Check out our October newsletter!
OCTOBER 2024
ME LV I N ’ S MON T H LY MOMENT S
205-223-6192 www.MelvinUpchurchSells.com
Melvin’s Favorite Halloween Secret!
Okay, shameless exploitation of my child’s Halloween pictures over the years. You know what is even scarier? He is a freshman in high school, and he just got his driver’s license learner’s permit. Yikes! I thought I would share some interesting (and some scary) Halloween statistics: 1. The average person will spend $108 on Halloween this year. 2. 73% of Americans celebrate Halloween. 3. 68% of Americans hand out candy to trick-or-treaters. 4. 60% of parents help themselves to their children’s Halloween haul. 5. 32% of Americans are throwing/ attending a party. 6. 46% of Americans carve a pumpkin. 7. 53% of Americans plan to decorate their home. 8. 18% of Americans plan to visit a haunted house. 9. 50% of Americans plan to dress in costumes. 10. 2.4 million American adults will dress as a vampire. 11. 5.8 million American adults will dress as a witch. 12. 20% of Americans will dress their pets in costumes.
13. 1927 is the year the phrase “trick or treat” was first used in the U.S. 14. There will be 40.9 million trick-or-treaters (children ages 5-14). 15. 84% of Americans who buy Halloween candy will be picking up chocolate. 16. American’s favorite Halloween candy in order: Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Skittles, M&Ms, Starburst, and Hot Tamales. 17. 770 Average number of Halloween house fires. 18. $13 million direct property damage caused by Halloween fires each year. 19. 3 times more children are killed as pedestrians on Halloween than the average day. 20. 35% of Halloween night motor vehicle deaths involve drunk driving. 21. $1 billion is the annual revenue generated by the Halloween attraction industry. 22. 80% of haunted attractions across America are operated by charity. 23. $2 million is the average revenue of a large, haunted house during the Halloween season. 24. $50,000 is the average revenue of a small haunted house during the Halloween season. 25. $7.32 was the average price of a pumpkin in 2023 (up 22% from the previous year). 26. Shelters typically place zero (0) black cats for adoption in October to protect them from Halloween-related abuse.
Have a safe and happy Halloween!
–Melvin Upchurch
Source: WalletHub
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TURN CLUTTER INTO CASH Essential Tips for Hosting a Successful Yard Sale
Have you noticed a lot of clutter in your home? Do you want to do something with it before the holidays arrive and family visits? There’s no better option than hosting a garage or yard sale. Selling your unneeded items is a much better solution than throwing them away, and October is one of the best months to set up a yard sale — weather permitting, of course. If you’ve never hosted a yard sale before, or your previous attempts didn’t bring in the profit you hoped for, don’t worry! You can implement a few effective strategies to ensure your yard sale is a success. Here are a few you can try before your next yard sale.
“Game of Thrones” may have coined the phrase, “Winter is coming,” but it’s the reality we all face this time of year. The temperature is dropping, and winter’s cold, snow, and freezing conditions will soon envelop us. There’s always much to do to prepare for cold weather, and you may not realize your air conditioning unit needs some attention. Taking a few extra steps to protect your air conditioning unit will ensure it’s ready when you need it again when the heat returns. Winterizing your AC unit protects it from snow, ice, and rust. It also prevents unwanted critters from invading your unit and making it their home for the winter. The process can seem daunting if you’ve never touched your AC unit before, but it only takes a few minutes and is easier than you think. If your unit is under a tree or in an area where icicles or snow could fall into it, invest in a cover. You don’t need a cover over the entire unit, just one that will keep things from falling into the top. Even a piece of plywood can work as a suitable cover. If you have a heat pump, however, you shouldn’t worry about covering the unit. Before winter arrives, clean your unit to the best of your ability. Remove leaves, twigs, and other debris on top or inside the unit. You can even use a garden hose to rinse the outside. Once you’ve cleaned it out and are sure the warm weather is over, cut the power supply to your unit. This will ensure your unit doesn’t turn on during an unusually warm winter day. Once the cold weather arrives, don’t ignore your AC unit until spring returns. Continue to check on it to ensure the cover is doing its job and remove critters nesting below or near it. Replacing and repairing an AC unit can become expensive quickly. Be proactive and winterize your unit to reduce risk and lengthen its lifespan. Easy Steps to Prep for Cold Weather Don’t Let Winter Freeze Your AC
Prepare beforehand. A common trap many fall into is trying to have a spontaneous garage sale. Without gathering your items, determining the prices you’re willing to accept for them, and putting up signs, you will struggle to sell anything. Get everything organized and prepped in the days leading up to the sale. If you plan to take Venmo or other cash apps for payment, consider printing out the QR code for shoppers to scan. This will help speed up the checkout process. Promote your yard sale. People will not stop at your yard sale if you don’t do anything to draw attention to it. Post on your local community page on social media, informing others about your garage sale. Put up signs at the entrance to your neighborhood and around the community. You can even create a larger sign to place in your yard to draw attention from passersby. Get help. You cannot run a successful yard sale by yourself. You need someone in charge of the cash box to take payments and make change and at least one other person to roam and talk to customers about the items, answer questions, and oversee the entire operation. Use family members, friends, or anyone else trustworthy and willing to help. Teamwork makes the dream work, especially if your dream is to have a profitable yard sale!
