Over the summer, Ariana Grande hung out with James Corden on The Late Late Show, and the pair did a number of entertaining activities together, from driving around on the “Carpool Karaoke” segment to singing their way through Titanic. But a new video reveals they were planning way in advance for Halloween this year—Ariana, a self-proclaimed Halloween lover, convinced James to have some spooky fun with her and go through a haunted escape room!

It also solves a mystery that fans had been speculating about: in the "Carpool Karaoke" video, Ariana's hand was bandaged. Why? Well, let's just say she was "honest to God knocked out."

It didn’t seem to be his cup of tea, but it was definitely a blast for the rest of us at home to watch.

James got into it pretty quickly, but when he suggested feeling the walls for clues (since it was pitch-black in the room), Ariana freaked out. “I don’t want to touch a person!” Knowing how haunted houses generally operate, I’d say that’s a valid fear. Seeing James and Ariana hold hands because they’re scared is pretty adorable, though.

Other highlights—though I don’t want to spoil the fun of watching for you—include a rudely woken sleeper (“You’re a bitch!”), some funky candles (“We’re talking fog, people”) and about a million swear words that had to be bleeped out.

I think this year, I’ll let others take care of the scary Halloween stuff for me. I’d much rather sit safely at home with some candy and laugh at Ariana and James’ antics.

Happy Halloween!

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

The weekends are definitely for relaxing, there's no denying that. But how are you supposed to get anything done when there are more social commitments happening than you can handle? Whether it's a university event, a friend's birthday party, or a well-planned out GNO, it can be tough to get anything productive done. However, it's totally possible when you set your priorities straight and understand how to tackle all that's coming your way on that Saturday and Sunday.

Deal with the stupid sh*t during the week

One of my biggest issues with running errands over the weekend is that I know I have an unlimited amount of time to poke around in the store (*cough* Target *cough*), which would turn into a 3-hour venture. By doing all of my errands and any other stupid shit I had to get done during the week, I am able to put myself on a time-limit because let’s face it: your time during the week is valuable AF.

Have a plan

When you have a lot going on over the weekend, the best way to still be productive is to have a plan. Have stuff you have to get done for work? Need to prep for a wedding? Carve out time specifically for those tasks to ensure they get done and to make the rest of the day a little less hectic. I am an early riser and am more productive in the mornings, so I always try to catch nope blog work, schedule photo shoots, and get any work done for my 9-5 first thing in the morning. Sometimes I even use this as an excuse to take myself to a local coffee shop and treat myself to a latte while I get some work done. 

Be present

Once I made a game plan for my weekends, when I was going to be catching up on work and when I would spend time with family and friends, I was able to become more present in the day-to-day because I wasn’t stressing about what I had to get done and when I was going to do it. Enjoying the time I have to do things I wanted to do versus things that I have to do allows me to be excited about those things I have to do. Are you as confused as I am?? Basically – taking time to do fun and exciting things allows me to be more excited about my blog, about my job, and about the stupid adult shit we *have* to do, instead of being miserable trying to get it done.

TBH, life is all about balance. Being productive is a direct correlation with your happiness, your schedule, and your mindset. If you notice that you’re working your ass off every weekend but aren’t getting much done, reevaluate how you’re spending your time. I promise that moving a few things around and coming up with a plan of action is going to pay off!

Read the full post here. 

The Proud Boys, a far-right extremist group was banned from Facebook and Instagram on Tuesday for promoting violence against liberals and posting racist images.

The Daily Beast reports that the street-fighting club has recently come under scrutiny from law enforcement and various social media platforms, after members of the group assaulted protestors in New York City earlier this month. 

Five members of the organization were arrested after shouting homophobic slurs and beating protestors. The Proud Boys founder, Gavin McInnes describes his organization as “Western Chauvinists.” 

Jason Kessler, one of the organizers of the 2017 "Unite the Right" white-supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, was reportedly once a member of the Proud Boys, according to Business Insider.

Facebook and Instagram, which is owned by Facebook cited their rules against hate groups as the reasoning behind the ban, and the move will strip the white supremacist organization of it’s primary channel for publicity and recruitment of new members. 

In a statement released by Facebook a representative said, "Our team continues to study trends in organized hate and hate speech and works with partners to better understand hate organizations as they evolve. We ban these organizations and individuals from our platforms and also remove all praise and support when we become aware of it."

The Southern Poverty Law Center has labeled the Proud Boys as a hate group and has called their private Facebook groups, “ideological echo chambers.”

Facebook stated they will continue to monitor these types of organizations pages and act accordingly. 

"We will continue to review content, Pages, and people that violate our policies, take action against hate speech and hate organizations to help keep our community safe."

Hold the phone! (Literally.) That ballot selfie you’re about to take might be illegal.

Fortunately, Vox has put together a state-by-state list of where your ballot selfie is totally OK, and where it could land you a hefty fine, or even jail time.

In 21 (mostly Northwestern) states, plus the District of Columbia, ballot selfies are perfectly legal. In 16 other states, mostly in the South, it’s explicitly forbidden. In the remaining 13 states, either the law is ambiguous, or there are only specific instances where it’s legal.

Why are ballot selfies such a big deal, you ask? Great question!

According to Vox, proponents of the ballot selfie support it because it’s just one way of expressing free speech. They also say that it helps increase young voter turnout by making voting look fun, a point that Facebook confirmed when it found users were more likely to vote if their friends posted about it.

On the other hand, some say ballot selfies could make it easier for candidates to buy votes, as people would just be able to snap a quick photo to prove who they voted for.

Snapchat has even gotten involved in the debate, going to court in New Hampshire for the pro-selfie side.

According to Digital Trends, Snapchat filed an brief against the ballot selfie ban in 2016, stating that the law prevented news from being properly gathered. The company portrayed ballot selfies as integral parts of the modern voting procedure.

“The ballot selfie captures the very essence of that process as it happens … [it] dramatizes the power that one person has to influence our government,” said the brief, Digital Trends reports.

Power to the people, indeed.

As with any legally sketchy situation, just be sure to check before you act.

If you’re in doubt, maybe just stick to posting selfies with your “I voted” sticker, like all of these celebs.

Ah, Halloween. Time to dress up as whatever tf you want and pay tribute to those oh-so-ever classic pop culture moments and icons.

Take a look at how some of our fave celebrities chose to dress up this year.

1. Camila Mendes and Lili Reinhart as Pedro and Napoleon Dynamite

These Riverdale besties nailed it with their hilariously nerdy Pedro and Napoleon Dynamite costumes, inspired by the classic 2004 film, Napoleon Dynamite. Camila rocked a drawn-on mustache and Pedro’s blank stare, while Lili wore Napoleon’s iconic “Vote For Pedro” t-shirt and dorky glasses. Camila encouraged fans to “vote for me, and all your wildest dreams will come true” in her Instagram post. I definitely vote Camila and Lili’s dynamic duo costume as the best of Halloween 2018!

2. KJ Apa and Charles Melton as Josie and the Pussycats

The boys of Riverdale decided to get a little catty this Halloween! KJ Apa and Charles Melton traded their football gear for skin-tight catsuits, and looked absolutely fabulous as Josie and the Pussycats, showing their best Insta-ready diva poses. We can only hope they performed a song of two in costume.

3. Beyonce as Toni Braxton

There has never been a year where Beyonce failed at Halloween costumes—she can take the simplest look and transform it into a spot-on outfit, such as her costume this year as Phoni Braxton. Queen B poked fun at her attempt to recreate Toni Braxton’s recognizable cover from her 1993 debut album, Toni Braxton. The “Formation” singer paid tribute to Toni on Instagram, calling her a “talented legend."

