Wellness Wednesday Issue #111

The Assist Newsletter
February 11, 2025
A teal background with yellow tulips and a quote in white text: "You alone are enough. You have nothing to prove to anybody." – Maya Angelou.

Today’s Checklist: 

  • Renting or Buying: What’s Best For You?
  • Your No-BS Guide to Sexual Health & Pleasure
  • Recipe of The Week: Red Wine Braised Short Rib

🤔 Trivia: Valentine’s Day originates from which ancient Roman festival? Find out.

QUICK LINKS

📚 Stay sharp with these 10 corporate training trends that are shaking up 2025.

😌 Stressed? These 40 quick fixes might be just what you need.

🚀 The ultimate productivity hack might be simpler than you think.

💝 Luxe Valentine’s gifts that look expensive—but aren’t.

FINANCES

A digital illustration of a smiling woman receiving an oversized gold key from a man holding a model house, with a money bag and location icons in the background.

Renting vs. Buying: What’s Right For You?

 

There’s a lot of pressure around homeownership, as if buying a home is the ultimate sign of financial success. But in reality, depending on the market, your lifestyle, and your financial goals—renting might be the smarter move.

For some, owning property is a way to build equity and create generational wealth. For others—especially entrepreneurs or those who value flexibility—keeping cash liquid rather than tying it up in real estate makes more sense. So how do you decide? Let’s break it down.

The Pros of Renting

  • Flexibility: Renting is ideal if you like the option to move cities, change neighborhoods, or adjust your living situation without the hassle of selling a home.
  • Fewer Responsibilities: You don’t have to worry about property taxes, repairs, or maintenance—when the water heater breaks, that’s your landlord’s problem, not yours.
  • Lower Upfront Costs: While buying a home requires a down payment, closing costs, and other fees, renting usually only requires a security deposit and first month’s rent.
  • More Affordable in Certain Markets: In high-cost cities like New York, San Francisco, or Los Angeles, it can take years (if not decades) for homeownership to make financial sense. Sometimes, renting and investing your money elsewhere yields better returns.
  • Better Use of Cash for Entrepreneurs: If you’re running a business, having liquid cash to reinvest in growth may be more valuable than locking it up in real estate. Instead of a mortgage, that money could go into a high-yield savings account, stock investments, or your next big venture.

The Cons of Renting

  • No Equity Building: The biggest downside is that your monthly rent doesn’t contribute to ownership—once you pay it, that money is gone.
  • Rent Increases: Your landlord can raise the rent, and you have little control over how much it costs to stay long-term.
  • Lack of Stability: You’re at the mercy of your landlord’s decisions. They could sell the property, choose not to renew your lease, or change policies that impact your living situation.
  • Limited Personalization: Most rentals have restrictions on renovations, decor, or upgrades, meaning you may not get to create the space you truly want.

The Pros of Buying

  • Building Equity: Unlike rent, your mortgage payments contribute to homeownership. Over time, as you pay off your loan and home values rise, you build equity that you can eventually leverage or sell for a profit.
  • Long-Term Stability: Owning a home means no landlords, no unexpected rent hikes, and no worries about being asked to leave.
  • Tax Benefits: Homeowners can take advantage of tax deductions on mortgage interest, property taxes, and home office expenses.
  • Potential for Passive Income: If you own property in a strong rental market, you could rent out a portion of your home or turn it into an investment property.
  • Personalization & Control: You can renovate, upgrade, and design your space however you want.

The Cons of Buying

  • High Upfront Costs: Between the down payment, closing costs, home inspections, and property taxes, buying a home is a major financial commitment.
  • Ongoing Maintenance & Repairs: Homeownership means handling everything yourself—when the AC breaks or the roof leaks, you’re the one footing the bill.
  • Market Fluctuations: While home values generally increase over time, real estate isn’t guaranteed to appreciate, and economic downturns can impact property values.
  • Less Flexibility: Selling a home takes time, and if you need to move quickly, you may not be able to cash out fast.
  • Tied-Up Cash: For entrepreneurs and investors, homeownership can mean having a large portion of your money tied up in real estate instead of being available for other opportunities like stock investments, business expansion, or high-yield savings.

So, Should You Rent or Buy?

The answer depends on your lifestyle, goals, and financial situation.

