Selling Your Home Soon? You’ll need my Free Consumer Guide titled, “6 Steps For Selling Your Home For TOP DOLLAR.” Call me right now at 12032433820
to learn more…
February 2024
New Haven, CT
Rudolph Perkins Presents...
Rudy Perkins Realty Newsletter!
"Insider Tips For Healthy, Wealthy & Happy Living..."
The array of employee benefits your workplace offers may be more expansive than you’d think–and learning about your benefits package can save you a lot of money. Beyond the baseline of medical insurance coverage, some companies offer tax-free healthcare spending accounts (like Healthcare Spending Accounts- HSAs and Flexible Spending Accounts- FSAs) that you can take advantage of. Your employer may even make contributions to it for you. You probably know employer-matching programs to maximize your 401(k) contributions. Some companies go above and beyond with a variety of less familiar benefits you can (and should) make the most of. Here are just a few of them.
- Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) may include free or discounted financial advice, legal advice, counseling services, substance abuse treatment, and help with estate planning. A vast range of other discounts and complimentary benefits can fall under the EAP umbrella, such as hotel stays, rental cars, gym memberships, public transit passes, and mobile phone plans.
- Parental leave is standard these days for both mothers and fathers. Additionally, some companies offer benefits for family planning services like fertility treatment and adoption assistance. You may also have a medical leave benefit, which you can use to care for an ailing family member.
- Getting time off for both vacation and illness is pretty standard. Some companies offer employees time off for volunteer work, meaning you wouldn’t have to use vacation time to volunteer. And, if you work in a field that encourages and supports sabbaticals, you may have the option for an extended break from work—and still have a job to return to.
- Many organizations recognize that furthering an employee’s education and training benefits the company as much as the employee. Even if your workplace doesn’t subsidize tuition for advanced degrees, they may cover or reimburse the cost of training programs, certifications, and other professional development opportunities. If it isn’t listed in your initial offer, ask! If the development is relevant to your job, the company may agree to pay for it even if it’s not standard.
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Thinking Of Buying A Home Soon?
If you plan to buy a home in the next six months, you’ll want a copy of my Free consumer guide, “7 Secrets For Saving Thousands When Financing Your Next Home.” My report will help you avoid frustrations and costly pitfalls when buying a home. You can get a free copy by emailing me at Sa[email protected].
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!)…
esoteric (pronounced eh-suh-TARE-ik) adjective
Meaning: difficult to understand, by design, without elite or special knowledge
Sample Sentence: It’s always reassuring to talk to a mechanic who explains things rather than the esoteric language of internal combustion engines.
A Hairy Situation
Anyone wearing necklaces and hair that hits the neck knows the feeling of a stray hair (or three) getting caught in a necklace chain occasionally. This may not hurt your skin much, but detangling the hair from the chain can be challenging. It turns out that a hair remover initially introduced in the 1940s solves this hairy problem.
Apply Nair cream to the hair knot and let it sit for 10 minutes before rubbing it off, and then rinse the necklace to ensure there isn’t Nair left behind. And if your jewelry is silver, be cautious—one of the key ingredients can tarnish silver, so do a spot check before you begin.
Quotes To Live By…
“Never do things others can do and will do if there are things others cannot do or will not do.”
– Amelia Earhart, Aviator
“Because you don’t live near a bakery doesn’t mean you have to go without cheesecake.”
– Hedy Lamarr, Actress
“When I understand myself, I understand you, and out of that understanding comes love.”
– Jiddu Krishnamurti, Philosopher
Not all inflammation in the body is terrible—occasional inflammation helps our immune system function properly. When the body doesn’t return to its baseline and inflammation becomes chronic, that’s a problem. The bad news is that chronic (or systemic) inflammation has been linked to an increased risk for conditions like heart disease and diabetes. The good news is that one of the best ways to reduce inflammation is easy to do: adopt an anti-inflammatory diet.
It may not surprise you to learn that many of the foods that can cause or aggravate inflammation are things that we already know we should limit in our diets—think processed or deep-fried foods, foods high in trans fats or added sugar, red or processed meat, and refined carbohydrates like white bread. In many cases, though, people don’t necessarily need to eliminate everything on that list from their diets (unless there’s a specific allergy). Instead, it’s often a matter of reducing foods that can cause inflammation and increasing foods that help manage inflammation.
Experts say diets with many omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, fiber, and polyphenols can help reduce inflammation. That includes olive oil, salmon, legumes, whole grains, fresh fruits and veggies, coffee, and dark chocolate. If that sounds familiar, it’s because it’s like both the Mediterranean diet and a diet known as DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension).
Changing what we eat is a potent wellness tool to alleviate inflammation and myriad other ailments—but it’s important to talk with your doctor or a licensed dietician before you embark on a diet overhaul. It’s good to be informed about your options, but a medical professional must apply general tips and guidelines to your specific health needs. This article from Harvard Medical School offers more tips for an anti-inflammatory diet:
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/quick-start-guide-to-an-antiinflammation-diet
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 the positive comments and referrals from people like you. I couldn't do it without you!
Brain Teaser
How would you turn six into an odd number without doing any math?
(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].
Take It Back
One of the new tools available on iPhones with iOS 17 is editing messages after sending. Press and hold on to that message, and you’ll have options to “Edit” or “Undo send.” Editing the note is straightforward, but if the recipient doesn’t also have iOS 17, they’ll still see the text you originally wrote.
