I ran the numbers today and in 2010 I:
- put $3,400 towards SL Principal
- $2,000 in my 401(k) - not including my employer match
- put $2,000 in savings

My goals in 2011 are to:
- $5,000 towards SL principal
- $2,600 in my 401(k)
- $5,000 in savings

Very excited that thanksgiving is almost here. I am in charge of making the dressing and pies for 25+ people that will be at my dad's home. I took off work tomorrow to start cooking.

Today, my bf dropped off our thanksgiving basket for our adopt-a-family. In the end we were able to donate:
- a $25 gift certificate for turkey
- 5lbs of potatoes
- 3lbs of onions
- 5lbs of apples
- celery
- a large can of sweet potatoes
- cranberry sauce
- stuffing
- a pumpkin pie
- juice
- dinner rolls
- pasta
- pasta sauce
- tuna
- corn bread mix
- peanut butter
- jelly
- cereal

The total cost was probably around $40 (not including the gift card). I tried to shop sales and use coupons. We live in the 6th wealthiest county in the nation but the projected demand for help far outweighs what is available.

I also found out my bonus this year will be $2k, its a bit less than last year but I am thankful I am getting one at all. I plan on putting $500 in savings and the rest towards the loans.

This week I signed up for Safeway's new coupon program advertised on their website and added a bunch of coupons directly onto my club card. I then went through the circular and wrote down things that we need for ourselves and our thanksgiving adopt-a-family. I stuck to the list of things with coupons and discounts and ended up buying more groceries than usual. When it all was rung up, the total was about $85, $15 below my weekly budget. Afterwards, my bf told me he was shocked we didn't go over budget. I finally revealed the club card secret. We looked at the reciept and we ended up saving $28 with coupons and discounts. Best part was not having to cut anything out!!