Budgets and Blogging

This month, Jordan and I have kicked off what I would call our "joint budget". I have created a savings plan for us and outlined all our joint expenses per month, then we work with whatever we have at the end of the month for fun activities. Honestly, it is a little depressing to scrimp so much; especially when you are so used to going out to eat on a Friday night to relax and going to movies twice a week. We have slimmed our budget down a bit in order to put away a hefty sum into savings each month; and honestly, I would rather have the financial security over a fleeting $40 meal each week.

So, we have cut down our "eating out" to twice a week (usually on weekends) and we try to only go to $5 movies on Tuesdays at our local movie theatre. Going places is such a big part of our relationship that I hate to take it all away just because we have a strict budget. We seem to find ways to make our own fun.

We are starting to relish in our time away from home and find little ways to save money here and there. This weekend, Jordan and I washed his car at his parents house (for free, compared to $7 at the local Power Wash) and made dinner at home all weekend. Jordan's family doesn't like to save like my family did when I was growing up, so he is still learning when/how to save money like I do. He gets really excited when he saves a good deal of money and loves to tell me about it.

Saturday we went out to Don and Millie's for lunch so I could have a taco salad. It was delicious! It's honestly always good at Don and Millie's. The service is great, cashiers are friendly and the food is consistently yummy. Plus, you can't beat the music and margaritas.
Then we went to Firth (my hometown) to see my dad and check on the acreage. After that, we washed Jordan's car and went back home to watch some Mad Men. It was a really nice sort of lazy Saturday. I made garlic chicken with brown rice for dinner, but had it half devoured before I even thought to take a picture. I'll eventually get this whole blogging thing down... (Refer to picture on the right of 75% eaten taco salad).

On Sunday morning, I went for a run around our neighborhood and came home for some cereal. Nothing like getting outside in the morning breeze to wake you up and make you feel refreshed. Jordan and I watched Rockford Files (his new Netflix obsession) and got ready to go to Red Mango (a Sunday ritual we sometimes follow) and used our $5 reward to get some fro-yo. Red Mango is honestly our most favorite place to get frozen yogurt. We have tried every other place in Lincoln that is popular and we still return to Red Mango every time. We really like to treat ourselves with froyo :) After our froyo lunch, we took a little detour to check out a place Jordan would like to start getting his hair cuts. It's called The Straight Edge in downtown Lincoln. We've heard good things and Jordan is ready to start getting haircuts he actually likes. I love going on little adventures with Jordan and trying new things.

All in all, our weekend was pretty great. Equal parts relaxing and eventful. Hope all of you made the most of your weekend and rested up for the workweek ahead!