Weekender #171

🛠️ How to make financial decisions that align with your values.

👜 Walmart’s take on the Hermès bag has people talking.

💔 Sexual boredom outweighs desire in predicting women’s relationship satisfaction.

💰 Feeling underpaid? Here’s how to ask for a raise effectively.

No matter what age or life stage you’re in, trying to conceive is equally exciting and emotional. Between tracking ovulation, analyzing cervical mucus (yeah, we said it), and decoding basal body temperature charts, it’s enough to make anyone’s head spin. Oh, and let’s not forget roping your partner into the mission.

Then there’s the endless stream of “pro tips” from everyone: From “Lie on your back with your legs up!” to “Stop stressing out about it and let it happen naturally!”

We’ve pulled together judgment-free, practical resources to help you feel confident, informed, and ready for whatever this journey brings. You’ve got this.

1. ❤️ Reddit groups:

• This honest thread shares the raw ups and downs of the journey.
• Dive into the real challenges and hopes of TTC at 30+ y/o.
• For those TTC at 40+ y/o, this space is for you.
• A supportive community for those navigating PCOS and the path to conception.
• Support and solidarity for those navigating the journey of TTC after a loss.

2. 📱Apps to help:

• Inito – Track fertility hormones at home in 10 minutes.
• Beat Infertility (available for free through the App Store)
• FertiCalm – Support through infertility.
• Fertistrong.com – Real-time support for men navigating family-building challenges.
• Mindful IVF (available through App Store – basic free, additional modules available at minimal cost)

3. 🌐 Websites to help:

• Fertility Out Loud – Your go-to resource for fertility education, support, and empowerment.
• American Society for Reproductive Medicine – Advancing reproductive health through trusted research and expert guidance.
• Circle + Bloom – Guided meditations to support your fertility journey with calm and clarity.
• Creating a Family – Trusted resources and community for adoption, foster care, and infertility support.
• Fertility Smarts – Insightful articles and tools to help you make informed fertility decisions.
• Moms in the Making Faith Based Group – Encouragement and support for women navigating infertility.
• Parents Via Egg Donation – Comprehensive support for families through the egg donation process.
• RESOLVE – The National Infertility Association providing advocacy, support, and education.
• Smart Fertility Choices – Empowering you with the knowledge to make smart decisions about your fertility.
• The Center for Family Building – Offering expert guidance and support for creating and growing families.

4. 💊 Prenatals:

• Perelel – A prenatal vitamin tailored for every stage of your pregnancy journey.
• Modern Fertility – Evidence-based prenatal vitamins to support your body and future baby.

5. 🌱 Alternative medicine and solutions for those with a challenging TTC journey:

• Inspired by Sydney Rae Bass’s journey, explore the impact of ureaplasma on fertility.
• Dr. Brighten Jolene’s expert insights on post-birth control syndrome and holistic hormonal health.
• Mind your hormones: A holistic nutritionist’s guide to supporting fertility and hormonal balance naturally.

6. 🎧 Podcasts:

• Beat Infertility – Stories and science for navigating infertility.
• Creating a Family – Your go-to podcast on adoption, infertility, and family building.
• Matt and Doree’s Eggcellent Adventure – A lighthearted look at infertility from a couple’s perspective.
• The Fertile Nest – Supporting you through fertility challenges and beyond.
• The Fertility Friday Podcast – Natural and science-backed fertility awareness.
• The Fertility Podcast – Expert advice and stories to empower your journey.
• Waiting for Babies – A heartfelt podcast for those navigating infertility.
• Your Fertility Hub – Tips, tools, and support for your fertility journey.

7. 🎥 Documentaries/Movies:

• Don’t Talk About The Baby – Explore the cultural stigmas surrounding pregnancy loss and infertility. Available on Vimeo and Amazon.
• One More Shot – A film about making modern families. Available on Amazon, on Demand, iTunes, and Vimeo.
• Private Life – An author undergoing multiple fertility therapies to get pregnant, putting her relationship with her husband on edge.

You are not alone on this journey—resources, support, and hope are here for you every step of the way. ❤️

Life throws you a million curveballs, and Wrike is the catcher’s mitt that keeps everything in play. From keeping tabs on team projects to hitting deadlines like a pro, Wrike is where your inner organization guru shines. No more post-it-note panic—it’s time to work smarter, not harder.

Here’s how to get up and running:

1. 📋 Sign up

Head to Wrike’s website and create an account. If you’re rolling with a team, bring them along for the ride. Collaboration works best when everyone’s on the same page—literally.

2. 📊 Dive into the dash

Assign tasks, set deadlines, and organize projects—all with a few clicks. Your to-do list has never looked so good.

3. 📂 Flex your folder skills

Folders are your best friend here. Use them to keep projects organized by client, team, or that marketing campaign you just know is going to crush it.
Pro tip: color-code like your life depends on it.

4. 🛠️ Customize your workspace

Wrike isn’t one-size-fits-all. Tailor your workspace to match your vibe. Add widgets, adjust views, and set up notifications that keep you in the loop without spamming your inbox.

5. 💬 Check in with the team

Wrike’s built-in communication tools let you ditch endless email threads and centralize your updates. Tag teammates, share files, and celebrate victories—all without leaving your workspace.

Need extra help? Check out this quick YouTube tutorial for a step-by-step guide to mastering Wrike like a pro.

Don’t just keep up, stay ahead with Wrike.

📚 Read: Give Her Credit by Grace L. Williams

This inspiring true story recounts the groundbreaking establishment of the Women’s Bank in Denver in 1978, created to empower women during a time when financial independence was hard to achieve. Grace L. Williams sheds light on the challenges women faced in securing credit and how a determined group of women revolutionized the banking industry. A book on financial history, women’s empowerment, and breaking barriers? Yes, please.

📺 Watch: Black Doves on Netflix

Spies, secrets, and high-stakes drama collide in Black Doves. This Netflix thriller will have you questioning alliances and staying up way past bedtime.

🎧 Listen: Lights On by Marshmello ft. FAANGS

Turn it up with this edgy, high-energy anthem — Marshmello’s signature beats with FAANGS’ edgy vocals deliver an intense and energetic vibe. Perfect for workouts, late-night drives, or whenever you need an instant mood boost.

Between endless to-dos and life admin, keeping it all together can feel impossible.

Enter Duckbill—your personal executive assistant powered by real humans and smart AI. From booking appointments to finding the best deals, Duckbill takes your dreaded tasks off your plate so you can focus on what really matters.

💡 Here’s the scoop: Right now, there’s a waitlist to join. But using code THEASSIST gets you 50% off your first 2 months AND expedited approval. Yep, you’ll skip the line and save money while reclaiming your time.

Why let errands and research steal your energy when Duckbill’s copilots can do it better, faster, and cheaper?

Cut the waitlist line here.

I was a foster fail during COVID! I came to my family with only one eye, so I look very distinguished and like a true gentleman. I absolutely love sitting on my owner’s lap and chest for a good cuddle. I have a loud purr and enjoy taking naps in the sun ☀️.

🐾 Got a cute fur baby? Submit them to be our pet of the week in an upcoming issue.

Have more feedback? 💌 Reply to this email and tell us.

🚨 Open Jobs: Visit our job board here.

✨ P.S. Want more inspiration and positivity to kick off your week? Sign up for our Motivational Monday texts (U.S. only).

👀 Want to see if your company is a good fit for our 100k+ ambitious readers? Join our Sponsor Waitlist here.