http://www.amazon.com/Investing-Duplexes-Triplexes-Quads-Fastest/dp/1419537253/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_b/002-6723283-8361610
Investing in Duplexes, Triplexes, and Quads: The Fastest and Safest Way to Real Estate Wealth (Paperback)
by Larry B. Loftis
"For the majority of people, real estate is the single best tool for wealth building..." (more)
Key Phrases: meet our minimum criteria, forced appreciation, normal broker, Thornton Park, Residential Lease Agreement, Uncle Sam (more...)
(9 customer reviews)
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Monday, December 18, 2006
The Five Best Financial Moves for 2007
http://finance.yahoo.com/columnist/article/moneymatters/18142
4. Face your mortality.
What's mortality got to do with prosperity? Everything, if you love your family.
I know this isn't exactly a favorite topic of conversation, but if you have any dependents -- be it young children, a spouse, or older parents -- you want to make sure they're provided for even if die prematurely.
If you're at a stage in your life where you have yet to build up sizable assets, the simple solution is a term life insurance policy. And I mean it when I say it's simple: Term life is easy to purchase and incredibly inexpensive.
A 40-year-old, non-smoking male in good health can buy $1,000,000 of coverage for just $100 a month or so. There are more details in my earlier column "Insurance: What You Need and What You Don't."
5. Stop kidding around.
This one is for the parents of young children. If you want your kids to grow into happy and responsible adults, you need to take the time to teach them about personal finance. Don't assume they'll just learn as they go, or get instruction in school.
I often hear from young adults who feel let down by their parents on this front; the kids end up running up huge credit card debt in college because they had no clue what was going on, or they panic when they learn Mom and Dad have "paid" for everything by going deeper and deeper into debt themselves. These young adults now face the reality of having to support not just themselves, but also their parents.
The single best gift you can give a child is to teach them the incredible value of living within your means. This doesn't have to be a downer, and you're not being mean. You are, in fact, liberating your kids -- they won't grow up to have a screwed-up approach to money that leaves them deep in debt and deeply depressed.
One of the smartest financial moves you can make is to give them a credit card education. If you have a solid FICO credit score -- above 720 or so -- then I recommend adding your teenager to the account as an authorized user. It's their training wheels in the world of finance.
Let them use the card, and involve them in the bill paying; literally have them sit down with you when it's time to send in the payment. Explain the dangers of falling into the minimum payment trap, and the cost of paying high interest on an unpaid balance. They may not thank you in 2007, but in years to come I guarantee they'll thank you for giving them the tools to be financially smart and secure adults.
4. Face your mortality.
What's mortality got to do with prosperity? Everything, if you love your family.
I know this isn't exactly a favorite topic of conversation, but if you have any dependents -- be it young children, a spouse, or older parents -- you want to make sure they're provided for even if die prematurely.
If you're at a stage in your life where you have yet to build up sizable assets, the simple solution is a term life insurance policy. And I mean it when I say it's simple: Term life is easy to purchase and incredibly inexpensive.
A 40-year-old, non-smoking male in good health can buy $1,000,000 of coverage for just $100 a month or so. There are more details in my earlier column "Insurance: What You Need and What You Don't."
5. Stop kidding around.
This one is for the parents of young children. If you want your kids to grow into happy and responsible adults, you need to take the time to teach them about personal finance. Don't assume they'll just learn as they go, or get instruction in school.
I often hear from young adults who feel let down by their parents on this front; the kids end up running up huge credit card debt in college because they had no clue what was going on, or they panic when they learn Mom and Dad have "paid" for everything by going deeper and deeper into debt themselves. These young adults now face the reality of having to support not just themselves, but also their parents.
The single best gift you can give a child is to teach them the incredible value of living within your means. This doesn't have to be a downer, and you're not being mean. You are, in fact, liberating your kids -- they won't grow up to have a screwed-up approach to money that leaves them deep in debt and deeply depressed.
One of the smartest financial moves you can make is to give them a credit card education. If you have a solid FICO credit score -- above 720 or so -- then I recommend adding your teenager to the account as an authorized user. It's their training wheels in the world of finance.
Let them use the card, and involve them in the bill paying; literally have them sit down with you when it's time to send in the payment. Explain the dangers of falling into the minimum payment trap, and the cost of paying high interest on an unpaid balance. They may not thank you in 2007, but in years to come I guarantee they'll thank you for giving them the tools to be financially smart and secure adults.
housing-1
Tuesday 41 -45
Wedenesday morgage letter to Lana
Saturday 43
Sunday: contract draft
Today (12/18) Monday morning
Email Lawyer
Call Amy about buyer agent, and listing
Call Kevin 5.5% for 5 ARM, 5.875 for 30, 5.75 for 20
Call Jodan 5.625% for 5 ARM, 5.375% for 10, 5.5% for 15 (no points, no penalty)
Anchor Inspection Services LLC
http://www.anchorinspection.com/?D=1
Edgar Woodson5 84 Kingfisher CircleBrick, NJ 08723USA(732) 766 3193
Wedenesday morgage letter to Lana
Saturday 43
Sunday: contract draft
Today (12/18) Monday morning
Email Lawyer
Call Amy about buyer agent, and listing
Call Kevin 5.5% for 5 ARM, 5.875 for 30, 5.75 for 20
Call Jodan 5.625% for 5 ARM, 5.375% for 10, 5.5% for 15 (no points, no penalty)
Anchor Inspection Services LLC
http://www.anchorinspection.com/?D=1
Edgar Woodson5 84 Kingfisher CircleBrick, NJ 08723USA(732) 766 3193
Friday, December 15, 2006
First-Timers Begin Looking at Houses Again
The Wall Street Journal Online
By Ruth Simon
Lower Prices, Mortgage Rates Lure Buyers Off the Sidelines; Special Offers in Tampa, Fla.
High home prices have helped drive many first-time buyers out of the housing market. Now, with prices falling in many areas, there are some signs that buyers are beginning to drift back.
The share of first-time home buyers dropped earlier this year to its lowest level since 1987, according to the National Association of Realtors. First-time home buyers now account for 36% of home purchases, according to a study released last month by the Realtors group, down from 40% in the three previous years.
First-time buyers play a key role in the housing market. They provide a source of new demand for homes, and they also make it possible for owners of entry-level properties to trade up, creating a ripple effect that affects higher-priced sectors of the market. Declining affordability has made it difficult for first-time buyers to buy homes in many parts of the country, an important factor in the recent housing downturn.
But as more sellers begin to cut their asking prices and rates on fixed-rate mortgages have moved lower, some real-estate agents are reporting renewed interest from people shopping for their first home. Sam Schneiderman, broker-owner of the Greater Boston Home Team, says he has seen "a real surge in first-time buyer activity" in the last two to three weeks as lower prices draw buyers who think the market may be close to bottoming out. Kevin Freadhoff, an agent with Realty Executives of Southern Arizona in Tucson, says in the past 60 days he is seeing first-time buyers "start to warm back up again. They are seeing that houses have become more affordable."
......
By Ruth Simon
Lower Prices, Mortgage Rates Lure Buyers Off the Sidelines; Special Offers in Tampa, Fla.
High home prices have helped drive many first-time buyers out of the housing market. Now, with prices falling in many areas, there are some signs that buyers are beginning to drift back.
The share of first-time home buyers dropped earlier this year to its lowest level since 1987, according to the National Association of Realtors. First-time home buyers now account for 36% of home purchases, according to a study released last month by the Realtors group, down from 40% in the three previous years.
First-time buyers play a key role in the housing market. They provide a source of new demand for homes, and they also make it possible for owners of entry-level properties to trade up, creating a ripple effect that affects higher-priced sectors of the market. Declining affordability has made it difficult for first-time buyers to buy homes in many parts of the country, an important factor in the recent housing downturn.
