Money Basics

Depositing cash in patterns that look like they’re avoiding the $10,000 reporting threshold, even unintentionally, can trigger a serious federal investigation.

Self-employed income makes mortgage approval harder, not impossible. Two years of consistent Schedule C income is the key threshold lenders look for.

A 529 plan used at a non-qualifying school, which includes most Vietnamese universities, triggers tax and penalty on the earnings portion.

US citizens and most green card holders can receive Social Security while living in Vietnam if they’ve earned 40 quarters of US work credits.

Many states offer down payment assistance of $5,000-$25,000 for first-time buyers, and immigrants qualify. Most Vietnamese American buyers never check.

SSI eligibility rules differ sharply for Vietnamese refugees who arrived before 1996 versus after. Here’s what actually applies to an older parent’s case.

SBA 7(a) loans go up to $5 million. Self-employed Vietnamese-owned businesses qualify but need two years of tax returns showing consistent income.

HSA for Vietnamese Americans with an employer HDHP unlocks a triple tax break most households never touch. Here’s how it works.

A Tet sinking fund spreads lì xì, flights, and banquet costs across the year instead of one January scramble. Here’s how much to save monthly and where to park it.

Without a US will, your assets go through probate by default. Naming a beneficiary who lives in Vietnam requires specific language most people skip.