After a productive workday, I felt almost invincible — until a small moment at a German supermarket checkout brought my confidence back to neutral. It reminded me that life sometimes sends quiet signals, not to warn us, but to prepare us for the next version of ourselves. For me, that signal was clear: it is time to get fluent in German.
Author Archives: Dai
Books I am reading / have read in 2026
A small collection of books I am reading or have read in 2026 — some for curiosity, some for work, some for self-reflection, and some simply because they made me feel something. From sci-fi and strategy to hospitality, psychology, memoirs, and poetry, these are the titles I think are worth sharing.
On a beautiful day when stocks are doing well…
On a beautiful day when my portfolio is doing well, I look back at why I continued investing during uncertain times and how I once decided to buy Nvidia before fully understanding the company. This post is not financial advice, but a personal reflection on curiosity, long-term thinking, market chaos, CEOs, AI, and the importance of doing your own research before investing.
Two wild business ideas I keep thinking about…
Two business ideas that keep living rent-free in my head. They may be unrealistic, messy, or too early to build. But who knows???
Things I bought to improve quality of life
This is a personal list of things I bought to make daily life more comfortable. Some are practical, some are soft and cozy, and all of them are small upgrades that help me live a little better.
The 1st stock I bought
In 2021, I bought my first stock: Apple. Just two shares. I chose Apple because I had used its products for years and trusted the quality. This post shares my first investing principle: start small, choose something you believe may still exist in the next 10 years, think long term, and only invest money you are willing to lose.
Living in Germany: Set up these bank accounts
If you live in Germany and want to start investing, the first step is to set up the right accounts: a Girokonto, a savings account, and an investment account. This post shares my simple rule of thumb, how to think about bank fees, when switching banks might make sense, and why managing money well starts with reviewing the systems you already use.
Music
A list of songs I only discovered lately and became obsessed with!
Some of the books I loved in 2024 / 2025
A small collection of books I loved in 2024 and 2025 — and still return to sometimes. Some helped me think about service, wealth, happiness, and inner peace. Some made me reflect on life and acceptance. And some were simply thrillers I could not stop reading.
How I Read in the Age of AI: Trust, Judgment, and Critical Thinking
Lately, I have been struggling with reading online because I no longer know how much I can trust what I consume. In the age of AI-generated content, I am learning to activate my own judgment before reading, notice patterns, document what I learn, and become more strategic with my attention instead of passively consuming everything that sounds clever.