Tips to Reduce Your Calorie Intake when Eating out this Thanksgiving

You may have seen the advice on how to shave calories at restaurants but really, are you wanting to pay high restaurant prices for undressed salads and plain steamed vegetables? If not, how then can you solve the dilemma of too many calories when you eat out? 

Here are some tips for getting the calories out of restaurant meals while still ordering your favorites.

1. Order one dinner and ask for an extra plate. Many restaurants will do this for a dollar or two, and it's well worth it. Then share the meal with your friend and you split the cost straight down the middle. Another option is to order from the so called "appetizer" menu. Two people could order three appetizers, one dessert and split the whole thing and it's still a ton of food!

2. Skip the pre-meal bread and rolls.

3. Stop ordering drinks.

4. Slow down, you eat too fast! What's the rush? Take your time, savor the moment, enjoy the flavors.

5. Ask for a to-go box at the beginning of the meal. When the food is served, immediately portion off some to take home for tomorrow.

If you really want to get a handle on your eating habits, look first to where you eat, second at what you eat, and third how much you eat. Where, What and How Much?

Many restaurants now show the calorie content of their food and offer healthy meal options on their menu. For a list of healthier dishes at almost 60,000 different restaurants you can go to HealthyDiningFinder.com or calorieking.com.

Try these steps, choosing one tip at a time and see how easily you can take some of the calories out of restaurant food. Small changes over time can really add up. These small changes can help you still enjoy your meals out without consuming large amounts of calories in the process.

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A Healthy Pet is a Happy Pet

It is important that in addition to love and attention, your pets are kept healthy and safe year-round. Here are a few useful tips to keep your furry friends feeling their best.


1. Make sure your pet’s vaccinations are current. Keep records filed somewhere you can easily find them. Set a calendar reminder to help you keep track of when they are due.

2.  Does your pet have a collar with a name tag and your contact information on it? Make sure your pet has your current phone number and address on their name tag so if they get lost they can easily be returned.

3. Give them regular exercise. Just like us our pets need exercise. Not only does it help your pet maintain a healthy weight they are happy spending time with you chasing a ball or Frisbee or running around at a dog park.

For more tips on keeping your pets healthy contact your veterinarian for advice and information.



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The Truth About Your Credit

Did you know there are more than 55 different scoring models? FICO is the most common; it’s the one most people have heard of. The letters in FICO stand for the company responsible for it: Fair Isaac & Co. Two men — Fair and Isaac — founded the company 60 years ago. So now it’s an acronym that everyone knows — but few people know anything about.


FICO is a measure of our credit worthiness based on the debt agreements we have, and whether we’ve made payments on time, what our outstanding balances are, and so on.

The major reporting agencies — companies separate from FICO, including Experian and TransUnion, look at common factors, break them up into categories, types of debt, and then the lender — not the reporting agency by the way — makes a decision.

The main areas lenders look at are how long you’ve had credit and how you’re using it. That’s the number of credit accounts and the number of years they’ve been open, and then balance information — how much you’ve borrowed against the total amount available.

Will Credit Inquiries Impact My Credit Score? Inquiries. That’s when someone checks your credit. They have a temporary effect on your credit numbers. When a potential lender pulls your credit report they see who looked at your credit over the last six months. After six months it falls off. Basically every inquiry affects your score by 1 to 2 points. It doesn’t sound like a lot but if you apply for several cards it adds up The lender will look at the inquiries and say, “This person is applying for a lot of credit — more credit than the income from their job would support.

What about the credit card or line of credit that you haven’t used it in a long time: should people keep the accounts — the “trade lines” — open? When you close out a card you’ve had for 10 or 20 years you cut off 10 or 20 years of positive credit history. It’s better to have a card open and unused than to have had the card and then close the account completely. Just keep the zero balance. Of course, it’s better to use it occasionally and make sure there’s no annual fee.

What about short sales, foreclosure, or bankruptcy? First there’s a time line involved — how long will you have to wait, what were the conditions when credit or that home loan went bad for you, what kind of loan are you trying for now, and so on. The general range for “seasoning” as we call it is between 2 and 7 years

For additional questions regarding your credit and to be connected to a quality lender for a full credit report, reach out to me using my contact information provided on this email.

For any Real Estate Advice that pertains to financial, legal, or tax related information please contact the professionals in those fields. The practice of Real Estate representation can vary by state. Ask your Real Estate Representative for agency information pertaining to your state and company.



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Five Ways to Increase your Curb Appeal

Whether you are preparing your house to sell or simply want to make a good first impression, curb appeal is important. 

There are a few simple steps you can take to add curb appeal to your home without spending a lot of money. 

1. The Front Door: It is the entry to your home so don’t neglect it. Get creative with your front door by adding a splash of color. Try a fresh coat of paint or a bold and colorful new door mat.