4. Kylie Jenner as Barbie

Another reminder that this is Kylie's world and we're just all living in it. The makeup mogul stunned in a hot pink bodysuit and voluminous blonde wig to become Barbie this Halloween. She appeared almost unreal with a fixed stare, even going as far as to place herself on a doll stand in a giant box. She flaunted her Barbie look all over Instagram, posting multiple pictures showing her living the iconic doll's luxurious lifestyle, which is not too far off from her own. 

5. Rita Ora as Post Malone

Without a doubt, Rita Ora did Post Malone better than Post Malone. Complete with Post’s facial tattoos, dark curly hair and cool demeanor, Rita surprised her own friends by dressing up as the “Better Now” vocalist. Fans were also in for a treat when she appeared onstage and danced around to Post Malone’s hit “Rockstar." I bet she sure was feeling like a rockstar that night.

6. Harry Styles as Elton John

Harry Styles picked a playful costume this year and channeled his inner Elton John, sporting a completely sequined Los Angeles Dodgers baseball uniform, hat and bedazzled pink glasses that Elton wore 43 years ago. The epic outfit caught the attention of the crooner, who praised Harry’s homage to him by saying, “Now that’s what I call a Halloween costume”.

7. Ross Butler and Noah Centineo as Wolverine and Gaston

Can you imagine running into these two cuties at a Halloween party? Ross Butler brought out his claws, fangs and muscles in an eye-catching Wolverine costume, while Noah Centineo was ever the gentleman dressed as the dreamy Gaston from Beauty and the Beast. The boys danced the night away, showcasing their best moves on Instagram.

8. Kendall Jenner as an Austin Powers Fembot​

Kendall likes to go all out and be in total character during spooky season, so she nailed it when she dressed up as a Fembot from the Austin Powers films. In her furry baby pink minidress and giant blonde bouffant wig, Kendall’s Fembot getup had her looking like a glamorous and seductive robot.

9. Vanessa Hudgens as Alice in Wonderland

Alice in Wonderland grew up this Halloween when Vanessa Hudgens’ costume consisted of her dressed as an oversized Alice protruding out of her house (which, by the way, was made out of an Amazon box!). Showing off her toned legs and short frilly dress, Vanessa rocked the sexier Alice look and demonstrated her creativity through her “boxtume.”

If you’re able to vote and you can access polling stations in your area, but you aren’t planning on voting on November 6, then WTF are you doing? Beyond whatever is happening with the celebrity political dichotomy, there are insurmountable headlines—in this past week alone—that should sway you to vote. Granted, the fact that we might have as few as 12 years to actually give a sh*t about the constant decay of our environment before it’s physically impossible for Earth to sustain lifemost recent UN climate change report should be reason enough for you to vote.

Flippantly voting in the upcoming midterm congressional, local and state elections isn’t enough.  And researching your current local candidates might not be enough either, seeing as candidates don’t live inside a vacuum if your state or city has a track record of confirming officials who don’t really do anything to proactive support and help your area. Thankfully, Oni Press created Draw Out the Vote to help you navigate the complex voting history in your state.

According to USA Today, younger US citizens aren’t pumped to vote, which is worrisome considering midterms are next month. Sure, it might be the same publication that gave the president a platform to do some pre-midterms fear-mongering, but young US citizens’ lack of enthusiasm could mean that fewer college-aged American might vote.

So how can you help motivate your friends to vote? Talk to them. You don’t have to divulge into every single political platform, but encouraging your friends and peers to vote is the first step to  The next critical step, is educating yourself and your friends about voting itself and part of that is reviewing the historical significance of voting in the US and specific states.

The comic campaign behind Draw Out the Vote helps voters focus on some of the critical moments in US voting history.

In Florida specifically—you know, the state that can never make up its mind come election day, the comic panels describe Florida’s convoluted history of voting laws and county-wide ballot changes. In Palm Beach County specifically, the supervisor of elections increased the font size. While this helped with accessibility for people who could actually access polling locations, it ended up nullifying a lot of ballots because thousands of people misplaced their vote. (Seeing as you can’t really put two candidates on the same line and expect election officials to psionically know which candidate intended on selecting.)

Aside from admiring the gorgeous panels while your verse yourself on your state’s electoral history, Draw Out the Vote can help you understand how imperative it is to vote. After all, voting for candidates that don’t just benefit you but also benefit your community (both locally and nationally) can innately change history. Voting itself allows you and your community to be represented, so that candidates can hopefully do something about the issues that impact everyone (you know, like health care and climate change).  

Draw Out the Vote doesn’t just give you a wealth of knowledge about voting history and the importance of voting itself, it also offers resources on how to register to vote in each state, how to update your registration status, and what information you need to make sure you’re good to go out there and vote on Nov. 6.

Voluntarily forfeiting your vote—and if you’re subjected to inaccessible polling stations in your area or any other form of voter suppression, we don’t consider that withdrawing your vote—in the upcoming elections doesn’t just influence who will be your next representative, while simultaneously nullifying your voice on that rep. It can ultimately determine what political issues hold the most power in the Senate and the House. The upcoming midterm elections determine the feat of 33 US Senates seats and 435 US House position.

For more on the 2018 Midterm Elections & some existential screaming about civic engagement, check out our Youth Vote hub.

Look out, because Caroline Romano may soon be taking over your Spotify playlists with her soulful pop music. Her melodic voice is reminiscent of Halsey and Alessia Cara with her own twist. At only 17, Caroline has already shared the stage with huge names like Shawn Mendes. Her last single, "Ready," hit the Top 3 on Radio Disney's Top 30 Chart and her current single is "Come with Me."

In this exclusive clip shared with Her Campus, we got a behind-the-scenes look at Caroline's goals in anti-bullying, spreading body positivity and her advice on finding confidence.

"I'm really passionate about bullying prevention and spreading overall body positivity because it's something I've struggled with in the past," she says. "Through my music, I really wanna share that it's so much better to just not listen to those people who try to get you down . . . because you're never gonna be your best if you listen to them. Your best version of yourself is gonna be truly, unapologetically you."

Romano continues with emphasizing the importance of finding something one is confident in: "If you're confident in photography, or art, or fitness, latch on to that and really grow with it because that's gonna help you grow into yourself."

Watch her full important PSA below.

If you've ever gone down nostalgia lane and wished the fashion trends that defined most of our childhoods would make a comeback (think Hilary Duff and Paris Hilton), then you're going to LOVE this news:

Kendall Jenner recently brought back memories of the glory days when she rocked an airbrushed-style tank top, double-buttoned boot cut jeans, a sparkly pink Von Dutch trucker hat, and classic Paris Hilton-esque ombré-lensed sunnies for Drake's 2000s themed birthday bash. To celebrate his 32nd birthday in L.A.. this past week, Drake had a Blockbuster video wall, a 7-Eleven booth serving Slurpees (I'm going to need a Coca-Cola one, and fast), and a Chanel bag raffle. Needless to say, Champagne Papi's b-day was one for the books. 

The birthday boy sported the Fabolous look (MAJOR throwback to My Fabolous Life) and later changed into a suave Sean John (aka P. Diddy) velour pantsuit to really bring the 2000s vibe home. 

Related: 10 Times Kendall Jenner Killed the Street Style Game

Juicy sweats? Tinted sunglasses? Von Dutch hats? This comeback is definitely a big one, especially if it becomes more serious than satire, but we have full faith in celebs like Kendall and Drake to bring back the trends of the aughts back to civilization. Hopefully the sequins (and frosted lip gloss and popcorn shirts and basically every single other trend at the time) will be more flattering this time around.

