The Frugal Frequent Flyer

I love to accumulate frequent flyer miles. My main program is Asiana Club, a member of Star Alliance. Here's how I maximize my miles:

1. Fly any Star Alliance carrier. (In December, Shanghai Airlines and Air China will also join the alliance.)

2. Credit Cards. For Koreans, the best card is the Citibank Asiana card and the LG card. 1,500 won = 2 miles. (I'm jealous because I only earn 1 mile per 1,000 won from my Samsung card.)

3. LG Telecom. You can earn frequent flyer miles if your cell phone bill is around 35,000 won per month. Call LG Telecom and give them your Asiana frequent flyer number.

4. Duty-Free Shop of the Korean Tourism Organization. Do you ever buy anything from the duty-free shop in Incheon? There are a lot of duty free shops there, but I only buy things at the KTO shop. 1 mile for every $2 (U.S. dollars in purchases)

5. Exchanging money. Kookmin, SC First Bank, and Shinhan offer 1 mile for every $5 in currency exchange.

6. Hotels. Here is a list of worldwide hotels that will give between 100-500 miles for each night's stay. Best Western, Hilton, Starwood, Carlson, Hyatt, Intercontinental, Kempinski, Langham, Marriot, Okura, Raffles, Regal, Swissotel, and Worldwide. For hotels/resorts in Korea that earn 250-500 miles per night: Lotte Hotel, Mayfiled Hotel, Shilla Hotel, Seas Hotel, Paradise Hotel, Kumho Resort, Hyundai Hotel, Poonglim Resort, and Andy's 여관.

7. Breathing. (Some day I hope I can earn miles by just breathing.)

Definitely Indefinite and Definite Demystified

Most ESL students have a tough time with a, an, and the. I realize it can be a headache. Your language may have no articles, but now you have to learn 3.


I had a tough time with el, la, los, las, un, una, unos, and unas. Yes. Spanish has 4 definite articles and 4 indefinite articles for a total of 8! I went from 3 articles (in English) to 8 (in Spanish).

How did I learn these articles? I memorized the correct article and the word at the same time. This is a common method for learning foreign languages such as: Spanish, French, Portuguese, Italian, Dutch, etc.

For example, instead of just learning the word apple, I learned an apple. When you think of English words, do you think of the indefinite article together with the word? Think of the words you already know. Which article accompanies the word? (a or an?) Next time you are learning vocabulary, try memorizing the article at the same time. Hopefully, this will decrease the frequency of your headaches.

3 Restaurants in Shanghai

Plaza 66 Nanjin Xi Lu (next to the Ritz Carlton Hotel)
Puxi Shanghai

On the top floor of this luxurious shopping mall, you can find Zen Dim Sum restaurant. My favorite things to order: Fried Turnip Cake, Chicken feet, Egg tarts, Porridge, Shrimp Rolls, Beef Rolls... Actually, almost everything on the menu is delectable. Also, order a pot of Chrysanthemum Tea. (My personal favorite.) If you dine between 2PM-4PM, there is a 20% discount.

Cost: $15 (for two)

Hong Zi Ji (Red Chicken or Rooster)

This restaurant is so famous that every taxi driver knows where it is. However, there are a few locations in Shanghai. So, check the yellow pages for the nearest one. It's the largest restaurant I've ever seen. Inside, it's like two football fields. There is no menu, all of the food is on display. Order some live shrimp, live clams, and some of their famous chicken.

Cost: $60 (for four)

Quanjude Beijing Duck

If you go to China, you must eat Beijing Duck. It's absolutely delicious. This restaurant has been serving up duck since 1864. Unfortunately, they haven't learned how to make any other good dishes since that time. So, just order the duck, everything else is disappointing. There are 2 (or 3) locations in Shanghai.

Cost: $17 (for one whole duck w/ sides)

Quanjude (can you read Chinese?)
This restaurant is so popular that recently they announced an IPO. So, you can buy duck and stock.

The 2007 Korea Credit Card Tax Deduction

A lot of misunderstandings and mysteries surround this deduction. I'm going to attempt to explain it. =)

First of all, go to the bank or contact your credit card company (via telephone or web) and get a 2007 total spending statement. Now let's get it started....

