🤔 Brainteaser of the day: You have three boxes. One contains apples, one contains oranges, and the third contains both apples and oranges. Each box is labeled incorrectly. You can only take out one piece of fruit from one box to determine the correct labels for all the boxes. Which box do you choose and how do you label them correctly?

Click here to see the answer.

✅ Today's checklist: 

• Thania shares lessons on black mold in her condo
• Dating advice if you're described as "too intense"
• Pet of the week: Meet Moose

🔔 ICYMI: Yesterday we opened up 100 spots for The A-list and 42 have already been taken! Apply to join our private Slack community here. We will close applications by Fri 10/25 @ 11:59PM PT (or when spots run out).

💌 P.S. Looking to kick off your Monday with some positivity? Sign up for our Motivational Monday texts (U.S. only).

🧺 11 ways you're damaging your washer and dryer every time you do laundry.

💰 The best budget apps for 2024 to keep your finances on track.

💙 Need a break? Try these self-care ideas this weekend.

👩🏽‍✈️ How millennial women are redefining success on their own terms.

 

Two years ago, I was thrilled to purchase my own condo, a significant milestone as a first-generation individual. The sense of accomplishment from achieving such a cornerstone of American dreams—education, career, and homeownership—was overwhelmingly beautiful.

I thought I had covered all my bases: securing a mortgage, choosing a great realtor, employing a thorough home inspector, and negotiating the best deal.

However, about four months ago, I discovered that the "odd" smell I blamed on my garbage disposal was actually a major leaky pipe in a common area of the building, causing black mold and extensive water damage.

Since moving in, I've faced numerous health issues such as weight gain, brain fog, fatigue, and more, which I eventually linked to over two years of exposure to black mold.

Dealing with this has been a nightmare, especially since joining the HOA board. I found them unhelpful in addressing the issues clearly outlined in the CC&Rs. It's been an ongoing struggle, and I'm now considering legal action to recover costs for repairs and health care.

Here's what I would do differently if I were to buy a condo again:

1. Mold Inspection: Don't skip on a mold test. It may seem unnecessary, especially in dry climates, but it's a minor expense compared to potential future repairs and health issues.
2. Understand the HOA: Learn who's on the HOA board, their meeting frequency, and their tenure. Attend a session if possible to see how decisions are made.
3. Review HOA Finances: Before you buy, review the HOA's financial health. I was hit with a $2,000 special assessment right after moving in. Ensure there are sufficient reserves to avoid unexpected expenses.
4. Talk to Neighbors: They can provide insights into the community, the effectiveness of the HOA, and other local concerns.
5. Review All Governing Documents: Make sure you get and review all CC&Rs and any amendments to the bylaws. I missed restrictions on pet enclosures because I only received the original CC&Rs, not the amended bylaws.

As they say, hindsight is 20/20 but shared wisdom is also incredibly valuable! I hope my learnings help someone to avoid my same challenges and empower you to ask better questions and make more informed decisions.

Thania (TA Content Mgr)

 

When you manage a $1M swag budget like I used to for events, employee, and client gifting, you start to realize something—doing your own research for the perfect gift can be a huge time sink.

I've learned to lean heavily on vendors like Swag.com because they work with hundreds of clients, maybe even some of your competitors, and have access to valuable data that I don't. They know what's trending, what's a hit, and what actually gets used—not just thrown in a drawer (or trash!).

Here are 5 trending pieces according to swag experts:

Let your vendors do the heavy lifting when it comes to gift suggestions—they have the data to know what works. And you? You get to add your personal touch and make sure your brand shines.

Work with Swag.com to get thoughtful, high-quality gifts without the research headache.

Joanna (TA Co-Founder)

 

📚 Read: The Bulletproof Plan to Age Backward and Maybe Even Live Forever by Dave Asprey

Dave Asprey's latest book offers a deep dive into biohacking strategies aimed at reversing the aging process and optimizing your health. Drawing on cutting-edge research and personal experimentation, The Bulletproof Plan to Age Backward provides practical tips to enhance your body's performance and longevity.

📺 Watch: From

From is a captivating sci-fi horror series from the producers of Lost that pulls viewers into a mysterious town where residents are trapped, and unable to leave. As they try to unravel the secrets behind their predicament, they must also contend with terrifying creatures that emerge at night. The perfect TV series to binge during spooky season.

🎧 Listen: "Guys Think I'm Intense" on The Viall Files

In this episode of The Viall Files, the conversation gets real as the guest discusses the challenges of dating, navigating perceptions, and embracing one's true self in relationships. With Nick Viall's signature blend of humor and empathy, the episode delves into why intensity can be a double-edged sword in romantic connections.

Recruiting the right talent is one of the biggest challenges for any company. Between posting jobs, sorting resumes, and scheduling interviews, it's easy to feel overwhelmed—especially when it comes to managing feedback across hiring managers. Building a strong team should start with an efficient, collaborative, and data-driven recruitment process.

When I asked my best friend (who's been in recruiting for years) about Greenhouse, she wouldn't shut up about how awesome it was—the text pictured above was part 1 of many gray bubble responses.

She told me Greenhouse makes hiring way more collaborative—giving managers access to the platform so everyone's on the same page for scheduling and feedback. Plus, the customizable scorecards for interviews make gathering actionable feedback super easy.

And if you're into optimizing (who isn't?), the data you get from the platform is a game-changer. You can see the types of applicants coming in and tweak your search strategy in real-time.

TL;DR: If you're looking to cut down your hiring time, improve collaboration with managers, and get deeper insights into your talent pool, Greenhouse is a must-have.

Joanna (TA Co-Founder)

Moose loves nature. He is always up for a trip to our friend's farm.

As an avid camper he is big on travel as well. Moose also enjoys visiting his trainer who has a goat, chicken, snakes, two dogs, bunnies, and a cat to entertain him. Needless to say, Moose loves to be part of the action.

💌 We're huge pet lovers at The Assist and want to feature a pet each week—fill out this form for your fur baby to be featured!

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