New for 2012!!

Okay so this week I started a strict grocery budget.  I am shooting for $2080 for the WHOLE year!!  Thats roughly $40 per week, now this is going to take some EXTREME discipline...  I have gotten several things stockpiled in the last few months (like laundry detergent, shampoo, green beans and chili!) This goal is strictly for FOOD only!  I am attempting this because we do not get many food coupons out here in West Texas AND our whopping 2 grocery store here do not participate in very good sales (its practically a monopoly with United around here)  I plan on using Amazon.com too when possible.  I will do my best to update you with my journey.

Tuesday I got a jumpstart and spent $47.91 at United.  I did get 2 bags of Lays and 1 Tostitos for $2 each (this is a rule at our house--we don't buy chips unless they are $2.50 or less)  and I had a coupon for $1 off of milk.  So I saved some but not a whole lot.  I will buy several bags of chips and put the extras in the freezer.  Oh and the hubs' tuna is regularly $1.09/can and it was on sale for $.83, so I grabbed several!  I'm hoping I can stay on track between coupons and sales.  In doing this kind of shopping I'm also hoping that I can improve on my meal planning skills!!

Wish me luck Peeps!!

Wildfire Assistance...(I know kinda random)

Yes I know that many people in the US have been and will continue to be affected by the wildfires, floods and tornados.  But with the flooding and storms still continuing in the East, sometimes I feel the wildfires that have severely burnt our beloved state have been forgotten.  Did you know that it took 25 days to contain the Davis/Rockhouse fire 100%??  This fire burned over 314000 acres.  As of the last update this morning on the Texas Forest Service website, the current total is over 2.273 million acres and approximately 1100 structures burned.

If anybody is wondering how you could be of direct assistance to those affected, you could go on over to the Texas Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association for more information.  Funds and hay or feed supplies are needed for many whose livestock were greatly affected.  Many counties have supply points set up.  And for those individuals that need assistance, you can contact the Hay Hotline and the FSA.  Many will need help with building fences, furnishing feed for the summer months, and building new homes and structures, and unfortunately most will not get any FEMA assistance. 

So please lets take care of those of our own before we continue to worry about those in other countries.  Let's make sure our donations stay right here in the Beautiful Texas!  Please join me in raising awareness and funds to help those in our state!  As I continue to come across more places one can donate or give assistance to I will let you know!!
Right now the Texas Department of Agriculture has a fund set up... STAR Fund and you can even use PayPal !

Also if any of you know of any other or local funds set up, please let me know!