...On Living on a Budget {& Tasty Tuesday!}

It's no secret.

Husband and I are on a serious budget.

I even started a series on how to save every dollar you can. 

But this past weekend, we went out to dinner.  It was a big deal.  We don't eat out.  When we are working so hard to save money, it's hard to justify spending $40 on a meal when we can eat for $5 at home.  But we needed it this weekend.  This was a weekend of rejuvenation and a time to be together and rest.  It wasn't a weekend of cooking and doing dishes.  We felt like we deserved it.

You see, for the first time in my life, I feel like eating out is a true luxury.  I used to think I believed that, but looking back, I had no idea.  Growing up, we didn't eat out much.  Being from a family of seven kids, it's just not that easy.  But as I got older and started going out with friends, meeting up for food is just what you do.  It's a social thing...and it's hard for me to miss social things...so I ate out a lot. 

Then in college, I was broke.  Like, reeeeeally broke.  I think I moved out of the dorms with $12.00 to my name - I'm not even kidding.  But back then, I didn't totally have responsibility yet.  I didn't have bills or anything major to pay for thanks to my wonderful parents; money was something I used for my simple enjoyment.  And when I ran out of money?  I just didn't do things.  Whatevs.

But now?  Now I have someone else to think about.  Now we have bills.  Car payments.  Business debt.  Utilities.  Insurance.  Rent.  Groceries.  The list goes on and on.  And eating out at a restaurant?  That is a luxury.  It's a splurge for us.

Living on a budget during our first year of marriage has actually been a huge blessing to us.

It has caused us to see how faithful God is to provide; how our money is not our own.  It has taught me to get creative and to be content with what I have.

Plus, it's taught me how amazing thrifting is!  Seriously.  Yard sales and flea markets?  I'm obsessed.  It's the best way to go and I don't think I'll ever think otherwise.

Since it's Tuesday, and you're probably expecting something tasty, I'm going to share with you the perfect Cinnamon-Sugar ratio simply because I store my Cinnamon-Sugar in a super cute yard sale find that I got for FREE.  I did offer the guy a quarter for it, but he said to just take it.  I love people like that!  I know it's just 25¢, but there's nothing more exciting than free.

And Cinnamon-Sugar?  You know you want to know the perfect ratio for your upcoming holiday snickerdoodles or your morning cinnamon toast (because no one should have to just wing something as perfect as cinnamon-sugar).

You ready for it?

The Perfect Cinnamon - Sugar Ratio

1 Tablespoon Cinnamon   :   1/4 Cup Granulated White Sugar

And there you go.  

So stop trying to just make it up as you go and make it perfect in one foul swoop.

And this mason jar shaker?  How cute is that?!

Again...FREE.

You're welcome.

This is day 9 of the series "31 Days on becoming a new wife."  I hope you'll journey with me as I reflect on my first year as a Mrs!  Click on the button to see a list of the rest of the posts.

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