August 2019 Serving All of Central MD

Inside This Issue…

• Page 1 - The Seeds Of Friendship

• Page 2 - Do Pets Make Us Happy?

• Page 2 - FREE Central Maryland Business Referrals!

• Page 3 - MDREPros Hot List!

• Page 4 - Financial Corner - Business Owners!

• Page 4 - Throw A Great Summer Bash!

• Page 5 - Laughter Corner

• Page 5 - 5 DIY Activities For Summer

• Page 6 - Starting A Book Club

• Page 6 - Get Out Of A Slump!

Maryland Real Estate Professionals…

Realtors With Exceptional Service For Life!

“Insider Tips For Healthy, Wealthy & Happy Living…”

The Seeds of Friendship Ava was newly married. She and her husband had just moved into their first home and she had decided to plant a garden like the one her Grandma had planted years ago in the house where she grew up. All her life, she’d been the one to help take care of that garden and she was excited to keep the tradition alive in memory of her Grandma. As part of the garden, Ava planted a little tree at the base of a stone wall in the corner of her garden and spent the entire summer coax-ing the seedling into growth. Finally, the baby tree began sprouting green leafy vines that climbed the wall, but to her disappointment, no flowers bloomed. One morning Ava stood in her garden and wondered whether she should just dig up the tree and start over with something new to bring some life to the dark corner. Then, she heard a voice from over the wall. “Yoo-hoo! I just wanted to thank you for the beautiful flowers!” Confused, Ava went next door. Her neighbor, an elderly woman, opened the garden gate and showed her into the backyard. To her surprise, the young woman saw that her tree had not only bloomed, but had also sprouted flowers all along the vines that had crept over the wall into Her work gave her neighbor so much pleasure that Ava decided never to cut the tree down. She realized that what she had really planted were the seeds of friendship.

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Mooove It on Over

Two men were seated together on a packed

train heading into the city. One of the men

remarked on the pretty, country scene that

stretched out on either side of the tracks.

“What a lovely bunch of cows,” he remarked.

“Not a bunch; herd,” his mate automatically re-

plied.

“Heard of what?”

“Herd of cows.”

“Of course I’ve heard of

cows.”

Do Pets Make Us Happy?

Almost 60% of U.S. households have at least one resident dog or cat, reports The Washington Post. Do our pets make us happy, though? The General Social Survey asked questions related to that in 2018. The results may be surprising to dog and cat owners. Dogs and cats don’t necessarily make us happier, for

one thing. The survey found that among pet owners, slightly more than 30% in both groups identified themselves as “very happy,” while the number describing themselves as “Not too happy” was in the mid-teens for both groups.

However, dog owners are about twice as likely to say they’re very happy than cat owners, making dog owners slightly happier than people without any pets. People who are owned by a cat understand that the cat is not-so-secretly in charge and are generally very happy with that situation. All jokes aside, people owning both dogs and cats tend to fall in between the two camps, enjoying the benefit of both pets. What creates the difference? The General Social Survey notes that dog owners tend to be older, married and own their own homes, which can contribute to overall happiness and satisfaction with life in general.

FINANCIAL FOCUS

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This article was written by Edward Jones for use by financial advisor Mat

Tiahrt, Hampstead, Maryland, 410-239-0859. mat.tiahrt@edwardjones.com

Business Owners: You Need Your Own Retirement Plan!

As a business owner, you can’t afford to ignore your competition. You can’t afford to miss out on the trends affecting your industry. You can’t afford to alienate customers. Of course, you might think that, one day, you’ll simply sell your business and live off the proceeds. But selling a business isn’t always simple, and there’s no guarantee you’ll receive enough to pay for a comfortable retirement – which is why you should strongly consider creating a retirement plan now. Here are some of the most widely used plans: • SEP-IRA: You can contribute up to 25 percent of your

compensation — as much as $56,000 in 2019 — to a SEP-IRA. Your contributions are tax deductible and your earnings grow tax- deferred until withdrawn. This plan offers you significant flexibility in making contributions for yourself and your employees. Plus, as an employer, you can generally deduct, as business expenses, any contributions you make on behalf of your plan participants.

• SIMPLE IRA: In 2019, you can put in up to $13,000 — or $16,000 if you’re 50 or older — to a SIMPLE IRA. As is the case with the SEP-IRA, your earnings grow tax deferred. You can match your employees’ contributions dollar for dollar, up to 3 percent of compensation. If you work for yourself, you can combine employee and employer contributions, so if you use the 3 percent matching rule, and you earn enough to fully match em- ployee contributions, you can put in up to $26,000 per year (or $32,000 if you’re 50 or older).

