Prioritized Living

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

How to Get Your Kids to Do Chores: Secrets of Organizing Pros & Rockstar Parents

How to Get Your Kids to Do Chores: Secrets of Organizing Pros & Rockstar Parents

Raise your hand if you’ve ever wanted to move to a new home just to get away from the mess at the one you’ve got!

It’s hard enough when you’re single to keep your home organized and tidy. But when you mix in a spouse, kids, and maybe some pets, it can feel as though you’re fighting a losing battle.

So how do you do it??? How do you get your busy family unified and working together? How can you get everyone to conquer that never-ending chore list so that it’s actually done — without tears or screaming? And how can you get organized quickly and easily?

To find the answer, I collaborated with Citi to find the real experts — organization gurus and parents who have successfully rallied their families to maintain ship-shape homes!

I rounded up their secret strategies and recommended tools. And I’m sharing those with you today.

There’s no better time than now to get your family organized. So get ready to conquer your crew’s collective goals and manage your household responsibilities with this easy action plan.

[Read more…]

The Beginner’s Guide to Playing the Drugstore Game

The Beginner's Guide to Playing the Drugstore Game

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

The Drugstore Game is addictive.

Every time you hit your local drugstore, you challenge yourself to buy the items you need for as little as possible – or even without paying a dime!

I got started several years back after reading an outstanding and inspirational guide, How to Shop for Free: Shopping Secrets for Smart Women Who Love to Get Something for Nothing. (The book not only makes the drugstore game easy and effective but offers savings tips on clothing, electronics, groceries, and more!)

If you’re brand new to the drugstore game but want to learn and start playing quickly, here’s your essential guide to getting started and saving big at the drugstore.  [Read more…]

Should You Cosign a Loan? What You Need to Know

Should You Cosign a Loan? What You Need to Know

Co-signing a loan can saddle you with some surprising — and unpleasant — consequences.

When a friend or family member asks you to co-sign a loan, it doesn’t seem like a big deal. You’re just helping out a loved one, right?

But co-signing a loan comes with serious, often hidden risks to your finances and your relationships. Here are some things to consider before you agree to lend a hand.  [Read more…]

How to Practice Self-Care (and Why It Matters)

How to Practice Self-Care and Why It Matters

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

Self-care sounds like a glorious luxury.

Focusing your attention on your own well-being instead of your kids’ extra-curriculars, your never-ending to-do list, your job, your obligations, and so on? What on earth would that be like?

But practicing self-care matters. It’s the difference between really living and simply surviving from one moment to the next.

In fact, this year, my husband and I — weary from a period of too many projects, too much stress, too many obligations, and a vibrant preschooler (whose energy I’d like to borrow!) — decided to make self-care a requirement for ourselves.

Around that same time, I coincidentally read an incredible new book by one of my favorite authors, time management guru Julie Morgenstern. My goal in reading the book was to make sure I was using my time as best as possible to be a great parent.

But Morgenstern’s book, Time to Parent, actually challenges readers to make time not only for raising a human but for being a human as well. (I highly recommend picking up a copy!)

So today I’m talking about what self-care is, why you (desperately!) need it, and how you can incorporate it easily into your life with astounding returns on your time investment!    [Read more…]

How to Plan & Create Your Unique Retirement Adventure

How to Plan and Create Your Unique Retirement Adventure

Your grandparents’ retirement is a thing of the past.

The Employment Benefit Research Institute 2017 Retirement Confidence Study shows that Americans preparing for retirement are planning to do things differently — retire later, keep active, and even continue working to some extent.

A new type of retirement is on the horizon. And, if you’re planning to exit the workforce in 20 to 40 years, your golden years might be the adventure of a lifetime! Here’s a look at how life after retirement is changing and how you can start planning your own unique future . . .   [Read more…]

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

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 . . .
[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…]

13 Awesome Productivity Gifts to Give This Holiday Season

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.   [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…]

15 Awesome Organizing Gifts to Give This Holiday Season

15 Awesome Organizing 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 organized — or wishes that she were! — this holiday gift guide has got you covered with awesome, budget-friendly presents.  [Read more…]