So 124,520 miles. $2.40 per mile. You are making close to $30k a year in salary, excluding bonus, etc? My question is that do you hire a financial adviser?

First it would be $300k. Second, business trips add up to about 95k miles. Third, I don't hire a financial advisor -- I seriously doubt an average financial advisor knows less than I do about finance.

$300k salary?! MM, you are above middle-income, less than 1% of people make that much. So you $1M should be achieved in 4 years! Congrats! My question would be that what do you see your future investment considering market is down, both in US and China

what is the point of this post?? what does it have to do with personal finance?? It's also hard for me to believe that Microsoft pays its financial controllers $230,000 per year. Its not a "profit center" but more of an administrative area. Or are you including the income from your side business? Also, why on earth do you fly Northworst? And even if you're forced to why not put the miles on Continental Onepass which is a much better program. And it sounds like you're flying coach?? Doesn't Microsoft have enough money to let its employees fly business? You'll also get 150% miles and you won't have to deal with your Zune, the good airlines have 100+ movies on the personal screens.

I am working at Microsoft, $300K is crazy high for a controller. I believe you are very successful as an expat, is that the reason for this high income? On the other side, you should reach (as Mary said) $1M soon, what is your next goal, getting more from Microsoft, as a cash cow?

KL, unfortunately Continental does not fly to west coast from China, and between United and Northwest, Northwest has better business class seats.

Let me clarify on the compensation side: the stock component is accumulated over the years, and 2007 happens to be a great year for stock compensation.

MM, I meant you could still apply your Northwest flights to Continental's Onepass program. Your elite status would still work on both.

FU, it is not $300K, he said the $2.40 per mile is for business flight miles which he flew 95k of. So $2.40 * 95,000 = $228,000. That is still high for a financial controller (unless very senior level) but he says he includes his stock based compensation in that as well. So that could make sense. I still don't see the point of this post though, it has nothing to do with personal finance or useful tips/reading for people. To be frank your blog has been getting more and more about your own personal things instead of about personal finance lately.

KL, fair enough. Yes, I feel personal finance blog should be personal. We have too many blogs that are me-too mimics of personal finance news sources.

MM, keep doing what your doing. I like the "personal" in personal finance. and enjoy reading about your financial journey and your life and your view on things. I subscribe to all the magazines and read articles on the usual sites. so I dsagree with KL. keep doing what you do.

I agree with cjacobs, keep doing what you're doing. It is interesting nevertheless and it reads as personal finance story if not personal finance advice. By the way, nice streak of daily posts! :)

Hey, It seem to be a nice trip!! I also want to go for a long tour. Can u suggest me where to go for a long tour?