Fall semester is officially in full force, which means lots of new expenses that come with it. From paying dues to your sorority or on-campus clubs to saving up for fall road trips to the cutest local destinations with your BFFs, the semester can prove to be very expensive well past the “syllabus week” phase.

Before the semester really starts to pick up, you’ll definitely need to take some time to reevaluate your money situation. There’s always room for improvement in money management and budgeting, especially as a college student with a ton of current and future costs. Here are the top questions you should ask yourself before jumping right into the fall semester.

How should I actually manage my money in college?

You’ve probably heard your whole life that managing your money is important. But what’s the best way to keep a close eye on it? First things first: you’ll want to break down every source of income and every expense you know you’ll run into during college — the more detailed this breakdown is, the better. We love this monthly budgeting tool from Chase because it does the job for you already. This 3-step worksheet takes you through all the expenses you’ll need to consider (even the ones you might have forgotten about). Here’s how it works:

1. You’ll first add up the money you currently have from student loans, income from a part-time or campus work-study job, or from your family.
2. Next, you’ll look at the “must-pay expenses” or the purchases and bills you will definitely have to take care of as a student. This includes things like your tuition, meal plan, housing costs, utility bills if you live off-campus, and transportation.
3. Lastly, you’ll consider your “optional expenses” which include every additional cost. This could look like your daily Starbucks runs, squad brunch dates, a subscription to your fave music service, new clothes, haircuts — the list for this section is really dependent on your lifestyle.

By understanding your income and your must-pay expenses, you’ll then know how much you have left over to spend on your optional expenses. This way, you’ll know the exact amount that you can spend on all the non-essential buys each month.

How should I save up for those big expenses, like studying abroad and spring break trips?

There’s no denying that college is about gaining an education and learning new things every day. But, just as important as the lessons you learn in class are the memories you make along the way. As cheesy as it may sound, it’s true! If one of your major goals in college is to study abroad in Spain, Germany, Japan, or wherever your heart longs for, you’ll definitely need to have a budget so you can make your dream a reality. Not dreaming of studying abroad?  That doesn’t mean you can abandon your budget. Even if you’re planning something as simple as a weekend getaway on the beach for one last hoorah during your senior year, you’ll most likely need to set aside some extra cash to make it happen.

In order to make those big (and small) milestone moments happen, the key is to really examine your day-to-day and monthly expenses and see what you can cut out. That daily kale, avocado, cacao smoothie may be healthy, but $7 to $8 a day turns into $50 a week, which turns into over $2,500 in just one year (yikes). This can go for any “small” purchase you may find yourself regularly making. Definitely having a budget worksheet by your side and really paying attention to those optional expenses is your best bet in saving up for those major college moments.

What should my next steps be financially after this school year?

It’s so crucial to carry on the healthy money habits you’ve established for all of your college years (and beyond!). If you move out of the dorms and have to start paying utility fees in your new apartment, revisit your budget worksheet and make the necessary adjustments to #makeitwork. If you land a new job, first — congrats! Second, factor in the new cash you’ll be making. See where you want to fit this new income into a savings plan, whether that may look like focusing on future grad school plans or a weekend trip with the squad next semester. We also totally recommend opening your first checking account if you haven’t already.

Before getting ahead of yourself with all of the possible school year plans, take the time to ask yourself these all-important questions. You’ll be on the right track to financial balance and bliss, allowing yourself to afford college and have room for all the fun experiences that come along with it.

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC 

© 2018 JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Today, women have a number of trusted contraceptive methods to choose from, but accidents happen. You can never be too prepared, especially when it comes to contraceptive failure. The key: keep emergency contraception on-hand so you can alleviate the panic that comes after unprotected sex or birth control failure. Plus, being prepared in these moments will empower you to feel in control of the situation and your sexual health!

Vagisil has been a leader in women’s intimate health for over 40 years and recently launched Preventeza emergency contraception so that everyone can have access.

“At Vagisil, we are committed to helping educate, and thereby reduce the shame associated with vaginal and sexual health, including emergency contraception, and to help women gain a better understanding of ECs so they can take control of a stressful moment,” said Keech Combe Shetty, SHEO of Vagisil. “It’s my mission to dispel the myth that emergency contraceptives are only used in moments of stress and panic, instead I want to empower women to take ownership of their reproductive health without shame, and be prepared, not panicked – while preventing pregnancy before it starts.”

Vagisil found that 1-in-2 women may actually need to use emergency contraceptive in their lifetimes – and if that’s the case, we can assume a lot of women have questions about how exactly this whole situation works and what goes down. But don’t worry, one woman’s question is every woman’s question, and we have the full details on what you need to know about this emergency contraceptive. 

So, how does it work?

Preventeza contains a hormone used in many birth control pills, just at a higher dose. That hormone, levonorgestrel, works mainly by stopping the release of an egg from the ovary. Levonorgestrel tablet 1.5 mg is an emergency contraceptive that helps prevent pregnancy after birth control failure or unprotected sex.

What does Preventeza not do?

It doesn’t work if you are already pregnant, so it won’t affect an existing pregnancy. It also doesn’t protect against HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases.

When should I use it?

The rule here is that the sooner you take an emergency contraceptive, the better it works. You should use Preventeza within three days of unprotected sex, or if your regular birth control was used incorrectly or failed. But, keep in mind that it is a backup method of preventing pregnancy and shouldn’t be used as regular birth control.

But is it actually effective?

If you use Preventeza as directed, it can significantly decrease the chance that you will get pregnant. About 7 out of every 8 women who would have gotten pregnant will not become pregnant. You’ll know that it worked when you get your next period, but if you’re concerned you can always get a pregnancy test or follow up with your doctor. Again, Preventeza can be taken within three days (72 hours) after unprotected sex has occurred, yet is most effective the sooner it is taken.

Will I have weird side effects?

Side effects may include changes in your period, nausea, lower stomach (abdominal) pain, tiredness, headache, dizziness, and breast tenderness. If you experience severe abdominal pain, you should seek immediate medical attention because you may have an ectopic pregnancy. 

When it comes to emergency contraception, you’re totally not alone and it’s OK to have questions about the process! If you want to continue the conversation, Vagisil has also launched a #WeAre1in2 campaign to raise awareness of the fact that 1-in-2 women may need to use emergency contraception. You can show your solidarity with women being in control of their reproductive health by using #WeAre1in2 on social media!

Plus, now that you’re educated on all things Preventeza, we hope this will lead to action. When you buy Preventeza at Preventeza.com, you’ll get a second one free to keep for yourself or give to a friend, so she can be prepared, not panicked. Preventeza is also sold over the counter at Rite Aid, Kroger and online, including Amazon, so you have plenty of choices the next time you need a backup option that’s got your back.

Name: Radhika Duggal

Age: 35

Job Title and Description: Set high school and college students up for future financial success as the Head of Student Marketing for Chase's Consumer Bank.

College Name/Major: Undergrad: NYU Stern School of Business, Grad: Columbia Business School

Website: chase.com/student

What does your current job entail? Is there such a thing as a typical day? At Chase, my team and I build a strategy aimed at helping high school and college students make smarter money decisions so that they can begin their adult lives with a solid financial foundation.

While no day is the same, my job is to plan for, develop and execute our student campaigns which include events, video content, emails, and other tactics. This is where the magic happens — the execution of our strategy is key, from the words we use to communicate with students, to the advice we offer, to our customer experience.

What was your first entry-level job in your field and how did you get it? In my first entry-level full—time job, I was a management consultant at Deloitte. I spent almost six years there helping clients tackle everything from marketing and brand strategy problems to operations challenges. It was a great way to start my career.

