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!)…

druthers (pronounced DRUH-therz) noun 

Meaning: a person’s choice or preference 

Sample Sentence: If I’d had my druthers, I would have taken a year or two off between high school and college to determine what I wanted to study.

Pudding Proof

While the phrase "the proof is in the pudding" originates in food, it's not the sweet treat you might expect.

Pudding in the 14th century was a savory dish akin to sausage, with all sorts of animal parts ground up and cooked inside the animal's stomach. And, since food handling safety was unheard of, you'd only know if dinner would make you ill (or even kill you!) if you ate it.

Wordle: Leveling Up

Are you a Wordle (a trendy online word game) player who wants more of a challenge? Tap the gear icon on the upper right corner of the Wordle screen, and you can activate “Hard Mode.” The hard mode requires that you use any yellow or green letters from previous guesses in every guess after that. This means that if your first guess, “steam,” gives you a yellow “e,” every subsequent guess must contain an “e.”

Quotes To Live By…

“Progress lies not in enhancing what is, but in advancing toward what will be.”                   – Khalil Gibran, Poet

“Freedom is something that dies unless it’s used.”

– Hunter S. Thompson, Journalist

“One can never know for sure what a deserted area looks like.”

– George Carlin, Comedian

Tips To Learn New Tech Tricks

     When you think you’ve got a handle on the latest gadget, it seems like six new ones are coming out. And, yes, that can be extremely frustrating—especially when tech jargon makes even relatively simple tasks sound like rocket science.

     If you get overwhelmed every time you try to learn how to use the latest gizmo or program, you’re not alone. Luckily, many of the same learning techniques that make it easier to master any new skill can also apply to learning new tech skills. Remember: It’s not complicated. It’s just new.

1. Add in something you enjoy. Start with a favorite hobby or topic, and you’re more apt to stick with it through the learning curve. For instance, if you’re an avid gardener, maybe you want to learn how to use an app on your new, confusing phone that helps you identify plants and how best to care for them.

2. Take baby steps. First goal: learn how to turn the darn thing on! It’s easy to lose focus quickly if you’re getting overwhelmed, so set a series of small goals rather than one big one. Take breaks after each goal is met, so you can return to the next part of the process refreshed and ready to focus again.

3. Choose teachers wisely. Just because someone is an expert with the latest gadget doesn’t mean they’re good at teaching anyone else how to use it. If you have a friend or family member who you know is patient and good at explaining things, ask if they’d be willing to help you learn.

4. Do, don’t just watch. Rather than just watching your teacher do it, you’ll have a better chance of retaining what you learn if you do it.

5. Practice! Once you’ve learned a skill, it’s essential to keep that knowledge fresh by using your new skill—don’t set it aside for a week and forget everything you learned.

 www.rudyperkinsrealty.com

Thank You! 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

When it comes to telling time, sundials have the fewest moving parts. What timepiece has the most?

 (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 emailing me at [email protected].

Flower Language

Red roses mean, “I love you,” but the list of other flowers that represent something is impressively long. Interpreting flowers (“floriography”) was popularized in the Victorian era when a carefully chosen bouquet could convey a secret message.

Variegated tulips mean “beautiful eyes,” purple hyacinths mean “please forgive me,” and rhododendrons mean “beware.” Even two flowers have to do with dancing: Ivy geranium means “your hand for the next dance?” while viscaria asks, “will you dance with me?” Find more flower meanings here: 

https://www.almanac.com/flower-meanings-language-flowers

Learn Math Online

For some, understanding math equations is straightforward. If you need a little extra tutoring, though, some websites help you learn about math.

openstax.org/subjects/math: On OpenStax, you’ll find peer-reviewed textbooks on dozens of subjects, including math, and it’s free. They’re even available in Spanish as well as English.

brilliant.org: Brilliant offers a different way to learn math (and science) through “hands-on, interactive problem solving” instead of lectures.

codecademy.com/catalog/subject/math: Learn specific subjects you’ll need to further your coding skills with the mathematics section of Codeacademy.

Design With Simplicity

     With home decor, the word “simplicity” may conjure images of starkly modern interiors with hard, polished surfaces and not much color. But, simplicity can be a part of any design aesthetic—it’s just about the idea that “less is more.”

First–clear the clutter. Clutter makes it difficult to focus, as your attention bounces around and can make you feel stressed.

