Your Time 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…]

13 Awesome Productivity 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 super-productive — or wishes that she were! — this holiday gift guide has got you covered with awesome, budget-friendly presents.

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7 Last-Minute Gift Ideas That Won’t Bust Your Holiday Budget

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

When I was growing up, one of our annual Christmas traditions was waving goodbye to Dad for a few hours on Christmas Eve. He was off to the mall for Christmas gift shopping!

Every year, we never knew what to expect from Dad under the tree. In my case, I think that was primarily the result of having a kooky dad . . .

. . . but it’s slim pickings out there on Christmas Eve!

If you struggle to come up with great last-minute gift ideas, back away from the eyeshadow collections and novelty socks.

Whether you’re a self-proclaimed procrastinator or the holidays have just snuck up on you this year, you absolutely can get your hands on gifts that people love.

And you can do it on a budget. Here’s how . . .

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How to Stop Being Too Available (Without the Guilt)

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

Does this sound familiar?

Your phone rings, and you pick it up right away.

You get an E-mail or text alert and stop what you’re doing to respond.

Somebody asks you for a favor, and your answer is always “yes.”

If any of these behaviors is routine for you, it’s likely that you are too accessible.

Being available for a friend or being willing to pitch in is a truly admirable quality. But constantly living your life that way comes with a cost.

You can never be everything to everyone. So people are invariably left disappointed.

And things you would have liked to have accomplished — or even those things you promised other people you would do — well, they never get done.

So it’s time to stop being so available! It’s time to find that perfect balance of being a warm, generous person while taking care of yourself and prioritizing your time.

So how can you learn to say no, set boundaries, and lovingly stop being too available? [Read more…]

Forget Spring Cleaning! How to Keep Your House Clean All Year Long

Raise your hand if you’ve done an exhausting cleaning marathon in the days leading up to a visit from family and friends.

Or if you’ve wondered when the last time was that you cleaned the bathtub, refilled your washer fluid, or mopped the floor that you’re pretty sure is supposed to be three shades lighter.

Or if you just can not seem to get everyone in your home on board with what needs to be done when and by whom.

Sure, you could hold out for spring cleaning. But that just seems like a great way to turn beautiful spring days into drudgery. And what about the dirt and mess the rest of the year?

It’s time to stop thinking that you need to choose between succumbing to an endless chore list and accepting the reality of a messy home!

There’s a third option — strategically distributing your household chores throughout the year so you can enjoy a clean, organized home year-round . . . without nagging, complicated systems, and that massive time-suck.

Fortunately, it’s incredibly simple to customize a fool-proof, year-long family chore chart schedule and system that will beautify your home and keep it that way for good!

Here’s how . . .

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12 Simple Organizing Tips That Make a Huge Difference

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

It’s finally happened. You’ve officially hit your clutter limit.

“Today’s the day!” you resolve. “I am going to get organized. I am going to be an organized person!”

You hear yourself say it . . . and it sounds impossible!

After all, most of us think like this:

Organizing my space and my life will take a ton of time I definitely do . . . not . . . have.
To get organized, I’m going to need to get lots of pricey tools, gizmos, and systems.
The only way decluttering will only be successful if I acquire some sweet superpowers.

But here’s a secret: Getting yourself organized doesn’t require lots of time, space, energy, or tools.

In fact, there’s a lot you can do quickly and easily. Here’s how . . . [Read more…]

17 Simple Ways to Save an Hour a Day

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

Raise your hand if you could use an extra hour (or an extra 24!) in your day.

I have yet to meet a woman my age whose complaint is that she has too much time on her hands. And I’m guessing you’re not one either. Instead, you’re probably juggling your marriage, family responsibilities, household chores, career goals, and so much more.

So what would it mean to you if you accomplish what you’re already doing while having an extra hour a day?

Would you use that hour to tackle some of your personal goals? To spend time with your husband or kids? To take a much-needed nap?

However you plan to use your newfound time, these time-saving hacks are sure to help. Try these 17 smart ways to save you time every day . . . and, hopefully, save your sanity too! [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 Reach Your Goals Faster

You feel completely stuck.

Maybe it’s taking forever to make progress on your big goal, and you’re losing motivation.

Maybe your progress was good until you came screeching to a halt.

Or maybe you’re struggling to take that very first step.

Setting a goal, working toward it, and reaching it can be a definite challenge. And it’s no reflection on your character or strength of will if you find yourself stalled before the finish line.

Sometimes all you need to reach your goals quickly is a change of perspective and some simple tools.

Wondering how to reach your goals faster? Work through these 9 powerful steps. [Read more…]

15 Ways to Recharge Your Batteries This Weekend

Is this your week? Your Monday through Friday draaaags on while the weekend is over before you know it.

But the time you have between end-of-day Friday and wake-up time on Monday is actually about 60 hours. And those 60 hours are yours.

If 60 hours seem too unwieldy to manage, try breaking it down into chunks. Time management expert Julie Morgenstern’s strategy is perfect here:

And when you’re ready to plan your chunks of time, choose from this list. Those 60 hours will feel like a much-needed break from your busy week! [Read more…]