15 Unique Summer Date Ideas That Are Actually Fun

May. 10, 2019Discover, Entertainmentdate ideas, fun date ideas, SUMMER DATE IDEASSamantha Jaconi

When you’re on the serious search to meet ‘the one’, dating is an inevitable and huge part of the process. Dating is important throughout all stages of your relationship once you have found “the one”. Dating brings you closer to the one you are with and helps with the creation of memories that you will cherish forever. Dating should be fun and keep your relationship interesting, so it’s important to try new things.

In the early days of a relationship, everything is new so it’s extremely important to be yourself. You’ll only trick yourself into a bad relationship if you pretend to be something you are not. You want to be comfortable and should dress appropriately for the outing whether that means throwing on a cute dress or athleisure. It’s easy to be thrown off-course when you don’t feel like yourself because of an article of clothing that just isn’t you or doesn’t work with the planned activity.

15 Unique Date Ideas That Are Actually Fun

Most importantly, have fun, whether you’re seeing a movie, having dinner, or visiting a museum. Don’t stress or worry too much about whether or not they like you. This is your time and regardless of the activity you choose to do, be sure to enjoy it. The more relaxed you are, the better time you’ll have. Take advantage of the unknown and embrace it.

Dates needn’t always have to involve dinner and a movie.

Check out these outside-of-the-box ideas below, they might make you feel like you can’t wait to start dating.

1) Take in some local music

Check the listings to see which locals bands are playing and where. It may not be the best place for a quiet conversation, but it’s a good environment to test your comfort level around someone when talking isn’t an option.

2) Check out a karaoke bar

Karaoke can bring out the best or the worst in someone. It’s a chance to show off your singing skills or laugh all night at those who can’t hold a note. True personalities can be revealed with a night of karaoke.

3) Take a hike

Fresh air and exercise can only do a body good. Check out the wildlife and commune with nature. Many national parks have several different trails to suit your interests. If you have a dog, find out which trails allow them and add a furry dimension to the outing.

4) Go geocaching

Take your hike to the next level. Everyone loves a good scavenger hunt and geocaching will get you out of doors and into nature. Geocaching is great for all ages and adds an adventurous element to your hike.

5) Get locked in a room

Escape rooms are the biggest craze lately. There are so many types of these new puzzle rooms. You could be locked in a room with a Zombie, a crazy cat lady, or a space shuttle. You have to solve all the puzzles in the room to free yourself. This tests your skills and teamwork. It might help you find out how well you work together and how good a match you are.

6) Go rollerskating

You won’t believe how fun this is! The nostalgia around roller skating alone is enough to give it a try. Plus, it’s a great work out and will keep both of you laughing because unless one of you skates often, you’ll likely be falling — a lot).

7) Shooting range

If axes aren’t your thing, check out a shooting range. Experience what it feels like to hold a gun in your hand and to pull the trigger. Test your own comfort level in this environment.

8) Rent a canoe and have a picnic

Enjoy nature while slowly paddling down a river. Canoeing offers a different perspective on nature and is great exercise. Bring a lunch to enjoy while canoeing or pick a perfect location in advance and park the canoe while you picnic in a secluded patch of forest.

9) White-water rafting

Ready for some excitement. Hit the rapids with a trained guide to tell tall tales from the river. During the less rocky stretches of the voyage, you can see check out the flora and fauna. Caution: you will get wet so make sure you have a change of clothes.

10) Play a board game

You’d be surprised what you might learn from a friendly game of Scrabble, Apples to Apples or Bananagrams. Watch the competitive streak spring to life in both of you.

11) Visit a casino

If you are feeling lucky, try the slots or the tables. If you win, you may come away with a profit and a free date!

12) Take a yoga class

Yoga brings balance to your day. Why not share that with your significant other or a potential Mr. or Mrs. Right?

13) Take a glass-blowing class

Glass-blowing has been around since the 1st Century. Engage in one of the techniques that have been passed down over the years and create a unique piece of art. You could make a vase or ornament as a keepsake from your date.

14) Go on a food tour

Many towns offer unique food and wine tours where you can sample fare from several restaurants in one night. Try as many as you can and plan future dates to visit the places you liked best.

15) Take a cooking class

If you are afraid of small talk while you wait for your dinner to arrive, be the cook instead. Not only will you learn and share some culinary tips and tricks but you’ll work together to create a delicious meal.

Keep scrolling to shop 20 stunning cocktail dresses that are hiding on Amazon.

The Founders of theSkimm Launch Their First Book: ‘How to Skimm Your Life’

May. 6, 2019CareerCarly zakin, Danielle weisberg, girl smarter, HOW TO SKIMM YOUR LIFE, THE SKIMM BOOK, THESKIMM BOOK, THESKIMM BOOK READSSara LaTorre

Busy women are always looking for everyday life hacks. Current events, budgeting tips, and career advice are just a few of the topics that professional women seek help with, and theSkimm offers a perfect solution.

If you have heard of theSkimm, you are aware of the smart and straight-to-the-point news they offer via email. Most recently, they’ve grown their audience through a captivating yet short-and-sweet podcast called Skimm This.

It covers the days biggest stories, and why you should know about them. If you haven’t yet downloaded these, I recommend you do so now.

