Category Archives: Patty’s Blog

Wise Words from Jimmy Buffet!

  By Patty | June 6, 2009 - 9:28 am |
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“If we couldn’t laugh, we would all go insane.”  What a great line! Margarita

I heard a statistic the other day that surprised me. (maybe I’m an eternal optimist, but it surprised me)  Did you know that 87% of everything we are exposed to is negative? Whoa… 87%! That’s a lotta negative!  No wonder we feel overwhelmed,  frustrated or feel like our world is going insane!

Take lesson from Jimmy Buffet and laugh a little!  Come on, there’s always something to laugh about!  Or, at the very least, muster up a little chuckle!  Having a positive attitude and an attitude of gratitude is good for the soul!  And if you need some liquid encouragement, have a Margarita!

So sing a long with me!!

Changes in Lattitudes, Changes in Attitudes

It’s these changes in latitudes, changes in attitudes
Nothing remains quite the same
With all of our running and all of our cunning
If we couldn’t laugh we would all go insane

If we weren’t all crazy we would go insane!

Jimmy Buffet

margaritaville

Thank a Nurse today!

  By Patty | May 12, 2009 - 8:34 am |
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There has been much discussion about healthcare reform and the rising costs of healthcare, over the past few days and months.  And there’s much to be reformed!  But before you get all riled up about the big Pharmaceutical companies, insurance companies and Medicare … lmaybe we should take a moment to recognize the “people”who are the healthcare industry.  The people who are day in and day out actually caring for our health!nurses

Did you know that today is International Nurses Day?   Nurses… I believe that nurses are the true heart and the real backbone of our healthcare system.

The International Council of Nurses has been celebrating Nurses Day since 1965.  However, May12th -which is the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth – was established as International Nurses Day and now it is celebrated around the world.

When my mom was battling cancer, she had some of the most wonderful nurses.  They not only cared for her, but they cared about her. From the nurses in the doctor’s office, the hospital nurses, the home health nurses, to the Hospice nurses; each one was a special person who cared about their patient – my mother.

As you go about your day, remember the nurses who have cared for you, your family, your children, your friends.  If you personally know a nurse, make sure you thank them and recognize their efforts.  The long shifts, the emotional and physical strain, the red tape and paperwork.  It’s not an easy job and often a thankless job.

So, thank a nurse today… we’ll argue and debate healthcare reform tomorrow!

Taxes!

  By Patty | March 28, 2009 - 10:01 am | ,
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A friend sent this to me and I couldn’t resist sharing it.  I know some taxes are for good things like roads, schools, etc.  But this puts it in perspective… we pay lots of taxes!

Tax his land,
Tax his bed,
Tax the table
At which he’s fed.

Tax his tractor,
Tax his mule,
Teach him taxes
Are the rule.

Tax his work,
Tax his  pay,
He works for peanuts Anyway!

Tax his cow,
Tax his goat,
Tax his pants,
Tax his coat.

Tax his ties,
Tax his shirt,
Tax his work,
Tax his dirt.

Tax his tobacco,
Tax his drink,
Tax him if he
Tries to think.

Tax his cigars,
Tax his beers,
If he cries
Tax his tears.

Tax all he has
Then let him know
That you won’t be done
Till he has no dough.

When he screams and hollers,
Then tax him some more,
Tax him till
He’s good and sore.

Then tax his coffin,
Tax his grave,
Tax the sod in
Which he’s laid.

Put these words
upon his tomb,
‘ Taxes drove me to my doom…’

When he’s gone,
Do not relax,
Its time to apply
The inheritance tax.

Here’s the list of Taxes:

Accounts Receivable Tax
Building Permit Tax
CDL license Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Dog License Tax
Excise Taxes

Federal Income Tax
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel  Permit Tax
Gasoline Tax (42 cents per gallon)
Gross Receipts Tax
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax
Inventory Tax
IRS Interest Charges

IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)
Liquor Tax
Luxury Taxes
Marriage License Tax
Medicare Tax
Personal Property Tax
Property Tax
Real Estate Tax
Service Charge Tax
Social Security Tax
Road Usage Tax
Sales Tax
Recreational Vehicle Tax
School Tax
State Income Tax
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
Telephone Federal Excise Tax
Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax
Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Taxes
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge tax
Telephone Recurring and Non-recurring Charges Tax
Telephone State and Local Tax
Telephone Usage Charge Tax
Utility Taxes
Vehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Watercraft Registration Tax
Well Permit Tax
Workers Compensation Tax

