Another TBB post featuring the most eclectic links around the web such as being human is the new cool, HSA tips, AI pros and cons, the world’s greatest cinemas, best airline alliances chart, two repulsing fraudsters, Samsung phone tech tips, we answer the question why US passenger trains are so slow, death of Khamenei and end of an era, most mysterious places on Earth, the best photography links and of course always all of the most important developments in the crazy world of frequent flyer miles and points at the lower half of the post. And much more. Enjoy the weekend.

 

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This blog started way back in 2012 focusing on my crazy hobby addiction of traveling with frequent flyer miles, hotel and bank points. It has since evolved to curated posts featuring the best web content along with my commentary.

 

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BLOG HOUSEKEEPING

This is truly a one man labor of love operation, enjoy it while it lasts. To reiterate:

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK

 

“Diversify!” – Me

 

MUST READ GEMS

Best thing I read last week:

The New Cool Thing: Being Human

By the way, this blog is still here by just one human.

 

PERSONAL FINANCE

Some things I am definitely in agreement with: Stick With What You Know.

The things we do know:

• Even those with considerable expertise cannot hope to forecast the unfolding consequences of geopolitical events.
• Predicting the first, second, and third-order financial market impact is even harder.
• Short-term volatility in markets is unlikely to have a predictable impact on long-run outcomes.
• High real returns for holding equities over the long term are compensation for bearing short‑term volatility.
• At some point in the future, equity markets will decline sharply because of some unforeseeable negative occurrence.
• Humans often hugely overweight high-profile and salient risks.
• Humans make poor decisions when emotions are heightened.
• Diversification is the best protection against an uncertainty.

Another one on Health Savings Accounts: HSA Tips. It lists all the basics and of course the triple tax advantages. And something to watch out for:

Per Publication 969, if your spouse is the designated beneficiary of your HSA, it will be treated as your spouse’s HSA after your death. If your spouse isn’t the designated beneficiary (e.g. your child is the beneficiary), the account stops being an HSA and the fair market value of the HSA becomes taxable to the beneficiary in the year in which you pass away. This is why tax free HSA dollars should ideally be spent before passing down an inheritance due to tax inefficiency.

Another gem from Jason Zweig at the Wall Street Journal: Your Investing Strategy Is Great, So Long as You Don’t Actually Trade Anything. Must read imho, be careful out there. Always remember:

The financial world is full of people and firms claiming that they have the secret, the magic key, the holy grail, that will enable you to beat the market. In theory, they’re often right: It isn’t that hard to outperform on paper. In practice, though, you can’t avoid the frictions of trading costs and taxes and inflation. Before you make any significant move in the market, always estimate what your net-net-net returns would be after paying those tolls. Chances are, the theory won’t stand up after it collides with real-world costs.

And hold back from making predictions about markets and geopolitics. Ponder this:

CRYPTO/TECH/SCAMS

There is a special place in hell for fraudster pastors. Well, not sure if it actually exists but it should. For this guy: The Georgia Pastor Accused of Defrauding the VA of Nearly $24 Million. The founder of House of Prayer held himself out as a prophet. Former members of the church say he used fundamentalist teachings to manipulate them. Your stomach may turn if you read this, you have been warned!

I have been an Android Samsung cell phone user since, well, for ever. And I try to pick up some tips here and there. I really like this YouTube channel: The Simple Dad. The first two tips in this instructional video are amazing, how to fill/sign PDF forms and scan documents. Sometimes I wonder if I should stop carrying my laptop with me.

More stomach turning smh: SEC Dismisses Fraud Case Against Crypto Billionaire Justin Sun.

 

AI

Just a few today to share with you…

Pros and Cons of Artificial Intelligence

Video documentary on YouTube: The Thinking Game. The inside story of the AI breakthrough that won a Nobel Prize. Must watch imho about DeepMind.