
As we leave one month behind and embark on another, you’ll feel a huge weight lifted off your shoulders. But not until you get through this week. Between unexpected tech snafus (a shattered iPhone screen! hacked social media accounts!) and a creativity rut that leaves you feeling more uninspired than ever, you’ll be counting down the minutes until Labor Day weekend. Treat yo’self to one last summer hurrah with these indulgent ice cream cake recipes and scroll down to see what the stars have in store for you in this week’s AstroStyle horoscope.
There’s a fine line between rewarding yourself with a little sumthin’ sumthin’ for your birthday and going on a reckless spending spree. Before you splurge on the Mansur Gavriel circle bag of your dreams, try factoring in the cost per wear to see if it’s really worth the moolah. Ready to stock your wardrobe with the latest fall essentials? Call up your gal pals for an epic closet swap party or go thrifting for those throwback ‘70s flares that are so RN.
Read This: Take note: This is what to do after you get your first adult paycheck. No buyer’s remorse here! (Photo via Getty)
Libra: September 23 – October 22
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Big changes are a-comin’, especially when it comes to testing out a new beauty look or revamping your style. But not so fast! With retrograde on the horizon (mark your iCal for this Tuesday), you should hold off on taking any drastic risks you could potentially regret within 24 hours. Before getting inked or trying out a chic lob, start a Pinterest board of inspo and consult friends for advice.
Read This: Word on the street is that grombré is the fall hair trend you need to try. Who knew granny hair could be so chic?
Scorpio: October 23 – November 21
This is the week you finally turn some of your online connections into IRL friendships. After months of skyping and tweeting back and forth with a blogging pal, a chance meetup in your hometown could be well underway. Revamping your blog or debuting a fancy schmancy new online portfolio? Keep making those revisions and steer clear of launching while Mercury is in retrograde.
Read This: Wait for it… Here’s how to build an online portfolio that will get you hired. Girl, you’ve got this.
Sagittarius: November 22 – December 21
Don’t back down now, Sag! While job searching can be an intimidating process, don’t be afraid to take a crazy chance. Even if it means moving across the country or having to start as soon as tomorrow. At the same time, resist the urge to take a position that’s below you or spruce up your resume with skills you don’t actually have. A little white lie (or two) could get you into major trouble with the higher-ups.
Read This: Adventure awaits you! This new trend wants you to quit your desk job and travel the world. (Photo via Getty)
Capricorn: December 22 – January 19
Just because you’re not heading back to school in the traditional sense doesn’t mean the learning has to end. Between adult degree programs, online courses (try Lynda.com!) and workshops in your community, there’s no shortage of opportunities for you to get back into the classroom. Find something you’re passionate about — like learning how to use a DSLR camera or coding like Karlie — and you’ll be able to add yet another skill set to your CV.
Read This: Self-taught photographer in training? Oh yeah. You can learn how to take amazing portraits with this upcoming class. (Photo via Sarah Deragon, Sarah Deragon Photography)
Aquarius: January 20 – February 1
As summer “unofficially” comes to a close, a well-earned vacation is in your near future. Gather your squad for the ultimate LDW getaway — whether it’s a low-key weekend at the beach or a bachelorette-party-turned-excursion in paradise. DO make sure to scroll through reviews on TripAdvisor to ensure the place you’re staying is actually five stars and not some old, run-down beach lodge.
Read This: Unfortunately, vacay can’t last forever. Here’s how to return to reality after an amazing trip. (Photo via Getty)
Pisces: February 19 – March 20
Romance is in the air for fellow Pisces who are ready to get back into the playing field. Just when you thought you had exhausted your resources and swiped left one too many times, the Prince (or Princess) Charming of your dreams makes a happy appearance. Already coupled up? It’s time to add some experimental date nights into your usual routine. Instead of dinner and a movie, try something spontaneous like rock climbing or, better yet, go apple picking.
Read This: ‘Cuz we all know that dating is a slippery slope of ups and downs at best, we asked five comediennes to solve your most annoying dating dilemmas. These ladies know what’s up. (Design via Marisa Kumtong)
Aries: March 21 – April 19
September not only ushers in the arrival of early-fall weather, but it’s the perfect time to get back into tip-top shape. After a summer spent sippin’ fruity calorie-filled cocktails at the beach, a little health kick could be just what the doctor ordered. Make an effort to head to SoulCycle bright and early, start packing healthy brown bag lunches and opt to walk during your morning commute when time allows.
Read This: No more excuses! Check out these seven YouTube arm workouts for every day this week. Count us in, please. (Video via POPSUGAR Fitness)
Taurus: April 20 – May 20
As someone who doesn’t fancy the finer things in life, you’re all about finding the simplicity in the everyday. Be it using cruelty-free beauty products, going vegan or embracing the great outdoors as your primary source of working out, these next few weeks will be dedicated to dialing things down a bit. Rocking an all-natural, no-makeup look to work — while treating yo’self to a scrumptious acai bowl for breakfast — could be in your near future.
Read This: Say buh-bye to chemical-laden hair treatments and not-so-good ingredients in your everyday makeup and skincare products. According to experts, these are the best green beauty products out there.
Gemini: May 21 – June 20
Just as you frantically had an urge to redecorate your humble abode back in May, the arrival of September is giving you ALL the fall decor vibes. Think: autumnal tablescapes, maroon-colored walls and pumpkin spice-scented candles to set the mood. Before dismantling your beach bungalow or consulting any feng shui bagua maps, you’re going to want to hold off until after September 22 to make any drastic changes.
Read This: In lieu of cliché shades of red and orange, we’ve got five trending paint colors to try this fall. Obsessed would be an understatement. (Photo via Lisanne van de Klift)
Cancer: June 21 – July 22
Speaking your mind is both a blessing and a curse, Cancer! Especially when Mercury is in retrograde, and everything you say can be taken out of context. It would behoove you to steer clear of social media these next few weeks. Political rants on Facebook and drunken Snapchats could get you in serious hot water with the higher-ups. The same goes for email: Don’t make the rookie mistake of pressing “Reply All” on a mass work email or hitting send until you’ve thoroughly proofed it for errors.
Read This: This just in: Here’s what you need to know about this scary iPhone attack. It’s better to be safe than sorry. (Photo via Getty)
Leo: July 23 – August 22
View this post on InstagramLittle miss sunshine.☉ (Link in profile)️ #ootd #BlueflyExclusives #ShopItOnTheFly
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After a summer spent working on various freelance projects, a little spending spree is in order. Just be sure to hold off until the retrograde storm has passed in case a few unpaid bills (or unexpected apartment fees) turn up. In the meantime, start adding fall fashion and beauty splurges to your secret shopping board on Pinterest, so you can snag ‘em later this month.
Read This: Speaking of shopping your heart out, here’s where to snag the best shopping deals for your zodiac sign. You’re welcome.
Don’t forget to follow us on Pinterest for more daily inspiration and check out your full AstroStyle horoscope!
(h/t AstroStyle)
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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