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FROM RESCUE TO RESCUER Poncho’s Inspiring Story
Remarkably, the family ended up at the doorstep of Española Humane, the same rescue organization where they had adopted Poncho. The dedicated staff immediately sprang
In a heartwarming story of canine courage, a rescue dog named Poncho has emerged as a hero after putting his life on the line to defend his family during a home invasion. The events unfolded on a fateful night in early June when an intruder broke into Poncho’s home in northern New Mexico.
into action, performing extensive surgery to clean and repair Poncho’s traumatic neck wound. The brave pup stopped breathing at one point, but the veterinary team successfully revived him.
Poncho, an 8-year-old rescue pup, sprang into action the moment the intruder entered the home. Without hesitation, the brave dog leaped at the would-be criminal, determined to protect his family at all costs. In the ensuing struggle, Poncho suffered a deep neck wound that miraculously missed his vital organs. But the attack didn’t stop there — the intruder then proceeded to kick Poncho repeatedly.
Despite his severe injuries, Poncho has steadily regained his strength. His tail never stops wagging, and he responds enthusiastically whenever he hears the words “good boy.” Poncho’s dad promised him a lifetime of rib-eye steaks to reward his heroic actions.
Poncho’s story is a powerful reminder of the unwavering loyalty and bravery rescue animals can possess. If you’re considering adding a furry friend to your family, consider visiting your local animal shelter or rescue organization. You never know — you might just find your very own guardian angel, just like Poncho’s family did.
Undeterred by his injuries, Poncho managed to hold the intruder at bay until others could intervene and restrain the criminal. Poncho’s family then embarked on a desperate two-hour journey to Albuquerque, searching for emergency veterinary care.
TAKE A BREAK
ULTIMATE BAKED ZITI
Ingredients
• 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes • 1 cup ricotta cheese • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese • Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 (16 oz) package of dried ziti pasta • 1 onion, diced • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375 F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. 2. Cook ziti according to package instructions. 3. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the onion and garlic until softened. 4. Add marinara sauce and diced tomatoes, stirring to combine. 5. Stir in the cooked ziti and season with salt and pepper. 6. Transfer mixture to baking dish. 7. Top with ricotta and mozzarella cheese and bake for 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
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205-223-6192 www.MelvinUpchurchSells.com 300 UNION HILL DR., STE. 200 BIRMINGHAM, AL 35209
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INSIDE
1
Melvin’s Favorite Halloween Secret!
2
Winterize Your AC Like a Pro
Boost Your Yard Sale Profits
3
Loyal Pup Risks Life to Protect Loved Ones
Ultimate Baked Ziti
4
Cozy Up With Grandmacore
CLASSIC COMFORT
How to Design Your Home With Grandmacore Aesthetic
grandparent to get into the grandmacore scene, either. It just requires a few simple design elements. Imagine your grandma’s house for a moment. What do you see? Maybe a selection of unique antiques , a classic rocking chair , cat-themed decorations, or other items that evoke nostalgia. Antique furniture, vintage linens , classic books , handmade decor , and houseplants are great ways to bring grandmacore into your home. To maintain this feel throughout your home, stay away from modern and minimalist decor, mass- produced art, and bright neon colors. Bringing the grandmacore style into your home is a surefire way to improve your mood and reminisce about fond memories from your grandma’s house!
Do you remember how cozy and calming walking into your grandmother’s home felt? If so, you’re not alone. In recent years, “grandmacore” has taken over the interior design world, prompting many to embrace the charm of their grandmother’s aesthetic. You don’t have to be a
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