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Here's some great information from our preferred partner, Bob Prousalis...
Have you ever felt guilty about spending money, even when it’s on something you truly needed? Money-guilt is one of the worst feelings ever, isn’t it?
We’ve all experienced guilt surrounding our spending, whether it was for a meaningful vacation to visit family (like the birth of a grandchild), to buying a new car, or even on small things like new clothes for a fundraising event or a wedding.
Having guilt around our spending, especially in retirement, is no way to live. That’s not why you’ve invested and saved up for all these years, is it?
What if I told you that with just these 5 simple exercises, you could be well on your way to feeling crystal clear about your financial future throughout retirement?
And what if those same 5 steps also helped you give yourself the “green light” to retire? Would you believe me?
Find out for yourself by reading this free worksheet, which I consider a must-read for anyone in or nearing retirement.
It’s called: Have You Given Yourself the “Green Light” to Retire? 5 Simple Exercises to Go From “Red” to “Green”
Inside you’ll find:

• 5 easy-to-follow exercises
• The self-assessment survey to give yourself the “green light” to retire
• The methodical (and simple) path to a retirement income plan

After you read this, I invite you to reply to this email and share your thoughts, questions, and “ah-ha!” moments with me.

I read and reply to every single email I receive and will do everything I can to support your retirement lifestyle.

Read Now: Have You Given Yourself the “Green Light” to Retire? 5 Simple Exercises to Go From “Red” to “Green”
To your retirement,
Bob Prousalis, JD
Retirement & Estate Planning
Direct Line: (978) 210-1265

*Bob Prousalis is a trusted, preferred partner of Brook Realty. Feel free to reach out to him and tell him Brook Realty sent you!!  :)

Here's a great article from Staples about working from home to follow up after the article about tips for students doing distance learning.
     I don’t know about you, but I’m one of those people who enjoys working from home. Not only do I feel balanced and more productive in both my work and home life, but it simplifies and breaks up the 9–5 routine. It allows me to be more creative and strategic. I’ve solved more problems while walking the dog, than staring at my computer screen under the fluorescent lights.  
   Nevertheless, going into the office makes me feel connected to my work community and fills my social bucket. I love popping by a colleagues’ desk for a quick chat or grabbing lunch in the bustling cafeteria. It’s all about striking a balance, right? 
    However, right now in the world, many of us are working from home 24/7. So, adapting to new ways of working and communicating is a challenge. Here are some tips for when you’re remote: 

1. Stay on schedule. When you work from home, sometimes it’s a challenge to get up and motivated. Structure your day similarly, as if you were going into the office.  
2. Get yourself ready to start the day. Take a shower, brush your teeth and change out of your PJs. It really makes a difference on how you approach your WFH day.  
3. Set boundaries. Set up a spot where you can minimize distractions and get into work mode. Have a designated workspace and let others know when you’re working.  
4. Give yourself a break. Downtime is key, so schedule breaks in your calendar. During the time you used to commute, go for a walk. Give yourself a reason to get up, get out and move. 
5.  Keep everyone in the loop. Set your online status to let people know when you’re unavailable and give out your cell phone number if you need to be reached.   
6.  Disconnect at the end of the day. When it’s quitting time, put your work away. Since you don’t have a commute to decompress, use that time to power down and relax.   

Article Courtesy of Staples by Nikki Lamontagne

Should I Plant My Vegetable Garden in Raised Beds?
The pros and cons of raised bed gardening. I’m a big fan of raised-bed gardening. I love being able to start fresh with high-quality soil, instead of testing and amending and re-testing and re-amending (or just planting and hoping for the best). I also love the aesthetics of raised-beds. Those neat wooden rows speak to the part of my heart that loves to make order out of chaos.

But even with all their benefits, raised beds aren’t the right choice for everyone. Here are some of the pros and cons of veggie gardening in raised beds:
Pros of Raised-Bed Gardening:

• More control over the location of the garden
• Ability to choose the best soil for your particular plants
• More efficient draining
• Can be easier on backs and knees due to less bending and stooping
• Easier to keep out weeds
• The soil warms up earlier in a raised bed, so you can plant earlier and extend your growing season
• Better ability to keep out ground-dwelling pests

Cons of Raised-Bed Gardening:

• Can be more expensive to get started
• Require careful planning to make sure there is enough room for plants that need to spread out, and to ensure that you can reach the middle to tend the plants
• Because raised beds drain so efficiently, they will also need to be watered more often and my require an irrigation system

Raised Beds Versus Containers?
At first glance, raised beds can look like large containers. But raised beds do not  have bottoms like a planter or box would – they are built directly on top of the ground. Some raised beds don’t have walls at all, and are simply piles of soil mounded on top of the existing soil! Veggie container gardening is another great option to consider if you’re working with limited yard space or less-than-ideal soil conditions.
*Once you’ve made the decision to use raised beds, you’ll need to choose what kind of materials to use – and then, of course, build and set up your beds! Stay tuned for another post soon on how to build and prepare your raised garden.
For more gardening tips or to see more on this article visit HGTV.

