Here’s free advice if you’re buying or re-financing your home. It’s my Free Consumer Guide titled, “7 Secrets For Saving Thousands When Financing Your Home.” Call me at
12032433820 to get a copy…
December 2020
New Haven, CT
Rudolph Perkins Presents...
Rudy Perkins Realty Newsletter!
"Insider Tips For Healthy, Wealthy & Happy Living..."
Protect Finances From Volatility
It’s always important to protect your finances, in good times and especially in volatile times. Here are ways to get started now:
- Monitor and improve your credit score: In the U.S., you get a free credit report each year at www.annualcreditreport.com. Also, www.creditkarma.com offers free credit scores and helpful tips and insights to help you manage your credit. This is critical for those buying houses because your credit score may influence mortgages made available to you.
- Review your spending: A budget is a great tool for monitoring cash flow. You can review where you’re spending your money and where you have an opportunity to save. For example, streaming services and subscriptions pile up quickly. Take a reality check and list all monthly charges, then sort through them to cut extra spending.
- Make a savings plan: Do you put money aside each month into a savings account? If you do, do you assign a job for it? Research shows that those who know what they’re saving for are more likely to fulfill their savings goals. Save for specific goals to stay motivated.
- Have a rainy-day plan: In addition to a savings fund, it is helpful to always have a backup plan for bringing in extra cash. Think about a side-hustle, like freelance writing, or items you can sell online. You may even decide to sell arts and crafts online if you have a special artistic talent. Don’t underestimate your skills and money-earning potential.
- Don’t bury your head in the sand: If you lose your job, or are left suddenly out of work for illness, don’t avoid the situation and potential impact on your finances. Take swift action: Prioritize which bills need to be paid first and call providers and explain the situation. Most service companies will work with customers to pay bills at a lower monthly amount — they prefer this than nothing at all. Then you’ll save the late charges and potential to cut off services to your home.
- Work with a financial advisor: Once you’ve completed these tasks, check-in with an advisor and find out if you’re spending money smartly. They’ll help to identify opportunities for improvement.
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. Get your free copy by copying and pasting this link into your browser: https://www.rudyperkinsrealty.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/8_Secrets_For_Saving_Thousands_When_Buying.pdf
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!)…
Whitelist (wite-list) Noun or verb
Meaning: The practice of allowing access to things/services like an email or website, or the list of allowed entities itself (noun). The opposite of blacklist.
Sample Sentence: I whitelisted your email address so that I always receive your emails.
Have A Chuckle...
Q: What do snowmen order at restaurants?
A: An iceberg-er and fries!
Cruising Into Retirement
Like other vehicles, cruise ships have a lifespan — typically 30 years in this case. But then what happens to them? Some ships are sold to other cruise companies and are given a new lease of life on their fleet. Most are decommissioned and scrapped. In fact, the largest scrap yard in the world is in Alang, India, where 50 percent of cruise ships go when they’ve been decommissioned. Ships rest on the beach as they are slowly dismantled.
Is Popcorn Really Healthy?
It depends. If it is not drenched in butter, popcorn is a healthy treat. A recent study found that it contains polyphenols (a compound found in plants) that reduces inflammation and may even help fight cancer.
Quotes To Live By…
“The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.”
–William Arthur Ward, writer
“There are no strangers here, only friends you haven’t met.”
–William Butler Yeats, poet
“If you want your children to listen, try talking softly to someone else.”
–Ann Landers, advice columnist
Those unwanted and annoying spam calls seem to get more sophisticated and harder to detect, using local numbers or spoofing your own phone number. Even if you hang up immediately or unsubscribe, they still seem to call back. A recent estimate placed the number of spam calls in 2019 at over 50 billion! Here’s a quick how-to to help stop (or at least reduce) spam calls:
1. Block numbers one-at-a-time. This is a helpful solution if it is the same number calling repeatedly. Search your phone model online plus “how to block phone numbers.”
2. Work with your carrier. Some mobile providers have software that stops or filters these calls. AT&T uses Call Protect, Verizon Wireless uses Call Filter, and T-Mobile uses Scam Shield and Scam Block.
3. Add your number to the Do Not Call Registry. Visit www.donotcall.gov to add yourself to the list that telemarketers are supposed to honor.
4. Use the phone’s software. Whether you have an Android or iPhone, they both have Do Not Disturb functions that allow you to block all calls, unless they are from contacts saved in your phone. Check your user’s guide (or online) for instructions.
5. Block calls on your landline. You can buy a call-blocking device that stops unwanted calls and diverts others to voicemail. Some of these devices have a blacklist of problem numbers that you can add numbers to as well.
6. Register a complaint with the FTC. While the FTC might not follow up every complaint, they do monitor which companies are annoying and scamming customers. They have been known to shut down some of these spammers, too. Report unwanted calls to reportfraud.ftc.gov.
www.rudyperkinsrealty.com
A Heartfelt Message To My
Special Clients And Friends...
I want to share a little secret with you. I don’t spend my time cold calling or pestering people for business. Instead, I focus 110% of my efforts on giving such outstanding service that people naturally think of me when a friend, neighbor, or family member needs a caring and competent REALTOR®.
I would like to take a moment to acknowledge and thank all of the special people in my life who’ve helped build my business with their enduring support and referrals. I couldn’t do it without you!
