Fu Lai
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Posts posted by Fu Lai
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I've experienced the "you look young for your age" remarks since I was in my twenties and still being carded at night clubs.Then the next three decades it continued until at this time I think I have caught up with my years. So I am now learning how to be an older guy and really kind of liking it. I am going to play it for all it's worth!
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LOL.....Rong and I got a good chuckle from this also.....and even more interesting was surfing through the YOUKU videos...got some really funny stuff there.
Yeah, China's YouTube and when you register (free) it provides a built-in download so you don't have to get a separate browser plugin!
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Saw this
13 Ways to Get More Social Securityhttp://l2.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/3EY212jxf8Ig9Ikkbpsz3Q--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9Zml0O2g9MzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/284/2011/06/16/MoneyTalksNews_011040.jpgBy Renee Morad | Money Talks News – 23 hours agoThe average monthly Social Security benefit for a retiree in 2013 is estimated at $1,261, according to the Social Security Administration. That’s just $15,132 a year – hardly enough to live on.
Hopefully when you reach retirement, you’ll have a nice nest egg to offset hurdles like vanishing pensions and unpredictable stock-market returns. But either way, there are certain actions you can take today to boost your Social Security payments during retirement – and they can add up to thousands of extra dollars in your golden years.Here are 13 things you can think about today to increase your Social Security payments during retirement:
1. Work at least 35 yearsSocial Security benefits are calculated based on your 35 highest-earning working years. If you work fewer years, you’ll have years with zero income averaged in – which will lower your payout.
2. Ask for a raiseIf you experience a jump in salary, you’ll likely boost your future earning potential and may see an increase in your Social Security payments down the road – since as we just explained, Social Security takes into account the 35 top-earning years of your career.
3. Take a second jobThe same logic applies: If you earn more each year, you’ll likely increase the amount you get in Social Security when you retire.
4. Wait until full retirement age to claim Social SecurityYou can begin collecting Social Security benefits as early as age 62, but you might not want to: Your benefit will be reduced by 25 percent for life. To get your full payment, wait until you reach full retirement age – currently 66 for anyone born between 1943 and 1954. For those born between 1955 and 1959, the age gradually rises toward 67. For those born in 1960, it’s 67.
5. Better yet: Wait until age 70If you can afford to wait until age 70 to claim Social Security benefits, it’ll pay off. Thanks to what the Social Security Administration calls “delayed retirement credits,” benefits increase 8 percent each year you delay tapping into Social Security – up till age 70. So waiting until you reach 70 means about a third more income for life.
When considering this strategy, it’s particularly beneficial for the higher-earning spouse in a marriage to hold out until age 70 to increase the total benefits the couple will receive throughout their lifetime. In the event that the spouse with the higher benefit passes away, the surviving spouse will receive the higher payment.
If you took benefits early and regret the move, it might not be too late to fix it. You may be able to repay all the benefits you received so far and restart them at a higher level based on your age. But this policy isn’t as flexible as it used to be: For more details, check out this page on the SSA site.
6. Use online toolsIf you’re unsure about the best time to claim benefits based on your individual budget, health, life expectancy, or other factors, use online resources to help you decide. A good place to start is SocialSecurity.gov/MyStatement, where you’ll get your personalized statement. This estimates what your benefits will be at age 62, at full retirement age, or at age 70.
Once you get estimates for both you and, if applicable, your spouse, there are other online tools that compare your benefits under various scenarios to help you determine the best claiming strategy. Consider AARP’s Social Security Benefits Calculator or Analyze Now’s “Strategic Social Security Planner.”
7. Claim spousal benefitsIf you’re married, you have a choice: You can either take the benefit based on your work history, or half your spouse’s benefit. So if your spouse earned a lot more than you did, and has a higher benefit as a result, compare and see which will pay the most.
You can also claim Social Security benefits based on an ex-spouse’s work record if you were married for at least 10 years. Doing so doesn’t reduce their check or otherwise impact them. In fact, they’ll never know you applied.