With the success of both outlets, this June, theSkimm launch their debut book: How To Skimm Your Life (Ballantine Books).

How to Skimm Your Life

In the same voice that “Skimm’rs“ (theSkimm‘s dedicated readers) know and love, the book breaks down some of the least desirable aspects of adulting. Think: investing, career development, global politics, renting or buying a home, and more.

Carly and Danielle hope that the tour and book will help their readers better get a grasp on big decisions in their lives: “Our goal with this book is to empower readers to take action on important decisions you make as an adult,” said Zakin and Weisberg . “We are so excited to travel the country, sharing our own experiences in the hopes that attendees walk away learning something they can apply in their own lives.”

Plus, to coincide with the book’s June 10 launch, theSkimm co-founders and CEOs, Carly Zakin and Danielle Weisberg, will head out on a national book tour, covering 10 cities across the country. The duo will also host “nights out,” ticketed conversations during which Carly and Danielle will share their own story of entrepreneurship and success, plus tips and tricks for everything from starting to invest, negotiating a better salary, how to get into the know and more.

So basically, you’re going to want this book, adulting is hard. How to Skimm Your Life is available June 11th. Time to pre-order.

Self-Care: How Eating the Right Foods Can Help Your Mental Health

May. 5, 2019Diet, Health, Wellnesshealthy mind healthy you, mental health awareness month, SELF CARE, SELF-CARE TIPS, Ways to Take Care of YourselfCarrie Gabriel

We’ve all been there; slammed with meetings and projects at work, with no time to eat. You grab a bag of potato chips from the vending machine or a gummy protein bar from the bottom of your purse. By the time you get home from work, you’re so exhausted from the day that cooking feels like too big of a task, so you order pizza or warm up that leftover Chinese takeout from yesterday. Did you know that what you eat can impact your mental health? In fact, eating the right foods can help your mental health.

We live in a country that is exactly known for its healthy eating habits. Instead, we’re in a society where quick, convenient, and — often — unhealthy options for dinner are everywhere. But did you know that every food we ingest has an effect on our mental health? And scarfing down that fast-food burger is doing nothing to help your overall health, especially if you struggle with issues like anxiety or depression.

Eating right is crucial for brain development. When we eat real, whole foods, those nutrients become fuel for our brains. And when our brains receive nutritious fuel, connections between brain cells get stronger.

Our immune system also benefits from healthy food since it fills your gut with good bacteria. Mental health is naturally easier to maintain when you’re not dealing with a nagging cold or the flu.

Even if those benefits don’t convince you to take a longer trip down the veggie aisle, it’s also important to note what non-nutritious foods can do to your body (and your brain). After all, we are what we eat, right?

Here are a few smart eating habits that will help you lead a healthier and happier life.

What to buy at the grocery market

Foods high in Omega-3 fatty acids—these foods help with inflammation reduction and promote healthy brain function.
Vitamin D supplements, to help steer away season effectiveness disorder and increase your reserve of serotonin.
Iron and potassium, which help with stress, anxiety, and sleep.
Zinc—for brain and nerve development

Foods with these vital nutrients

Fatty fish (salmon, trout, sardines, mackerel)
Eggs (including the yolk!)
Brazil nuts
Pumpkin seeds
Bananas

Foods you would find in a Mediterranean diet

Fish
Lean protein
Olive oil
Fruits/veggies like cucumbers, tomatoes, and leafy greens

Then there are foods that aren’t as helpful to your brain. While it’s important to maintain balance and not completely cut out certain foods, especially if a restrictive diet would be stressful for you, you should also be mindful of not overdoing it with certain foods. For example, too much caffeine can cause more anxiety, and too much alcohol acts as a depressant to your system.

Foods to limit yourself on:

Packaged & processed foods (especially with long ingredient lists)
Fried foods
Caffeine
Alcohol
Refined sugar

So the next time you find your hand reaching for the ice-cream late night, just think twice and try the below type of foods instead and you’ll see the difference.

Every Question You Need to Ask Your Financial Advisor

May. 2, 2019Budgeting, Debt, Freelancing, Investing, Money, Saving, Saving for Retirement, TaxesAre you a fiduciary?, Ellevest, finance, financial questions, HOW TO SAVE MONEY, investment advisor, personal finance, power of habit, SAVING FOR RETIREMENT, SAVING MONEY, What Goes Into Your Goals, your goalsSara LaTorre

Ready for early retirement of sipping Aperol Spritz in Positano all day, every day? First, you need to save and invest in it.

When it comes to personal finance, we have a lot of Qs. And our friends at Ellevest have a lot of answers. Ellevest financial advisor Rachel Sanborn answers some of the biggest questions from our community to help us all get on track to create smart financial habits.

Here are 7 big questions to ask your financial advisor.

1. Are you a fiduciary?

Standards are a good thing to have. And a fiduciary is a person who acts on behalf of another person, or persons to manage their money. … Money managers, financial advisors, bankers, accountants, executors, board members, and corporate officers can all be considered fiduciaries. But, unfortunately, the financial industry doesn’t always follow the same standards when it comes to providing investment advice to clients. That said, you should always ask any financial advisor your interviewing, “Are you a fiduciary?”