Brain Teaser
No matter how much you use me, you change me every month. What am I?
(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: 12032433820.
Top Tips To Reduce Stress
- Try a site like quietkit.com to make it easy.
- Take scheduled breaks throughout the workday. Try setting a reminder on your phone.
- Create to-do lists and list only three priorities at a time.
- Practice relaxation techniques and breathing.
- Drink lots of water regularly throughout the day.
- Set a time during the morning or evening (or both) to take a device-free walk in a beautiful area.
Get Rid Of Plant Gnats
These pesky flies seem to multiply around houseplants. Here are three remedies that work (choose one):
1. Water with a 1:3 hydrogen peroxide and water solution.
2. Use a granular or liquid pesticide.
3. Apply aquarium gravel or sand to the top of every plant, covering the soil so the gnats can’t lay eggs.
Meditation Websites
To help reduce stress levels, try these websites and apps with access to hundreds of free meditations.
www.insighttimer.com – Described as the number 1 free app for sleep, anxiety and stress. You can download the app or go to the website to find meditations.
www.smilingmind.com.au – This Australian site is specifically for supporting kids’ mental health.
www.uclahealth.org/ucla-mindful – Developed by the Mindful Awareness Research Center at UCLA, this app provides many recorded meditations in English and Spanish.
Winter skin or stress? We all get itches, but you may be surprised at what is causing the annoyance.
Causes of itchy skin: The everyday causes are more common than you might think. Extreme temperatures, air conditioning or dry environments, dust, stress, hot showers, and chemical sunscreens are all skin irritants. Solutions: It’s helpful to know what you’re reacting to, first. For hot showers, instead take a warm shower and then apply moisturizer. Avoid extreme temperatures at home and work, vacuum and dust surfaces (especially blinds and curtains, which are culprits of collecting dust) regularly — even better, buy an air purifier to take dust particles out of the air. Use natural sunscreens without chemicals and try to manage stress levels effectively.
Trying to keep a relationship fun can be costly, especially in the early days. Impressing someone new with fancy dinners or tickets to see live music can be expensive. Here are some ideas to keep the magic alive, while sticking to a budget:
- Go out for breakfast: you can have dates at any time of day. Plus, breakfasts are considerably cheaper than going out for dinner.
- Fix a picnic and watch the sunset together in a park. You can save money making your own food rather than takeout, too.
- Go to an open mic night. You still get the thrill of getting dressed up and going out together, but without the cost of expensive venue tickets.
- Enjoy a hike together! What better way to get to know someone than walking together?
- Go to a You-Pick. Whether it’s summer or fall, you can still pick for two full seasons: berries in the summer and apples and pumpkins in the fall.
- Cook a special dinner together. Just because you’re not going out doesn’t mean you can’t eat a delicious meal together. Why not try a new recipe, too?
www.rudyperkinsrealty.com
FREE Consumer Help Is Just A Phone Call Away...
Learn valuable secrets for saving thousands and avoiding costly mistakes when buying, selling or refinancing a home. Best of all, it’s FREE. Ask about my “Insider’s Free Resources” by calling me at: 12032433820
DID YOU KNOW…
Unlike most real estate agents, I DON’T spend my time pestering people with phone calls or bothersome interruptions to find good clients. Instead, I dedicate 110% of my time and energies to providing such outstanding service, people naturally think of me when a friend or family member needs help buying or selling a home. THANKS for your referrals!
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 calendar
Tips For Restful Sleep
Experts say you should aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night to keep you energized throughout the day. To promote restful sleep try to:
- Turn off devices one hour before bed.
- Use the do not disturb function on your phone for 10 hours each night.
- Don’t watch TV in your bedroom.
- Ensure your bedroom is cool to promote a restful sleep – waking up feeling hot is a cause of restlessness.
- Limit exposure to bright lights before bed by turning off the TV and lowering the brightness on other devices.
Competitive Art
Did you know that between the years 1912 and 1948 the Olympic Games awarded art medals? According to the Smithsonian Magazine, medals were awarded for sculpture, painting, music and architecture.
THANK YOU for reading Rudy Perkins Realty, my
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…
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 do I have besides refinancing my home loan if I’m struggling 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.
- Do 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 final sales price the buyer pays.
- Do a Deed-in-lieu of Foreclosure. You give your home back to the lender in exchange for forgiveness of the mortgage. You may still have to pay the difference between what the bank sells the home 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/or an attorney. To learn about more options for struggling homeowners, email me at [email protected], and request my Free Consumer Report called
“10 Options To Avoid Foreclosure.” I’ll send a copy to you.
Do you have a question related to real estate or homeownership? Please email me at [email protected]. Perhaps I’ll feature your question in my next issue!
www.rudyperkinsrealty.com
$50.00 Gift Certificate?”
Then be the first person to correctly answer my quiz question.
Last Month's quiz question...
The Czech word for “forced labor” is the root
of which of these technology terms?
a) Computer b) Robot c) Android or d) Monitor
The answer is b) Robot – The word is “robota,” which a Czech playwright turned into the word we all know today, “robot,” in 1920. So let’s move on to this month’s trivia question.
Who was the first female singer inducted twice to the
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?
a) Aretha Franklin b) Pink c) Mariah Carey d) Stevie Nicks
Email Me At [email protected]
And You Could Be One Of My Next Winners!