When or how did you realize you were passionate about working in finance and/or marketing and brand strategy? Any advice for anyone trying to find their passion?

I realized I was passionate about marketing in college.  I was fortunate to attend an undergraduate business school where I was able to take a number of marketing courses and from my first Introduction to Marketing course, I realized that I loved the topic — I loved the idea that marketers could take data driven insights, apply them to creative asset development, and create content and tools that consumers engage with.

If you’re a student trying to find your passion, I’d encourage you to try the following:

• Take advantage of your time in school to take classes that could be aligned with your interests. Use your class time, as I did, to explore different topics and potential career paths.
• Take on internships that might be aligned with your area of interest — there’s no substitute for real world learning where you could experience what it’s actually like to be in the shoes of a professional in the field you are exploring
• Don’t be shy about reaching out to professionals in fields you are exploring. Reach out to folks in your linked in network or alums of your school to set up coffee chats to get a sense of what it’s like to be in a field you’re exploring.

What words of wisdom (well-known quotes, an anecdote from your boss) do you find most valuable? The best words of wisdom I have received in my career came from my father. From a young age, he encouraged me to“never give up.”  I really took that to heart as a student, being persistent in pushing to execute things I believed in in club leadership roles, and by the time I reached the working world, I realized that he was totally right. 

Here’s why: in the working world, if you never give up, and you always look to find a solution to the challenges you face, you’ll always accomplish your goals in some way. The outcome may look slightly different than what you originally set out to do, but you will be able to accomplish something close to what you set out to do – or maybe even something better! 

What has been the most surreal moment of your career thus far?

College was such a pivotal time in my development so the most surreal moment it in my career was receiving an email from the (then) head of the NYU Stern Undergrad Marketing Department inviting me to teach a consumer behavior class at Stern. Teaching at Stern in the same classrooms where I truly grew up and gained the skills I needed to be a working professional was – and continues to be – an absolutely incredible experience. I walk away from my class each day grateful to NYU for the foundation they provided to me and inspired by my accomplished students.

What do you look for when considering hiring someone? When I’m hiring an entry-level team member, there are a few “must-haves” that a candidate should display. They include:

• Action is everything: While marketing strategy is important, I feel strongly that how you bring that strategy to life through the creative, like websites, videos and emails is the true determinant of a campaign’s success! Because of that, I look for team members who aren’t afraid to do the execution work – to pitch in to write copy where needed, to help out at events where needed, etc.
• Customer obsession: As a marketer, one of the most critical elements of the role is understanding your customer – knowing how they spend their time, what they struggle with, what they’re passionate about, etc.  The best team members I’ve worked with want to truly understand their customers and find scrappy ways to get customer insights.
• Personality: Work is a big part of my life, and I want to spend that time working with people I really like! That means I’m focused on finding someone who is a great culture fit, whom I enjoy spending time with, and who has some of the qualities listed above.

What advice would you give to a 20-something with similar aspirations?

There are a few pieces of advice that I would give a 20-something with similar aspirations:

The “how” matters just as much as the “what”

There’s no question that results matter – but in any business, generating measurable results is table stakes.  What differentiates true leaders who can inspire large teams is how they go about doing their work – with kindness, patience, and a keen eye to building others’ success stories.  After all, the success of your team members is the true mark of a leaders’ success.

Say “No, but…”

Being solution-oriented isn’t easy and you’ll find that you’ll have colleagues and team members who will consistently tell you why something can’t be done. Differentiate yourself by saying, “No, but…”

Just what comes after the “but”? A solution – a way to implement the idea you were discussing, a next step that enables your team to make progress, or a path forward to achieve your goals. Coming to the table with solutions will enable you to distinguish yourself as a problem-solver who gets things done, which is what most of us aspire to be!

What's the one thing that's stood out to you the most in a resume? I always love looking at people’s interests when they share them on a resume because that helps me to ask questions to really get to know them. When I can chat with someone about their interests, I can see how they light up about something they are passionate about and how they solve problems related to something they care about. In my mind this is 100% applicable to how they’ll act in a work environment because I assume my team will be passionate about the work that they do as well as the hobbies they pursue in their free time.

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC 

A lot is on the line with this year’s midterm election. 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives are up for grabs, along with one-third of the U.S. senate and 36 state governors. 

In short, the votes that are made and not made this year, are critical to the future of our country’s democracy.  

But even with such urgency surrounding this election cycle, young people are statistically the least likely to show up and vote. 80 percent sat out the last midterm election and roughly half showed up for the 2016 presidential election.  

So in an attempt to spark change, and fueled by the lack of voter turnout in previous elections, a group of New York University graduate students decided to try something new- add incentives to get young people to vote.

MOTIVOTE, a web-based tool that uses social accountability and gamification to help voters get to the polls, was founded by Emily Graham, Jess Riegel and Rachel Konowitz. 

“We came together to think through how we could develop an innovative solution to a pressing social challenge,” Graham, who serves as chief strategy officer said. “It was early 2017, and all of us were in the thick of political activism, but we also knew that all of this work would be for naught if this new generation of activists didn't actually turn out and vote. So we wanted to bridge the gap between intention passion and action.”

Through extensive research and interviewing hundreds of young voters, the three founders concluded two key barriers were holding young people back from voting. The first were structural and included voter ID laws, a lack of same-day voter registration and a lack of early voting. The second included behavioral microbarriers that included people forgetting to mail in their absentee ballot, thinking their single vote does not matter or choosing not to vote because they did not know enough. So, MOTIVOTE set out to change that. "We're focused on alleviating the tiny, mental hurdles that hold people back so they follow through," Graham said. 

“It was early 2017, and all of us were in the thick of political activism, but we also knew that all of this work would be for naught if this new generation of activists didn't actually turn out and vote. So we wanted to bridge the gap between intention passion and action.”

Keeping their millennial demographic in mind, MOTIVOTE was designed to be simple and user-friendly with three easy steps. 

Step one is a commitment to showing up to vote. Users along with their friends register through the MOTIVOTE website and make a pledge that they will vote in the upcoming election. 

If they’re feeling extra confident, they can back up their commitment with a monetary pledge to raise the stakes for their friends and encourage them to vote as well. Users are only charged their pledge, if one or more members of their team does not vote. 

Step two is called the nudge. 

“We did a deep, months-long dive into behavioral science, and still count a behavioral economist as one of our advisors, to figure out what gets people to vote,” Graham said. “The single-most effective way of getting someone to vote is to have a friend remind them to do so, so friends nudge each other to vote, but then we also give players this curated roadmap of bite-sized actions that they can take to get ready to vote. Things like making a voting plan or viewing a sample ballot. “

Players can then take these actions to earn points each week that get them entered into raffles that include prizes like Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, custom designs from Etsy stores and gift certificates to workout classes. “We've found that companies are more than happy to sponsor us because our work is non-partisan, and who can't get behind increasing voter turnout,” Graham said. 

Step three is where the action takes place. Users confirm their vote by taking a selfie outside their polling place or a selfie with their absentee ballot and upload it to the site. Teams win when everyone on their team votes, and if someone on the team does not vote, everyone else is notified. “That's super effective, because people don't want to be socially shamed for doing something that is seen as desirable,” Graham said. 

MOTIVOTE'S use of technology, and meeting their target demographic where they are and with what they want is what sets them apart. "What's great is that though no one has really done this with voting before," Graham said. "We know that technology does a really good job of helping people through on intentions they set. For everything from losing weight to exercising to saving for retirement to quitting smoking, social accountability and rewards are proven to increase the likelihood of meeting your goals."