Fiduciaries like Ellevest have a duty to put your needs first. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. Non-fiduciaries need only to recommend products that are “suitable” — even if they’re not the lowest-cost or most ideal for you. That’s why you want to know about the fiduciary rule and ask any potential advisors if they follow that standard.

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2. What’s your investment philosophy?

“Just like a romantic relationship, it’s important to ensure you and your financial advisor have the same investment philosophy. Here’s why: You have to believe in what they’re doing to stick with it. For example, at Ellevest, they have a goal-based investment philosophy — IOW, they’re all about getting you to your goals…because in their view, that’s all that matters. So with them, you’ll hear the term “goals-based investing.”

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3. What should I do with my cash?

While this question sounds obvious, it’s important to get to the bottom of it from the start.

It’s essential to figure out how much money you should have saved for emergencies, and how much you should start investing. Women tend to hold so much of their assets in cash — 71%, while men hold only 60%. And when you leave your savings in cash, you may miss out on market gains that could be earned over time, and even worse — inflation actually lessens your purchasing power.

So, you have to start talking. And it’s not all that bad. Here’s a scenario: say you have been setting aside your bonuses at work to save for a house. But you’re not quite ready to buy the house, and you don’t know what to do with that cash until you are. That’s where a financial planner comes in. A financial advisor can look at the numbers and your goals and say, “You’ve got 12 months’ worth of expenses in cash.

Let’s keep 3-6 months of your salary in cash, and consider investing the rest toward goals like starting a family, retirement or that new home.

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4. How do I know if I’m on track for retirement?

Retirement is one of those financial goals that everyone has. Your financial planner understands this very well. This question will open up an important conversation about how much money you will need to retire the way you want, and how you will get there (along with meeting your other financial goals).

So a financial advisor could go through an exercise in which a client will imagine her future self. For when you want to make the most of that paycheck…Invest it. And if you’re not sure where to start, you can sign up with a digital investment platform. Ellevest is one way to do it. You can get a personalized portfolio in under 10 min. And it’s made by women, for women, with portfolios that allow you to invest in companies that support women (if you choose).

In just 10 minutes, they can help you figure out how much you should be saving now so you can sit back, relax, and go OOO for good. Try it here.*

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5. Should I focus on paying down my non-revolving debt (student loan, car loan, mortgage, etc) before investing (beyond my 401(k))? How and when should I start paying off my student loan debt?

There’s a different answer for everyone. It can depend on the kind of debt: There’s good debt and bad debt.

So, the best place to start is to look at the type of debt and the associated interest rates. Paying off debt with higher interest rates and payments that are not tax-deductible, such as credit cards and auto loans (and anything with interest rates over 10%), should be prioritized first. For debt with lower interest rates and/or payments that are tax-deductible, such as student loans or mortgages, you can consider paying the minimum and investing the difference. Overall, the best strategy will depend on your personal situation.

A good financial advisor will look at the current interest rate on the debt vs. long-term investing rates of return (historically 5-10% on average, depending on the mix of stocks and bonds), as well any tax implications.

It can often be more than just financial math, though; it’s really part psychology, too. If the debt is weighing heavily on you and the interest rate on it is pretty close to potential investment rates of return, you should prioritize paying it off first.

Remember: It’s all about YOU.

It’s your financial goals. Your future. People always say that they don’t want to turn financial planning sessions into counseling sessions, but you can’t separate money from emotion.

Looking for a financial planner? Ellevest’s team of Certified Financial Planners can help. The platform aims to serve women’s needs better than any other existing system by using algorithms tailored to your salary, gender, and lifespan (aka your real life).

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6. How should I manage old 401(k) plans (from prior jobs), when should one roll them over or start an IRA? Is there an easy way to find any and all accounts we have?

When it comes to managing old employer-sponsored plans, the best approach will depend on your personal situation. Leaving your 401(k) invested “as-is” is an option, but there are several other benefits to rolling over your 401(k) into an IRA.

Before we get into it, it’s important to keep in mind that having all of your accounts in one place can be an effective way to ensure you are staying on top of your financial goals. That said, if you have other retirement savings or accounts elsewhere, it’s probably a good idea to consider rolling your 401(k) over into an IRA with your chosen provider. Second, in addition to allowing you to see your entire retirement savings picture in one place, rolling over into an IRA can provide other important benefits.

Benefits include keeping your retirement savings in a tax-advantaged account, and providing more flexibility to select from a wider range of investments than most employer-sponsored plans typically offer.

If a rollover is right for you, the best time to initiate it will depend on your unique circumstances and priorities. However, in order to take advantage of these key benefits, you may want to explore this option sooner rather than later.

When it comes to locating any and all accounts from old employer-sponsored plans, it’s more straightforward than you think. Because companies are required to mail any abandoned funds to the account owner’s last known address and turn over any unclaimed funds to the state, this process has become a lot easier. Using online resources, like those provided by the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators, is a good place to start. Robo-advisors like Ellevest, Betterment and Wealthfront can also help you track down all your old plans and roll them over.

The Bottom Line: Get invested now. If you have a 401(k) or multiple 401(k) plans or IRA just sitting there, and you want to get it to a place where you can track it, how about starting now? Ellevest can help.