• “Owner-only” 401(k) plan: If you have no employees other than your spouse, you can establish an “owner-only” 401(k) plan, which functions similarly to a 401(k) plan offered by a large employer. Between salary deferral and profit sharing, you can contribute up to $56,000, in pre-tax dollars, to your owner-only 401(k), or $62,000 if you’re 50 or older. Like a SEP-IRA and SIMPLE IRA, a 401(k) provides the potential to accumulate tax-deferred earnings. However, you could choose to open a Roth 401(k), which can be funded with after-tax dollars.

Which plan is right for you? The answer depends on several factors, such as whether you have any employees and how much money you can contribute each year. But all the plans mentioned above are generally easy to establish, and the administrative costs are usually minimal. Most important, any one of them can help you build some of the resources you’ll need to enjoy the retirement lifestyle you’ve envisioned. To select an appropriate plan, you may want to consult with your tax and financial advisors. In any case, don’t wait too long. Time goes by quickly, and when you reach that day when you’re a “former” business owner, you’ll want to be prepared.

Music and Convergent Thinking

According to an article on the Pacific Standard website, reporting on research conducted by psychologists at the University of Central Lancashire in England, listening to music may help you relax, but apparently it can impair your creativity. In several studies, participants were given three words, such as “dress", “dial” and “flower”, and asked to come up with a fourth word that paired naturally with each. Thirty university students did the exercise while listening to a pop song that had been translated into Spanish while the other performed in silence. The group working without music solved sig-nificantly more problems. In a similar ex-periment, subjects listened to instrumental music, or nothing at all. Again, those working without music performed better. The study appears to contradict the results of an earlier experiment, in which fast- paced, uplifting classical music like Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons” appeared to enhance divergent thinking— the ability to come up with new concepts or hybrid ideas. That study, however, found no musical effect on convergent thinking, or the ability to narrow down ideas until finding one that works—an important part of the creative process. Consider putting your headphones away to stimulate creative thinking when looking for innovative ideas.

Throw a Great Summer Bash

Throwing parties can be fun for the whole family, but they require ample food and beverage planning so everyone can have a good time. Keep these simple hints in mind so there is plenty on the table: Time the Food: Prepare appetizers ahead of time. Heat up baked snacks just before serving. Drinkability: Most guests at parties will consume 2½ drinks each. For every two guests, you should buy one bottle of lem-onade, soda or whatever else you’re serving. Keep it moving: Place your serving table well away from walls. Guests will be able to serve themselves from both sides and have room to move around it.

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5 DIY Projects For Active Summer

Fun! With school out for the summer, it can be tempting to sit back, relax, and just enjoy a little downtime. However, when fall swings around, you’ll need a few good summer stories to share. These five fun DIY projects will get your family moving and might be just what you need to create some pre-cious memories to share. 1. Build an obstacle course. Obstacle courses can be constructed from a variety of items you have scattered around the house and are easily scalable for any age group. Create crawling tubes from cardboard box-es or old tires, balance beams from 2x4s, or step-ping stones out of sawn off tree trunks. The only limit is your own imagination. Just remember to be safe! 2. Create your own version of active games. If an obstacle course isn’t the right activity for you and your family, try building your own version of other popular games. Indoor skeeball with laundry baskets and a box, water balloon batting practice, and paper air-plane target practice are just a few ideas for activities that can get your family moving! 3. Start a garden. There are many different ways to start a garden - till some soil, build a raised bed, build or buy some planters - and many options to make it your own. Do you want ornamental plants or would you prefer more edible op-tions? When you actually plant will also affect what plants will do the best for your family. Take a trip up to the local garden center and talk to some-one. They should be able to point you in the right direction for your garden. 4. Make a family menu. It’s easier to eat healthy when you plan ahead! Make a family menu board to pre-plan your meals each week and set up a cooking rotation that gives everyone a chance to pitch in with meal creation! To get the most from your menu board, make it easy to use over and over again. A chalkboard, white board, or even a picture frame with a class panel would work well. You’ll also want to display your menu board in an easily accessible location, like the kitchen. 5. Make outdoor activities more accessible. It’s easy to let your bikes, basketballs, roller skates, and other outdoor items drift to the back of the garage over the cold winter months. Take time this summer to dig them all out and organize them for easy access. Consid-er designating a shelf or mounting a peg board specifically for your outdoor activities so you and the kids don’t have to dig for what you need.