MOTIVOTE’S goal is to keep young people politically engaged and active long beyond a single election cycle. And even with the newfound excitement around this year's midterm, Graham along with her co-founders Konowitz and Riegel are still unsure of just how many people will vote, but they are hopeful that what they have created, will be a catalyst for voters who are apprehensive or complacent. 

"We also want our users to come back. Sometimes people talk about the midterms as if they're the culmination of this massive movement, or the be all end all," Graham said. "But we really see them as the start and we want our users to vote in every election, up and down the ballot, which means encouraging them to form teams in 2019 races and beyond."

With over 1,000 registered users, MOTIVOTE'S goal is to have 10,000 before the midterm election. With this number they will be able to measure how effective their site is and provide a better scale for growth, in hopes for becoming the next logical step for voters once they register.

And while there is no one specific reason for why young people are not turning out to vote, MOTIVOTE'S new and innovative ways to encourage young people to exercise their right to vote is a step in the right direction for the future of our country's democracy. 

"Our democracy only works if everyone participates in it," Graham said. "If young people don't vote, their elected officials aren't going to advocate for the issues and policy positions they care most about. If young people turned out to vote, our elected officials would have no choice but to listen to us."

For more information on how to join MOTIVOTE you can visit their website here. And if you're interested in starting your own team you can reach out to Emily Graham at emily@motivote.us! 

Living your best college student life can come with a hefty price tag. Whether it’s study abroad expenses, spring break travel, or that finals week pick-me-up you’ve had in your shopping cart since syllabus week, college is full of fun moments that can cost a pretty penny. But don’t worry: there are plenty of ways you can save money at any stage of your college career to use later on for fun, once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

Find an off-campus internship or job

Getting that real-world experience in your field is an awesome way to not only build your resume, but to make some extra money on the side. Don’t be afraid to a get head start in finding a paid internship or co-op even as a freshman or sophomore — the more internship experience under your belt, the better. Plus, paid internships are perfect for getting to know what kind of work you are interested in doing in the future. You can even apply for a paid internship that may interest you but isn’t related to your major just to see if that field is something you’d one day might like to pursue!

Get a job on-campus

The beginning of a new school year is the perfect time to find new money-making opportunities without leaving campus. Lots of universities offer federal work-study, though they are available only to eligible students. If you don’t meet work-study requirements, there are plenty of other ways to pick up some extra cash: your professor might be looking for a TA, or the campus safety team might be in need of a new shuttle driver. This could be an opportunity to learn a fun new skill, like teaching a group fitness class at your college’s gym (why not?), or you can even get paid for simply showing up to class and taking notes (the bare minimum, let’s be real) by becoming a notetaker for learning-impaired students. Ask around to see where your school posts on-campus jobs!

Volunteer for research studies on campus

This may sound like a strange one at first glance, but most studies won’t require you to plug weird wires to your head. Some can be as easy as tracking your sleep habits (and what’s easier than sleeping?). They can even be lucrative, and require you commit only a few hours a semester. Check your college’s job listings (Student Life or other, similar departments usually keeps a log of these), or trek down to that old school job board hanging in the campus center to see which projects are looking for one-time volunteers.  

Make a budget & stick with it

If you’re a college student, you’re probably busy studying, working, applying to internships, pursuing fun and resume-building extracurriculars, and — oh, right — having a social life. When college life gets super hectic, it’s helpful to already have a budget in place for you to follow.

By building a monthly budget and staying on track with it, you can go about your college activities and responsibilities knowing your finances are balanced.

Open a bank account

This one is a no-brainer. Especially if you’re attending a school out-of-state, opening a checking and savings account should be one of the first things you do as a freshman. It’s a good idea to choose a bank with lots of national locations like Chase so you can access your money while at school, back at home, or anywhere else you go. These days, banks make it easier than ever for college students who are new to managing money to use their services. Opening a Chase College Checking Account is a perfect, easy way to start learning the basics of banking.  

College is the time for taking advantage of fun opportunities that you may never get to do again, so make the most of it by saving early and as much as you can!

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC

When it comes to college, managing your money is a hot topic (and for good reason). Textbooks, meal plans, tuition...the list of expenses you’ll face during your time as a student goes on TBH. Beginning your college career also means thinking a little bit about your college finances: Should I get an on-campus job? Can I afford to study abroad? How will I save up for that big Spring Break trip? Dreaming big means planning big — making sure you have a financial plan on deck is key.

A great first step into the world of financial independence is opening up a checking account during college. Checking accounts can give you the power to have visibility over your spending, helping you keep your income and your expenses organized.

We get it — managing money for the first time can feel a little overwhelming. Thankfully, you don’t have to go about your money matters alone. Chase helps ease the anxiety that can come with managing your money by getting you equipped with all the financial help you may need along the way. The Chase College Checking^SM account is a great option for new college students beginning to take charge of their own finances. Before getting started, here are the super useful features the Chase College Checking^SM account has to make #adulting easier.

Take advantage of mobile banking

Having your financial information right at your fingertips is everything. Sometimes, you need an on-the-go update on your money status (and you need it fast). While mobile banking is convenient for checking up on your account balance, the Chase Mobile® App can do so much more. From keeping track of your purchases, to easily depositing a check from your parents, mobile banking is a must-have tool when managing your checking account.

The Chase Mobile^® Banking app also makes it easy to split expenses between all of your friends. Whether you’re splitting the bill at a restaurant or buying a textbook from a friend, Chase QuickPay^® with Zelle^SM is available right in the app and simplifies the entire process of splitting purchases and sending money to friends in just moments.

Understanding and avoiding fees

Opening up your first checking account is definitely an exciting step into adulthood, but it’s important to keep in mind some of the guidelines that come along with it. Managing important deadlines and understanding the rules that come with your account are just two ways to help steer clear of these fees. Here are the fees that Chase can help you avoid:

             Choose an account with no monthly fee

Several checking account plans require monthly service fees. However, you can sometimes avoid these fees simply by meeting a few requirements. For example, with a Chase College Checking^SM account, qualifying college students 17 to 24 years old won’t have to face a monthly service fee for up to 5 years (hooray!). Avoiding these fees can help save money for all of your student expenses (including those late-night food runs).

             Watch overdraft fees

This is when keeping a close eye on your account balance comes in handy. Many banks charge overdraft fees when your account doesn’t have enough money to cover, let’s say, an online textbook purchase or a monthly subscription to a music streaming service. To avoid overdrawing your account, we suggest enrolling in Chase’s low balance alerts. Whenever your account balance is low, they’ll send you a convenient reminder based on the amount you choose, so you can transfer money over when it’s necessary. You can also sign up for overdraft protection, where Chase links your checking and savings account together in order to have backup funds if your checking account is low.

             Avoid ATM fees

While you’re exploring your campus for the first time and scoping out where your classes will be, take some time to find the ATMs on campus. College campuses typically have a few ATMs scattered about or by your campus’ student union. If those ATMs are not your bank’s ATMs, you may find yourself paying ATM fees that can add up over time. So be sure to use your bank’s ATM locator (like Chase’s) to help avoid those pesky fees.

Monitor your account

This may sound pretty obvious but don’t forget to check up on your account statements fairly frequently. We know things can get pretty hectic on campus, whether it’s juggling your involvement in your sorority or studying tirelessly for upcoming exams. Take some time out from your busy schedule, even if it’s just a quick 10 minutes, to breeze through your account statements (you can even do this on the Chase Mobile^® app!) and ensure that all your transactions are accurate. If you see something unusual, be proactive and contact your bank to report it immediately. The sooner you take care of it, the better.

Adulting may be hard but taking control of your finances doesn’t have to be. See how Chase can assist you in all your future money endeavors!