8. Taking early retirement? Beware of outside incomeIf you start taking benefits before reaching your full retirement age, employment elsewhere can reduce your Social Security checks.
For example, say you started taking Social Security in 2012 at age 62 and your full retirement age is 66. For 2012, your benefit would be reduced by $1 for every $2 you earned in gross wages or net self-employment income above $14,640.
If 2012 was the year you reached full retirement age, you could have earned up to $38,880 prior to the month you turned 66. More than that and your benefit would be reduced by $1 for every $3 you earned.
After you reach full retirement age, you get your full benefit no matter how much you earn.
9. Claim twiceA dual-income retired couple may be able to claim spousal benefits, then later switch to payments based on their own work record. This could make sense if waiting until a later age would result in higher benefits.
For example, say the husband is 66 and the wife is 62. If the husband files for benefits, the wife could opt for half her husband’s benefit, while still earning money and letting her benefit grow. When she turns 70, she could drop the spousal benefit and file for benefits based on her own work record.
There are lots of strategies like this to maximize Social Security. As you approach retirement age, be sure and do lots of reading. This article from Kiplinger is a good example.
10. Benefits for your kidsWhen you start collecting Social Security benefits, unmarried dependent children under age 18 may qualify to receive benefits worth up to half of your full retirement benefit amount. This can include a biological child, adopted child, stepchild, or dependent grandchild. They may also get benefits if they’re 18-19 years old and a full-time student (no higher than grade 12) or 18 or older with a disability that began before age 22.
11. Plan ahead for taxesIf the sum of your adjusted gross income, nontaxable interest, and half your 2012 Social Security benefits exceeds $34,000 ($44,000 for couples), up to 85 percent of your benefits may be taxable. You can minimize this expense by using certain tax-saving moves, such as investing in annuities that allow you to earn interest that isn’t taxed until you withdraw it.
12. Do your due diligenceAlways read your Social Security statements (either received as paper statements in the mail or online at SocialSecurity.gov/MyStatement) to be sure everything has been reported correctly. Although inaccuracies are uncommon, some scenarios lend themselves to a greater chance of error – such as a name change your employer failed to update on company records.
13. Clear your debtsYour Social Security benefits are protected from most debt collections, but they can be taken to collect unpaid federal taxes, federal student loan balances, and child support or alimony. Clearing these debts will leave your Social Security benefits untouched.
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Maybe old news here but this is a report about the Wuhan progress:
http://laptop-adapter-battery.com/wuhan-bus-free-wifi-pilot-each-users-4-million-online/
Take 590 BUS, in the network choose select the “ChinaUnicom. BUS”, and then into the network, if pop-up password fill in “12345678″, input can be connected to the network, network speed faster.
590 the way YeChaoYang said, communications staff last week in the line of car per the Internet equipment, at present may still in beta, so will require input password, once finish testing, passenger bus can be automatic access network.
Very nice!
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We are going March 15-17 (plane tickets bought) and I really am anticipating seeing the terracotta warriors!
"Today the walls of the Ming dynasty and the Tang palace walls hint at the Xi’an’s glorious past. Stare in awe at the Terracotta Army, 7,000 terracotta statues of Qin Bingmayong Bowuguan warriors and soldiers. Dating from 210 BCE, they were discovered in 1974 and are still being excavated. Don't miss the Shaanxi History Museum or a chance to heat up at former imperial bathing spot, Huaqing Hot Springs."
So what are the essential things to do all in a weekend's time? hahaha
Obviously, some choices have to be made...
