đ¤ Brainteaser of the day: The person who makes it has no need of it. The person who buys it doesnât use it. The person who uses it doesnât know it. What is it?
Click here to see the answer.
â Today’s Checklist:
- A stress-free guide to hosting Thanksgiving
- The period piece to binge this weekend
- Pet of the week: Meet Reggie
Pssst…Help us make The Assist even more you. Surveyâs open âtil Monday (11/10).
QUICK LINKS
âď¸ How a government shutdown could derail Thanksgiving travel.
đą Cameronâs favorite app for staying focused and intentional all day.
đ¸ Microdosing your finances could be the secret to hitting your money goals faster.
âď¸ Give your team winter swag theyâll actually want to wear.
HOSTING & HOME
How to Host Thanksgiving Like Youâve Done This Before
Thanksgiving should feel warm and joyful, but sometimes it can feel like a one-woman episode of The Bear. Between cooking the bird, zhuzhing the table, and praying you have enough chairs, hosting can feel like a full-time job. With the right prep (and a few clever buys), it doesnât have to be.
Hereâs your go-to guide packed with tips, tools, and pretty things to make hosting smoother, calmer, and dare we sayâŚfun?
đ˝ COOKING TIPS & TOOLS
Strategize like a chef:
- Finalize your menu a week+ out and schedule a grocery delivery to avoid that last-minute store run.
- Cook ahead where you can: pies, stuffing, and casseroles freeze beautifully.
Stock your kitchen with:
- A digital meat thermometer for foolproof cooking.
- A fat separator to level up your gravy game.
- Extra sheet pans. You always need more than you think.
⨠TABLE: WHAT TO BUY + HOW TO STYLE IT
The secret to a standout table? Layers and centerpieces.
- Start with a textured or patterned table runner as your base.
- Add chargers to frame each plate. Itâs an easy way to make a big impact.
- Go simple with white dinner plates and mix in vintage or colored glassware for personality.
- Try a DIY name card moment (these pressed leaf place cards are cute and free).
Styling tip: Keep florals low and scent-free so no oneâs eating stuffing next to eucalyptus.
đˇ BAR + BEVERAGES: LITTLE TOUCHES THAT GO A LONG WAY
- A good electric wine opener will save your wrists (and your mood).
- A sleek ice bucket can double as dĂŠcor.
- Batch a signature cocktail. Thanksgiving sangria is festive and easy.
- Donât forget non-alcoholic options that feel elevated and fun.
đŻ DECOR: DIY VIBES THAT DONâT LOOK CHEAP
Think cozy, not cluttered.
- Stick to 2â3 colors (think: deep cranberry, muted gold, soft ivory).
- Repurpose what you have: Use grocery store florals + candles for instant ambiance.
- Try these easy DIYs:
Final tip: Take a photo of your setup the night before. Youâll thank yourself during the inevitable âWhere does this go again?â scramble.
Hosting doesnât have to mean losing your mind. Plan smart, style with intention, and remember: People came for you and the memories. Donât stress too much about the food or decor; enjoy the people and the time together!
EXCEL SKILLS
Still Cleaning Data by Hand? Fix That in an Hour.
Still Cleaning Data by Hand? Fix That in an Hour.
If youâre spending too much time wrestling spreadsheets, youâre not bad at Excel, just missing a few tricks.
Miss Excelâs free 60-minute class teaches you how to:
- Clean messy data in minutes
- Use beginner-friendly macros (think: record once, replay anytime; no coding needed)
- Automate your most annoying spreadsheet tasks
Youâll walk away with practical skills and time-saving shortcuts you can use immediately, plus a taste of what 1M+ Miss Excel fans already love.
đ Register free and finally let Excel do the heavy lifting.
STAFF PICKS
đ Read: Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak
A book that lures you in with a familiar setup, then flips the script. Fresh, eerie, and full of âwait, what just happened?â moments, this thriller will keep you turning pages way past bedtime.
đş Watch: Rise of Empires: Ottoman on Netflix
History has never looked so good. This docuseries dives into the rise and fall of the Ottoman Empire with bold storytelling that makes centuries-old drama feel personal.
đ§ Listen: Back to Friends by Sombr
This track hits like a late-night text you shouldnât have sent. Itâs moody, reflective, and quietly addictive, the perfect soundtrack for when youâre deep in your feels.
đ§ Listen: Sometimes by Renee Rapp
Playful and dreamy with a voice that floats. This standout from her BITE ME album is equal parts chill and emotional release.
ACCOUNTING
Money Clarity > Spreadsheet Panic
If managing your books feels like a game of âI hope this is right,â it might be time for a system that doesnât rely on late nights, manual entry, and mystery charges.
Hereâs what weâve learned:
- Donât wait until year-end to clean up your books; itâs way harder (and more expensive) later.
- Use tools that sync automatically (your bank, cards, and accounting software).
- And for the love of receipts, stop using your personal card for business expenses.
Tools weâve actually found helpful:
𧊠Puzzle is great for early-stage startupsâit automatically syncs your financial data and gives you real-time visibility without the usual accounting lag.
đ Zoho is perfect for solo operators or service businesses: invoicing, tracking, and reportingâall in one clean dashboard.
đł PEX simplifies team spending. Set card limits, collect receipts, and stop chasing down mystery purchases.
The point isnât perfection. Itâs having enough visibility to make smarter calls, catch red flags early, and sleep better at night.
JUST FOR FUN
PET OF THE WEEK
Meet Reggie
Reggie was rescued at six months old and has since perfected the art of being adored. He loves pup cups, attention, and destroying stuffies. His favorite thing to do is sunbathe like a cat.
Despite weighing only 35lbs, his daycare BFF is a 120lb Mastiff named Marty. When he’s not at daycare, he likes to tumble around with his fur sister, Mary, who’s a big olâ Pittie.
If Reginald were human, heâd definitely have main character energy, and maybe a little attitude to match.
đž Got a cute fur baby? Submit them to be our pet of the week in an upcoming issue.
JOB LEADS
Your Next Gig = One Click Away
- BeaconFire Inc. is hiring for a Technical Recruiter (East Windsor, NJ).
- The Conlan Company is hiring for an Assistant Project Manager (Jacksonville, FL).
- Circle Logistics, Inc is hiring for an Administrative Assistant (Fort Wayne, IN).
- Firm Media Inc is hiring for a Search Engine Marketing Specialist (Ontario, CA).
- Pinnacle Recruitment is hiring for a Human Resources Manager (Reading, PA).
SPILL THE TEA
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