Prioritized Living

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

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…]

Cool Your Home Without Emptying Your Wallet

Cool Your Home Without Emptying Your Wallet

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

Hellooo, summer!

The school year is coming to an end. The temperature outside is climbing. And the heat inside? Well, that’s heading up to uncomfortable levels too.

Staying cool in your home this summer can, unfortunately, cost you dearly.

If you want your home to be pleasantly livable when the outdoors feels like an oven, you may think that you need to pay for the privilege. But keeping cool doesn’t have to drain your wallet.  In fact, here are some easy ways to stay comfy and money smart.
[Read more…]

Eat Up and Save Big Money on Vacation Dining

Eat Up and Save Big Money on Vacation Dining

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

You’ve got the vacation bug!

You’re ready.  To ride the waves, relax in the mountains, or take in the culture of a new city.

But eating out on vacation is a major expense.  If you’re used to planning your meals and sticking to a food budget at home, heading out to restaurants three times a day is bound to give you palpitations!

Think that you need a big budget for your family’s vacation meals?  Think again!

Food-related costs are one of the easiest to minimize when it comes to travel.  Even better, there are some painless ways to do it without feeling as though you’re pinching pennies!
[Read more…]

How to Have Clean Clothes for Less Money

How to Have Clean Clothes for Less Money

Ahh, the laundry.  That never-ending chore that no one loves to do.  It feels as though you need to do it . . . all . . . the . . . time.

And that can add up to a lot of money.

You don’t always see the cost of doing laundry, since it’s hidden in your budget:

  • Water costs get absorbed into your water bill.
  • Power costs go into your electric or gas statements.
  • Detergents, fabric softeners, dryer sheets, and perfumed beads show up on your grocery store receipts.
  • Maintenance costs . . . well, those you might see!

If you’re looking for an easy way to save every single week, take a look at your laundry habits.  Let’s see how we can spend less money getting your clothes clean and smelling great! [Read more…]

9 Money-Savvy Things to Do with Your Bonus

9 Money-Savvy Things to Do with Your Bonus

You’ve got yourself a mini windfall!

Yep, it’s that time of the year again.  The corporate wheels from last year have finally finished turning.  And, at long last, you’ve been handed you annual bonus, your profit sharing payout, or the information on your raise.

Plus, maybe you’ve got a nice chunk of change in the form of a tax bonus.

You’re in the money . . . so what now?

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 steps you can take:   [Read more…]

Suffocating in Your Pricey Cell Phone Contract? How to Talk & Text for Less

Suffocating in Your Pricey Cell Phone Contract? How to Talk & Text for Less

Are you suffering under the weight of your cell phone bill?

According to data collected by the Pew Research Center, 95% of U.S. adults own a cell phone.  At the same time, Aaron Smith, Associate Director of Research at Pew, has some sobering news.  Smith reports that “nearly half (48%) of smartphone-dependent Americans have had to cancel or shut off their cell phone service for a period of time, because the cost of maintaining that service was a financial hardship.”

However, if you think there’s nothing you can do about that painfully large chunk of change each month, think again.   [Read more…]

8 Everyday Products You Can Make for Big Savings

8 Everyday Products You Can Make for Big Savings

There are some things you buy over and over again.  And every time you buy them, you’re handing their manufacturer and your retailer a nice profit.

So it stands to reason that you can save a nice wad of cash by skipping the middle men and making those items yourself!

Think you can’t do it?  These 8 everyday items are not only inexpensive but easy to make right at home!   [Read more…]

Am I Saving Enough for My Child’s College Education?

Am I Saving Enough for My Childs College Education

In its Annual Survey of Colleges 2015-2016, The College Board estimated that a student living out-of-state at a public four-year college can expect to pay almost $15,000 for room, board, and other expenses, on top of an average $24,000 in tuition.

After adjusting for inflation, that’s an astounding 40 percent increase over the past 10 years, which leaves many parents to wonder — will I have saved enough to give my children the best education possible by the time they’re ready to go to college?   [Read more…]

10 Easy Ways to Slash Your Monthly Bills

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…]

Purchase New or Used? Surprise Savings and Hidden Dangers (Part 2)

This post is part 2 in the series Purchase New or Used?.

Purchase New or Used

If you missed last week’s post on Part 1 in this series, click here to check it out!

Helmets

Picking up an inexpensive bicycle helmet at a yard sale may seem like a great deal at first, but the potential pitfalls negate the financial savings.

First, there’s the issue of sanitation.  A helmet – typically stored in a garage, in a basement, or even outdoors – may be rife with mold, bacteria, or insect eggs.  Plus, the previous owner likely left behind some combination of dead skin cells, hair product residue, dried sweat, skin infection, and head lice.

Second and more important, there’s the question of safety.  Older helmets may not meet current safety standards for protecting your head and neck.  Even more troubling, a helmet, which is designed to protect the wearer from a single accident only, may have been damaged beyond the point of proper functioning.  Plus, according to an article in the Health section of The New York Times, the plastic of every helmet deteriorates due to frequent exposure to sunlight and ozone.

With new, clean, undamaged helmets available online and in many stores for less than $20, there’s no reason to risk your life and health for a few dollars’ savings. [Read more…]