Simple over-the-door shoe organizers are brilliant hacks when it’s time to tame the clutter in your home. Bulk shoppers and anyone with more stuff than storage, rejoice: You can reclaim your home from clutter with hanging shoe organizers. Sure, they're amazing tools for wrangling homeless sneakers and ballet flats. But there's another reason pro organizers adore them: Their numerous cubbies are perfect for containing odds and ends that drive homeowners mad. You know, that mass of knotted cords, your messy cabinet full of cleaning goods, that one disappearing mitten.
Pick up a few of these genius inventions and let your inner neat freak take over. Here are six shoe organizer ideas to get you started.
#1 Keep Bulk Buys in Check
Instead of piling up towers of paper towels or toilet paper, hang a cloth shoe organizer from your basement or bathroom closet rod and store each roll in its own individual cubby to free up floor space. As a bonus, you won't have to fumble around trying to extract a roll from its plastic covering — just open the closet, grab, and go. (This tip applies to all kinds of bulk purchases, from canned goods to seltzer water.)
#2 Corral Gift Wrap
Not sure where to tuck away your collection of festive wrapping paper? Don't waste precious floor space by stuffing those awkward tubes in a box. Homeowner Angie Holden used a standard over-the-door organizer to keep her gift wrap in order after her under-the-bed storage system grew "too cumbersome to get out when I need it."
Reserve three rows of the organizer's slots for the long wrapping paper tubes. The rolls will sit in the lowest one. To keep those puppies upright, attach elastic bands to the organizer, between the upper two rows of slots, and slide the tubes down through the elastic before they reach their resting place in the lower row. Make it a complete gift station by sewing a catchall bag to the bottom of the organizer for ribbon, tape, and bows.
#3 Cut the Cord on Clutter
Don't let tangled tablet chargers and extra iPhone cords rule your home. Instead, use a shoe organizer to keep your electronic accessories out of sight and ready when you need them. Organization blogger Stefanie Sliger divided her various cables by type, stuffed each set into its own pocket, and labeled accordingly. (Think "iCables," "outlet adapters," and "HDMI.") "It's definitely easier to see, grab, and store cords using the shoe organizer," Sliger says. If you have extra space, those additional pockets are perfect for batteries and lightbulbs.
 #4 Feed Your Kids
Tired of your little ones leaving a trail of displaced soup cans and sideways pasta boxes as they dig through the pantry in search of something to snack on? Using a shoe organizer to sort your snacks "makes it easy for kids to snag grab-and-go snacks," like granola bars, applesauce, raisins, and juice boxes, says personal organizer MaryJo Monroe. Hang it over the pantry door for easy access.
#5 Tame Winter Garb
As fall becomes winter, figuring out how to keep your endless collection of mittens, gloves, and extra fluffy socks organized and accessible can be a nightmare. After a basket storage system failed to keep her family's winter accessories under control, blogger Jamie Rannila turned to a shoe organizer — a solution that has been particularly popular with her triplets. "This way of organizing makes it so easy for them to reach and put their items in their own compartment," Rannila says.
#6 Create a One-Stop Cleaning Station
Is your under-sink space cluttered with myriad sponges and half-empty spray bottles that needed to be pitched months ago? Stop digging through the dark to find the glass cleaner. A hanging shoe organizer in your pantry can make life so much easier — just stick each product and cleaning accessory in its own pocket. Voila! No more hunching and hunting.
See other storage hacks in the article by Jamie Wiebe on Houselogic by REALTORS

I don't know about you but my son's university is NOT holding on campus classes for the fall semester so we are doing school from home again.  
​
How Can I Succeed at Distance Learning?
Many students are now getting their education in a different kind of “classroom”—their home. If that’s true of you, how can you make the best of it? Here are some suggestions. 
Five tips to help you succeed
1. Plan your routine. Try to maintain a regular schedule, just as you would if you were at school. Set aside specific times for schoolwork, chores, and other important matters. You can adjust your schedule as needed.
     To think about: Why is it a good idea to write down your schedule and put it                where you will easily see it?

2. Cultivate self-discipline. Part of growing up is realizing that sometimes you have to tackle the work at hand—even when you aren’t motivated. Don’t procrastinate!
     To think about: How can doing your schoolwork in the same place and at the               same time each day increase your self-discipline?

3. Create a study space. Have on hand all the materials you need. Make your learning environment comfortable, but not cozy. You’re there to work, not to snooze! If you can’t have a dedicated area for your schoolwork, maybe the kitchen or a bedroom could be set aside as your study space during your school period.
      To think about: What adjustments could you make so that your study area is                set up for learning.

4. Learn to focus. Concentrate on the subject at hand, and don’t multitask. If you try to do several things at once, you’re more likely to make mistakes and take longer to complete your work.
      To think about: Could you gradually increase the amount of time you can     
      focus on one assignment?

5. Take breaks. Go for a walk, ride your bike, or exercise. A hobby too can refresh you. “But get your work done first,” says the book School Power. “Free time feels freer when you don’t have unfinished business.”
      To think about: What kind of breaks will help you resume your schoolwork
       with a clear mind?