But as more sellers begin to cut their asking prices and rates on fixed-rate mortgages have moved lower, some real-estate agents are reporting renewed interest from people shopping for their first home. Sam Schneiderman, broker-owner of the Greater Boston Home Team, says he has seen "a real surge in first-time buyer activity" in the last two to three weeks as lower prices draw buyers who think the market may be close to bottoming out. Kevin Freadhoff, an agent with Realty Executives of Southern Arizona in Tucson, says in the past 60 days he is seeing first-time buyers "start to warm back up again. They are seeing that houses have become more affordable."
......
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Real Estate Cycle
http://www.fatwallet.com/t/52/683297/
Question:
I am in my mid 20's this is my first time seeing real estate buble burst.
When was the last time similar situalation occured?
How long for it to got back to normal?
Is it a normal cycle? Please share your input.
Answer:
From what my parents told me, there was a similar run up in prices in the late 80s, and prices stagnated from about 1990 to 2000. This is in the DC metro area. I posed a similar question a few weeks ago, and a poster recommended the following books about real estate history/trends. I havent read any of them yet, but they should help somewhat.
The Great Wave: Price Revolutions and the Rhythm of History
By David Hackett Fischer
A History of Interest Rates
By Richard Eugene Sylla, Sidney Homer
Timing the Real Estate Market
By Craig Hall
From Tenements to the Taylor Homes: In Search of an Urban Housing Policy in Twentieth-Century
By John F. Bauman, Kristin M. Szylvian, Roger Biles
Question:
I am in my mid 20's this is my first time seeing real estate buble burst.
When was the last time similar situalation occured?
How long for it to got back to normal?
Is it a normal cycle? Please share your input.
Answer:
From what my parents told me, there was a similar run up in prices in the late 80s, and prices stagnated from about 1990 to 2000. This is in the DC metro area. I posed a similar question a few weeks ago, and a poster recommended the following books about real estate history/trends. I havent read any of them yet, but they should help somewhat.
The Great Wave: Price Revolutions and the Rhythm of History
By David Hackett Fischer
A History of Interest Rates
By Richard Eugene Sylla, Sidney Homer
Timing the Real Estate Market
By Craig Hall
From Tenements to the Taylor Homes: In Search of an Urban Housing Policy in Twentieth-Century
By John F. Bauman, Kristin M. Szylvian, Roger Biles
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
He doesn't do what he proclaims - Comment on two Million Book
http://www.amazon.com/2-Years-Million-Real-Estate/dp/0071471871/ref=cm_cr-mr-title/105-4767327-5039665
Reviewer: Stan G.
The title, while geared to make sales, should have tipped me off as being preposterous. His premise, taken from his title and the cover caption ("Quit your day job and become a millionaire property owner!"), is that within two years you can make a million and have enough cash flow to replace your current income from your job. But it seems obvious that he didn't do this himself, for number of reasons.
First, I noticed that while he appears to give a track record and timeline for his own "success," his "disclosure" of deals consummated doesn't give: a) the purchase price; b) the cash flow generated by each property acquired; c) the terms of the deal (i.e., interest rate, amortization period, balloons, down payment); or d) his job income that he is supposedly "replacing." For a book with a title like this, what possible reason can there be for these glaring omissions other than that such disclosures would reveal that he didn't do it himself!
Second, there's not a shred of evidence, or even claim, that his net worth was or is a million dollars! In fact, the evidence suggests just the opposite. On page 32 he states that the "value" of his properties owned (unverifiable since he never gives purchase prices) is $1.8 million. Even if he had 35% equity in his properties, which is unlikely, his paper net worth would still only be $630,000.
Third, he conveniently begins his "two year" tracking after the refinancing of his first property. He bought his first property, a condo, in 1999 (he doesn't say what month) for $200,000. He refinances his condo and buys his first "investment" property (a triplex) in the summer of 2002. He notes on p. 21 that his condo had appreciated to a whopping $365,000 in 2002 (almost doubling in value in two years, thanks to a raging bull real estate market), which allowed him to purchase property #3 (which he calls his second "income producing property"). He follows that pattern with the next two purchases, and then states that "By April 2004, I was generating sufficient after tax cash flow from my rental properties to leave the 9-to-5 world. I accomplished this feat in less than two years..."
What should be obvious is that:
1. The clock starts in 1999, when he bought his first property. After all, it was that property that allowed him to access $165,000 in equity to buy the other properties. Had he not had that money, he wouldn't have bought anything. At best, it appears that it took him 5 years (1999-2004) to have sufficient cash flow to leave his job.
2. Since he doesn't say how much he was making from his job, or in cash flow from properties, we don't know whether that's bogus too. While job income is a bit personal, cash flow from properties is not, especially when the premise of your book is predicated on having sufficient cash flow to replace your income.
I'm sorry, but I just don't buy the story.
Reviewer: Stan G.
The title, while geared to make sales, should have tipped me off as being preposterous. His premise, taken from his title and the cover caption ("Quit your day job and become a millionaire property owner!"), is that within two years you can make a million and have enough cash flow to replace your current income from your job. But it seems obvious that he didn't do this himself, for number of reasons.
First, I noticed that while he appears to give a track record and timeline for his own "success," his "disclosure" of deals consummated doesn't give: a) the purchase price; b) the cash flow generated by each property acquired; c) the terms of the deal (i.e., interest rate, amortization period, balloons, down payment); or d) his job income that he is supposedly "replacing." For a book with a title like this, what possible reason can there be for these glaring omissions other than that such disclosures would reveal that he didn't do it himself!
Second, there's not a shred of evidence, or even claim, that his net worth was or is a million dollars! In fact, the evidence suggests just the opposite. On page 32 he states that the "value" of his properties owned (unverifiable since he never gives purchase prices) is $1.8 million. Even if he had 35% equity in his properties, which is unlikely, his paper net worth would still only be $630,000.
Third, he conveniently begins his "two year" tracking after the refinancing of his first property. He bought his first property, a condo, in 1999 (he doesn't say what month) for $200,000. He refinances his condo and buys his first "investment" property (a triplex) in the summer of 2002. He notes on p. 21 that his condo had appreciated to a whopping $365,000 in 2002 (almost doubling in value in two years, thanks to a raging bull real estate market), which allowed him to purchase property #3 (which he calls his second "income producing property"). He follows that pattern with the next two purchases, and then states that "By April 2004, I was generating sufficient after tax cash flow from my rental properties to leave the 9-to-5 world. I accomplished this feat in less than two years..."
What should be obvious is that:
1. The clock starts in 1999, when he bought his first property. After all, it was that property that allowed him to access $165,000 in equity to buy the other properties. Had he not had that money, he wouldn't have bought anything. At best, it appears that it took him 5 years (1999-2004) to have sufficient cash flow to leave his job.
2. Since he doesn't say how much he was making from his job, or in cash flow from properties, we don't know whether that's bogus too. While job income is a bit personal, cash flow from properties is not, especially when the premise of your book is predicated on having sufficient cash flow to replace your income.
I'm sorry, but I just don't buy the story.
Rehash and Hackneyed - another comment on Millionnaire Book
(3 of 5)
by James H. McDuffie (Huntsville, Alabama United States)
The best in the series was the first book. He was careful in detail, respectful to the reader, and not sold out.
There is a lot of decent advice in this book and he does not commit some of the sins he has been accused of by other reviewers. But, the book is not particularly timely (this is the kind of book that potential homeowners needed to see circa 2000) and it does seem to cater to the mortgage industry although with careful selection this may not be bad for most people.
Despite the claims of several reviewers, the stories that drove the other books are also here in this book. I don't believe it is the complete rehash of the older books some others claim, but today it is hard to determine the market for this book. Most people that have enough money to buy a house are doing so or have done so, and many of those left are the nonqualifying mortagages and no-down-payment types. To write a book supporting those activities may not be a particularly consumer friendly thing to do in these times. Also, the rental and flipping advice seems trivial and flip. Plenty of people have been "gotten" in both activities. Real estate does not go up everywhere.
