Buying A Home soon for the first time? Get my Free Consumer Guide, “Top 10 First-Time Homebuyer Mistakes to Avoid.”…Call me right now at (203) 243-3820
January 2025
New Haven, CT
Happy New Year.
Rudy Perkins Newsletter!
"Insider Tips For Healthy, Wealthy & Happy Living..."
Like so many money matters, determining how much you’ll need to retire can be complicated. No single equation works for everyone, nor does a formula need to be reevaluated occasionally. But there are some things to consider when setting financial goals that will set you up for a comfortable retirement.
At what age do you want to retire?
If you plan to retire at the full retirement age set by the government and are in your 40s now, you have a couple of decades to be strategic about investments to ensure adequate savings. And if you want to retire earlier, you’ll need to have even more money set aside to pay for additional non-working years.
What do you want to do in your retirement?
Your desired retirement lifestyle plays a huge part in determining how much money you need to have saved. There’s a big cost difference between traveling internationally every year or being a homebody and volunteering in your local community, and your retirement savings should reflect your plan to live.
Are there any significant expenses coming up pre-retirement?
While it’s a good idea to have a savings cushion for unexpected expenses that may come up, it’s also critical to think about costs planned, like building or remodeling a house, college or grad school tuition, or starting a business. Experts agree that the sooner you begin saving for retirement, the better. Still, you can use different retirement calculators to come up with an estimate based on your specific situation. Some (such as www.aarp.org/retirement/retirement-calculator/) are reasonably simple and give you a ballpark figure, while others ask for more details and data points (like www.flexibleretirementplanner.com/). The best way to understand your current financial picture and plan for your retirement, though, is by working directly with a financial advisor—and one of the best ways to find one is by asking friends and family for recommendations. You can also look for one at: www.napfa.org/find-an-advisor
www.rudyperkinsrealty.com
Warning Before You Sell Your Home...
Don’t put your home on the market without my Free Consumer Guide titled “How To Avoid 7 Costly Mistakes When Selling Your Home.” My exclusive report will give you all the facts for a fast, top-dollar sale. Get your free copy by emailing me at [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!)…
gridiron (pronounced GRID-eye-urn) noun
Meaning: 1. a metal rack for cooking over an open flame; 2. a football field
Sample Sentence: In homes nationwide, watching football players on the gridiron is as much a part of the Thanksgiving tradition as the turkey.
Throw A Steak On The Gridiron
Today, the word “gridiron” most commonly describes a football field, but it shares perhaps unexpected roots with the word “griddle.”
In the 14th century, a gridiron was a metal grill used to broil food over an open flame. In the late 19th century, it became a nickname for football fields, when the playing field was marked not with lines but with—you guessed it—a grid.
Throw A Steak On The Gridiron
What's the difference between a hippo and a zippo?
One is heavy, and the other's a little lighter.
Quotes To Live By…
“You need to let the little things that would ordinarily bore you suddenly thrill you.”
– Andy Warhol, Artist
“Forty is the old age of youth; fifty the youth of old age.”
– Victor Hugo, Author
“Life is what happens to us while we are making other plans.”
– Allen Saunders, Writer
When fencing your property, there’s more to consider than style. Here are some of the factors to consider when choosing a fence.
- Purpose: Different fencing requirements exist for keeping the dog in the yard, creating a private backyard retreat, and protecting the garden from deer.
- Budget: Fencing materials vary widely in terms of cost. Wood is generally the least expensive option to install, while materials like vinyl, metal, and composite tend to cost more up-front. Installing the fence can save money, but materials like brick usually mean hiring a pro.
- Upkeep: This is about both the time and money needed for maintenance. Wood fences need to be stained or painted regularly. Some metal fences also need to be painted periodically to prevent rusting. Vinyl fencing must be cleaned to avoid mold or mildew from staining.
- Regulations: Even if you’re not in an HOA, there may be local laws dictating things like fence heights. If you’re installing a fence yourself, find out whether you need a city or county permit before you start. They can also help you determine property lines and identify underground utilities before you dig.
"Etiquette" may seem like an antiquated concept that only applies to period dramas and royal families, but it boils down to good manners—including online. The popular portmanteau for online or email activity is "netiquette," but many modern etiquette tips would still be recognizable to the doyenne of decorum herself, Emily Post.
- Think before you post: Humor and sarcasm don't often translate well online.
- Respect other peoples' privacy, like knowing when not to share photos of different people and how to use cc and bcc email fields properly (read this: microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365-life-hacks/organization/what-is-bcc-etiquette).
- Do some fact-checking before forwarding or posting something.
- Mute the microphone during video meetings when you're not speaking.
- Hit "reply all" on an email only when necessary. Consider who needs the information and use that to determine who you reply to.
A good piece of "netiquette" advice to remember is it's good to behave on the internet as if online activity lives forever because it does.
www.rudyperkinsrealty.com
Would You Like To Know How Much
Is 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… without "sales pitches" or run-arounds. Call me at (203) 243-3820,
and I'll give you all the facts.