​So, in review: How can I succeed at distance learning?

• Plan your routine. If a schedule hasn’t been set for you, create one and then stick to it.
• Cultivate self-discipline. Learn to tackle the work at hand—even when you don’t feel motivated.
• Create a study space. Make your learning environment comfortable, but not cozy. Remove anything that will disrupt your concentration.
• Learn to focus. Concentrate on the subject at hand, and don’t try to multitask.
• Take breaks. Physical activity or a hobby can refresh you.

Click for rest of article here.

​Being a good partner to the agent you pick will make you both happier house hunters.
When you buy a home, your agent is effectively a business partner. You’re both working toward the same goal: Closing a real estate deal. That’s why it’s in your best interest to to know both how to hire a real estate agent and how to build a good relationship with them. Because the better an ally you are, the better an ally your agent will be. Here’s how to pick a real estate agent and work well with them.
1. Know What You Want
     A lot of home buyers dive into the house hunt with no idea what they want, so the first and best way to be a good client is to know exactly what you’re looking for in a house.
     Ask yourself a couple of basic questions. What’s my budget? What type of house do I want, single family or town home? Is there a design style I must have? A neighborhood I need to be in?  
     Knowing these specifics – and telling them to your agent – will help him find homes that match your criteria. Because neither you nor your agent wants to waste time looking at dozens of houses that aren’t even close to what you have in mind.
“Over-communicating your intentions and goals is a really good idea,” says Ashton Gustafson, an agent with the Bishop Group in Wichita Falls, Texas. 
Knowing exactly what you want can help you know how to pick a real estate agent, too. Some agents specialize in certain neighborhoods, and some specialize in old houses or particular architectural styles.
2. Meet Agents In Person
     It’s fine to start off your relationship with an agent via email, text, and phone, but before you hire him to work with you, set up a meeting. Yep, do a face-to-face interview.
     It’s a good idea to interview three agents before picking one. Here are some questions you should ask:

• How long have they been an agent?
• What neighborhoods do they specialize in?
• How many homes they’ve helped people buy in the last year?
• How many clients are they’re currently working with?

     Meeting in person can help both sides determine compatibility and establish trust. To the agent, meeting them IRL is a sign you’re serious about buying.
“When I ask a question of a buyer, if I can’t see their face (then) I can’t see their reaction, and I have no idea if I’m really getting the emotions that are behind their answers,” says Jackie Leavenworth, an agent and real estate industry coach in Cleveland, Ohio.
3. Set Up Expectations for Communication
     Tell your agent how you’d like to stay in touch during the buying process.  Do you do prefer texts? Facebook messenger? Or do you like old-fashioned phone calls (Telephone calls: Still a thing!)
     Tell them how often you expect to hear from them, too. Daily? Weekly? And tell them the best times of day to reach you, too. “My successful buyers ask what kind of communication they’ll have with me,” says Thai Hung Nguyen, an agent with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Premier in Washington, D.C. “My answer to them is always, ‘It’s totally up to you.’” 
4. Be Respectful
     Be mindful of an agent’s time. Don’t flake on showings. Be prompt.
If you disagree with your agent, respectfully tell them why. 
Resist the urge to freak out if the agent doesn’t immediately respond to a text or phone call. “People hire me because I jump through hoops, but I also need buyers to know that I have a life, too,” says Leavenworth, the Cleveland agent.
5. Get Organized
     We told you communicating your wants to your agent was key. Here’s a good way to do it: Write them down. We recommend filling out our first-time buyer’s worksheet.
     Give a copy to the agent. He’ll be better able to find homes that match your criteria.  You should also have your financial records in order. This means getting pre-approved for a loan. Pre-approval for a mortgage says you’re serious about buying a house and not just window shopping. “Anything we do without a loan approval letter is pure speculation,” says Marki Lemons-Ryhal, an agent and social media strategist for real estate in Chicago. 
6. Admit What You Don’t Know
     Real estate transactions are complicated. Don’t be embarrassed if you don’t know what all the terms mean, or what to expect from each step of the process.
If you don’t know what escrow means, ask. If you’re confused about the terms of an offer, say so. It’s totally normal to ask an agent for a little hand-holding — that’s what they’re there for. 
**Part of knowing how to hire a real estate agent is finding one you trust enough to tell you things you don’t know.
7. Don’t Play The Field With Other Agents
     If you’re working with an agent who is hustling for you, don’t dally around with another agent. In real estate, just as in romance, that’s cheating. It can backfire by damaging your relationship with your agent.
     If your agent finds out you’ve got other agents showing you houses, he may prioritize other clients. So a big part of knowing how to pick a real estate agent is knowing that you need to stand by your agent once you hire him.
     In fact, it's in both your interest and the agent's to sign a buyer's broker agreement for a set period of time. The agreements spell out the rights and duties of both parties, including exclusivity.
Article Courtesy of houselogic  by  Realtors®

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