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!)…

banal (adjective) pronounced bah-NAL (rhymes with “canal”)

Meaning: unoriginal, trite, clichéd

Sample Sentence: “When the plot of a movie is this banal, it’s not hard to predict the ending.”

Don't-Miss Spring Cleaning

The average spring cleaning to-do list is much longer than the kind of cleaning we do on a more frequent basis, but there are likely still things you’ll forget. Here are just a few:

• Light Fixtures: Wipe down globes and other glass surfaces to allow more light to shine through.
• Small Appliances: Wipe down appliance exteriors and clean interiors (like emptying the toaster’s crumb tray and running the coffee maker’s deep clean cycle).
• Toothbrush Container: Scrub water mineral deposits and toothpaste grime from the bottom of cups or mugs that hold toothbrushes.
• Remote Controls: Gently wipe down with a damp cloth and use a toothpick to extract crumbs from crevices.
• Door Knobs: Wipe door knobs and handles throughout the house and oil any sticky hinges.

Quotes To Live By…

“If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.”     

– Marcus Tullius Cicero, Roman statesman

“For the concert of life, no one receives a program.”

                                   –Dutch Proverb

“If they don't give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.”

             –Shirley Chisholm, politician

Joint Bank Accounts: Yes Or No?

     Once upon a time, couples having joint bank accounts was the norm. Today, it’s not a given—and it’s not even always the best choice. Here are a couple of the benefits of having joint accounts with your partner, along with possible downsides to keep in mind.

On the plus side...

• Having a joint savings account makes a common savings goal (like a house or big vacation) easy to monitor and contribute towards.
• If you agree to tackle individual debts as a couple, joint bank accounts facilitate transparency and can make it easier to pay off loans or credit card balances.

On the flip side…

• People who are accustomed to managing their money alone may have trouble letting go of or sharing control of finances.
• Lenders will consider both your credit history and your partner’s, which can negatively impact the one with better credit.

How To Clean A Hair Dryer

     When was the last time you cleaned your hair dryer? I bet it hasn't been recently, if at all! Here’s how to do it, and why it’s really important that you do.

     A clogged hair dryer filter can be a serious fire hazard. If that’s not enough of a reason to keep it clean, a clean hair dryer performs better. Not only will the air flow be more consistent, the motor is less likely to overheat and fry your hair. How often you need to clean your hair dryer depends on how often you use it, but once every 1–3 weeks is a good range.

  1. Make sure the appliance is unplugged and completely cool.

  2. Remove the filter cap on the back of the hair dryer. This may be as simple as rotating the filter cap like it’s a pill bottle, but it may be screwed on.

  3. Remove the filter itself and rinse it under running water to remove dust, hair, and other debris.

  4. Use an old toothbrush (dry) or a toothpick to extract anything that’s caught behind the filter (don’t use water for this, since the motor is nearby).

  5. Ensure the removable filter is completely dry and reassemble the hair dryer.

 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!

Brain Teaser…

There’s a word that begins and ends with an E, but only contains one letter. What is it?

 (See page 4 for the answer.)

Real Estate Question?

Maybe you want to know how much your home is worth. 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. 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, email me at [email protected]. I’m here to help!

Tummy Trivia

Maybe you’ve heard that cows have four stomachs? In truth, they only have one—but it has four sections. On the other end of the spectrum, the platypus has no stomach at all. Instead, food goes straight from their esophagus into their intestine.

Online Grammar Tools

Here are a few handy online tools to help make the work of writing well a bit easier.

Grammarly: grammarly.com/ (free & paid versions) Grammarly is among the most popular writing tools, helping with grammar, spelling, and tone. The browser extension makes it work within web-based email and social media, too.

WhiteSmoke: whitesmoke.com/ (from $3.47/month) WhiteSmoke checks grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Plus, it’s got a plagiarism checker and a translation component including more than 50 languages.

ProWritingAid: prowritingaid.com/ (free & paid versions) ProWritingAid is especially useful for people who write more than just emails, with all the grammar and proofreading capabilities as well as the ability to integrate with software and platforms like MS Word, Google Docs, and WordPress.

Healthy Road Trip Snacks

     Retro roadside diners may be part of the fun of road trips, and fast food is certainly convenient. With a little planning, though, you can stock a cooler or tote bag with delicious snacks that are easy to eat on-the-go—not to mention healthier and cheaper than burgers and fries. Here are a few road trip-friendly snack ideas to get you started, plus some hints on how to pack them.

