Word of the Month…

Studies have shown your income and wealth are directly related to the size and depth of your vocabulary. Here is this month’s word, so you can impress your friends (and maybe even fatten your wallet!)…

intransigent (pronounced in-TRAN-Zeh-Jent) adjective 

Meaning: being stubbornly unwilling to compromise or consider an alternate position or viewpoint 

Sample Sentence: Despite ample evidence to the contrary, he remains intransigent in his belief that the moon is made of cheese.

Make The LED Switch

Do you still have any old incandescent or halogen lightbulbs in your home? Here are four reasons why you should switch them out with LED bulbs: 

1. You’ll save $. LED bulbs use 75% less energy and last much longer than old-style bulbs.

2. No toxic mercury. Some lightbulbs (fluorescent and others) still contain mercury, and when they break, you can be exposed.

3. Less maintenance. LED bulbs last up to 50 times longer than others, as they’re more solid and durable.

4. Cooler. Halogen bulbs burn hot, and while there aren’t many incandescent bulbs left around after they were phased out in 2014 in the US, LED lights are still cooler than both and can reduce cooling costs.

Have A Laugh

You know why you never see elephants hiding in trees? Because they’re really good at it.

Quotes To Live By…

"Let us put our minds together and see what life we can make for our children." – Sitting Bull,

 Hunkpapa Lakota Chief

"The compassionate actions of its members most accurately measure the greatness of a community.

– Coretta Scott King, Author

 
"In winter, I plot and plan. In spring, I move." – Henry Rollins, Musician.

Money Management
For Single Parents

     Money management is a stressor for many people, though it can be more pronounced when you’re in a single-income household.

     Here are a few things for single parents to consider when managing money.

• Create a Budget. Finding a budgeting method that works for you is essential—otherwise, you won’t use it. There are free online budgeting tools such as Mint or PocketGuard, or you can build your spreadsheets. Even a notepad and pen is better than NOT budgeting when money is tight.
  
  
• Pay Down Debt. With debt comes interest, so make paying off debts a priority. Look at the interest rate on any credit card balances or loans and pay off the ones with the higher interest rates first.
  
  
• Ask for Assistance. There are numerous organizations and programs available to help families with children. Many are managed at the state level, so contact your state’s or county’s health and human services department. For child care specifically, check out gov for federal and state resources, including financial assistance. Remember that asking for assistance isn’t solely about money—if you have family nearby, for instance, they may be able to offer non-monetary help in the form of child care.

     There may also be tax breaks you’re not taking full advantage of as a single parent, like filing as “Head of Household” or qualifying for a tax credit, so pay particular attention to all your options when it comes time to file your taxes. It could be a good idea to consult with a tax or financial advisor (or both!).

 www.rudyperkinsrealty.com

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

Thanks to my clients and friends who support my practice and graciously referred me to your friends and neighbors. Rather than pester people with unwanted calls and visits, I build my business based on positive comments and referrals from people just like you. I couldn't do it without you!

Brain Teaser

What do you get if you combine 3/7 chicken, 2/3 cat and 2/4 goat?

 (See page 4 for the answer.)

What's My Home Worth?

If you want to know your home's current value, I will gladly conduct a Maximum Value Home Audit. Request this "no charge" in-depth home value analysis by calling me at: (203) 243-3820.

Spicy Smarts

Some pre-ground spices are just fine to have on hand, but with others, it’s best to purchase them in their whole form and grind them at home to get their maximum flavor. In some cases, there are specialized grinders (such as pepper mills and nutmeg grinders), though you can also use a mortar and pestle or a spice grinder. Here are a few spices to buy whole.

• Nutmeg
• Peppercorns
• Cumin seeds
• Fennel seeds
• Cloves

Websites To Find More
Cool Websites

Sometimes you want to branch out from your usual internet stomping grounds, right? Visit these to discover new and exciting sites to check out:

The Internet Map: internet-map.net As the name suggests, The Internet Map is a visual depiction of, well, the internet. Zoom in on the colorful constellations to see how various sites you know are connected to other sites you don’t. 

Similar Sites: similarsites.com For a slightly more targeted hunt for new websites, type the URL of a site you like into the search box on Similar Sites, and you’ll get a list of sites that are, yes, similar. 

Jumpstick: jumpstick.app Like the old StumbleUpon site, Jumpstick lets users choose an assortment of topics and then shows you sites that fall into those categories.

Tracking Product Recalls 101

     According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), there are approximately 400 recalls issued every single year by that agency. Many more under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Some product recalls they make the local evening news, and some are even big national stories. But given how many things are bought and sold every day, it’s not a bad idea to learn how to track recall information yourself.

