The old Taylor can’t come to the phone right now. Why? Oh, ‘cause she’s graciously giving from her estimated $320 million net worth to fans in need.

Most recently, TSwift gave $15,500 to a 19-year-old fan’s GoFundMe to help her family with their financial struggles. The fan, identified as Sadie Bartell, detailed the story of her mother, who has been in a three-year coma, on her Taylor Swift fan Twitter account. Sadie, 19, and her older brother serve as the primary breadwinners for their family.

Sadie cited seeing a performance of Swift’s 1989 tour as her mother began her coma. “I’m grateful to Taylor for keeping me afloat through it all,” she said.

Taylor donated to Sadie’s GoFundMe without great fanfare. She made the donation on behalf of herself and her two cats, signing it, “Love, Taylor, Meredith, and Olivia Swift.” The page has now raised over $26,000 of its $40,000 goal.

Sadie thanked Taylor in an October 20 Facebook post, first detailing her fandom for the singer. “She shows up every time I need her. She always has and she always will.”

Though Taylor is often accused by critics of being greedy, citing her partnership with Ticketmaster making tickets to her shows ridiculously expensive, she’s been known to give charitably to fans. Last month, she helped an 8-year-old autistic fan named Jacob Hill purchase a service dog, and then invited him backstage after a Houston performance. In July, she gave tickets for her Reputation tour to a Massachusetts police department that had recently lost an officer while responding to a car crash.

Is there any wonder DoSomething.org named Taylor the Most Charitable Celebrity four years in a row? The good she does in the world raises the bar for other celebrities with distinct fan communities.

In a public letter published Tuesday, retired Justice Sandra Day O'Connor announced she has been diagnosed with the early stages of dementia, and possibly Alzheimer's. The 88-year-old also revealed that due to the disease, she will no longer be participating in public life. O'Connor is most well known for being the first woman to sit on the Supreme Court, which she was nominated to by President Ronald Reagan in 1981. She was confirmed in a 99-0 vote by the U.S. Senate. 

In her letter, O'Connor urged young people to get involved in civic learning and political engagement. 

"We must reach all our youth, and we need to find ways to get people – young and old – more involved in their communities and in their government. As my three sons are tired of hearing me say, 'It's not enough to understand, you've got to do something.' There is no more important work than deepening young people's engagement in our nation."

She also gave thanks for everything that she has been able to accomplish.

"While the final chapter of my life with dementia may be trying, nothing has diminished my gratitude and deep appreciation for the countless blessings in my life," she wrote. "How fortunate I feel to be an American and to have been presented with the remarkable opportunities available to the citizens of our country. As a young cowgirl from the Arizona desert, I never could have imagined that one day I would become the first woman justice on the U.S. Supreme Court." 

O'Connor will continue living in Phoenix, Arizona surrounded by her friends and family.

O'Connor began her career in law at Stanford Law School, where she graduated in 1952. It was only after graduation that O'Connor realized how hard it was for a woman to get a job as a lawyer. As she told told NPR's Terry Gross in 2013, "I called at least 40 of those firms asking for an interview, and not one of them would give me an interview. I was a woman, and they said, 'We don't hire women,' and that was a shock to me."

O'Connor went on to become a Deputy County Attorney of San Mateo, California, a civilian attorney for the United States Army in Frankfurt, Germany and the majority leader of the Arizona State Senate. In 1979, she was appointed to the Arizona Court of Appeals – two years later, President Reagan called to let her know she was being nominated.

"I was working in my office on the Arizona Court of Appeals," she told Gross. "I was at the court in my chambers when the telephone rang. And it was the White House calling for me, and I was told that the president was waiting to speak to me. That was quite a shock, but I accepted the phone call, and it was President Reagan, and he said, 'Sandra?''Yes, Mr. President?''Sandra, I'd like to announce your nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court tomorrow. Is that all right with you?' Well, now, that's kind of a shock, wouldn't you say?"

When describing what it was like to be the first woman on the Supreme Court in the same interview, O'Connor said that she "felt a special responsibility" as the first woman to "perform in a way that wouldn't provide some reason or cause not to have more women in the future."

Ruth Bader Ginsburg, in 1993, was the next woman to be confirmed as a Supreme Court Justice. O'Connor found her addition to be a "welcome change," as she told NPR's Nina Totenberg in 2003. "The minute Justice Ginsburg arrived, the media pressure was off — I think for both of us. And we just became two of the nine justices."

O'Connor retired in 2006 to take care of her husband after he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. 

Imagine a place where you’re transported a different era just by walking through the door, a new decade just by walking down the hall, and yet another one by looking just slightly to your right. You can see a‘60s-era retro skirt on a mannequin to your left and a velvet corset from ‘20s hanging just behind it. There’s a pair of saddle shoes under the chair in the corner and an ‘80s blazer (shoulder pads and all) hanging outside the fitting room. You’re in a vintage lover’s paradise. But where exactly are you?

The correct answer: You’re in any one of a number of New York City’s best vintage shops.

Home to some of the cutest and most authentic vintage stores around, NYC is the perfect place to find all the clothes, shoes and accessories you wish your mom, grandmother, or great-grandmother saved for you.

Whether you’re looking for a Laura Ashley prairie dresses (which, for some reason, is back in style), a pillbox hat or that elusive pair of perfect Levi’s, the city has a place to find them. But with so many shops to choose from, it’s hard to find the ones that are worth your time (or the ones that stock authentic vintage pieces). Thankfully, we’ve done all the work for you. Here are the best places to go vintage shopping in NYC.

1. L Train Vintage, Brooklyn

With six locations throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn, L Train Vintage is a favorite of true New Yorkers. Featured in Nylon magazine’s Guide to Manhattan, it’s everyone’s “best kept secret” (according to L Train’s website and many frequent shoppers).

Nikki Noorian, a student at Pace University, says that out of the massive amount of thrift stores in New York, this is her and her friends’ favorites. “You can pick up some really good finds there from high end designers, vintage Levi’s, and more,” she says.

Geared towards vintage-lovers of the early-aughts variety, the stores have everything from 90s Tommy Hilfiger, to Nike, Adidas and a seriously huge selection of flannels.

