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!)…

Salty (sahl-tee) adjective 

Meaning: Used as slang, this word means exceptionally annoyed or bitter.

Sample Sentence: He was salty because his sister won the game but she didn’t seem to care about the outcome.

Fast Food On Flights

Before flying, access your airline’s website and order a vegetarian or kosher meal. You’re more likely to be one of the first to be served onboard.

Be a Smart Used Car Buyer

Get the most for your money when buying a secondhand vehicle:

- Research cars’ reliability and longevity. Consult resources like ConsumerReports.org and TrueDelta.com.

- Consider both car dealers and private sellers. Dealers may have bigger selections and financing options, but private sellers often just want a fair market price.

- Have an inspection done by an independent and trusted mechanic.

- Cross-shop new cars and used ones for more choices and deals.

Facebook Blue

Mark Zuckerberg has red-green colorblindness, which is why the website and brand are blue.

Quotes To Live By…

“Laugh and the world laughs with you. Snore and you snore alone.”

  –Anthony Burgess

“Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is time for home.”

–Edith Sitwell

 “Discovery is seeing what everybody else has seen, and thinking what nobody else has thought."

–Albert Szent-Gyorgyi

Clean Single-Serve Coffee Makers

            Recent statistics show 26% of American coffee drinkers use single-serving coffee-brewing machines like those made by Keurig. If you own one of these machines, here’s what you can do to keep your machine clean and in good working order. If you don’t clean it regularly, it can harbor bacteria and mold.

• Routinely wipe down the outside of the machine, especially the handle.
• Fill the water reservoir with pure, white vinegar.
• Run the machine without a pod. Repeat the process until all the vinegar runs through the machine.
• Let the machine sit for at least four hours.
• After this waiting period, fill the reservoir with water and run it until it empties completely.
• Repeat this process every three to six months.

Bonus tip! Use a reusable filter in order to create less waste and increase your selection of coffee flavors and strength (make sure to clean it).

Keep Your Garage Organized

            As a part of the home that is often out of sight and mind, garages can quickly become disorganized. Here’s how to maintain a sense of order in yours! Watch for the last topic of this series next month: the laundry room.

• Maximize space. Hang items like shovels, hoses, and cords on the wall. During seasonal changes, hang bikes, skis, and surfboards from the ceiling. Hang a hammock to contain basketballs and other items that can roll away.
  
• Choose appropriate shelving. Keep things off the floor by using shelving. Metal shelving withstands heat and humidity better than wood.
  
• Use airtight containers. Holiday decorations and other infrequently used items should be stored in containers that can withstand humidity and extreme temperature fluctuations. Clearly label all containers.
  
• Keep like items together. Separate everything in the garage into categories like sporting equipment and power tools, and store these items together.
  
• Designate storage areas. Once everything is sorted by category, store these things in the garage where they make the most sense. Put cleaning materials near the door leading into the house. Garden equipment should go near the garage door.

 kennethjones.com

Would You Like to Know How Much Your Neighbor's Home Listed or Sold For? 

Maybe you’re just curious. Or maybe you want to know how much your home is worth. Either way, I can help…with no “sales pitches” or run-arounds. Call me at 817-455-6422 and I'll give you the facts.

Brain Teaser…

How far can a rabbit run into the forest?

 (See page 4 for the answer.)

Real Estate Question?

Maybe you want to know how much your home is worth. Or maybe 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 817-455-6422. I’m here to help!

U.S. National Park Facts

- The caldera at Crater Lake National Park (Oregon) is almost 6 miles in diameter and 3,900 feet deep.

- Glacier National Park (Montana) and Waterton Lakes National Park in Canada make up the world’s first international peace park.

- The thermal waters in Hot Springs National Park (Arkansas) are 143 degrees Fahrenheit.

- Humans have occupied Voyageurs National Park (Minnesota) for nearly 10,000 years.

Spare the (Dog) Hair

Get rid of dog fur clinging to car seats by spritzing the upholstery with water and scraping it with a squeegee.