One Man’s Trash is Another Man’s Treasure

  By Patty | March 27, 2009 - 12:51 pm |
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How To Have A Successful Yard Sale  Yard Sale Sign

Spring is the perfect time to clean out the garage, the attic and the closets (even under the kid’s beds) and have a garage sale!   We’ve heard that listing agents are encouraging their sellers to have garage sales to help drive traffic and awareness!  Better yet, organize a neighborhood-wide garage sale!  Offer to help out your sellers with signs, balloons, post on your website, or make some lemonade!  Here are a few tips to share.

PREPARATION

Preparing for a yard sale is hard work. Ideally, you should start working on your yard sale 3 weeks prior to the event. However, if you work hard, you can have it ready in 2 weeks. Well prepared yard sales can profit upwards of $800.00 or more.

Week 1: Spring Cleaning – choose one or two rooms a day and begin collecting items in the basement or garage.

Week 2 & 3: Organizing – sort, clean and price your items.

ADVERTISING

Place an adin the local paper and any online garage sale sites. Craigslist, www.gslar.com are some to consider. Large signs or banners placed at all the entrances to the neighborhood and directional signs throughout the neighborhood will bring in the customers and keep them shopping. Also balloons on mailboxes are always helpful to confirm you are open and not just cleaning your garage.

PRICING

Put a price tag on everything and ALWAYS be willing to negotiate.

Overpricing is the next hurdle…yard sales are for liquidation. Quality items should be priced less than half off the original price you paid. Overpricing can turn everyone away before they get to the garage.

yard sale

DISPLAY/SETUP

What you have to sell and how much you have to sell are important factors as well. If you don’t have much to sell, then partnering with a neighbor is a good idea. Put everything in one driveway…you need “The Draw”. Walk the sale, re-organize items, always talk to the customers. Some people are too shy to ask for a price or to negotiate…being friendly can make a sale.

As the day progresses and tables get sparse. Consolidate items so that tables are always full.

THE DRAW

“The Draw” is very important. Although you should always advertise your sale in local papers and online, you still have to get customers to come to YOUR house.

Perception is everything. Bring some large items or “hooks” (furniture, play, exercise and lawn equipment, etc.) out onto the driveway. Your goal is to gain their interest. You can also put items out that you have no intention of selling, just to get customers in the garage. Yes, that’s right, you may have some items that you are on the fence about and you are not ready to part with at yard sale prices. Just don’t put a price on it, or, price it higher, you never know, it may sell.

Sell popcorn, lemonade, cookies, water…these are other ways to get people to your house.

(posted by Suzanne Geddes, Marketing/Graphic Designer for AnotherME)

Reflections on attending REtechSouth 09

  By Patty | March 23, 2009 - 1:55 pm | ,
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What’s the best investment you can make? Is it Real Estate?  Is it in the Stock Market or Bonds? (not today, that’s for sure!)  Nope – it’s an investment in Yourself!  You will always get the highest return when you make an investment in your business and YOU!

That’s exactly what I did last Friday (and Thursday evening) when I made the investment of time and money in attending REtechSouth 09!  It was priceless!         

A one day event with great speakers(Jeff Turner- RESpres, Dave Jenks) fantastic classes(Social Media 101, Twitter, LinkedIn, SEO) an opportunity to network with some of the best in the industry (Missy Caulk, Jim Crawford, Debe Maxwell, Connie Harvey, Lane Bailey), and learning about some great new technology companies!  (RealtyVid, ViewThisHome)

Let me tell you…this was not your regular real estate conference.  It wasn’t a sales pitch, or a big rah-rah event!  It was all about sharing technology, sharing information.  Matt Fagioli and Brad Nix did a phenomenal job of creating an environment where learning was fun… and real!

Lots of Ah-Ha moments, ideas and technologies that I can start using in my Virtual Assistantbusiness, today!  (I’m updating my website and profiles this week!) And I have some cool ideas that I can share with my clients to help them incorporate these new technologies into their real estate business!  Who knew that Flickr was a Social Network? And it’s free!  (Jeff Turner, I guess!)

Start investing wisely… Make an investment in yourself!  The dividends are high and the payoff is endless!  Attend REtechSouth next year!  See you there!

Patty Keller, AnotherME Virtual Assistants

Free Shipping Day!