     One of the easiest ways to find out about product recalls is to sign up for the email alerts on the recalls.gov website. It’s a collection of six different federal agencies that track the safety of various products, such as cars, food, medication, toys, and electronics. You can receive notices as frequently as you’d like, either immediately after a recall notice or in a daily or weekly digest format. Information is available in English and Spanish. You can also search the website before you purchase to find out if any prior recalls, or safety issues have been.

     The CPSC keeps a running list on its site of all recalled items (cpsc.gov/Recalls), including photos of the product, what the problem is, and what to do if you own the item. If you have purchased an unsafe item that isn’t listed, you can report it by visiting saferproducts.gov.

 4 Tips To Make A Cozy Home

     Even before phrases like “isolating in place” were part of the vernacular, making your home a cozy space was a great idea. We spend so much time in our homes that it’s crucial to create a space that relaxes you and allows you to rejuvenate for whatever is next on your to-do list. Here are a few easy ways to make your home the cozy sanctuary you crave.

• Choose fluffy fabrics. Bump up the squish factor significantly with a faux fur throw pillow, blanket, or throw rug.
• Opt for warm lighting. Candlelight isn’t the only kind of “warmth” we mean here. Look for light bulbs that give off a warm-toned light.
• Layer in lap blankets. Drape a super-soft lap blanket over the arm of your favorite chair to snuggle in with a good book.
• Add more textiles. Hard surfaces make sounds echo, which may cause a room to seem more cavernous than it is. Lay down an oversized area rug or hang textile art to dampen sounds.

     You may want to consider upgrading your loungewear, too, to include fuzzy slippers or a fluffy new bathrobe.

 www.rudyperkinsrealty.com

Here's A Free, Valuable Resource... 

Now You Can Search The Home Market, Get Helpful Community Information, AND Receive Important Resources For Saving Time And Money When Buying Or Selling At www.rudyperkinsrealty.com 

Thanks For Thinking of Me!

Did you know I can help you or any of your friends or family save time and money when buying or selling a home? Thanks for keeping me in mind with your referrals…and spreading the word about my services.

Brain Teaser Answer:

Chicago!

Carpet Corrections

As soon as you move the furniture to vacuum, you'll see those familiar indentations in the carpet. Sure, they can be handy if you want to push an easy chair back into the same spot, but if you're going to rearrange the living room, you'll need to perk up that carpet's pile.

1. Put an ice cube in the carpet dent. Use more than one cube if the dent is more significant.

2. After the ice melts, remove as much moisture as possible by applying pressure to towels laid on the carpet.

3. Comb through the carpet fibers with a fork, as you might fluff the rice.

The Origin of Dad Jokes

When does a joke become a “dad joke?”

When it becomes apparent.

THANK YOU for reading Rudy Perkins Realty, my newsletter. I wanted to produce a newsletter with great content that is fun and valuable to you. Your constructive feedback is always welcome.

AND…whether you’re thinking of buying, selling or financing real estate, or just want to stop by and say “Hi,” I’d love to hear from you…

RUDOLPH PERKINS

Rudy Perkins Realty

12032433820

[email protected]

_{Disclaimer: The information contained in this letter is intended for informational purposes. It should not substitute as legal, accounting, investment, medical or other professional services advice. Always seek a competent professional for answers to your specific questions. This letter is not intended to solicit real estate properties currently for sale.}

Real Estate Corner…

Q: What advice can you give to first-time homebuyers?

A: The best advice is to learn from the mistakes of others.   Here are three common examples:

• Not knowing what you can afford. Examine your budget, get a copy of your credit report, and sit down with a qualified lender to determine how much a loan you can afford. Feel free to ask me for a list of lender recommendations, then make sure you comparison shop for a mortgage.
• You forget to consider the overall costs of homeownership. You can make the monthly payment, but remember to add in the cost for homeowners’ insurance, property taxes, utility costs, plus maintenance. 
• You are paying too much for a beautifully staged home. The home looks perfect, but will it look that way when you move in your furniture?

      If you’re buying a home for the first time, you should have a copy of my Free Consumer Report called “Top 10 First-Time Homebuyer Mistakes To Avoid.”  Email me at [email protected],  and I’ll send a copy out to you.

     If you have a real estate question for me, please email me at [email protected].  Perhaps I’ll feature it in my next issue!

www.rudyperkinsrealty.com

"Who Wants To Win $50.00 Gift Certificate?

Then be the first person to answer this month's Trivia Question correctly.

 Here is the answer to last month's Trivia Question.

What type of creature can jump 130 times its height? 

a) a flea b) a panther c) a horse d) a kangaroo

The answer is a) a flea. In human measurements, this is like a person who is five feet tall jumping 650 feet! So let's move on to this month's trivia question.

Which common term has origins in 14th-century chemistry and has something to do with lichen? 

a) alchemy  b) litmus test  c) diffusion  d) synthesis

 Email Me At [email protected],

And You Could Be One Of My Next Winners!