A Month of Gratitude and Giving

OUR TEAM HAD A GREAT TIME HANDING OUT CANDY AT BLACKHAWK’S PUMPKIN PATCH!

• November’s name: The name “November” comes from the Latin word “novem,” meaning nine. It was originally the ninth month in the Roman calendar before January and February were added.
  
  
• Birthstones: The birthstones for November are topaz and citrine. Topaz symbolizes love and affection, while citrine is associated with vitality and intelligence.
  
  
• Scorpio and Sagittarius: Those born in November fall under the zodiac signs of Scorpio (until November 21) and Sagittarius (from November 22 onward).

Your Home Winterizing Checklist

• Preparing your home for winter will be easier if you’re in a permanently sunny location. However, all homes benefit from an annual checkup, even if you’ll never need a snow shovel or ice scraper. Here’s a handy checklist for homeowners in every state.
  
  
• One of the most effective ways to max out your HVAC system’s performance is to measure your attic and wall insulation. The right amount, or R-value, will improve airflow throughout your home, keeping you and your family cozy. To determine your current R-value, measure your insulation’s depth by inches and multiply by three. Try to go up to a minimum R-30 value for your attic, or higher if you live in a northern state.
  
  
• Before cold weather arrives, check your windows and doors for gaps so cold air (and bugs) won’t sneak in. It’s easier to do this on a sunny day, as you may be able to see sunlight coming through gaps you wouldn’t notice otherwise. The only exception to this: is gaps behind your washer or dryer. There are several affordable DIY solutions for sealing cracks and gaps with weatherstripping or caulk.
  
  
• Your smoke detectors should be checked at least twice a year, and one of these should occur before winter begins. Anything from a space heater to an overloaded electrical outlet could spark a fire, and kitchens are prime areas for fires to begin.
  
  
• Check your HVAC filters and replace them if they’re dirty. A new HVAC filter helps ensure that your heating system is running at peak efficiency. Not only will you be more comfortable; you’ll enjoy lower bills as well. Well-maintained filters also help you save energy during the summer months as well.
  
  
• Few homeowners look forward to cleaning gutters, but it’s an important project. Falling leaves and other debris can hinder their ability to divert water away from your home. If you’ve been thinking of installing gutter guards, now is an ideal time to do it.

• Residential rents in Dubai rose 27.2% year over year in the third quarter, with villa rents notching a 38.7% increase over the same period.
  
  
• About 93% of your well-being is determined by your lifestyle choices. 7% is genes. Calorie restriction seems to have the biggest impact on extending longevity. (Buck Institute)
  
  
• A new study finds that Alphabet’s Google, Microsoft, and Meta Platforms together withdrew more than 2 billion cubic meters of freshwater for server cooling and electricity usage in 2022, more than twice Denmark’s total water withdrawal in a year. Maybe we should expect high tech to locate closest to high water supply areas? Besides time, water may be the world’s biggest luxury. (BARRONS)
  
  
• The rise of the MINI millionaire? Contrary to most headlines, some wealth disparity may be shrinking, median US wealth was much lower than the average – which is skewed by billionaires – rose more than the average between 2019 and 2022, by 37%, adjusted for inflation—to $193,000! That means wealth inequality narrowed. About 16 million American families (over 12%) have wealth exceeding $1 million, up from 9.8 million families in 2019, up over 60%! Nearly 8 million families are multimillionaires, i.e., their wealth exceeds $2 million, up from 4.7 million.
  
  
• 20% of the world’s top 100 hedge funds now have an office in Dubai, while 10 out of 15 of the top-tier multi-strategy hedge fund platforms have a presence. New York is the base for about 1,800 hedge funds while London has about 820 and Hong Kong is home to about 470. While Dubai has attracted lots of Russians, it is also attracting lots of those from Hong Kong and Singapore, and aside from its huge tax advantages, it is positioned geographically well between the West and the East. Abu Dhabi and Dubai are experiencing many of the infrastructure growing pains of other tax havens around the world. Starting this June, a new 9% corporate tax was implemented, and a 5% VAT tax started in 2018. (With Intelligence)