Nevertheless, this book does contain, on the whole, some pretty good advice for the first time homeowner and the author does mostly recommend 30 and 15 year mortgages.
by James H. McDuffie (Huntsville, Alabama United States)
The best in the series was the first book. He was careful in detail, respectful to the reader, and not sold out.
There is a lot of decent advice in this book and he does not commit some of the sins he has been accused of by other reviewers. But, the book is not particularly timely (this is the kind of book that potential homeowners needed to see circa 2000) and it does seem to cater to the mortgage industry although with careful selection this may not be bad for most people.
Despite the claims of several reviewers, the stories that drove the other books are also here in this book. I don't believe it is the complete rehash of the older books some others claim, but today it is hard to determine the market for this book. Most people that have enough money to buy a house are doing so or have done so, and many of those left are the nonqualifying mortagages and no-down-payment types. To write a book supporting those activities may not be a particularly consumer friendly thing to do in these times. Also, the rental and flipping advice seems trivial and flip. Plenty of people have been "gotten" in both activities. Real estate does not go up everywhere.
Nevertheless, this book does contain, on the whole, some pretty good advice for the first time homeowner and the author does mostly recommend 30 and 15 year mortgages.
Be Extremely Cautious - Comments on Bach's Millionaire Book
http://www.amazon.com/Automatic-Millionaire-Homeowner-Powerful-Finish/dp/0767921208/ref=cm_cr-mr-title/105-4767327-5039665
David Bach came to fame as another of Oprah's protges. He is another self-appointed financial guru that caters all those millions of Americans that haven't figured out yet that is better to save than to get the balance of your credits cards thru the roof.
He publishes about one book a year with different title and cover but same content, just know that if you have read "The Automatic Millionaire" or others there is no need for you to buy this book, there is nothing new here. All things being fair he has offered in the past good and common sense financial advice, all that ends here with "The Automatic Millionaire Homeowner".
The advice is bias; we know that Bach is now readily accepting endorsements from banks and financial institutions of the likes of Wells Fargo.
This is also one book centered on the "glamour" of real state. Just makes it look so easy; but reality is that not everybody is prepared to invest on real state, the risks are tremendous and of course this book does not cover them deep enough. It also states that owning is cheaper than renting, which it's true in most cases, but then again, check your financial situation before jumping to ownership and make sure you can handle it.
By owning your expenses will increase and possibly double, apart from down payment and mortgage payments, you will have to pay insurance, taxes, trash removal, sewer, water, maintenance, utilities (if you move from a condo to a house this bill may be up to ten times higher than it used to be), and the list goes on, so understand what you are getting into and make sure your monthly cash flow can handle it.
The most concerning part of the book is the one devoted to the different types of mortgages. It advocates very risky choices like interest only loans, no down payment options with not enough emphasis on the risks involved. Again educate yourself before being lured into any of these very risky propositions. Remember that the rate of foreclosures is skyrocketing in this country and one of the main reasons is the amount of people that find out that can no longer make their monthly payments because they picked one of those mortgages and suddenly the monthly payment is much higher than it used to be.
Do not allow that to happen to you, for sure you will find somebody to give you a loan regardless of your financial or credit situation; take the time to understand what you are getting into, or there will be no financial guru out there that will save you of the consequences.
Summarizing, skip this one, if you want fair and no bias advise pick any of Bach other books and keep it simple, make a plan, save and one day, sooner than you think you will be able to get a house and call it your own without jeopardizing your future and your family's.
David Bach came to fame as another of Oprah's protges. He is another self-appointed financial guru that caters all those millions of Americans that haven't figured out yet that is better to save than to get the balance of your credits cards thru the roof.
He publishes about one book a year with different title and cover but same content, just know that if you have read "The Automatic Millionaire" or others there is no need for you to buy this book, there is nothing new here. All things being fair he has offered in the past good and common sense financial advice, all that ends here with "The Automatic Millionaire Homeowner".
The advice is bias; we know that Bach is now readily accepting endorsements from banks and financial institutions of the likes of Wells Fargo.
This is also one book centered on the "glamour" of real state. Just makes it look so easy; but reality is that not everybody is prepared to invest on real state, the risks are tremendous and of course this book does not cover them deep enough. It also states that owning is cheaper than renting, which it's true in most cases, but then again, check your financial situation before jumping to ownership and make sure you can handle it.
By owning your expenses will increase and possibly double, apart from down payment and mortgage payments, you will have to pay insurance, taxes, trash removal, sewer, water, maintenance, utilities (if you move from a condo to a house this bill may be up to ten times higher than it used to be), and the list goes on, so understand what you are getting into and make sure your monthly cash flow can handle it.
The most concerning part of the book is the one devoted to the different types of mortgages. It advocates very risky choices like interest only loans, no down payment options with not enough emphasis on the risks involved. Again educate yourself before being lured into any of these very risky propositions. Remember that the rate of foreclosures is skyrocketing in this country and one of the main reasons is the amount of people that find out that can no longer make their monthly payments because they picked one of those mortgages and suddenly the monthly payment is much higher than it used to be.
Do not allow that to happen to you, for sure you will find somebody to give you a loan regardless of your financial or credit situation; take the time to understand what you are getting into, or there will be no financial guru out there that will save you of the consequences.
Summarizing, skip this one, if you want fair and no bias advise pick any of Bach other books and keep it simple, make a plan, save and one day, sooner than you think you will be able to get a house and call it your own without jeopardizing your future and your family's.
Andrew (Canada)'s Comments on two Real Estate Books
http://www.amazon.com/gp/cdp/member-reviews/A1YVGCFKYZU7N3/ref=cm_cr_auth/105-4767327-5039665
Andrew’s comment on
2 Years to a Million in Real Estate
by Matthew A. Martinez
Edition: Paperback
(5 of 5) Great Book, well worth the time and money, November 11, 2006Judging by all the positive reviews already in this section, Mr. Martinez certainly does not need my review as well. But with so many poor quality, basic almost usless books on real estate investment on the book shelves, when a book of this calibre is written the author should be congratulated (and thanked).
As a real estate investor of many years, it is wonderful to finally find an author that tells the true story of real estate investing. If you are considering buying your first income property, this book is MUST READ! In fact it should be your one of your main guiding resources. If you already have involvement with income properties, not only will you find many useful tips, you will probably also have a sense of deja vu and a laugh as you read Mr. Martinez's experiences.
Thanks again for a great book!
Comments on
The Automatic Millionaire Homeowner: A Powerful Plan to Finish Rich in Real Estate
by David BachEdition: Hardcover
(2 of 5)Poor Tax advice, May 22, 2006
This book was a disappointment. The author praises one couple who created wealth by keeping their principle residence and turning it into a rental property. Then they refinanced it bought a newer larger principle residence. The problem with this advice is, because the refinaced mortgage proceeds were NOT used for investment purposes, the mortgage interest CANNOT be claimed as a tax deduction.
Anyone with basic real estate investment knowledge knows the principle residence could have been sold (capital gains free), the majority of money from the sale could have be used to buy the new principle residence and the remainder of the proceeds from the sale used as a small down payment on another rental property. This would have minimized the size of the non tax deductible mortgage on the principle residence mortgage and maximized the size of the tax deductible mortgage on the rental property. This is basic information.
The author then praises another couple who does sell their principle residence and uses the proceeds as down payments on a new principle residence and two rental properties. He also says the couple were able to pay large enough down payments on the rental properties to create a significant positive cash flow from them.
Once again this is not efficient tax planning. The mortgage on the principle residence should have been minimized because it is not tax deductible and the mortgages on the rentals should have been made as large as possible to reduce positive cash flow (and income tax payable) and maximize the mortgage interest deductions to the couple.
