Your Love and Money Horoscope for January

Last year, you were in a panic. How were you supposed to keep your career on an upward trajectory when the world was in an upheaval? You knew it wasn’t your fault but man, you were hard on yourself. Where was your big idea, your inspiration for that “side hustle” that everyone around you seemed to have? Stop looking at other people and all they seem to accomplish because believe us, what they’re posting on social media isn’t the whole story. The good news is that professional inspiration, and maybe, an extra infusion of cash could come your way at the end of the month. You and your partner have been so work-focused that maybe, you’re forgetting to take time to appreciate each other. If you have a Money Date this month, be sure to put saving for fun things to do together, like a weekend getaway or even a night where you light some candles and make some mood lighting, on the agenda. Work may sustain you in the short term but your relationship is more important.

You're at home in your home. So why is being in such close quarters with the person you love so dang difficult? There’s only so much nesting (or working from home) you can do before you’re like, enough already, more space please. Your conversations about money may be fraught this month so approach with kindness or tempers may flare. On the positive side, all that time buried in your work laptop may finally start to yield positive results. Don’t be afraid to show off all your great work and make a case for that promotion or a bump in salary. But be clear with your boss, don’t depend on them knowing exactly what you want. This is especially important if you’re scheduling the The Big Talk at the end of the month. Show the data and make cogent arguments so you can make your case with confidence. Make a list and check it twice before you take the leap. (Psst, this is also good advice for tough relationship talks!)

You’ve got a good thing going at home. So why is your heart wandering? Something about the status quo, just feels, blah. It’s okay to let your imagination run wild, you’re only human. Rather than punish yourself for not being happy with the way things are, let that spirit move you forward. There’s nothing wrong with being restless. Getting out of the house and (safely) connecting with faraway friends is a good thing! Speaking of restless, you may have had too much fun spending money over the holidays. Making sure your family and friends felt loved and got the kind of presents they deserved, all of that may have taken a toll on your credit card. You can own up to it and start to make a plan to pay it off without beating yourself up. Think about a budget that feels more like a gateway to good things rather than a miserable homework assignment. Do your best to get on top of whatever bills are weighing you down while keeping adventure in mind. You can do both!

Love-wise, last year was a rough one. But wait! Suddenly, you’re looking at your partner with new eyes. There’s a reason you guys teamed up in the first place. It’s time to let that energy fuel some real conversations about what went sideways and how to get back on track. Your Money Date is key this month since you’re committing to get your joint accounts and finances and goals on the same page. If you’re been putting off taking advantage of your work 401K (get that employer match!) or taking a scary financial life step, like making a will or taking on new responsibilities at work, just do it! By the end of the month, you’ll feel so much better for having cleared the air and crossed a whole bunch of stressful things off your to-do list.

You’re hot and then you’re not. One day, you’re madly in love and the next, you’re filled with doubt. It can be exhausting but maybe your emotions are telling you something. Maybe there’s something that’s making you feel unsure about your relationship. Now is the time to face it, no matter how hard it is. When it comes to personal finance, we get it, budgeting is for other people, not you. Can you challenge yourself to get into the habit of tracking your finances or checking in with how your investments are growing? If you’ve been dutifully socking money into your 401K, take more of an interest! You don’t have to be a genius with money to take a more active role. We get it, you’d rather be enjoying life than thinking about your savings but by the end of the month, you’ll be surprised with how much you have going for you.

There’s nothing wrong with putting yourself first, whether it’s choosing what you want for dinner or asking for what you want in the bedroom. Either way, you’ve got a fire in your belly and you should feel free to be the master (or mistress) of your domain. Frankly, your partner may be into having a more decisive person in the house, as long as you’re willing to listen and hear things that you may not want to hear. Work, work, work, will it ever stop? Sometimes it feels like you’re on a treadmill, getting from payday to payday, nothing never any changes. Instead of letting the boredom drive you crazy, consider taking stock of your career. Have a friend look at your LinkedIn for you and tell you all the things you’re not seeing. Maybe you’re underpaid, maybe you haven’t been asking for enough, maybe a change will do you good. Just be careful and methodical, don’t let your emotions guide your professional judgement.

