4 Common Thanksgiving Myths And The Real Facts Behind Them

VERIFY: 4 Common Thanksgiving Myths And The Real Facts Behind Them

Author: VERIFY, Terry Spry Jr.
Published: 4:08 PM EST November 23, 2020

The VERIFY team separated fact from fiction on 4 popular Thanksgiving myths including who started the turkey pardoning tradition and how Black Friday got its name.

Thanksgiving is almost here and with the annual festivities also comes years upon years of myths that have developed around one of the biggest holidays of the year for Americans. The myths, misconceptions and legends around Thanksgiving predate the internet, yet have persisted in the digital world all the same. Here are four common Thanksgiving myths, all of which are false, and the truth behind the holiday weekend’s various stories.

MYTH: Thanksgiving has been celebrated every year since the nation’s founding

According to the National Archives, George Washington issued a proclamation that named Thursday, November 26, 1789 as a "Day of Publick Thanksgivin".

At that point, however, Thanksgiving wasn’t codified into law as an annual holiday. It was up to the sitting president to declare a day of “Thanksgiving and Prayer” and set the day and month for the holiday. And there were some years where no such day was declared.

For example, Thomas Jefferson opted against it while president. Monticello says Jefferson was against it because of his beliefs in separating religion from the government. Back then, Thanksgiving days were more religious-focused holidays. Thanksgiving was established as one of the first four federal holidays in 1870, when Congress passed the Holiday Act. That law established Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day and Independence Day as holidays, but Thanksgiving was the only one where the president had the discretion to set the date each year.

By that time, Thanksgiving already had an informal date. Abraham Lincoln’s 1863 proclamation set Thanksgiving as the last Thursday in November and subsequent presidents had followed that precedent.

However, Thanksgiving would have fallen on the last day of the month in 1939, so Franklin Roosevelt moved it to the month’s second-to-last Thursday because he worried a shortened Christmas season would dampen the nation’s recovery from the Great Depression. Some states defied the president’s move and made it state law that Thanksgiving was the last Thursday and so Congress sought to set a fixed date for the holiday to combat the confusion. A law was passed in 1941 that set Thanksgiving as the fourth Thursday of November.

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After 230 Years, The U.S. Penny Is Retired

After 230 Years, The U.S. Penny Is Retired—What To Do With The Ones You Still Have

Before you empty that change purse, here’s what shoppers should know.

Alexandra Emanuelli   Mon, November 17, 2025

As Dolly Parton once sang, “If teardrops were pennies and heartaches were gold, I'd have all the riches my pockets would hold.” These days, though, even Dolly’s pockets would be a little lighter. As of November 12, the U.S. Mint pressed its final circulating penny. The move comes after President Trump instructed the Treasury Department to halt production because the coin now costs more to make than it’s worth.

So what happens to the smallest form of currency when it suddenly disappears? Will your old change jars become tiny treasure chests? Probably not, according to coin expert Charmy Harker, who noted that our northern neighbor stopped minting pennies back in 2012 and most Canadians barely noticed. In an increasingly cashless society, the loss of the penny has more practical implications for shoppers than sentimental ones.

Are Retailers Changing Prices?

It probably won’t surprise you that there hasn’t been a single, unified response from retailers. Some national brands with strong Southern footprints—including Georgia-based Auntie Anne’s, Cinnabon, Jamba, and Carvel—have already announced they’ll round prices to the nearest nickel when customers pay with cash. Other stores are choosing a different approach and are simply asking shoppers to provide exact change.

The good news is that shoppers won’t suddenly be stuck with unusable coins. “Yes retailers will still be accepting pennies (except those that no longer accept cash for any purchases), and I believe they will be accepting pennies for a while, most likely until pennies that are currently in circulation become too scarce,” says Harker. Most major retailers have confirmed they’ll continue to take pennies at checkout, so the coin’s retirement won’t cause immediate chaos.

For anyone paying with a credit or debit card, nothing changes. Digital transactions will continue to ring up to the exact cent, and you won’t notice any difference.

What Should You Do With Your Pennies?

Even though the U.S. Mint has stopped producing new pennies, the ones already in your home, car, or junk drawer are still very much real money. Stores, banks, and most coin-counting machines will continue accepting them, so there’s no rush to dump out your change jar.

