Budget Archives - Prioritized Living

How Much Should I Spend on Groceries?

Is your food spending normal?

Maybe you’re a die-hard fan of outsourcing your food prep. You eat nearly every meal out and use your oven for storage.

Or, on the flipside, you’re a frugalista — someone who shops for the best deals in-store and online, stocks up on discount groceries, meal plans like a pro, and whips up 40 inexpensive freezer meals in a day.

But everybody wants to know . . . How much should I spend on groceries? Is my family’s food budget on target, or are we way off?

Get ready to see whether your spending is in line with the average grocery bill in America. Learn how to create a custom food budget for your family. Plus, grab the FREE food budget calculator down below for calculating your family’s ideal grocery budget!

Here we go! [Read more…]

9 Clever Things to Do with Your Tax Refund or Bonus

Congrats! You’ve got yourself a mini windfall!

You’ve landed yourself a nice tax refund, a sweet bonus, or some other cash deposit coming your way.

So what now?

While it can be tempting to spend that pile of cash, you can actually use it to make some impressive changes in your family’s finances! If you want to maximize the benefit of your new cash — without feeling like you’re on a strict money diet — here are some smart things to do with your tax refund: [Read more…]

7 Budget-Friendly Gift Picks for the Christmas Eve Shopper

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 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 find great holiday gifts at the last minute, back away from the eye shadow 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.
[Read more…]

10 Easy Ways to Slash Your Monthly Bills

How often does this happen to you? You cash your paycheck only to have it disappear. After paying your landlord, insurance guy, utility company, and everyone else, you’re left with next to nothing.

But what if you could hold on to more of your heard-earned money? Pocket some extra in case of emergency? Save hundreds or even thousands a year with these easy-to-implement tips. [Read more…]

The 5 Things You Need to Do While Saving for a House

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

Saving for a house is both exhilarating and terrifying. Your home’s down payment will probably be the biggest check you ever write. How on earth do you save that kind of cash – month after month, year after year?

These five actions are essential to getting you the keys to your new place. [Read more…]

Your Money in the Trash: How to Stop Wasting Food (Part 2)

This post is part 2 in the series Your Money in the Trash: How to Stop Wasting Food.

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

In Part 1 of this series, we looked at how you can stop food waste — and money waste — by making a meal plan, being realistic about what you eat, and making your food visible.

I even recommended some food storage containers that not only allow you to see your food as it happily awaits your return to the fridge but also double as dishes for reheating. Speaking of which . . . [Read more…]

Your Money in the Trash: How to Stop Wasting Food (Part 1)

This post is part 1 in the series Your Money in the Trash: How to Stop Wasting Food.

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

Is it refrigerator clean-out day at your house? You know that day . . . you dig through the recesses of your fridge, pull out forgotten-food-turned-moldy-science-experiment, and toss your unrecognizably icky food into the trash.

Most of us don’t like to handle stinky, bacteria-infested mystery foods . . . but we also hate to throw away money! That food in the dumpster was something you bought and possibly even something you spent time preparing.

Waste no more! It’s time to get serious about keeping your food — and your money — from winding up in the dump. Here’s how: [Read more…]

Easy Ways to Save Thousands on Your Wedding

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

Buy anything that’s labeled “wedding” and you’ll get the marital markup.

Weddings are not cheap. Some people save for years. Some hit up well-to-do relatives. Others solicit donations or even go into debt to pay for the nuptials of their dreams.

Before you elope in frustration though, consider these areas where you can save thousands of dollars on the final bill. [Read more…]

9 Valuable Tips for Negotiating Down to a Part-Time Schedule

Before our son was born, my husband and I took a hard look at our schedules.

We thrived as a couple holding down full-time jobs, but we wanted to carve out more time together as a family of three. We wanted to find more balance than our busy schedules allowed while still enjoying the personal and financial benefits of employment in our chosen fields.

After weighing our options, my husband and I made the decision for me to seek a part-time schedule.

According to an article on WorkOptions.com, the quickest (and arguably the most reliable) way to get that coveted part-time, professional schedule is to get that arrangement in your current place of employment. Making that dream a reality means convincing your company of the merits of your part-time plan.

Here are some tips for navigating that corporate road: [Read more…]

Why Budgets Fail (Part 2)

This post is part 2 in the series Why Budgets Fail.

If you’re just tuning in, click here to read Part 1 of this series.

Your budget is too simple.

Does your budget have only a few items on it? Maybe housing, clothes, and food?

If your life is more complicated than a hermit’s, your budget needs to reflect that. You’ve got a kid in college, a gym membership, a family vacation, a newspaper subscription, vet bills — the list goes on and on.

Don’t gloss over the hidden and forgotten expenses in your life when you make your budget, or your budget’s simplicity will be your downfall. [Read more…]