Throughout my young adulthood, I’ve been told to keep my finances private. You shouldn’t tell anyone your salary, superannuation, and certainly not if you’re in any debt. This weekend, however, I visited a friend’s house where she was researching ways to invest in the stock market and it sparked an in-depth conversation on where we are financially, and our plans for stability in the future.
Indeed, be it due to a more collaborative culture among millennials or perhaps this uncertain period of history, the topic of money didn’t quite feel taboo as it once did.
According to Afterpay – the buy now, pay later platform that has taken the retail world by storm – while over three-quarters (77 percent) of people have set clear financial goals, many (76 percent) are concerned about what the financial future holds in 2021. Recent research shows that 36 percent of people are worried about not having enough money to do the things they love, 28 percent don’t believe they will save enough, and 22 percent are concerned about spending too much money.
Fear not. Astrologer Patsy Bennett is making money palatable in 2021. Unsure where to start? Look to the stars for guidance.
Capricorn
You know how to manage money through careful budgeting and financial planning. On the odd occasion, you may have a wild spending spree, but it’s likely to be for a reason, such as a birthday or Christmas.
That said, you like to display your wealth and so you’ll save on small things so you can spend big on cars, status symbols such as watches and an impressive house. The big buys in life could catch you out and whittle away at your careful saving plans, so it’s important that you examine the terms of your mortgages and loans very carefully to avoid taking on more financial obligations than necessary.
In 2021, mid-June and October are excellent months for career improvement. Take the initiative with work and career development in 2021, as you could truly improve your finances and status this year. Use your ability to reason, strategize, and calculate to create a solid financial platform this year and moving forward.
Aquarius
There are two types of Aquarians when it comes to money: those who are drawn to the digital world, and to digital currencies and new and innovative investments. Then there are those who prefer investments with a proven strategy. If you’re a traditional Aquarian at heart, you will be unlikely to stray from any financial practice that is tried and tested and has worked for you so far. That said, bear in mind the world is changing rapidly, and this year you’ll do well to change your savings and financial investments in line with changing times.
Expect to see changes financially in 2021, especially at the end of May and early December as your status, and potentially also your earning power, take a turn.
Pisces
As an idealist and a fatalist, you prefer to believe that things will sort themselves out in their own sweet way in life. But financially, you can tend to take risks because of your view that ‘all will be well.’ This can lead to increasing avoidance of the necessity for a healthy financial plan.
Luckily for you, you also have good organizational skills and can be grounded and practical. So, you can in fact manage finances – but only if you have an incentive to do so.
We live in changing times and the more optimistic you are, the better. But you must keep your feet on the ground too. This year, being adaptable in the workplace will truly help your financial circumstances. In 2021, you may be drawn to learn new skill sets, and this will certainly increase your earning power.
Aries
Being impulsive, you’re most likely to spend money on a whim and can subsequently rush into important life-changing financial decisions without adequate research. It’s important to recognize that your impulsiveness can land you in hot water – and that, on occasion you’ll even end up with items you don’t actually want!,
Consider monitoring a budget that shows you clearly if you’ve overspent in a month. This will slow down your impulses and eventually overwrite your tendency to make rash decisions, changing your behavioral pattern.
So how do you get out of a sticky situation if you do get into the red? Ask yourself: do you really need what your impulses tell you to buy?
This year, the eclipses in May and November spell a change in your fortunes, so be super careful at these turning points, both with budgeting and investments.
Taurus
All that glitters is not gold, but knowing this doesn’t stop you from enjoying a little luxury, sparkle, and the feel-good factor of an occasional treat. However, while a little indulgence can create comfort, it can also contribute to poor spending habits. So ask yourself: ‘What is its true value to me, personally?’ Then ask: ‘What – and who – is truly important to me in my life: objects and ‘stuff’ or people and love?’
You know that money can’t buy you true love. So consider spending more time and less money on the important areas of your life: peace of mind and people you love. Build a kitty that acts as a buffer so that you can always find the funds to treat yourself when you like – and in moderation!
Luckily, your work schedules and interests will change in 2021 and provide the chance to include more of what makes you happy such as new activities and ideas that will reshape your year.
Gemini
Geminis are risk takers, so it’s important to put in place safe spending habits and a budget – and stick to it! The good news is your tendency to be indecisive can work in your favor with big financial investments as it can save you from making rash decisions. Large investments will present a degree of uncertainty and you’re unlikely to jump in feet first.