Brain Teaser…
I am a button that everyone has, but I cannot be buttoned or unbuttoned. What am I?
(see pg. 4)
Real Estate Question?
Maybe you want to know how much your home is worth, or perhaps you need a recommendation for a handyman, carpet cleaner, or plumber…Either way, I love hearing from all my good friends and clients. And I’m happy to answer any questions you might have about real estate or home ownership. If you have a question, tip, or idea, email me at [email protected]. I’m here to help!
Swiss Formula Dad Joke
Q: What’s the best thing about Switzerland?
A: I don’t know, but the flag’s a big plus.
Websites To Help Reduce Food Waste
We all know what it’s like to find that forgotten head of lettuce in the fridge, and that’s just one part of the food waste reduction these apps and websites are designed for.
SaveTheFood.com (part of the Natural Resources Defense Council) offers tips for meal planning and food storage, handy tools to estimate how much food you’ll need for a dinner party, and recipes with surprising uses for leftovers and even food scraps.
TooGoodToGo.com (free) connects people with local restaurants that sell excess food at a fraction of the original cost. You can choose “surprise bags” from restaurants, bakeries, delis, and grocery stores, all at a significant discount.
OlioApp.com (free; $14.99/year for additional features) isn’t just for food; it’s also an easy way to share food extras with people in your neighborhood. It’s a bit like your local Buy Nothing group, with the added option to buy and sell things locally.
Caring for a loved one who has Alzheimer’s disease or dementia can be a challenge, especially when so many symptoms are readily recognized as disease-related but not well understood. One symptom some people experience is “sundowning,” in which they get more confused, anxious, or agitated than usual. They may start pacing, following a caregiver from room to room, crying, shouting, or even hallucinating. This frequently happens as daylight fades, hence the name, but it can occur anytime.
Doctors don’t know what causes sundowning explicitly, but experts offer recommendations for caregivers to help reduce the likelihood of sundowning. This includes both things to avoid and tips for preventing it.
Things that can help reduce sundowning:
- Sticking to a daily routine
- Getting regular exposure to sunlight
- Supplementing lighting indoors and outdoors, especially in winter
- Engaging in some physical activity every day to promote healthy sleep
- Turning the TV volume down (or off)
- Keeping household activities and conversations calm
Things that can trigger sundowning:
- Getting inadequate sleep
- Consuming caffeine and sugar in the afternoon or evening
- Taking a nap late in the day
- Changes in diet or medications
- Being hungry, dehydrated, or in pain
- Spending time in an overstimulating environment
It’s essential to work closely with your loved one’s doctor when it comes to sundowning or any other symptom of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia to address their specific situation and needs. Visit the National Institute on Aging for more information about coping with sundowning. (Search “sundowning” at www.nia.nih.gov).
www.rudyperkinsrealty.com
Thank you! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!
I want to take a moment to thank my newest clients and good friends who have supported my business over the years. And special thanks to everyone who thought of me with your referrals!
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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 bellybutton
Winter Pruning
Some trees, including fruit trees, are best pruned in the winter months when they’re dormant.
Shrubs that flower in the summer, such as hydrangea and roses, should also be pruned in the winter. Evergreen trees and shrubs may not look any different during the winter, but they’re also dormant during the coldest winter and can be pruned. However, if you have sap-producing trees, hold off on pruning until late summer or early autumn.
Find more detailed pruning tips on The Old Farmer’s Almanac website: www.almanac.com/when-prune-trees-and-shrubs
THANK YOU for reading Rudy Perkins 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…
Rudolph 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: If I get multiple offers on my house, how do I decide which offer to accept?
A: Multiple offers are a good thing. Still, you can make a mistake if you don’t look at more than just the sales price offered. Carefully weigh each buyer’s offer by considering these factors:
- Is the buyer pre-approved? Never take your home off the market without knowing if the buyer can purchase it.
- When do they want possession? When the buyer’s timing fits your preferences, it can make their offer more appealing.
- What repairs does the buyer expect before closing? Even if you are willing to make repairs, think about the time it will take before you accept.
- What items does the buyer expect to remain in the house? Buyers may request to keep appliances or wall-mounted televisions. Before accepting, factor the cost of replacing these in your next home into the offer.
It is essential to know all the facts before you respond to any offers. Ask for my free consumer report, “How to Avoid 7 Costly Mistakes When Selling Your Home,” to be informed and to learn more about your home sale. If you have questions or need capable and trustworthy representation, please email me at [email protected].
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.
Michelangelo finished painting his masterpieces on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in November of what year?
a) 1492 b) 1512 c) 1657 d) 1734
The answer is b) 1512. Italian artist Michelangelo spent four years painting his famous frescoes in the Sistine Chapel from 1508 to 1512. A restoration project that removed centuries' worth of dirt, smoke, and varnish was completed in 1989.
So, let's move on to this month's trivia question.
A teenage scientist accidentally created what while working on a formula for a new medicine.
a) mouthwash b) synthetic dye c) artificial sweetener d) superglue
Email Me At [email protected]. And You Could Be One Of My Next Winners!