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…
October 2024
New Haven, CT
Rudolph Perkins Presents...
Rudy Perkins Newsletter!
"Insider Tips For Healthy, Wealthy & Happy Living..."
Going into debt isn’t something anyone aspires to do, yet many people find themselves in it. According to Debt.org, the average debt of Americans is $19,575, and that’s not even including mortgages.
While carrying debt may be the norm, that doesn’t mean you have to. A percentage of the population (a little less than a quarter) is adopting a debt-free lifestyle. That means having no debt at all, including not having a balance that carries over to the next month on your credit cards. While it isn’t possible for everyone (this requires cash flow and dedication to paying any debt off first before you live debt-free), it can significantly reduce money stressors and mean you have more control over your finances. Here are some ways to get started:
- Make a plan: Consider your current financial situation and plan to check in with yourself regularly so you don’t take on any new debt. You may have to work on changing your outlook on spending.
- Create A Budget: Review your monthly expenses and create a budget to cover all the necessities, keeping luxuries at bay… for the time being.
- Track Your Spending: Tracking your spending will provide a visual of how cash flows in and out of your bank account.
- Pay Down Debt: As the cash in your bank account increases, you may be able to make additional payments toward paying down your debt.
- Charge and Pay: If you continue using credit cards to make purchases, pay off the balance each month. It might help to set two payment dates—for instance, pay everything you’ve charged so far on the 15th and then again on the last day of the month.
- Reward Yourself: You know what they say about all work and no play… Well, you should occasionally reward yourself for the job you’re doing to live debt-free. Just remember not to reward yourself too often.
- Start Saving: Saving while paying down debt may seem counterintuitive, but planning for emergencies is essential, too. This will give you more freedom to make choices that will keep you out of the red.
www.rudyperkinsrealty.com
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 Sales@RudyPerkinsRealty.com
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!)…
Tchotchke (CHAHCH-kee) noun
Meaning: A small decoration, also known as a trinket or knickknack.
Sample Sentence: She found the perfect tchotchke to remember her trip once she returned home.
5 Tips To Make Raking A Breeze
We love our trees, but when the leaves fall… well, raking is a chore no one looks forward to. These tips will help make raking leaves a breeze.
- Please take advantage of the breeze and rake in the same direction.
- Try to rake before rain to avoid the weight of wet leaves.
- Split the yard into four and rake leaves into rows to avoid a lot of back-and-forth.
- Use a tarp to “pour” leaves into yard bags.
- Bag leaves immediately so they’re not blown back into the yard if the wind picks up.
Did You Know...?
The favorite Halloween activity of trick-or-treating dates back to medieval times. In Scotland and Ireland, kids dressed up in costumes to go “Guising,” or door-to-door singing, reciting poems, or performing tricks for food or money.
Quotes To Live By…
“Autumn is a second spring, when every leaf is a flower.”
–Albert Camus, novelist
“There are three ways to ultimate success: The first way is to be kind. The second way is to be kind. The third way is to be kind.”
–Mister Rogers, TV personality
“When your children are teenagers, it’s important to have a dog so that someone in the house is happy to see you.”
–Nora Ephron, novelist
Most of us will come to a time in our lives when we need to help care for a loved one while balancing our careers, families, and personal lives. In the U.S. alone, over 100 million adults are caregivers for their parents, children, spouses, or other relatives. If caregiving becomes too much to manage on our own, we may turn to help with in-home care.
Here are some tips on how to find the best fit for you and your family.
- Determine the Kind of Help You Need: Take some time to determine just what you need help with. Do you need someone to help bathe and dress your loved one? Help with transportation to appointments? Help with managing medical care? Knowing exactly what you need will help you find the right person.
- Review Finances: Bringing someone into your home to care for your loved one is an added expense. Review your finances to determine what you can afford, and go from there.
- Involve Your Loved Ones: Your loved ones should be part of the in-home care discussion, too. Do you have siblings or other family members who can help with time or finances?
- Ask Around: A recommendation from a close friend, neighbor, or fellow caregiver goes a long way. Community centers, religious places, and social clubs can also be terrific resources.
- Create A Job Description: Once you know exactly what you need from someone providing in-home care for your loved one, write up a detailed job description that highlights their personal needs.
- Ask Questions: When it comes time to interview potential candidates, ask plenty of questions. What is their comfort level with this type of work? What is their experience with in-home caregiving? Be upfront, and don’t hesitate to ask hard questions.
By being prepared, you can find the right help and both you and your loved one can have more time to just enjoy each other and your time together.
www.rudyperkinsrealty.com
Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!
Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!
Thanks to all of my clients and friends who support my practice and graciously refer me to their friends and neighbors. Rather than pestering 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 can be stolen, mistaken, or altered, yet never leaves you your entire life?
(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.
The Best Jack O' Lanterns Ever
Show off your pumpkin carving skills with these pro tips:
- Cut out the bottom instead of the top.
- Using a template, use toothpicks to keep the design in place.
- Use small, sharp knives to carve fine lines.