Related: 7 90s Style Trends You Should Embrace This Year

2. Buffalo Exchange, Midtown

With five locations in New York alone, and tons more across the country, Buffalo Exchange is another fan favorite. They believe in sustainable clothing consumption through buying, selling and trading new and recycled clothing. So, not only can you buy thrifted or vintage pieces, you can sell your own, too.

And in addition to scoring some cool vintage pieces, you can usually find second-hand clothes from current designers and today’s most popular brands, too. If you’re really lucky, some pieces might even have the tags still on them!

3. Housing Works, SoHo​

Housing Works is another great vintage chain, but this one comes with a social justice mission, too. One of the best things about this retailer is that the profits go towards fighting homelessness and AIDS in the city. So while you’re shopping sustainably (good for the environment) and buying some really interesting vintage pieces (good for you), you’re also contributing to their advocacy projects (good for the community)!

Samantha Kari, Siena College Class of 2016, says that Housing Works is her “favorite thrift store” in the city. Aside from the dangly earrings she got there a few weeks ago, the reason Samantha loves the shops is that they’re so socially-conscious.

Housing Works has multiple locations across the city, but they don’t just sell clothes. One of their locations is a cafe and bookstore, while others sell clothes, furniture, decor and jewelry.

4. Brooklyn Flea, Brooklyn

Not so much a single thrift store as it is an entire thrift market, the Brooklyn Flea is a great way to spend an entire Sunday afternoon (from April to October). With everything from furniture to vintage clothing, accessories and antiques, it’s not surprising that the market was named one of the world’s top bazaars by Travel + Leisure.

Each stand is operated by independent vendors, so you never know what you’re going to find, and what’s there is likely to change from week to week. Oh yeah, and if that’s not enough to convince you to go, there’s a ton of food there, too. If you’re feeling hungry, make sure to try Jianbing Company’s famous deep-fried Chinese crepes or the giant mozzarella sticks by Big Mozz Pizza.

5. Horizons Vintage, Brooklyn

If you’re willing to spend a little more money on some really, really unique pieces, then Horizons Vintage is the place to go. Recommended by Man Repeller’s social assistant and vintage style queen Starling Irving, Horizons is known for its simple and neutral-toned vintage pieces. Mixed in with all the old clothes are some new ones by up-and-coming designers, too.

Surprisingly, a contemporary screen-printed silk tank top pairs perfectly with a Calvin Klein skirt from the ‘80s (as proven by Horizons’ expert styling). If mixing decades is your thing, definitely take a shopping trip here.

6. Thrift Wares, SoHo​

Thriftwares is one of the most authentic thrift stores you’ll be able to find in the city. With some of the most unique vintage pieces ever, you’ll always be able to find something interesting (and you can almost guarantee that no one else will have it).

Whether you’re on the hunt for a 60s-era alligator skin coat in bright green, a sheer black rhinestone cape from 1960 or just a simple pair of really great jeans, you can definitely find whatever you want here.

If you’re looking to channel your inner Grace Kelly, Princess Diana or your favorite ‘90s sitcom character (Rachel from Friends, anyone?), you’re destined to find something at some of the best vintage stores New York City has to offer.

So put on your comfortable-shopping-shoe of choice, whether it be a penny loafer or a classic Stan Smith, and get ready to spend an entire day shopping your way through the city (and eating your way through it, too, of course).

According to Megyn Kelly, blackface — specifically, when used for Halloween costumes — isn't offensive.

The admission came during Tuesday's episode of Megyn Kelly Today, which the NBC host began by saying, "I have to give you fair warning, I'm a little fired up over Halloween costumes."

Kelly soon launched into a heated discussion with panelists Melissa Rivers, Jenna Bush Hager, and NBC's Jacob Soboroff. "Truly, political correctness has gone amok," Kelly said. "There are strict rules on what you may and may not wear, issued by someone who thinks they're the boss of you."

She specifically cited the University of Kent in the United Kingdom, which wants to ban students from dressing up with things like Mexican sombreros. "You can’t wear anything Mexican-based," Kelly said. "You cannot dress as a Native American. That’s apparently been some rule for a long time. You can’t dress as a nun. I mean, isn’t the purpose of Halloween to dress up and pretend you’re something other than yourself?"

Kelly continued, "What is racist? Because you do get in trouble if you are a white person who puts on blackface on Halloween, or a black person that puts on whiteface for Halloween. And back when I was a kid, that was OK, as long as you were dressing up as, like, a character."

Things only got worse. 

"There was a controversy on The Real Housewives of New York with Luann, as she dressed as Diana Ross, and she made her skin look darker than it really is," Kelly said, referring to Luann de Lesseps' Halloween costume last year. "And people said that that was racist. And I don’t know, I thought, like: Who doesn’t love Diana Ross? She wants to look like Diana Ross for one day? I don’t know how that got racist on Halloween. It’s not like she’s walking around in general."

The comments sparked immediate backlash. Patton Oswalt, Shannon Fisher, and Padma Lakshmi were among those who condemned Kelly.

Within a few hours, NBC released an apologetic email that Kelly sent to her coworkers. "To me, I thought, why would it be controversial for someone dressing up as Diana Ross to make herself look like this amazing woman as a way of honoring and respecting her?" Kelly wrote. "I realize now that such behavior is indeed wrong, and I am sorry. The history of blackface in our culture is abhorrent; the wounds too deep. I’ve never been a ‘pc’ kind of person — but I understand that we do need to be more sensitive in this day and age. Particularly on race and ethnicity issues which, far from being healed, have been exacerbated in our politics over the past year."

Kelly's no stranger to controversy. In 2013, as a Fox News host, she insisted that Santa Claus was white. 

Amy Schumer revealed on Monday that she and her husband Chris Fischer are expecting their first child — but that's not all the comedian said when making the announcement. 

Instead, Schumer teased the news by first posting an Instagram photo in which her and Fischer's heads were photoshopped onto the bodies of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who recently announced they were expecting a child. In the post, Schumer directed her followers to journalist Jessica Yellin's page, which featured a Notes app screenshot with the pregnancy announcement, though it was buried under a list of candidates Schumer's endorsed for the upcoming midterm elections.

Schumer later posted the screenshot on her own Instagram and Twitter. Considering she has millions of followers, and that her pregnancy announcement would be covered by numerous outlets, the reveal was undoubtedly clever. 

