Should you pay your mortgage off early?

Doing a bit of research on this topic, there were quite a few opinions on the issue. Should you pay your mortgage off early? It depends on your situation. Reading a few of these opinions and you can walk away very confused, but it can give you the information you need when you visit with your financial adviser. The one thing I did get from all this information is TALK WITH YOUR FINANCIAL ADVISER BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING!

Pitfalls of Paying Off Your Mortgage Early

Oct. 4, 2013 By BYRON L. STUDDARD, CFP®

Should you pay off your mortgage? As with so many financial issues, the answer is: It depends.

A couple recently came to me for financial advice – after drastically changing their entire financial situation. They had attended a financial workshop where they became convinced that any debt is undesirable. So they paid off their mortgage early by cashing in their six-figure 401(k) accounts.

Because they were under age 59 1/2, they had to pay a 10 percent penalty, along with ordinary income tax, on this large withdrawal. They came to me – too late – for a second opinion on this by then irreversible move; the damage had already been done.

Whether to pay off your mortgage early is a difficult decision that should be based on various factors. Depending on your situation, some debt—especially mortgage debt--is probably not as bad as the alternatives. In this case, not paying off the mortgage would have meant keeping the couple's 401(k) assets intact and growing in value through compounding interest, which is interest on principal and interest. Albert Einstein famously called compound interest "the most powerful force in the universe."

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When to pay down your mortgage

6/20/2013 7:30 PM ET By Liz Weston, MSN Money
For years, I've been telling you that you likely have better things to do with your money than to prepay a low-rate, tax-deductible debt such as a mortgage.

Yet my husband and I plan to have our mortgage paid off by the time we retire. Am I promoting a double standard? Not really. I'm just acknowledging the math, which favors carrying a mortgage while you're working and being debt-free when you're not.

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The Benefits Of Mortgage Repayment

October 26 2011| Filed Under » Home Purchase, Mortgage
You've taken the leap and decided to buy a home. After signing a mountain of paperwork, you are now the proud owner of your own residence. Thirty days later, when the first mortgage payment comes due, you are hit by the reality of what you have done. You have taken on 30 years worth of massive payments, in an economy that makes no promises about long-term job stability. In this article, we look at the benefits of paying off your mortgage as soon as you can and give you pointers on how to do it. 

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4 ways to pay off your mortgage earlier

By Sally Herigstad • Bankrate.com

Paying off the mortgage early is in. Refinancing to take money out of our homes is out. Living through the foreclosure crisis, more people want the security and the psychological benefit of owning their home free and clear.

Read More...

Chocolate Substitution Chart

So I was cruising the net looking for really fun recipes and lo and behold I found Dulce de Leche Brownies. I read through the recipe and my mouth began to water. I looked through the ingredient list and arrrrggghhhh, I don't have one of the most important ingredients...unsweetened chocolate squares. My heart fell, but wait, it's the internet and I searched for a substitute and someone was thoughtful enough to post a Chocolate Substitution Chart. So I will share both the chart and the recipe.

Chocolate Substitution Chart - How To Substitute Chocolate In Your Cooking

Need a quick substitution for chocolate? Here are some chocolate substitutions, but remember not always do they work as well as the original recipe ingredient:

Chocolate, Bittersweet:

(1-ounce) square semi-sweet baking chocolate for 1 (1-ounce) square bittersweet baking chocolate.
Bittersweet and semisweet chocolate may be used interchangeably in recipes, but there may be slight differences in flavor and texture.

Chocolate, Semi-Sweet:

3 tablespoons chocolate chips for every 1-ounce semi-sweet baking chocolate.
1-ounce bittersweet baking chocolate for every 1-ounce semi-sweet bittersweet baking chocolate.
1-ounce unsweetened baking chocolate and 1 tablespoon granulated sugar for every 1-ounce semi-sweet baking chocolate.
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, 3 tablespoons sugar and 1 tablespoon butter, margarine or shortening for every 1 ounces of semi-sweet baking chocolate. 

