Prioritized Living

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

Your One-Year Money Makeover: Powerful Steps to Improve Your Finances

Your year is powerful.

I firmly believe that — with the right tools, motivation, and action plan — a person can accomplish amazing things in a single year.

And that feeling you get when starting out? When you embark on a new journey with resolve and enthusiasm, you know you have the chance to make real, positive changes that can last a lifetime.

In a single year, you can master and transform your money.

No matter where you are on your journey to financial health and security. No matter what setbacks you’ve had. No matter what obstacles lie ahead.

You can improve your finances, making incredible strides in a single year.

These 11 steps offer a path to establishing strength and security with your family’s finances. Maybe you’ve already tackled some of them! Or maybe you’re just starting out.

Either way, jump in and make this the year that you create peace of mind and financial health for yourself and your loved ones.

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Your HSA is Actually a Retirement Secret Weapon

Your HSA is Actually a Retirement Secret Weapon

Sure, you’ve heard about the traditional tools for retirement planning. IRAs and 401(k) plans offer unique benefits for saving your cash now to enjoy when you’re older.

But what about a Health Savings Account? Most people think an HSA is just a place to keep short-term savings to cover your family’s medical costs this year.

But an HSA is actually an incredible and often-overlooked tool for funding your golden years. And its special treatment by the IRS may get you the most bang for your buck when you include an HSA in your retirement plan. Here’s how: [Read more…]

6 FIRE Movement Rules That Will Transform Your Money

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

Right now, the FIRE movement is revolutionizing the way that Americans envision retirement.

FIRE — which stands for financial independence, retire early — began with the book Your Money or Your Life, authored by Vicki Robin and Joe Domingez. First published in 1992 and most recently updated in 2018, the book continues to galvanize young adults in particular in pursuing the dream of retirement in their 40s or even 30s.

But retirement for FIRE followers rarely means doing nothing. Instead, it translates to freedom to pursue the kind of work and passions you love instead of working exclusively for the paycheck.

Mr. Money Mustache, a prominent FIRE proponent, states the goal of FIRE as “complete freedom to be the best, most powerful, energetic, happiest, and most generous version of you that you can possibly be.”

Maybe FIRE is something you’d love to pursue yourself. But, even if early retirement isn’t your plan, you can mine some incredible money principles from the FIRE philosophy — principles that can put you on the path to financial health, help you grow your money, and build a secure financial future! [Read more…]

How to Manage (and Master!) Your Money with a Budget Binder

How to Manage (and Master!) Your Money with a Budget Binder

Money is . . . well, it’s messy! And complicated.

Just think about all the pieces that make up your financial life! You may have multiple sources of income, savings accounts, retirement or investment accounts, bills for your home, bills for your family, expenses that are coming up, and things you want to do with your money!

How on earth do you keep it all straight and get it all done?!

A budget binder, like My Budget Binder from Prioritized Living, is an amazing tool for mastering your finances. It takes the mess and stress of money management out of the equation and gets you moving toward your financial dreams.

CLICK HERE to grab your copy of My Budget Binder from Prioritized Living!

Here are just a few of the many things a budget binder can do for you when you incorporate it into your life: [Read more…]

How to Jump-Start Your Retirement Savings

How to Jump-Start Your Retirement Savings

If you’ve got three or even four decades to go until retirement, saving for that time of your life may be the last thing on your mind. But you’ve actually got the most incredible element on your side — time.

In fact, with the power of compound interest, you’ll be able to get more bang for your contributions than your peers who wait until they’re closing in on retirement age to start really planning and saving.

Of course, wanting to save for retirement and actually doing it are two very different things. When you’re just getting started, it’s easy to feel intimidated by the confusing alphabet soup of terminology — 401(k), 403(b), IRA, Roth SEP, SIMPLE, HSA, and so on.

So I’m demystifying the options for retirement savings. And I’m walking you through the process of kickstarting your journey to a successful future.   [Read more…]

15 Awesome Financial Gifts to Give This Holiday Season

15 Awesome Financial Gifts to Give This Holiday Season

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

With Christmas right around the corner, you may be searching for that perfect gift for the special people in your life. (Or you may be looking to treat yourself to a surprise from Santa!)

Either way, if your gift recipient loves being on top of her finances — or wishes that she were! — this holiday gift guide has got you covered with awesome, budget-friendly presents.

[Read more…]

6 Smart Things to Do with Your Tax Refund

6 Smart Things to Do with Your Tax Refund

The holidays are long gone, but it feels like Christmas morning when your tax refund lands in your bank account!

Before you burn through that cash, though, take a beat. With the right strategy, you can use your refund to make some powerful financial moves in your life.

Here are the steps you should take — in order — to maximize the benefit of that windfall . . .

[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…]

Life Insurance: Who Needs It & What to Buy

Life Insurance - Who Needs It and What to Buy

So many people put off buying life insurance! In actuality, getting a policy probably is easier and less costly than you think.

And the sense of peace you get from knowing that your family is protected? That’s priceless.

So do you need a life insurance policy? What kind of policy is right for you? And how much should you get? Let’s dive in!  [Read more…]