"Chris and I are thrilled and almost positive he's the father. I look forward to competing with Markle every step of the way," Schumer told The Los Angeles Times. 

The comedian has always been open about her left-leaning political views, especially when it comes to gun laws. Just last month, she was arrested for protesting the confirmation of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. 

Hopefully her announcement will have a similar result to Taylor Swift's recent political post. 

Since the #MeToo movement began more than a year ago, at least 200 men have left or been forced to leave their jobs in media, politics, business and other industries. Now, nearly half of these men have been replaced be a woman, according to a recent report from The New York Times.

More specifically, the Times found that 53 out of 122 men were succeeded by a woman, or 43 percent. The industry with the most replacements turned out to be news media (one-third), followed by government (one-fourth), and then the arts (one-fifth). "For example, Robin Wright replaced Kevin Spacey as lead actor on House of Cards, Emily Nemens replaced Lorin Stein as editor of The Paris Review, and Tina Smith replaced Al Franken as a senator from Minnesota," the Times reported. 

Detailed graphics show each individual replacement, and whether or not the role was filled temporarily or permanently. The Times also broke down the data for men who were replaced by other men, whose position is still vacant, and those who haven't been replaced at all. 

Law professor Joan Williams told the Times that while women have traditionally been labeled "risky" because "they might do something like have a baby," men are "now being seen as more risky hires." 

There's still so much work to do in regards to both sexual harassment and representation in the workplace, but women gaining power, as shown in the Times' report, is definitely progress. 

Good morning Her Campus! With a break-neck news cycle, there is no possible way for you to stay on top of every story that comes across your feeds—we’re all only human, after all.

But, life comes at you fast. So grab a cup of coffee and settle in for this quick and dirty guide to stories you might’ve been sleeping on (like, literally. It’s early.)

Misinformation Surrounding the Migrant Caravan

Since the caravan of migrants walking from Central America through Mexico to the US first formed more than a week ago, politicians — namely, President Trump, news outlets, partisan organizations, and more have been discussing the implications of the group. This has resulted in the quick spread of misinformation, as WIRED pointed out on Tuesday: "Journalists are traveling with the caravan, but even their on-the-ground reporting is competing with so much false information out there, and sometimes being co-opted by it, making it difficult to sort fact from fiction."

While sites known to spread conspiracies like InfoWars have contributed to the misinformation surrounding the caravan, Trump and Vice President Pence have too. They claim that "Middle Easterners" are traveling with the migrants, though that hasn't been corroborated. The Trump administration and GOP politicians are likely "hoping to use fears over immigration as a way to get people to turn out to the polls,"WIRED reported. Democrats are also using the caravan — along with Trump's harsh immigration policies — as talking points for the upcoming midterm elections.

Here's what's currently known, though: what started as hundreds of people traveling from San Pedro Sula in Honduras toward the US border has since grown to around 7,500 people. According to WIRED, "People walking and hitchhiking know that when—if—they reach the US border, they likely will not be allowed to cross. Their children may be taken from them. They may be arrested and sent back. But they come anyway, fleeing gang violence and poverty."

CNN reported that at this point, it's too soon to know where along the US border the bulk of the caravan will travel. 

200 Bay Area Clergy Members Accused of Sexual Abuse 

A California law firm released a report listing 263 clergy in the San Francisco Bay Area accused of sexual misconduct on Tuesday. According to the Associated Press, Minnesota-based Jeff Anderson & Associates, compiled the list from lawsuits and public websites to "publicize the breadth of the problem." The list is part of a larger report, which accused the Archdiocese of San Francisco and the dioceses of Oakland and San Jose of covering up allegations to protect themselves and the Roman Catholic Church, CNN reported. 

Just last week, the Diocese of San Jose released its own list of 15 former priests accused of sexual abuse; however, Jeff Anderson & Associates said, "It is believed that the Bay Area dioceses do not make available to the public the full history, knowledge and context of the sexually abusive clerics."

Anderson told the AP that San Jose "has done something that is less than the full truth," and since "made a lot of promises," though he said he's "seen no action and very few disclosures." The Diocese also issued a statement following the release of the new list on Tuesday. "It is heartbreaking to see the list of so many who have betrayed and abused innocent children in these horrific ways in the list released today by Anderson & Associates," the statement said in part. "This will allow us to begin the process of restoring trust that has been painfully eroded by those in positions of leadership and trust by being accountable and transparent for what has happened in the past within the Diocese of San Jose."

Other Bay Area dioceses are reportedly taking action, too.

Snapchat May Have Registered 400,000 People to Vote

According to Snap, the company behind Snapchat, the social media service helped more than 418,000 of its users register to vote in just two weeks. The New York Times reported that much of the activity was in "key battleground states," like Texas, Florida, and Georgia. All users had to do was click a newly added button on their profile page, which took them to TurboVote.org, a nonpartisan voter registration site. There, they answered questions about their voter eligibility, and afterward, they were directed to state and local election boards to officially register. To raise awareness, Snapchat also sent video messages to all users over 18.

"There is no more powerful form of self-expression than the ability to vote," said Jennifer Stout, Snap's global head of public policy. "The numbers we’ve seen have been fantastic and have shown us that our users have been some of the most engaged communities out there."

CNN reported that roughly 57 percent of the people who moved from Snapchat to TurboVote.org were between the ages of 18 and 24.

What to look for...

A Halloween costume, since the holiday is exactly one week away from today.

Though only a few months into the semester, you’re probably starting to stress over the fact that you and your high school besties have had to part ways. Though you may feel certain that the bond between the two of you is unbreakable, beware that the college years are notorious for testing the muscles of even the strongest of friendships. That said, when it comes to those friendships that, well, are just kind of meh, there’s some good news: you don’t have to keep them! College is your chance to start anew.

When it comes to relationships of any kind, whether you plan to hold onto friendships past or decide to wipe the slate clean entirely, remember that the next years are your time for self-discovery (which might just mean finding yourself without your favorite gal pal by your side). Read on for must-know tidbits on why your college friendships won’t look like your high school ones and for a couple tips on how you can still stay in touch with your person 1,000 miles away.