THANK YOU for reading 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…

LAUGHTER CORNER

Q: Why does a Moon-rock taste better than an Earth-rock?

A: Because it’s a little meteor! ******************************

Q: What do you call someone who hangs around with musicians?

A: A drummer ******************************

Q. What did the cat say after eating two robins lying in the sun? A. I just love baskin’ robins. ******************************

Police arrested two kids yesterday, one was drinking battery acid, the other was eating fireworks. They

charged one - and let the other one off.

****************************** Q: Why did Roger go out with a

prune? A: Because he couldn’t find a date!

****************************** Q. Where do you find a tortoise with

no legs? A. Where you left it! ******************************

Q: Why is your foot more special than your other body parts?

A: Because they have their own soul.

****************************** Q: How did the hobbit ruin the

boxing match? A: He tried to destroy the ring!

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How to Get Out of a Slump

From time to time, even the most successful people

fall into a slump, like a batter who can’t get a hit or a

salesperson who can’t close a deal. Someone

dealing with a slump can’t imagine the possibility of

overcoming it. However, ballplayers and

salespeople who don’t give up

usually manage to work their

way out of a slump... and so can

you. Try some of these

strategies:

• Take some time off. Instead

of increasing your frustration,

back away for a while. Go to the

movies or visit a museum. Taking your mind off the

problem can give it a chance to recharge. Also, you

might hit on a new idea when you’re looking at

something different.

• Talk to people. Don’t isolate yourself. Go out and

talk with friends, family members, even strangers.

You don’t have to ask for suggestions or advice.

Just open yourself to other conversations and

ideas, and your mind will shift out of the rut.

• Engage all your senses. Approach the problem

from a different angle. What would a solution feel

like in your hands, sound like as a song, or taste

like if it were a beverage? Don’t limit yourself to

what you can see. Extend your mind in different

directions and you may find a dimension you hadn’t

considered before.

Starting a Book Club Looking for a fun way to enjoy books and meet

new people? Start a book club! Here are a few

pointers to help you get started and make yours

perfect from the very start.

• Figure out who you’re inviting— it will set the

tone for the club and determine where and when

you will meet.

• Define the purpose of your club: is it to meet

new people, to learn something new, or to simply

chat about good reads?

• Establish a regular meeting time at a

comfortable location with food and drinks that

everyone can enjoy and have plenty of seating.

• Create a process by which you nominate

books, such as topic, length, availability or

general interest.

• Enjoy the book club your way, whether by

taking notes or just enjoying the company.

Dream On Some people think daydreaming is a waste of time, but it can be a powerful tool for sharpening your creativity. Entrepreneur magazine website spells out why: • Motivation. Daydreaming about something

you’d like to do can increase your motivation to go out and pursue your goals, and also helps structure your thoughts.

• Visualization. Use your daydreams to go into detail about your goals so you can identify possibilities and options. You can mentally narrow down ideas.

• Problem solving. You can’t always attack a problem with logic and brute force. Spend some time letting your mind roam. Daydream-ing relaxes you and reduces stress, so it might help you spot a solution you’d other-wise miss.

• Productivity. This may seem counterintui-tive, but daydreams can help you focus. By daydreaming about a problem or opportunity, you give your brain a chance to concentrate on your goal without clutter or pressure from the world around you.

What’s Your Home Worth? Find Out Here - www.MDHomesValue.com

What Do You Think?

You may not know for sure what you think you know. Experiments conducted by Swedish psychologist Petter Johansson reveal that a simple sleight of hand can influence someone to change their mind. In one trial, participants were

shown pictures of faces and told to choose one or two of the photos in the series. After their answers were noted, participants were asked why they made a particular choice. However, in soliciting those answers, Johansson deliberately referenced the photos that the respondents had not selected. More than 80% of the participants offered detailed explanations for pictures they’d actually never chosen. When they were shown the original series of photos for a second time and asked to select their preference, these respondents selected the pictures they’d been tricked into thinking they’d picked. More structured research will have to be conducted in the future to determine the validity of this theory. Until then, though, you might want to observe if you, too, show “choice blindness”.

