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Pick a Theme to Make 2024 the Best Year Yet CampbellWealth.com • (703) 535-5300 • 330 John Carlyle St., Suite 400, Alexandria, Virginia 22314
For me, my theme this coming year will be “experience.” I want to make this new year a year of great experiences for familiar events and new activities with my family and friends. I’d like to have my kids help me to dream up some of these new ideas, too. I will try out new restaurants, explore different towns, and take time to appreciate new ideas. Maybe I’ll go back to the little “daddy and me” trips that I used to take with my kids or make time to do things that I wouldn’t normally enjoy but my wife, Kim, wants to do. Whatever the case may be, I want this theme of experience to help me accomplish things that I wouldn’t normally achieve to help me think outside the box. If you have a theme for your 2024 and would like to share it, send me an email! But, more importantly, share it with your family and friends and make 2024 the best year ever. I wish you the best and happiest of holidays. Cheers to an incredible 2024. Thank you for being such a great client.
accomplished all that they wanted to? Did they feel fulfilled? Or did they feel something was still missing and wish they would have done something additional? So, with the new year on the horizon, I want to encourage you to plan thoroughly, thoughtfully, and intentionally for 2024. We never know when our number is going to be called, and the more effort we put into living like it’s our last year, the better that year will be. For this year, I decided to create a theme, and I encourage you to add one to your
It’s December already — the year seems to have flown by. This is one of my favorite months. After all, it’s the most wonderful time of the year. While 2023 is coming to an end, and it’s time to celebrate our accomplishments, we also have a few weeks left to push through those things that we still haven’t checked off our lists for 2023. Throughout the holidays, I love taking time to wind down, spend time with family and friends, create new memories, reminisce, and connect with others. I also enjoy looking back on the year coming to an end. As I reflect on 2023, I notice
that it was one of those years where some would say, “I’m glad it’s finally over,” and not many
“We never know when our number is going to be called, and the more effort we put into living like it’s our last year, the better that year will be.”
agenda as well. Some ideas for this theme can be “challenge,” “grace,” “fulfillment,”
people are celebrating. However, for Campbell Wealth, I see it as a year of growth and change but also a year of loss. We lost a number of clients this year who passed away. As I
“service,” “stretch goals,” “fitness,” “family time,” or
even “healthy eating.” Whatever you choose to focus on in 2024,
Kelly Campbell
get your family involved,
reflect on those clients and celebrate their lives, I can’t help but wonder how they felt. Did they feel that they had
and keep in mind that the better the theme, the more active
engagement you’ll get from everyone.
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YOUR FLIGHT DELAY BACKUP PLAN: HOW TO SECURE A REFUND
The holiday season is supposed to be a time of cheer and goodwill, but keeping that spirit alive when you’re stuck at an airport is challenging. If you’re traveling to see family this year, we hope your flight is on time and uneventful. But with large-scale airline delays repeatedly making the news since the pandemic began, it’s wise to have a backup plan. Before you pack your bags, know how to get a refund if the worst happens and you end up stuck at home. Fortunately, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) requires airlines to provide consumers with a cash refund when a flight is canceled or experiences a preventable delay or schedule change. Any refund should include baggage or service fees. The airline may offer a voucher or new tickets instead of a refund, but you can refuse these offers. Receiving a refund for a canceled flight is pretty straightforward. Speaking with a representative in person or over the phone will usually solve the problem. However, delays can be trickier. Unfortunately, USDOT does not explicitly define a significant reschedule or delay and decides the matter on a case-by-case basis if a consumer files a complaint.
Regulations also only require airlines to issue refunds for delays if the matter was “preventable” by the airline. So, you should receive a refund if workers fall behind or there’s a maintenance issue. But if a tropical storm rolls through town or a security threat grounds flights, a refund is at the airline’s discretion. Most airlines will provide a meal voucher for passengers waiting three hours or more due to a delay. For a particularly long or overnight delay, most also pay for a passenger’s unforeseen hotel stay. However, check your airline’s policy before you book. While most airlines commit to these benefits as a matter of customer service, no law legally compels them. If you believe an airline legally owes you a refund, but it refuses, you can file a complaint with Transportation.gov. However, many travelers prefer to utilize travel insurance for situations that fall into a gray area. Many credit cards offer this service to cardholders for free, and frequent fliers should keep one ready in their wallets.
DON’T MISS OUT The Top 5 Most Overlooked Tax Deductions of 2023
As 2023 draws to a close, we know that April is near. Tax season can be a daunting time of year, with many people searching for ways to minimize their tax liability. While you may be aware of common deductions like mortgage interest and student loan interest, several lesser-known deductions often go unnoticed. Here are the five most overlooked tax deductions that could help you keep more money in your pocket. Reinvested Dividends If you have investments in stocks, mutual funds, or other securities, you may receive dividends. What many people don’t realize is that reinvested dividends can be added to your cost basis, potentially reducing your capital gains tax when you sell those investments. This is important for long-term investors who compound their earnings over time, as it can result in substantial tax savings. Out-of-Pocket Charity Donating to charitable causes is not only generous but can also provide you with a tax deduction. However, many people overlook
deducting expenses incurred while doing volunteer work for qualified organizations. This includes the cost of ingredients if you prepare meals for a local shelter, mileage for driving to and from volunteer work, and other expenses related to your charity work. State Taxes If you live in a state with income taxes, you can typically deduct the amount you pay in state income taxes from your federal tax return. This deduction is often forgotten or underestimated, particularly by those who live in states with no income tax, but it can provide a significant benefit for those who itemize their deductions. Medicare Premiums If you’re self-employed and pay for health insurance, you can often deduct your Medicare premiums. This deduction can include premiums for Medicare Part B, Part D, and supplemental Medicare policies. Keep in mind that this deduction is only available if you aren’t eligible to participate in an employer-subsidized health plan.