As Harker explains, “Pennies aren’t being recalled so they will still be in circulation for quite some time, and whether stores and/or banks need pennies will depend on how soon stores start rounding sales to the nickel.”

In practical terms, pennies won’t vanish overnight. Instead, they’ll slowly fade out of circulation as they get lost, damaged, or turned in for deposits. With no new pennies being minted to replace them, the national supply will naturally shrink until the coin becomes more of a rarity than a regular part of your wallet.

So what should you actually do with the ones you have?

TO READ MORE:  https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/articles/230-years-u-penny-retired-210852058.html

Can You Just Keep The Cash If You Stumble Upon A Cache?

Can You Just Keep The Cash If You Stumble Upon A Cache?

Danielle Antosz  Mon, November 17, 2025   Moneywise

Ohio man bought $1K house, then found $10K in the basement

In a world where stories about hidden cash often end in legal headaches or ethical questions, one Ohio man showed how doing the right thing can turn a surprise find into something more meaningful.

Walter Castanedo of Toledo bought a rundown home in early 2024 with plans to renovate it. The three-bedroom, one-bath house cost him only $1,000. While clearing out the basement, he uncovered something he never expected: old envelopes stuffed with $100 bills. In total, he found about $10,000 hidden between paving stones.

"I just kind of felt like 'Whoa'," Castanedo told WTOL 11 reporter Steve Iwanek in early 2025. "Because you read about this stuff, but you never actually see it. And then when it's right there in front of you, it's kind of hard to process.”

Most of the bills appeared to be from the early 1980s, with the most recent from 1981, which suggested the money had been hidden for decades.

Finding treasure

Castanedo discovered five envelopes with money inside while gutting the basement of the small home. Some were wedged under bricks where he believed a potbelly stove once sat.

"They were black, but you could just make out when I shined a light on it,” Castanedo explained. “There were 100s in the corners."

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics inflation calculator, $10,000 in January of 1981 would be worth $36,276.44 as of December 2024.

But the real surprise wasn’t the cash itself. After the shock wore off, Castanedo tried to track down someone connected to the home’s past. With a few calls, he reached Andrew Aranyosi, who lived in the house from 1946 to 1967. Aranyosi believed his dad, Andrew Sr., likely hid the money.

"I talked to him (Aranyosi) and I said, 'Look, I found something in your basement," Castanedo told WTOL11. "I found some money in your basement and I'd like to split it with you. "

Aranyosi was shocked. He suspected his dad had likely hidden the cash, but he never knew about it.

"My dad built parts of the home," Aranyosi said. "He added a whole new bedroom on the back of the house above the kitchen, and that's actually the bedroom I was in. The $10,000 — I would say my father definitely tucked that somewhere in the bricks or wherever."

TO READ MORE:  https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/ohio-man-bought-1k-house-123000239.html

28 People Who Know A Lottery Winner Share What Actually Happened To Them

28 People Who Know A Lottery Winner Share What Actually Happened To Them

Story by Edvinas Jovaišas

#1©Trevumm

My friends mom won like $100k or so when we were in grade 6. She was a single mom of 2 and they we’re pretty poor. She used it to give her kids a better, more comfortable life. It was little changes like the next winter they had new winter jackets and boots and stuff, not the worn old hand me downs they always had. My friends next birthday she got to have a big party for the whole class, nothing crazy just pizzas and stuff, but she’s never gotten to have that before and she was so happy.

#2©Earguy

I had a patient, a hairdresser who owned her own shop, who won about 6 million. Her winnings were announced in the local newspaper.

She consulted the right professionals, worked a plan to sell her salon, and mapped a way to retire on her winnings without a change in her lifestyle.

But she told me that she had old boyfriends, and even guys that barely knew her in high school, who called her with some variation of, "you know I always loved you..."  She just laughed and blew them off.

#3©Dvaone

I won $250k on a $5 scratch off 8 years ago.it was right before Christmas and i had been fired 2 weeks befor. After taxes we got a check for $167k and some change. Paid off all credit cards, bought the wife a brand new honda accord, bought a small business. Lived off it for the next several years while I grew my business and my wife got her masters. It was life changing!