1. Let's say I spent 3,500,000 won in total on my Samsung card in 2007. (I spent 3,490,000 won on beer and 10,000 won for the subway.)

2. Multiply your total (gross) 2007 salary by 15%
For example, if my total gross income was 10,000,000 won.
10,000,000 x .15 = 1,500,000

3. 3,500,000 (total credit card) - 1,500,000 (Salary x .15) = 2,000,000 won.

4. 2,000,000 won x .15 = 300,000 won (Voila!)

5. 10,000,000 - 300,000 = 9,700,000 won (This is your new taxable income.)

So, instead of paying taxes on 10,000,000 won you would pay taxes on 9,700,000 won.

Easy. Right? =) (I love tax deductions. Don't you have a warm feeling inside now?)

*The NTS uses this formula: (Credit Card Transaction - Total wage and salary x .15 x .15)
www.nts.go.kr

FAQ

Here are few questions that I'd like to put to rest.

Do you wear the same pair of black jeans everyday?

Yes and No. Believe it or not, I have six pairs of the exact same brand and style jeans. (Calvin Klein Easy Fit in black.) If I find something I like, I stick with it. =)

Why did you choose to come to Korea?

1. Location. Location. Location. Korea is located in Asia, which is where I want to live. During my vacation I usually visit China or Japan.

2. Language. Hangul has an alphabet which is pretty easy to learn. It literally only takes a few hours to learn how to read.

3. Safety. I don't have to worry about random shootings here, only beatings and stabbings. =)

4. Night life. Korea has a very vibrant night life.

5. Public transportation. It's very easy to get around Seoul.

Do you eat Kim-Chi?

Yes. I've lived in Los Angeles, which has the largest Korean population outside of Korea. There are approximately 300,000 Koreans living in Los Angeles and about 300,001 Korean restaurants.

Can you use chopsticks?

Yes. Sushi became quite popular in the 1980s. Today, many Americans (who like foreign food) know how to use chopsticks.


Why do you drink Sam Da Soo?

Because the size of the bottle fits perfectly in the door of my refrigerator.

Any questions?

My Three Blogs

If you like to travel, Gary Leff's blog is an awesome resource.

My Money Blog tracks a salaried worker's quest to retire with $1,000,000. It actually has a net worth meter as well as a ton of information about finance, investing, insurance, banking, etc.

Want to find a good restaurant in Africa? Chowhound gives recommendations for restaurants all over the world. I've used this site to find some great places to eat in the U.S. and abroad.

Any other interesting blogs out there? Let me know. =)

Useful English Learning Links

Want to know why they're called "sideburns?"
Word Origins

Every swear word, dirty word, and unspeakable...hush.
Urban Dictionary

Know the meaning but don't know the word?
Reverse Dictionary

What is he singing about?
Song Lyrics

Where can I get a copy of that TV show or news program?
First, download and install this software.
Second, search for your favorite show here.

Do I eat too much meat?

I'm playing Tetris again with my fridge. The pic on the right is my freezer. Do you think I can fit anything else?

What's in there? Just steaks, chicken breasts, whole chickens, ground beef, porkchops, and fish. =)

Getting a credit card is as easy as 1,2....

1. Items required: passport, Alien ID card, a copy of your employment contract, and patience.

2. Get your ass out of bed and walk to the nearest SC First Bank.

3. Bring everything to the teller and mention that you want a credit card.

4. She will say this is impossible for foreigners. Tell her she's wrong.

5. Call the SC First Bank English service number if necessary.

6. Choose a card. If you decide to get an air miles earning card, be sure to have your frequent flyer number handy. Or else they will issue you a new frequent flier number. (Yes. Both spellings are correct.)

7. Tell the bank teller to mail the card directly to the bank and contact you when it arrives.

8. Go home and have a drink. The entire ordeal was only an hour.

*Costco only accepts Samsung cards.

English Customer Service Numbers in Seoul

Asiana Airlines: 1588-8000

Korea Telecom: 02 - 1588-8448

LG Telecom: 1544-0010

Samsung Card: 02-2000-8438

SC First Bank: 02-2146-6250

SK Telecom: 080-252-5011

Soho Travel: 02-322-1713 (ask for Jay)

Woori Bank: 02-2008-5000 ext. 7

*Feel free to e-mail me additional phone numbers.