Updated Plant Zones
Many gardeners know their plant hardiness zone by heart. If you’re one of them, you may need to update your information: the USDA updated its map in late 2023 to reflect the changing climate. You can find out what zone you’re in by entering your zip code on the USDA’s website:
Beauty Dupes Websites
Many high-end beauty products are the same as cheaper products, with literally only a change in packaging or name. Find them:
Skinskoolbeauty.com: This database has more than 46,000 products, so you can easily search for cheaper alternatives for many expensive products, comparing exact ingredients.
Temptalia.com/makeup-dupe-list: Makeup dupes listed here are primarily crowdsourced, and search options make it easy to find what you’re looking for.
SkinSort.com: This database has detailed information about product ingredients. Scroll down a product page to the “Alternatives” section to find dupes or similar products.
Having a home theater makes everything you watch more enjoyable, whether it’s an Oscar-winning movie or your favorite reality show. But even if building a high-end theater system isn’t in your budget, you can do a few things to enhance your current setup significantly.
- The size of the room matters. Not only do you need to ensure adequate distance between the seats and the screen, but you also need to consider how sound travels through the space. The room’s shape matters, too: Rectangular rooms are better than cube-shaped rooms for home theater sound. This article explains the “golden ratio” for acoustics in a home theater, which you can apply to your own space: https://thehometheaterdiy.com/home-theater-room-dimensions/
- Sound system improvements are among the most accessible enhancements to your existing setup. Soundbars are inexpensive, straightforward, and don’t require much space. Experts suggest choosing a sound bar with three or more channels, which acts more like surround sound with multiple speakers. Most budget options have two.
- Being able to control light in a home theater is essential. Blackout curtains on the windows are a great start, but don’t overlook the color of the walls and ceiling—dark colors are recommended.
Starting a savings or investment account as an adult is good, but starting one as a child is better. You can start saving for a child’s education or even retirement as soon as they’re born—whether the baby is yours, a family member’s, or a friend’s. Here are a few ways for kids to save money.
- College savings plan: A 529 plan is the easiest way to save for a child’s education. These allow money to grow tax-deferred—and if it’s spent on the specified list of education-related expenses, the withdrawals are also free from federal income taxes. You can contribute to an existing one or set one up on behalf of the child. Learn more about 529 plans here: https://www.savingforcollege.com/college-savings-201.
- Roth IRA: A retirement fund for a baby might seem strange, but starting a custodial IRA early means even tiny contributions will grow exponentially over time. It can be an excellent way for children to learn good financial habits. Learn more about custodial Roth IRAs here: https://www.investopedia.com/open-a-roth-ira-for-someone-else-4770855.
- Savings account: Any adult can open a good old-fashioned savings account for a child, provided a parent or guardian is the main person on the custodial account. This kind of bank account grows with the child as they begin to earn their own money and is another good way to build positive money habits.
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:
Take the “s” off the written word and you’re left with IX—which is the Roman numeral for nine. Or, turn it upside down!
Sanitizer Lifespan?
It may seem counterintuitive that hand sanitizers can expire. Alcohol, one of the main ingredients in many hand sanitizers, starts to evaporate when a bottle is opened. Keeping these containers closed between uses can help ensure the product’s effectiveness for longer, but also note the expiration date on the bottle.
The Magic Word
The etymology of “abracadabra” isn’t clear, but the earliest use of the word is as a purported miracle cure for specific deadly ailments—including malaria. In the 2nd century C.E., the Roman emperor Caracalla’s doctor prescribed wearing an amulet with the word “abracadabra” to anyone with malaria.
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
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.
Q: What other options besides refinancing my home loan if I struggle to make payments?
A: If you're "underwater" on payments, you may decide to move out of your home. Here are some options to consider:
- Rent the property. This will help you make your monthly mortgage payments, but you'll still pay for maintenance on your property.
- Make a short sale. This involves selling your home for less than you owe on the loan. The bank may forgive the difference between what you owe and the buyer's final sales price.
- Do a Deed-in-lieu of Foreclosure. You give your home back to the lender in exchange for the mortgage forgiveness. You may still have to pay the difference between what the bank sells the house for and what you still owe, plus legal fees. Many banks won't consider this until a short sale has been attempted.
Before you do anything, talk to an expert about your problem, including a REALTOR®, a foreclosure counselor, a tax expert, a credit counselor, and an attorney. To learn about more options for struggling homeowners, call and ask for my Free Consumer Report called "10 Options To Avoid Foreclosure." I'll send a copy right to you.
Do you have a real estate question you want answered? Feel free to call me at (203) 243-3820. Perhaps I'll feature your question in my next issue!
www.rudyperkinsrealty.com
A $50.00 Gift Certificate?"
Then, be the first person to answer this month's trivia question correctly.
Last Month's Trivia Question.
This band's biggest hit reached number one on airplay charts in 1995, but it wasn't even available as a single then. What's the band?
a) TLC b) No Doubt c) The Rembrandts d) Boyz II Men
The answer is c) The Rembrandts. The duo recorded the song "I'll Be There For You" for the sitcom, "Friends," which debuted in 1994.
Let's move on to this month's trivia question.
This famous Italian volcano is among the oldest active volcanoes in the world and remains one of the most active today. What is its name?
a) Vesuvius b) Vulcano c) Stromboli d) Etna
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