#4©anon

Mom won a bit and was able to get my siblings and I new clothes and move out so she didn't have to stay in an abusive relationship.

#5©hornblower_83

Friend won 1 million. They paid off their house. Saved for their kids education and basically don’t live paycheque to paycheque anymore. Both of them still work full time.

#6©Kriskao

I won 1500 US dollars. Received like 950 because taxes. Donated it all to an orphanage in my home country because I was doing ok with money. Since then there have been times I needed the money but I don’t regret it.

#7©Mandalasan_612

My sister's ex won around $150 million. Nicest guy, his brother manages the money so he doesn't blow it. Living his best life, money never changed him, because he was already so chill. Dude deserves it after putting up with my sister. Helped out my niece (not his daughter) with

#8©Punkrockid19

My dad

He hit 5 outta 6 numbers in 1989 won like 16 grand. Payed off the family debts spent the rest on a computer and started his own business out of our dining room. Bout to sell it for a couple million this year. One ticket literally changed our lives.

#9©Burnsie312

I won 2000 on a scratch off once! Fixed my missing tooth lol.

#10©CaseyBoogies

My MIL won 33k on a scratch-off, she paid off some debt and got new windows installed on her house. The new windows in an 1890s farmhouse are amazing, don't think I've seen a happier woman!

#11©Kahazzarran

My neighbor won the lottery in his sixties, it was something like 1.2 million in the late 90s. We lived in a trailer park in a rural part of the US, a pretty low cost of living area so the money stretched pretty far.He bought his trailer and land outright with the money and pretty much just spent everyday drinking on his porch and yelling at his goats. IIRC he used a good chunk of what he won to put his son and grandkids through college. Died of liver failure at like 85 or something. Not a terrible way to do it, all said and done.

#12©Blondefarmgirl

Friends of ours won 30 mill. They took a group of us on vacation. Bought a cottage and built a house not much really changed. They are doing great.

#13©pascontent

Neighbor won a few millions, built an old folks home, named it after his mother and she refused to live there.

#14©PigStickerOnStone

I knew a welder who won a 30 million jackpot.

He retired, bought two Ford GTs and spends his time doing yardwork, playing low stakes poker tournaments, and raising his two young kids.

His wife bought a crib from me used for their second child.

TO READ MORE:    https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/personalfinance/28-people-who-know-a-lottery-winner-share-what-actually-happened-to-them/ss-AA1OwkF5?ocid=winp2fptaskbarhover&cvid=f84a9d10d49945e2f5b21fda0ad1cd40&ei=43#image=2

MS Email Subscriber Update

June 16, 7pm (ET) UPDATE:

It looks like our MS email (Hotmail, MSN, Outlook and Live) problem has been fixed.

We sent out our 6pm Newsletter, and had less than .0015% bounce. Thank you to all our loyal readers for your patience, and continued readership.

The Dinar Recaps Team

Recaps Note to all Newsletter subscribers with a Hotmail, MSN, Outlook or Live email address

June 16, 7pm (ET) UPDATE: It looks like our MS email problem has been fixed. We just sent out our 6pm Newsletter, and had less than .0015% bounce. Thank you to all our loyal readers for your patience, and continued readership.

---

Since Thursday, we have had an issue with people with Microsoft (Hotmail, MSN, Outlook & Live) emails being bounced by THEIR email provider (Hotmail, MSN & Live).  As it is right now (late Saturday night), those email addresses have been dropped from our list, to protect our sending email server(s) from damage.

We have our email company Deliverability Team working on the situation.  Hopefully soon we will know what to do.

In the meantime, we have two suggestions:

1. All our Email Newsletters are on our Archive page online.  CLICK HERE for that page.  Each Newsletter is on that page within a minute of when the Newsletter is sent.

2. If you have a secondary email address, we STRONGLY suggest joining our email list with that email, as long as it is NOT a Hotmail, MSN or Live email address.  CLICK HERE to join our list with a different email address. We have had very little trouble sending bulk emails to our GMail readers, and do recommend a free email address with them.

We hope to have this resolved ASAP, and apologize for the inconvenience.

