Every now and then, a book comes along at just the right time to put life into perspective. That’s why so many of us still have a soft spot in our hearts for titles like The Little Prince or Madeline, which are classic early-age gifts meant to teach us fundamental life lessons. As we settle into adulthood, motherhood, and other grown-up roles, we’re still looking to writers for wisdom, proof we aren’t the only ones struggling with something, or an inspirational boost. Whether you’re getting over a breakup or jumping into a new career, here are five books to help you self-heal and navigate some of the biggest moments of your life.
TYING THE KNOT
<em>Love Warrior</em>
Marriage is a scary commitment, and the perceived bounty of online suitors has us less willing to settle than ever. We’re more likely to think if the shoe doesn’t quite fit, we should replace it, rather than break it in. But everyone has faults, and relationships take some serious work. Love Warrior chronicles a woman’s life as she deals with some major relationship issues: feeling emotionally and physically disconnected, infidelity, and mental illness. This read highlights the importance of accepting that your relationship will have low-points, but that instead of living in fear of what may go wrong, you have to love the best you can.
<em>What I Told My Daughter</em>
As well-intentioned as the words of encouragement “You can be anything you want to be,” are, they’re also a bit overwhelming. The truth is there’s no one right way to live, and you always have the right to change your mind — especially when it comes to your happiness. That’s the kind of advice 54 powerhouses like Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Brooke Shields, Mia Hamm, and Marie Osmond dispel in What I Told My Daughter. This book is full of seriously useful words of wisdom for women, which young women just entering “the real world” will find particularly handy.
COLLEGE GRADUATION
<em>Circling the Sun</em>
Though relatively unknown (she didn’t gain notoriety until 1983, when she was in her 80s), Beryl Markham is one of the most extraordinary women in history. A horse trainer, pilot, author, and all-around fearless pioneer, Markham found herself in her 20s with a failed marriage, neck-deep in a torrid love affair, pregnant, and penniless. Still, she persevered. Author Paula McClain captures Markham’s extraordinary life and grit in this novelized memoir that’ll embolden you to create the life you want to live, on your own terms — whatever age you are.
Quarter-life crisis
<em><a data-affiliate-link="" href="https://www.amazon.com/Power-Now-Guide-Spiritual-Enlightenment/dp/1577314808/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1485810692&sr=1-1&keywords=the+power+of+now" rel="noskim" target="_blank">The Power of Now</a> </em>
($15): Though not technically a life stage, the first time you travel alone is a monumental, transformative experience. You can either get distracted by feelings of loneliness or you can surrender completely to the moment and learn about yourself in the process. We opt for the latter. The Power of Now is a classic self-help book that’ll teach you how to practice mindfulness so that you can fully enjoy your travels — and life — even if it’s accepting the things that can (umm… will) go very wrong when you’re on a solo journey.
Traveling Solo
<em><a data-affiliate-link="" href="https://www.amazon.com/Lifes-Work-Becoming-Mother/dp/0312311303/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1485810715&sr=1-1&keywords=a+life%27s+work+on+becoming+a+mother" rel="noskim" target="_blank">A Life’s Work: On Becoming a Mother</a> </em>
You’ve read all the parenting books, and now you just need someone who’s going to give it to you straight. A Life’s Work is a soberingly real and beautifully written account of a woman coming to terms with motherhood. Cusk, a feminist and accomplished author, wrote the book when she was six months pregnant with her second child (and 10 months after giving birth to her first) about the intense highs and lows of motherhood. While perhaps this isn’t a title for everyone, it’s recommended reading for the modern woman who, despite fear of losing her own identity, relationship shifts, physical changes, and the overwhelming responsibility of caring for another life, knows there’s no greater love than for your baby.
Having a baby
Your relationship with your finances is one of the most important relationships you'll ever have, and you can't avoid it. That said, for many of us, the pandemic only added to our financial stress. If you find yourself feeling frazzled, just remember that financial insecurity isn't a net-worth issue — it's a mindset issue. And, we happen to have plenty of advice on how to turn your money mindset around so you can take charge of your funds once and for all.