Next–ask yourself what the purpose of the room is. To relax in front of the TV, start removing items that don’t add to that purpose. If it’s to sleep, maybe remove the TV and other distracting items.

Keep editing! Look at each item and remove any that don’t have a purpose. This clears floor space for ease of movement and helps you choose a few statement pieces that don’t compete with one another.

So why choose simplicity? Rooms that incorporate simplicity feel more open, reducing stress and encouraging relaxation. Less cluttered spaces are easier to clean, too, which means you spend less time cleaning and more time enjoying the room. An organized home also means sudden house guests don’t cause cleaning anxiety.

 Help Kids Adjust To A New Baby

     Having a child is nothing short of life-changing and adding a second kid into the mix is an entirely different kind of challenge for you and your older children. Here are a few tips to help your littles adjust to the idea of a new baby sibling.

• Explain that the family is growing, using age-appropriate language. There are lots of kids’ books that can help with this.
• Talk about what the baby will be like when it arrives. Prepare your kids for things like how much babies may cry, how newborns spend most of their time eating and sleeping, and how long it takes for babies to become playmates.
• Involve your child in caring for the baby. This could mean handing you a clean diaper when you need one, choosing a new outfit, or helping to entertain during playtime.
• Your child may be jealous of the baby. Reassure them that being a big sister or brother isn’t always easy and that more kids in the family don’t mean you love them any less. It’s also great to carve out a little time to spend with your older children without the baby, doing something they enjoy. 

 www.rudyperkinsrealty.com

FREE Consumer Help Is Just A Phone Call Away... 

Learn valuable secrets for saving thousands and avoiding costly mistakes when buying, selling, or refinancing a home. Best of all, it’s FREE. Ask about my “Insider’s Free Resources” by calling me at: (203) 243-3820 

DID YOU KNOW…

THANKS for your referrals! People naturally think of me when a friend or family member needs help buying or selling a home. Unlike most real estate agents, I DON’T spend my time pestering people with phone calls or bothersome interruptions to find good clients. Instead, I dedicate 110% of my time and energy to providing such outstanding service.

Thanks For Thinking of Me!

Did you know I can help you or 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:

An hourglass

Fido's Filthy Food Dish

According to the FDA, you should be washing out your dog's food bowl with soap and water after every meal—just as you do for your dishes. Harmful bacteria can flourish on a dirty plate, making you and your pet sick.

The FDA also recommends washing the food scoop after every use and washing out the water bowl every few days.

This Pun's For You

A guy in town walks around talking to himself using only figurative language.

We call him the Village Idiom.

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 want to stop by and say “Hi,” I’d love to hear from you…

_{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: I’m wasting money on rent and want to buy a home. How can I get help with a down payment?

A: There are ways to get a down payment, including the following:

• Look into local or federal government programs. They expire or change frequently, so ask your REALTOR^® about any programs that may apply to your area and situation.
• Have the seller finance you. Some sellers may be willing to help you buy their homes in something called a “seller take-back.”
• Use a financial gift from a relative. Tax law allows contributions of up to $16,000 a year to be given without tax consequences to the giver or recipient (see IRS publication 950). You can get a gift from each parent without paying a gift tax, which brings it up to $32,000. Depending on the type of loan, who qualifies as a family member varies slightly, so be sure to read the IRS information.

     For more information and tips on how to get a down payment to purchase a home, ask for my Free Consumer Report called “4 Quick Ways To Buy A Home With Little Down.”

     Do you have a real estate question you want me to answer? Perhaps I’ll feature your question in my next issue! Feel free to email me at [email protected].

www.rudyperkinsrealty.com

"Who Else Wants To Win $50.00 Gift Certificate?

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

Last Month's Trivia Question.

How many European countries have capital cities on the coastline with the Atlantic Ocean?

a) zero b) one c) two d) three

The answer is c) two. The capital cities of Portugal (Lisbon) and Iceland (Reykjavik) are both on the Atlantic Ocean. So let's move on to this month's trivia question. 

In Singapore, it's illegal to chew gum.

Which of these is also illegal in the country?

a) running out of gas on the highway, b) using someone else's WiFi, c) wearing camouflage, d) climbing trees

Email Me At [email protected],

And You Could Be One Of My Next Winners!