2. Make a Statement with Some Flowers: Keep things symmetrical by adding a flower pot to each side of the entrance. Visit your local nursery and ask for advice on the best design ideas for your flower pots. Get something with more height for the middle and then place lower annuals such as wave petunias around the edges so the flowers spill over the edges of the pots.

3. A Good Clean Rinse: Use a pressure washer to clean your driveway and walkways. Then clean your windows inside out to let the sun shine in.

You will be surprised at what a difference this will make!

4. Take Care of Your Lawn: Your lawn has a huge impact when it comes to the over-all curb appeal of your house. Make sure to keep your lawn manicured and green. For expert advice on caring for your lawn visit the national Association of Landscape Professionals’ website at https://www.loveyourlandscape.org/.

5. Upgrade Your Lighting: Visit your local hardware store to select lighting that better fits the style and size of your home.

Quality lighting for your garage lights and porch lights will upgrade the entire look of your home.

With these budget-friendly changes you will see your home’s curb appeal drastically increase.

Contact me to find out the accurate value of your home.



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Giving Back to Your Community

Giving back to your community can be a rewarding and fun experience. It is something you can do individually or together as a family. When it comes to volunteering it can be a bit overwhelming to get started. Before committing to a volunteer position there are a few things to consider:


1. Time Commitment- How much time do you want to spend volunteering? One hour a week, one Saturday a month, a few times a year?

3. What are you passionate about? If you are passionate about the organization or cause you are much more likely to enjoy the time you spend volunteering.

3. What are your strengths? Do you have a specific skill that you would like to utilize when volunteering? It could be working as a volunteer to help with event planning, construction, working with children, helping people with finances, organizing, etc.

4. Once you have narrowed down these questions down, find an organization to volunteer with.

Volunteering can be a great experience, but don’t get discouraged if the first time you try it or the first organization you volunteer with doesn’t work out. If you don’t enjoy it or the time commitment is too much don’t give up just find something that is a better fit for you and your schedule. There are many benefits to volunteering. It helps you get connected in your community, you have the opportunity to give back and it looks great on a resume! It is also a great way to spend time as a family.



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How to Know When its Time to Move up

How to Know When its Time to Move up to another Home, or Stay and Improve your current Home?

In recent years more than ten million plus North Americans buy or sell a home.

Of that ten million number a significant percentage of individuals and families had to first resolve the following questions:

Would we better off financially or in terms of our preferred lifestyle by staying put and making home improvements or should we save ourselves the stress and struggles associated with a ?home improvement project and buy another home?

First Step:
Determine the current price of your home.

Second Step: 
Determine what new features and/or improvements you desire in your present home.

Third Step:
Meet with a real estate professional that can:

A. Help connect you to superior local contractors and/or interior designers.

B. Help you determine which renovations are more consequential regarding ultimate resale value.

C. Provide you with information and previews of current and potentially soon to be marketed properties which will help you determine if the alternative of moving is in your best short range and long range interest.

KNOW YOUR OPTIONS!

Should you:

• Stay in your home as is until it might be a better time to sell.
• Stay in your home, improve its value and get to enjoy your personalized upgrades.
• Consult with recommended architects and/or contractor and look to maximize your profit in your property.
• Determine the value of your home as is, then calculate the costs of renovation and the projected market value once enhancements are complete.
• Market your property for sale while you plan your renovation.
• Consider pricing your home to sell as is as well as pricing it to sell after renovation. 
• Determine which area and type of home is enjoying the greatest current and projected demand and consider the future resale of that property versus your current home.

I am well trained to assist you in discovering the possibility of exchanging your lifestyle, net worth, and tax privileges through the use of a Move Up System consultation. See my contact information on the front to schedule a quick consultation.


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Simple Bathroom Updates

If you want to spruce up your bathroom but you don’t want any remodeling involved, try a few of these simple updates to give your bathroom an updated look and feel.

1. New Hardware- replace your old towel bar, toilet paper holder, hand towel holder, and vanity knobs with new modern ones.

2. New Shower Curtain and Towels- By hanging a new shower curtain, towels and hand towels your bathroom will have a whole new look and feel. Try a pop of color to add some brightness to the room. 

3. Paint the Walls- A new coat of paint is one of the best ways to create the biggest change. 

4. Hang a New Mirror- Replace your old mirror with one that has a bit of character.

5. Add a Backsplash- A simple backsplash above your vanity will help give your bathroom that custom look. 

You don’t have to go through all the work of a remodel in order to make a big difference!



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Design Trends for the Home

Ready to give your home an update? Here are some new design trends to keep in mind when making those upgrades. 

Wood floors are still here to stay when it comes to home trends, but the shift is in the shade of wood. A darker wood was once more popular, but it seems that a lighter wood is the new trend and in a wider plank around 5 to 7 inches in width. 

People are also looking for a simpler trim style and moving away from the crown molding. 

