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!)…

datafication (pronounced da-tuh-fi-KAY-shun) noun

Meaning: the act of turning both online and offline human behaviors and actions into data, from which analysts can derive meaning
Sample Sentence: Everything we do can become a data point, including how we move through cities—datafication of pedestrian movements means Amsterdam’s streetlights are set to brighten or dim based on whether or not people are out walking.

DIY Ant Repellants

Periodic ant invasions in the kitchen or bathroom aren’t uncommon, but they are annoying. Here are some easy repellants you can make with items you may have in your pantry already. 

• Cinnamon and mint: These strong scents make ants run in the opposite direction. Many people swear by cinnamon or peppermint oil in any places where you’ve seen ants.
• Food-grade diatomaceous earth: Sprinkle this around where you’ve seen ants; it’s a tried-and-true method of keeping them and other unwanted bugs away.

Quotes To Live By…

“The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don't have any.” 

– Alice Walker, Author

“Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them.”

– James Baldwin, Author

“You know you're old if someone compliments you on your alligator shoes, and you're barefoot.”

– Phyllis Diller, Comedian

Is Online Therapy
Right For You?

     Virtual therapy options are increasingly widespread. If you’re wondering whether online therapy suits you, here are a few essential things to consider.

• Accessibility: You don’t need to go to an office to talk to a counselor, which is especially useful for people who live in remote areas or have mobility issues but also very handy if you need to talk through something while you’re traveling.
• Multiple formats: With virtual therapy, you may have the option to text your therapist and have video or audio sessions, so you can choose whatever is most comfortable for you.
• Insurance coverage: Even if your health insurance covers mental health care, they may not cover teletherapy. Be sure to verify this in advance.
• Affordability: Some online therapy services offer monthly plans that are already less expensive than some in-person therapists. Those plan prices decrease if you pay for packages in advance, such as for three- or six-month periods.

Preventing Gas Leaks

     Natural gas leaks can be hazardous—and because it’s naturally odorless, that familiar “rotten egg” scent is added to alert you as soon as possible about a gas leak. But some things can weaken that warning smell, so you may not notice it quickly.

• Of course, there is the danger of a spark causing a fire, but natural gas poisoning is also possible if a gas leak goes undetected. Some symptoms include nosebleeds, headaches, chest pain, ringing in the ears, and dizziness. Please pay attention to your pet’s behavior, too, as things like lethargy and vomiting may mean they have gas poisoning, too.
• You should check all your gas appliances regularly to make sure the pilot lights are on (they should be blue with a yellow tip), and it’s not a bad idea to have your gas lines checked by a professional. In addition to your home’s smoke alarms, you might also want to install natural gas and carbon monoxide detectors to help with early alerts.
• If you detect a leak, immediately open the windows, turn off electronic devices, and shut off the gas. Then call the gas company. Please don’t go back inside until they say it’s safe.

 www.rudyperkinsrealty.com

Would You Like To Know How Much
Your Neighbor's Home Listed Or Sold For?

Maybe you're just curious. Or perhaps you want to know how much your home is worth. Either way, I can help…with no "sales pitches" or run-arounds. Email me at [email protected], and I'll give you all the facts.

Brain Teaser…

Lose me once, I come back stronger. Lose me twice, I’m gone forever. What am I?

 (See page 4 for the answer.)

Real Estate Question?

Maybe you want to know how much your home is worth. Or perhaps you just need a recommendation for a handyman, carpet cleaner, or plumber…Either way, I love hearing from all of my good friends and clients. And I’m happy to help answer questions you might have about anything relating to real estate or home ownership. If you have a question, tip or idea, call me at {203} 243-3820. I’m here to help!

Oily Chalk?

Crayola crayons are a staple of many childhoods, but do you know where the name comes from? In 1903, the wife of the company’s founder combined the French word for chalk, “craie,” with the beginning of the word “oleaginous,” which means “oily or greasy.”

Language Learning Websites

Whether you want to know a few phrases before your next vacation or you’re looking to become fluent, there are lots of online ways to learn.

duolingo.com: DuoLingo’s game-style language lessons help make learning fun. There are 38 languages to choose from—including fantasy languages like Klingon—and it’s free (you can pay for an upgrade to remove ads). 

busuu.com: Busuu not only has language lessons for more than a dozen languages, but it can also connect you to native speakers worldwide so you can practice. A 7-day free trial and live lesson plans start at $26/month. 

pimsleur.com: The Pimsleur Method is all about listening to lessons, and the Pimsleur app is full of 30-minute lessons in more than 50 languages. There’s a 7-day free trial, which costs $14.95/month.