1. Long-distance bites

We all know the narrative of the two star-crossed SOs going their separate ways after high school, while still trying to keep that flame alive in college. Let’s just say that we can’t all be Romeo and Juliet, and oftentimes keeping things going long-distance doesn’t work out too well. The same goes for friendships. Going off to college, you can’t just expect you and your friends’ bond to stay intact, simply because it always has been. Physical distance is a very real obstacle and one that you’ve never had to face if your closest pal lived next door to you for the past 18 years.

If the friendship is one that you want to keep strong, you’ll have to work at it! Schedule regular Facetime calls, text each other with updates about your day and maybe even plan a road-trip to visit each other in person.

Mary Hilliard, a freshman at University of Notre Dame, notes that staying in touch is still possible, but you probably won’t be spilling every detail of your day with one another like back in high school: “Simple texts like, '­hope you’re having a good day' or 'hope things are going well’ can go a long way in keeping the friendship strong,” she says. “These little shout-outs don’t even have to be to your immediate circle of friends.” It truly is all about small gestures. Without seeing each other on the daily, you may find that you there is more small-talk than usual in your conversations, but that’s totally OK!

2. You may not have a solid “squad” anymore

In high school, you had your core group made up of all your favorite ladies. You all carpooled to school together, ate in the lunchroom in a big posse and had the same classes. There is no way to sugarcoat the fact that your college friendships probably won’t look like this. Especially if you are headed to a larger university, there will without a doubt be times where you don’t have a class with a close friend or someone to sit next to at every meal.

 Though these changes sound daunting, not to fear! These inevitable moments where you don’t have your people right by your side are the ones that will help you grow that much more as an individual, which is what college is all about. Take advantage of being out of your comfort zone by taking some time for yourself or branching out to meet new people. Interact with other students in your classes or introduce yourself to the cutie sitting beside you in the dining hall. Before you know it, you’ll have friends in all different places around campus and hopefully you’ll be more confident in your ability to stand on your own and embrace your newfound independence.  

3. You may have to rely more on technology to keep old friendships alive

You used to see each other pretty much every waking minute, but now with hectic schedules and less free time than ever, it feels impossible to find a time to talk. Though most of us Gen Z ladies are already pretty reliant on technology, prepare to immerse yourself even further into the worlds of Snapchat, Facetime and texting. You probably already have a 300+ day Snap-streak with your closest friends and stay up-to-date on each other’s Instagram accounts, so this whole technology dependence thing should be no sweat, right?

Not necessarily. Whether you are always communicating through your phones or not, college will likely be your first time experiencing having technology as the only option for spilling the details of your latest SO troubles. Face-to-face communication is simply not something that can be completely replicated over a screen, so don’t be surprised when you still feel a nagging sense of disconnect even after an hour-long Facetime chat in your dorm room with your bestie across the country. Disheartening as this is, try to keep your spirits up by creating a countdown for your reunion over the holidays and a bucket-list for all the fun stuff you’ll do when you see each other in person over Thanksgiving break.

4. You’ll let go of unfulfilling relationships

Let’s just establish this point-blank: You don’t have to hold onto all of your relationships from high school. Perhaps you had a friendship that was, admittedly, more for the sake of convenience than actual connection. You ate mystery meat together in the cafeteria and gossiped about the hot dude with the locker next to you, but when it came down to it, you never really had a true bond. Here’s the good news about college: You no longer have to hold onto these friendships because you are starting completely fresh!

Marissa Sanborn, a sophomore at the University of Michigan explains why there is no time for anything but healthy and genuine friendships in college: “There is a greater diversity of people, especially at a larger university,” she says. “In high school, you are just trying to get along with whoever is there, but in college you only have to be friends with the people that you genuinely like. You don’t need to feel pressure to be friends with every person that you meet!”

Related: 5 Ways Your Friendships Might Be Unhealthy

Transitioning from high school to college friendships won’t be a walk in the park, but it is important part of self-discovery. College is, in every way, your time to better get to know yourself and learn what sorts of people you want to hang around. As a general rule of thumb, always seek out the individuals who respect your vibe and build you up, not tear your down. Chances are you’ll face more than a few bumps along the way while trying to hold together old bonds and construct new ones, but keep the bigger picture in mind: With entering the real world looming in the not-so-distant future, the people you choose to have by your side now are the people that will (hopefully) be by your side for life. So choose wisely.

This article has been syndicated from Hello Brittnee, an InfluenceHer Collective Member. Read the full post here. 

One of the most common questions that I get from people is usually around the fact that I am a homeowner, a young one, and “how/why did I do it?” Well, for starters, it’s a condo to be more specific, which is the perfect size for someone like me (and my dog, boyfriend, and unborn child). I realized over time that with my personal lifestyle, buying a place because it was a better fit for me. No more pet rent, no more people running around in the place above me, no more missing packages. There were a lot of positives when I compared to the things that I had gone through.

How did I buy my home? 

So many things went into the process of buying my condo. It wasn’t a one and done type of thing where I could just pick out a place and make it mine. I wish things worked out that way, but they do not. If they did, I would be in a different condo that was a bit cheaper and had some installations that my place does not have. But, that’s not the point. The point is that it is a lot of work which I feel deters a lot of young people. It shouldn’t, though – if you work with a reputable team.

Before I dive into the details, let me be real with you. I have debt and I was able to do this. I have talked to people that think because they have student loan debt that they can’t do this which is wrong.

Excluding my utilities and payments that go along with my home, I have:

• Student loan debt
• Car payment
• Health/Dental Insurance payment
• Dog health insurance payment

And, I’m able to do this. Don’t let your debt and bills scare you away. Here's my advice:

Do your research.

I think many people get turned off when they hear about other people’s process with buying their home. It sucks because every experience is different. There are people that I know that had an easy process and others that have a long drawn out process. Some people stuck to one lender and didn’t explore their options or they didn’t have a realtor/someone on their side to hear them out and make things work for them.

Yes, you need to do your research so that you can have a great process. No one is going to do it for you. You need to figure out what documents you need to collect and share, what lender you want to work with, which realtor will be the best fit for you and more. It’s not a lot of work if you have a referral group that you can turn to for contacts. Make sure that you consider the location that you want to live in and your commute to work. I made sure to include those in my decision-making.

Work on your credit.

Your credit score is going to determine a lot of things for you – from your interest rate to the amount that the bank would allow you to spend. Your credit should be established in some way when you start this process. You can pay your bills on time every month, but that doesn’t mean much. The bank wants to be able to see how you handle your debts and payments. It seems annoying, but that is their strategy to figure out if they can trust you will pay back the mortgage loan that they are going to lend you.

