The Cost of Kids Archives - Prioritized Living

How to Use a Budget Binder to Manage Your Money

Even if you have the simplest financial situation, managing your money isn’t always that simple. Add in loans, retirement plans, maybe some kids or even a small business . . . and it gets complicated fast.

After all, your financial life is multi-faceted.

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 do you keep it all straight and get it all done?

A budget binder, like My Budget Binder from Prioritized Living, is a fantastic 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.

So what is a budget binder? And what benefits does it offer you in managing your household’s money?

[Read more…]

54 Awesome Kid Gifts Under $25

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

Ohhhh man, the holidays are coming!!!

And this time of year, you’re probably wondering what on earth to get your son or daughter (or niece, nephew, or other favorite kids!).

You want something that will wow that special kid . . . without busting your budget.

And it’s 100% possible.

These 54 kid gifts are all under $25 and will bring a big smile to any kid on Christmas morning.

[Read more…]

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…]

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.

[Read more…]

21 Places to Get Grocery Delivery & Pickup Service

This post is part 5 in the series Skip the Store & Stock Your Pantry.

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

It is a tough time out there right now.

And, for many people, going to the grocery store — something that used to be simple and safe — has now become a dangerous endeavor.

In the midst of a global pandemic, you’re looking to keep yourself safe and keep your family safe. And, if you’re sick or caring for someone who is ill, you need a way to get your groceries and supplies without stepping into a supermarket.

If you’re used to running to the store with a shopping list, you may not realize just how many options you have for getting fresh groceries, pantry staples, paper products, and everything else you need.

You can absolutely get the groceries you need by staying at home or enjoying contactless pickup.

Right now, demand for these services is at an all-time high. And your usual grocery store may be booked solid right now. So getting what you need means knowing all your options — what stores deliver groceries and which ones offer safe pickup for you.

Wondering where to buy toilet paper, paper towels, tissues, meat, milk, flour, eggs, or other hard-to-find items? This list has it all.

[Read more…]

Skip the Store & Stock Your Pantry with ShopRite from Home

This post is part 3 in the series Skip the Store & Stock Your Pantry.

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

Struggling to get a time for ShopRite delivery or pickup? Check out my tips down below! And read my comprehensive blog post full of unexpected places you can find grocery pickup or delivery.

In this series, I’ve reviewed and spelled out the pros & cons of some home delivery and grocery pick-up services — Amazon Subscribe & Save, Amazon Pantry, Target Subscriptions, and Walmart Grocery. Today I’m sharing my review of ShopRite from Home, including how it works and how to get the most bang for your buck.

It was during a particularly challenging pregnancy that I discovered ShopRite from Home.

All of a sudden, instead of having the freedom to run off to the supermarket, I was too sick even to walk around my house. For months! But, even now as a busy mom, I’m a grocery pick-up convert.

Grocery pick-up and delivery service is a game-changer!

Part of it is the truth of my time’s value. Yes, I could be schlepping around the store every week to grab food, personal care items, household supplies, baby stuff — you name it. But my time is precious. I want to spend it on my loved ones, my family’s goals, and my own personal goals.

And the best part is that I don’t have to sacrifice to do that.

Most days that I use ShopRite from Home instead of hitting the store myself, I actually wind up saving money! And that’s a big deal for any family’s food budget.

So how does ShopRite from Home work? What are the ins and outs of the ShopRite pickup service? The ShopRite delivery service? And how can you maximize your efficiency and save the most money while shopping for your groceries?

Let’s dive in. [Read more…]

How to Save Money at ShopRite: 14 Secrets for Smart Shoppers

For most Americans, groceries make up a significant portion of their budgets — up to 15% of their expenses! And plenty of that cash is spent at your local supermarket’s checkout.

Your local supermarket may well be a ShopRite. With more than 300 stores on the east coast, ShopRite is a major chain frequented by millions of people each week.

So what can you do to whittle down that grocery spending? Are there steps you can take specifically at ShopRite to keep your bill low and pocket more of your money each week?

There are! If you’re wondering how to save money at ShopRite, check out these 14 smart tips for saving at this popular chain.

[Read more…]

Here’s Why Your Budget Needs a Sinking Fund

When it comes to saving, you’ve got your eye on a few different buckets.

There’s your emergency fund, your retirement savings, and maybe even a college savings plan for the kids.

But there’s another type of savings that many people haven’t heard about . . . but it’s one that can dramatically improve your financial life!

It’s the sinking fund.

They’re simple to set up, easy to manage, and oh so important in reaching your financial goals. Here’s how you can use sinking funds to plan your expenses without messing up your budget. [Read more…]

Estate Planning 101: Protect Your Family with a Trust

At eight months pregnant, I eased into a chair at a law firm specializing in estate law, and my husband and I signed and initialed a full set of estate documents.

We’d gotten the car seat, the crib, and the onesies. But doing this — ensuring our child and each other were protected — was one of our highest priorities in those last few weeks before our son was born.

Five years later, we just paid our lawyer another visit to make a few updates to our documents. And having those protections in place continues to bring us immense peace of mind.

Of course, my husband and I wanted to ensure that our son was taken care of and our wishes respected in the unlikely event that both of us died. And we wanted to spare our family the time and financial burden of chasing our assets through probate court.

But we were also able to deal with a situation that a basic will just can’t cover — what would happen to us, our son, and our assets in the event that we were temporarily or permanently incapacitated. And that’s where a living revocable trust comes in.

I am a HUGE proponent of setting up trusts for yourself and your spouse! The benefits are enormous. And trusts are not nearly as complicated as you might think.

So what is a living revocable trust? And is a living revocable trust right for you? [Read more…]

Meal Planning for Beginners: How to Save Money on Your Family’s Food

For average Americans, roughly 15% of their income is spent exclusively on food. And, with the average household income sitting around $60,000, the typical family spends $9000 to keep everyone fed.

That’s no small chunk of change.

But what if you could slash your food expenses? What a massive difference that would make with your money!

After all, what could you do with the extra cash if you could whittle your food costs down to 12% every single month? To 10% month after month???

That’s precisely where meal planning comes in — a simple exercise that takes just minutes a week. And doing nothing more than sticking with a meal plan can keep your food budget small while freeing up your cash for other financial goals!

And it’s great for everyone — supermoms, busy retirees, cash-strapped students, kitchen-loving dads, and anyone looking to save money and save time.

If you’re new to the scene, you may not even know how to meal plan. No worries! This guide will take you from beginner to meal planning expert in no time. [Read more…]