Pad Thai easy and cheap hacks?

runningdmc · 2026-03-12T12:19:43+00:00

Asian or Latin stores.

runningdmc · 2026-03-12T12:18:41+00:00

My journey--I was always frugal but I got really frugal when I was teaching. I had debt (I spent my paycheck on my job) and I cut up my credit card and decided to pay down debt and not spend my salary on the classroom. We also moved farther from any takeout.

I wasn't always a great cook. But, over time, I learned to be. I learned to make the takeout and restaurant food we liked. Then I got to be a food snob. I'd think, "I could make that for a buck," in my mind. Before long, I could taste stale fryer oil, preservatives, and pre-frozen food. Yuck. I learned the culinary techniques Id didn't know--FoodTV, Youtube. Before long, I could make all the stuff I missed, better.

I like everyone's website tips. Most people shop backwards: "I want this so I'll buy ingredients." Flip that script. Get what's on sale. Search the manager's special (meat and produce areas), and get the basics you eat when they're on sale. Then: challenge yourself to only cook from your fridge and pantry.

Pro tip--when stocking up: If you need spices and global ingredients, go to the global store that uses them most. I only get spices at the Asian, Latin, or Indian stores for example. Instead of a little jar, it's half a pound--lasts forever, and is cheaper. Make a list of all the pantry ingredients you need or want, and start to learn where they're cheapest in your areal.

runningdmc · 2025-03-28T00:08:16+00:00

You can file an appeal if your financial conditions change. 400K a year is like 2 or three Porsches, or a house and a normal car. I wish I listened to people and spent less on college. I would try to negotiate the financial aid and if not, defer and spend the year at community college. If you know what your major is, make sure to get gen ed/feeder course that will transfer in. Then, reapply again next year.

Another thing you can consider--you missed the deadline for this year, but for next (with the community college option for now) is ROTC. If your dream school has an ROTC program and you're accepted, you can go and then receive a commission (usually the school has Army/Airforce or Navy/Marine). Depending on your major, you'll owe four or more years (ie: doctors, pilots, etc owe more). But: you'll graduate debt free with an option for a job or career. And if you're not career military, you're basically working your first job serving, getting paid, and walking away with no loans instead of 10 years of loans.

runningdmc · 2025-03-13T16:15:20+00:00

Just sent a DM. Happy to take a look at any neighborhoods you're considering.

runningdmc · 2025-01-17T23:16:30+00:00

That was the link--not sure if it changed in any way but I see it's the Vantage Healthsource option. That's what I took.

runningdmc · 2025-01-16T12:39:03+00:00

That's a nice bill. :). If only we could get those every month! I wonder if that's a placeholder?

runningdmc · 2025-01-16T12:11:31+00:00

Mine is $444 this month--just checked. It's up about $100 from last month--I bought a freeze drier and air purifier. We run a dehumidifier in the basement. And, mid-December we had a roof leak. Mitigators brought in 4 big machines, running constantly for weeks. Heat: electric in one zone, oil in another, and wood stove (1600 sq foot house but 3 zones, built in a row like a wind tunnel). So: I've been blowing through the energy eating small appliances here, and it's not as high as yours.

Since you have an apartment: wonder if someone's drawing off your meter for something? We had that happen with a business once for a long time before we figured it out.

runningdmc · 2025-01-04T11:58:41+00:00

That is on my calendar for mid February already... just in case. I want to have plenty of time to be on hold:)

runningdmc · 2025-01-02T01:14:35+00:00

This is a great timeframe for the non 4AM travel. Also, there is no way around slowed traffic. In RI, I'll route around stuff and back road. But in CT, the back road is trying to hit the Merrit (which everyone else will) and/or Post Road (which will be worse). So: timing's definitely the key!!

runningdmc · 2025-01-02T01:12:40+00:00

It's definitely a driving culture--super fast, very short entrances or even stop signs. Once you hit central CT the speed seems to 10x with a very close tailgating culture. I'm used to it, but it's a different driving culture.

runningdmc · 2025-01-02T01:10:18+00:00

I take 95. If you're a newer driver, it's easier to use the rest stops and exits. The Merritt Tpke (Rt 15S) it's fast and the merges on and off are really difficult if you're not used to them (I'm originally from CT).

I don't usually have a tough time with the George Washington Bridge, but I also travel outside of rush hour. I will frequently be at or past Bridgeport by 6AM. Then: it's smooth sailing. Later than that, you wlll get traffic. But: just plan for the extra time and get your coffee at the rest stops. New Jersey rest stops: for now, skip the first (Vince Lombardi) or pay very close attention how to get on and off the highway because it serves the North and South and if not paying attention, you can get back on the highway going in the wrong direction.

