SoFi Blog

Tips and news—
for your financial moves.

It’s Time for You to Get That Raise

When was the last time you assessed your value or negotiated your salary at work? According to a recent survey1 conducted by SoFi, over half (57%) of respondents said they feel that they are underpaid, yet only 33% plan to ask for a raise this year.

The conversation surrounding financial independence often only focuses on cutting back to save money – eliminating a daily latte, or bringing lunch to work. Of course, being financially responsible is an important part of getting to financial independence. At SoFi, we believe there is another important dimension to this discussion: earning your way to financial independence. Earning more money gives you the opportunity to put it towards your financial goals faster, whether that means saving for your first home, paying down existing debt, or investing more. Our goal? To help you get your money right—and steer you toward an accelerated path to financial independence.

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black women's equal pay day

Why #38PercentCounts on Black Women’s Equal Pay Day

August 7 marks Black Women’s Equal Pay Day, the day that marks how far Black women have had to work into 2018 to make as much as white males did in 2017. This means that a Black woman would have to work for 19 months and one week to take home what a white male typically earns in 12 months.

To raise awareness of the pay gap and its negative effect on Black women and families, SoFi is proud to partner with Lean In to launch #38PercentCounts. It’s the second of three public awareness efforts this year rooted in the idea that equal pay matters.

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The Market Went Down—What Now?

The S&P 500 has fallen more than 10%. The Dow drops more than 1,000 points.

I’m sure you’ve seen the headlines about the market movements over the past few days and might be worried. That’s not surprising. If you own stocks, they may have lost some value, which doesn’t feel great.
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But, let’s put this dip into perspective. In Wall Street terms, we’ve been in what’s called a “bull market” since 2009. A decline of 10% or more in a bull market—which we’ve sseen in the past few days—is called a “correction.” Bull markets in the past have averaged about one correction a year. The last one we had was February of 2016, so we’ve been overdue.

But here’s something else you should know: While Wall Street traders might be panicking a bit, for the average investor, like you, there’s no cause for alarm. The economy still appears to be on solid footing if you look at things like unemployment and company earnings. And in many ways, this market dip was expected.

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6 Last-Minute Tax Tips That Could Save You Money in 2017

By John Foley, CFP®

As you’ve no doubt read in the news, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 is about to become law. And while the bill contains over 500 pages of changes to the tax rules for corporations, privately held businesses, and individuals, what you’re probably wondering most is: How will the tax plan affect me?

There are three big changes in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that will impact most individual taxpayers:

1) New income tax brackets with lower rates for most taxpayers

2) A higher standard deduction—$12,000 for single filers, $24,000 for married filing joint

3) A $10,000 limit on the combined deduction for state and local income and property tax (and that’s the same whether you’re single or married)

While you can’t change the rules, there are things you might be able to do to potentially lower your overall tax burden this year and next, namely, shifting certain deductions into 2017 and certain income into 2018. But the clock is ticking: These provisions are expected to go into effect on January 1, 2018, so December 31 is the last day you can do anything that impacts your 2017 taxes.

Here are a few important actions you could take before the new tax bill kicks in. Ask your tax preparer if they are right for you.

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How the Senate Tax Bill Could Impact College Graduates

It seems like everyone’s talking about the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act these days. Whether you’re refilling your glass at the water cooler or going out with friends for craft beer after work, you’re likely worriedly discussing its impacts—especially if you’re currently a student or recent grad with student loans. That’s because the bill might have a significant effect on the bottom line of those with student debt.

No one likes to pay more in taxes, but if you have vivid memories of how the refund you received because of the student loan interest tax deduction helped you fix your car when it broke down last May, you likely feel passionate about the potential elimination of this deduction.

But are the issues you’re worrying about guaranteed if the bill is passed? Not necessarily. Confused? Here’s some things to know about the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

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