On my end, I had student loans that I was paying into since I signed up for them which helped me build my credit. Along with getting a credit card, I had started to build my credit early. And, I was lucky enough to have a dad who has great credit and added my name on his credit card for a year – this helped out a lot. If you’re planning on buying, start establishing your credit now. Better now than never. Keep up on your payments and avoid having collections pop up on you and knock your score down. Show the lenders that you are reliable and that you will pay them back.

Create a budget.

When money is involved, a budget needs considering. If you can live life without a budget then go you, that’s great, but many of us are creating budgets. When you meet with your lender, and they create your buying budget, it gives you some perspective, but it doesn’t stop there. You need to look into your bank account and tally up what you will be willing to spend and how much you want to put into everything. You can have a maximum of $200,000. But do you want to splurge on a $200,000 home when you can find one that is similar but $20,000 less?

A budget is going to keep you and your account in check. You will know your spending point and keep to it. Many people think about budgeting and dread it but it’s a great practice. You have things to think about like extra fees — closing costs, inspector costs, updates, and moving costs. Start saving now if it’s in your plans to purchase soon so your budget is off to a good start. Your finances will thank you for paying attention to them.

Read the full post here. 

This article has been syndicated from Hey It's Camille Grey, an InfluenceHer Collective Member. Read the full post here. 

Transitioning from living at home with family to living on your own in a dorm or apartment can be quite nerve-wracking! That's why it's important to know your stuff when it comes to adulting. Learning these adult life hacks come with time and being at school, but others you will just need to sit down and do some research. Luckily, these tips will not only help you during your time as a college student, but they will help you transition into the real world once you graduate. 

1. Using a credit card responsibly

It can be very beneficial to open a credit card while in college. Do your research to find out what type would be the best fit for you. I have a travel rewards credit card because I travel quite a bit. By the time you would like to purchase a car or a house, you’ll have quite a few years of credit history under your belt. Make sure you understand all the fine print of the card so you’ll have good credit,

2. Understanding time management

With all of the crazy college class schedules, clubs and meetings you are going to be busy. Not to mention time to do homework and study. This is the perfect time to learn how to manage your time. Maybe you’ll find out you don’t have time to go out every weekend. Sometimes you have to stay home and study this weekend and have fun the next.

3. Know how to write a resume and cover letter

Again with applying to jobs, you should know how to write these things! Being a college student means that you are becoming prepared to have the jobs you want. I learned recently that you should tailor your resume to the job you are applying for. This is such a great tip. For example, if you are applying for a clothing retail position, include any fashion experience you have. This way, you can show the company that you have a ton of experience that would make you a good fit for the job.

4. Book your own appointments

This one is really important. It totally is OK if you are in high school and your parents still make your appointments for you. But once you are in college, try to learn how to do it yourself. Ask your parents for any tips such as what type of insurance you have, but just call yourself. It’s not as daunting as you might think. You know your schedule the best, so it should be you who schedules the appointment.

5. Make your own coffee

If you spend $5 a day on coffee, by the end of the semester you’ll have spent over $300. That is insane! Make your own at home and bring it with you in a reusable container. Not only is it more eco-friendly, but it will also help you keep your budget down. Maybe you’ll have some extra money for those shoes you’ve been wanting. Don’t forget to double check what is allowed in dorm rooms! Some colleges allow for a single cup Keurig. 

6. Trying cooking your own meals

You don’t need to be an extravagant cook, but know how to cook a few meals! This will help you budget and eat in a few nights a week. Maybe invite a friend from your class over and surprise them with a great home cooked meal! This is much harder if you are living in the dorms, but once you have a place with a kitchen, try to experiment with some meals.

7. Know how and when to say no

There are so many events, parties, clubs to attend in college. While it is the time to get out and meet new people, know how to say no every once in a while to prioritize other things in college. This also means if you aren’t comfortable doing something. Maybe your friends want to attend a big party, but you don’t feel comfortable going. It’s okay to have a night in and pamper yourself! It’s totally fine to walk on your path of life and do what you enjoy.

Read the full post here. 

Organizers at the occult bookshop Catland in Brooklyn created an event earlier this week to hex Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. They closely resemble witches, just in time for Halloween spookiness. The shop held the festivity which was geared toward conjuring up misfortune on Kavanaugh, but also “rapists and the patriarchy which emboldens, rewards and protects them,” according to BBC.

The bookshop sells all things spiritual, including literature, tarot cards and healing crystals. Co-owner Dakota Bracciale told Daily Beast that upon announcing the promotion of this scheduled hex, the antifa group received numerous death threats. According to Alaina Demopoulous who attended the event, there were passionate protestors rallying outside of the bookshop during the ceremony, most of which were Christian-identifying. Throughout the event, the participants inside could hear chants and cries against this act coming from outside.

The Independent reported that one exorcist from California believed this was “a conjuring of evil, not about free speech.” Those that participated did not feel the same way. To them, this was taking action against a system that perpetuates violence and harm against victims. Even though the event was advertised as a hex, it also stood to be a space for “camaraderie, fellowship and support during tumultuous times.”

Co-founder Bracciale had made three effigies, or sculpture/model of a person, of Donald Trump, Brett Kavanaugh and Mitch McConnell. She then encouraged those who wanted to add names of their abusers to do so. What followed was a reading of Psalm 109 and then “the Right of the Scorned One” where hex-goers embraced their rage by crying out a “burning soliloquy.” According to Demopoulous, the room became extremely animated, with yelling, stomping and cursing.

The final part of the evening concluded with “Word of Affirmation” where people who chose to could share stories of their experiences. The anecdotes included instances of abuse, marginalization and pure anger. Hex-goers came together to form this community against the fear and resentment they felt for the political disturbances taking place today. Some of those that attended didn’t identify as practicing witches but found comfort in the solidarity of the act.

According to Daily Beast, the witches have yet to begin their hex and have two more events planned before 2018 is over. Besides the theatrical performance some thought this would be, it stood to be a cathartic ceremony for those that need it.

Here’s another song to add to your ever-growing playlist of Spotify jams: Lauren Jauregui just debuted her first solo song, “Expectations"—a soulful track she wrote herself.

