For the last fifteen years, I've enjoyed the fact that our family Thanksgivings have been a mix of traditional American fare (turkey, wild rice, green bean almondine casserole, etc.) and Indian food (butada song, dal, biryani). It's the perfect blend of who we are.
My favorite Thanksgiving tradition is watching the Thanksgiving day parades. No matter what I am doing or where I am, this is the one thing that I have been able to do every year.
It's an eye-opener to compare nutritional value of many restaurant salads to their alternatives (particularly for quick-serve places).
I say order a salad if that's what you want but don't order the salad just because you think it will be healthier and have fewer calories than the burger or whatever else may be on the menu.
If a home is priced at $210,000, I would hope that the married couple put at least 10% down. This implies an initial mortgage amount of $189,000.
At an interest rate of 4.25%, interest paid in the first year would be $7,971. If we assume that this couple pays $3,000 in property taxes, their total itemized tax deduction is $10,971, well short of the $12,200 standard deduction for 2013.
As a result, the couple would need $1,229 of other itemized deductions to see ANY benefit from owning this home. And in order to “save more than $3,000” in the first year, this couple would need additional itemized deductions exceeding $9,800 (assuming a combined federal & state marginal income tax rate of 35%).
We must also keep in mind that the interest write-off will decrease and the standard deduction will increase in subsequent years, which further reduces any potential benefit.
My absolute favorite tradition is foregoing the guilt associated with the rich, calorie laden foods for just one day. I enjoy and keep a heart full of gratitude.
My family has a tradition of eating fried asparagus on Thanksgiving. I have no idea where it started, because no one else has ever heard of this, but it's the only time we ever eat it, and darnit, IT'S GOOD.
I enjoy lingering at the table talking and laughing with my family. We talk until we decide we aren't too stuffed for dessert, enjoy some pie, then talk some more.
We always have great stuffing on the table for Thanksgiving. I had been hoping to start hosting in our own home this year, but the circumstances changed and we'll be taking the hosting to our guests. I guess there's always next year?
Pumpkin pie, definitely. Generally it's the only time all year that I bake my favorite flavor. (Wonder why that is?)
Especially: Pumpkin pie for breakfast the next day.
For Gift Cards that have low balance- If you play Candy Crush Saga, Diamond Dash, Words with Friends, or any other game apps on Facebook, you are often prompted to buy gold bars, coins or something along that nature for a dollar or two by using a credit card. Some offer free stuff for just submitting a CC number and allowing it to be kept on file. These gold bars, coins, etc are used to trade for 'Helps,' 'Power-Ups,' Easter Eggs,' and so-on. Why anyone would use an actual credit or debit card is beyond me. If Facebook ever gets hacked (probably when), you will only lose the balance on gift card.
For the last fifteen years, I've enjoyed the fact that our family Thanksgivings have been a mix of traditional American fare (turkey, wild rice, green bean almondine casserole, etc.) and Indian food (butada song, dal, biryani). It's the perfect blend of who we are.
Getting together with family and friends, catching up on each others news, and watching holiday movies together!
Food, family and football.
The food. I am the pie baker, turkey, gravy and stuffing maker and I always make harvard beets too!
My favorite Thanksgiving tradition is watching the Thanksgiving day parades. No matter what I am doing or where I am, this is the one thing that I have been able to do every year.
This is a good article. I have a family member that was an IRS auditor and he has told me most of these things. Great advice!
I've heard of Problogger, but haven't used it myself. At least not yet.
Watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade!
It's an eye-opener to compare nutritional value of many restaurant salads to their alternatives (particularly for quick-serve places).
I say order a salad if that's what you want but don't order the salad just because you think it will be healthier and have fewer calories than the burger or whatever else may be on the menu.
Thanks for reading!
I’m trying to reconcile the math behind #7.
If a home is priced at $210,000, I would hope that the married couple put at least 10% down. This implies an initial mortgage amount of $189,000.
At an interest rate of 4.25%, interest paid in the first year would be $7,971. If we assume that this couple pays $3,000 in property taxes, their total itemized tax deduction is $10,971, well short of the $12,200 standard deduction for 2013.
As a result, the couple would need $1,229 of other itemized deductions to see ANY benefit from owning this home. And in order to “save more than $3,000” in the first year, this couple would need additional itemized deductions exceeding $9,800 (assuming a combined federal & state marginal income tax rate of 35%).
We must also keep in mind that the interest write-off will decrease and the standard deduction will increase in subsequent years, which further reduces any potential benefit.
I can't believe how many people order salads at restaurants, thinking they're making a healthy choice. 9 times out of 10, it's not the best choice.
Definitely feasting with friends and family on a delicious dinner!
Having two Thanksgiving dinners... one with friends and one with family!
My absolute favorite tradition is foregoing the guilt associated with the rich, calorie laden foods for just one day. I enjoy and keep a heart full of gratitude.
My family has a tradition of eating fried asparagus on Thanksgiving. I have no idea where it started, because no one else has ever heard of this, but it's the only time we ever eat it, and darnit, IT'S GOOD.
Everyone in the house going around and saying what they're grateful for!
I enjoy lingering at the table talking and laughing with my family. We talk until we decide we aren't too stuffed for dessert, enjoy some pie, then talk some more.
We always have great stuffing on the table for Thanksgiving. I had been hoping to start hosting in our own home this year, but the circumstances changed and we'll be taking the hosting to our guests. I guess there's always next year?
Pumpkin pie, definitely. Generally it's the only time all year that I bake my favorite flavor. (Wonder why that is?)
Especially: Pumpkin pie for breakfast the next day.
I love splitting the wishbone and making a wish!
my favorite tradition is cooking turkey and celebrating with my family
For Gift Cards that have low balance- If you play Candy Crush Saga, Diamond Dash, Words with Friends, or any other game apps on Facebook, you are often prompted to buy gold bars, coins or something along that nature for a dollar or two by using a credit card. Some offer free stuff for just submitting a CC number and allowing it to be kept on file. These gold bars, coins, etc are used to trade for 'Helps,' 'Power-Ups,' Easter Eggs,' and so-on. Why anyone would use an actual credit or debit card is beyond me. If Facebook ever gets hacked (probably when), you will only lose the balance on gift card.
My family plays low betting poker while dinner cooks!
Our favorite Thanksgiving tradition is preparing our Thanksgiving meal together and saying a prayer before we eat
My favorite thing to do is watch the Macy's Day parade on TV. Seeing all the balloons has always been a highlight.