·Living in the US
Living in Foster City, California: discover the pros and cons
This man-made island city offers stunning lagoons, top-ranked schools, and year-round 60°F weather—but is it worth the Bay Area price tag?
Blog
514 posts about AI, learning, and building products
·Expats in the US
The Pros and Cons of Choosing a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP): A Guide for Expats in the US
HDHPs offer lower premiums and HSA tax advantages, but require careful consideration of your health needs and financial situation to determine if the upfront costs outweigh long-term savings.
·US Personal finance
Treasury bill: you can earn more than 4.5% APY without state/local tax today
Treasury bills offer 4.5%+ APY exempt from state and local taxes—a significant advantage if you're in a high-tax state like California over standard high-yield savings.
·Driving in the US
The Comprehensive Guide to Cars in the US for Expats
Navigate car ownership in America with confidence—from negotiating dealership prices and understanding state registration fees to deciding whether buying or leasing fits your expat lifestyle.
·AI
The Truth about Text-to-Image AI Art: Our Experience with Mid Journey and Stable Diffusion
We spent days trying to illustrate my daughter's story with AI art tools like Midjourney and Stable Diffusion—only to hit a wall maintaining character consistency across scenes. (Note: AI image generation has improved dramatically since this 2023 post. Tools like Midjourney v6+, DALL-E 3, and Flux now handle character consistency much better.)
·Expats in the US
FSA 101: A Practical Guide for Expats in the US
FSAs let expats in the US save thousands on healthcare and childcare through pre-tax dollars—but enrollment timing and use-it-or-lose-it rules require strategy.
·Education in the US
Enrolling Children in US Schools: A Guide for International Families
Navigating the US school system as an international family means understanding three school types, proving residency, and meeting state-specific requirements—here's what you need to know.
·AI
I have seen the first iteration of ads in Bing Chat, and here is how they look like
I tested Bing Chat extensively and found Microsoft is already showing ads—they're cleverly embedded in highlighted source citations, appearing when you click to verify information.
·AI
The Potential Impact of Chat on Paid Search Revenue and SEO
AI-powered search could slash paid search revenue as fewer queries meet higher accuracy demands, forcing advertisers into costlier auctions with uncertain ROI.
·Living in the US
Adjusting to a New Culture as an Expat in the US: A Guide for a Successful Transition
Moving to the US means navigating everything from punctuality norms to unfamiliar appliances—but with an open mind and the right strategies, you'll transform culture shock into adventure.
·AI
Reactions to "Bing AI Can't Be Trusted"
I fact-checked the fact-checker's claims about Bing AI fabricating financial data—turns out the made-up numbers problem is real and worse than I hoped.
·Geopolitics
The Alarming Probabilities of Disruptive Conflicts and Wars, as Predicted by Ray Dalio
Ray Dalio estimates a 35-40% chance of disruptive civil and international wars in the next decade, alongside a 60% probability of major debt restructuring in reserve currencies.