Branching out on her own after her former girl group, Fifth Harmony, announced their hiatus in March of this year, Lauren has since expressed her excitement of releasing new, long-awaited music for her OG fans, as well as new ones along the way. “Everything feels so surreal. I’m so grateful to have been able to be so immersed in this creative process and give the world a piece of my heart. I’m excited to see its reception and continue to grow and create and share with you all," she said in a statement of the song and her new chapter ahead. "I appreciate anyone who is listening, whether you’re someone who’s followed my journey or are just joining the ride—thank you for choosing to share in my energy! I hope you love it.”

The first time fans were able to hear “Expectations” was during Halsey’s Hopeless Fountain Kingdom tour in South America this summer, where Lauren was the opening act. Performance-goers responded positively to her single and the Internet buildup before today’s release was immense. Recordings of the live version of “Expectations” reached over three million views.

While still a member of Fifth Harmony, Lauren joined forces with Marian Hill on their track, “Back to Me," Halsey’s “Strangers” and “All Night” with Steve Aoki. Through those partnerships, fans were finally able to hear Lauren without Fifth Harmony—a voice that can carry a tremendous amount of emotion, allowing listeners to feel the exact sentiments that she sings about. Expect new music from the vocalist as we finish up the year and head into 2019. Collaborating with writers/producers, such as Kid Harpoon, IlseyJuber and Alex Hope, Lauren is letting her creativity flow as she extremely involved and deep into the writing, editing and producing of her own art.

I cannot wait for that solo album to drop!

If you’re anything like us, you’ve been in withdrawals since The Fosters ended, and have likely been anxiously awaiting the premiere of the show’s spinoff Good Trouble. But luckily, we won’t have to wait much longer until we’re immersed back into the Adams-Foster family’s drama-filled lives.

Freeform just announced the official premiere date for Good Trouble, and, thankfully, it’s only two month away! The date is set for Tuesday, January 8, and although that seems close, it’s still too far away in our opinion.

Good Trouble follows sisters, Callie and Mariana, as they move to Los Angeles to start the next phase of their young-adult lives. Starting on their new career paths—Mariana in the male-dominated tech industry and Callie in the federal legal system—they’re both in for some harsh realities.

Eventually, they realize that leaving home to live on their own is not the dream they thought it would be. The girls are no strangers to drama, and this show is set to serve all the drama, relationship troubles, laughs and tears that got us all hooked on the The Fosters in the first place. And even better—the show’s directed by Jon M. Chu (the director of Crazy Rich Asians).

In addition to releasing the premiere date, Freeform also shared an exclusive sneak peek of the first episode. In it, we get a pretty good sense of what Callie and Mariana are about to get themselves into—and it doesn’t look so great.

The scene shows the duo entering their new apartment for the first time, only to find that it’s not all they dreamed It would be (although there is free toilet paper. So that’s a plus, right?).

If you’re as impatient as we are, hold yourself over until the premiere by keeping the sneak peek and teaser trailers on repeat until January. That’s what we’ll be doing.

But we do have one final question: Will Jesus, A.K.A everyone’s-favorite-heartthrob, A.K.A. Noah Centineo, be making any appearances?

Calling all animal lovers: luxury brand Coach is going fur-free! According to Business of Fashion, Coach has promised to stop using fur just in time for its Fall 2019 collection. Does this mean the fashion industry is going fur-free? Coach is just the latest fashion house of many like Gucci, Michael Kors, and Burberry to join the anti-fur movement. 

Coach has announced that they will be banning all types of animal fur, a few being mink, coyote, and fox; these have been Coach cult-favorites for the entirety of the brand's shiny existence. However, the empire will still be using shearling, mohair, and angora within their designs so you can still have that luxurious feel, according to InStyle.

This piece contains spoilers for A Star is Born. Read at your own risk. 

A Star is Born has been out for nearly three weeks and since, has raked in major money, and generated a ton of awards buzz for its stars, Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper. 

The film follows the journey of Ally (Gaga), an aspiring performer who meets music star Jackson (Cooper). Jackson encourages Ally to perform on stage with him, which launches her career. After that, they fall in love and get married, all while Ally must navigate her newfound fame and Jackson struggles with his waning career and substance abuse issues. The result is a sometimes beautiful—and often heartbreaking—story of love and ambition. 

As I was sitting in the movie theater holding back tears, one question was lingering in the back of my mind: is A Star Is Born a feminist film? 

Well, that depends on how you define feminism. 

If you view feminism as women having equal opportunity and freedom to make choices for themselves, then this film checks out. Ally consistently chooses for herself throughout the film—deciding to change her look for the record label, choosing to pursue her solo career and deciding to stay and support Jackson in his time of need. 

But if you see feminism as an equal power dynamic between men and women, things get a little murkier. 

See, what troubles me is the power dynamic between Jack and Ally at the beginning of the film. Jack’s career is certainly more established than Ally’s. So, he uses his position and influence to bring her to the stage and turn her into a star overnight. And while it’s not explicitly discussed, throughout the rest of the film there is a sentiment that Jack feels that he made Ally’s career, and should be there, even when she embarks on her solo project. 

In interviews promoting the film, Lady Gaga has kind of addressed this, telling Variety in one interview, “A hundred people could be in one room and 99 don’t believe in you, but just one believes and it can change your whole life and Jackson believes in Ally and his belief in her changes her life.” 

And that message is fine and good. But I keep asking myself, why does it always have to be a man kickstarting a woman’s career? 

This is the fourth version of A Star is Born, with previous iterations released in 1937, 1954 and 1976. Each of the previous versions tells the same story as the current release: man finds talented girl, man helps girl with career, man feels threatened by girl and their story ends in heartbreak. 

This is 2018. Why did we have to watch this same story again? There are huge female music stars today (hello, Beyoncé). Why couldn’t it be a story of a powerful woman helping a man start his career? Why does jealousy and anger have to be a part of it? Why can’t we watch a successful couple love and support each other? 

I guess what I’m trying to say is that while on the surface A Star is Born may appear feminist, I’m getting tired of watching films where a woman turns to a man for help in her career. We’ve seen that story to many times, and in this day and age, we deserve better. Give me films starring powerful women that support each other at the top. That’s a movie I would gladly watch.