The Dinar Recaps Team

The Forgotten History: 5 Surprising Facts About Mother's Day You Never Knew

The Forgotten History: 5 Surprising Facts About Mother's Day You Never Knew

By  MSTIMES•5/04/2025

The Evolution of Mother's Day: A Journey Through Time

Have you ever wondered about the real story behind Mother's Day? While we all celebrate this special occasion with flowers, cards, and gifts, the rich history of Mother's Day traditions holds fascinating surprises that many people don't know. Today, we're exploring five remarkable facts about Mother's Day that reveal its complex origins and evolution throughout history.

Many of us think of Mother's Day as a modern holiday created by greeting card companies, but its roots actually stretch back to ancient times. The traditions surrounding maternal celebration have evolved dramatically over centuries, taking different forms across cultures while maintaining the central theme of honoring motherhood.

Ancient Roots: Mother's Day Celebrations Before Modern Times

The concept of honoring mothers dates back thousands of years, far beyond the modern holiday we celebrate today. In ancient Greece, spring festivals were dedicated to Rhea, the mother of many deities in Greek mythology. Similarly, the Romans celebrated a festival called Hilaria, which honored Cybele, a mother goddess, in March. These ancient Mother's Day traditions provided the earliest foundations for our modern celebration.

What many people don't realize is that these ancient celebrations weren't focused on individual mothers as much as they were on motherhood as a divine concept. The worship of mother goddesses represented fertility, protection, and the continuation of life itself - concepts that still resonate with our modern understanding of motherhood.

Ancient Culture Maternal Celebration Deity Honored Approximate Time Period

Greek Spring Festival Rhea 6th century BCE

Roman Hilaria Festival Cybele March 15-27, Roman calendar

Celtic/Gaelic Seasonal celebrations Various mother goddesses Pre-Christian era

Egyptian Festivals Isis Ancient Egyptian period

Mothering Sunday: The Christian Connection

One of the most surprising facts about Mother's Day is its connection to Christian traditions. In 16th century England, a practice called "Mothering Sunday" emerged on the fourth Sunday of Lent. Originally, this was less about honoring mothers and more about returning to one's "mother church" (the main cathedral of the area). Domestic servants were given the day off to visit their home parish and families.

Over time, this religious observance evolved into a more secular celebration where children would present their mothers with flowers and small gifts. This tradition of Mothering Sunday became a precursor to our modern Mother's Day traditions, though with distinctive religious overtones that have largely faded from today's celebration. While American Mother's Day has different origins, this European tradition shows how maternal celebrations have taken various forms throughout history.

The Surprising Anti-War Origins of American Mother's Day

Perhaps the most unexpected fact about Mother's Day is that its American origins are deeply rooted in peace activism. In the 1850s, Ann Reeves Jarvis organized "Mother's Day Work Clubs" to improve sanitary conditions and lower infant mortality. During the Civil War, these clubs declared their neutrality and cared for wounded soldiers from both sides.

Following Ann's death, her daughter Anna Jarvis campaigned for a day to honor mothers, leading to the first official Mother's Day celebration in 1908. What's truly remarkable about these Mother's Day origins is that Anna Jarvis envisioned it as a day of peace and maternal values that could heal the divides of war. Julia Ward Howe, another influential figure, proposed a "Mother's Day for Peace" in 1870, where mothers would unite to promote disarmament.

The connection between Mother's Day and anti-war sentiment represents one of the most powerful Mother's Day traditions that has been largely forgotten. Ironically, this holiday born from pacifist ideals has transformed into one of the most commercially successful celebrations of the year.

Key Figure Contribution to Mother's Day Year

Ann Reeves Jarvis Created "Mother's Day Work Clubs" 1850s

Julia Ward Howe Proposed "Mother's Day for Peace" 1870

Anna Jarvis Campaigned for official Mother's Day Early 1900s

President Woodrow Wilson Signed Mother's Day proclamation 1914

The White Carnation: Symbol with a Forgotten Meaning

When exploring Mother's Day traditions, we can't overlook the significance of the white carnation. Anna Jarvis chose this flower as the emblem of Mother's Day for its symbolic qualities. She selected white carnations because they represented the purity and endurance of a mother's love. The tradition began when Jarvis delivered 500 white carnations to the first official Mother's Day service in Grafton, West Virginia.