How To Make Weddings Cost Less (And Be
More Eco-Friendly)

     It’s not uncommon for weddings to cost upwards of $20,000. On top of that, weddings and receptions can generate a lot of waste. Here are a few ideas that can help reduce the price tag of a wedding while also doing Mother Earth a favor.

• Print minimalist invitations. Put as much information as possible onto a wedding website so you don’t have to print as many inserts. Save-the-date notes can be sent electronically, too.
• Forgo fresh bouquets. Fresh flowers are gorgeous but may not be great for the environment. Beautiful eco-friendly options include silk flowers, dried flowers, and even stunning wood flowers that can be used for years. You can give them out to guests, too, as they leave.
• Look for gently used wedding decor. It’s easy to find nearly-new goodies online, including wedding decor. Try Facebook, Etsy, your local ‘Buy Nothing’ group (buynothingproject.org), auction sites like eBay, and even estate sales.
• Rent instead of buying. Many parts of a wedding can be rented —including utensils and tableware (more eco-friendly than disposable), silk floral arrangements, wedding jewelry, and tuxedos.
• Hire caterers that source locally. When produce doesn’t have to be shipped long distances, it’s better for the planet and your bank account. Choose a caterer that uses local and seasonal ingredients.
• Decorate with live plants that double as wedding favors. Potted plants make excellent decorations for weddings and receptions, and then your guests can bring them home to plant in the garden or decorate their homes.
• Skip the balloons, lanterns, and rice. Wildlife may eat balloons, and floating lanterns are a fire hazard. And tossing rice on the newly-married couple is also an environmental no-no—choose something like dried lavender instead.

 www.rudyperkinsrealty.com

Are You My Client Of The Month?

Every month I choose an exceptional Client Of The Month.  It’s my way of acknowledging good friends and saying “thanks” to those who support me and my business with referrals, word of mouth, and repeat business. 

This month’s Client Of The Month is

Stacey Oddo

.

 You might be my next Client Of The Month too!  Watch for your name here in the upcoming month.

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:

A tooth

Ah-choo!

Not everyone says “bless you” after someone sneezes. Here are a few things you might hear if you sneeze while traveling abroad. 

• Croatia: Istina, which means “truth”
• France: À vos souhaits, which means “to your wishes”
• Germany: Gesundheit, which means “health”
• Hawai’i: Kihe, a mauli ola, which means “sneeze, and you shall live”
• Spanish: Salud, which means “health”

A Joke For Word Nerds

What’s the difference between ignorance and apathy?

I don’t know, and I don’t care.

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, 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: What do buyers really want when looking for a house?

A: Here are ways to tap into what every buyer wants:

• Every buyer wants a place to call “home.”  The decision to buy is emotional, not 100% logical. Buyers look at a “house,” but they’re evaluating it for its potential to become their home. Properly staging your house allows buyers to have an emotional experience – seeing their family living there.
• Every buyer wants a bargain. Subtly influence buyers using phrases such as “priced to sell” or “a unique bargain at this price.”  
• Every buyer wants to claim special discounts. You can motivate a sale by creating a sense of urgency. Consider using special terms that expire on a fixed date.

      Want to learn more secrets about selling your home fast and for the most money? Call and ask for my Free Consumer Report called.
“6 Steps For Selling Your Home For TOP DOLLAR.”  I’ll send a copy right over to you. 

     Do you have a question you want answered related to real estate or home ownership? Feel free to Email me at [email protected]. Perhaps I’ll feature your question 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!

Last 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

      The answer is b) using someone else's WiFi. The others are illegal in (A) Germany, (C) parts of the Caribbean, and (D) Toronto.

This Month's Trivia Question.

To prevent bad energy from following them to a new house, Americans in the early 20^th century did what at the old house when they moved?

a) sprinkled salt in the doorway b) burned a new beeswax candle
c) left one teacup behind d) burned the dishcloths

Email Me At [email protected], And You Could Be One Of My Next Winners!