  By Patty | December 18, 2008 - 8:56 am |
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Free Shipping If you are an internet shopper and have waited till the last minute for your Christmas/Hanukkah shopping, you are in luck!  Today is “Free Shipping Day”!  Check out FreeShippingDay.com.

What a great idea! Last year I waited till the last minute to ship my sister’s gifts and spent a whopping $40 at the UPS Store!

With over 250 retailers participating, you’re likely to find the gifts you need!  All the traditional stores like Macys, Bloomingdales, Target and Kohls, and all the familiar specialty stores, as well. Gardeners Supply, Wine Enthusiast, 1-800 Flowers.com, Crate & Barrel and Harry and David.

In looking through the store logos on the website, I couldn’t resist clicking on some of the brands that were unfamiliar or “interesting”.  Talk about specialty stores or finding something for those “hard to shop for” folks on your list – check these out!  Jakes Dog House, BigFoot (snow shoes!), Havaianas (fancy flip flops), Bigger Bras, Choice Hangers (luxury hangers), Pacific Pillows and Swell (for surfers!).  Who knew?!?

Happy Shopping everyone!  And Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwannza and Season’s Greetings!

Giving and Appreciation – The Pop By!

  By Patty | December 4, 2008 - 10:10 am | ,
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The holidays are almost here! What a great time to “Pop By” your A-list clients and prospects in your database with some holiday cheer and good tidings!  According to Brian Buffini, a small token of appreciation or “item of value” can go a long way in building strong relationships and generating referrals.  Just remember – appreciation wins out over self promotion every time!

Here are some simple, cost effective gift ideas:

  1. Holiday Ornaments: you can purchase plain glass balls in bulk at CostCo or Sam’s Club, tie it up with some lovely ribbon add a simple card and you have a great gift!
  2. Something that will last all year long – A household tool or measuring tape is useful and most people keep them in the “catch all drawer” in the kitchen where it’s handy.
  3. Small magnetic calendars that you can personalize with your business card.  These are very inexpensive and everyone can use a 2009 calendar!
  4. What about a set of holiday return address labels for your client.  A sheet of printed labels costs about 50 cents.  (And we can help you format, design and print them!  Yes, it’s a shameless plug for our services)
  5. Coupons. Negotiate with a neighborhood store or restaurant for a free appetizer or dessert or a 10% discount on certain items.  Most businesses are agreeable to offering joint coupons, because you are giving them free advertising!
  6. Candles are always a great idea – as a decoration or when/if the power goes out! Check out the deals at the Dollar Store and stock up.
  7. If you are somewhat capable in the kitchen, there are some great recipes for homemade Spiced Tea, Hot Chocolate and easy Candy recipes!  Just wrap them up in some green or red plastic wrap or a small mason jar with a pretty bow!  (I have all of those recipes if you need them!)

And don’t forget to include a simple note with your name and number.

No matter what “item of value” you choose for your “Pop By” this season, remember the purpose – to build and cultivate client relationships that will last throughout the year!

present

Tax Time Is Right Around the Corner!

  By Patty | November 27, 2008 - 11:27 pm |
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As a real estate professional, did you realize you are operating a small business? There are many tax deductions that small business owners overlook – it’s the little things that can add up and save you MONEY!

Here are some ideas for items used for business purposes only:

  • Advertising and printing
  • Entertainment and gifts, provided they meet IRS criteria
  • Equipment and furnishings: Depreciation on equipment; Office supplies; Software costs; Telephone (cell phones), Internet, television and other communication tools
  • Insurance premiums
  • Costs of business books, periodicals or newspapers
  • Dues or membership costs to professional organizations
  • Education costs for self or employees
  • Office moving expenses
  • Fees and penalties–Relating to CDs, business checking, savings or money-market accounts; Associated with retirement accounts for self and employees; For credit bureaus, Better Business Bureaus, local associations, etc.; Paid to employment agencies
  • Interest payments on business loans
  • Janitorial, landscaping and maintenance costs
  • Losses due to fire, windstorm, hail, flood or other natural disasters; also losses due to theft may be deductible
  • Self-employed tax deductions. Individuals can deduct a percentage of their health insurance premiums paid during the year for themselves and their dependents; May deduct one-half of their self-employment tax
  • Tax preparation fees as well as accounting, attorney, insurance, consultation fees, etc.
  • Travel expenses
  • Utilities for business facilities