If you’re living with roomies in college, then you know the many ups and downs of sharing a space and keeping the peace when money comes into the mix. While sitting down and talking about finances can feel awkward, like you’re blatantly addressing the elephant in the room, it’s one of the most important conversations to have – especially considering you’re going to be living in uber-close quarters together for the rest of the school year. Believe it or not, there are many ways to make your experience a happy one and your new pad a place you’ll love coming home to after those long days of classes. But first and foremost, you must open up the conversation.

Necessities First: Groceries

Whether you’re on your university’s meal plan or working to become an iron chef in the kitchen, everyone needs the essentials! Splitting the price of communal basics is a great way to keep individual costs low and unity strong. Kiersten Slater, a freshman at Texas A&M University, had a great suggestion for keeping track of what necessities need to be stocked up in a shared living space: “My roommates and I keep a magnetic white board on our fridge to jot down what needs restocking throughout the week. It’s the perfect way to plan out our grocery store budget in advance!” Kiersten says. 

Once you and your roomies have created a concrete list and visualized a budget, set aside a day (Sundays are the best for getting your life together) to hop in the car, jam to some tunes and head to the grocery store. This can be a great way to bond and save on items that would hurt your wallet way more if you were to purchase them on your own. 

Shop for pantry essentials like cereal, condiments, seasoning, etc. If there’s an item that not everyone wants, or a chocolatey treat you’re planning on stashing away for yourself, you always have the option to buy it as a separate transaction.

Kelsey Hoppenstedt, a freshman at Texas A&M University, does this regularly with her roommates. “It’s been the smartest, easiest way to go when it comes to purchasing basics! Just ask the cashier to split the receipt X ways, and voila,” Kelsey says. 

Pro tip: Because each person is pitching in for communal essentials, be sure to have common courtesy and respect for your roomies. Don’t be a milk hogger and do be an “I’ll make grilled cheese for dinner if you all take care of the dishes” type. 

Furnishing Your Shared Space 

Before move-in day, start a group chat with your future roommates and create a list of what you all will need for the apartment. Breaking the list up into categories is an easy, efficient way to figure out who can bring what and determine what still needs to be purchased. Expenses don’t really come into play until there is a general idea of what each person is contributing. Be sure to keep in mind that the more everyone can contribute from the get-go (a.k.a. move-in time), the less there is to worry about down the road.

For example, if Roommate 1 brings in living room furniture and a TV, it is fair for Roommate 2 and Roommate 3 to purchase other necessary items (such as a rug, wall decor and a lamp) to make up the rest of the living room area. Unlike splitting the price of perishables like groceries, these bigger items are harder to handle. Our best advice is to decide among each other what each person can buy for the common area, and then count on being able to keep said item(s) at the end of the leasing period. 

When it comes to kitchen appliances like a toaster and blender, the same principle applies. What isn’t already contributed can be bought among roomies, unless it’s an item only one of you wants; in this case, they can buy it on their own and can lend it at their own discretion. Where one person brings in pots and pans, another can bring in utensils and napkins and so on. The remaining of necessary items can be purchased separately and evenly between all roomies with intentions to share for the semester, but afterwards, keep for oneself. 

Pro tip: For a drama-free zone, keep in mind that the concept of keeping what you purchased on your own after deciding to share with your roomies is one of those mutual, unspoken understandings. It isn’t necessary to constantly emphasize what items are yours (unless damage is involved). At the end of the day, what’s yours is yours!

Splitting The Cleaning Supplies 

Although Windex and sponges aren’t exactly as fabulous as decorative pillows, cleaning supplies are also—you guessed it—essential! Cleaning sprays and liquids are relatively inexpensive, so these are simpler to share and last much longer than groceries. One person brings dishwashing items (dish soap, dishwasher pods and sponges), the second brings cleaning sprays (glass cleaner and all-surface spray), and the third brings easy-to-use household favs like disinfecting wipes and a Swiffer duster. These kinds of items can either be bought together and split X ways since everyone uses them, or contributed by each roomie. Splitting items like laundry detergent and toilet paper can be a tad more personal, but nonetheless up for discussion among you and your roommates as everyone has their own preferences (sensitive skin, anyone?) and a different amount of laundry loads. 

Pro tip: Some supplies are pricier than others! Whoever bought the expensive all-purpose cleaner first should be able to ask one of her roomies to take care of the next one. It’s called ~compromise~.

Related: 5 Ways to Co-Manage Living Expenses in College

Having The Talk

While it may seem easier said than done to have the money conversation with your roomies, it is do-able! After meeting and getting to know your roommates a bit, casually ask if everyone would be cool getting together over coffee or pizza and going over some adult-y things in a comfortable setting. Since it’s quite rare for everyone to be home at the same time, sending a relaxed text in your roommate group chat is a great way to go. This also eases the pressure of the topic by being naturally casual. 

Either way, it can still be daunting to be the one bringing up “the talk”, but keeping things lighthearted and friendly is key. After all, this talk revolves around working together while sharing a space, and everyone should feel comfortable with their space. Here’s an example of how to initiate the conversation through text:

“Hey roomies! Hope everyone’s having a great day. Would everyone be cool with ordering some pizza tomorrow night and planning out how we’re going to budget for groceries and such? Just want to make sure we have everything squared away. So pumped to be living with you all, BTW!”

That’s all it takes! Simply making the effort early on to have an adult, yet easygoing, conversation with your roommates can go a long way to ensure that everyone agrees on a plan to keep your shared space a happy one.

Figure Out What Works

In retrospect, living alongside a few awesome friends should be a great experience! Every group is different, so figure out what works for you and your roommates. The key is to talk about it beforehand and communicate well throughout the school year so you don’t have to deal with constant drama arising or lingering on. Things aren’t going to be Pinterest-perfect 24/7, but as long as everyone is committed to keeping the communal peace through happy compromise, honesty and common courtesy, life with roomies should be stress-free and pretty darn close to what you wished for when you were five years old, dreaming about living in your “big-girl apartment” one day.

(Unless there’s one slice of pizza left…good luck!)

It seems Ariana Grande's loved ones are not as upset over her breakup with Pete Davidson as everyone else. In fact, it seems like they can breathe a little easier knowing the singer is not rushing to the altar any time soon.

To be more specific, a source told PEOPLE magazine that Ari's loved ones are"relieved" they broke up. Yikes. 

