. Fun Fact About Me:I love reptiles — specifically Bearded Dragons. So much so that I created an educational website on how to care for them called Bearded Dragon Obsession. No…1 min read
  183. Maybe 2021 is the year where…👉 COVID goes away 👉 You get a raise 👉 BTC reaches 1,000,000 👉 The market continues to be an absolute bull Then, maybe you can launch that project, open that…1 min read
  184. Having a “disconnected personal brand”Just an observation from some gaming youtubers I watch — most of them have what I'd call a disconnected personal brand. I don't think this is even restricted…1 min read
  185. Apple has the best customer serviceApple has a 99 problems (in my opinion), but customer service isn’t one. Be it a one-off issue, a random niched issue, or recurring problems — Apple will…1 min read
  186. Do you really care about privacy?With the recent change to WhatsApp’s terms of use to send data to Facebook, people have been talking about privacy issues. But do we really care? In reality…1 min read
  187. Would you rather be helped right now or helped tomorrow?Stupid question, right? Of course, you’d like to be helped now rather than tomorrow. I was looking for help from X company the other day and was on the phone…2 min read
  188. I shared a room with 10,000 cockroachesNo, it’s not clickbait. No, I don’t have an infestation. No, I’m not crazy. I keep live feeder insects for a peculiar roommate of mine, a lizard. If that…1 min read
  189. "You need to invest your money now."— Every finance guy ever This year has been hard on everyone, but worse for others. Some people had dumb sheer luck not to have their careers impacted.…1 min read
  190. You don't need to have it all figured out.I certainly don't. After talking to many entrepreneurs and founders the past year, I realized that none of them have it figured out either. Everyone is just…1 min read
  191. Why I Value Training and Courses Over University EducationI have never been a huge proponent of school and the current way it is set up. For context, for those that don't know, I am currently a student at the…4 min read
  192. Why can't you budget...or lose weight...or invest consistently?As New Years approaches, many of us feel a sense of a renewal and a one-time drive to set lofty goals for ourselves: the dreaded New Years Resolution. As I…1 min read
  193. What is your reason for being?Listened in on Chris Do's workshop today on Ikigai, or your reason for being (link in comments). Some of my thoughts: For those who aren't aware, ikigai is a…1 min read
  194. We don't always know what we want to do.I mean how could we? When we exit high school and enter the big world of college, we're hit with ▶️ Choose a major that you can make money with ▶️ Choose a…1 min read
  195. There are only 3 levels of being rich.It goes something like this: 1. Being able to buy the essentials - food, water, shelter 2. Being able to go to the grocery store and not have to check the…1 min read
  196. The Morning Routine of a UC Davis StudentWith productivity at an all-time high, students and professionals alike are trying to find ways to free up more time for their work-life balance. Some are…5 min read
  197. The greatest return on investment for students (in terms of tangible money) is......scholarships! Scholarships are super competitive (and that myth that billions of dollars goes unclaimed is untrue...or at least misinterpreted). But they…1 min read
  198. The five parts of every business:👉Creates and delivers something of value... 👉That other people want... 👉At a price they're willing to pay... 👉In a way that satisfies the customer's needs…1 min read
  199. The AdvantageOne of the most interesting economic topics I learned about was the idea of specialization and comparative advantage. If you're able to develop a skill that…1 min read
  200. Students, how do you feel about higher education?Like many immigrant families, I was encouraged to take the "safe" path: go to school, go into STEM, and get a high salaried job. As I enter the workforce…1 min read
  201. Students, here is the most important thing to keep in mind when looking for your internshipsPosting on LinkedIn has connected me to a ton of #students. I've been loving talking to many of you about getting your first position in the financial…1 min read
  202. Stop Normalizing DebtThey tell you never to ask for a man's salary. But why? Why is money a taboo in our society? Honestly, it's gotten a lot better over time. I think one of the…3 min read
