By Kiki O'Keeffe, PureWow
April is known for showers, but financially speaking, it might be prudent to prepare for a washout. Not only is it always a good idea to have more cash on hand, but Jupiter, the planet of good luck and bounty, is heading retrograde until August. If we’re going to survive, we’ll need to build up our rainy-day funds. Here’s how.
Aries: Travel out of style: Travel is expensive, but you don’t have to skip the trip to save some dough. Instead, challenge yourself to live without luxuries like club level or Michelin-starred restaurants. It can be done, promise.
Taurus: Spend only on what you love: Think about what’s most important to you: Is it a cozy wardrobe? A good hot meal after a long day? Sweating out your stress at the sauna? If you aren’t spending where your heart is, this is the month to reconcile those differences.
Gemini: Save up with a partnerWhether or not you’re paired up, no one can harness the power of twin efforts like you, twin. Enlist a pal or a family member to hold each other accountable for saving a certain amount and see which of you is richer by May 1st.
Cancer: Track your outflow: This entire month is a call to get organized, Cancer, and although you tend to operate in that messy-but-cozy model, really look at your expenses line by line. Do you really need Netflix, Hulu, HBO and Prime? Give yourself a chance to at least ask.
Leo: Make your own amusement: No one can put on a show like you, Leo, so stop paying others to entertain you. If you want to spend time with friends, host a good old-fashioned game night or homemade karaoke. You don’t have to spend money for a solid cry-laugh sesh with your BFF.
Virgo: Put the ‘nest’ in nest egg: The best use of your resources this month might be right at home, Virgo. If you’ve been meaning to repair a windowsill or refinish the hardwood floors, finally get those projects started this month. It’ll pay dividends over the long term.
Libra: Consult a financial advisor: You don’t know what you don’t know, so make an appointment with someone who does. Even if it’s just an introductory call, ask the “stupid” questions to get yourself smart on the basics of personal finance.
Scorpio: Rebalance your portfolio: If you’ve got a set-it-and-forget-it portfolio, it might be worth checking in on the allocations. Depending on market action, the timing might be just right to take more risks—or tone it down. Either way, you’ll thank yourself later.
Sagittarius: Invest in yourself: Practice the good kind of selfish this month and try to spend money only when you can trace it to a long-term benefit. Yoga classes? Yes. An extra drink so your friend can vent about a coworker when you just want to go to bed? Pass.
Capricorn: Buy peace of mind: Security is a big theme for you, and you may want to purchase a life insurance policy or contribute a little more than usual to an HSA, IRA or 401(k). There’s no substitute for long-term peace of mind, even if you have to forgo a nice dinner or two.
Aquarius: Align spending to values: You’re the zodiac’s humanitarian, so this month, shift your spending away from pure consumption to supporting pet causes. Whether you up your donations, volunteer time or withhold your cash from certain industries, you can save some green while doing some good.
Pisces: Automate your saving: Bring some efficiency to your money habits, Pisces, and set up automatic transfers from your checking to your savings. You're too busy to micromanage every deposit, and the time you save will be as valuable as the green you gain.
Related: A Brief History Of Numerology [Provided by YourTango]
