Putting yourself at a disadvantage is a mistake. You have to be your own advocate now. A person who always makes demands has to be set straight. You were willing to help in the past, but those days are over. Continuing to come to their rescue will perpetuate a cycle that isn't healthy for either of you. You work hard and should enjoy the fruits of your labour. Having to spend your precious income on an irresponsible person is making you tired and resentful.

Although you long for freedom, you can't break away from a group right now. You are financially dependent on a certain arrangement. Until you're able to find another source of income, you will have to abide by a strict set of rules. Start formulating a plan of action. Whether this means finding another place to live, getting a roommate or receiving government assistance is immaterial. The important thing is to work your way out of this trap as quickly as possible.

It isn't enough to envision your dream career. You must take practical steps to secure it. Boosting your education, working as an apprentice or getting your foot in the door of a prestigious company are all worthwhile measures. You will have to make some temporary sacrifices to realise your goal. That's natural. You're very flexible. It doesn't bother you to live in reduced circumstances when you know it is temporary. Do one concrete thing designed to land the job you want.

Because you are very tolerant, some people feel free to tease you about your beliefs. You're starting to bristle at all their jokes. Instead of continuing to suffer in silence, take your tormentor aside. Explain how their words are bothering you. Ask politely for them to stop this behaviour. Cite specific examples of what is offensive. If they don't let up, file an official report. There is no reason you should put up with this insensitive attitude. Stand up for yourself.

Pouring all your energy into a single cause is exhausting. Take a few steps back from what you're doing and breathe deep. The world won't fall apart if you run a few errands. Getting a change of scenery will help put a serious problem in perspective. If someone has been withholding a payment or a refund has been delayed, stay calm. You can find ways around the problem. By being proactive, you'll earn steadily. When your windfall arrives, you'll be even more secure.

Sometimes it's impossible to be equal participants in a relationship. One of you will have more experience or knowledge than the other. When this happens, it's important to defer to the expert. That doesn't mean the authority in this situation should make all the decisions in the future. Be willing to give credit where it is due. This will allow you both to benefit from each other's strengths. The relationship model your family set may not be the right one for you to follow.

Don't be too idealistic about a health matter. It will take longer than expected to gain the benefits of a treatment. Be patient and take things day by day. When you don't feel well, be gentle with yourself. Take a day off work, cut back your schedule and take a nap. If the laundry doesn't get done or you skip a trip to the gym, that's fine. Your main focus should be following a health professional's advice, monitoring your progress and listening to your body's signals.

Getting lost in a romantic haze will have financial consequences. You shouldn't have to buy your amour lots of expensive gifts to win their affection. Don't be afraid to lay your cards on the table regarding spending. If you can't afford to go out to eat every night, say so. A partner who is worth their salt will work with you to make sensible choices. Someone who only wants a free ride will quickly find another person to foot the bill. Either way, you win.

You can't be objective about a family matter. A relative who is dear to your heart needs help, but you're reluctant to admit it. That's because you're afraid to own up to your part of the problem. Overlooking symptoms of an illness or addiction was your way of coping. Now you can no longer ignore the evidence. Help your loved one seek treatment. Stop beating yourself up. Make it your mission to do the best you can in this difficult situation.

Giving others the benefit of the doubt is a mistake. Someone who is pretending to be your friend has ulterior motives. If they have the means to hurt you, they merit suspicion. Don't discount them simply because they seem nice and have always been pleasant to you. Keeping a close eye on others isn't fun, but it's sometimes necessary to get to the bottom of mysteries. Focus on facts. If anybody has the ability to take advantage of you, tread carefully.

Don't feel pressured into buying expensive status symbols. Trying to keep up with seemingly well-heeled friends will backfire. Many people who appear wealthy are actually drowning in debt. You have never been a very materialistic person and you don't need lots of luxury to be happy. When it comes to spending money, you should buy things you either need or enjoy. If you don't want satellite television but everyone else does, save yourself some cash.

There are some exciting options on the career front, but don't be too confident about your prospects. If you're in the running for an impressive job, you will have to prepare carefully. Gather references and work samples. Practice your interviewing skills. Put together an outfit that makes you look like a confident professional. Above all, you should do some research into any prospective employer. Showing you know about the institution will make a great impression.