I would expect someone writing a book on real estate investment to think this information would be valuable to their readers. Unfortunately the author also does not give completely accurate information on the first time buyers' RRSP plan. He states this plan is only available to people who have not owned a home in the last 5 years. This is not true. It is available to people who in the last five years, have not lived in a home they own. (you can be eligible for the plan and own a home). I know for a fact this is true because, I owned two rental properties (that I never lived in) and applied for, was eligible and used this plan to buy my first principle residence. I would expect an "expert" who gives financial advice to know this basic information. Mr.
Bach spends much of his book telling you that he will be telling you the secrets to financial success, instead of actually giving usefull information. I found no new information in it. I have to agree with the other reviews who say if you have read one of his other books, you should not spend your money on this one.
Andrew’s comment on
2 Years to a Million in Real Estate
by Matthew A. Martinez
Edition: Paperback
(5 of 5) Great Book, well worth the time and money, November 11, 2006Judging by all the positive reviews already in this section, Mr. Martinez certainly does not need my review as well. But with so many poor quality, basic almost usless books on real estate investment on the book shelves, when a book of this calibre is written the author should be congratulated (and thanked).
As a real estate investor of many years, it is wonderful to finally find an author that tells the true story of real estate investing. If you are considering buying your first income property, this book is MUST READ! In fact it should be your one of your main guiding resources. If you already have involvement with income properties, not only will you find many useful tips, you will probably also have a sense of deja vu and a laugh as you read Mr. Martinez's experiences.
Thanks again for a great book!
Comments on
The Automatic Millionaire Homeowner: A Powerful Plan to Finish Rich in Real Estate
by David BachEdition: Hardcover
(2 of 5)Poor Tax advice, May 22, 2006
This book was a disappointment. The author praises one couple who created wealth by keeping their principle residence and turning it into a rental property. Then they refinanced it bought a newer larger principle residence. The problem with this advice is, because the refinaced mortgage proceeds were NOT used for investment purposes, the mortgage interest CANNOT be claimed as a tax deduction.
Anyone with basic real estate investment knowledge knows the principle residence could have been sold (capital gains free), the majority of money from the sale could have be used to buy the new principle residence and the remainder of the proceeds from the sale used as a small down payment on another rental property. This would have minimized the size of the non tax deductible mortgage on the principle residence mortgage and maximized the size of the tax deductible mortgage on the rental property. This is basic information.
The author then praises another couple who does sell their principle residence and uses the proceeds as down payments on a new principle residence and two rental properties. He also says the couple were able to pay large enough down payments on the rental properties to create a significant positive cash flow from them.
Once again this is not efficient tax planning. The mortgage on the principle residence should have been minimized because it is not tax deductible and the mortgages on the rentals should have been made as large as possible to reduce positive cash flow (and income tax payable) and maximize the mortgage interest deductions to the couple.