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7. What’s the difference between financial planners and financial advisors, and at what stage of life should I talk to one?

Put simply, a financial advisor refers to anyone who helps clients manage their money. It can be thought of as an umbrella term that includes different types of financial advisors, such as financial planners.

The decision to use a financial advisor, and finding the advisor that is right for you, is highly personal and depends on your unique needs, preferences, and behaviors. Robo-advisors are great for those new to investing.

When looking for a financial advisor, it’s important to find someone you can trust. Although trust is built over time, there are a few things you can look for to help you determine if you’ll be able to establish trust with an advisor. A good place to start is by determining whether the advisor is a fiduciary (go back to Q1), which means they are required to put your best interests first. Understanding the fee structure of the advisor is also key in determining that there are no conflicts of interest. From there, you can then ask questions to determine whether the advisor’s investment philosophy aligns with your unique needs and long-term goals.

8. When Should I Start Saving for Retirement?

It’s important to know that the earlier you start saving for retirement, the less you’ll have to save in the future, so it’s important to start as soon as possible. So, start with your first paycheck. What if I haven’t started saving? Start right now. It’s not too late to begin to invest. A dollar invested in your 20s is worth much more than your 40s, which is worth much more than your 60s. It’s never too early and it’s never too late.
It’s never too early and it’s never too late.

9. What resources are available for those of us who aren’t ready to talk to an advisor or planner?

Lucky for us, there are now many different resources that can be used to better understand your personal finances and investing. A good place to start is on the Ellevest website, which provides investing information for individuals at all stages of the investing journey.

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Here are more personal finance topics for you…

The One Money-Habit All Wildly Successful Women Share

The Personal Finance Tips Everyone In Their 20s Should Follow

3 Reasons Why You Need a Roth IRA- Even If You Have a 401(k)

Questions? We’re here to help. Leave us a comment and we’ll get back to you!

Bucket Hats Are Back‒Here’s How to Wear Them and 15 to Shop

Apr. 26, 2019Accessories, Trends90s fashion trends, 90s trend, bucket hats, hat trends, how to wear bucket hatsSanchita Sivaraman

There are few moments in popular culture that really define the bucket hat. For some of us, memories of Blossom going on her first date come up. For others, we associate the floppy hats with 90s rappers and hip-hop icons. But as with chokers, kitten heels and tiny sunglasses, the bucket hat trend is having a major comeback moment, and we’re here for it.

The earliest sign of the bucket hat’s comeback was at Craig Green’s SS14 runway. A few seasons later, Burberry and Lanvin started getting on the trend, offering their own versions of the polarizing hat style. It’s not a huge surprise. We were, after all, in the thick of a major 90’s resurgence.

Still, we’ll be the first to admit that bucket hats aren’t exactly the easiest trend to pull of. It’s one of those love them or hate them trends with little room for leeway. On the one hand, they can look seriously sophisticated. On the other hand, they can look fantastically uncool. However, with numerous iterations, we’re convinced that it’s easier than ever to find a look that works for your wardrobe.

Ranging between luxe fabrics and bold prints, bucket hats might just be the most versatile add-on to any outfit. Those that embraced the season’s must-have item are teaming it with everything and anything from swimwear to tailored suits. And while we don’t know how long bucket hats will dominate the fashion circuits this time, we do know that the trend is proving to be more than a pure nostalgic remnant.

So, no matter what your personal style might be, we rounded up some of our favorite bucket hats that you can wear year round.

Straw

Bucket Hats Are Back‒Here's How to Wear Them and 15 to Shop

Straw bucket hats are begging to be worn this summer. Wear this style with an oversized t-shirt dress to get you from the beach to brunch.

Melesh Summer Beach Hat 19.99

SHOP

Epoch Linen Cloche Hat 13.90

SHOP

Floral

It’s hard to go wrong with floral prints, particularly when it comes to bucket hats. Pair one with your favorite maxi dress and a bomber jacket for a dynamic, feminine look.

Tulip Bucket Hat Flower Bucket Hat Women Hat Heart Fisherman Hat Sun Hat for Outing Picnic Travel ($10.99)

SHOP

KBETHOS Floral Print Bucket Hat 14.99

SHOP

Metallic

If Rihanna thinks metallic bucket hats are cool, then metallic bucket hats are cool. Take a style cue from the Grammy-award winning artist and wear the metallic bucket hat with a simple slip dress.

Surkat Foldable Bucket Hat 18.99

SHOP

Surkat Foldable Bucket Hat 18.99

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PVC

Perhaps a more daring sartorial choice, the PVC bucket hat is a surefire way to make a statement. The PVC will pretty much go with anything you choose to wear, elevating all your favorite basic pieces.

BOWINUS Rain Hat 32.49

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JUIOKK Transparent Bucket Hat 13.39

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Denim

Too much denim is never a bad option. We love this bucket hat paired with denim jeans and a denim jacket.

Etncy Life Bucket Sun Hat 14.99

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Cameo Pigment Dyed Bucket Hat 7.85

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Camo

Camo prints look seamless on the bucket hat’s sporty silhouette. Wear one with a denim shirt for a casual daytime look.