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC

Google employees around the world walked out of their offices on Thursday to protest how the technology company handles sexual misconduct allegations, prompted by a bombshell New York Times report last week that revealed how Google offered multi-million dollar exit packages to several high-level executives that were accused of sexual misconduct, while keeping quiet about the allegations.

“I’m here protesting against harassment in the workplace to make sure we don't protect or support those perpetrators of harassment,” a protester told Sky News outside of the Google office in London, where dozens of workers gathered to protest.

According to The Huffington Post, Google’s actions lead to a group of female engineers to organize a protest, and it quickly grew to a massive worldwide event in just mere days.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai had issued apologies over the past week since the report came out, and acknowledged the discontent in an email to employees on Tuesday. Pichai said that the tech giant had fired 48 employees for sexual harassment over the past two years, and none of them received an exit package.

“I am deeply sorry for the past actions and the pain they have caused employees,” Pichai wrote in the email, which was obtained by ABC News. “Larry mentioned this on stage last week, but it bears repeating: if even one person experiences Google the way the New York Times article described, we are not the company we aspire to be,” Pichai added, referencing Larry Page, Google’s former CEO.

Pichai pledged in his email that the company would take a “much harder line on inappropriate behavior.”

This “inappropriate behavior” reportedly includes executive Andy Rubin, the creator of Android mobile software who left Google in 2014.

According to ABC News, Rubin was accused of coercing a female employee into performing oral sex at a hotel in 2013. Google investigated the claim and found it to be credible, and Page asked the executive for his resignation. Rubin was quietly given a $90 million exit package, paid in installments over a four-year period, The Times reported.

Rubin denied the allegations and blasted The Times for its “numerous inaccuracies” and “wild exaggerations” in its report.

“The New York Times story contains numerous inaccuracies about my employment at Google and wild exaggerations about my compensation. Specifically, I never coerced a woman to have sex in a hotel room,” Rubin said in a statement on Twitter after the report’s publication.

“These false allegations are part of a smear campaign to disparage me during a divorce and custody battle. Also, I am deeply troubled that anonymous Google executives are commenting about my personnel file and misrepresenting the facts,” Rubin added.

Rubin was among three executives that the tech giant “protected over the past decade after they were accused of sexual misconduct,” The Times report read. Two of the executives, including Rubin, were given millions of dollars as they quietly left the company, while a third executive was still employed in a “highly compensated post,” the report said.

In each of the cases, Google “stayed silent about the accusations against the men,” The Times said.

Event organizers had posted a list of five demands for demonstrators to protest around, including greater transparency at Google and to end forced arbitration.

Demonstrators in New York City held signs that called out sexual misconduct and gender inequality, with some protesters specifically calling out the cushy exit payments.

“Happy to quit for $90 million,” one woman’s sign read. “No sexual harassment required!”

Sam Messing, who works in research at Google, said he was hopeful the protest would create real change, especially when it comes to ending forced arbitration, HuffPost reports.

“I think one of the ways we can be better and more transparent is to end forced arbitration in employment contracts ― at the very least, for cases of sexual harassment and sexual misconduct,” Messing said. “It would enable more transparency and make it easier for people to understand how Google handles claims.”

“As Google workers, we were disgusted by the details of the recent New York Times article, which provided the latest example of a culture of complicity, dismissiveness, and support for perpetrators in the face of sexual harassment, misconduct, and abuse of power,” organizers said in a press release emailed to ABC News.

“As the recent article and the executive response make clear, these problems go all the way to the top,” the press release continued. “While Google has championed the language of diversity and inclusion, substantive actions to address systemic racism, increase equity, and stop sexual harassment have been few and far between. ENOUGH. Reassuring PR won’t cut it: we need transparency, accountability, and structural change.”

“For every story in the New York Times, there are thousands more, at every level of the company. Many have not been told,” organizers added. “We are part of a growing movement, and we are not going to stand for this anymore.”

Simone Biles made history as the first woman to win four all-around titles after she took home her fourth world championship title at the 2018 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships on Thursday.

Biles, who skyrocketed to fame as a member of the “Final Five” women’s gymnastics team that took home a gold medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics, scored 57.491 during the competition in Doha, Qatar, despite falling twice, ultimately beating out Mai Murakami of Japan by 1.7 points, PEOPLE reports. The gymnast is the first woman to earn four all-around titles, winning every single time that she has competed.

While Biles, 21, may have stumbled twice during her all-around final, the judges rewarded her for the level of difficulty she attempted, according to reports.

Biles wrote in an Instagram post that she had “so many emotions” and that since it had been “less than a year since I got back into training so I try not to be too hard on myself.”

“Although I still placed 1st and MADE HISTORY I’m not entirely pleased with my performance. I’m still trying to find my confidence. But I won’t give up ?? I’m proud of myself! —> now onto finals,” Biles added.

According to ABC News, after receiving her medal, Biles told reporters, “It's not the gymnast that I am, to go out there and kind of bomb a meet like this. Even though I won, I wish it were a little bit different.”

“It just sucks that I did so bad and I still won,” Biles added. “I wish it could not happen. You have to earn it, and I'm not sure I earned it tonight.”

Biles’ victory comes just days after the U.S. women’s gymnastic team won the world title and secured a spot at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

The gymnast revealed in a tweet last week that she had been hospitalized prior to the competition.

“Nothing like a late night ER visit less than 24 hrs before world championships,” Biles wrote on Twitter. “This kidney stone can wait…. doing it for my team! I’ll be gucci girls!”

She also shared her selfie of herself in a hospital bed to her Instagram, captioned the picture, “This kidney stone has nothing on world championships.”

And clearly it didn’t. Despite what Simone thinks of her performance, we think she is incredible. Congrats to Simone on her fourth (and history making) all-around title!

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.)

Trump Falsely Blames Obama for Family Separations

When addressing immigration on Thursday, President Donald Trump blamed President Barack Obama for family separations at the border. However, Trump’s claims were incorrect.

Trump was widely criticized for his zero-tolerance policy on immigration that resulted in approximately 2,600 children being separated from their families, ABC News reports. But, according to the Department of Health and Human Services, around 221 children still remain in custody despite a federal judge ordering the kids to be reunited with their family.

The president had signed an executive to reverse the policy.

But on Thursday, Trump blamed Obama for family separations, although the former president never enforced a zero-tolerance policy that lead to mass family separations.

via Wikimedia Commons

“Nobody talks about that, but under President Obama, they separated children from the parents,” Trump said.

“President Obama separated children from families, and all I did was take the same law, and then I softened the law, but by softening the law, many people come up that would not have come up if there was separation,” Trump later said.

According to ABC News, Obama faced an influx of families and children traveling alone trying to escape violence in Central America. The Obama administration, at one point, attempted to house families in special detention centers. When a federal judge in California ruled that the arrangement violated a long-standing rule that children could not be housed in jail-like conditions for an extended period of time, even while with their families, the Obama administration released the families into the United States until they received word of their next court date.

While some families might have been separated during the Obama administration, it was primarily due to serious crimes likes drug trafficking, ABC News reports. Trump’s policy differed in that it considered the act of crossing the U.S. border illegally as a justification to detain parents and place children in protective custody.

Trump Offers UN Ambassador Role to State Department Spokesperson

President Donald Trump has offered to nominate State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert to be U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, a senior White House official told ABC News.

via Wikimedia Commons

It is not clear, however, if Nauert has accepted Trump’s offer to take Nikki Haley’s spot, as Haley announced that she would leave the position by the end of the year.

When asked about Nauert on Thursday, Trump said that while she is “under very serious consideration,” he had not yet made his final decision and wouldn’t until next week.

