by Raghu on November 8, 2010
I’m trying to refinance 30 year fixed loan to 5/1 ARM. Mortgage broker have locked the rates for
- 3.125% (No closing/No Escrow) loan.
I closed on refinance last week, but decided to cancel the closing after 1 day since rates were .25% lower on the day of the closing. It was an interesting 2 hour period when I was trying to negotiate with my broker to lower my rates when closing was scheduled in few hours. Now it will be another 45 days wait before I can get to close again.
Advantage of No Cost Loan
Having No Cost loan makes it easier to refinance when the rates drop. My refinance ladder is .25% or less. If the rates are lower by .25% I try to refinance the loan.
by Raghu on October 19, 2010
H1 Visa quota in General and Advanced Degree category is still available. Last few years, H1 cap used to run out in first week of H1 filings. But, due to economy and recession in USA, H1B Visa 2011 cap is still available. At current pace, looks like cap will be available till next year March or April.
Latest H1B Count
Following is the latest H1B Cap count from USCIS.
| Cap Type |
Cap Amount |
Cap Eligible Petitions |
Date of Last Count |
| H-1B Regular Cap |
65,000 |
42,800 |
10/15/2010 |
| H-1B Master’s Exemption |
20,000 |
15,700 |
10/15/2010 |
Comprehensive immigration reform will have to be introduced into Senate when new congress takes office. Looks like Democrats will maintain majority in the Senate, but if GOP takes over House, it will be tough to get any bills passed. Having CIR passed in lame duck session is close to impossible.
by Raghu on October 19, 2010
Getting used to and understanding financial terms, rules for new comer to US is tough. To help students get settled in USA, I posted 100 Personal Finance Tips for Students. I’m sure the list will help not just students, anyone who is getting their feet wet in US.
If you have additional tips, please do leave a comment.
by Raghu on August 22, 2010
One of the unknown restaurant in RDU area is Pao Lim, Durham. Only drawback is the location. If they were to be located at RTP, Cary area, they will have very good business.
It takes about 15 minutes drive to get there from RTP. Here is my 2 cents about Kimono Pao Lim
- Food is good, fresh and tasty.
- Chef (owner) used to have live in India. So, you will see Indian flavor to Chinese food. If you get a chance, do give it a try.
- Not expensive
You will get more food that what you pay. Which is always good. Form outside it will look like Japanese food, but they have 2 different menus (Indo-Chinese and Japanese).
Location – 2505, Durham Chapel Hill Blvd, Durham.
by Raghu on August 22, 2010
It would be nice to have an iPhone App to make phone calls to India. If Vonage can provide access to Vonage Landline account through App, it will make things lot easier. Unfortunately, Vonage would require you to have a new account (Vonage for Mobile) and you have to pay for call made to India.
If you are looking for an iPhone app that will make free phone calls to India, I haven’t found one yet. But, there is a neat little trick I use to make calls to India from my iPhone.
Call India from iPhone
- Vonage Call forwarding is free
- Configure Call Forwarding within your Vonage account (Features > Call Forwarding)
- Set Forward Instantly (without delay) to number in India (011+91+number)
- Call your vonage number from your iPhone.
- Call will be now forwarded to India.
It would be nice to dial India from iPhone for free, but if you have any better idea, do let me know.
Vonage App for Facebook – Free Calls
Vonage recently announced an app for Facebook. It allows you to call your friends using facebook, all over the world for free. But, they have to have vonage for facebook app installed in their smart phone.
by Raghu on August 22, 2010
I went to Zyka India Cuisine in Bier Creek (Raleigh) last week with couple of my friends. With any new restaurants, I prefer to go couple of time to form an idea [ Zyka Indian Restaurant - Review]. After my second visit for lunch buffet, I’m not sure if I would go there again or have anything positive to say about it.
Zyka – Lunch Buffet
We entered Zaika through the secondary entrance and within few seconds, we got our table and went on to get some food and here is my observation.
- Very less food varieties (read the first review)
- 3 Vegetarian Dishes were made of Potatoes (we go to restaurant to get some variety)
- 2 other customers came after us and got the table + food + Naan
- We waited for 15 minutes before we got our first basket of our Naan (after asking 3 times)
- We asked for more Naan and we were asked to wait for another 5 to 10 minutes.
- For lunch, we don’t have 45 minutes to 1 hour to eat at restaurant.
- Butter Chicken and other Chicken Curry was not tasty.
While going out for lunch with teammates, we have list of places in our mind and Zyka is removed from the list. Sorry Zyka!
Still Tower, Updi, Cool Breeze, Briyani House and Lazziz Briyani Corner remains top of the list.
by Raghu on August 6, 2010
About 6 months back, I opened Go Green Checking account with Coastal Federal Credit Union. With 12 ATM Debit Card transactions per month, Go Green Checking account paid higher interest compared to other online savings account.
Last week I closed the Go Green checking account closed. I was not happy with few things
- Not happy with car loan approval process. If customer is applying for car loan, all the rules have to stated first, not after running the credit report.
- You have to use the ATM pin assigned by them (it pain to remember another pin)
- Mandatory Password change every few months to online banking.
If I were running a bank and if one of my customer decided to close the account, I would care to ask the reason they are closing the account. I wouldn’t get the request and close the account right away.
by Raghu on August 2, 2010
Quick Update – Last year when I received mail from to join Energywise from Progress Energy to get $25 credit in Electricity bill. After 8 months wait ( or dilemma) I had progress energy install Energywise couple of months back. I should be getting $25 credit on the Power Bill.
After installing the Energywise meter, in last 2 months, I haven’t seen any changes in AC unit operation or change in comfort level. I would recommend to go for it for $25 savings. In this economy, $25 savings to be big deal.
by Raghu on August 1, 2010
I have refinanced my home mortgage twice in last 2 years. My broker send an email asking if I would be interested to refinance again, since refinance rates are all time low. This is the rate quote I got form my broker
- 30 Year Fixed – 4.375%
- 5/1 year ARM – 3.375%
Above rates are for No Cost, No Escrow Loan. If my property is above 80% Loan to Value, I just have to walk to closing with pen to sign the papers. I don’t pay a dime in closing costs. I might be able to get lower rate,if I pay the closing cost, but with volatile market, it makes sense to go with No Cost/No Escrow Loan. I will be able to refinance anytime again, if mortgage rates take another dip.
I have asked several mortgage companies, lenders and brokers but no one can beat the rates offered by my broker. If you need his contact, leave a comment. I can forward his contact details.
Kandas Indian restaurant closed few months back and there were rumors that Kandas was sold to Biryani House. But, I noticed new Paradise India Cuisine opened at same location.
I’m not sure if Kandas is renamed as Paradise India Cuisine or Paradise is opened under new management. Hopefully Paradise India Cuisine will have tasty food and better customer service.