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What Your Zodiac Sign Means for Your Finances

Ever wonder why the thought of mapping out a household budget makes you want to run screaming for the nearest pint of cookies and cream? Meanwhile, your husband keeps a color-coded spreadsheet of every purchase he’s made since college. Turns out, our ways of approaching money may be written in the stars. Here, the personality traits associated with your zodiac sign—and their impact on personal finance. But unlike your DOB, you can modify your spending habits. Thank heavens.

RELATED How to Be More Optimistic in Life, Based on Your Zodiac Sign


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Aquarius (jan 20-feb 18)

According to astrologers, Aquarians are “shy and quiet…deep thinkers and highly intellectual people who love helping others.” You’re an idealist dreaming of healing the world but also a classic introvert with a deep need for alone time and hygge socks.

Finance Fix: Be open to advice. Seek out a tête-à-tête with a financial planner, therapist or trusted family member whose money wisdom you admire. And if you want to put some money where your mouth is and donate to one of your favorite social causes, research ways to give back without breaking the bank.

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Pisces (feb 19-mar 20)

Understanding, affectionate and accepting, you are always willing to give to—and spend on—others, per astrologers. “For the most part, Pisceans don't give money too much thought,” say the folks at Horoscope.com. Unfortunately, your generosity may lead to treating your buddies to brunch too often and donating to Facebook friends’ kickstarter funds at the expense of your own credit card debt. Beware of landing in financial hot water, fishy.

Finance Fix: To quit buying stuff you don’t need (for yourself or for others), count your blessings. Gratitude awareness has been scientifically proven to curb impulse purchases. As for those requests for “any amount you can spare” to fund a friend’s indie film? Send a message of support, sans cash.

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Aries (mar 21- Apr 19)

Dearest ram: You are an energetic, determined, unstoppable go-getter. According to one astrology site, “With all of their fire power and can-do attitude, there’s nothing an Aries can’t (and won’t) take on.” What some call aggressive, you call getting s--- done. Of course you can also be juuuust a smidge impulsive, reckless and jealous (plus you love new clothes!)—not the best building blocks for an orderly financial house.

Finance Fix: To make the most of your hard-won income, shop around for CDs (Certificates of Deposit) with the best rates. Unlike traditional savings accounts, these guys are fee-free, so you can park excess cash in one and watch it yield returns for years. So much more satisfying than wearing whatever you just fought to buy at that sample sale.

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Taurus (apr 20-may 20)

You’re so practical, you think online shopping is for suckers and self-care is for celebs. So the risk for you isn’t financial (perish the thought). It’s emotional. One study even found that “tightwads” married to overspenders fight about money 23 percent more than the average couple.

Finance Fix: Learn you can let go (just a little) without going broke. Set aside a reasonable “fun” allowance every month—experts suggest 5 percent of your paycheck or $200—for you and your S.O. to spend on anything you want. You’ll probably survive living a little.


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Gemini (may 21-june 20)

Like any set of twins (except, you know, living inside one body), you can be resourceful and wise one minute, distracted and overwhelmed the next. According to the AstroTwins, “Gemini has a tendency to ride the roller coaster of life, spiraling skywards one minute and plunging into lows the next.”

Finance Fix: You need stability, stat. Rather than spending big one day and overcompensating by depriving yourself the next, tons of finance gurus advise routinely paying yourself first (i.e., immediately putting a portion of your next paycheck into a savings account, 401k or IRA). Why? According to one: “It’s much harder to miss money you’ve never seen in the first place.”

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Cancer (june 21-jul 22)

Symbolized by the crab, Cancers are known to be thrifty penny-pinchers (get it?). However, because nothing is straightforward in astrology, “you also love to spend!” say the AstroTwins. “It’s a mood thing. To make life easier, you surround yourself with comfort: a cozy sweater, a favorite book, trusted friends, and a stash of your favorite goodies.”

Finance Fix: Invest in quality. Live by the motto “buy cheap, buy twice.” Spend seldom, but when you do, make it count. Always worth parting with a few dollars? Comfort-zone-busting new experiences, quality time with loved ones or anything that saves you energy (house-cleaning services, Peloton bikes, Fresh Direct FTW!). All of this will make you happy—or at the very least, way less crabby.


