What Thanksgiving Teaches Us About Wealth, Happiness, and Meaning
Every Thanksgiving, we sit around a table, pass the stuffing, debate football calls, and — even if we don’t say it out loud — we take inventory.
Not of our net worth. Not of our résumés. Of our lives.
What actually matters?
What deserves our gratitude?
And what’s quietly draining us?
It’s the one day each year when meaning shows up louder than money. And ironically, it exposes something high earners feel all the time but rarely admit:
Money can make life easier. But it doesn’t automatically make life fuller.
If it did, the U.S. — the wealthiest nation on Earth — would be overflowing with joy.
Instead? We recently fell out of the top 20 happiest countries for the first time ever.
Record incomes. Record markets. Record unhappiness.
So on this Thanksgiving, let’s talk honestly about the paradox: Money is an incredible tool… but a terrible destination.
And more importantly: How to use your wealth to build a life that actually feels worth being thankful for.
The Money–Happiness Mirage
Here’s a truth most people won’t admit out loud:
Money does increase happiness… but only up to a point.
If you’ve ever struggled with bills, emergencies, or instability, financial breathing room feels like taking 50 pounds off your chest. That’s real. That’s powerful.
But after that? The curve flattens.
Research from Wharton shows that while rising income boosts well-being, it eventually hits diminishing returns. The next dollar makes less emotional difference than the one before it. Classic decreasing marginal utility.
This is why so many high earners hit their “number” and suddenly feel… nothing.
You make partner.
You get the bonus.
You upgrade the house, the car, the trip.
And within 30 days, the excitement fades, but the expenses stick.
So you push harder…. Not because you need more money… but because you’re chasing a feeling that doesn’t scale.
Because once your basics are covered, happiness stops being a financial issue. It becomes a psychological one.
That’s the trap behind America’s happiness slide. Wealth gave us comfort, convenience, and choices — while connection, purpose, and joy slipped through our fingers.
And that brings us to Thanksgiving: the yearly reminder that fulfillment comes not from accumulation, but alignment.
Using Money as a Tool, Not a Trophy
If you want your wealth to actually increase your fulfillment, you need a mindset shift:
Don’t ask, “How do I make more money?” Ask, “How can my money help me live the life I actually want?”
After working with countless high-achievers, I’ve seen four plays that separate people who look wealthy from those who feel wealthy.
And Thanksgiving is the perfect moment to reflect on each one.
Play #1: Buy Back Time — The First True Luxury
When high performers say they want “freedom,” what they really mean is:
“I want control over my time.”
Time is the rarest asset we have — the great equalizer, whether you make $100k or $1M+. And it’s the one asset money can indirectly multiply.
You don’t need millions saved or early retirement. You just need fewer “have-to’s” and more “want-to’s.”
Money can’t create more hours… but it can buy back the ones you’ve been wasting on the wrong things.
On a holiday built around slowing down and being present, that lesson hits differently.
Play #2: Choose Experiences Over Things
Think back to the last major item you purchased. Now think about the last great moment you shared with someone you care about.
Which one moved you?
Which one lasted?
Exactly.
Material things depreciate. Stories appreciate. They grow in value every time you relive or retell them.
When you invest in experiences — the trip, the date night, the family tradition, the once-in-a-lifetime moment — you’re building emotional equity.
Thanksgiving isn’t memorable because the cranberry sauce was perfect.
It’s memorable because of the people sitting around the table.
Play #3: Buy Peace of Mind Before You Buy Upgrades
A strong financial foundation doesn’t sound exciting…but confidence never goes out of style.
Emergency funds, proper insurance, and thoughtful planning aren’t glamorous. But they eliminate the quiet, constant anxiety most high earners carry without acknowledging it.
When your bases are covered, fear stops driving decisions. You shift from reaction mode to strategy mode.
Money can generate peace of mind, but only if you use it to remove uncertainty, not fuel pressure.
And nothing makes gratitude easier than feeling safe.
Play #4: Practice Generosity — The Hidden Shortcut to Happiness
This is the highest level of wealth, and few people ever reach it.
Because real wealth isn’t measured by what you accumulate. It’s measured by what you’re able to contribute.
Giving — to the people you love, the community you care about, the causes that matter — consistently ranks as one of the top drivers of happiness across studies.
Why?
Because generosity reconnects you to purpose. It reminds you that your wealth isn’t meant to stop with you…it’s meant to flow through you.
And Thanksgiving is the perfect moment to remember that.
The Andrew Luck Lesson: Walking Away to Win
Thanksgiving is about clarity — and it’s also about football. Sometimes, the two collide.
Which brings me to Andrew Luck. The former Pro Bowl quarterback of the Indianapolis Colts.
He had the résumé every quarterback dreams of:
First-overall pick in 2012
Four Pro Bowls
Comeback Player of the Year
4,000-yard seasons like he was playing catch in his backyard
He had the fame. He had the trajectory. He had the money.
But he also had something else: a life that no longer aligned with his values.
Injuries piled up. Joy faded. The cost outweighed the reward.
So at just 29, he made one of the boldest decisions in modern sports:
He walked away.
Not because he couldn’t keep playing. Because he couldn’t keep playing and stay true to himself.
He didn’t retire from football. He retired from sacrificing meaning.
And that’s the heart of this entire Thanksgiving message:
Real wealth is the ability to walk toward what matters, even when it defies expectations.
This Thanksgiving, Ask Yourself the Real Questions
As you gather around the table, take a moment to reflect — not on your finances, but on your fulfillment.
Ask yourself:
What does a meaningful life look like — on my terms?
If money were handled, how would I spend my time?
Am I building a life I enjoy…or just a life I can afford?
Where can I choose purpose over pressure?
Because if you chase money as the end goal, you’ll always feel behind.
But if money becomes the fuel for what matters, you’ll build a life that truly counts.
A life built by choice, not chance.
A life full of meaning, connection, and gratitude.
A life worth being thankful for.
Turkey Day Challenge
If you want help designing a wealth strategy that aligns your financial resources with the life you actually want — not the life the world expects — let’s talk.
No pressure, just insight from a coach who’s been in the trenches.
Happy Thanksgiving from my family to yours.
Be intentional. Be present. And keep building wealth the right way.
By Choice, Not Chance.
Disclosures:
This piece contains general information that is not suitable for everyone and was prepared for informational purposes only. Nothing contained herein should be construed as a solicitation to buy or sell any security or as an offer to provide investment advice. The information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but the accuracy of the information cannot be guaranteed. Past performance does not guarantee any future results. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. For additional information about Julius Wealth Advisors, including its services and fees, contact us or visit adviserinfo.sec.gov.