Creative pursuits and efficiency don't always seem to go together; in fact, our age-old wisdom tells us that in order to be truly creative, we need wide open swaths of time, unbounded by other obligations like work, kids, and the need to get dinner on the table. (See also:Fun and Cheap Ways to Get Creative When You’re Bored)

Then there's real life, which includes work, kids, the need toget dinner on the table…little things like that which won't go away.Life won't be put on hold while we decide to get creative.

So what's the answer? Unless we've found"being creative" a way to also earn a living, we find ourselves having to fit our creative pursuits around the edges of our day. If you're in a boat like mine, you're trying to do all that and then some: being a mom, while also using your creative skills (in my case, writing) to supplement your family's income… oh, and also carve a little time in to write that novel or book of poems that you don't expect will make you any money but which simply must be written.

I'm writing this right now with my third child snuggled up next to me. He's 2 1/2, and he and the other three kids have been sick for the last week. We're all starting to get better now, but for the last seven days I've not had more than a couple of hours ofuninterrupted sleepat a time. To say I'm tired is a drastic understatement. My oldest is five. My youngest is 5 months. Also, right now, we're living in my in-laws' basement due to the black mold problem discovered in our house. We've been living away from home for a couple of weeks, running back and forth to get what we need, moving back in once only to find more mold so moving back out again. Needless to say, my life is a bit unsettled.

What I'm trying to say with that long drawn-out story is that life is rarely going to bless you with long open hours to sit around and paint portraits or write songs or write novels.

If you want the time, you have to fight for it. And chances are, you'll win it in minutes and snatches, not in hours and days.

So here are 15 tips I've discovered/gathered/collected from the last seven years of being a wife, a mom, and someone who values creativity too much to let it wait until the kids are grown and we're retired and I have all the time in the world. Which I don't expect will happen anyway (the all the time in the world part, I mean. I do expect the kids to be grown, someday).

1. Create simple routines for your day

Routines simplify the repetitive tasks of the day, helping you to get them done on autopilot so your brain is free for creative pursuits while your body does the routine work.

2. Keep your supplies on hand

Accessibility is a big part of being more creative. If you have to get involved in any sort of major set-up before you can be creative, you're putting up a road block.

3. Focus on one project at a time

It simplifies what your brain needs to do, and allows your unconscious to work on the project and be ready with creativity when the time comes.

4. Do something related to your art every single day

Keep it fresh and front of mind. Even if all you have time for is something very basic, get in five minutes of an activity related to your creative project. For a writer, that could be just keeping a daily journal, or a five-minute creative writing break. For artists, it could be making a sketch, or reviewing your sketches.

5. Have an easy way to catch ideas

Keep a notebook in your pocket or get good at quickly recording ideas on your phone. They don't need to be good ideas, just treat them as valuable and put them in a place where you can find them later. This has a double benefit of freeing your brain up from the work of holding those ideas and giving you a place to start when you're out of ideas, later.

6. Focus on one medium/method at a time

Focus is powerful; it sets boundaries for your creativity, which actually kicks it into gear.

7. Immerse yourself

Read books on or related to your creative pursuit. Read biographies, or watch biographies and documentaries of others in the field. Go to workshops, talk to peers, listen to inspiring music, study, immerse yourself in what you're doing and things related to it. Give your brain plenty of fodder.

8. Think in 5- to 10-minute blocks

What can you do in five minutes? In ten minutes? Think in these terms. It's different than having hours of unbroken time, but that kind of luxury isn't always possible. Five minutes is long enough to write a few sentences, analyze the light in the corner, listen to the line of a song, try a new stitch pattern, match some colors, play with a logo design. It's not enough to do everything, or even much, but it's enough to do something.

9. Make creativity mobile

How can you work on your creative project while you're on the go? Can you listen to related recordings, podcasts, music? Can you jot down ideas in your notebook? Talk about it with a peer or mentor?

10. Eliminate time wasters that eat up your free time

Keep a time log if you're not sure what your time wasters are. You'll find some. Pick one, and get it out of your life.

11. Turn off the TV

It eats your time and your brain cells. If you truly want time to do your creative work, kill it. For that matter, unplug yourself entirely when you're off work and able to be unavailable. Silence the phone, shut down the browser. Give your brain some free space.

12. Train your muse

Do some work every day at the same time in the same place. It trains your muse to show up and be ready.

13. Hang out with inspiring people

Find the people in your life who inspire you to work harder, think bigger, be better. Put yourself around them. Limit your time around the people who distract you with gossip, negativity, same-old same-old ruts of life.

14. Define creative work so you know when you're doing it

There are so many ways to be creative. You probably have a lot more creativity in your life than you know. Cooking, baking, sewing, humming, playing games… define creativity beyond art/music/writing.