- Divide the pumpkin into sections to make carving easier.
- Seal the carved flesh with petroleum jelly to keep it looking good and spooky.
Have A Laugh
Son: "Mom, can I get $20?"
Mom: "Does it look like I'm made of money?"
Son: "Well, isn't that what M.O.M stands for?"
Recipe Websites
“What’s for dinner?!” That question can sometimes be the hardest to answer. These websites can help inspire the chef in your house.
www.allrecipes.com – More than 113,000 original recipes trusted by more than 60 million home cooks.
www.eatingwell.com – Healthy recipes, meal plans, and special diets from around the world.
www.epicurious.com – Recipes, kitchen tips, and terrific “easy” dinner ideas, from 30-minute dishes to one-pot wonders.
Developing a yoga practice improves strength, flexibility, and balance, benefits heart health, helps with sleep, and can improve energy levels and mood.
If you want to develop a new yoga practice, here are some things to know as you start.
- Be Gentle With Yourself. If you’re new to yoga, start slow and gently. Rather than jumping into a power yoga class, opt for one designed for beginners or a gentle yoga class.
- Introduce Yourself: Arrive at the studio early and introduce yourself to your instructor. You’ll be able to share any concerns you may have or injuries they should be aware of before you begin.
- Don’t Compare Yourself to Others: Everyone is on their yoga journey, so try not to look around the class to see what others are doing. Focus on your breathing and positions.
- Success Is in the Arrival: Some days, simply arriving at your yoga class thrives. Embrace it.
Science shows that indoor plants may have myriad benefits, including reducing stress levels, helping us recover from illness, surgery, or injury faster, and boosting productivity.
Fortunately, these benefits and the plants from which they’re derived don’t have to cost a lot. Online plant shops can help deliver the greens right to your door, with unique species for those who don’t have green thumbs.
- TheSill.com: Brighten up your windowsills with green selections ranging from mini-plants, growing from one to three inches to medium plants, growing to six to nine inches. There’s even a collection just for beginner plant parents.
- HeyHorti.com: This subscription plant service delivers hard-to-kill plants right to your door. As your plant skills grow, the easy-to-grow plants will be replaced with more involved varietals.
- LivelyRoot.com: They offer personal recommendations for taking a quiz, care instructions with your order, and help if needed.
www.rudyperkinsrealty.com
Would you like to know how much your neighbor's home is 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… without “sales pitches” or run-arounds. Email me at Sales@RudyPerkinsRealty.com, and I’ll give you all the facts.
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:
Your identity
Flavors Of Fall
One of the best things about the fall is apple cider, fresh from the orchards. In addition to enjoying a warmed or chilled mug, here are some other ways to add flavor to apple cider:
- Braise your favorite meat with apple cider, or use it in a barbeque sauce.
- Make apple cider doughnuts.
- Add some apple cider to a cheese fondue.
- Made apple cider syrup on pancakes, waffles, ice cream, and more!
Scream Season
You probably didn’t know it, but the “Wilhelm Scream” has been used in many movies. It’s the sound a voice actor made when told to ‘scream like an alligator is eating him’ and can be traced back to the movie Distant Drums from the early 1950s.
THANK YOU for reading 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…
Rudy Perkins
(203) 243-3820
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: How do I get the best home for the lowest price?
A: Price is only one of several factors to consider when you purchase a home.
- Preferences: Make two lists, one outlining your needs and the other your wants. Compare the lists with other family members so you agree on what’s important before you start looking.
- Budget: Get pre-approved by a qualified loan officer before searching to determine what monthly mortgage payment is possible, given your debt and income.
- Location: The “best” price is usually not the cheapest price. Desirable locations demand higher prices, but communities with higher prices also often retain their value the best.
- Negotiation: Inexperienced buyers sometimes want to “lowball” their initial offer. Too often, they end up disappointed for various reasons, such as competition with other buyers, an adverse reaction from the seller, and the need to start all over again if negotiations fail.
If you want to learn more, ask about my free consumer report titled “8 Secrets For Saving Thousands When Buying Your Next Home.” This guide will save you time and money even if you’re not planning to buy soon.
Do you have a real estate question you want answered? Feel free to Email me at Sales@RudyPerkinsRealty.com. Perhaps I'll feature your question in my next issue!
www.rudyperkinsrealty.com
“Who Wants To Win A $50.00 Gift Certificate?”
Then be the first person to answer this month's Trivia Question correctly.
Last Month's Trivia Question.
What flying creature’s old names connect to Darwin and a Harry Potter character?
a) Bumblebee b) Butterfly c) Owl d) Raven
The answer is a) Bumblebee. Darwin and everyone else in the 19th century called them “humble bees” for their humming sound when they fly. And in British English, they used to be called “dumbledores.”
This Month's Trivia Question.
What is the highest-grossing horror movie of all time, considering inflation (significant!)?
a) Friday the 13th b) Jaws c) It d) The Exorcist
Email me at Sales@RudyPerkinsRealty.com, and you could be one of my following winners!