You’re an incurable romantic, you’ve always got love on the brain. Express yourself, shower the people you love with love, show them the way that you feel. Libras never need permission to have fun but there’s something about these troubled times that makes desire feel, well decadent. Put those fears aside and let yourself feel a little joy, for goodness sake. And of course, joy is where you find it, whether it’s a socially distant coffee date or luxurious times under your soft comforter. If you used the pandemic as an excuse to space out on paying your bills and debt or deal with a burning money issue, be brave and face it, even though you’d rather be at the dentist. If you feel bad about not knowing how to start tackling a financial issue, stop worrying about being perfect and ask someone you trust how they did it. You’re a social person so use your abilities to reach out to that friend who knows how to save and invest and keep debt at bay.

It seems like everyone always wants something from you. And you’re okay with it! Most of the time. But all this taking and taking is sucking the life out of you. It’s your first instinct to just deal with it. Here’s the thing, no one wants to be there when a Scorpio loses it and explodes. Stop sulking and speak your mind and frankly, if no one is listening, it’s time for a longer talk. You’ve also been giving a lot of yourself to your work… but this may be a good thing? Keep on using your energy to manifest some positivity because there may be something good coming your way this month. Take this as an opportunity to take the lead for your next Money Date. Your partner may want to talk, talk, talk but now’s the time to take the initiative, especially if income inequality is causing friction at home. Take some of that power back and regain equal footing and balance.

You can’t get no satisfaction these days. The things that brought you cheer last year are just not cutting it. All the things you love (travel, nice dinners, adventure) are all in short supply. Maybe it’s time to think smaller and spend a little money to bring some adventure to the homefront. Small changes of scenery with your partner may improve your mood and resolve icky feelings that may have built up over the previous months. Honestly is always the best policy so be sure to tell your partner why you’ve been so itchy. Ask them questions, don't just tell them how you feel. No surprise here, you’re also feeling a little impatient at work. Where’s that raise you wanted? While you’re waiting for your boss to notice how great you are, consider taking this to shake things up. Look into your budget and see if there’s any wiggle room for a spruce-up to liven up your home office. You’ll need this positive energy to keep your emotions afloat by the end of the month when ol’ Mercury is in retrograde.

Feeling the burnout? No wonder! You put a lot of pressure on yourself to keep the ship afloat during the COVID pandemic of 2020. It’s great to be goal-oriented but make sure you take your nose out of your spreadsheets and think a little bigger about how you can add some joy to your productivity. It’s a good time to reflect about past financial decisions (how much should you contribute to your Roth IRA?) and see if they still make sense in 2021. Don’t forget to let your partner in on whatever thoughts are churning through your head. Not everyone moves and thinks and acts on their feet like you do. Make sure to take the time to make sure your partner is at your side, instead of always sprinting ahead with your plans. Toward the end of the month, watch your wanderings down memory lane and try not ruminate over things (and maybe flings?) from the past.

You’ve got a lot of energy burning inside you and it’s dying to get out. Who could blame you for craving a little extra love and affection (and financial remuneration) after the gloom and doom of 2020? Just because we’re still living in the time of masks doesn’t mean you should put your enthusiasm for life on hold. Miscommunication around money is bound to happen when Mercury goes into retrograde at the end of the month, so take your head out of the clouds and put your wants and needs on paper. Say it, don’t pray it. You may have a sudden and unforeseen opportunity to pay off a credit card or a pesky debt. Do it, you’ll be glad you did. Don't be afraid to ask your S/O for a little extra attention on your birthday and ask for more sweet lovin’ and intimacy. Build that pillow fort, climb in, and enjoy the toasty heat.

There’s so much opportunity to reconnect and take advantage of all that 2021 has to offer that it feels… overwhelming and exhausting. Everyone else is updating their resumes and making plans but you’re still in recovery mode. You’re ruminating about your job and how you and your partner have handled all the stress tests of 2020. Your partner may be physically (or emotionally) absent these days and that can add to a feeling of general, well, blueness. Remember that your partner, wonderful as they may be, cannot be all things to you at all times. You’ve got friends who love you, lean on them, they can handle it. Much to your surprise, financial opportunities to make a little extra money will make an appearance in the middle of the month, finally! You can’t help but be a little suspicious about it (more work? Will it pay off?) but try to keep an open mind that yes, things may actually get better.