Random follow-ups

Follow-ups to some of my previous posts:

Website Changes

The web user interface is now consistent across all screens. In addition, some previously missing functionality has been restored.
  • Copied style from Home (last 10 entries) to Category Archives and Search Results
  • Backported Monthly Archives and added to menu bar
  • Reduced size of search input on iphone/handheld to fit new Archives option
  • Backported reply count style (dialog box graphics) to show both reply counts and category/monthly counts
  • Backported comments & trackbacks
  • Backported feeds
  • Backported all entries summary and added to bottom of Main/Categories/Archives
  • Image max width switch to 300 for screen widths less than 480, 900 otherwise

Health care costs ... in China

I got a full physical done for 252.50 RMB ($37). Included blood test, EKG, ultrasound and X-Ray. Back in the U.S., all these diagnostics would have been $1500 or $2000.

There also was a Planet Money podcast that touched on the issues I've have been talking about in my Health Insurance posts -- specifically that we currently have no skin in the game. Read more at: http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2010/01/podcast_taxing_health_care.html

Reality check on housing

The opening of the Guangzhou-Wuhan high speed rail was huge news in China in December. But when I checked on U.S. media, there was barely a mention. With this new train, you can travel the distance from San Diego to Petaluma in 3 hours. The shocking thing is this project started in 2004. The Bay Bridge was damaged in 1989 and we still haven't replaced it yet! Read more at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wuhan%E2%80%93Guangzhou_High-Speed_Railway

Asset allocation review

After some rebalancing the end of last year and the REIT changes this January, my allocation now looks like:

64% Equities, 26% Bonds (7.5% TIPS), 10% Commodities (4% Gold)

Country Breakdown
  U.S.        51%
  EAFE        13%
  EM          16%
  REIT        14%
  Intl RE      6%

Style Box
  | 18 | 16 | 14 |
  | 17 | 12 |  7 |
  |  8 |  5 |  3 |

Close enough to my target AA of 60% Equities, 30% Bonds, 10% Commodities.

Apple iPhones in China (or how to get a free vacation)

Apple iPhones are officially available in China. The price is 4500 RMB ($660). However, WIFI is disabled. Whether you can re-enable it after jailbreak or not, I do not know. There may still be a premium for iPhones from outside the country.


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Vacation in Europe but don't invest from Business is Personal (Finance) on March 24, 2010 11:24 AM

Back in late 2007, I re-evaluated my asset allocation and came to the conclusion that European countries were in just as bad shape as the United States in terms of debt and delusions. The only diversification would have been due... Read More

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