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November 2023
CampbellWealth.com • (703) 535-5300 • 330 John Carlyle St., Suite 400, Alexandria, Virginia 22314
46 MILLION TURKEYS AND COUNTING
Wishing You a Season of Gratitude and Success
Autumn leaves, pumpkin pie, stuffing (or dressing, depending on where you are from), football, and family gatherings — Thanksgiving has arrived! As you all know, November is the month of Thanksgiving as well as Veterans Day, which is on the 11th. It’s interesting that Veterans Day signifies when the Allied Powers signed the ceasefire agreement with Germany at Compiegne, France, in 1918. Veterans Day falls on Nov. 11 each year because this agreement was signed at 11 a.m. in the 11th month, on the 11th day of the month. The treaty brought World
important to take the time to give thanks for the time we have to spend with each other and for our health, family, friends, and the many opportunities this country affords to us. I am not only thankful for my family, but for you, our clients, and my incredible team that serves you. With that, I’d like to mention a few last things before the holiday season. Remember, we only have two months left in 2023. It seems like the year flew by, but keep in mind there is still time to complete your 2023 aspirations, so pull out your list of goals and check off what you can! Next, now is the time to begin planning for 2024 — start mapping out your plans so you can hit the ground running when the new year rolls around! Lastly, remember that the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2018 will no longer be in effect at the end of 2025. This means that you have the rest of this year and all of 2024 and 2025 to complete any tax strategies you’ve been working on because tax rates are scheduled to go up in 2026! From my family to you and yours, have a fabulous Thanksgiving and holiday season!
American Wampanoag people. I’m not sure about you, but I’m not sure that I could handle having guests at our home for three full days — just one day of celebrations will do for me! Interestingly enough, Thanksgiving didn’t become a national holiday until 1863, and today, our version of the holiday looks very different than the first few Thanksgivings. In my research, I found some fun facts surrounding Thanksgiving. Today, in the United States, we raise 240 million turkeys, and on Thanksgiving, we eat roughly 46 million of them. This costs about a
“I am not only thankful for my
War I to a close. On Veterans Day, we honor and give thanks to the men and women of the U.S. armed forces who gave their lives to serve and protect our country and
billion dollars, or $20 per turkey. We go through 5 million gallons of jellied cranberry, which is almost enough to fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool. While pumpkin pie
family, but for you, our clients, and my incredible team that serves you.”
was not present at the first celebration of Thanksgiving,
freedoms — which brings us to Thanksgiving. The holiday is
we consume about 50 million
traditionally centered around sharing delicious food with family and friends. First celebrated in 1621, Thanksgiving was a three-day “first harvest of the new world” festival with 53 colonists and 90 Native
pumpkin pies on this holiday. Aside from all the tasty food, we know the true meaning of the holiday is about being grateful for our many blessings. It’s
Kelly Campbell
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MASTER THE CHALLENGE OF COOKING FOR 2
There’s one part of empty nesting almost no one talks about: After feeding a family for years, how do you rethink your kitchen to cook for two? Classic recipes like pot roast and roast chicken are challenging to cook in two-person portions and will create a metric ton of leftovers. But that doesn’t mean you have to eat from your freezer for weeks or survive on cereal and pizza rolls! Here are three tips to help you cook for two without compromising healthy eating. 1. Meal plan like you’re a young parent again. This will be a familiar tactic for big families. Back in the day, you probably had “Taco Tuesdays” and “Pizza Fridays” to keep your grocery shopping on track and your kids happy. Now, it’s time to develop a new meal plan! Work with your partner or spouse to choose your favorite recurring meals and find new two-person recipes that fit your preferences. If you’re not sure where to start, consider using a digital meal-planning tool. The editors at CNN recently compared the top meal-planning apps and recommend downloading the premium version of Eat This Much ( EatThisMuch.com ). It costs $9 per month, and you can use it from your phone or computer. Once you choose your recipes, it will automatically
create a grocery list and even give you the option to order grocery delivery! 2. Invest in a meal kit service. If you’re exhausted by cooking and don’t want to build a new repertoire, you might want to use meal kits through your golden years. Dozens of companies will deliver ready-made meals or pre-portioned ingredients directly to your door, including Blue Apron, HelloFresh, Sunbasket, Home Chef, Dinnerly, EveryPlate, and Purple Carrot. Read up on each service (they’re all recommended for two!), and choose the best fit for your diet and budget. A meal kit can be a permanent fix or a temporary tactic to find two-person recipes you love. 3. Turn to the experts. For more inspiration and advice, pick up books like “The Complete Cooking for Two Cookbook” by America’s Test Kitchen or “One Pan, Two Plates” by Carla Snyder. If all else fails, buy backyard chickens — they’re fantastic at gobbling up leftovers!
THE SEASON OF GIVING The Benefits of Volunteering in Retirement
As we approach Thanksgiving, our hearts naturally turn toward gratitude and generosity. For retirees with newfound time, freedom, and a chance to explore passions, the holiday season presents a fantastic opportunity to give back by volunteering their time and skills to the community. Volunteering not only benefits those in need but also offers many benefits for those who have already entered their golden years — let’s take a look! Volunteering in retirement has many benefits. Maintaining a Sense of Purpose — In addition to making a difference in the lives of others, volunteering provides a sense of purpose and fulfillment, which is particularly important for those who have recently transitioned out of a career-oriented life. Building Social Connections — Volunteerism offers opportunities for retired individuals to form new friendships, helping combat possible feelings of isolation or loneliness. Boosting Mental and Emotional Wellness — Giving back has been linked to improved mental and emotional health and well-being. It provides feelings of accomplishment and helps to reduce stress.
