Have you ever asked someone if they know a
good ____ (mechanic, house keeper, etc.)? It's always better to work
with a service that's been recommended to you. With that in mind, when someone asks “Do you know a great real estate agent?” I hope you’ll recommend me. I promise they'll be happy you referred me. Thank you! ~Mardin (408) 210-2073
YOU DON'T NEED TO BE RICH TO BE A PHILANTHROPIST
Starting in 1972, Thomas Cannon began donating money to people he had
heard about in the news. Over 33 years, Cannon gifted over $150,000,
often by mailing $1,000 checks to the newspaper with instructions about
who should get the money. His charity helped support school volunteers, a
woman who started a youth center, and a teen who was active in his
community. Little things to be sure, but he managed these donations on a
$20,000/year postal worker salary, a solid middle-income income in his
day. Read Cannon's full story here.
Why do people become philanthropists? For the wealthy
(and even the rest of us), there are tax breaks associated with giving
away money. There is also a significant emotional benefit.
Philanthropists enjoy the feeling of being generous.
You don't need to win the lottery to be a philanthropist.
If you'd like to experience the joy of helping others through a
financial gift, even small amounts can have an outsized effect. Like
Thomas Cannon, you can donate $500, $1,000 or so. You can donate goods,
offer your help at the food pantry, or give money to someone you heard
about on the news. If you want acknowledgement for your gift, then
give publicly. Or simply give with no expectations. Either way, you’re
giving—and at least two people will get joy from your gift.
THE TEST BUTTON DOESN'T TEST THE DEVICE
Along with the time change on November 7, it's time to test your smoke detectors. But don't simply push the test button. That only tells you if the alarm works when the test button is pushed. To really test the smoke detector, light a match, blow it out, then wave it under the detector. If the alarm sounds, it's working. If not, change the batteries and try again. If it still doesn't work, replace the unit.
What can you see in November that you can't see in any other month of the year?
Send your answer to the trivia question for a chance to win. Last month's Q&A: How many bones does an adult human body have? 206 to 213. Congratulations to last month's winner!
A (Very) Short Story
WE CAN'T CHOOSE REALITY, BUT WE CAN CHOOSE PERSPECTIVE
Many
years ago two shoe salesmen were sent by their company to a rural
village to investigate and report back on market potential.
The first salesman reported, "There is no potential here - nobody wears shoes."
The second man reported, "There is massive potential here - nobody wears shoes."
DO YOU HAVE "FEAR OF PAYING TOO MUCH" FOR A HOME?
If you're thinking about buying a home, chances are you're worried about
paying too much. Who can blame you? Prices have been skyrocketing. You
have to wonder if those prices are sustainable and what your home will
be worth in ten years. If you're worried, here are some thoughts that
might help you make a decision.
1. No one knows what home prices will be in ten years. Don't
assume prices will fall or rise. Make calculations based on today's
facts, not on a guess about the future. How long are you willing to wait
for the chance of a price drop?
2. Figure 28% of your current gross monthly income. That's
how much you should budget for your payment. If you can afford a house
you want today based on that monthly payment, then you're in good shape
to buy. A good loan broker can tell you what home price that will buy,
based on your interest rate and down payment (plus whatever down payment
money you have). Let me know if you need a lender referral.
3. The longer you'll be in the home, the less difference a higher price now will make. Even if prices fall over the next 10 years, that's still 10 years of value you've gotten from your home, both in lifestyle and equity.
4. If you can't buy a house you want in today's market,
then you may need to save more down payment or wait until your income
rises. ● If property prices come down while you're saving, you'll be in
great shape to buy. ● If prices stay flat, you'll be in the same
position you were before, but with more money saved. ● If prices
rise further, you'll hopefully be in better shape financially and likely
able to afford the higher monthly payment.
If you've been putting off buying -- but you want to buy -- call for a consultation. (408) 210-2073
IT'S NOT METABOLISM THAT SLOWS DOWN AS WE AGE...
We've all heard it before: As we age, our metabolism slows down. That
explains our weight gain and lower energy levels.
Right? Unfortunately, it's just not true.
According to research published in the journal Science, our
base metabolic RATE stays mostly the same no matter what age we are,
with only very slight declines over 60. The reason we gain weight and
slow down is due more to lifestyle choices than metabolic rate. We eat
more, sit around more, and exercise less.
While our base rate doesn't change, we aren't raising our metabolic rate
through enough activity, so we're not burning off as many calories. The
cumulative effect is to gain weight. Weight gain contributes to slowing
cognition and lower energy levels. Just another reason to keep moving
and eat less.
THE ART OF FOLLY
If you've ever dreamed of building your own castle -- turrets and all --
you can take inspiration from people who've built follies of their own.
A folly is an ornamental building (often
costly) with little practical purpose, like those pictured below. The
word folly is related to foolish. Unfortunately (or fortunately,
depending on your perspective), such follies are often not welcome in
conforming neighborhoods.