Over time, the tradition evolved to differentiate between honoring living and deceased mothers: white carnations came to honor deceased mothers, while colored carnations celebrated living ones. This symbolic practice represents one of the most poignant Mother's Day facts that has faded from common knowledge. Today, while flowers remain central to Mother's Day celebrations, the specific symbolism of carnations and their colors has largely been forgotten as roses and other blooms have become more popular.

The Founder's Rejection of Commercialization

Perhaps the most ironic fact about Mother's Day is that its founder, Anna Jarvis, eventually came to despise what the holiday had become. By the 1920s, Jarvis was actively fighting against the commercialization of Mother's Day. She was arrested for disturbing the peace at a carnation sale fundraiser and spent her later years and inheritance campaigning against the holiday she had created.

Jarvis had envisioned Mother's Day as a deeply personal celebration where children would spend time writing heartfelt letters to their mothers expressing gratitude. The flourishing industry of pre-made cards, candy, and flowers seemed to her a corruption of the holiday's original intent. This stands as one of the most surprising Mother's Day facts: its creator became its most vocal critic.

Year Mother's Day Development Anna Jarvis's Response

1908 First official Mother's Day celebration Full support and organization

1914 National holiday declaration Initial satisfaction with recognition

1920s Growing commercialization Active opposition and protests

1940s Fully commercialized holiday Legal battles against commercialization

Global Variations: Mother's Day Around the World

While American Mother's Day traditions are widely known, it's fascinating to discover how this celebration varies across cultures. In Thailand, Mother's Day is celebrated on August 12, the birthday of Queen Sirikit, who is regarded as the mother of the country. In Ethiopia, families gather for the Antrosht festival at the end of the rainy season, where daughters bring vegetables and cheese while sons contribute meat.

These international Mother's Day traditions highlight the universal importance of honoring maternal figures while showcasing unique cultural expressions. In Mexico and many Latin American countries, Mother's Day (Día de las Madres) is a fixed date on May 10 rather than the second Sunday in May, and typically involves serenades, special church services, and elaborate meals.

The Japanese celebration of Mother's Day, known as "Haha no Hi," became popular after World War II and originally involved giving carnations, similar to American traditions. However, it has evolved to include children drawing pictures of their mothers and helping with household chores as expressions of gratitude.

Preserving the True Meaning of Mother's Day

Understanding these surprising facts about Mother's Day traditions can help us reconnect with the holiday's deeper significance. While commercial aspects have become firmly established, we can still honor the original spirit of Mother's Day by incorporating more personal and meaningful gestures alongside purchased gifts.

The rich history of Mother's Day reminds us that this celebration has always been about expressing genuine gratitude and acknowledging the invaluable contributions mothers make to our lives and society. Whether through ancient ritual, religious observance, or modern celebration, honoring motherhood transcends time and culture.

As we approach another Mother's Day, perhaps we can take inspiration from its complex origins. We might write heartfelt letters as Anna Jarvis intended, contribute to peace and social justice causes in honor of its activist roots, or simply spend quality time creating memories with the maternal figures in our lives. In doing so, we can celebrate Mother's Day traditions in ways that are both personally meaningful and historically mindful.

TO READ MORE:

https://www.msmtimes.com/2025/05/The-Forgotten-History-5-Surprising-Facts-About-Mothers-Day-You-Never-Knew.html

5 Ways The Rockefellers Created Generational Wealth

5 Ways The Rockefellers Created Generational Wealth

The Rockefellers Are Still One of the Richest Families of All Time — 5 Ways They Created Generational Wealth

Dawn Allcot   Sun, May 12, 2024

Only 10% of family wealth makes it to the third generation, according to a landmark Williams Group wealth consultancy study reported by Reuters in 2015. But a handful of families throughout history have managed to buck this “third generation curse” to create a legacy that has lasted for centuries. Among the best known are the Rockefellers.

How John D. Rockefeller Built His Wealth

John D. Rockefeller was one of the most famous business moguls of the 19th and early 20th centuries, building his family’s fortune through the Standard Oil Company. His company controlled 90% of the U.S. refineries and pipelines at a time when a need for oil was increasing thanks to the introduction of internal combustion engines and growing demands for electricity, according to History.