THE HAT DEPOT Travel Bucket Hat 9.99

SHOP

GLORYFIRE Sports Hunting Cap 15.90

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Leather

Leather materials give the bucket hat a luxury reboot. Pair it with a strappy dress and some ankle boots for an instant dose of cool.

ZLYC Fashion Bucket Hat 14.99

SHOP

TopHeadwear Faux Leather Bucket Hat 12.99

SHOP

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5 Simple Steps: How to Start Budgeting for the First Time

Apr. 25, 2019Budgeting, Debt, Money50/30/20, basics for investing, bossbabe, Budget, Career Success, how to be a successful women, how to budget, power of habitSara LaTorre

In theory, budgeting money seems like a no-brainer: You organize your expenses so that you can know what to spend where what to save, and what to invest for future you.

Why wouldn’t you do it?

Unfortunately, the reality of everyday life means that the majority of women put off budgeting.

We get it. It’s not fun. And worse, it’s confusing.

If you’re new to budgeting, we’ve done the hard part for you. We asked Sallie Krawcheck, co-founder and CEO of Ellevest, a digital financial advisory for women, to explain how it works, and how you can put it into practice.

No more excuses — Here’s how to create a budget you can stick to.

Step 1: Calculate Your Net Monthly Income

Sometimes, a starting point can really come in handy. Think back to fun runs in school. Or the instruction manual on a new kettle…kind of. Or when it comes to figuring out how much money you’ll need to buy a home in a few years. Or launch your startup. Or retire in the best way possible. The average American spends nearly $1,000 on holiday shopping. For most people, that’s a big chunk — if not all — of what’s left over after you pay your monthly bills. That means, you need to know what you make so you can know what you can afford to spend.

No matter what strategy you are using, calculating your net monthly income is going to be your starting point… your first step. Your net monthly income is the amount of money you are paid after taxes, health insurance, and employer-based contributions to a 401(k) is taken out. It’s important to know how much your monthly take-home pay is. If need be, look back at pay stubs. If you are married and have shared finances with your partner, this is a good time to calculate the net pay between both of you.

Keep in mind that if you are paid bi-weekly, you get 26 paychecks a year rather than 24, so you will have slightly more than 2 paychecks for each month.

To calculate the exact amount, take the two extra paychecks together and divide the sum by 12 months. Then add this to your 2-paycheck-a-month calculation. For example, if you are paid $1,500 every two weeks, that is $3,000 for four weeks. You would take the extra 2 paychecks for the year ($3000) and divide that by 12 ($250). In this instance, your net monthly pay would be $3250.

In a planning mood? See how an investment plan could help you manage your finances. Ellevest is one way to do it. You can get a personalized portfolio in under 10 min. And it’s made by women, for women .

Ellevest is an easy online investing tool using algorithms tailored to your salary, gender, and lifespan (aka your real life).

Get started in minutes with $0 minimum.

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Step 2: Calculate Your Fixed Spending

Now that you know exactly how much you are earning, you can calculate your fixed spending (or the amount that is often the same month to month). Rent (or mortgage), car payments, car insurance, groceries, gas, student loan payments, property taxes, etc. fall into this category. The easy part about this is that these expenses are mostly fixed.

For those of you who swear you’re going to start saving one day… how about starting today? The Digit app analyzes your paycheck and spending habits and automatically sets aside the perfect amount every day, based on what you can afford. Genius

Step 3: Estimate Your Discretionary Spending

Now that the essential spending is out of the way, you can budget your discretionary spending. This is your “wants” spending. Basically, this is anything you spend money on that isn’t a basic necessity. Here you should spend about 30% of your net income.

In our example, $3,250 calculates to about $975 a month of “fun” spending. This will not be as easy to budget as each category changes from month to month, but that is totally okay. Just keep track of your spending, and know that if you plan to buy a new pair of boots for the winter one month, you may not be able to head to happy hour quite as many times.

Step 4: Track Your Money Habits

The key here is to use a money tracking method that you’re most comfortable with—an online website, a spreadsheet, pen, and paper, or an app. We don’t think there’s a perfect budgeting app out there. But a lot of people love the online money management company, Mint. It’ll help you categorize all your expenses, track your financial goals, and give you a heads up when you’re about to overspend. Use it every all the time—fill it out so you know where you stand.

Getting out of high-interest debt from credit cards is typically the goal to tackle first, especially credit card debt, followed by building an emergency fund.

Next, look at other lower-interest debt, such as student loans, and see how you can make it more affordable. Refinancing can make these loans more manageable by reducing the amount of interest you pay. LendKey can connect you with low-interest loans from a network of community leaders. Apply and Save.

Once you’ve got your finances (including your emergency fund and plan to pay off your debt) under control, the next step is…

Step 5: Start Investing in Your Life Goals

Taking control of your financial life is all about progress, not perfection. So, now that you’ve spent about 80% of your income, you should have about 20% to work with. This is where you can save and invest money to work toward financial goals. Your “life goals” are things like launching that business, buying the house on your vision board, or just building up your personal wealth. (We happen to love that one.)

Some of the worst financial advice Krawcheck says she’s ever is that it’s okay to put off saving for retirement — and other life goals — until she’s older and would earn more.

