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Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours from MileValue!
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year, and only partly because it’s the only day when I consume two heaping plates of some of my absolute favorite foods, pass out for a few hours while my body digests, and then wake up just in time to see the fourth quarter of a football game.
Mainly I love to share the time with family and friends and count my blessings. Before eating, we all go around the table and share what we’re thankful for. I’ll share mine here.
- I’m thankful that I live at a time where I can get almost anywhere in the world in 24 hours. Just think about that. Tomorrow I can be anywhere. Certainly that wouldn’t have been true for my grandfather when he was my age even if he were the richest man in the world.
- I’m thankful that I’m stupendously, outrageously materially wealthy in historical and global terms. Over three billion people live on less than $2.50 per day. And we live at the wealthiest point in human history. Just by earning an average American income, we are so rich. It’s easy to forget that when I compare my income to a neighbor’s or to my wants, but it’s easy to remember when I walk through the slums near Johannesburg, Africa. I’m also thankful that I realize that material wealth over a very low threshold doesn’t contribute to happiness.
- I’m thankful for frequent flyer miles. I know I would not have traveled to 42 countries by age 26 without them. Not to mention the first class cabins that would have been way out of reach.
- I’m thankful for the internet. Nothing so connecting, educating, and entertaining has existed throughout human history. I can carry a phone in my pocket almost anywhere in the world and be connected to loved ones, work, and play at the push of a button.
- I’m thankful for MileValue’s readers. I often get into a flow when I’m writing a post about using award-booking tricks to get maximum value from miles, but a lot of running a blog is drudgery, especially the pressure to have new posts every day. If it weren’t for readers sending me emails and tweets about how my tips led to a dream trip, I would have quit long ago. Because of my readers, I am excited to make the rest of this year and 2014 the best year yet for the blog.
- I’m thankful to the milesphere. If it weren’t for FlyerTalk and The Points Guy, I wouldn’t have learned about miles. If it weren’t for Million Mile Secrets and Frugal Travel Guy, I wouldn’t have nearly the readership I do. If it weren’t for countless other bloggers and non-bloggers, I wouldn’t know all the things I do that I’ve been able to use for my own travel and been able to spread to others.
- I’m most thankful for my friends and family. When you’re away from them for most of the year, you appreciate them even more. I was with only one friend for my birthday, so I’m glad to be with many more for Thanksgiving.
I hope you’re having a blessed and thankful Thanksgiving surrounded by the people you love most in the world.
There won’t be any more new posts today, tomorrow, or Saturday, nor will emails or tweets be answered. I’m looking forward to some great posts next week, starting Sunday morning!
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You run a great blog. Thanks for all your hard work.
I’m very Thankful it would’ve been one ” Trip of a Lifetime ” instead it’s been five so far with five more to go right now .
Fun making Money and helping people at the same time isn’t it Scott ?
Great French Cave Dweller
I find your offers perfect for US residents, but what do you recommend for europeans?
[…] Happy Thanksgiving from MileValue […]
@Cj, “Trip of a lifetime” is one of my least favorite phrases. Thanks to Scott and others, it doesn’t take much effort to retire that concept. You can always go back. You can always explore another destination. I was describing a planned trip to Turkey to a friend I only see occasionally. She commented, “Wow, a trip of a lifetime!”. I just didn’t have the heart to tell her that I had another one to Australia booked for a few weeks later, and another to South America a few months after that.
We do have much to be thankful for in this community, and I hope many take to heart Scott’s comment about the billions who don’t – as we travel, let’s look also for ways to help, and put some of our savings to use on their behalf. Airline Ambassadors and Global Legacy are two organizations I support. Because of contacts made through them, I’ve taken two service teams to Central America and look forward to a third such trip next summer.
Scott,
I’m thankful for your inspiration. You made me think about my current financial situation in a light that hadn’t occurred to me and it really put it the proper perspective. You’re a good guy.
Thank you Scott for another great post! Your blog is amazing and I’m very thankful for all the information I’ve learned here. And yes, I’m most thankful for the internet and the staggering amount of info that is shared.
“Trip of a Lifetime” <<< I laugh at that phrase!!!
Happy Thanksgiving!
I do too that’s why I used it Jeff and DaveS it’s a line people who travel a lot use and love to laugh at . DaveS I’m sure I can save you a vast amount of time money and award points take your Team to any USA city they would love to have your funding and help to change the poor intercity and return them to taxpayer rolls.
Happy T-Day
Poor Cave Dweller
There is soo much to be thankful for and you are spot on. Happy Thanksgiving to you too Scott 🙂
~Giddy
I’m grateful for everything in my life today (and everyday). Thank you Scott for your hard work and wonderful posts; looking forward to having you book some spectacular trip for me.
Happy trails to all of my fellow points travelers; may we all have “trips of a lifetime” in 2014!
Great post on Thanksgiving!!! Wow, what a rare and opportunistic time we are blessed to live in today!!
I’m thankful to have have found your blog this year and your very helpful insight!
Keep it up friends!!
Thank you Scott for your great posts!! I went to having zero air miles to now over 100k. Your knowledge that you share will contribute to my dream trip one day! (In the works)
Yes, we all have much to be thankful for. Good blog!
As someone who also runs a blog, I can appreciate your comment about the pressure to produce new posts each day, but I’m commenting because of the other things that you said in your post. Thank you for words and thoughts that shift perspectives and instruct – or remind – others about reasons to be grateful. Enjoyed reading this post very much.
Yes… I wonder how people blog day in and day out…. Must be hard to remain relevant. I am new to this hobby, but I have learned a lot. I will be staying at Radisson Blu Champs élysées 3/2014 with my family of 5 on points. YES!! -FYI not a trip of a lifetime, c’est ma vie. 🙂