About our most valuable asset:

Is that tax credit for homebuyers helping the economy?

According to the Realty Times the answer is yes.   Tax payers who use the tax credit, legislation signed by President Obama on November 6, 2009, are using the money to put back into the economy.  The vast majority are using the money to repay existing debts, home improvements, savings and investments, and household expenses.

Since spending is the real fuel for the economy, putting this money to work is the goal behind using the housing market to energize the whole economy in the short term, and then of course getting the housing industry back to health again in the long term.   By late in October of 2009, more than 1.2 million tax payers had claimed almost $8.5 billion in refundable tax credits, using both the new home purchase credit and the resale home purchase credit, according to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA).

In addition to the $8,000 tax credit for first time homebuyers, a new credit of up to $6,500 is available to qualifying existing homeowners who buy a new primary residence (new or used) by April 30, 2010 and close escrow by June 20, 2010, providing they owned their existing home for five consecutive years over the last eight years (second homes don’t qualify – maximum purchase price is $800,000).  See details Internal Revenue Service (IRS.

About dinner tonight:

How about Low Calorie Pasta in Cream Sauce and a Pear Torte you can make in minutes.

Pasta

Everyone likes pasta, but what about those calories; and then there’s the sauce!  Let’s try to cut the calories and fats while keeping the bulk and taste.  Cook your pasta as you normally like (be sure to salt the water).  Just before the pasta is done, add vegetables, such as zucchini, cauliflower, etc. cut into shapes similar to the pasta.  Bring to a boil again and cook for only an additional minute, then rinse with water and strain.  Put the pot with pasta back on the stove top with heat to simmer.  Add olive oil, (1) non-fat can milk, onion powder, touch of nutmeg, and then simmer until mixture thickens slightly.  Remove from heat and stir in Parmesan Cheese until you get a thick and rich consistency.  Serve in large bowl-type plates, garnish with lots of salted, chopped fresh tomatoes all over the top.  YUM………..

For the torte, slice pears (or whatever fresh fruit you have) and sauté in a large pan with ½ cup sugar, 1 whole lemon juice, ¼ cup water, light salt, and ¼ lb. butter until the juice turns slightly golden and thickens (don’t cook the fruit completely-you only want to glaze it)  Turn off heat and leave.  In a food processor, add 3 lbs. nuts, 1 cup sugar, ½ cup flour, 2 egg whites, and a shot of liqueur.  Processes until you have the mixture in a ball.  Remove the mixture with spatula and add to your favorite cooking pan.  Using water-wet fingers shape the mixture to mimic a pie crust.   Add the fruit by arranging as shown, and then pour the left over juice from the pan over the top.  Cook at 375 degrees for about 35 minutes (convection 350 degrees for 30 minutes).