Here’s what I’m thankful for this year

Happy Thanksgiving from IWT. To view this email as a web page, [click here]() [IWT Header] Here’s what I’m thankful for this year It’s Thanksgiving today in the U.S. What are you thankful for this year? I’m thankful for several things. First, I’m thankful for YOU! I love my readers, and you inspire me every day. My inbox is full of messages from readers sharing how they’re learning to get their money in order, getting their Dream Job, starting their own business, and living their Rich Life. I love knowing that I can play a small part in all of that, and I’m thankful that you’re part of my community. Second, I’m thankful for my family. It’s no secret that my parents had a HUGE impact on the person I am today. In fact, I’d say they were the biggest reason I’m so passionate about personal finance and development. In my 2014(!) blog post “[What’s the best thing you learned from your parents?]()” I share a couple stories of what I learned from my parents. My mom would negotiate EVERYTHING. Everything. My dad also was a master of negotiation. I’ve told the story many times, but it’s because it’s so powerful: He once negotiated the price of a car for a week … and then walked away right before signing the papers because the salesman wouldn’t throw in floor mats. Here are a few other things I learned from my parents that I’m grateful for: - The value of working hard. Sitting at the table for hours practicing spelling-bee books and math homework. - Always open your house to anyone. Invite everyone over. My mom loves to make food for huge crowds, even if I call her 10 minutes ahead of time and tell her I’m bringing 10 friends over. - Be street smart. Don’t just look for the obvious … ask for what you want. What’s the worst they can say? No? (I remember being so embarrassed as my mom would bargain with the ladies at Macy’s, etc. … but she would get deals!) - Cut costs mercilessly on things we couldn’t afford (fancy clothes, cable TV, etc.) but spend extravagantly on things that mattered (anything education or sports related). - Know what we’re REALLY aiming for. Like on trips, the point wasn’t to stay in the fanciest hotel … it was to be with family. We’d pack our own lunches, go to free campgrounds, etc. But we would all be together. - So many more. [That post]() also includes 10 lessons that IWT readers learned from their parents. I encourage you to check it out. Let me know the thing you’re most grateful for this year. Then write a letter to the person responsible, telling them why you’re thankful. --------------------------------------------------------------- 3 Rich Life stories Here’s another thing I’m thankful for: Hearing how you are living your Rich Life. I want to share a couple stories that I’ve recently received: “ The Holiday Inn/Best Western was my parent's jam while I grew up. I've decided that spending more on travel accommodations is part of my Rich Life, so recently when I traveled and stayed the weekend to be in a wedding...I reserved a high floor mountain/skyline view king bed luxury suite...The room was huge with a living and dining area, the floor to ceiling windows offered the most incredible view, the bed was gigantic and super comfortable (l slept until almost 10am after the wedding which I never do even when exhausted), and the bathroom was also huge with a giant soaking tub and walk-in shower with multiple showerheads. I was able to order a great breakfast to the room at 7am since I had to leave early on the wedding day, and my partner could sleep in and get brunch downstairs where some permanent residents of the building eat every morning because it's so good. The front desk checked in multiple times over text to make sure we had everything we needed and wanted, and they fulfilled every request quickly and with obvious pleasure. Even the bar and their staff were phenomenal and made sure we were as comfortable as we could be while we relaxed after the wedding. The focus on customer service and experience was unparalleled, in my experience so far anyway. Was it more expensive? ABSOLUTELY. But you'll have to cut my arm off before I go back to a Holiday Inn. TARYN WILSON [Ryan Naylor] “ Most of our family and friends don't know about this, but we sent one of my wife's best friends to a summer internship working in Greece with Syrian refugees. It was not only an incredible journey for her, but it allowed her to land a great job because she had that experience under her belt. I was humbled and grateful we could do that for her. More than just about anything, that's our Rich Life — helping other people to have life changing experiences. RYAN NAYLOR [Zack Arnold] “ I don’t have a single big ‘Rich Life’ moment, I have an entire collection of small ‘Rich Life’ moments that exist because I now have the freedom to choose the projects I want to work on which gives me the flexibility to work from home for the majority of the year. That collection of moments includes helping my kids with their homework when they get home from school, having time to make them dinner, or talk about their day at school, or take the rest of the afternoon off to watch movies with them and get frozen yogurt. Or even pick up my new Tesla (thanks to automating my finances) in the middle of the week! ZACK ARNOLD How are you living your Rich Life? Snap some photos and send them to me! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, [Signature] WHAT TO DO NEXT - REPLY TO THIS EMAIL: Let me know the thing you’re most grateful for this year. Then write a letter to the person responsible, telling them why you’re thankful. --------------------------------------------------------------- What did you think of today's newsletter? [Hated it]() [It was fine]() [Loved it]()   [Logo] [insta]() [Twitter]() [twitter]() [youtube]() [Linkedin]() [podcast]() This email was sent to [{EMAIL} .]() If you no longer wish to receive these emails you may [unsubscribe]( at any time. I Will Teach You To Be Rich 548 Market St #89946 San Francisco, CA 94104-5401