I would expect someone writing a book on real estate investment to think this information would be valuable to their readers. Unfortunately the author also does not give completely accurate information on the first time buyers' RRSP plan. He states this plan is only available to people who have not owned a home in the last 5 years. This is not true. It is available to people who in the last five years, have not lived in a home they own. (you can be eligible for the plan and own a home). I know for a fact this is true because, I owned two rental properties (that I never lived in) and applied for, was eligible and used this plan to buy my first principle residence. I would expect an "expert" who gives financial advice to know this basic information. Mr.
Bach spends much of his book telling you that he will be telling you the secrets to financial success, instead of actually giving usefull information. I found no new information in it. I have to agree with the other reviews who say if you have read one of his other books, you should not spend your money on this one.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
在加拿大“拾荒”雅居 天上掉下个大床垫
www.creaders.net
老实说，来到多伦多之前，我给自己勾画了好几个不同版本的北美生活蓝图，可是，当我们真正开始体验做一个多伦多人的生活的时候，幸福的感觉并没有如期而至。
还记得登陆后的第一个早晨，由于时差的原因，早早地爬起来，一个人裹着件棉衣，跑到阳台上迎接日出。我们租住的公寓有一个又长又宽的阳台，东向，视野那叫一个字，“宽”，风景那也叫一个字，“美”。可是，我们此时的心情哪里还顾得上观赏风景，只要看看家徒四壁，满地狼藉，一种白手起家的辛酸感觉不禁油然而生。
空荡荡的公寓，空荡荡的心
开始的几天，我们简单整理了一下衣物和行李，好在这种公寓房间都安设了不少壁橱，可以存放衣物，再加上公寓提供的齐备的橱卫设施，吃喝拉撒就都不成问题了。可是，空荡荡的房间，说话都带着回声，总让人感觉破的慌，我们的心也空荡荡的。于是，我们商量着买点儿家具物什，起码也得有个家的样子啊。 我们开始上“加国无忧”网，据说那上面有不少二手家具的买卖信息。乍一看，还真不少，可是，我们看中的东西不是价钱高，就是人家不肯送货，一来二去，只有一个双人床垫，我们想买，卖家也同意送，结果就有了我们目前一直睡着的这张QUEEN垫子，不多不少，整整90刀，让人心疼。这也是到目前我们花钱买的唯一一件家具。 有了这张双人垫子还不成，我们一家三口不能挤在一张床上啊，还缺一张单人床垫。我们刚来时朋友送的那张单人垫子虽然能用，但睡着还是不舒服。于是，我们还得上51网，对于我们两个NEWCOMER，51网的跳蚤市场还真就是唯一一个救得急的大商场。
天上掉下个大床垫
就在我们为添置家具不胜烦恼之际，无巧不成书，天上掉下的一个“大馅饼”居然就让我们给捡到了。那是一个阳光明媚的午后，我和女儿都觉得不应该辜负了这么美好的夏日时光，一致同意去附近的一个公园玩儿他个太阳落西山。我们父女二人手牵着手走出公寓大门，临出门时，女儿还神秘地对我说：“爸爸，我们今天会不会有什么奇遇啊？”我知道可爱的女儿还沉浸在那本《纳尼亚传奇》之中，一心想着自己也会有什么神仙际会，我只能告诉她，我们生活在现实中，一切都要靠自己的劳动获得，不要整天不着边际，胡思乱想。我们刚出门没走多远，女儿眼快，她一眼看到就在我们公寓旁的路边，整齐地放着一套单人床！我们疾步走过去，看清楚那是一张旧木床，而且油漆剥落，床脚歪斜，明显已不堪重负。但是那床垫却很新，我走过去仔细察看了一下，没有损坏，没有污迹，几乎就是新的。这么好的床垫怎么会被人就这样丢弃了呢？我四处望了望，会不会是有人看今天天气好，特意搬床垫出来晒啊？我还真不知道西方人有没有晒被子的习惯。女儿说：“这床是人家不要的么？”，“有可能”，“这么新怎么就扔了呢？”“天知道,”我暗忖。由于不敢断定这张床垫是不是弃物，所以我们没敢马上搬动它。可是，我和女儿去公园玩儿了一下午，回来时那床垫仍然老老实实呆在那儿。我看看表，已经快五点了，老婆也快下班了，我决定就守着这张床垫直到老婆回来商量商量再行定夺。我还真怕冒然出手一不小心落个什么罪名，但又怕如果不死守阵地，好端端的一张床垫从自己手头溜走。我心中暗想，如果这真是别人丢弃的，我可是捡了个大便宜。
不一会儿，老婆回来了，老远就冲我们笑，原来她远远就看到我们站在路边焦急的样子，也看到那张床，已经猜到是怎么一回事了。老婆比我先来加拿大，对这边的生活习惯比较了解，她告诉我们像这种放在路边公用绿地上的东西，无论新旧，都是丢弃不要的，想捡的人只管捡走好了。所以，这张床垫已经归我们了！ 我们兴高采烈地把这张床垫抬上楼，虽然看着很新、很干净，老婆还是用酒精仔细地擦洗了一遍，然后抬到阳台晾了一晚。老婆向来对家里吃的用的的卫生一丝不苟，何况是捡来的床垫？这一点，我举双手赞同，事关身体健康，加一万个小心也不为过。第二天晚上，我们把这张经过酒精洗礼，又经过一天一夜风吹日晒的床垫正式安放到卧室，铺上床单，放好枕头，躺上去一试，那感觉真的是出乎意料的舒服，女儿一躺上去就不想起来了，当下决定这床垫就给她用了。
说实在的，我到现在都想不出这张床垫的旧主丢弃它的理由，因为它是那样的完美，其舒适程度甚至超过我们花90刀买来的那张双人垫子。不由得我不信，这张床垫一定是上帝赐给我们一家三口的礼物。
美丽的沙发，美丽的心灵
从这张床垫开始，在以后的几个月里，我们陆陆续续地捡回了许多物件，其中有家具，有装饰物品，还有玩具、书籍。这些东西里边，最让我们得意的是一张大沙发。
搬进这间公寓后，因为客厅很大，我们就一直想应该有一张长沙发，一来看电视时舒服，二来如果有客人来，也好临时当个床用。这件事情就这么念叨着，没几天的时间，记得那是个星期六的上午，我们起床不久，老婆在洗衣服，我准备早点。天气很好，我信步走到阳台，向楼下一望，我的天！一张漂亮的大沙发就摆放在我们对面一座高层公寓前的草坪上。我急呼老婆来看，老婆一眼看中，“还等什么？下楼。”我们一家三口以最快速度冲下楼，来到那“宝贝儿”近旁。这是一张长近两米的大沙发，但只有两个垫子，所以显得又宽又大。天蓝色的绒布面料，虽然略显陈旧，但式样简单，干净整洁，整个沙发只是后面有一处小铆钉脱落，相信只要稍加修理，就会完好如初了。我们三个人全都看上了这个讨人喜欢的大家伙，可是，当我们想抬动它时，却发现由于老婆力气小，我们根本没办法把这个大家伙抬起来。这可怎么办？正在我们一筹莫展之时，一辆“雪弗兰”戛然停在路旁。一个白人男子摇下车窗，笑着问我们：“需要帮忙么？”我当时真的是不敢相信自己的眼睛和耳朵，还是老婆反应快，“当然，当然，谢谢，谢谢”。说话间，车上的一男一女已经迅速地下了车走上前来。我们四个人，把沙发一直抬到我们的公寓门前。我们对这两位“从天而降”的白人朋友连声道谢，他们只是说声“不客气”，冲我们微微一笑，那女的又说了一句“这真的是一张很好的沙发，你们运气真好”。两个人上了车，我们挥手告别，那车轻轻鸣了一下，嗖的一声就开走了。