Sharing Skills and Experiences — Retirees can leverage their years of experience and skills learned throughout their working years to make a meaningful and positive impact on people and organizations in need. Here are some common places that may be in need of volunteers: • Local food drives • Animal shelters • Church/place of worship • Local library • Environmental initiatives • Soup kitchens • Nonprofit organizations • Local or national charities • Local, state, or national parks • Foster grandparent programs • Community gardens • Local schools/ educational programs The holidays are here, so it’s time to focus on thankfulness, selflessness, and giving back. By volunteering your time, you can experience the joy of making a difference and a positive impact in your community. Volunteering costs nothing but time!
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A Dog’s Intuition:
How Babu Saved Her Human From a Tsunami
evacuate, while others state she knew nothing of the impending disaster. But everyone agrees that Babu jumped into action. She instantly headed for a large hill near Akanuma’s home — the opposite direction of the pair’s usual walk. Akanuma did not dismiss the dog’s instincts. Babu tugged urgently at her leash, running as far as she could before turning to her owner. Akanuma said Babu seemed to be encouraging her to move faster, and the dog ran ahead every time Akanuma caught up. Akanuma later estimated they walked more than half a mile in a few minutes. Only moments after the duo finally reached the top of the hill, they watched an enormous wave wash over their home. The house was destroyed, but Akanuma and Babu escaped with their lives.
How did Babu do it? People have long suspected that animals can predict natural disasters, but the truth is elusive. Scientists agree that animals aren’t psychic but disagree on whether something else might be at play. Some attribute the supposed phenomenon to the “psychological focusing effect,” or a human tendency to emphasize one detail in our memories while discarding others. But others point to dogs’ heightened senses of hearing and smell, suggesting animals may be able to detect small atmospheric changes that humans can’t. No matter the explanation, Akanuma credited her dog with saving her life, and the two gratefully celebrated Babu’s 12th birthday from an evacuation shelter only weeks later.
The tsunami that struck Japan in March 2011 was unimaginable; the natural disaster killed nearly 20,000 people in minutes. But amid the chaos, there was at least one tiny miracle: an 11-year-old Shih Tzu named Babu. Tami Akanuma, an 83-year-old woman living in the coastal city of Miyako, had her typical morning interrupted by a 9.0 earthquake that shook her house roughly 200 yards from the coast. When it stopped, she breathed a sigh of relief, but Babu became extremely agitated. The small dog began frantically pacing around the living room, moaning, and jumping at the door. Though it was early for Babu’s morning walk, Akanuma decided to appease her. Sources differ on what happened next. Some say officials broadcast a tsunami warning, and Akanuma realized she must
Toys for Tots Pie Pickup: Alexandria Office When: Nov. 21, 1–4 p.m. Toys for Tots Pie Pickup: Reston Lake Fairfax When: Nov. 21, 1–4 p.m. Holiday Cookie Decorating Event When: Dec. 5, 1-4 p.m. Keep an eye out for more information! To register, email us at Seminars@campbellwealth.com! UPCOMING EVENTS
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CampbellWealth.com (703) 535-5300 330 John Carlyle St., Suite 400 Alexandria, Virginia 22314
Inside
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Cheers to a Wonderful Holiday Season
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Empty Nest, Full Flavor: Tips for 2-Person Meals
The Gift of Time: Volunteering in Retirement
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The Heroic Hound Who Saved a Life in Japan’s Tsunami
Upcoming Events
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Explore the Instinctual Call of Crisp Autumn Leaf Piles
Securities offered only by duly registered individuals through Madison Avenue Securities, LLC (MAS), member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered only by duly registered individuals through Campbell Wealth Management, LLC (CWM), a Registered Investment Advisor. MAS and CWM are not affiliated entities. Our firm does not offer tax or legal advice. Consult your tax or legal advisor regarding your situation.
Whether it’s your boisterous toddler or rowdy pup, a perfect pile of autumn leaves might be too good to resist! You probably remember the days when you also jumped into a crunchy orange leaf pile without a second thought. But why do humans and dogs love jumping into huge piles of leaves? The main (and most obvious answer) is because it’s fun! For kids, dogs, and even some adults, jumping and rolling around in the fall leaves is a satisfying form of play that releases energy. While this may be the simple reason for humans, there are a few more reasons your canine companion can’t resist a tower of leaves. Instinct to Dig Digging is a dog’s favorite pastime that dates back to their wolf ancestors. Just as natural as sniffing and barking, digging is an ingrained behavior The Science Behind Why Dogs and Humans Can’t Resist Leaf Piles
for dogs, and they want to follow their instincts the moment they see a leaf pile. Whether they’re digging in to rest in the cool leaves or demolishing the pile entirely, your dog is just doing what dogs have always done. Irresistible Seasonal Scents
Our sense of smell doesn’t even come close to dogs’ incredible scent skills. While we have 5 million scent receptors, dogs have anywhere between 125–300 million! This means they can smell countless other scents we can’t, and autumn
may bring some exciting aromas your dog hasn’t experienced in a while. The result? They’ll dive right into a leaf pile and get sniffing!
Marking Territory Another scent factor could be your dog wanting to claim a particular leaf pile. We already know dogs use their scents to mark territory, and rolling in a beloved pile of leaves is a way to infuse their scent. After diving head first into some leaves, they leave their scent behind so other animals can smell them and know that the leaf pile has already been claimed! Whatever the case, jumping into a pile of leaves is completely normal — and fun! — for both humans and dogs.
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