Prioritized Living

Master your money. Get organized. Take back your time.

How to Organize Your Bathroom Cleaning Supplies

This post is part 4 in the series How to Organize It.

How to Organize Your Bathroom Cleaning Supplies

Note:  This post contains affiliate links.  Read my policy here.

I don’t know anyone who likes cleaning the bathroom.

You’re spraying, scrubbing, scouring, bending, and jumping . . . if you struggle to reach the top of the mirror like me. And then, before you know it, it’s time to do it all over again.

But there are ways you can make the process quicker, easier, and less stressful. Organizing your bathroom cleaning supplies is one of the best ways to increase your efficiency, move easily from bathroom to bathroom, and know that you have everything you need in one handy spot.

Plus — bonus! — it makes it that much easier for your husband or kid to clean the bathroom without asking you where every little thing is.

So here we go! Today I’m sharing my best tips for organizing your bathroom cleaning supplies and making this necessary chore a smoother project.

[Read more…]

Here’s Why I’m Not Paying for College

Here's Why I'm Not Paying for College

Let’s get one thing straight: I am 100% pro-college.

If a college education helps you get to where you want to be professionally and if you can afford it, then you go ahead and earn that college degree! I spent six years in college and graduate school and benefitted hugely from both experiences. So I’d love to see my son succeed in higher education.

But the price tag for that education … well, that’s going to be on him. Here are four reasons I’m not paying for my kid’s college costs:  [Read more…]

12 Budget-Friendly Spring Activities Your Family Will Love

This post is part 3 in the series Budget-Friendly Activities Your Family Will Love.

12 Budget-Friendly Spring Activities Your Family Will Love

Note:  This post contains affiliate links.  Read my policy here.

It’s almost here!

Springtime is sooo close. And, if you’re anything like me, you can’t wait to see the snow melt, open up the windows, and watch the world turn green again.

Plus, it’s the perfect season for family fun that just couldn’t happen during those chilly winter months. And getting ready to play doesn’t have to drain your wallet.

In fact, here are 12 free or nearly free activities that you and your family can enjoy together this spring: [Read more…]

How Micro-Actions Can Help You Conquer Your Goals

How Micro-Actions Can Help You Conquer Your Goals

If you’re like most people, you’re probably a bit disappointed and frustrated right about now.

It’s a few months into the new year, and you’re already losing traction on at least one of your new year’s resolutions. You’re not where you hoped you’d be, or you’ve thrown in the towel already.

The problem for many of us is that we set ambitious goals that are nearly impossible to achieve. Think about it:

  • Are you a fast food junkie who’s now trying to eat 100% healthy foods?
  • Are you a compulsive spender who’s now trying to stick to a barebones budget?
  • Are you a clutter magnet who’s now trying to maintain a Martha Stewart home?

And once you mess up just one time, it’s tempting to get sucked into self-doubt that leads to even more mistakes.

But you can break this ugly new year’s resolutions pattern.

You can make big changes in your life. In fact, you can do it without any of the stress and self-flagellation. The trick is to realize that it’s rare that people successfully make those big changes overnight.

That’s where the magic of micro-actions comes in.  [Read more…]

3 Money Rules It’s Time to Break

3 Money Rues I'ts Time to Break

Where did you get your financial education?

Was it from your parents? Your grandparents? Your teachers?

Sometimes, advice that used to be good — or even just well-meaning — no longer applies to modern times. And that’s true for money-related advice as well.

In fact, here are 3 money rules that you may not have questioned in the past . . . but it’s time to break them now!  [Read more…]

5 Unexpected Ways Your Credit Score Impacts Your Life

5 Unexpected Ways Your Credit Score Impacts Your Life

Think having poor credit is only a problem if you need a loan? Think again.

You know that bad credit can often translate to high interest rates, unfavorable payment terms, and few options when you’re looking to get a loan or apply for a credit card. But, your credit score can also affect so much more than that.

Here are five surprising ways that your credit score may be influencing your everyday life . . .  [Read more…]

How to Create a Family Valentine’s Day on a Budget

How to Create a Family Valentine's Day on a Budget

Unlike most people, my husband and I never really celebrated Valentine’s Day as a couples’ holiday. We actually started dating within a few days of the holiday, so we reserved our celebration of love for that day instead. (The restaurants were certainly less crowded after the fact!)

However, we’ve found that Valentine’s Day is a perfect day to celebrate our love as a family!

And you don’t have to get the whole gang dolled up to overpay at a crowded restaurant. In fact, you can start your own Valentine’s Day family traditions for next to nothing. Here’s how.  [Read more…]

When Is the Best Time to Buy a New Car?

For this article, I teamed up with Lending Tree and experts at Edmunds and CarMax to write a monster article on the absolute best times to buy a new car!

A new car is a major investment. So every bit of savings you get can really add up when it comes to your final purchase price. And when you have the flexibility to choose when to buy your car, you can cash in with some incredible deals.

Face it: When you buy your car matters. In this post, we’ll look at statistically proven times of the year that you can save thousands on a new car, some days you should steer clear of the dealership, and how you can maximize your savings once you’re ready to purchase a brand new vehicle on that magic day.

So, let’s dive in and uncover the best time to buy a car.  [Read more…]

18 Budget-Friendly Winter Activities Your Family Will Love

This post is part 1 in the series Budget-Friendly Activities Your Family Will Love.

With the holidays over, it’s so easy to bemoan the wintry weather and simply count down the days until your family can go outside again.

But winter is an ideal time for some cold-weather activities at home and some creative outings too. Even better? You can do it all without blowing your budget.

Here are 18 free or nearly free activities that you and your family can enjoy together during the winter months: [Read more…]

How to Take Stock of Your Year

How to Take Stock of Your Year

New Year’s Day is right around the corner! And if you’re hoping to make the most of it, there’s no better time than now to start planning for a fresh and exciting year.

But to make the most of the year ahead, it’s essential that you stop and see where you are. That you take a good, long look at this year that’s wrapping up. That you see where you’ve found your happiness and where you want to make some changes in 2018.

If you’re ready to start off 2018 on your very best foot, let’s start by taking stock of your year in 2017.  [Read more…]