If you’ve been following us these last few weeks, then you’ve probably heard about our first ever pop-up shop! Timed for holiday shopping season, Brit + Co SF is a new type of retail experience designed by all of us here at Brit + Co as a destination where you can both make and shop, all under one roof. The holiday installment of Brit + Co SF closed on December 20th, but we’ll be reopening for more winter wonders in January — stay tuned.
Michaels
Elmer’s, Forever21, Epson, and Lowe’s all helped to sponsor DIY stations, where folks could make stuff and take it home… for free! Now, a little bit more about each station.
: First up, we had to let it snow!
sent over a whole bunch of their awesome wooden snowflakes, and we set up a station for people to paint their own. Can’t wait to see some photos of these very snowflakes popping up on Instagram over the holidays.
: For a little style action, we partnered with
to create a “trick out your beanie” Make Station. There were tons of beanies, and we stocked up on studs, beads, rhinestones, felt letters, and other goodies for customizing your own. This station was inspired by our very own post on 5 ways to update your beanies (in 5 minutes or less).
: Next, we teamed up with
to make a totally tricked out DIY gift wrap station, perfect for wrapping gifts that you buy in the shop part of Brit + Co SF. Armed with all sorts of colorful gift wrap, yarn, ribbon, and, of course, washi tape, folks turned around some beautifully wrapped gifts.
: That’s right.
has really stepped it up in the label maker department. You can actually PRINT your own custom ribbon. How cool is that?!
: Who doesn’t love a unique gift tag? We provided wooden tags and the folks at
sent over paint pens and glitter glue galore! Naturally, I couldn’t resist making a glittery gift tag for my brand new puppy, Turkey! ;)
Paint Your Own Nutcracker: And finally, we teamed up with Lowe’s to create one more DIY station for visitors to make their very own nutcrackers. We loved seeing all the bright colors and unusual patterns people came up with.
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.
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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.
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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:
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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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