“Wrong. Wrong. Wrong,” says Krawhckeck. “Instead, you should aim to save 20% of your salary from your very first paycheck. This may sound like a lot — particularly because so many people save nothing. But years of research shows that people who save at this level are much better equipped to ride the ups and downs of the economy — and life — than others. If you can’t save 20%, how about 15%, 10%, or 5%? Start at 5% and gradually increase it. It doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing to have an impact.

The reason you should start saving for retirement today (really yesterday), is because of the power of compound interest, explained here. Compound interest allows any interest earned to then accrue interest on itself, so over time a small amount of money invested earlier will earn more than a large amount of money invested later.

Here’s an example of compounding:

Say you invest $100 today and earn 10% on it in the coming year; that’s $10, which means you then have $110. If you earn that same 10% return the next year, you earn it on the $110. So you earn $11, not $10. Do it again, and the same 10% return earns you $12. And so on and so on. And over time, it adds up to… a lot. And well, outstrips any benefit of “waiting to invest.” That’s why it’s so much easier to end up a millionaire if you start putting away cash in your 20s.

So, start with your first paycheck. And what if you haven’t started saving yet? Start right now. It’s not too late to begin to invest. A dollar invested in your 20s is worth much more than your 40s, which is worth much more than your 60s. It’s never too early and it’s never too late.

Great news: You’re done! Now that you’ve categorized expenses and started to create your financial goals, you should have a core budget to put into place. Now, ask yourself that question again: How confident do you feel about your financial future? After these five steps, you might find you have a very different response.

Ready to start investing? Get started investing in minutes with Ellevest, a company designed by women, for women with no minimum to start.

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⇒ Get Started Investing With Ellevest

Ready to find out how much you’re spending (and saving)? Save the budget graphic below as a reminder.

For when you don’t have a retirement fund…

Don’t sound the alarm – yet.  Ellevest can get you set up in less than 10 minutes so you can reach all of your money goals. Sans judgment, finance jargon, and trust issues. Crisis averted. Get into it  here.*

In search of even more financial wisdom, here are more personal finance topics for you:

The One Money-Habit All Wildly Successful Women Share

The Personal Finance Tips Everyone In Their 20s Should Follow

3 Reasons Why You Need a Roth IRA- Even If You Have a 401(k)

Disclosures: We’re excited to be working with Ellevest to start this conversation about women and money. We receive compensation if you become an Ellevest client.

Questions? We’re here to help. Leave us a comment and we’ll get back to you!

Why Every Working Woman Should Invest

Apr. 21, 2019Moneychecklist for investing, how to start investing, Invest like a woman, investing basics, why we invest, why women should invest, Working WomenTiffany Tay

Millennials sometimes don’t get proper credit for many things – our fluidity with technology, our natural instinct to marry environmental ethics with business, and so much can be said about our progress for women’s rights. However, one area that needs drastic improvement is our investment habit: 85% of Millennial women do not invest, and it is imperative that we change this around right away.

This is why every working woman should invest

“Investing is one of the most important things you can do for yourself. It can build your wealth….not by a little, but by enough to make a real difference in your life.” Sally Krawcheck, CEO and founder of Ellevest, drives this concept home with serious facts. Despite all the advances we have made in the workplaces, we still lag behind our male counterparts when it comes to retirement and money. On average, men’s retirement account balances are more than 50 percent higher than women’s and this is further compounded by the fact that we tend to live an estimated five to six years longer than men. This means we not only earn less, we also need those assets last longer . Given these statistics, it’s critical that we ask not only why this gender retirement gap exists, but also what we can do about it. Krawcheck concludes with the fact that “we’re doing most of the hard work around money (you know, going to work every day, turning in that amazing design, landing the difficult-to-close client, beating our sales projections)….but we’re only getting about half the reward. And so we’re depriving ourselves of the ability to take on more risks in our career if we don’t have a financial cushion built up.”

How did we get here?

54% of women in the workforce do not have a retirement plan. To make facts even more stark, within the 46 percent of women in the workforce who do have a retirement plan, many do not have enough saved. Thinking back to the patriarchal structure of how money used to operate, it’s not difficult to understand why. Couching simple concepts into deceptively complex strategies such as “outperforming markets” and restrictive “asset minimums” have made investing seem out of reach for many.

But Ellevest and their team of specialists are there to make sure you’re setting Future You up for success. They are here to prove that no one can predict when investments will go up and down and very few can outperform the market consistently (on average, the market has returned 9.5% annually since 1928 so you don’t need to “beat the market” with the “perfect” stocks to get a return on your investment. You also don’t need a large sum of money to start – it’s all about taking what you have now and making it into a habit that will continue to grow throughout the years. It’s all about the long game.

How to know when you’re ready for an investment account (your 3-step checklist)

You don’t have any credit card debt. This is important because this means that you are able to support your current lifestyle, minus extenuating debt such as student loans, car loans, or mortgages. If you’re able to pay off your credit card every month, then you can start building your investment plan.

You have a six-month emergency fund. Investing is the most beneficial when it’s a long-term venture, meaning you need to be able to leave that money in your account for many years. The money you put in will go up and down with time, and you will need to be able to wait it out to watch it grow. So while you’re waiting, make sure you have an emergency fund to cover all those unanticipated life costs.