Mutual Fund Websites

Learn what companies are included in your mutual fund holdings.

www.Finance.Yahoo.com – Search the fund’s ticker symbol. The “Top Holdings” section shows the top 10 most valuable holdings.

www.FeeX.com – Hook your account into the site for a full review of what it contains, including cheaper, alternative funds.

www.PersonalCapital.com – In addition to breaking down a mutual fund, this site explains if your portfolio is well-balanced.

Finding Joy as a Caretaker

      Becoming a caregiver for loved ones at any time of your life can take a physical, mental, and emotional toll. Learning to deal with related stress and finding happiness in the situation can go a long way in making the experience a positive one for both you and the loved one you’re caring for.

• Listen to music. Whether you play your music or your loved one’s favorite songs, feel free to sing along.
  
  
• Celebrate the little things. Enjoy every little holiday and even the smallest accomplishments. Don’t forget to treat yourself too: Buy yourself flowers. Ask friends and family for help so you can treat yourself to the occasional day off or a date night.
  
  
• Mindfully contemplate joy. A journal is a safe place to explore the many emotions you might be feeling. In this space, however, take time to record things that make you happy too, such as funny moments, inspirational quotes, and favorite song lyrics.
  
  
• Take care of yourself. Sneak some time alone and boost your mood with exercise, meditation, and sleep.
  
  
  
• Linger over meals together. Relive memories with your favorite foods. Cook and bake together, if possible. As a caregiver, make sure you take time to eat nutritiously to keep up your own health.
  
  
  
• Infuse joy in every day. Even if your loved one isn’t responsive, put on funny movies, tell jokes, and laugh. 
  
  
  
• Get outside. Whether you’re able to take a walk in the park or just relax on the front porch, sunshine, fresh air, and natural surroundings can help boost the mood.

 kennethjones.com

Please Welcome New Clients and Friends Into Our Real Estate Family!

I’d like to take a moment to personally introduce and welcome a few of 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!

Thank you Ira and Ashley Rihel for being loyal clients!

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:

Halfway. After that, the rabbit is running out of the forest.

Easily Amused...

While I was watching a dog chase its tail, I thought “dogs are easily amused.” Then I realized I was watching a dog chase its tail.

House Guest Checklist

Welcome guests into your home with a checklist consisting of this information:

• Wi-fi network and password.
• Where extra toilet paper and plunger can be found.
• Which toiletries they can use.
• Procedure for locking up the home in case they come back late.
• Quirky features they should know like handles requiring jiggling, strange noises, or auto-locking doors.

THANK YOU for reading my

Service For Life!® personal newsletter. I wanted to produce a newsletter that has great content and 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…

Joe Ralph(J.R.) Martinez

Kenneth Jones Real Estate

817-455-6422

[email protected]

_{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. I’m selling my home.  How can I be sure I have a properly written contract?

A. The best way to protect yourself is to work with a skilled REALTOR^® who will help you with the contract and walk you through the closing process.  He or she will also ensure that you comply with specific disclosure rules that may apply to your state.  To work together effectively, you should do the following:

• Become familiar with contract language, such as terms, contingencies and inspections.   

• Know what repairs and closing costs you are responsible for.  A contract is a legally binding agreement and you will be held to it. 

• Review your title to make sure your property is not in conflict with local restrictions or laws. 

            To learn more about how to sell your home, call and ask for my Free Consumer Report called “How To Avoid 7 Costly Mistakes When Selling Your Home.”  I’ll send a copy right to you.  

Do you have a real estate question you want answered? Call me at 817-455-6422.  Perhaps I’ll feature your question in my next issue!

 kennethjones.com

“Who Else Wants To Win

$10 Starbucks Gift Card?”

Guess who won last month’s Trivia Question? I’m pleased to announce the lucky winner of last month’s quiz. And the winner is…drum roll please: Carol Stanley was the first person to correctly answer my quiz question.

Which one of the following does NOT have to do with honey bees?

a) Krill  b) Melittology  c) The genus Apis  d) Royal jelly

      The answer is a) krill. Krill are ocean-dwelling crustaceans. So let’s move on to this month’s trivia question.

Why is the Dominan Republic's flag unusual?

 a) It has a bible on it.   b) It's the world's oldest flag.

c) It has plant life on it. d) It was designed by a woman.

Call Me At 817-455-6422 OR Email Me At [email protected]

And You Could Be One Of My Next Winners!