SoFi Blog

Tips and news—
for your financial moves.

Pittsburgh skyline

Most Affordable U.S. Cities to Live In

Let’s admit it, everyone loves a good deal. From a killer happy hour, to a clothing sale, saving money can be satisfying—even life changing.

So imagine saving much more than on a meal or a new outfit. Living in one of the most affordable cities in the US could mean saving across the board. That means greater financial stability, and maybe even purchasing a home of your own—sooner rather than later.

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college student with books

Should You Give Your College Freshman an Allowance?

It’s that time of year. Summer is coming to a close and that moment you have been waiting (or dreading) all season has arrived. Your baby is finally headed off to college. And while this new chapter in life is exciting for everyone, you might be asking yourself, “What is a reasonable allowance for a college student?”

Okay, maybe it’s not the first question you are asking yourself, but it’s a fair question that can run through parents’ minds. How will your child financially survive their first year of college? Will they have enough to enjoy the college experience?

The College Board reports tuition and fees for undergraduates attending an in-state, four-year college is a staggering $10,230 per year . And that’s not including room and board. Once you and your child get the cost of tuition taken care of, is there room for a college allowance?

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male student doing homework

Do Colleges Look at Senior Year Grades?

With your college acceptance letter in hand, you might feel like you’ve scored a free ride for the rest of the year. After a stressful fall of applying to schools and considering majors, the burnout is real. At this point, you might be tempted to let commitments slide and ride out the remainder of your senior year. Why do grades matter when you’re already on your way to your dream school?

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arts and crafts supplies

7 DIY Back to School Projects to Help Save Money

Setting your kids up for success in school involves big decisions like finding the right school for them and juggling their after-school programs with classes and family time. But there are little needs along the way, too: like school supplies to make sure that your kid is ready to take on the school day.

Back to school shopping list can easily grow out of control–backpacks, shoes, clothes, crayons, pens, notebooks and more. Theses costs can add up. For some families, this means being on the lookout for back to school savings.

Doing more DIY projects instead of buying new supplies could potentially reduce the money you spend on back to school purchases and also instill good money habits in your kids. Projects like these can help kids see that many materials can be given new life with the right creative project.

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child's room with teepee

Converting Your Baby Nursery into a Toddler’s Room

Time flies when it comes to kiddos. Feels like only yesterday you were struggling to decipher the directions to assemble your baby’s crib—now as a toddler, your little one just tries to escape it most nights.

Ready or not, sounds like the nursery you worked so hard on is due for a bit of a makeover. As your baby enters his or her toddler years, it’s time to start thinking about how best to convert the nursery into a more toddler-friendly space. Change can be challenging for children but these nursery to toddler room ideas and tips could help make it a smooth transition.

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