Smart technology is more popular today than ever before. Smart assistants, such as Google Home and Amazon Echo, give information on demand, even faster than a regular internet search can. Smart speakers aren't the only way to incorporate smart technology into your home. The "internet of things" is expanding, and there are a few smart upgrades that are affordable and great choices to add value to your home. 1. Smart thermostat. We're not sure there is a relationship on the planet in which a couple completely agrees on what temperature to keep the home. A smart thermostat can create, and even anticipate, settings for maximum comfort for all. A smart thermostat will save money by more efficiently heating and cooling your space. 2. Smart smoke detector. Smoke detectors aren't just a good idea — they're required. But a smart smoke detector can take your safety to the next level. This type of device can send alerts to your smart phone if an

incident occurs while you're away from home so that you can get the help you need faster. 3. Smart sprinkler system. A smart sprinkler control-ler customizes your irrigation system. You can con-serve water and save money over time. 4. Smart lights and lamps. A completely dark house is a scary place, especially if you have your hands full. With smart lights paired with your smart device, you can turn the lights on with just the sound of your voice. The plug adapters are inexpensive and easy to use. 5. Smart front doors. A smart door lock means that you don't have to fumble for your keys when you get home. And some systems even allow you to grant access to visitors or family members remotely when you're away from home. Imagine having pet sitters text you when they arrive and being able to unlock the door for them from your phone. Do you want to know more about smart technology that can benefit your home? Talk to us today.

5 Smart Home Upgrades Worth the Money

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This newsletter is intended for entertainment purposes only. Credit is given to the authors of various articles that are reprinted when the original author is

known. Any omission of credit to an author is purely unintentional and should not be construed as plagiarism or literary theft.

Copyright 2019 Maryland Real Estate Professionals w/ REMAX Realty Plus. This information is solely advisory, and should not be substituted for medical,

legal, financial or tax advice. Any and all decisions and actions must be done through the advice and counsel of a qualified physician, attorney, financial

advisor and/or CPA. We cannot be held responsible for actions you may take without proper medical, financial, legal or tax advice.

Go to

www.MDREPros.com/Funday-Monday.html Or write Mark@MDREPros.com

And enter the correct answer for this months contest! Good Luck & Have Fun!

Q. Which Beatle Crossed Abbey Road First?

A. John

B. Paul

C. George

D. Ringo

A Tingling Idea A mild dose of electricity might improve memory in older people, according to an article on the U.S. News & World Report website. Working memory declines as we age because brain regions fall out of sync with each other. Researchers at Boston University devised a special EEG cap that delivers electrical stimulation to the neocortex and frontal lobes to synchronize brain waves, which play a big role in working memory. They tested the caps, which produce a slight tingling sensation, in 42 participants age 54–76 who were asked to perform working memory activities on separate days, sometimes with the cap and sometimes without it. With the caps delivering electrical stimulation, participants’ working memory improved to the level of a control group of adults 20–29. The scientists tracked participants for about 50 minutes after the electrical delivery, but believe the results last longer. Electrical stimulation is already used on patients with Parkinson’s disease, but doctors caution that more research is necessary before anyone can walk into an office and get a dose to the brain to improve his or her working

The Final Note

The great composer Igor Stravinsky once wrote

the music for a ballet.

According to one story, after the ballet opened,

a dancer sent Stravinsky a telegram: “Ballet great

success, but if you would allow the violin to play

the solo instead of trumpet it would be a triumph.”

Stravinsky, known for his dry sense of humor,

cabled back: “Satisfied with great success.”

Keep Your Home Safe for Pets We don't always think about our homes in terms of pet safety. We will childproof a home for a toddler, but puppies and kittens are just as good at finding trouble. There are several hazards in your home that could pose a threat to your pet, so it's a good idea to take some time to address and correct them. Here are a few ways to make your home safe for your pets. Secure Medications and Chemicals - Dogs and cats, especially when they're young, are as curious as small children can be. That means you need to secure medications and chemicals, such as cleaning products, to make sure your furry babies don't get into them. Know Which Foods Are Dangerous - There are plenty of foods we take for granted as safe that could be very harmful to dogs or cats. These foods include:

• Chocolate.

• Grapes.

• Onions. Know Which House Plants Are Dangerous - Cats, and sometimes dogs, are notorious for getting into houseplants. A few common houseplants are extremely toxic to cats and dogs. Seal Small Holes and Cracks - Tiny dogs, kittens and cats are notorious for trying to go where they don't belong. Before you bring small animals into your home, make sure that there are no places where they could get stuck. Pack an Emergency Bag - Pack a small bag with food, treats, medications, toys and anything else that will help your pets feel more comfortable if you have to leave suddenly. Put a Sticker on Your Door or Window - Make sure first responders know your pet is inside. There are stickers available from your vet or local pet store to stick on your door or window to let firefighters or police know to look for your cat, dog or other beloved pet that may be trapped in your home. What other safety improvements can you make for your pets? Contact us today to talk about creating a pet-friendly home.