我和老婆又费了九牛二虎之力，好不容易把这个大家伙弄进电梯，挪进房间，等到安放妥当，才发现我们早已是汗透衣衫了。回头想想，刚才如果没有那两个白人男女出手相助，恐怕这沙发是马路都过不来，更别提上楼进屋了。“加拿大的活雷锋”，我们由衷地感叹。后来，我看到有媒体报道，加拿大位列世界最文明国家第三名，其主要根据就是加拿大人文明素质较高，乐于助人。这一点我亲身体验，深信其名至实归。现在，一有新朋友来我家，十有八九都会夸奖几句我们的大沙发，我们也就不厌其烦地给他们讲述这个平凡而又美丽的故事。
“拾荒雅居”
随着“拾荒”经验的不断增长，我逐渐发现，在多伦多，象我们这种“拾荒者”并不是个别现象，除了有一些职业“拾荒人”，很多市民也都会捡回路边别人丢弃的旧物，而且不只新移民如此，许多本地人也是乐于此道。长期以来，居民们对旧物处理已然形成了一种约定俗成的习惯。但凡家里有不要的东西，如果还有利用价值，主人都会把它弄得干干净净，然后放在路旁，以供人取用。有的人还会在自己的旧物上贴上一张纸，写上“please take me home and enjoy !”之类的话。如果是已经不能使用的东西，比如电脑显示器，就会被倒置在地上，或者标明“broken”，提醒对这东西感兴趣的人不要白费力气了。
老实说，来到多伦多之前，我给自己勾画了好几个不同版本的北美生活蓝图，可是，当我们真正开始体验做一个多伦多人的生活的时候，幸福的感觉并没有如期而至。
还记得登陆后的第一个早晨，由于时差的原因，早早地爬起来，一个人裹着件棉衣，跑到阳台上迎接日出。我们租住的公寓有一个又长又宽的阳台，东向，视野那叫一个字，“宽”，风景那也叫一个字，“美”。可是，我们此时的心情哪里还顾得上观赏风景，只要看看家徒四壁，满地狼藉，一种白手起家的辛酸感觉不禁油然而生。
空荡荡的公寓，空荡荡的心
开始的几天，我们简单整理了一下衣物和行李，好在这种公寓房间都安设了不少壁橱，可以存放衣物，再加上公寓提供的齐备的橱卫设施，吃喝拉撒就都不成问题了。可是，空荡荡的房间，说话都带着回声，总让人感觉破的慌，我们的心也空荡荡的。于是，我们商量着买点儿家具物什，起码也得有个家的样子啊。 我们开始上“加国无忧”网，据说那上面有不少二手家具的买卖信息。乍一看，还真不少，可是，我们看中的东西不是价钱高，就是人家不肯送货，一来二去，只有一个双人床垫，我们想买，卖家也同意送，结果就有了我们目前一直睡着的这张QUEEN垫子，不多不少，整整90刀，让人心疼。这也是到目前我们花钱买的唯一一件家具。 有了这张双人垫子还不成，我们一家三口不能挤在一张床上啊，还缺一张单人床垫。我们刚来时朋友送的那张单人垫子虽然能用，但睡着还是不舒服。于是，我们还得上51网，对于我们两个NEWCOMER，51网的跳蚤市场还真就是唯一一个救得急的大商场。
天上掉下个大床垫
就在我们为添置家具不胜烦恼之际，无巧不成书，天上掉下的一个“大馅饼”居然就让我们给捡到了。那是一个阳光明媚的午后，我和女儿都觉得不应该辜负了这么美好的夏日时光，一致同意去附近的一个公园玩儿他个太阳落西山。我们父女二人手牵着手走出公寓大门，临出门时，女儿还神秘地对我说：“爸爸，我们今天会不会有什么奇遇啊？”我知道可爱的女儿还沉浸在那本《纳尼亚传奇》之中，一心想着自己也会有什么神仙际会，我只能告诉她，我们生活在现实中，一切都要靠自己的劳动获得，不要整天不着边际，胡思乱想。我们刚出门没走多远，女儿眼快，她一眼看到就在我们公寓旁的路边，整齐地放着一套单人床！我们疾步走过去，看清楚那是一张旧木床，而且油漆剥落，床脚歪斜，明显已不堪重负。但是那床垫却很新，我走过去仔细察看了一下，没有损坏，没有污迹，几乎就是新的。这么好的床垫怎么会被人就这样丢弃了呢？我四处望了望，会不会是有人看今天天气好，特意搬床垫出来晒啊？我还真不知道西方人有没有晒被子的习惯。女儿说：“这床是人家不要的么？”，“有可能”，“这么新怎么就扔了呢？”“天知道,”我暗忖。由于不敢断定这张床垫是不是弃物，所以我们没敢马上搬动它。可是，我和女儿去公园玩儿了一下午，回来时那床垫仍然老老实实呆在那儿。我看看表，已经快五点了，老婆也快下班了，我决定就守着这张床垫直到老婆回来商量商量再行定夺。我还真怕冒然出手一不小心落个什么罪名，但又怕如果不死守阵地，好端端的一张床垫从自己手头溜走。我心中暗想，如果这真是别人丢弃的，我可是捡了个大便宜。
不一会儿，老婆回来了，老远就冲我们笑，原来她远远就看到我们站在路边焦急的样子，也看到那张床，已经猜到是怎么一回事了。老婆比我先来加拿大，对这边的生活习惯比较了解，她告诉我们像这种放在路边公用绿地上的东西，无论新旧，都是丢弃不要的，想捡的人只管捡走好了。所以，这张床垫已经归我们了！ 我们兴高采烈地把这张床垫抬上楼，虽然看着很新、很干净，老婆还是用酒精仔细地擦洗了一遍，然后抬到阳台晾了一晚。老婆向来对家里吃的用的的卫生一丝不苟，何况是捡来的床垫？这一点，我举双手赞同，事关身体健康，加一万个小心也不为过。第二天晚上，我们把这张经过酒精洗礼，又经过一天一夜风吹日晒的床垫正式安放到卧室，铺上床单，放好枕头，躺上去一试，那感觉真的是出乎意料的舒服，女儿一躺上去就不想起来了，当下决定这床垫就给她用了。
说实在的，我到现在都想不出这张床垫的旧主丢弃它的理由，因为它是那样的完美，其舒适程度甚至超过我们花90刀买来的那张双人垫子。不由得我不信，这张床垫一定是上帝赐给我们一家三口的礼物。
美丽的沙发，美丽的心灵
从这张床垫开始，在以后的几个月里，我们陆陆续续地捡回了许多物件，其中有家具，有装饰物品，还有玩具、书籍。这些东西里边，最让我们得意的是一张大沙发。
搬进这间公寓后，因为客厅很大，我们就一直想应该有一张长沙发，一来看电视时舒服，二来如果有客人来，也好临时当个床用。这件事情就这么念叨着，没几天的时间，记得那是个星期六的上午，我们起床不久，老婆在洗衣服，我准备早点。天气很好，我信步走到阳台，向楼下一望，我的天！一张漂亮的大沙发就摆放在我们对面一座高层公寓前的草坪上。我急呼老婆来看，老婆一眼看中，“还等什么？下楼。”我们一家三口以最快速度冲下楼，来到那“宝贝儿”近旁。这是一张长近两米的大沙发，但只有两个垫子，所以显得又宽又大。天蓝色的绒布面料，虽然略显陈旧，但式样简单，干净整洁，整个沙发只是后面有一处小铆钉脱落，相信只要稍加修理，就会完好如初了。我们三个人全都看上了这个讨人喜欢的大家伙，可是，当我们想抬动它时，却发现由于老婆力气小，我们根本没办法把这个大家伙抬起来。这可怎么办？正在我们一筹莫展之时，一辆“雪弗兰”戛然停在路旁。一个白人男子摇下车窗，笑着问我们：“需要帮忙么？”我当时真的是不敢相信自己的眼睛和耳朵，还是老婆反应快，“当然，当然，谢谢，谢谢”。说话间，车上的一男一女已经迅速地下了车走上前来。我们四个人，把沙发一直抬到我们的公寓门前。我们对这两位“从天而降”的白人朋友连声道谢，他们只是说声“不客气”，冲我们微微一笑，那女的又说了一句“这真的是一张很好的沙发，你们运气真好”。两个人上了车，我们挥手告别，那车轻轻鸣了一下，嗖的一声就开走了。
我和老婆又费了九牛二虎之力，好不容易把这个大家伙弄进电梯，挪进房间，等到安放妥当，才发现我们早已是汗透衣衫了。回头想想，刚才如果没有那两个白人男女出手相助，恐怕这沙发是马路都过不来，更别提上楼进屋了。“加拿大的活雷锋”，我们由衷地感叹。后来，我看到有媒体报道，加拿大位列世界最文明国家第三名，其主要根据就是加拿大人文明素质较高，乐于助人。这一点我亲身体验，深信其名至实归。现在，一有新朋友来我家，十有八九都会夸奖几句我们的大沙发，我们也就不厌其烦地给他们讲述这个平凡而又美丽的故事。
“拾荒雅居”
随着“拾荒”经验的不断增长，我逐渐发现，在多伦多，象我们这种“拾荒者”并不是个别现象，除了有一些职业“拾荒人”，很多市民也都会捡回路边别人丢弃的旧物，而且不只新移民如此，许多本地人也是乐于此道。长期以来，居民们对旧物处理已然形成了一种约定俗成的习惯。但凡家里有不要的东西，如果还有利用价值，主人都会把它弄得干干净净，然后放在路旁，以供人取用。有的人还会在自己的旧物上贴上一张纸，写上“please take me home and enjoy !”之类的话。如果是已经不能使用的东西，比如电脑显示器，就会被倒置在地上，或者标明“broken”，提醒对这东西感兴趣的人不要白费力气了。
移民父亲的困惑：望女成凤何时变成望父成龙
http://news.creaders.net/immigration/newsViewer.php?id=694777
我们常说父爱如山，“山”，用来形容父爱的伟岸、厚重。而他，如“山”般的父爱却让他自己沉重得透不过气来。为什幺一辆3000加币的二手Toyota，竟如此轻易地扭转了女儿的本真，倾轧了父亲的所有苦心？
我从小在农村长大，是村里为数不多的大学生，后来顺利在城市里工作生活，并娶了一个当会计的城里女子。通过自己扎实的努力，终于在机关里坐到了科长的位置。大大小小的饭局和逢年过节不少礼品，让膝下又添爱女的一家子好不幸福。出生于贫寒家庭的我，深知在别人危难之时帮人一把有多幺重要。那些上门求助的人更是感激得热泪盈眶，这让我的自信心得到很大的满足。工资虽不高但颇有荣光，妻子孩子也同样看重自己，珍惜并喜欢我为之努力而创造的生活。
