I just have to remember that I'll want to move semi-soon, so I should keep cash on hand for that, because it's a big enough chunk that it would take a long time to pay back on a credit card.

So, I'm making half of this ropa vieja recipe. Except I forgot to halve the liquids. Even worse, I thought the recipe called for a big can of tomatoes, when it called for a small can of tomatoes, so I have like a million times more tomatoes than is called for. I forsee hours of simmering in my future.

This conversation is making me want to empty my savings and pay off all my credit card debt.

I know. I might have to do that today. I did just file my taxes. Not as big a refund as I was expecting, because I had a penalty from some money I took out of a 401k for house buying purposes. But still a little something coming my way, so that's good.

I forsee hours of simmering in my future.

Or ropa vieja soup!

I did not mean to look at anything political this morning- it was an accident Guess who's budget is taking all the money our of RIF

[link]

thanks George

I was fantasizing what I would do with $5K just yesterday. Last fall, I saw a painting I loved that was $3200 so I would buy that, and split the rest on my debt and mortgage.

Art's an investment, right?

Okay, just paid off one of my credit cards out of savings. Ouch. It really is hard to see that number drop even though it's unquestionably the right thing to do. I sent another chunk to the other (better) one with a balance, but I haven't quite worked myself up to paying that one all the way. Maybe tomorrow.

It just occurred to me that I should take some of the tomato mixture (with peppers, onions, garlic, etc.) and save it for chili, so the ropa vieja isn't so soupy. Brilliant! I need more tupperware and a bigger freezer.

Okay, just paid off one of my credit cards out of savings. Ouch. It really is hard to see that number drop even though it's unquestionably the right thing to do.

Foodistas? What really tastes better roasted than cooked (low fat) on top of the stove? Chicken yes, carrots and potatos yes, brussel sprouts no. Any general rules? What about fish? Any taste advantage to roasting or baking over stovetop cooking?

signed

After years of cooking only in microwave and on top of the stove decided to figure out what that oven thingie is for.

On Edit re savings: yeah, if you are debt free I think there is a major argument to be made for a savings account. But I have no doubt you are better off with lower credit card debt than a savings account if you have to choose.

Brussels sprouts are totally better roasted! As are many vegetables, like beets and asparagus.