Time is money - FREE Multilingual Speaking Clock for Windows

Time is money.
If you ever had a "Oh my god, I can't believe what time it is" moment because you forgot to look at your clock, then this FREE Multilingual Speaking Clock is for you.

I have been using this speaking clock for over 10 years. It is one of my must have tools on my laptop/PC. It simply announce the time at a user defined interval. You minimize it and it sits quietly in your PC's system tray - until it's time to announces the time. This simple speaking clock has kept me on my feet and saved me numerous times from missing an appointment or meeting.

At times, I also found myself working long hours in front of the computer without any break, but ever since I installed speaking clock on my PC/laptop, I developed a healthy habit of getting off my chair and move around every time I hear a time announcement.

Better time management + More healthy = More opportunities + Less health care cost = more money

Tips & Tricks
I have the alarm set at 4:30p.m., it's time for me to get things wrap up before leaving work.

I have the announce option set at every 55 minutes, then speaking clock announces the time on the 55 minutes of every hour (etc. 1:55, 2:55, ...). So, I will have 5 minutes to spare in case I forgot a meeting. By default, speaking clock also announces the time every hour. Hence, my speaking clock announces time at 1:55 & 2:00, 2:55 & 3:00 and so on.

Download FREE Multilingual Speaking Clock

P.S. I am looking for a programmable bedside alarm clock...
I am getting up at 5:45a.m. these days for work, I am looking for a bedside alarm clock that has following functions:

• At least two alarm settings: one for weekdays and one for weekend.
• Radio alarm (wake up to the radio)
  

Does not need to be fancy (no need for iPid dock or CD player), just needs to work. Unfortunately, my cell phone does not has the alarm settings function. Any good suggestions?

Follow up 8/27/2009: After months of search, I finally found my Perfect Alarm Clock.

$125 bonus from WaMu Free Checking account before 5/16/09

I got this message when I log on to Chase site today. I actually did this a month ago and got a $100 bonus, should've waited to get extra $25.

Expiration Date: 05/16/2009

Get $125 when you open a WaMu Free Checking™ account and set up direct deposit by May 16, 2009. It's easy to get $125! Print this page and take it to your local WaMu branch by May 16, 2009. Open a WaMu Free Checking™ account and set up direct deposit. We'll deposit $125 into your new WaMu Free Checking™ account after your initial direct deposit.

Be aware when someone preaches you on compound interest

Happy April Fools' Day!

I read an article on another blog yesterday titled "The Unrelenting Power of Compound Interest", I almost fell off my chair! I thought it was an April Fools' joke. The article has good intention explaining the power of compound interest, however, the examples in the article are totally base on fabricated, unrealistic assumptions which mislead its readers.

Young investors, be aware of the magical 10% compound example
Here are several quotes from the article:

"Assume you deposited $1,000 in a one-year bank CD that paid simple 7% per year interest..."

"He deposited it in an IRA investment account that earned 10% interest."

"She also earned a 10% compounded return on her savings."

Why 10%? Why not 100%? Why not -50%??? 10% is the magic number salespeople use: small enough to be believable to show the investment's "potential", but not big enough to alarm you as unrealistic, and yet not too small to loose your attention. Investors, especially young ones, if you hear or read advice that "assumes" a 10% return, you can pretty much guarantee that the person who gave that advise:

• Has no idea what the real return is
• He/She has something to sell you
• He/she is just plain lying
  

I have nothing against compound interest but I have problem with "advisors" using the magical 10% to explain investment return or using it to plan your retirement. Investments simply do not grow on a compound line. In addition, those "advisors" usually conveniently leave out or skimp over the risk/lost factor. However, if you factor in potential lost and how long it would take to recover the lost (read my other post "Will the market and your investment ever recover? Do the math."), your investment return will most likely be flat or at a lost. Bye bye year-over-year 10% gain!

Ability to weed out bad advice is a great defense asset on your road to riches (so consider I just put some money in your pocket :), and that ability applies to other parts of life as well.

Well, here is a problem for you if you are bored: what is the difference between 10% (unreal) and 3% (a little bit more real) compound on $5000 over 30 years? Try that on your advisor and do not become an April Fool.