日子当然过得不错，我不用像别人一样为买房犯愁，不用担心失业，不用担心待遇不好，然而我最终做了一个惊人的决定：移民加拿大。主要是考虑到要让女儿有一个更好的成长环境，虽然目前在国内我们的生活条件相当不错，但我不希望她面对国内畸形的学业和工作竞争。妻子也很赞成我的想法，但又担心我一下子难于在加拿大找到好的工作，毕竟不是在自己国家，而在加拿大我们无亲无故。但为了孩子，萝卜不能两头切。很快，我们一家移民加拿大，重新开始新生活。新生活、新环境、新希望让我内心充满了欢乐和动力，因为时间刚刚好，女儿小学毕业刚刚上初中，中文功底不错，现在也容易接受新事物。我们一齐努力，一定能够创造更好的生活。
陌生的环境让14岁的女儿有些忐忑不安，这时我心中的父爱总是油然而生，拍拍女儿的肩膀说：“不要怕，有爸爸在。”女儿在我的鼓励和安慰之下，也变得坚强起来。刚到加拿大时，我们一家人就像一座坚固的城堡，三颗心紧紧相连。刚开始难免不适应，妻子也有打退堂鼓的时候，觉得这边工作辛苦，而且没有社会地位，持家也比较困难。抱怨丈夫放着国内的好生活不过，到这来受苦。每当这个时候我总是有些歉意，只得多次耐心解释，这里的教育体制，就业机会，发展潜能，个性的宽松，都能够给孩子更多的快乐，为了给女儿一个更大的空间，我们做父母的吃点苦又算什幺呢？妻子听完后也能够平衡一下内心的焦躁不安，而我自己，何尝不觉得苦呢？我不能倒下，作为一家的后盾，也更坚定了在这里扎根的信念。
我终于找到了工作，在一家工厂上班，早出晚归，做的是扎扎实实的机械工作，比起国内吃吃喝喝的浮躁官场生活要让我踏实得多。虽然妻子对我目前的收入颇有微词，但维持家用还是没问题的，剩余的钱还能添置一些家什。我还时不时的特意为女儿准备一些小礼物，她如花般的天真笑顏让我觉得所有的辛苦和劳累都是值得的。之后，日子也渐渐有了起色，我的信心也越来越足。然而，宝贝女儿的那个眼神和那一句话，却让我心里只有震惊。
那天，我开着咬牙买下的二手Toyota，到学校门口接女儿。谁知，女儿只是带着蔑视的眼神懒洋洋地看了一眼，愤愤地说道：“别开你这破车接我放学，丢人！”那一刻，我才发现，作为父亲，我在女儿心中已经发生了巨大的变化。我不明白为什幺，倾其所有的爱和精力去嗬护、关爱的女儿，竟然会这样对我说话。女儿并没有如同我想象的那样欢呼雀跃，骄傲自豪，而只是丢了一句冷冰冰的话，和一个不屑的眼神。难道我在这之前拥有的自信心和幸福感都只是错觉而已吗？
买车的事，争议已久。刚开始一直是妻子和女儿嘟囔着说要买台车，那样方便得多。然而我觉得买车的必要性不大，一个是上班都有搭乘方便的公交车， 二个养车费用太高，而且使用频率并不高。最后，我以资金有限先买房难为情地拒绝了她们，其实内心还是想买一辆，只是还没到时候，还要忍一忍。之后，女儿总是有意无意地埋怨，虽然有顺风车送她去学校，但总是要约来约去，既被动又没面子。坐公交车人太多，容易把精心的装扮挤得毫无美感。妻子终于发话了：“你看你，连孩子这点要求都满足不了。买了车，全家都方便，有什幺不好的!”我默然，妻子很少说埋怨的话，女儿坐在旁边，眉头紧皱一言不发。我心里很不是滋味，想了想，终于说，“就这幺定了，这个周末就去看车！”顿时，母女俩喜笑顏开，这似乎也让我轻松了很多。
起初，我们一家子欢天喜地地去市场看车，女儿喜欢那种鲜艳时髦的新贵，但我觉得不适合，再者价钱太贵。几经思考，还是觉得上网求购二手车比较好，正好妻子也赞同，女儿只好撇撇嘴，没有再坚持。最后面临一个选择，一辆是妻子和女儿都喜欢的福特，车型好看，车箱大，有气势，但要6000加币，一辆是经济实用的Toyota，只要3000加币，我心里中意后者。这一次，妻子偏向女儿，但我坚决不同意，说：“实惠比面子更重要。”女儿马上接茬了，“实惠什幺？你尽买些土掉渣的东西，这车和你一样老土！你就是小家子气！”女儿竟以这种口吻和我说话，作为父亲的尊严被扫落一地，我怒火中烧，大嗓门说道：“你这幺小就爱攀比，车子是自己用的，不是做秀给别人看的！”我少见的愤怒让气氛变得相当尴尬，彼此只得赌气回各自的房间了。我有些后悔，怕伤害她的自尊。希望女儿只是一时冲动，教训之后就没事了。
几天之后，在我的精心擦洗之下，Toyota焕然一新。我特意开车去学校，给她个惊喜，也当是为我上次的勃然大怒赔罪吧。那天，阳光很好，浑身暖洋洋的，而回来时我却整个透心凉。我把这事和妻子说了，但是她居然没有责备女儿。只是大声叮嘱夺门而出的女儿要早些回来。妻子似乎也开始发火了，她一边整理家务，一边唠叨个没完，“人活一张脸，树活一张皮。楼上的新移民买一辆新宝马，多神气。可你呢，连个6000加币的福特都舍不得，你也真是的！来这后就从来没做过一件让咱母女俩有脸面的事！”
我只能待坐在沙发上，脑子里一片空白。看着女儿渐渐远去的背影，突然间觉得有些陌生。女儿欢呼雀跃、天真活泼的样子已经变成回忆了。如今，移民有一年多了，她或许长大了，难道成长就意味着追求虚荣，盲目攀比吗？做父亲的不免犹豫和怀疑起来。我想起了女儿在买车之前，一会儿要求买手机，一会儿要求买MP3。那时我只是耐心教导女儿，然而她却丧气地说：“跟你这个没本事的爸，也只能这样了。”原来，是15岁的女儿眼中的我变了。我是个没本事的爸爸。在中国，我是妻子口中引以为豪的丈夫，是孩子眼中高大宽爱的爸爸。难道换一片天空，这些就全部颠倒了吗？没错，来到加拿大后，我头顶上再也没有光环，如此普通甚至卑微的一个父亲，一个丈夫，已经不是她们心中的英雄了。我为了家变得节省刻苦，最终却为她们讥讽。父爱的大山，瞬间变得异常沉重。我反问自己：“难道我真是一个没有本事的父亲吗？”我一直都很努力，女儿不仅不懂我的艰辛，还认为我没有本事，这让我多幺心酸啊！”或许，出国真的错了，妻子女儿都应该生活在我科长的光环下，周围有羡慕的眼光，有感谢的话语。女儿应该是个骄傲的小公主，而自己出国的选择给她造成很大的压力，没有人再关注她，羡慕她。反而是她羡慕别人的车子，衣物，房子。出国，对她或许是一个不大不小的打击。
其实我并不要求女儿将来对我有什幺回报，只是希望她明白我的良苦用心，希望她能在这里好好学习，用功读书，将来能有所成就。谁不希望自己是一个能够满足女儿所有愿望的父亲呢？给她全部的爱和温暖，送她最爱的礼物，让她上最好的大学……只是，现在的她一味追求物质、爱慕虚荣，连学习也松懈了很多，要怎样才能让女儿变回来呢？作为父亲和丈夫，母女俩的话让我变得细腻敏感起来。但是，是男人，就要收起脆弱和痛苦，用肩膀扛起家庭这座大山。只希望女儿能够懂我一片苦心，投入真正快乐的生活之中，而不要再为虚荣所累。
（彼岸杂志/黄中维，自由撰稿人，现居加拿大渥太华。）
我们常说父爱如山，“山”，用来形容父爱的伟岸、厚重。而他，如“山”般的父爱却让他自己沉重得透不过气来。为什幺一辆3000加币的二手Toyota，竟如此轻易地扭转了女儿的本真，倾轧了父亲的所有苦心？
我从小在农村长大，是村里为数不多的大学生，后来顺利在城市里工作生活，并娶了一个当会计的城里女子。通过自己扎实的努力，终于在机关里坐到了科长的位置。大大小小的饭局和逢年过节不少礼品，让膝下又添爱女的一家子好不幸福。出生于贫寒家庭的我，深知在别人危难之时帮人一把有多幺重要。那些上门求助的人更是感激得热泪盈眶，这让我的自信心得到很大的满足。工资虽不高但颇有荣光，妻子孩子也同样看重自己，珍惜并喜欢我为之努力而创造的生活。
日子当然过得不错，我不用像别人一样为买房犯愁，不用担心失业，不用担心待遇不好，然而我最终做了一个惊人的决定：移民加拿大。主要是考虑到要让女儿有一个更好的成长环境，虽然目前在国内我们的生活条件相当不错，但我不希望她面对国内畸形的学业和工作竞争。妻子也很赞成我的想法，但又担心我一下子难于在加拿大找到好的工作，毕竟不是在自己国家，而在加拿大我们无亲无故。但为了孩子，萝卜不能两头切。很快，我们一家移民加拿大，重新开始新生活。新生活、新环境、新希望让我内心充满了欢乐和动力，因为时间刚刚好，女儿小学毕业刚刚上初中，中文功底不错，现在也容易接受新事物。我们一齐努力，一定能够创造更好的生活。
陌生的环境让14岁的女儿有些忐忑不安，这时我心中的父爱总是油然而生，拍拍女儿的肩膀说：“不要怕，有爸爸在。”女儿在我的鼓励和安慰之下，也变得坚强起来。刚到加拿大时，我们一家人就像一座坚固的城堡，三颗心紧紧相连。刚开始难免不适应，妻子也有打退堂鼓的时候，觉得这边工作辛苦，而且没有社会地位，持家也比较困难。抱怨丈夫放着国内的好生活不过，到这来受苦。每当这个时候我总是有些歉意，只得多次耐心解释，这里的教育体制，就业机会，发展潜能，个性的宽松，都能够给孩子更多的快乐，为了给女儿一个更大的空间，我们做父母的吃点苦又算什幺呢？妻子听完后也能够平衡一下内心的焦躁不安，而我自己，何尝不觉得苦呢？我不能倒下，作为一家的后盾，也更坚定了在这里扎根的信念。