  • If you value flexibility, low maintenance, and financial liquidity, renting may be the better choice.
  • If you’re ready for long-term stability, equity building, and the responsibilities of homeownership, buying could be a smart investment.
  • If you’re an entrepreneur, consider how much cash you need to keep available and whether real estate is the best use of your money at this time.

At the end of the day, homeownership isn’t the only path to financial success—and renting doesn’t mean you’re throwing money away. It’s all about choosing the right option for your lifestyle and goals.

TOOL DISCOVERY

A digital illustration of a person using a tablet while robotic arms interact with a screen displaying graphs, charts, and financial icons, symbolizing automation and data-driven decision-making.

Drowning in To-Dos? These Tools Do the Heavy Lifting

 

Your workload isn’t the problem—it’s the work about work that’s dragging you down. Chasing approvals, juggling endless notifications, drowning in spreadsheets…sound familiar?

Here’s how to reclaim your focus, streamline your systems, and actually move the needle—without working longer hours.

Drowning in status check-ins and project updates?

→ Fix it with Wrike – Automate progress tracking, set dependencies, and centralize communication so your team stays aligned—without the endless pings.

📝 Spending more time taking notes than participating in meetings?

→ Fix it with Fellow – AI-powered meeting summaries that capture key takeaways, track action items, and keep your team on the same page—without lifting a finger.

📅 Your team’s workload feels like a guessing game?

→ Fix it with Resource Guru – Get a real-time snapshot of who’s overbooked (and who’s got bandwidth) so projects stay balanced and burnout stays low.

📇 Your CRM feels like more work than it’s worth?

→ Fix it with HighLevel – Automate client follow-ups, nurture leads on autopilot, and streamline communication so you can focus on closing deals—not chasing data.

💳 Too many invoices, not enough time?

→ Fix it with Bill.com – Cut down on busywork with faster approvals, automatic payment syncing, and real-time cash flow tracking—all in one place.

Pick one, integrate it into your workflow, and watch your workday transform.

WELLNESS

A watercolor-style illustration of love-themed items, including an envelope with heart-shaped confetti, a chocolate-covered strawberry, a heart-shaped cookie, and a pink bow.

Your No-BS Guide to Sexual Health & Pleasure This Valentine’s Day

 

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, it’s time to talk about more than just flowers and chocolates. Whether you’re planning a romantic evening with a partner or just focusing on self-care, making sure you’re prioritizing sexual health and pleasure is key to a fun, stress-free experience.

And since some of you may be reading this at work, you can click below when you’re ready to give our full V-Day guide a read (it’s NSFW 😅).

Dirty Talk: How to Make It Hot, Not Awkward

Let’s be real—dirty talk can feel a little awkward, especially if you’re stuck repeating the same go-to phrases. But the secret to great dirty talk is in the details. The best way to keep it natural (and sexy) is to use this three-step formula:

  1. What you want to do – “I can’t wait to feel you against me.”
  2. What you’re about to do – “I’m going to kiss my way down your stomach.”
  3. What you’re doing – “You taste so good.”

Think of it like a game of Twister, but instead of “put your left foot on green,” it’s “put your right hand on my ____.” The more specific and in the moment you are, the hotter it gets.

Need more inspiration? Try some of these dirty talk lines and texts—warning, they’re 🔥.

Sexual Health & Hygiene Basics

Before you get caught up in the heat of the moment, here are a few must-know tips to keep things fun and safe.

Cleanliness

  • Front to back, always. If you’re switching from vaginal to anal play, do not go back without proper cleaning—this is one of the fastest ways to get an infection.
  • Pee after sex. It helps flush out bacteria and prevents UTIs.
  • Your pH balance matters. If you’re noticing irritation or infections after sex, different pH levels between partners might be the cause. It takes time for bodies to adjust.

STDs & STIs

  • Herpes can spread even without an outbreak. Many people don’t realize that genital herpes can be transmitted even if there are no visible sores.
  • Get tested regularly. Even if you’re in a monogamous relationship, things happen. Getting checked every 3-6 months is a good practice.
  • STIs aren’t just from intercourse. Gonorrhea, chlamydia, herpes, and HPV can all be spread through oral sex—protection is always a good idea.

Birth Control & New Contraceptive Innovations

Finding the right birth control method for you is important, and there are more options than ever.

What’s New in Sex Toys?