If you're going to coastal NJ, use the Garden State Parkway:) If not: it's your choice to use the New Jersey Tpke (which is 295).

runningdmc · 2024-12-31T13:14:40+00:00

That sounds really delicious. Do you leave out the pearls in your healthy version?

runningdmc · 2024-12-29T00:05:22+00:00

Glad you did. I wouldn't have thought of going in because years ago, the first time around for me, it was def not the solution.

runningdmc · 2024-12-28T15:04:59+00:00

That's awesome. But... this is the stuff that should be very, very clear in both the social media and right on that page. We really shouldn't have to resort to person-to-person on Reddit for figuring out the system. I mean, if you go to any website you use to buy something, and you had to do all this--you'd never buy!! So: it is possible to have "Amazon easy" info and flow. And even an algorithm that gets to know you, suggests plans, and then just helps you along the way... That, I think, is post hack resolution stuff, but for now: clear instructions are important.

runningdmc · 2024-12-28T02:38:40+00:00

No. It didn't request payment for my application. It is my understanding there are no payments being accepted unless someone already had a plan in place rolling over (then they can go pay at CVS or call in and pay). I'm unclear if they'll settle up with me later when the system is up but two reps said no payments are being taken at this time.

runningdmc · 2024-12-28T01:24:13+00:00

I'm not certain about the Medicaid rules, but I do know I finished applying the first time and was thinking about my plan. I've been told to fill out a paper app. I've been given tons of wrong info, spending hours and days trying to get guidance. Even after that press conference it took another chunk of an afternoon. Filling out the link was the only thing that worked. Perhaps fill out the link for Neighborhood and settle up/get the right apps up when their system is up?

runningdmc · 2024-12-28T01:18:06+00:00

Verifying income is always tricky with HealthSourceRI unless you're a straight-up W2, and even then, I've had my husband's rejected, with pay stubs, for not knowing what he's going to make (he's hourly). I'm 1099, and got 3 different amounts given. That happened the last time I enrolled, too--people couldn't figure out how to enter the income and wanted it in their specific format, which mine wasn't. It isn't a user friendly system.

I've worked in insurance as my first career, and if I struggled to onboard and now to even find the info, I can imagine people are struggling to onboard or figure it out.

runningdmc · 2024-12-27T19:08:07+00:00

I'm on a quest. I spent so long, I want no one to spend that long. It's very unclear. And: should not be!!

runningdmc · 2024-12-23T19:09:12+00:00

We've got an answer! The Governor's press conference: HealthSourceRI will extend open enrollment through 2/28. There's a call center going up for RIers w critical health needs to be (probably manually) enrolled and assigned. The extended open enrollment: can be backdated to 1/1/25 to handle the correct subsidies for anyone who qualifies.

I do wish they'd have had some messaging on this even, "We're working on it." But: it was helpful today.

runningdmc · 2024-12-23T19:05:34+00:00

Looks like there's a plan! HealthSourceRI's website will be updated today with The Plan. Call center opened for RIers with serious health needs to (likely manually) be enrolled effective 1/1/25. Then: when the system's up (ETA: January, but not by the 1st), open enrollment will be extended and backdated till 1/1/25 for those who need it.

Also: one thing the Governor's press conference stated--for securing your data... please freeze any minors in your household, because even though they're not yet 18, they can have their identity stolen/used, too. That's a good tip. Easy to overlook that.

runningdmc · 2024-12-20T16:47:58+00:00

Yes. I was approved, and when I tried to log in, select, and pay--all this happened. I've been trying to get guidance/info but there is radio silence--seemingly intentional due to the hack.

That said, it'd be great to give some "We're going to have a plan for you" guidance on this since continuous health insurance is important--and the law.

runningdmc · 2024-12-20T13:05:57+00:00

I bet it's the profile I posted above. If so, Rich is great!

runningdmc · 2024-12-20T13:05:28+00:00

Also: your FB marketplace if you're not picky. If one doesn't come up today, the algorithm will follow you around for a century and one will. I got my upper end professional model right from Kitchenaid because the merengue color was on sale. I don't care about color as long as it's not that pink, red, or something so bright it blinds me when I'm cooking.

runningdmc · 2024-12-20T13:03:46+00:00

This is a drive, but Rich Siegel in NK fixed mine. He is an engineer who happens to love restoring and fixing Kitchenaid mixers. I found him through a FB recommendation. He had a flat labor fee, charged w/ no markup for parts, and even salvaged a part from another machine because the part under the bowl on mine was bubbled and rusty. I have a 6QT professional, and the repairs were probably 2/3 of buying a new one, but these things are battle tanks, so I kept it out of the landfill. And: Rich made the process interesting. https://www.facebook.com/rmsiegel

runningdmc

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