Frugal Challenge Update (Because that was the most boring title I could think of)

This is the post where I calmly try to catch up after not really posting for two days. Even though I haven't been in front of the computer, I've had the frugal challenge on my mind. I've also had potty training on my mind but I can't bring myself to write about that yet. It consumes my life right now so when L. is sleeping and I'm sitting at the computer, I want to think about something else.

That said, here's our frugal challenge update (I say "we" because my husband is involved by default)...

Day 3 focused on downsizing the home. As much as we would love to buy our dream boat, downsize immediately, and live aboard again, we've crunched the numbers and we wouldn't save any money by doing so right this minute. It wouldn't be practical and we don't want to be impulsive. We want to do it right. We're going to enjoy the space we are fortunate to have for the time being and look forward to the day when we'll wake up on the water again.

Day 4 challenged us to reduce our household bills. We've already eliminated all the actual bills we can eliminate. We have stupid phones (as opposed to smart ones) so we don't have to pay for data plans. We don't have cable TV or credit cards. We don't have car payments...but there is still room for improvement. Here's my list of things I want to improve.

1. I'm trying to make more of our household cleaners myself. I hate to spend money on cleaners when I can use the vinegar or baking soda I already have at home.

2. I want to get screens for our windows so we can open the windows on these nice breezy days. There's really no excuse for having the AC running in January. I've gone back and forth about whether we really need the screens...and in South Texas we need screens. I'm hoping we can recover the screen frames we already have.

3. I need to use our clothes line more. I used it really regularly over the summer but forgot about it after had a few rainy days. I need to get in the habit once more!

Day 5 (today) was a big one for us: reducing grocery bills. I would love to reduce our grocery spending. This week we did really well. We did our grocery shopping yesterday and spent about $30 less for the week that we normally do. Over a month, that can add up!

If I sort out some storage issues we can buy more in bulk. Of course, this means I have to figure out the logistics of getting to the farmer's market and the one store in town that sells bulk but I'd like to try. We've been going through a lot of flour lately...

I'm also going to be watching Craigslist.org for a chest freezer. We've been trying to eat less meat lately but I'd like to buy the meat we do eat directly from a local farm. It's better quality and it's much less expensive than getting the good stuff at the grocery store!

We always make our menu for the week ahead of time and go to the grocery store with a list but we're trying simpler meals and not planning a meal for every night. We planned for four meals this week (including a few soups that would make enough leftovers for J's lunches for this week and next) and it will cover us for the week because we won't be home two evenings. One night we'll eat leftovers.

And that is the update. I was hoping to revamp my homemade yogurt post today (since I didn't do it yesterday) but it's going to have to wait until tomorrow. My husband surprised me and is taking me on a date tonight (don't worry, we're being frugal--it's an event where he works!) and I have a few other things to get done first.

What is your favorite frugal date night?