我终于找到了工作，在一家工厂上班，早出晚归，做的是扎扎实实的机械工作，比起国内吃吃喝喝的浮躁官场生活要让我踏实得多。虽然妻子对我目前的收入颇有微词，但维持家用还是没问题的，剩余的钱还能添置一些家什。我还时不时的特意为女儿准备一些小礼物，她如花般的天真笑顏让我觉得所有的辛苦和劳累都是值得的。之后，日子也渐渐有了起色，我的信心也越来越足。然而，宝贝女儿的那个眼神和那一句话，却让我心里只有震惊。
那天，我开着咬牙买下的二手Toyota，到学校门口接女儿。谁知，女儿只是带着蔑视的眼神懒洋洋地看了一眼，愤愤地说道：“别开你这破车接我放学，丢人！”那一刻，我才发现，作为父亲，我在女儿心中已经发生了巨大的变化。我不明白为什幺，倾其所有的爱和精力去嗬护、关爱的女儿，竟然会这样对我说话。女儿并没有如同我想象的那样欢呼雀跃，骄傲自豪，而只是丢了一句冷冰冰的话，和一个不屑的眼神。难道我在这之前拥有的自信心和幸福感都只是错觉而已吗？
买车的事，争议已久。刚开始一直是妻子和女儿嘟囔着说要买台车，那样方便得多。然而我觉得买车的必要性不大，一个是上班都有搭乘方便的公交车， 二个养车费用太高，而且使用频率并不高。最后，我以资金有限先买房难为情地拒绝了她们，其实内心还是想买一辆，只是还没到时候，还要忍一忍。之后，女儿总是有意无意地埋怨，虽然有顺风车送她去学校，但总是要约来约去，既被动又没面子。坐公交车人太多，容易把精心的装扮挤得毫无美感。妻子终于发话了：“你看你，连孩子这点要求都满足不了。买了车，全家都方便，有什幺不好的!”我默然，妻子很少说埋怨的话，女儿坐在旁边，眉头紧皱一言不发。我心里很不是滋味，想了想，终于说，“就这幺定了，这个周末就去看车！”顿时，母女俩喜笑顏开，这似乎也让我轻松了很多。
起初，我们一家子欢天喜地地去市场看车，女儿喜欢那种鲜艳时髦的新贵，但我觉得不适合，再者价钱太贵。几经思考，还是觉得上网求购二手车比较好，正好妻子也赞同，女儿只好撇撇嘴，没有再坚持。最后面临一个选择，一辆是妻子和女儿都喜欢的福特，车型好看，车箱大，有气势，但要6000加币，一辆是经济实用的Toyota，只要3000加币，我心里中意后者。这一次，妻子偏向女儿，但我坚决不同意，说：“实惠比面子更重要。”女儿马上接茬了，“实惠什幺？你尽买些土掉渣的东西，这车和你一样老土！你就是小家子气！”女儿竟以这种口吻和我说话，作为父亲的尊严被扫落一地，我怒火中烧，大嗓门说道：“你这幺小就爱攀比，车子是自己用的，不是做秀给别人看的！”我少见的愤怒让气氛变得相当尴尬，彼此只得赌气回各自的房间了。我有些后悔，怕伤害她的自尊。希望女儿只是一时冲动，教训之后就没事了。
几天之后，在我的精心擦洗之下，Toyota焕然一新。我特意开车去学校，给她个惊喜，也当是为我上次的勃然大怒赔罪吧。那天，阳光很好，浑身暖洋洋的，而回来时我却整个透心凉。我把这事和妻子说了，但是她居然没有责备女儿。只是大声叮嘱夺门而出的女儿要早些回来。妻子似乎也开始发火了，她一边整理家务，一边唠叨个没完，“人活一张脸，树活一张皮。楼上的新移民买一辆新宝马，多神气。可你呢，连个6000加币的福特都舍不得，你也真是的！来这后就从来没做过一件让咱母女俩有脸面的事！”
我只能待坐在沙发上，脑子里一片空白。看着女儿渐渐远去的背影，突然间觉得有些陌生。女儿欢呼雀跃、天真活泼的样子已经变成回忆了。如今，移民有一年多了，她或许长大了，难道成长就意味着追求虚荣，盲目攀比吗？做父亲的不免犹豫和怀疑起来。我想起了女儿在买车之前，一会儿要求买手机，一会儿要求买MP3。那时我只是耐心教导女儿，然而她却丧气地说：“跟你这个没本事的爸，也只能这样了。”原来，是15岁的女儿眼中的我变了。我是个没本事的爸爸。在中国，我是妻子口中引以为豪的丈夫，是孩子眼中高大宽爱的爸爸。难道换一片天空，这些就全部颠倒了吗？没错，来到加拿大后，我头顶上再也没有光环，如此普通甚至卑微的一个父亲，一个丈夫，已经不是她们心中的英雄了。我为了家变得节省刻苦，最终却为她们讥讽。父爱的大山，瞬间变得异常沉重。我反问自己：“难道我真是一个没有本事的父亲吗？”我一直都很努力，女儿不仅不懂我的艰辛，还认为我没有本事，这让我多幺心酸啊！”或许，出国真的错了，妻子女儿都应该生活在我科长的光环下，周围有羡慕的眼光，有感谢的话语。女儿应该是个骄傲的小公主，而自己出国的选择给她造成很大的压力，没有人再关注她，羡慕她。反而是她羡慕别人的车子，衣物，房子。出国，对她或许是一个不大不小的打击。
其实我并不要求女儿将来对我有什幺回报，只是希望她明白我的良苦用心，希望她能在这里好好学习，用功读书，将来能有所成就。谁不希望自己是一个能够满足女儿所有愿望的父亲呢？给她全部的爱和温暖，送她最爱的礼物，让她上最好的大学……只是，现在的她一味追求物质、爱慕虚荣，连学习也松懈了很多，要怎样才能让女儿变回来呢？作为父亲和丈夫，母女俩的话让我变得细腻敏感起来。但是，是男人，就要收起脆弱和痛苦，用肩膀扛起家庭这座大山。只希望女儿能够懂我一片苦心，投入真正快乐的生活之中，而不要再为虚荣所累。
（彼岸杂志/黄中维，自由撰稿人，现居加拿大渥太华。）
Thursday, December 7, 2006
Advice for Interview
copied from
http://www.fatwallet.com/t/52/465932/
" As someone who hires technical people (when I can), what I look for in a college grad:
1. Motivation and Ambition
2. Creativity
3. Maturity
4. Prior related work experience
5. Work Ethic
6. Soft Skills (Verbal / Written communication)
7. Technical Skills
When interviewing, remember that the interviewers are just people like you, just older and in a different role..
As another note - Use personal contacts and those of your parents as much as possible. I found an excellent college candidate through a business acquintance of mine who just mentioned he had a niece that was graduating... Although it won't get you the job, it will get you in the door and in a position to get the job... "
http://www.fatwallet.com/t/52/465932/
" As someone who hires technical people (when I can), what I look for in a college grad:
1. Motivation and Ambition
2. Creativity
3. Maturity
4. Prior related work experience
5. Work Ethic
6. Soft Skills (Verbal / Written communication)
7. Technical Skills
When interviewing, remember that the interviewers are just people like you, just older and in a different role..
As another note - Use personal contacts and those of your parents as much as possible. I found an excellent college candidate through a business acquintance of mine who just mentioned he had a niece that was graduating... Although it won't get you the job, it will get you in the door and in a position to get the job... "
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