15. Use your creative strengths on obligatory tasks

Need toplan a birthday party? Find a way to use your creative strengths. You'll pull off a better partyanduse the time"planning" as creative time. Try to do that with everything possible: volunteer for things that fit your creatively. Take on the work projects that allow you to use your creative strengths. So on.

What are your tips for creative efficiency? How do you fit creative work into your busy life? Share in the comments so we can all benefit.

It's awesome to score a pair of jeans for super cheap, but it's evenmoresatisfying if you know that pair will last you for a long time. But how can you really know what the longevity of your jeans is before they actually get put into regular wardrobe rotation? The folks at Real Simple have some tips onhow to choose the most valuable pair of jeansfor your buck, and, to get you started, we've pulled some examples that aim for prolonged life while still spendingas little as possible. (See also:25 Things to Do With Old Jeans)

First, the site suggests sticking to darker denim, since"deeper shades are handled less, so they last twice as long." They also happen to be particularly flattering, as darker colors are slimmer and more versatile. For example, dark jeans can be paired with a button-down shirt and blazer more easily than light colors, and they look just as smart with a simple T-shirt and sneakers. TheseLevi's Men's 514 Slim Straight Atlantic Jeansfit the bill for color, and they feature a small zip compartment on the thigh that looks cool, even if it can't actually hold all that much before it starts to look like there's a growth on your leg. (That is to say, leave it empty.) Or, if you want to goreallydark, try theseLevi's Men's 501 Original Jeansin black instead.

Another way to choose denim that'll last is to pay attention to the materials. You likely wear jeans more than any other item of clothing, which means your denim is also taking a beating. According to Real Simple, opting for jeans that feature at least 2% spandex allows your trusted blues to stretch with you, instead of ripping after months of wear. Unfortunately, this appears to be a less popular material for men's jeans than it is for women's, but this of course makes sense; the tighter the jeans, the more likely they'll need the stretch. That said, we found theseGap Men's 1969 Super Skinny Fit Jeanswith 2% spandex for the dudes, and theExpress Women's Eva Boot Cut Curvy Fit Jeansfor the ladies who want some stretch.

Obviously, we're no stranger to Real Simple's final tip, which is to look for deals and coupons online, then buy multiple pairs of a style that fits the above criteria. This is generally easier to do when you're already sure of the exact style that works for your body. For example, if theLevi's 514is a perfect fit, you can set up apersonalized email alertfor Levi's coupons, and stock up whenever a discount comes around. Seeing as its the most-worn item in many people's wardrobe, you'll likely never regret having multiple pairs on hand.

Readers, what tips do you have for buying the best pair of jeans? Is there a particular brand or store that you've found to consistently offer high quality at inexpensive prices? Do you think spending more on denim translates into a longer life for your jeans? Sound off in the comment section below!

This is a guest post byDealnews.

Welcome to Wise Bread'sBest Money TipsRoundup! Today we found some great articles on managing the family shopping chore, financial benefits to being sick, and having a productivity routine.

Top 5 Articles

Tips for Managing the Family Shopping Chore— Manage shopping for your family easily by only buying what is on your list of things to buy. [Parenting Squad]

The Financial Benefits to Being Sick— Being sick keeps you from going out and spending money while giving you extra time to be productive. [Careful Cents]

Why You Should Have a Productivity Routine— To have a productivity routine, make your workplace conducive to concentration. [Time Management Ninja]

Three Questions to Ask Yourself about Preparing Your Own Taxes— If you aren't prepared to deal with the complexity of the federal code, don't do your taxes on your own. [Free Money Finance]

53 Free Date Ideas for Valentine's Day— Keep this Valentine's Day frugal by giving back to your community or being in a TV audience! [Mr. Free Stuff]

Other Essential Reading

Tips for Writing a Resume— When writing a resume, make sure you clearly connect the dots by explaining why you want the job you are applying for. [SheBudgets]

Don't Get a Payday Loan! Try These Alternatives First— Instead of getting a payday loan, consider asking your employer for an advance or overtime. [ReadyForZero BLOG]

11 Things You Need To Throw Away— Make sure you throw away any clothing items you haven't worn in the last two years. [SavvySugar]

Team Building Activities That Actually Work— If you want a good team building activity that will help increase workplace morale, make sure the members of your team have regular face-to-face conversations with each other. [American Express OPEN Forum]

Dropping the Hint: Tips and Tricks to Getting Your Ideal Engagement Ring— Tell your friends about the kind of engagement ring you would want. Your boyfriend might seek their assistance when picking a ring for you! [20 and Engaged]