Road Trip Snacks:

• Fruits & Veggies: Choose ones that travel well (apples, carrots) and prep items that would be hard for a driver to eat one-handed (peel oranges and chop carrot sticks).
• Dried foods: Anything in the dehydrated category (dried fruits or jerky) is ideal for road trips, with less mess and longer shelf stability.
• Nuts: Protein will make you feel full longer. Bring your favorite mixed nut or trail mix or choose peanut butter pretzels for a protein boost.
• Eggs: Hard-boiled eggs are another excellent protein source. Peel them in advance if you’re solo.
• Wraps: Put sandwich fixings into a tortilla or pita wrapped in foil for easier on-the-go eating.
• Beverages: Make sure you’ve got plenty of water and a selection of other favorite drinks.

Packing Tips:

• Keep refrigerated items in a cooler within arm’s reach.
• If you’re traveling solo, put snacks in containers that fit into your car’s cup holder so it’s easy to eat one-handed.
• Put dips like ranch or hummus in small containers that can be resealed easily.
• To save space, freeze a couple of bottles of water in advance and use them in your cooler to keep snacks chilled. When you’re ready to drink the water, it’ll likely be starting to defrost a bit.
• Make sure you’ve got a trash/recycling bin handy at all times to keep your car from turning into a garbage dump—and pack a roll of paper towels and some wet wipes to clean up messes. Use a plastic cereal container for pop-top easy trash stashing.

 www.rudyperkinsrealty.com

Are You My Client of the Month?

Every month I choose an exceptional Client Of The Month.  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.

This month's Clients of the Month are Ken and Robin Muller.

You might be my next Client Of The Month too!  Watch for your name here in the upcoming month.

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:

Envelope

Easy Neck Stretch

As if it wasn’t bad enough that we look down at our phones all the time, hours of sitting at a desk on Zoom calls can cause some seriously stiff neck muscles. The good news is that there are some easy stretches you can do at home to help relieve the ache.

Start with this one:

1. Sit (with properly aligned posture) on the floor or a chair.

2. Move your hands to the back of your neck, palms facing your head and hands together.

3. Press your head gently toward your lap.

4. Hold for 30 seconds.

Have a Laugh…

What do you call a boomerang that doesn’t come back? A stick!

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

[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: What natural scents can make my home appealing to buyers?

A: This is a common question asked of real estate agents, and it is a little surprising how easily mistakes can be made that turn buyers off. Generally, fragrant candles and aerosol room fresheners are too strong to be used just before your guests arrive.  Few things can make a buyer more suspicious than an overly strong smell.  They may think you have something to hide if a pleasant odor is overwhelming.  If you want to freshen up the smell of your home with these products, use them at least 4 hours ahead of time.

Most people will feel comfortable in a home that smells clean and welcoming with the scent of coffee, tea, or cookies.  If you are not preparing these foods, you can simulate the smell with a few drops of cinnamon oil with water in a pie plate placed in a warm (not hot) oven.  Also, herbs like rosemary, lavender, and mint offer a pleasant natural fragrance whether you place them in vases or simmer them in a saucepan.  You can also use an aromatherapy diffuser. They’re inexpensive and available on sites like Amazon.

If you’re thinking of selling soon, ask about my Free Consumer Report “44 Moneymaking Tips To Sell Your Home Fast,” which includes an easy checklist of inexpensive ways to make buyers instantly attracted to your home. Just email me at [email protected], and request your free copy.

 www.rudyperkinsrealty.com

“Who Wants To Win

$50.00 Gift Certificate{prize?”

Then be the first person to answer this month's trivia quiz correctly!

Last month’s quiz. 

Tennis champion Serena Williams won which major tournament while pregnant with her first child?

a) Australian Open b) Wimbledon c) French Open 
d) ATP Finals

The answer is a) Australian Open. Williams reportedly took a test at the beginning of the tournament to prove a friend wrong but was shocked to discover she was pregnant. So let’s move on to this month’s trivia question.

What goatish animal is a national animal of a south Asian country?

a) Addax b) Mouflon c) Markhor  d) Gazelle

Email Me At [email protected], And You Could Be One Of My Next Winners!