  203. Snowball vs. Avalanche Debt Paydown MethodOne of the first financial "gurus" that people often tell me about is Dave Ramsey. For the uninitiated, Dave Ramsey is a financial author and talk show host…3 min read
  204. Side Hustles For The Busy College StudentI've always questioned why college students who aren't working part- or full-time jobs on the side of their academics don't start small businesses. I feel…4 min read
  205. Real Video Games Are Good Teachers of Real PrinciplesLike many words in today's society, defining education is difficult to say the least. This is because of the huge disparity of what one person would consider…6 min read
  206. Real Estate isn't a fast way to grow wealth.Many internet gurus tell us that real estate is the way to become a millionaire and buy that lambo and that they can teach you in 16 weeks. Can you get rich…1 min read
  207. My Message to the Class of 2020Congratulations to the Class of 2020! While COVID-19 may have left you with a virtual ceremony for your 16+ years of hard work, you had the most supported…3 min read
  208. Motivated By The Fear Of Being AverageI saw a quote recently that said something along the lines of... "If you don't come out of this pandemic's quarantine with a new side hustle, a new hobby, or…4 min read
  209. LinkedIn just has a different vibe to it.I just feel that there's an overwhelming amount of people wanting to support each other. I love when... 👉 Someone's rejection post lands them a job because…1 min read
  210. IterationI've been pretty critical of the cost vs. benefit ratio of higher education with #collegesanduniversities... ...but here's one thing I learned about in none…1 min read
  211. Invest in real estate virtually for as little as $20K with renovation, tenant placement, and property management. No experience required.Sounds a bit crazy. I know. But Doorvest is already doing this. It's making the unscalable, scalable. Simply put, you talk to one of their advisors, and they…1 min read
  212. How I went from 0 to 60,000+ views on LinkedIn in 4 weeks 👇1. Live in your DMs, not your posts — Making real connection with people by engaging in longer and better discourse creates friendships instead of fake…1 min read
  213. Has virtual learning been better than in-person instruction for anyone?Virtual learning at #ucdavis has been a huge part in my professional growth this year. It gives me... 👉 freedom to learn on my schedule 👉 more time with…1 min read
  214. Great news for this weekThank you AFCPE® (Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education®) for selecting me to receive this scholarship and National Endowment for…1 min read
  215. Getting back into reading books during the pandemic was difficult.When I started in March, it was extremely difficult for me to focus on reading because my mind would constantly wander from idea to idea. But I'm happy that…1 min read
  216. Frictionless Sales and Social Media Certified ✅Thank you #hubspotacademy! I thoroughly enjoyed both of these courses and highly recommend other students take them as well! With my last post on…1 min read
  217. FPA Externship Review 2020With COVID-19 running rampant and multitudes of companies freezing their hiring process and internship programs, I was stuck without options. Looking for…6 min read
  218. Entrepreneurship Is Safer Than SalaryThis pandemic has given me time to reflect on my long term goals. I may be young, but I am confident in my ability to learn from older generations. Many…3 min read
  219. Does School Prepare Us for the Real World?According to a CareerBuilder survey, 78 percent of U.S. workers live paycheck to paycheck with 25 percent not setting aside any savings. More surprisingly…4 min read
  220. Before #COVID19 started, I couldn't land a single summer internship. But since the pandemic hit, I've landed 3 internships!One with Financial Planning Association (FPA)'s Externship with Hannah Moore, CFP®, one with Luis F. Rosa, CFP® EA at Build a Better Financial Future, and…1 min read
  221. Are you indispensable?Excerpt from Linchpin by Seth Godin: "The system we grew up with is based on a simple formula: Do your job. Show up. Work hard. Listen to the boss. Stick it…1 min read
  222. 2020 has been hectic to say the least! But I've been happy to see the positivity rolling around in many of my peers' year-end reviews.Special thanks to many of the mentors I've had this year who encouraged me and helped me develop! I wish all of you health and growth for 2021! My 2020…1 min read