Don’t get mad at Thanksgiving dinner. Get tips on how to navigate inflation. The midterms are over, so perhaps it’s time to shelve political talk — especially if your dinner table is composed of family members from opposite sides of the political aisle. Democrats have held onto the Senate, while Republicans have regained control of the House by a narrow margin. And Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat, said Thursday she would step down as Speaker of the House after two decades.
After politics, the second topic to avoid: what happens after mom and dad pass away. Don’t go there. It would certainly be a good idea to avoid talk of inheritance — that might be one way to guarantee a bust-up over the mashed potatoes and gravy, especially if your siblings have an acrimonious history. If in doubt, write to The Moneyist advice column, and/or quietly contact a trusts and estate lawyer. Now that politics and inheritance are off the table, put a stop to complaining about high prices and the low stock market. Sure, inflation hit 7.7% in October, food prices were up 10.9% year over year, the Federal Reserve hiked interest rates six times this year, and the 30-year mortgage rate hovers at 7%. But no one wants to hear you bleat on about how your 401(k) has slumped. Join the club.
“The midterms are over, so perhaps it’s time to shelve political talk — especially if your dinner table is composed of family members from opposite sides of the political aisle. ”
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