Happy Thanksgiving to You and Happy Birthday to Me

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Thanksgiving Turkey

Happy Thanksgiving to You and Happy Birthday to Me

My birthday is today, November 27.  Every few years, my birthday falls on Thanksgiving. Some people hate that their birthday falls on a holiday (like Halloween or Christmas), but not me. Every year for Thanksgiving, my family, aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents drive to Carmel, CA for the week. It is a family tradition that has been going on since before I was born. It is a trip that we all look forward to every year.  Even though most of us live close together and see each other throughout the year, it is always great to have everyone come together for Thanksgiving.

I am thankful for having such a wonderful family and extended family, for good health, for having the best blog readers ever, for travel reward credit cards, and for all the places I have been and have yet to see.  Thank you!

Since there is really no miles and points news to talk about today, I wanted to create a post that was more interactive and engaging.  I have one question that I want each of you to answer: what is the one thing you know now that you wish you knew when you were 25 years old?  It can be about anything, from life, family, school, travel, jobs, finance, etc.  Thank you for sharing your wisdom with me and everyone else who reads this post.

That’s it, go cook your turkey, turn on the Macy’s Thanksgiving day parade, catch a few football games, and enjoy spending time with your friends and family members.  Have a great Thanksgiving everyone!


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45 thoughts on “Happy Thanksgiving to You and Happy Birthday to Me”

  3. Jayne

    What a great way you have to celebrate your birthday!! To answer your question, I wish I knew at 25 what a HUGE mistake I was making to give up my dream to be a doctor and instead become a teacher. I hate the low salary and having to comb sites like yours in order to be able to travel, which I rarely can afford anyway.

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    1. Grant

      Thank you for sharing. I don’t know what being a teacher is like, I’m sure it has its good and bad times. I’m glad my site has helped save you money and helped you travel more. Happy Thanksgiving Jayne!

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  9. JustSaying

    Happy Birthday and Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Thanksgiving to all our troops around the world who will be honoring a time honored tradition by decking out military dining halls and opening them to the family. All our troops will be working but all will be bonding with their “military family”…………

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  10. calwatch

    Happy birthday and happy Thanksgiving Grant! Apropos to this blog if I were 25 I’d be using points to go more places. Someone who’s 25 with a job, at that time could have gotten so many cards. I did the App O Rama but didn’t go full bore like I could have. As long as you paid on time the credit hit wasn’t too bad. What good is a high credit score if you’re not taking advantage of it? That was more true then than now.

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    1. Grant

      I definitely agree. I could have travelled in premium cabins more, but I am glad that I have gone to so many places with miles and points. I have definitely relied on my credit score a lot over the last few years. Hope you have a great Thanksgiving!

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  11. Scott

    Happy B-Day Grant! One thing I wish I knew when I was 25 was to work towards becoming an expert. Pick any occupation, any means to earn a living, and be the best w/in said field. Expertise within a specific skill set is not only an admiral endeavor, it is an endeavor that will provide you the opportunity for long term growth and prosperity. Prosperity financially, or prosperous & content with respect to quality of life. Be an expert, be an innovator… and be the absolute best at whatever it is you choose to pursue. Peace out and Happy Thanksgiving!

    Oh yeah, one more pearl…

    “Don’t trust whitey!” – Navin R Johnson

    (Google the quote if unfamiliar, it is not mean spirited)

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    1. Grant

      Thank you for the advice about becoming an expert in the field. I will continue to expand my knowledge and understanding of a few topics. May I ask what your profession is? Have a great Thanksgiving!

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      1. Scott

        I look at large sets of aggregate data and advise financial institutions how to make more $$ or cut their losses. It can be rewarding financially bc Im one of the best at my job. On a personal level, however, it’s not fulfilling in the sense I dont feel I do much for the common good. Id rather be a Marine Biologist or an Artist :P

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        1. Grant

          Thanks for sharing Scott. You have to find the trifecta: something you like doing, something you are good at doing, and something that someone will pay you to do.

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  13. Leslie Webb

    All the best, my friend! At 25 I wish that I had known how all the hard work would pay off. On the long road of life, when you are endevoring to do your best and being honest, there are periods of doubt about the path. At times, life can be off-putting, what with other people not always doing as they should and perhaps interfering with our best laid plans. But keep at it; if you have goals, they will be achieved.

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  14. Maria & Sheila

    Happy Birthday, Grant! Our advise to you…..keep doing what you’re doing! You’re kind, generous (with your knowledge) and helpful to others. That’s a pretty good foundation for life’s journey. Many happy returns (mileage point & b-days!) Enjoy!

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    1. Grant

      Thank you Maria and Sheila for the great advice. Generosity comes easily to me, so I will continue to share and help others. I hope you had a great Thanksgiving.

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  15. Joan

    I hope you had a great birthday Grant. The one thing I wished I knew at 25 was that you’re never going to have as much energy as you do right now. So make the most of it!
    Enjoy :)

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    1. Grant

      Thank you Joan, that is great advice. Speaking of energy, I’m sleeping in today since I had so much food yesterday. I hope you had a great Thanksgiving.

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  16. skip cravens

    To answer your question…i read this recently and it applies for me..Don’t argue with a fool : trying to fight irrational thinking with logic can be counterproductive and lead you down the rabbit hole of self-doubt.

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  18. Michelle

    Happy late birthday, Grant! I tried to think of something profound for your bday request but mine is no different than most. I was JUST 25 (I turned 42 this year)! The years are going by so flipping fast. :) My biggest regret is not traveling more when I was your age–I don’t even know what was stopping me! You def have that part covered. :)

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  19. Tim W

    Hi Grant, I was wondering if you have any hotels in Carmel/Monterey which you would recommend OR any major chain hotels there which you would advise against? Thanks and Merry Christmas!

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