If your resolutions really matter, do this...

Dated: January 1 2025

“A goal is a dream with a deadline.” – Napoleon Hill

JPRE Newsletter

John Payton
4048406940
JPayton Real Estate

Hello, and Happy New Year! In this month's newsletter, I'm sharing a simple process for turning your resolutions into reality. I'm also answering a reader question about how much water a household should use. Don't forget to play the jigsaw puzzle at the bottom! Make an appointment with me to discuss your real estate plans for 2025, or let me know if there's someone else I can help. ~John

For must-do resolutions, use this process

According to experts like James Clear of Atomic Habits and Stephen Covey of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, if you want to turn your New Year's Resolutions into reality, go back to the basics of planning. Here’s a reminder of the 3-step planning process and what you’ll need:

1. A goal and why it matters.
2. Objectives for reaching the goal.
3. Tactics for accomplishing each objective.

A goal is specific and measurable. You’ll know exactly when you’ve reached it. A goal also serves a purpose in helping you achieve a glorious vision. Losing 20 pounds by summer is a goal. Feeling attractive to your spouse and having more energy for your kids is why it matters.

Next are objectives, which are short-term tangible and measurable targets that help you reach the goal. Finally, there are tactics for reaching each objective. That’s where the magic happens.

If you want to lose 20 pounds by summer (goal), one objective could be 'Remove sugar from my diet'. Tactics might be ‘On Saturday, throw away all sweets in the house' and ‘Shop for sugar-free snacks I’ll really enjoy.’ Another objective could be 'Eat 500 fewer calories per day.' Tactics could be 'Estimate current calories,' 'plan a menu for all days and times for the week,' and 'tell co-workers not to invite me to lunch.'

Applying the full planning process of drilling down from a broad goal to specific tactics makes achieving your resolutions far more likely.

Good luck with your resolutions! If you are making real estate plans this year, call me for help with the details. John, 4048406940

REAL ESTATE UPDATE

SEE TODAY'S RATES ►

Mortgage rates are still bouncing

➤ Rates at the time of publication are 6.6%. Click above for today's rate.
➤ In mid-December, the Fed cut the prime rate by another quarter-percent, which helped mortgage rates slightly.
➤ Most analysts believe rates will remain somewhat stable, or perhaps drop to between 6 and 6.5% well into 2025. However, no one knows for sure what the next several months hold. Call or text me if you need a referral to a good mortgage broker to discuss options for refinancing if rates drop after you buy. ~John, 4048406940

How much water is reasonable for a family of four?

A recent article described a single homeowner who accidentally opened her neighbor's water bill. The woman was shocked to see that the bills were about the same. Since the neighbors were a family of four, the woman expected her bill would be a lot lower. It turned out that the neighbors had taken steps to reduce their water usage, and when the single woman did the same things, her bill dropped considerably.

Surveys show that the average water bill lands from $50 to $75/month for a family of four. Local conditions make water more or less expensive. If your bill is running a lot more than that, you might want to investigate further, making sure you don’t have a leak somewhere or are using excessive amounts for watering or appliances.

Friends of ours who live in San Diego compared their water usage using an online chart provided by their water authority. Visit your water authority's website to see if they can provide you with data for your neighborhood, home type, or family size. Or talk to your neighbors.

January Quiz Question

What's blue and smells like red paint?
(This will make you groan.)

Send your answer here

Send your answer for a chance to win a $5 coffee card! Last month's Q&A: Four cars came to a four-way stop, each coming from a different direction. They all went forward at the same time, all passing easily through the intersection without crashing into one another. How is this possible? They all turned right. Congratulations to last month's winner!

LIFESTYLE TIPS & FUN FACTS

Ready for the latest "color of the year?"

Pantone’s 2025 Color of the Year is Mocha Mousse, described as “a mellow brown infused with a sensorial and comforting warmth.” This shade is an about-face from last year’s bright and friendly Peach Fuzz. The cynical side of me thinks the change from peach fuzz is so that we'll repaint our walls, buying plenty of mocha mousse in the process. But I admit to liking this color more than the peachy shades of last year.

Kitchen makeover, starting with the windows

Designer Brandy Rinehart likes to say that window treatments are the jewelry that can elevate your space. That's true for kitchens, too. If you have windows in your kitchen, you may already have coverings on the windows, whether they're curtains, blinds, Roman shades, roller shades, shutters, or bottom-up shades. Even if you don’t currently have coverings, you can imagine how different window coverings could change up the mood or style of your kitchen. From that starting point, you can then think about painting or adding other style elements to redecorate your kitchen without going through the expense of a remodel.

Simple Secrets for Better Cooking

There’s a reason chefs cook better: They know secrets that can transform your cooking, like these:

For chewy cookies, melt butter first to release water. For crispy cookies, use butter at room-temp.
Add a pinch of salt to bitter coffee before brewing to smooth flavors.
Use a pinch of baking soda instead of sugar to reduce acidity in tomato sauce without sweetness.
Over-mixing batter or dough forms more gluten, creating a dense, heavy finished product.
Give ingredients room to cook in the pan. Overcrowding leads to steaming, not browning.
Toasting spices in a dry pan unlocks deeper, richer flavors.
Room temp eggs result in fluffier foods.

Talking dogs, coming soon

Now there's an AI dog collar that converts dog behavior into words, allowing your dog to talk to you. Sort of. The collar uses voice recognition and language processing to 'translate' a dog's barks, movements, and sounds into human language. The company claims it enhances the bond between pets and owners. The technology raises questions about accuracy and the implications of interpreting canine behavior. Not to mention that it might be confusing for your dog why these noises keep coming from its neck. On the other hand maybe someday it will intentionally use such a collar to control which messages it voices. Google "Shazam Collar" or see a demo here.