Sexual wellness is evolving, and 2025 is bringing in some game-changing innovations. Whether you’re shopping for yourself or a partner, here are some of the best:

For Her

  • Womanizer Premium 2 – A top-rated clitoral stimulator that uses Pleasure Air Technology for contactless stimulation.
  • LELO Sona Cruise 2 – A sonic massager that stimulates the entire clitoris, including the internal structure, for a deeper sensation.
  • We-Vibe Nova 2 – A flexible rabbit vibrator that adapts to your movements to maintain constant contact with the clitoris.

For Him

  • Fleshlight Flight Pilot – A discreet male masturbator with a sleek design and a textured interior for enhanced pleasure.
  • Hot Octopuss Pulse Solo Lux – A high-tech male vibrator that uses oscillations to stimulate the penis and can be used flaccid or erect.

For Couples

  • We-Vibe Sync – A wearable vibrator designed for couples to use during intercourse, with adjustable fit and app control.
  • Lovense Lush 3 – A powerful, app-controlled wearable vibrator that can be used discreetly in public or in long-distance relationships.
  • OhMiBod Esca 2 – A wearable vibrator with Bluetooth connectivity, allowing for interactive play with a partner anywhere.

Unisex

  • Njoy Pure Wand – A stainless steel dildo known for its weight and curvature, ideal for G-spot and prostate stimulation.
  • LELO Hugo – A remote-controlled prostate massager that offers powerful vibrations and a comfortable fit.
  • Fun Factory Stronic Eins – A pulsator that mimics thrusting motions, suitable for both vaginal and anal play.

Lube Innovations

The right lube can completely transform your experience. Whether you prefer silicone, water-based, or all-natural formulas, check out what’s new in lube for 2025.

Apps for Connection & Intimacy

Technology isn’t just for swiping on dating apps—these tools are designed to help couples build deeper intimacy, explore new things, and keep the spark alive.

  • Cupla – Helps couples track love languages, intimacy, and shared relationship goals.
  • Coral – A sexual wellness app focused on pleasure, guided exercises, and better communication.
  • Kindu – A fun app for couples to explore fantasies and discover shared desires in a pressure-free way.

Valentine’s Day is all about connection—whether that’s with a partner or just embracing your own pleasure and self-care. No matter what your plans look like, making sure you’re prioritizing sexual health, safety, and pleasure ensures that the experience is exciting and worry-free.

Now go forth and have a sexy, fun, and safe Valentine’s Day! 💋

HIRING TOOL

A graphic featuring a magnifying glass over the Workable logo, with connected icons for LinkedIn, Google, Indeed, and Facebook. A candidate suggestion for "Olivia Wang, Program Manager" highlights AI-powered recruitment.

Hiring Shouldn’t Feel Like a Second Full-Time Job

 

Sorting through a flood of resumes. Chasing down candidates who ghost. Juggling interview schedules like a circus act. Hiring isn’t just hard—it’s exhausting.

The best HR leaders know the secret: a tighter, faster hiring process = stronger teams and less burnout.

Here’s how to make it happen:

Ditch the unqualified flood – Use AI-powered sourcing to surface top talent before resumes even hit your inbox.

Stop chasing candidates – Let them self-schedule interviews so you’re not stuck in an email spiral.

Automate the follow-ups – Keep applicants engaged without manually nudging them every other day.

Keep hiring organized – Track every candidate’s progress in one place (no more “Where are we with this person?” Slack messages).

Workable does all of this—so you can build better teams without burning out your own.

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

A close-up of a plate with red wine-braised short ribs, mashed potatoes, and roasted broccoli, with text inviting viewers to get the recipe.
Have a recipe you love? Share it here.

STAFF PICKS

Stuff We’re Loving This Week

 

💘 This Valentine’s Day workshop on Fri 2/14 has the science-backed secrets to the perfect date. Register here for free.

👜 The Beis Mini Weekender is your stylish, pack-it-all travel BFF.

💪 Level up your workouts with resistance bands that bring the burn.

🕵️‍♂️ Keep your personal info yours with Incogni—less spam, fewer scams, more privacy.

JUST FOR FUN

A meme with an image of Pluto covered in red patches. The caption reads, “Bruises from all the times y’all said he wasn’t a planet,” joking about Pluto’s planetary status.

SPILL THE TEA

Take Our Poll

TA Poll WellnessWed 111

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

🚨 Open Jobs: Visit our job board here.

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

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

Skip to content