“She’s been a supporter for a long time, and she's really excellent,” the president said of Nauert.

Nauert has been the State Department spokesperson since April 2017, after working as a broadcast journalist at ABC News and an anchor at Fox News.

A source told ABC News that Nauert met with the president on Monday, making it her second meeting with Trump over the position.

The position does require Senate confirmation.

Oprah Says Not Voting Means “Dishonoring” Your Ancestors

While attending a town hall in support of Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams on Thursday, Oprah Winfrey delivered a powerful messages to voters: If you fail to vote in the midterm elections, you are dishonoring your ancestors.

Winfrey stressed the importance of voting by invoking the story of Otis Moss Sr., who had traveled nearly 18 miles on foot to cast his vote but was told that he was too late when he arrived, The Huffington Post reports. He died before the next election, never having been able to vote.

“For anybody here who has an ancestor who didn’t have the right to vote and you are choosing not to vote wherever you are in this state, in this country, you are dishonoring your family,” Winfrey said at the town hall on Thursday.

“You are disrespecting and disregarding their legacy, their suffering and their dreams when you don’t vote,” she added.

Winfrey, who is joining Abrams on the campaign trail in a highly contested race against Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp (R), told the crowd, “I am an independent woman. Nobody paid for me to come here. Nobody even asked for me to come here. I paid for myself and I approve this message.”

“We are not powerless,” she continued. “Every single one of us has the same power at the polls.”

Winfrey also acknowledged the rumors that she is considering a presidential run in 2020, telling the crowd Thursday that she didn’t have a desire to run, HuffPost reports.

“I’m not here because I’m making some grandstand, because I’m thinking of running myself,” she said. “I don’t want to run, OK? I’m not trying to test any waters. Don’t want to go in those waters. I’m here today because of Stacey Abrams.”

Vice President Mike Pence was also in Georgia on Thursday, joining Kemp at a rally.

“I heard Oprah was in town today,” Pence told the crowd at Kemp’s rally. “And I heard Will Ferrell was going door to door the other day. Well, I’d like to remind Stacey and Oprah and Will Ferrell: I’m kind of a big deal too.”

What to look out for...

Starbucks is giving out free reusable red holiday cups to customers who order a holiday beverage today, November 2nd!

A major concern for anyone approaching graduation, or just entering the ~real world~ of adult finances, is figuring out how the heck you're supposed to not only make money, but also save it responsibly enough to live and maybe someday even save enough retire. 

But that, of course, is an incredibly daunting task that can be overwhelming if you don't really know where to start. Luckily, Her Campus circled up with Chad Wilkins, the president of HSA Bank, to demystify this frontier of Adulting and make it all seem a lot less scary. 

We hope that this will be the thing to help you achieve all your personal finance guru dreams.

Her Campus: In the simplest of terms what is a health savings account and how does it work?

Chad Wilkins: A Health Savings Account (HSA) is an individually owned account that can be used to pay for current or future healthcare expenses tax free. HSA's are a unique benefit of enrolling in a high deductible health plan (HDHP) that is HSA eligible. Contributions can be made by the account holder, employer, or a third party (such as a spouse or parent). Money goes into, grows, and comes out of an HSA tax free —as long as funds are used to pay for IRS-qualified healthcare expenses. Unused funds roll over year to year and can be invested in stocks, bonds, and mutual funds tax free—making HSA's a valuable retirement savings tool.

HC: For soon to be college graduates looking to start saving, how should they approach retirement savings while paying off student loans?

CW: New graduates may be anxious to pay off student loans quickly, but it’s important to think long term. Contributions to a 401(k), HSA, or other retirement savings tool typically offer incentives—like tax advantages, company matches, and investment options—that can outweigh the interest saved by rapid student loan repayment. In addition, contributions made early in life have a longer time to grow, allowing them to become worth much more than contributions made later. Another consideration is that saving for retirement can become increasingly difficult as more financial responsibilities are incurred over time. Ultimately, graduates should always try to make at least the minimum contributions to their retirement plans to reap the incentives before paying off student loans at an accelerated pace. Soon to be college graduates may benefit from speaking with a retirement advisor to ensure retirement readiness.

"Ultimately, graduates should always try to make at least the minimum contributions to their retirement plans to reap the incentives before paying off student loans at an accelerated pace. Soon to be college graduates may benefit from speaking with a retirement advisor to ensure retirement readiness."

HC: Health care is a confusing system for most. There are several options, but what is your advice for young adults when trying to select the best option for themselves?

CW:The right health plan will provide sufficient coverage for an individual’s unique healthcare situation while balancing cost. In order to determine the best health plan, consumers should evaluate their options and take the following into consideration: monthly premiums, deductibles, out-of-pocket maximums, employer contributions to an HSA (if applicable), co-pays, coinsurance, and personal income, marginal tax bracket, ability to save, and anticipated medical needs. Using a health plan comparison calculator can help with the evaluation process. Consumers should also consider their long-term healthcare needs and whether a certain health plan will help them achieve their financial goals. An HSA-qualified HDHP may often be the best option for the long term because HSA funds are contributed tax free, grow tax deferred, and can be withdrawn tax free to pay for qualified healthcare expenses during working years and retirement.

HC: Employee benefit packages are another new thing college graduates have to navigate. Are there any specific benefits in a package that stand-out as exemplary? If so, what and what other benefits should young adults be looking for?

CW: In addition to looking into the advantages of an HSA, college graduates accepting employment offers in metropolitan areas may wish to consider commuter benefits as part of their employee benefits package. Commuter benefits include transit or parking accounts that enable employees to pay for certain workplace transit and parking expenses on a tax-free basis through payroll deductions. 

The cost of an unlimited monthly transit pass in a major city can add up. In New York City a monthly subway pass is $121, which amounts to $1,452 a year. In addition to the tax savings (at least 10%) from a commuter benefits program, having a card specifically to pay for transit provides peace of mind for recent graduates who are adjusting to a full-time work schedule and managing living expenses on their own.

"While college can be a hard time to save, students should try to put aside some money for after graduation or at least maintain minimal debt."

HC: So, what can college students be doing now to ensure or at least be proactive in creating a healthy financial future?

CW: While college can be a hard time to save, students should try to put aside some money for after graduation or at least maintain minimal debt. Expenses often increase after graduation, including student loan payments. Students would be wise to educate themselves about financial health, identify their long-term goals, and begin to adjust their habits accordingly. They should consider making a budget and prepare to allocate their income among living expenses, loan payments, and saving for the future. Learning about the benefits of an HSA now; graduates can start benefiting from the triple-tax advantages of an HSA earlier in life. 

When I found out that Starbucks was giving out free reusable cups, I set my alarm early as fuck and was honestly buzzing with the thought of getting my hands on my favorite Starbucks holiday cups. I yell all day about how unique and special I am but at the end of the day, I love a Peppermint Mocha with the festive sprinkly things on top as much as the next basic. I'm not ashamed. So today I woke up at 7am (which is EARLY for me) and, without brushing my teeth or washing my face or even putting on my eyebrows, I headed for my beloved home of $5 coffee.

But I ended up feeling tricked, you guys, and not just because I was so sleepy I got a Toasted White Chocolate Mocha instead of my go-to Peppermint Mocha (because the coffee was still good, no worries there.)

Here's what you need to know about the reusable cups Starbucks is giving out.

The pros: they are CUTE. They are red and festive and they feel good in your hand. 

The cons: you still need to use a little cardboard sleeve not to burn the fuck out of your hand. Like, idk about you guys, but I wanted to use less crap to get my coffee, so having to add a little sleeve seems counterproductive. But they're cardboard, so hopefully not so bad for the planet? But the major con here is that they say you get 50 cents off of your purchase, which, like, yay. But the more you read, the more details there are.