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Leo (jul 23-aug 22)

You are a lioness who lives large. An ambitious pack leader, an empowered force of nature and possibly a bit of a drama queen, you wear your heart on your (couture) sleeve. Your love of luxury makes you occasionally wasteful and sloppy, with interests that lean elitist (ouch!), according to astrologers.

Finance Fix: Learn to mix high and low. Consign (or donate for a charitable tax write-off) some big ticket items before investing in your next one. Swedish death clean your closet to take stock of what you already have. Writes one expert: “One of my ‘Miser Advisers’ says that whenever his kids want to buy something new, he tells them to first go clean something they already own. He says that the act of sprucing up a possession they already have usually convinces them that they really don't need something new.”


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Virgo (aug 23-sept 22)

Represented by the goddess of wheat and agriculture, you are the perfect, methodical, logical, level-headed candidate to plant your money somewhere safe and watch it grow. Your downfall is your perfectionism. “Though Virgos long to be meticulous in all pursuits, they must remember that constantly chasing after the ideal can be destructive when applied to self or others,” according to Astrologer Aliza Kelly Faragher. “Beauty exists within our imperfections, and it’s important for Virgos to learn that flaws are not defects.”

Finance Fix: Read money coach Amy Hudson’s “3 Ways to Stop Being Such a Cheap Ass.” Our favorite tip: “Look at the value, not the cost!” Her example? She bought a $499 Dyson vacuum that she’s used for over 15 years, while living with four “very hairy” pets. Over the decades, the annual cost of that appliance broke down to be less than $40. We spend that much on Starbucks some weeks.

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Libra (sept 23-oct 22)

Represented by scales, you are all about balance, harmony and equilibrium—an ideal makeup for managing money. You have excellent taste and love to surround yourself with objects (art, books, stylish boyfriends) that reflect your refinement. However, writes Faragher, “Instead of constantly seeking outside perspectives, Libras would do well to develop (and trust) their own intuition.”

Finance Fix: According to one financial expert, those who “tend to lean on others when making big decisions…may also be prone to overspending on social activities like annual getaways with friends or work happy hours. They could benefit from spending more time reflecting on how they manage their money, such as writing down how certain purchases made them feel.” Looking back on past expenditures, do any seem wasteful now? Were you feeling down, anxious or bored when you splurged for that dress or that five-star staycation? “That insight could help [overspenders] become more mindful the next time they reach for their wallets.”

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Scorpio (oct 23-nov 21)

You, dear scorpion, are magnetic, charismatic, creative and complex. But your tendency to be secretive may mean you are less than transparent when it comes to your money. “Mysterious Scorpio makes us want to hide our vulnerabilities,” say the AstroTwins. Like that “sick day” spa visit no one needs to know about.

Finance Fix: Since you prize privacy, allowing a financial planner to dig through your accounts snapshot probably sounds like your personal version of hell. Hate thinking—and talking—about money? Autopay everything: Credit card bills, utilities, rent, 401k siphons, incremental transfers to savings—make it all automatic and rarely give it a second thought. Once you set this all up, you’ll know anything left over in your checking account at the end of the month is safe to spend. The key, of course, is having enough of a cushion to cover all of these automated expenses to begin with. Even mythical desert assassins hate overdraft fees.

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Sagittarius (nov 22-dec 21)

You’re extroverted, open to change and optimistic. You want to eat the world and die laughing, but you aren’t so big on being constrained or paying attention to details. Financially, this might make you a glutton for punishment.

Finance Fix: Define your values, and laser focus on a few major goals. If you set an intention to travel to Bora Bora, spending money on dining out or new spring sandals (when, TBH, last year’s are still chic as hell) will lose its appeal, say experts.

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Capricorn (dec 22-jan 19)

“Capricorn is a sign that represents time and responsibility," according to astrologers. Those born under this star sign tend to be "traditional and often very serious by nature.” You’re an excellent manager and your drug is self-control (let us guess—marathon runner?). You have a valuable tendency to push yourself and those around you. But you also expect—and obsessively plan for—the worst.

Finance Fix: Try not to worry so much about money. How? Focus on what you can control: accumulating three to six months of savings should disaster strike (you or your partner gets laid off or you suddenly need to support an ailing relative). Aim to pay at least triple the minimum due on your credit card statement. Then take a Kon-Mari approach and slash spending on anything that doesn’t bring you joy (that audiobook subscription you never tap that makes you feel intellectually inferior? GONE, girl). Once you’ve taken your power back, your anxieties should shrink along with your debt.