As such, you’re less likely to get deeply into financial trouble because committing to anything unless you’re one hundred percent sure is difficult for you. If you do get into the red, it’s most likely through taking uncalculated risks or through circumstances outside your control (such as increasing living costs).
Where committing to a budget is difficult for you, consider asking a family friend or accountant to help.
In 2021, there will be ongoing fluctuations in your work situation, so ensure you keep a little aside in case of an occasional rainy day.
Cancer
You are an emotional spender, especially when it comes to large investments such as your home or car. You love a little daily retail therapy too, especially if you believe that what you buy will make you feel happier or more stable and secure. As a result, you must be careful to separate emotions from your purchases.
Remember: ultimately, you will find security and happiness by saving and purchasing only objects you and those close to you really need and will benefit from having. Find ways to reward yourself if you have saved for a particular purchase.
In 2021, changes in your general direction and home life will spell financial change, so aim to save for exciting projects.
Leo
Bold, bright, dynamic and generous. You are the sign most likely to overindulge and to overspend: splurging is second-nature to you! You will learn in due course to tone down your tendency to overspend, especially if your overindulgence gets you into trouble. To establish a happy medium and a healthy relationship with money, you must avoid going from one extreme to the other – from super-generous on one hand to penny-pinching on the other!
Moderation in all things is what will help you to stay on a steady course financially, enabling you to spend money on the luxuries you desire and to enjoy life. Otherwise, the deprivation you experience if you limit spending to an extreme will likely cause a big spending spree as a response – much like overeating for strict dieters.
2021 is an excellent year to get your budget sorted out so that you know it’s stable and will provide a strong foundation for years to come
Virgo
Virgos are meticulous with money, great planners and excellent at organizing a workable budget. As such, you’re able to save for large investments, and are least likely to go into the red!
You know you are the person who has full responsibility for your own actions. And, while this is what will keep you in a strong position financially, if you do overspend, you can be hard on yourself. The good news is, you will carefully find a way out of any difficult financial situations and stay afloat.A tight budget works incredibly well for Virgos – but you must remember to leave wiggle room for a little spending on yourself and those you love and to enjoy life – within the budget!
In 2021, pay a little extra focus on the details of shared finances, such as taxes and loans especially in mid- February, mid-June and December.,
Libra
You are always looking for ways to create more balance, harmony and peace in life and you like to balance the books financially too. That is, unless your predilection for luxury, luxury goods, good food and drink get the better of you! The first step to healthy finances is to curb your appetite for ‘stuff’ and luxuries you don’t need.
Your sign is ruled by Venus, the planet that not only rules love, but also money. As such you have an organic relationship with money, in much the same way you live to love. If you find you are beginning to live to spend, it’s time to find ways to change your focus from money and things – to live to love. It will not be difficult.
2021 will include considerable change in your personal life and building a strong foundation in your home will help you to move forward. A property investment or a move will involve the need for more cash, so a healthy balance in your savings account will help buffer costs.
Scorpio
As a passionate, motivated character, you tend to let your impulses do the talking and so can be easily influenced by good marketing strategies and susceptible to impulse buys. This means you can spend money like water. The good news is, if spending sprees do get you into trouble, you are able to climb your way out through sheer determination!
For you, a ‘one step at a time’ approach to a healthy budget and savings plan will work, as you can’t turn your impulses off all at once (they are impulses after all!).
Look for more fulfilling behavior that does not involve money. For example, consider spending more time with those you love and avoid consuming food and drink in excess.
Developments mid-February will give you a good idea of how your finances will fare for the rest of the year. Make long-term decisions in 2021, as developments at work will determine income for some time to come.
Sagittarius
You love to live life large! If you do something, you do it in a grandiose way. Holidays can be your biggest expense because of your love of adventure. Like Leos, you are also generous and, at the least, like to spend money on fun trips and favorite activities.
Like Geminis, you can be a risk taker, so consider how to put in place a solid budget for 2021, as your financial circumstances could be a little changeable.
Being spontaneous, you live life in the present and worry about money later. Large investments involving loans and mortgages are best considered with expert advice as you do tend to bite off more than you can chew. The earlier in 2021 you can put in place a solid savings plan the better your year.
