I like Thanksgiving columns. With short deadlines I get to pretend I’m a real newspaper guy … an Underwood typewriter, a bottle of bourbon in the desk drawer and an ashtray piled with cigarette butts — Mama’s nightmare.
I’m thankful for 529 college savings plans. I did not know Suzanna James’ first ETF would be so special.
I’m thankful the Georgia Bulldogs wrapped up the SEC East in Auburn. Winning on the road is always tough — Spurrier never won in Tallahassee. If Georgia had lost then Florida would be SEC East Champs; it was like winning twice in one day. While Georgia is playing extremely well I do not like the pending four-team playoff. The players will only get crumbs while the NCAA and promoters make out handsomely.
I’m thankful for Anita Page: Imagine what this county would look like without her. Please join the South Walton Community Council, tax-deductible dues start at $40 annually and support her work (www.southwaltoncc.org). To the artists and businesses that supported SWCC’s Back to Nature Festival: You have my gratitude.
I’m thankful for yoga and asset allocation — both work. I’m thankful when a client looks across the desk and says, “This is what I’ve been looking for.” I’m thankful when I find what I’m looking for, too.
I’m thankful for John, The Cranky Yankee. My garden has never been better. I’m thankful for Chan’s at Watercolor; their Tillamook cheese melted on my hot peppers is an epicurean’s delight and I don’t have to share it with my wife.
Daughters and granddaughters are nice, and I’m thankful for a daughter-in-law, too.
I’m thankful for spell-check; I wish it were dumb check but that’s a bridge too far.
I’m thankful for John Bogle and Zvi Bodie.
I’m thankful for Elizabeth Warren; the financial services industry loathes her while they exploit consumers. The Consumer Financial Protection Board, if properly funded, will benefit Americans. To be fair and balanced (really), good riddance to Barney Frank. Frank, in concert with Senator Tom Harkin, parachuted language into the Dodd-Frank bill, allowing a particularly despicable annuity new life.
I’m thankful Humana sent health insurance premium rebates. I will be thankful if our daughter can find an individual health insurance policy, a chronic health condition and Texas politicians being what they are. I’m thankful my nephew can stay on his mother’s health insurance, although it forces my sister-in-law to keep a job she hates.
I’m thankful for Forrest Williams’ new CD and for all the girls and boys who make the noise up and down 30A.
I’m thankful for the Seaside Rep. Check out their Christmas shows. I’m thankful I can watch the Tech game over breakfast with my son in California.
I’m especially thankful you’ve read this far and I’m thankful for Honey.
Buz Livingston, CFP offers hourly financial planning and fee-only investment management to clients along Florida’s Emerald Coast. He can be reached at 267-1068,Buz@LivingstonFinancial.netor www.LivingstonFinancial.net