Rockefeller had amassed a net worth of nearly $900 million by 1912, according to Smithsonian Magazine. That’s equivalent to about $28 billion in today’s dollars and a staggering sum by 1912 standards.

Ultimately, the Supreme Court ordered the dissolution of the Standard Oil Trust, declaring it in violation of antitrust laws. The move broke Standard Oil into a number of businesses that used the Standard Oil name. Subsequent mergers created oil and gas industry leaders like ExxonMobil and Chevron.

The Rockefeller family’s name and wealth live on — And so do its philanthropic efforts, including $500 million John Rockefeller personally gifted to charities.

The Rockefeller Family Today

The Rockefeller family is 200 members strong and has a cumulative net worth of $10.3 billion, according to Forbes. The wealthiest and most prominent family member of this century, David Rockefeller, was the world’s oldest billionaire at 101 years old, with a net worth of $3.3 billion when he died in 2017.

How the Rockefellers Created Generational Wealth

What did the Rockefeller family do right that so many other families fail to implement?

Accounted for Every Dollar

Whether your net worth measures in the seven figures or you’re living paycheck to paycheck, every dollar without a specific job is in danger of being wasted. The Rockefellers have a team of financial managers to ensure that every dollar is put to good use, leveraging their money to make more money.

Established a Family Office

The Rockefellers were the first family to establish a full-service single family office in the U.S., according to Deloitte. The Rockefeller Global Family Office manages all facets of the family’s wealth, investments and business dealings.

Created Irrevocable Trusts

The Rockefellers use irrevocable trusts, which heirs cannot easily change, to ensure that money gets passed on as it should, according to Barrons. An irrevocable trust removes assets from your taxable estate, which means your heirs might not pay tax on that money. An irrevocable trust can also protect those assets from lawsuits or creditors, which can provide a benefit if you are a high-profile personality or in a high-risk career where you might get sued.

Leveraged Legal Tax Avoidance Strategies

To Read More:

https://news.yahoo.com/finance/news/rockefellers-still-one-richest-families-000009583.html

Posted by Mot at TNT: The width of that tunnel is just slightly…

(From Recaps archives)

TNT:

Mot:  ....... And guess what? The width of that tunnel is just slightly

Did you know that the standard railroad gauge in the U.S.—the distance between the rails—is 4 feet, 8.5 inches? That might seem like an odd number, and there's a fascinating story behind it that stretches back thousands of years!

Why was that gauge used in the first place? Well, it's because the first U.S. railroads were designed by English engineers, and that’s how they built them in England. But why did the English use that particular gauge? It turns out that the first rail lines were constructed by the same people who built the old wagon tramways, and they used the same gauge.

But why did they use that specific wheel spacing for wagons? The reason goes even further back. If they tried to use a different spacing, the wagon wheels would break more often on the old, long-distance roads in England. You see, the wheels had to match the spacing of the ruts in those roads. And who created those ruts?

The roads were originally built by Imperial Rome for their legions, and those roads have been used ever since. The ruts were made by Roman war chariots, which were all built to a standard width to accommodate the rear ends of two war horses. So, the standard U.S. railroad gauge of 4 feet, 8.5 inches actually originates from the specifications of an Imperial Roman war chariot!

Bureaucracies, it seems, have a knack for enduring the test of time. So, the next time you're handed a specification or process and wonder, "Who on earth came up with this?" you might just be right in thinking it dates back to a couple of horse's... well, you know!

Now, here’s the twist: When you see a Space Shuttle on its launch pad, there are two big solid rocket boosters (SRBs) attached to the sides of the main fuel tank. These SRBs were made by Thiokol at their factory in Utah.

The engineers wanted to make them a bit wider, but there was one problem—the SRBs had to be shipped by train to the launch site. The railroad line passed through a tunnel in the mountains, and the SRBs had to fit through that tunnel.

And guess what? The width of that tunnel is just slightly wider than the railroad track, which, as you now know, is determined by the width of two horses' behinds from ancient Rome.

So, a critical design feature of one of the most advanced transportation systems in the world was dictated by the width of two horses'... well, you get the idea.