You have to be maxing out your retirement contributions and be on track to replace at least 70% of your income at retirement. Three important reasons why: First, so you get the maximum tax advantage when you do retire. Secondly, so you save as much as you can for retirement every year, and lastly, so you are confident that your retirement savings are on track to give you a “comfortable and content” retirement.

Once you meet all these requirements, you can open your own investment accounts. Still have a little cold feet? Check out our Investing 101 guide to get more details on how investing works. Then, head over to our checklist that will give you the steps to opening an investment account.

Now what?

Pop open that bottle that you’ve been saving to celebrate your first steps to meeting your financial goals!

Get your complimentary financial plan from Ellevest today — you literally have nothing to lose.

How to Increase Your Chances of a Long, Healthy (and Wealthy!) Life

Apr. 19, 2019Health, Investing, Money, Saving, Saving for Retirement, Wellnesshow to get good health, how to have a happier life, how to have a healthy life, how to have it all, how to start investingSamantha Jaconi

Are you a yogi? Runner? Die-hard Soul Cycler, right?

Women today are healthier than ever. We know what’s best for our bodies — we know what foods we should eat and how many hours of sleep we require. And we (mostly) manage to do it. But health isn’t just about staving off the flu or getting rid of a few extra pounds — a healthy lifestyle helps us live longer, too.

Here’s the key question: If you’re taking action to live a longer, healthier life, but you’re not getting yourself financially prepared for that long life, what’s the point? If you’re preparing to live both long and well, you need to manage your money for the long-term — a.k.a. investing.

I know, I hear you: investing is kind of risky, right?

Sure, investing involves some risk. But isn’t it riskier not to invest?

When you leave your cash in a savings account, you may miss out on market gains that could be earned over time. And as an added risk: inflation will lessen your purchasing power over time. The $25,000 you saved today for retirement will likely be worth considerably less in 20 years if it’s not properly invested. Let’s say you’ve worked hard and now earn an $85,000 salary per year, and you’re saving 20% of your income in a plain old bank account. Ellevest, a digital financial advisory for women, estimates you will lose out on $1.1 million or more over the next 40 years.

If, instead, you invest that same 20% of your annual salary into a diversified investment portfolio, you have a very high probability of retiring well. Sure, there will be market fluctuations, but you may actually benefit from living longer because of the compounding returns on your investments.

One Golden Rule for a Longer, Healthier, Wealthier Life3

Why Wellness and Wealth Go Together

There are lots of reasons why people get sick. Maybe their bodies are buckling under stress. Maybe they don’t have time for exercise or to see a doctor. Maybe they weren’t blessed with great genes. But one possible reason for poor health, which is often overlooked, is a low net worth.

We know money can’t buy happiness. Nor can it buy love, world peace or immortality. Sure, having money is great, but it isn’t the solution to every problem. What we do know, though, is that it does a decent job keeping people healthy.

There is an undeniable connection between health and wealth, and it isn’t just about having access to the best doctors. Even in nations that have universal healthcare, such as in England, the highest socioeconomic classes fare better, health-wise than the lowest socioeconomic classes. There could be any number of reasons for the discrepancy: The top socioeconomic classes may live in cleaner environments, keep more nutritious diets, have time for exercise and/or preventive medical care, and access to better schools — all of which could contribute to longer, healthier lives. And of course, another possible reason for the health gap: Financial stress.

Not only does money play a key role in where we live, the type of work we pursue, or who we marry — it can also determine how long we live or how well we live. Since women have often historically existed as financial dependents, it’s a particularly worrisome matter for us. It’s difficult to take control of your health if you don’t have control of your wealth.

One Thing You Need To Be Wealthy (Hint: It’s not rich parents.)

When you think about it physical and financial health do their own sort of compounding — when one gets better, so does the other—so why not maximize both?

In some ways, maintaining health and wealth requires a similar skill set. You need to be disciplined to stay both healthy and wealthy. Preventive medical care is expensive and inconvenient. But it’s also necessary to maintain your health. You need to know, for example, if your iron levels are low and if so, what to do about it. And you will probably want to have that suspicious mole examined or removed before it turns into melanoma. One day, our healthcare may be streamlined through artificial intelligence, but until then, we need to do our part.

Similarly, financial discipline rarely comes easily or naturally, especially when the cards are stacked against you. Some of the old rules of personal finance seem laughable in this economic environment. Conventional wisdom used to hold that college grads should only spend 30% of their salary on rent. It’s hard to imagine any major city (with real job growth) where recent grads won’t spend 50% of their salaries on rent. Still, financial discipline isn’t just about buying pinching pennies. In order to grow your wealth today, you can’t just adhere to a budget— you have to make every saved dollar work for you.

Today, fewer women are getting married or having children. And although they are outpacing men in higher education, they still get paid less and, on average, live longer than men. That means women have to get over their reluctance to take financial risks and educate themselves about investing. It’s no longer a nicety, it’s a necessity.

The Importance of Investing for Women

That’s one reason why I want to confront the issue of financial empowerment head-on in Style Salute. American women have successfully avoided candid discussions about money for decades. We go into great detail about our childbirth experiences or a great date, but credit card debt? That’s a topic that probably doesn’t come up a lot, even between the closest of girlfriends. Still, nothing will change if we don’t talk about money openly.

