Call me right now at {203) 243-3820 and ask for my Free Consumer Guide to homeowner profits titled, “Make Your Home Show Like A Model Without Breaking The Bank”…
July 2025
New Haven, CT
Rudolph Perkins Presents...
Rudy Perkins Newsletter!
"Insider Tips For Healthy, Wealthy & Happy Living..."
You probably know someone who’s always complaining about something. While none of us wants to be that person, there are circumstances in which registering a complaint can catalyze positive change. The key is to complain productively, rather than just venting.
It can feel good to blow off steam now and then—experts agree that it’s not good for your mental health to bottle up negative thoughts. But dwelling on that negativity without working toward some resolution to address the problem doesn’t improve matters. After you’ve vented your initial irritation, the next step is to discuss your complaint with the person (or company/entity/customer support representative) who can help address the problem. Here are some of the elements of effective complaining:
- Think beyond the roadblock. Whatever the issue is, try to look beyond that to the result you want to see. This can help you articulate helpful specifics rather than simply venting frustrations—the latter tends to escalate arguments or make people shut down. For instance, talk to a customer service rep about the results you want from them, and less about the problem you’re facing with the company’s website.
- Complain constructively. This means not only identifying problems but offering potential solutions. The focus here should be on the outcome you’re seeking, not just the impediments to that goal. When you’ve thought beyond the roadblock, you can more easily visualize the path or steps to reach your desired outcome.
- Choose your timing wisely. Pick a time that works for you and the person you need to talk with. Don’t ambush them, and don’t complain while you’re upset. You probably already know you shouldn’t send an email while you’re angry, and that’s also true of discussing a complaint in person. Don’t call a company when you’re still seeing red, either- take the time to make a list of your requests, the reasons, and your issue. If you can be clear and calm, you’re more likely to get what you want.
- Avoid personal attacks. You need the person you’re talking with to help fix a problem, so it’s important to address only the behavior at issue and not the person’s character.
www.rudyperkinsrealty.com
Save Thousands When Buying A Home...
Did you know there’s a free consumer report revealing ways to save time and money when buying a home? It’s called “8 Secrets For Saving Thousands When Finding and Buying Your Next Home,” and it’s great even if you’re not planning to buy soon. Please email 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!)…
latent (pronounced LAY-tent) adjective
Meaning: existing but currently unseen; potential but currently inactive
Sample Sentence: Unless you find and repair the leaky pipe, you have the latent threat of mold—even if you clean the area thoroughly.
How To Stave Off Static
Keeping clothing free of static without using fabric softener or dryer sheets isn’t an impossible task! Here are some easy ways to do it:
- Pulling items from the dryer before they’re 100% dry is the easiest way to keep them static-free. If you don’t get there in time, add a (clean) wet cloth to the dryer and let it run for another few minutes.
- Wool dryer balls help reduce static and you can even add drops of essential oils if you miss the scent of dryer sheets. Just remember to wash them periodically so they maintain their static-fighting properties.
- Dry synthetic fabrics separately, as they dry faster and are more apt to produce static.
Did You Know?
Tongue prints are just as unique to individuals as fingerprints are.
Quotes To Live By…
“Genius might be the ability to say a profound thing in a simple way.”
– Charles Bukowski, Author
“I’ve never had a humble opinion. If you’ve got an opinion, why be humble about it?”
– Joan Baez, Musician
“Hope will never be silent.”
– Harvey Milk, Politician
Wearable technology for tracking health has come a long way since the original Fitbit was released in 2009, and it extends far beyond fitness trackers. Here are just a few types of wearable technology that can help you monitor various aspects, including heart rate, blood pressure, sleep cycles, skin temperature, and more.
- Watches: Smartwatches (like those made by Apple and Samsung) are powerful little computers, and because they’re worn on the wrist, they can do more than just show you incoming emails or news alerts. They can also track various physiological metrics, including blood oxygen levels, body temperature, heart rate, and sleep cycles.
- Rings: Smart rings are unobtrusive wearable tech, but they’re still impressive health trackers. Companies like Oura, Amazfit, and Samsung Galaxy make bright rings that can monitor physical activity, heart rate variability, sleep, stress levels, and even menstrual cycles.
- Clothing: Sensors are now small enough to be integrated into fabric. Hexoskin, for instance, makes shirts that can track heart rate, blood pressure, skin temperature, breathing rate, blood oxygen levels, and more (hexoskin.com). Wearable X offers yoga pants that provide real-time feedback to ensure you’re performing each pose correctly (wearablex.com).
No matter how long you’ve been doing your laundry, it’s not a bad idea to review best practices to make sure your clothes get as clean as possible without extra work. Here are some expert tips and tricks.
- Pay attention to laundry labels. They’re packed with care information that will help your clothes last longer. Here’s a chart to decode those cryptic laundry symbols, too: maids.com/blog/how-to-read-laundry-symbols/
- Pretreat stains with the proper treatment. What works best on a coffee stain may not be effective in removing grease. Search the American Cleaning Institute’s website for ‘stain’ and you’ll read lots of interesting tips: cleaninginstitute.org/
- Don’t overfill the washing machine. Experts recommend loading drums about 75% complete to ensure everything gets thoroughly clean without putting undue strain on the machine.
- Most laundry detergents these days work equally well in cold water as in hot, so experts suggest using cold water on most items to both preserve clothing and save energy.
- When moving items from the washer to the dryer, detangle and shake loose anything that’s been twisted up. This helps the load dry evenly.
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. Please email me at [email protected].
And I’ll give you all the facts.