Popular Xi'an attractions- The Museum of Qin Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses
- Xi_an Circumvallation
- Xi'an City Wall (Chengqiang)
- Ancient Wall of South Gate of Yan'an
- Tomb of Emperor Jingdi (Hanyangling)
- Shanxi History Museum
- Dayan Pagoda Northern Square
- Big Wild Goose Pagoda (Dayanta)
- Forest of Stone Steles Museum
- Dayan Tower Cultural and Leisure Scenic Resort
- Eastern Royal Tombs of the Qin Dynasty of Xi'an
- Cuihua Mountain
- Qujiangchi site Park
- Xi'an Mosque
- Beiyuanmen Street
- Xi'an Bell Tower
- Tang Paradise
- Xi'an Museum & Small Goose Pagoda (Xiaoyanta)
- Drum Tower (Gulou)
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My girl is back from her work trip to Guilin. They didn't see any tourist spots but she did manage to hit the Wa Yao International Tourist Merchandise Wholesale Market for some shopping. She bought four embroidery pieces for framing (soooo nice), a couple refrigerator magnets, some famous Guilin noodles, a Guilin-themed deck of cards, a Li River boat model, a pack of Guilin post cards and a couple new year's lanterns.
We plan on making the tourist visit at a later date.
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very good!
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I think it's crazy to be put through that. They are waitresses and hostesses, not military recruits.
I think they are performing... acting etc. for a show
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oh my freaking gawd!!!
They are in training to be waitresses and the woman in black is their teacher...
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congrats
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http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=2013.1.0.188.5bMOCc&id=15982134988
http://img06.taobaocdn.com/bao/uploaded/i6/T1xT5CXe46XXXEVBbb_124736.jpg_310x310.jpg
Y1.5
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Sounds like a leisurely vacation and I'm sure you'll do some freelancing once there. The Piano Museum is on the island of Gulangyu, so you can check it out on day 2. We took a bus tour when we visited Tulou. It was a beautiful ride through banana plantations, over bamboo covered hills stopping in a small town for a (typical) very good lunch. We spent several hours touring the interesting Tulou buildings and arrived home to Xiamen just after dark. We had a pit stop at a gas station where a woman sold me a 2 week supply of bananas for 75 cents...they were delicious and surprisingly the were good for a week, maybe more. Lao po, always says that Chinese bananas hold much longer. What do you think?
Thanks!!!! Revised - this is for next week!
TUES Arrive at night
WEDS: SIGHTSEE AND SHOPPING DAY - Ride the #2 bus around and sitesee restaurant and market streets
THURS: TULOU DAY - daytrip to Tulou
FRI: GULANGYU - Piano Museum, watch the sunset and night cruise
SAT: GARDEN/TEMPLE DAY - meander around Xiamen University, gardens, Nanputuo temple, bike around
SUN: SITESEE DAY 2 - Hulishan Fortress, Sunlight Rock, special "splurge" dinner, depart at night
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any additions to this itinerary:
DAY 1: Ride the #2 bus around and sitesee restaurant and market streets
DAY 2: daytrip to Gulangyu until after dark
DAY 3: go to Nanputuo temple, bike around
DAY 4: meander around Xiamen University
DAY 5: daytrip to Yongding, Tulou
DAY 6: Piano Museum -
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couldn't see the city or the lake from my window today... it is bad!
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it is funny because the Chinese do not like to let on that they know English, don't want to lose face, but the older folks know a bunch including most of the 50 and younger crowd. Just ask. under 30 and they should know it fairly well. All of the 20+ year olds I teach have been studying it for 10+ years.
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...experience is at least somewhat impacted by their location...
Agreed. I am on the faculty of a top 10 Chinese University in a top 5 Chinese city and they laughed when I asked if there were restrictions like curfew etc. So location may be everything. hahaha
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I pledge Y100 to keep this board afloat!
Still trying to get this thing worked out using Paypal and Unionpay ... newbie lol!
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While I am not into western restaurants (my girl says I have a Chinese stomach), I will check out at least one Italian one there though, I am so looking forward into vacationing in Xiamen.
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I am not a teacher.
The per Diem is what my company provides to cover food and internet/telephone service while I work overseas. I will be working as a temporary production manager of a new factory. I will be helping to install 2 assembly lines and training the locals to run the machinery in an efficient manner.
Your per diem will be fine for you my friend. In fact you should be quite comfortable with it. Lunch fine for Y20 and dine for Y50... you can do cheaper too... welcome to the Middle Kingdom
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No agreement or disagreement is needed. We had two unmarried couples (foreign teachers) - one couple lived together, the other lived two floors apart. No one cared or gave it any thought at all.