“[Her loved ones] always thought the engagement to Pete happened way too quickly," the source told the magazine. "They didn’t want her to get married to Pete. And Ariana never got to the wedding planning stage. It was all way too soon." Woah! The source continued, "She threw herself into the relationship with Pete. She is young, but at least mature enough to realize this wasn’t the right relationship or the right time to get married." Don't hold back, I guess.

To refresh your memory, Davidson and Grande were only together for a month before announcing their engagement and even went as far as moving in together, adopting a pet pig and getting matching tattoos, which are now being covered up.

"Pete’s no longer at the house because why would he be? They broke up. He has no reason to go there. Everyone on both sides are relieved it’s over," another source said.

Grande and Davidson broke up only two weeks ago, but it seems the wedding would be another thing to add to Grande's stress levels.

"Ariana has had several stressful situations in the past couple of years. She really isn’t in a position to make huge life decisions. Her family thinks she should just focus on work and not stress about other stuff," the source said. It only makes sense when you think about her break-up with her on-again-off-again boyfriend Mac Miller, who then passed away from a drug overdose last month. 

Well, I guess that's that. Hopefully, Ariana is handling everything well and we definitely know everyone around them is handling it *just* fine. 

Two days before the series premiere of The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Netflix has released the series' opening scene and it's absolutely spook-static!

The bewitching opening credits are styled to mimic the Archie Comics, which the series will be based on. If the comic sounds familiar to you that is because our beloved Riverdale is also based off these comics. 

Authorities are investigating mysterious packages containing potentially “explosive devices” that were sent to multiple prominent Democrats including Hillary and Bill Clinton, former president Barack Obama, as well as CNN. 

Around late Tuesday night the Secret Service intercepted a package addressed to Hillary Clinton’s home in Westchester County, New York. Secret Service also stopped a package addressed to former president Obama in Washington, D.C., early Wednesday. 

“The packages were immediately identified during the routine mail screen procedures as potential explosive devices and were appropriately handled as such,” the agency said in a statement to Huffington Post. “The protectees did not receive the packages nor were they at risk of receiving them.” 

Hillary Clinton later extended her gratitude to the Secret Service.

“We are fine, thanks to the men and women of the Secret Service who intercepted the package addressed to us long before it made its way to our home,” Clinton said. 

“It is a troubling time, isn’t it?” she said. “It’s a time of deep divisions and we have to do everything we can to bring our country together.”

CNN’s newsroom in New York City was evacuated hours later after a suspicious package containing a pipe bomb and white powder was discovered in the mailroom, CNN reports. The package was sent by courier. 

According to CNN, the package was addressed to former CIA director John Brennan, who has been a leading critic of president Trump. Brennan is currently a contributor to MSNBC and NBC News, but he does not work for CNN. 

According to Huffington Post, the packages all listed Rep.Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who was the former chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee, as the return sender. A suspicious package was discovered at her office in Sunrise, Florida on Wednesday. It was addressed to former attorney General Eric Holder, but the package was rerouted to her address. A package addressed to Rep. Maxine Waters was also intercepted, according to Huffington Post.

The packages have a similar appearance and contain “potentially destructive devices,” the FBI said in a statement Wednesday. Each were mailed in manila envelopes with a bubble wrap interior, with computer-printed labels, and six American flag Forever stamps, according to the FBI. The return address misspelled the return address as “Shultz”. 

“This investigation is of the highest priority for the FBI. We have committed the full strength of the FBI’s resources and, together with our partners on our Joint Terrorism Task Forces, we will continue to work to identify and arrest whoever is responsible for sending these packages,” siad FBI Director Christopher Wray. 

Each package will be sent to the agency’s lab in Quantico, Virginia, for analysis, and the FBI warned that there may have been more packages mailed to other locations. 

The same individual or group of these incidences might also be behind the explosive device sent to Democratic donor George Soros earlier this week, according to the New York Times. 

As of right not it’s unclear what the motive was, but all of the victims have been subjects of President Trump’s anger. He’s attacked CNN as “fake news”, called for Hillary Clinton to be thrown in prison, and claimed to be a victim of a takedown by Soros and Democrats, according to the New York Times.

Trump spoke to the press on Wednesday, denouncing the attempted attacks. 

“In these times, we have to unify, we have to come together and send one very clear strong and unmistakable message that acts or threats of political violence have no place in the United States of America,” he said. “We’re extremely angry, upset, unhappy about what we witnessed this morning and we will get to the bottom of it.” 

CNN President Jeff Zucker called out the White House for its repeated attacks against the media on Wednesday. 

“There is a total and complete lack of understanding at the White House about the seriousness of their continued attacks on the media,” Zucker said in wake of the bomb threats, CNN reports. “The President, and especially the White House Press Secretary, should understand their words matter. Thus far, they have shown no comprehension of that.”

It’s an excited day for Chrissy Teigen’s family, as her mom, Vilailuck Teigen, is officially a U.S. citizen! Teigen shared on Twitter a sweet video from the ceremony, where she is reciting the pledge of allegiance. The video shows her mom holding two-year-old Luna, who’s waving an American flag in honor of her grandmother’s accomplishment. 

“YES MOM!! Congrats @pepperthai2!!” the Cravings author captioned. John Legend not only retweeted the photo but added an adorable note “@Pepperthai2 became a US citizen today! 100% on her test!” 

Fans flooded Teigen’s feed with heartfelt messages of their own. Many congratulated the family and shared their own stories of immigration. “Omg my mom became a citizen today too! Congrats!” one person wrote. 

“My dad became a citizen today too! My stepmom thought she saw your mom walking down the escalator & I didn’t believe her! But wow congrats to them,” someone else tweeted. 

“That is really, really beautiful. Congratulations!!! I’m told that test is quite hard and that anyone born here would probably fail it so good on ya!! To hold your beautiful granddaughter while being sworn in is divine. Blessing!” another added.

Vilailuck also retweeted Chrissy’s message, and she added a note of her own experience about the immigration process. One person responded to Chrissy’s tweet implying that the immigration progress was less difficult for her because her daughter had money. In response, Vilailuck said it took her 37 years to become a citizen. 

Chrissy and Legend have been outspoken about politics in the past, so it’s obviously her mom’s citizenship was a major deal. Congrats Vilailuck Teigen!