Chocolate Chips, Semi-Sweet:

1 ounce semi-sweet baking chocolate for every 1 ounce of semi-sweet chocolate chips.
1-ounce sweet baking chocolate for every 1-ounce chocolate chips.
1-ounce unsweetened chocolate plus 1 tablespoons sugar for every 1-ounce chocolate chips

Chocolate, Sweet Baking (German's):

3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, 4 teaspoons sugar, and 1 tablespoon butter, shortening or vegetable oil for every 1-ounce German's sweet baking chocolate.
1 ounce dark sweet chocolate for every 1 ounce German's sweet baking chocolate.

Chocolate, Unsweetened:

3 level tablespoons unsweetened cocoa and 1 tablespoon butter, margarine or shortening for every 1-ounce unsweetened baking chocolate.
3 level tablespoons Dutch-process cocoa plus 1 tablespoon shortening, butter, or oil for every 1-ounce unsweetened baking chocolate.
1/2 cup (3 ounces) unsweetened chocolate chips or morsels - plus cut sugar by 1/4 cup and shortening by 1 tablespoon in your recipe.

Chocolate, White:

Substitute 1-ounce milk chocolate or white chocolate chips for every 1-ounce white chocolate. (Color and flavor will vary.) 

Cocoa, Unsweetened:

Substitute equal amounts of Dutch-processed cocoa for unsweetened cocoa. Leave out any baking soda called for in the recipe.
3 tablespoon carob powder plus 2 tablespoons water for every 1-ounce unsweetened cocoa.
Do not substitute instant cocoa mix for unsweetened cocoa in any recipe.

Dutch-Process Cocoa:

3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder plus a pinch (1/8 teaspoon) baking soda for every 1-ounce Dutch-Process Cocoa.
1 ounce unsweetened chocolate plus 1/8 teaspoon baking soda (reduce fat in recipe by 1 tablespoon).
3 tablespoons carob powder for every 1-ounce Dutch Process Cocoa.

Mexican Chocolate:

1 ounce semi-sweet chocolate and 1/2 teaspoon ground Mexican cinnamon for every 1-ounce Mexican Chocolate.
In mole sauces, substitute 1 tablespoon cocoa powder for every ounce of Mexican chocolate called for in the recipe.

Milk Chocolate:

Substitute equal amounts of sweet chocolate OR semi-sweet chocolate for milk chocolate.

Do not substitute chocolate syrup for melted chocolate in any recipe. 

http://whatscookingamerica.net/ChocolateSubstitutionChart.htm

And now the Dulce de Leche Brownie Recipe.

This is from a new cookbook The Pioneer Woman Cooks: A Year of Holidays by Ree Drummond. The book is available on Amazon for the Kindle and as a Hard copy. Pioneer Woman Cooks ebook @ Amazon

Dulce De Leche Brownies

Yield: 16 brownies      Prep Time: 20 minutes     Cook Time: 50 minutes     Total Time: 80 minutes

Ingredients:

5 (1-ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate     1 cup butter, softened
2 cups granulated sugar                                     4 large eggs
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour                                Half a 14 oz can dulce de leche

Ice cream and additional dulce de leche, for serving, optional

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Generously spray an 8-inch square baking pan or an 8 x 10-inch baking pan with nonstick baking spray.

2. Place chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and heat it in about 45-second intervals, stirring each time, until it's completely melted. Set it aside to cool for 20 minutes or so.

3. Add the butter and sugar to the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Cream together until light and fluffy.

4. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

5. With the mixer on low, slowly drizzle in the melted chocolate. Mix until combined.

6. Add the flour and vanilla extract. Mix until combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl halfway through.

7. Spread the batter into the greased pan.

8. Place the dulce de leche in a glass bowl. Warm it in the microwave for 30-45 seconds. Drop large dollops of dulce de leche on the surface of the brownie batter. Use a knife to slowly swirl it through the brownie batter. Don't drag the knife sideways through the batter, hold it so the thin side of the knife leads the way.