We had single male teachers who had single female student(s) stay with them for a week at a time. No one batted an eyelash.
I always find it amazing when people "disagree" when there is nothing to disagree about.
You're speaking about your school, and your experience at that school. It is not that to which I disagree. I have met dozens of Western teachers in China, most of whom have moved on or gone home. Some have stayed. Most all agreed in unison that living on campus was not a free thing, not fun, and if given the choice, none would do it. They did it because they were not provided a sufficient salary to choose an alternative.
Two of the single teachers I talked to were fired for having overnight guests. Another for disobeying some unwritten campus rule. She debated the ruling, but in the end she lost the debate and her job.
I will agree that working as a university employee means you accept a code of conduct, whether it is in the USA or China... especially when you are a teacher. You are an extension of the university. I cannot imagine why the people you mention felt a lack of freedom. They accepted the role so that is that. As for teachers dating students, that is not accepted in the USA either. In China the teachers are held to a level of respect so if that is breached then I can imagine a job may be lost.
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Oh well, it's China, they'll get around to fixin' the problem...just like we did.
tsap seui
Exactly. In perspective China began all this industrialization post-WWII and the USA began it about a hundred years earlier. Considering how fast the Chinese have caught up I expect they will have this cleared away as much as the USA and probably more so fairly quickly. People shouldn't see China as a USA threat, just a world leader as they have always been for thousands of years.
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Pollution readings in China’s capital hit severe levels on Saturday night – eventually prompting the city to issue its first-ever “orange” fog warning due to deeply diminished visibility and to institute of number of emergency measures to cope with some Beijing expatriates have taken to calling the “airpocalypse.”
Hilarious... AIRPOCALYPSE - this is the kind of thing the govt is well tuned-in to addressing
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One lesson I have learned in China is there is more that goes on behind the scenes that what meets your eye. This is not our country, that is first. Second, we look different from everyone else. We do not blend in, so when you come, and when you go is noticed. Also, if you use the provided Internet at the school, everything is monitored and saved through their server. That is a government requirement, and is non-negotiable.
Every school campus is guarded, and has cameras. So whoever comes and goes, and whoever visits are watched and logged. Randy, you are married. Unless you've got girls visiting you on the side it may not really matter. The OP of this topic has mentioned that he will be provided off campus housing.
I really didn't think too much of these things until I began to learn just how much we as foreigners do is noticed and remembered. Who you're with, when you come, when you go, what you do. If privacy doesn't matter much, then it wouldn't be a concern.
Yes, we foreigners are noticed. It is a given. But if you are just living your life within the law then no big deal. Where I came from in the USA there were cameras on every corner and everywhere else. Internet, telephones, and just about everything is monitored. So it is just a fact of life these days that we have little real privacy.
Spring Festival 2013 Destination: Xiamen!
in The Middle Kingdom - 中国
Posted · Edited by Fu Lai (see edit history)
I've been revising our trip plans after looking at tourist maps (haha) and we leave tonight. Very excited. Tomorrow (Weds) we will be tramping around the restaurant and shopping streets obviously eating seafood and buying trinkets. Then off to see the Tulou housing on Thurs, Gulangyu on Friday, gardens and temples on Sat, finishing Sun with other tourist things plus a big Italian dinner to celebrate our marriage.
Today is the first vacation day for my girl (I started vacation yesterday) so we are ready to ditch town and lounge as freebirds.
Incidentally, after getting a gift of Italian linguine from my work, she surprised me last night with a spaghetti dinner! Wow! She and (her son) my stepson asked me if Italian food was popular in the USA... omg yes I said. Spooling is a major thing in the States, not to mention all the other dishes. My girl is a great cook and her first Italian effort was delicious. mama mia I showed them how to spool with forks, they loved it. Now in Xiamen I will treat her to some real Italian cooking. She is very curious and there is a great place there where they allow the Chinese folks into the kitchen to ask the chef questions, La Bettola. This was the thing that made it our choice over Tutto Bene, Portofino and Greg's. And it was a tough choice because there are so many notable Italian restaurants there.