Learn how to save thousands of dollars when finding, buying, or financing your home. See my enclosed insert for details!
Volume IV, Issue 2
July 2008
Island Park, Idaho
Inside This Issue…
Six Steps You Can Take To Increase Your Optimism...
Love To Shop? You Could Get Paid To Do It…
Finally, An Effective Way To Unclog Stubborn Drains...
Five Secrets For Saving A Bundle On Auto Insurance...
Beat This Trivia Question And You Could Win !!...
How Much Home Can You Afford?...
Jamie Phillips ~ Owner/Associate Broker
"Insider Tips For Healthy, Wealthy & Happy Living…"
®
Could Optimism be the Secret to Living a Longer, Happier Life?
Recent scientific research now confirms the secret ingredient to a longer life—an optimistic attitude. And there’s even better news...anyone can learn to be more optimistic. A Dutch study found that optimistic people live longer; in fact, almost 30% longer than pessimists. Scientists found an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, heart attack, stroke, and weakening of the immune system associated with pessimism. Researchers at the Mayo Clinic, reporting on a 30-year study, found that optimistic people live about 19 percent longer than pessimists do. These findings come from studying 839 people living in Minnesota. The researchers found people classified as ?optimists? had significantly better survival rates. Optimists were less likely to develop depression, sought medical help when needed, and took better care of themselves.
So how can you become more optimistic? Here are six tips for becoming a more optimistic person:
1. Set Specific Goals. A study of happy people found they set goals and consistently take action.
2. Project A Cheerful Voice. Research has shown people feel the emotion they are acting. Use a positive voice.
3. Use Positive Language. Use upbeat words: opportunity, challenge, recharging, success, can do, solution.
4. Practice Good Posture. Optimists have good posture, stand tall, walk briskly, and take big steps.
5. Focus on Solutions. When a difficult situation comes up, focus on the solution, and put it into action. You might be shocked to learn how much your net worth has automatically increased and is sitting idle in your home. Don’t leave your financial well-being up to just anyone. Call me at (208) 221-2647 and I’ll give you all the facts, based on valid, real-world home sales history. Call now!
6. Be A Role Model. When you act as a role model for your co-workers, employees, family, and friends, you’ll become more optimistic.
Just by applying these six steps to your life, you can change your thinking, and reduce your risk of physical illness and live a longer, and more fulfilling life.
How Much Of Your Personal Net Worth Is Sitting In Your Home?
According to ShopSmart Magazine, there are more than 1.5 million secret shoppers across the country who help companies check out such things as the friendliness of sales people and wait times in a restaurant. ? Find real jobs. Visit websites run by the Mystery Shopping Providers Association (www.mysteryshop.org) or Volition (www.volition.com), where secret shoppers go to find work. ? Sign up with as many companies as you can. If a company asks you to pay, decline and move on. ? Get certified. Consider getting a certificate from Smiley University at www.aboutfacecorp.com. ? Do a background check. Before taking an assignment, check out the company with the Better Business Bureau. ? Keep good records. Be sure to separate fees, which are subject to income tax, from reimbursed expenses, which typically are not. Get expert tax advice. How much can you earn? Assignments usually pay around $10 to $25 or can be twice that if you need to have special expertise. Before you sign up, remember – products you buy as part of an assignment usually have to be returned!
If you enjoy shopping and want to make extra cash, mystery shopping might be worth a try,? says Lisa Lee Freeman, Editor-in-Chief. ?But be wary of scams and don’t expect to make big money or receive lots of free stuff. ShopSmart offers these tips on how to get started:
? Don’t get ripped off. Watch out for scams that come through e-mail, in newspapers or online.
Amazing (and a bit strange) Facts!
? Peanuts are one of the ingredients in dynamite!
? There are 293 ways to make change for a dollar.
? No word in the English language rhymes with orange, silver or purple.
? A cat has 32 muscles in each ear!
? Tigers have striped skin, not just striped fur!
? Al Capone’s business card said he was a used furniture dealer.
? A dragonfly has an average lifespan of just 24 hours.
? A dime has 118 ridges around its edge.
? John Lennon’s first girlfriend was named Thelma Pickles.
Unusual Cleaning Tip!
Here’s the Cream of Clean. To clean and polish aluminum pots and pans, simply fill them with water, add two tablespoons cream of tarter. Boil for five or ten minutes, then wash and dry as usual. You won’t believe your eyes!
How To "Bake" A Clogged Drain
Instead of spending money on those harsh drain cleaners, try this homebrew solution: Sprinkle a half-cup baking soda down your drain. Then, add a half-cup white vinegar and cover the drain with a plate or lid for five minutes. Finally, pour five cups of boiling water down the drain. Voila! Your drain will clear.
Is Bigger Really Better?
Some people believe in mind over matter. And that health and wellness are all in the mind. But a study at Ohio State University proved this axiom may indeed be correct.
Subjects complaining of pain were given two treatment forms of the same medication: either three 200-milligram tablets, or one 600-milligram tablet. Even though the doses and medication were identical, participants reported better pain relief when they took the single, larger tablet.
Maybe bigger is better!