While white kitchen cabinets have been very popular the new trend is going toward a more colorful kitchen with darker colors on the cabinets. Darker colors for lower cabinets and lighter upper cabinets are being seen a lot in new kitchen designs as well.  

According to some home designers, a few other trends that we will be seeing more of will be bare brick walls and more color throughout the entire home, not just in the kitchen.

Lighting will always be an important feature in the home. Many are leaning toward more unique types of lighting to add more personality and style to the home. Vintage fixtures continue to be a popular option. When it comes to lighting don’t be afraid to mix metals. All the fixtures in your home do not have to match.

Another trend is the use of more natural elements in the home with an emphasis on wood being used throughout. In addition, accessories to make the home feel more cozy such as faux fur throws. 

Minimalism is not just for the millennials, many are leaning toward less clutter and decorating with items that have a purpose.

Of course, you don’t want to make decisions simply based on a trend. Your home is your oasis. It should make you feel comfortable and relaxed so choose items and materials that you like and that you will enjoy for years to come. 

Keep function in mind as well. While some trends may look nice, they may not be practical for everyone. 


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Are Your Online Behaviors Putting You at Risk

Many online behaviors put users at risk.

Most of us use the internet as we need to, without a lot of thought about our computer and personal information being “safe” while online, whether it be for work or pleasure.

In fact, a recent survey 1 indicated that almost a third of American internet users don’t have, or don’t know if they have; anti-virus, anti-malware, or anti-spyware software on their computer. 
This indicates a lot of people take being safe while using the internet for granted. Unfortunately, nothing could be further from the truth. According to the FBI’s most recent information, the FBI is receiving an average of more than 800 calls per day relating to cyber-crime. And in 2016, there were verifiable victim losses due to cyber-crime totaling $1.33 billion. 

What About Using A Public WiFi System?

Unless you have up to date anti-virus, anti-malware, or anti-spyware software on your computer, it is not a good idea to use a public WiFi system.  

How To Protect Your Computer 

Considering the safety issues with using the internet and WiFi systems, it is important you know the necessary steps to take and stay safe while on the internet. According to the FBI, the following safety tips will help protect your computer from intrusion: Keep Your Firewall Turned On: A firewall helps protect your computer from hackers who might try to gain access to crash it, delete information, or even steal passwords or other sensitive information.

Install or Update Your Antivirus Software: Antivirus software is designed to prevent malicious software programs from embedding on your computer. If it detects malicious code, like a virus or a worm, it works to disarm or remove it. 

Install or Update Your Antispyware Technology: Spyware is just what it sounds like—software that is surreptitiously installed on your computer to let others peer into your activities on the computer. Some spyware collects information about you without your consent or produces unwanted pop-up ads on your web browser. Some operating systems offer free spyware protection, and inexpensive software is readily available for download on the Internet or at your local computer store. Be wary of ads on the Internet offering downloadable antispyware—in some cases these products may be fake and may actually contain spyware or other malicious code. 

Keep Your Operating System Up to Date: Computer operating systems are periodically updated to stay in tune with technology requirements and to fix security holes. Be sure to install the updates to ensure your computer has the latest protection.

Be Careful What You Download: Carelessly: downloading e-mail attachments can circumvent even the most vigilant anti-virus software. Never open an e-mail attachment from someone you don’t know, and be wary of forwarded attachments from people you do know. They may have unwittingly advanced malicious code.

Turn Off Your Computer: With the growth of high-speed Internet connections, many opt to leave their computers on and ready for action. The downside is that being “always on” renders computers more susceptible. Beyond firewall protection, which is designed to fend off unwanted attacks, turning the computer off effectively severs an attacker’s connection—be it spyware or a botnet that employs your computer’s resources to reach out to other unwitting users.



Credit to: Allan Newman Research, a national opinion research firm.

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What Might Cause Your Home Not to Sell

How to ensure your home sells for the highest realistic price and what might cause it not to sell

Selling a home can be confusing. Why? Because you're bombarded with misleading information, confusing claims, and bad advice from family and friends that aren't accountable or responsible to you for the advice they give. This is why it is important to seek the advice of a wise real estate advisor. If you are thinking of selling your home, included in this issue are questions to ask the real estate agent you choose to consult with.

What Stops Homes from Selling?
1. The marketing materials are not appropriate or properly customized.
2. The agent does not have a well-organized strategy to showcase the home to its best advantage.
3. The initial price is not accurate.
4. The home isn’t shown properly.
5. The photography and staging are not done properly.
6. The agent doesn’t effectively communicate market changes and feedback from other showings.
7. The agent is passive vs. active in marketing the home to find buyers.

If you are thinking of selling your home, reply to this email to schedule a complimentary pre-marketing consultation.


For Real Estate Advice that pertains to financial, legal, or tax related information contact the professionals in those fields. The practice of Real Estate representation can vary by state. Ask your Real Estate Representative for agency information pertaining to your state and company.



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