9. Bake brownies for 45-50 minutes, or until the center is almost totally set.

10. Let the brownies cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Carefully turn them out of the pan and let them cool completely.

11. Cut the brownies into squares and serve. Top with ice cream and extra dulce de leche, if desired.

Recipe from The Pioneer Woman Cooks: A Year of Holidays

http://www.twopeasandtheirpod.com/dulce-de-leche-brownies/

Dried to Canned Beans Conversion

DRIED TO CANNED BEANS CONVERSION

1 - 15-ounce can of beans equals

• 1/2 cup dry beans, before cooking
• 1 1/2 cups beans, after cooking

1 pound dry beans equals

• 2 cups dry beans, before cooking
• 6 cups beans, after cooking
• 4 15-ounce cans of beans

1 part dry beans equals
3 parts cooked beans

http://be-it-ever-so-humble.blogspot.com/2008/11/dried-to-canned-beans-conversion.html

Changes are coming to the Home Storage Centers

As of November 1st, packaging at our Spokane Home Storage Center will be discontinued. After November 1st, those interested in purchasing food storage items will find prepackaged items and bulk items as listed on the current Home Storage Order Form. Because the system needs to build up stock levels and adjust for the upcoming demand, all of the planned 17 pre-packaged items may not be available at first.
For the time being, the cannery will continue providing the packaging materials for home packaging.
The cannery will not order any more bulk product from Utah for the 17 products that will be prepackaged. They will receive bulk stock to be sold until it runs out, which may be before November 1st for some of the items.

Homemade Seasoning Mixes

Make your own Ranch, Dry Onion Soup Mix and Taco Seasoning and store in small mason jars....This is soooo much HEALTHIER than those you buy at the store!! They contain a TON of stuff that is not good for you!!

Taco Seasoning:
1/2 cup chili powder
1/4 cup onion powder
1/8 cup ground cumin
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon paprika
1 tablespoon sea salt
Put ingredients into a jar and shake.Use 4 tablespoons in a recipe in place of 1 packet of taco seasoning. Store in a cool, dry place.

Dry Onion Soup Mix:
2/3 cup dried, minced onion
3 teaspoons parsley flakes
2 teaspoons onion powder
2 teaspoons turmeric
1 teaspoon celery salt
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground pepper

Mix all ingredients in a jar, then give the jar a good shake. I’d recommend shaking the jar to mix the ingredients well before each use.
Use 4 tablespoons in a recipe in place of 1 packet of onion soup mix. Store in a cool, dry place.

Ranch:
5 tablespoons dried minced onions
7 teaspoons parsley flakes
4 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
Mix together and store in an air tight container.
For dressing: Mix 2 tablespoons dry mix with 1 cup mayonnaise and 1 cup buttermilk or sour cream.
For dip: Mix 2 tablespoons dry mix with 2 cups sour cream or Greek Yogurt.
Mix up a few hours before serving, so the flavors all blend.

Spring Is Just Around the Corner

Starting Our Seeds Indoors – Let Spring Begin!

It’s always such an incredible feeling each year to finally start putting seeds into the soil. It gives you that sense Spring is finally close at hand! So what if there is still a little snow on the ground outside from yet another passing storm system - once you put a few seeds into soil, it’s time to grow! We finally planted the first of them yesterday – our ornamental peppers. The Ornamental Peppers tend to take a little longer to germinate and grow to full maturity – so we like to give them an additional head start by planting in Mid-February. read more...

Spring Cleaning is on it's Way!

I hate spending money on a cleaner for the glass, one for the walls, one for the floor, one for the toilet, one for the shower, there is an all purpose cleaner than is good for all of this and much more read 45 Uses for Vinegar

Teaching Children About Money

Teaching your kids about money is an important lesson that should be taught early. How early? Many experts recommend starting as early as 3 years old, teaching simple concepts, such as: what is money, how you need money to buy things and money is earned by working. read more...