When we think about financial empowerment, we’re not just talking about being able to afford the trip to Tulum — no judgment if that’s your goal — more importantly, we’re talking about taking control of every facet of our lives. Because although money buys you freedom and leisure, it also helps determine your health. The first step to feeling better is to eliminate financial insecurity — that means we need to start investing now and take a more active role in managing and planning our finances.

The Bottom Line:

Although there are risks that come with investing your money, there is also the potential for rewards — namely, helping you grow your money so you can meet your financial goals faster than if you had, say, put your money away in a basic savings account. So start today, even if you put away 2% of your income into a 401(k) or an IRA. Your future self will thank you.

For when you don’t have a retirement fund…

Don’t sound the alarm – yet.  Ellevest can get you set up in less than 10 minutes so you can reach all of your money goals. Sans judgment, finance jargon, and trust issues. Crisis averted. Get into it  here.*

Click here to create your free Investment Plan from Ellevest — PHOTO: Ellevest

Want more? Here are a few more personal finance pieces:

How to Divvy Up Your Paycheck for Financial Success: The 50/30/20 Rule

The Personal Finance Tips Everyone In Their 20s Should Follow

3 Reasons Why You Need a Roth IRA- Even If You Have a 401(k)

Disclosures: We’re excited to be working with Ellevest to start this conversation about women and money. We receive compensation if you become an Ellevest client.

Questions? We’re here to help. Leave us a comment and we’ll get back to you!

A Subscription Box That Empowers Women

Apr. 14, 2019Career, Career GrowthDanielle Levine, empowering quotes, empowering stories, make it, make it mondays, spirituDanielle Levine

When I set out to start my own company, I wanted to create a platform that wasn’t just about great products, but also elevated the voices of women across communities. So, I used those principles to create the fabric on which Spiritú is built, and I firmly believe that a great brand can and should do both.

In today’s world of ultra-connectivity, consumers are deeply immersed in a digital world of e-commerce and content. Products, brands, subscription boxes, memes, new Instagram accounts to follow – they’re everywhere! Spiritú occupies a space that I hope cuts through some of that noise and resonates on a more meaningful level.

Spiritú is a platform for women to shop, connect, and be inspired.

We curate a seasonal subscription box that beautifully reflects that mission – it gives our members access to beauty and lifestyle products from the best brands in the world (Clinique, Michael Kors, Bobbi Brown, Dove – to name a few), and also features products and stories from Latina entrepreneurs, creators, and artisans from Latin America.

I believe that women should give themselves permission to feel good about treating themselves to a box of great products, especially when there is a purpose and a greater narrative behind that product exploration.

Beyond the Box, we use our digital ecosystem to elevate the voices of women across communities. Their words help us create a quilt of stories that are both diverse and cross-cultural, and that also emphasize the commonalities we all share as women. We use our e-commerce shop to foster the entrepreneurial spirit and help women bring brands and products to life. Endemic in everything we do is a commitment to give back to Latina entrepreneurs, creators, and community organizations

We launched in September 2018 and have already experienced the power of how great products and inspiring stories can together be empowering. We’ve created this awesome place that feels like a shared community for all women – both online and off. We’re continuing to change the conversation about the intersection between products and stories, and in doing so, have felt an incredible sense of purpose.

You can learn more about Spiritú at www.myspiritu.com and can follow them on Instagram at @myspiritu, Facebook at www.facebook.com/myspiritu, and Twitter @myspiritu.

Next up, 50 empowering quotes from female leaders.

Danielle Levine is the CEO and Co-Founder of Spiritú. She received her BA with honors and distinction from Stanford University her JD from UC Hastings College of the Law. Prior to co-founding Spiritú, Danielle was the Director of Business Development at FabFitFun. Prior to FabFitFun, Danielle was an attorney at an international law firm, where she specialized in employment, intellectual property, and general business litigation. She also worked in online advertising at Google and has developed and taught courses at Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising.

The Secret to Always Looking Put-Together? Haverdash, An Affordable Subscription Service

Apr. 10, 2019Accessories, Ask a stylist, Athleisure, Celebrity Style, Denim, Trendsclothing subscription service, haverdash, rent the runway, rental clothingSanchita Sivaraman

I wish I were joking when I say I wake up well before the time I need to leave for work so that I can accommodate the 45 minutes it takes for me to choose an outfit. I’ve been trying to get better at organizing my closet, so I’m not in such a scuffle each day.

And so, cue Haverdash, an online subscription service for clothes that costs only $59 a month. Using Haverdash is easy. Log in with your email address, browse the wide range of styles, and pick three outfits that will be delivered to your door. You can wear the clothes as often as you’d like before returning them in a pre-paid bag. Haverdash offers free shipping and unlimited rotations, giving you plenty of bang for your buck.

When it comes to my work wardrobe, Haverdash is a lifesaver. I’m able to plan my outfits better and knowing that I can exchange styles whenever I want makes my mornings that much more stress-free. The truth is, you only need a few solid pieces to curate an office-appropriate look. With Haverdash, I’ve discovered the perfect items for a chic, but more importantly, functional work wardrobe.

Keep reading to discover some of my favorite Haverdash pieces, perfect for successfully taking your look from desk to dinner.