To start, feeling secure begins with a strong foundation, and there's no better time than now to get started stacking the bricks. It's easy to get swept up in the January "new year, new me" mentality, but really? Any time is the right time to get yourself in order. You don't need to wait for a new year, a new moon, the right moment, or a sign from above. You don't even have to start on the first day of the month — you just need to start.
Introducing NerdWallet: A Safe and Reliable Money App
To help with that, we've put together a list of the just-right-for-you ways that NerdWallet can help you monitor your financial outlook. Haven't heard of them yet? NerdWallet is a personal finance company that helps consumers make smarter financial decisions. Their website and app let you compare different financial products, find articles and tools to make financial decisions with confidence, and keep tabs on your finances (hey there, credit score, I see you!) all in one place. Plus, NerdWallet has over 75,000 glowing reviews in the App Store (and a 4.8 star rating) if you want to read up on any more testimonials.
Tim Chen, NerdWallet's CEO and co-founder, started this financial journey in 2009 after his sister needed help finding a credit card. Even with an economics degree and a Wall Street background, it took awhile for Tim to find the right recommendation (so don't feel too bad when it takes you a while, too). Their mission is to bring clarity to all of life's financial decisions.
So it's safe to say that NerdWallet is a pretty good sherpa for your journey, too.
Get the most from your money
Did you know that the money you park in a savings account can lose value? Harsh, but true. If your money isn't earning interest that's on pace with inflation it will actually be worth less to you in the future. And if the bank charges fees? Forget about it. Make sure you're earning the interest you deserve and come out on top. NerdWallet has researched dozens of financial institutions to help consumers find the best options. The hard work has already been done for you, so you can just select the account that works best for you and your nest egg.
Keep an eye on everything, securely
Once everything is set up, tracking and managing your finances is what will keep the money machine running smoothly. You can create an account either through the site or the app and link your bank accounts, then keep tabs on all your finances in one place. Get a clear picture of your saving and spending, get insights into how to master your money, and even build your credit score all in one place.
Get extra credit points
Do you have the best credit card for your lifestyle? Some cards give cash back on every purchase, ones with travel perks, and ones that charge way less interest than you're paying now. NerdWallet takes the guesswork out of choosing the right credit card with simple side-by-side comparisons of different credit cards so that you feel confident choosing the right one. Whatever you want to do, NerdWallet can help you find the best credit card to get it done.
Know your options for settling down
Mortgage rates are pretty low and it looks like they're going to stay that way for awhile, so buying a home might be the move sooner than you think. But there's so much more to a mortgage than just the interest rate! To help you choose a mortgage lender, NerdWallet has in-depth reviews on multiple lenders in a mixture of categories so you get the home loan with the mortgage rate, term, and fees that's right for you.
Settle an old score
NerdWallet helps you monitor your credit score for free and helps you see how little things (like raising the limit on your credit card or paying your bills on time) can increase your score. NerdWallet partners with TransUnion® to provide your VantageScore® 3.0, based on information in your TransUnion® credit report. Your score and credit report information are updated weekly. But that's not even close to all:
- They provide you with tips from experts on how you could build or optimize your credit score
- You'll get a detailed look at your credit score and all the factors that go into it—your payment history, credit utilization, the age and type of accounts, balances, and any recent inquiries
- The credit simulator tool gives you an idea of how your credit score would change if you applied for a new credit card, closed your oldest credit card, or got a new auto loan
- You also get free, unlimited access to your credit report
When it comes to managing your money, safe and reliable is where it's at. Establishing a healthy relationship with your finances begins when you take control and practice habits that build wealth. Signing up just takes a few minutes. Set your intentions to build a solid financial foundation, it will only strengthen your relationship with your finances. And don't be afraid to get a little nerdy while you're at it.
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