Income in Respect of a Decedent (IRD) IRD refers to income received on behalf of a deceased person but not included in their final tax return. Beneficiaries who receive IRD are responsible for reporting it and paying taxes on that income. The good news is that you can deduct any estate taxes paid on that income. While IRD can be complicated, understanding and maximizing this dedication can help reduce your tax liability. By paying attention to these often forgotten- about deductions, you can potentially reduce your tax liability and put more money back into your pocket. Keep accurate records and consult with a tax expert to ensure you’re making the most of these opportunities to save on your taxes.
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The Guard Squirrel Who Went Nuts on a Burglar
Anyone robbing a house must know they’re getting into a dangerous situation. But the teenager who burgled Adam Pearl’s Meridian, Idaho, home had no idea what consequences were in store. Many homeowners have a guard dog, but Pearl got his home security from Joey, his pet squirrel. One day in 2017, Pearl came home and saw that something seemed amiss. Joey was excited, and the doors he’d left closed were now open. After finding scratches on the lock of his gun safe, Pearl knew there’d been a robbery and called the police. Officer Ashley Turner couldn’t help but notice Joey’s
to the home invasion and explained why he’d left sooner than intended: Joey attacked while he was attempting to break into the gun safe. Unsurprisingly, the rodent’s violence was frightening. “He wasn’t expecting to have, you know, a squirrel come flying out of nowhere at him,” Officer Turner said. The thief reported that leaving was the only way to stop Joey’s aggression. After learning of his bravery, Pearl rewarded Joey with his favorite candy, Whoppers. But he then had a difficult choice ahead. When Joey was still a tiny baby, Pearl and his wife had taken in the abandoned squirrel. They had intended to release Joey back into the wild when spring came, but they were no longer sure. Ultimately, they let Joey decide. After he started playing with other squirrels through the home’s sliding glass door, the Pearls installed a cat door so he could come and go as he pleased. Joey spent several weeks outdoors with other squirrels by day and returned to the Pearls by night. Eventually, he requested one final scratch behind the ears before disappearing into an apple tree and leaving the Pearls’ house behind forever. Though Joey returned to the great outdoors to live with his kind, his legend is a warning to humans. When you break into someone’s home, you never know what you might find.
presence in the house but didn’t believe he was connected with the case — at first. A few hours later, Turner returned to Pearl’s house with his missing belongings and a story to tell. She’d partially identified the
perpetrator by the suspicious scratches on his hands. During questioning, Turner said the burglar confessed
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Start a tradition with your kids or grandkids at this fun (and delicious!) event. When: Dec. 5, 3-7p.m.
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CampbellWealth.com (703) 535-5300 330 John Carlyle St., Suite 400 Alexandria, Virginia 22314
Inside
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Planning for a Fulfilling 2024
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Your Holiday Guide to Flight Refunds
Boost Your Tax Savings With These Often Overlooked Deductions Guard Squirrel on Duty: The Rodent Who Sent a Burglar Running
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Come Decorate Cookies With Us!
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How Ketchup Transformed From Cure to Condiment
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.
Ketchup, the popular tasty and tangy condiment found on tables and in refrigerators worldwide, has a surprising and somewhat peculiar history. In the 1830s, it was not just a topping for hamburgers and hot dogs; it was actually sold as medicine — yes, medicine! A Unique Origin Ketchup’s roots can be traced back to Asia, where it was called ke-tsiap (Xiamen), a sauce made from fermented fish sauce. It made its way to Europe in the 17th century, but it looked and tasted different from the ketchup we know today, as it included ingredients like mushrooms, walnuts, and oysters — no tomatoes. The Medicinal Claim and Tomato Connection In the 1830s, an Ohio physician named Dr. John Cook Bennett began marketing a tomato-based concoction as a medicinal elixir. Dr. Bennett claimed his tomato extract had incredible healing properties and promoted it as a cure for a wide range of ailments, including diarrhea, indigestion, jaundice, and rheumatism. From Miracle Cure to Tasty Delight The Unbelievable History of Ketchup
During this time, tomatoes were still relatively new in American cuisine, and many people were skeptical about their edibility and safety. In fact, some believed tomatoes were poisonous, but Dr. Bennett aimed to market them as a safe and healthy miracle ingredient. His tomato preparation was a precursor to modern ketchup. The Transition to the Table
Over time, the medicinal claims surrounding tomato-based ketchup faded, and people began enjoying its taste. A tomato-based ketchup started to appear in cookbooks as an ingredient in recipes and was commonly paired with eggs, meat, and fish. By the late 19th century, ketchup had become a staple in American households, and companies like Heinz began mass-producing it. Today, it’s tough to imagine ketchup as anything other than a delicious topping for our favorite foods, and while tomatoes do contain antioxidants and vitamin C, we know ketchup won’t cure a sickness. However, its transformation from fish sauce to tomato medicine to a beloved topping is a remarkable twist in culinary history!
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