Smart Money?

I've always been pretty dumb about money. I'm 37 years old without any savings. And with about $6000 in credit card debt. (Talk about dumb . . . . ) I do have a retirement plan through school, but it won't be enough. And in about five years my home will need a very expensive roof.

So I have a nice, fat tax return due this year. What, exactly, should I do with it?

My panicked mind screams "Pay down the credit cards!! NOW!!!" My fantasy mind, the one that wants to quit my job, says "Security is everything --pay down the mortgage!!" While my sensible side quietly whispers "Get that Roth IRA."

Unbelievably I think I can satisfy all three minds at once.

I'm going to use the money to refinance my home. The prime interest rate hasn't changed, but I have better credit than I did three years ago, so I should qualify for a better rate AND I'll be able to knock out the PMI. I'll end up paying less for the house.

That will leave me with extra cash each month. Cash that will go towards 1) a Roth IRA, and 2) the dreaded credit card bills.

I think maybe I finally did something financially smart.

Now if I could just pass a trig test . . . .