Skip to content

Further simplification

Edited English version based on the Chinese original. Read the Chinese original

Yesterday I listed three problems. Today I looked for what they had in common: I had planned more than a day can hold. Less than twenty-four hours is not enough for everything. I decided to cut the number of daily tasks again, keeping those most connected to making things. For a goal of reaching four-digit WeChat followers before 2027, I can break the work into daily steps. Morning reading should serve something I am making, or I can leave it out.

More is not always better. I think the same way about my own small investment account. A broad mix of cash, bonds, stocks, and commodities may sound stable, but with little money, even trading costs can loom large. Consider Realty Income (O.US) at a hypothetical price of $63.90, using the Futu fees I noted at the time:

ItemExample calculationCost
Buy commission100 × 0.0049, minimum $0.99$0.99
Buy platform fee100 × 0.005, minimum $1.00$1.00
Total to buy$1.99
Sell commission100 × 0.0049, minimum $0.99$0.99
Sell platform fee100 × 0.005, minimum $1.00$1.00
US regulatory feeVaries on saleAbout $0.05–$0.20
Total to sellAbout $2.00–$2.20

That is roughly four dollars to buy and sell a stock priced near sixty-four dollars. Four such trades could cost sixteen dollars, about 110 yuan. I can see why leveraged contracts might look tempting by comparison, but I do not endorse them: one bad loss can undo many wins.

For my own long-term growth goals, I would rather examine a smaller set of assets such as QQQ, leading US technology companies, and Bitcoin than scatter small amounts everywhere. This is my current approach, not a promise of returns. I have been sorting my holdings accordingly and clearing away some investment fantasies.

My reorganized list

Made it this far? Say hello.

Something resonated, raised a question, or sounded wrong? I would like to hear it.

No registration required. Your name and comment will be public; email is optional. Comments appear after approval. Opening this area connects to the comment service.

Add mantou to your home screen

Open the blog in its own app window. Previously visited pages can be read offline; comments need an internet connection.

FOLLOW MANTOU

Follow mantou