5 Tips For Saving A Bundle On Your Auto Insurance…Do you remember the last time you shopped for auto insurance? If you can’t remember, chances are you’re paying too much. Insurance rates vary from category-to-category and from year-to-year. Unless you shop frequently, you could easily be paying double for the very same coverage. Here are five helpful tips you can use to cut insurance costs:
1. Shop Around. Most consumers seek insurance quotes from just one or two companies. To get the best rates, check at least four companies or agents. You can make comparisons at www.insweb.com. 2. Consider A Higher Deductible. Ask your agent to give you several deductible scenarios and compare the costs of each. Consumer Reports magazine reports that most people have a $250 deductible on collision and comprehensive. And that’s too low, given today’s repair costs. With a $1,000 deductible, for example, you can save as much as 40 percent on collision and comprehensive. 3. Consider Your Car’s "Profile." Choose a safe car by checking safety records from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety at www.iihs.org. A sports car will cost considerably more to insure than a family sedan. Drive a car that costs less to begin with, costs less to repair, and is less popular with thieves. 4. Ask For Discounts. Most consumers are unaware of the many discounts available to them. The Insurance Information Institute, at www.iii.org, lists many discounts you may not know about. 5. Drive Safely. Obviously, insurers give better rates if you’ve had no moving violations in the past three years. Completing a certified defensive-driving course can reduce your premium in some states.
Famous Last Words…
If you’re prominent in any field, be careful what you say. It just may become a famous quote…
? ?I? just glad it?l be Clark Gable who? falling on his face and not Gary Cooper.?(Gary Cooper on his decision not to take the leading role in ?one With The Wind.?
? ?Stocks have reached what looks like a permanently high plateau.?(Irving Fisher, Professor of Economics, Yale University, 1929)
? ?Everything that can be invented has been invented.?(Charles H. Duell, Commissioner, U.S. Office of Patents, 1899)
? ?Who the hell wants to hear actors talk??(H. M. Warner, Warner Brothers, 1927)
? ?This „elephone-thing?has too many shortcomings to be seriously considered as a means of communication. The device is inherently of no value to us.?(Western Union internal memo, 1876)
Could It Possibly Be TRUE?
Could you imagine working at a company with a little over 500 employees where…
? 29 have been accused of spousal abuse…
? Seven have been arrested for fraud
? 19 have been accused of writing bad checks…
? 117 have bankrupted at least two businesses…
? Three have been arrested for assault…
? 71 cannot get a credit card because of their bad credit…
? 14 have been arrested on drug charges…
? Eight have been arrested for shoplifting…
? 21 are current defendants in lawsuits…
? In 1998 alone, 84 were stopped for drunk driving.
Can you guess what organization could possibly have this type of record over the course of its history? It’s the 535 members of your United States Congress…he very same group that perpetually cranks out hundreds upon hundreds of new laws designed to keep the rest of us in line!
"Who Else Wants To Win?"
Take my Trivia Challenge and you could win too!
Guess Who Won Last Month’s Trivia Question? I’m pleased to announce the Grand Prize Winner of last month’s quiz. And the winner is…drum roll please: Nancy G. was the first person to correctly answer my quiz question…
The Body Of An Average Adult Has Approximately How Many Square Feet Of Skin?
a) 82 sq. feet b) 58 sq. feet c) 18 sq. feet d) 24 sq. feet e) 126 sq. feet
No need to grab your tape measure folks because the correct answer is ?18 square feet. Thanks for your answer Nancy, you’ve won a $250 transferable gift certificate for my buying and selling services.
Now…let’s move on to this month’s trivia question…
How Many Toothpicks Can Be Produced From A Cord Of Wood?
a) 75,000 b) 750,000 c) 7,500,000 d) 75,000,000 e) 750,000,000
Call me right now with your answer! 208-221-2647
Real Estate Corner…
Q. What Things Should I Consider Before Making An Offer On A Home?
A. First, determine how much home you can afford. As a rule of thumb (and only a rule of thumb), you can afford to buy a home equal in price to about three times your gross annual income. More precisely, however, the price you can afford to pay for a home will depend on six factors: 1) Your income; 2) The amount of cash you have available for down payment, closing costs, and cash reserves required by the lender; 3) Your outstanding debts; 4) Your credit history; 5) The type of mortgage you select; and 6) Current interest rates.
The process of buying a home is much easier if you start out by getting pre-qualified or even pre-approved with your lender for a home loan. This amount will let you know how much home you can buy, and makes you a more credible buyer.
To get a free money-saving report, ?8 Secrets For Saving Thousands When Finding, Buying And Financing Your Home,?please see my special ?nsiders Free Money-Saving Resource page in this newsletter. It’s free as part of my consumer service program.
Please Call Me With ANY Real Estate Question At: 208-221-2647.
Thought For The Month…
?Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you.? Ralph Waldo Emerson
Get A Hot Mama!
An 87-year-old man went to the doctor to get a physical. A few days later, the doctor saw the man walking down the street with a gorgeous young lady on his arm. A couple days later, when the old man had an appointment with the doctor again, the doctor said, ?You?re really doing great, aren? t you? The man replied, ?Just doing what you said doctor, get a hot mama and be cheerful. The doctor said, ?I didn’t say that! I said you’ve got a heart murmur, Be careful!!
Next Time…Jewelry!
An extremely shy fellow once brought his date a bouquet of flowers. She threw her arms around him and gave him a great big kiss. After the kiss, the fellow turned and bolted for the door. ?Oh! I? sorry,?she exclaimed, ?I didn? mean to offend you.??You didn?,?he replied, ?I? going out to buy you jewelry!?
Crazy Person Of The Month!
Virginia: A woman shopping at Wal-Mart paid with a personal check. The clerk asked to see some identification. The woman showed her West Virginia drivers license. The clerk grabbed it away from her and said, ?If you?e going to use a fake ID, you could at least use a real state! The manager was called upon to verify West Virginia’s statehood.
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 ?i,?I’d love to hear from you…
Jamie Phillips - Owner/Associate Broker
OutBack Realty
208 221 2647
islandparkproperties@yahoo.com
www.islandparkproperties.net