Brain Teaser…
How can you make the number one disappear?
(See page 4 for the answer.)
Real Estate Question?
Perhaps you want to know the value of your home. Or maybe you need a recommendation for a handyman, carpet cleaner, or plumber…Either way, I love hearing from all of my good friends and clients. I’m happy to help answer any questions you may have about real estate or home ownership. If you have a question, a tip, or an idea, please email me at [email protected]. I’m here to help!
A Hare-y Dad Joke
Q: What do you call 10 rabbits walking backward?
A: A receding hare line.
Habit-Building Games
When goal tracking is fun, you or your kids might be more apt to stick with it and build better habits—or break bad ones.
BingoBaker.com (free, online or printed) creates a bingo card of all your goals, which you can print to track your progress. Change the size of the card and edit each square by clicking on the text in it. When you’re done, click “Generate” and you’ll get a file to download and print.
Habitica.com (free, iOS & Android) turns goal tracking and habit building into a quest. Each bad habit on your list is a “monster” you have to beat, and completing goals related to that “monster” earns rewards you can use in the app. You can connect with friends for even greater accountability.
HabitsGarden.com (free trial, $5 one-time cost, iOS & Android) turns checking off things on your to-do list into plants and flowers you can add to your virtual garden. The more consistent you are, the lusher your garden can become. Track your progress on the leaderboard.
Batteries quite literally power everything around us, but that doesn’t mean we know that much about them. Here’s what you need to know about the two main kinds of batteries, the best ways to store them in your house, and the safest disposal methods.
Battery Types
There are two kinds of batteries: primary (single-use) and secondary (rechargeable). Experts suggest using secondary batteries whenever possible in devices that are used frequently or require a lot of power.
Note that rechargeable batteries lose their ability to hold a charge over time, so they’ll need to be replaced eventually (this applies to the battery in your laptop or smartphone as well). They may last 2-7 years, depending on factors such as the type of device they’re in and how frequently it’s used. You can extend the life of a rechargeable battery by unplugging the charger once it’s reached 100%.
Battery Storage
Storing loose batteries in a drawer isn’t a good idea. If the plus and minus ends bump against one another (or other metal objects in the drawer, such as paper clips or loose change), it can cause the battery to overheat and leak, burst, or even catch fire. This is especially hazardous with 9-volt batteries, as the positive and negative posts are positioned right next to each other.
The easiest option is to store batteries in their original packaging to keep the positive and negative ends apart. There are also storage boxes designed especially for batteries. Keep batteries in a dry location at room temperature.
Battery Disposal
Rechargeable batteries (including those in laptops and cell phones) contain heavy metals, so these should always be taken to a recycling facility. You can find one near you using the Earth911 search tool—enter your zip code and choose the correct battery type from the left-hand menu: search.earth911.com.
Check with your waste services provider to find out if they accept single-use batteries in your recycling or regular trash. If they don’t, you can also take those to the battery recycling centers you’ll find using the Earth911 search tool.
www.rudyperkinsrealty.com
Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!
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.
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? Thank you for keeping me in mind with your referrals and spreading the word about my services.
Brain Teaser Answer:
Add a G and it’s gone!
Go-Bag On A Budget
Putting together an emergency go-bag from scratch might seem like an expensive project, but it doesn’t have to be. Much of what experts recommend you keep in a go-bag is probably already in your house.
You can put together your first aid kit, for instance, rather than buying a premade kit. Many of us also have extra batteries and candles on hand. You can also look for things like flashlights and multi-tools at thrift stores and yard sales. You can also stock up on non-perishable foods over time, rather than facing a massive bill at the grocery store. Find more money-saving tips to put together your emergency go-bag here: npr.org/2025/05/07/nx-s1-5320173/budget-emergency-go-bag
THANK YOU for reading my newsletter. I wanted to create a newsletter that offers great content and is both enjoyable 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…
Rudy Perkins
Rudy Perkins Realty
(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 can I “stage” my home so it sells quickly for the price I want?
A: Ensure you address both the outside and the inside of the house by cleaning and decluttering everything, from the front yard to the garage, kitchen, bathrooms, and basement. Put away your items so buyers can imagine themselves living there.
One way to take years off your home is with paint. Check the home’s exterior paint job, and don’t forget the front door, mailbox, garage doors, and walkways. In the interior, remove the pictures from the walls (as well as old wallpaper) and paint the walls in a neutral color.
Also, consider these tips if you want to sell your home fast for a reasonable price: a) Hire professional cleaners to do the work; b) Get a home inspection before you put it on the market; and c) Make your landscaping look sharp.
For a list of the specific steps you should take, ask for my Free Consumer Report called “4 Steps To Stage Your Home For A Fast Sale.” I’ll send a copy right to you.
Feel free to call me at (203) 243-3820.
www.rudyperkinsrealty.com
“Who Wants To Win A $50.00 Gift Certificate?”
Then be the first person to answer correctly this month’s Trivia Question.
Last month’s quiz.
What summer treat was invented by a child in 1905?
a) Ice cream float b) Popsicle c) Push-pop d) Icee
The answer is b) The popsicle was invented accidentally by an 11-year-old in 1905. Frank Epperson left his cup of soda with a stirring stick still in it on his front porch overnight, and it froze, leaving a fun treat.
This month’s trivia question.
This musician once had the number one movie, album, and song in the country simultaneously. They also wrote hits for artists such as Madonna, Celine Dion, and Stevie Nicks. Who is it?
a) Beyonce b) Prince c) David Bowie d) Dolly Parton
Please email me at [email protected]. And You Could Be One Of My Next Winners!