1. The discount ends after the holiday season.

This is fine, and seems fair. It would be kind of shocking if you got 50 cents off of every single Starbucks drink for the rest of your life. I mean, nice. But shocking. 

2. The discount only counts for holiday drinks.

Hm. Okay. I can drink nothing but holiday coffees for 3 months. Plus, they have so many holiday drinks - Peppermint Mocha, Toasted White Chocolate Mocha, Caramel Brulee Latte, Chestnut Praline Latte, Gingerbread Latte, and Egg Nog Latte - that this feels doable. I'll just rotate them. They'll still get all my money and I'll live my best, most festive life. 

3. The discount only counts after 2pm.

I'm sorry, what?

Maybe this is a Me Problem, but I don't usually get coffee after 2pm. My 2pm coffee is the old, unfinished, cold coffee that I didn't finish from the morning. It's my MORNING coffee that I want to be hot, sparkling, 100% from Starbucks, and discounted. What good is this to me, a morning coffee-reliant human?

At the end of the day, I'll manage. And I'm happy that Starbucks is continuing their save-the-world kick by encouraging us to use reusable cups, and giving them out for free. They also had cups with straws that you could purchase if you're more of an iced beverage and straw kind of gal, but I'll save that for my next trip. Happy Starbucks Holiday Cup Szn, and remember to set an alarm for 2pm every day so you can train your body to need Starbucks at 2pm instead of 8am. You're welcome. 

Things have been rough in the real world lately so if you've been in need of a pick-me-up, Timothée Chalamet and Harry Styles are here for you. 

The former One Direction member interviewed the young Oscar nominee for i-D magazine, and in this interview, not only did my wildest dreams come true, but we also learned a lot about both Timmy and Harry. 

1. Timothée still eats peaches.

It’s a fact that any journalist is contractually obligated to ask Timothée Chalamet about that infamous peach scene from Call Me By Your Name (ya know, the one where his character…experiments…with the fruit). Being the hard-hitting journalist that Harry is, he didn’t hold back. 

“Can you still eat peaches?” he asked. 

“Umm…I can,” Timothée responded. “But not without thinking about it.”

Timothée also admitted that it’s awkward knowing that his parents have watched that scene, which is definitely understandable. 

2. They’re both bad boy risk takers. 

Early on, Harry asked Timothée about being creative, and using fear and uncertainty to produce your best work. Harry emphasized that it can get boring playing it safe, and Timothée echoed that sentiment, saying, that it’s important to “be bad and take risks.” Both of these artists have pushed the limits of artistry and fashion (hello, floral suits), and it’s cool to hear all about their processes. 

3. Timothée is woke AF. 

Timothée already made headlines after he announced he was donating his salary from a Woody Allen film to multiple charities, and, in line with that, he is continuing to prove that he is aware of important social issues. His new film, Beautiful Boy, deals with topics surrounding addiction and substance abuse, and Timothée is well aware of the significance of this latest project. 

“I’m no authority on this, but I think it’s because it’s easier to see it that way. It’s comforting for people to give a face to addiction and think it couldn’t affect you, your family or your loved ones. When the reality, like you said, is that it’s an illness that doesn’t discriminate. It knows no race, class or gender. It’s a very human illness that affects a lot of people our age.”

Using his platform for good instead of evil is one of the many reasons I stan Timothée Chalamet. 

4. Harry Styles uses his work to send secret messages. 

No, he’s not a spy (but how cool would that movie be????), but Harry Styles admitted that he will sometimes slip secret messages in music videos, or wear jewelry that loved ones have given him. 

Is Harry asking me to go back and watch all of his music videos again to find these mementos? I think so. 

5. There may be a Call Me By Your Name sequel. 

In the CMBYN community, rumblings of a sequel to the 2017 film have been causing a lot of drama. But, Timothée tells Harry, “I would love to do a sequel, that challenge is really exciting to me.”

6. They are both family men. 

Let’s get the collective “awwwwwww” out of the way now. It is so sweet to hear both of these talented, a-list celebs talk about how much their families mean to them. Harry mentioned that “sometimes my parents will come on tour and it’s always nice to have them around,” while Timothée talked about how much support from his parents has meant to him. “My mum recently put this photo up of her and my dad at the LA premiere of Beautiful Boy and it's heart shattering in a great way, they’re just beaming with pride. It’s almost overwhelming,” he said.

7. They both journal. 

This is nothing earth-shattering, but both Timothée and Harry revealed that they journal to keep track of their crazy lives, and gain appreciation for everything that has come their way. 

I now have a very real fantasy of going to a stationary store with both Harry Styles and Timothée Chalamet to purchase washi tape, calligraphy pens and fancy paper products. We are all dressed in bold floral prints. A girl can dream, can’t she? 

8. They talked about getting political and conquering major social issues. 

It’s an endless debate about whether or not celebs should get involved in the political sphere, and Timothée admitted that he “[does] feel as though it is a responsibility though.” He also mentioned activist Emma Gonzalez, the importance of activism that has taken place in Hollywood over the past year and how social media has the power to be a tool for social change but can also be detrimental in this day and age.

“I am envious of a time when people really locked eyes and there wasn’t the escape of a screen,” Chalamet said. “It’s the caricature of someone at a party scrolling through Tetris.”

9. Harry Styles talked about how happy he is away from social media. 

It’s something we all know, but Harry put it perfectly into words. 

“On a personal level, I feel a noticeable change in how happy I am when I’m not on social media. Someone once described it to me like a house party, where there are three people who are great and 23 people who aren’t that nice. You just wouldn’t go to that party would you? That kind of summarizes my feelings about social media. I dip in. I see the friends I want to see and I dip out.”

10. They’re both huge fans of Christopher Nolan (and each other). 

Harry starred in Nolan’s 2017 film, Dunkirk, while Timmy had a role in 2014’s Interstellar. And Timmy fangirled over Harry, hard. 

Harry expressed interest in doing another film someday to which Timmy replied, “Oh man, I really hope you act in something else. Because, I don’t know if it means anything from me, but I thought you were really fucking excellent in that movie.”

Well said, Timothée, well said. 

11. They discussed masculinity, in the most intelligent of ways. 

Harry spoke of his somewhat unconventional upbringing. “I didn’t grow up in a man’s man world. I grew up with my mum and my sister. But I definitely think in the last two years, I’ve become a lot more content with who I am. I think there’s so much masculinity in being vulnerable and allowing yourself to be feminine, and I’m very comfortable with that.”

Timothée echoed his feelings about the intertwined nature of masculinity and vulnerability. “That’s really beautiful and inspiring…It’s the craziest feeling to achieve that vulnerability. If us having this conversation, in any infinitesimal way, can help anyone, a guy, a girl, realize that being vulnerable is not a weakness, not a social barrier. It doesn’t mean you’re crazy or hyper emotional, you’re just human…Humans are complex; we need to feel a lot of things. We are not homogeneous.”

Kudos to them for having this open and powerful discussion. 

12. Timothée Chalamet knows the meaning of life. 

When Styles asked this deep question, Timothée had the perfect response. “That we’re all only here for so long,” Timothée said. “Live and let live. Love deeply. Love openly. And know that the wise man knows he’s ignorant but cultivates more understanding.”

That’s beautiful.

And now for some quick hits…

13. Timothée’s favorite show is The Office.

14. Harry’s desert island movie would be Goodfellas.

15. Timothée Chalamet sleeps in the nude. I’ll just leave that there…

Check out the full article, and join the legions of fans crying over this perfect alignment stars.