Who knew that the influence of ancient horse's behinds could reach all the way into the Space Age?

10 Sneaky or Unrecognizable Signs That Someone Is Wealthy

10 Sneaky or Unrecognizable Signs That Someone Is Wealthy

November 30, 2024   Caitlyn Moorhead

You may think you can spot signs of someone’s wealth at a glance. Surely you just look for designer clothing and purses, yachts, fancy cars, gigantic mansions or diamonds dripping from fingers, right? Not necessarily.

There are many signs of wealth you wouldn’t notice from such a lofty perch. Real money isn’t always obvious, and large amounts of it don’t always drive up in luxury cars. If you’re wondering who is living life in the wealthiest ways possible, here are 10 sneaky signs to look for to determine if someone is wealthy.

They Can Afford the Price of Peace of Mind

Real wealth isn’t just about having a fat bank account; it’s about feeling secure and stress-free where finances are concerned. It turns out that money may not buy happiness — but it certainly does buy peace of mind. 

It’s less about having more, and more about feeling financially stable. Wealth can bring a certain kind of mental and emotional freedom that others don’t have, and that’s not something you can see necessarily by just looking at a person.

They Can Afford To Be Generous

Many affluent individuals are deeply involved in philanthropy, because it’s not a great look to not share your millions. Hopefully, though, these generous donations to charities are mostly for the betterment of mankind and not just the tax write-off.

However, this also might not be something wealthy people talk about — they may just do it quietly.

They Value Experiences Over Things

The wealthy often prioritize experiences over material possessions because they already own everything money can buy. If you buy an expensive pair of shoes or go on an expensive trip, which are you more likely to remember in five years?

Wealthy people have the luxury of being able to travel more and experience unique opportunities, which can be a sign of a higher income than your average person. 

They Use Private Banking Services 

Among the less obvious signs of wealth is access to private banking products and services. This level of financial planning often requires specifically curated bank accounts, tax-advantaged investment strategies and other high-end financial services.

Private banking doesn’t necessarily come cheap, so if you know someone who uses this type of service, chances are they are well off. 

TO READ MORE:  https://www.gobankingrates.com/money/wealth/unrecognizable-signs-of-wealth/?hyperlink_type=manual

What You Could Buy If You Won The Mega Million Jackpot

Here's How Many Taylor Swift Tickets, Iphones and Private Jets You Could Buy If You Won The Mega Million Jackpot

Kate Murphy · Reporter  Yahoo News  Updated Fri, December 27, 2024

The Mega Millions jackpot is more than $1 billion. Here's how many Taylor Swift tickets, iPhones and private jets you could buy if you won. The grand prize drawing will be held Friday at 11 p.m. ET.

The Mega Millions jackpot shot to $1.22 billion this week — the seventh time in Mega Millions history that the jackpot has surpassed the billion-dollar mark.

While a sizable tax bill would knock down the jackpot’s amount considerably, we took a look and opted to use $1 billion to illustrate the full scope of the prize.

Several Stadiums' Worth Of The Most Expensive Taylor Swift Tickets

Ticket prices for Taylor Swift’s "Eras Tour" varied by location and date. When the tour went live in Glendale, Ariz., in 2023, the average ticket price there was $529. But at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, the average ticket expense was $3,071, making it the most expensive location, according to USA Today. At that average ticket price, the Mega Millions jackpot winner could afford to buy 325,626 tickets, or buy out the 70,000-seat stadium 4.7 times.

More Arizona Iced Tea Cans Than Jackpot Dollars

A $1 billion jackpot could buy more than 1 billion cans of AriZona tea. You read that right. For more than three decades, the company has consistently kept the brand’s 23-ounce cans at 99 cents. The founder, Don Vultaggio, spilled the tea on the consistent price in an interview with NBC’s Today show earlier this year.

"We're successful, we're debt free, we own everything," Vultaggio said. "Why have people who are having a hard time paying their rent pay more for our drink? Maybe it's my little way to give back."

However, retailers and business owners have the right to set their own prices. That’s why you may pay more than the can’s suggested 99-cent price at a place like a gas station.

TO READ MORE:  https://finance.yahoo.com/news/keep-quiet-heres-know-win-232828281.html