SoFi Blog

Tips and news—
for your financial moves.

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Dating with Debt: Navigating Money, Love, and Politics

The Millennial generation has become synonymous with student loan debt, swiping right and left on dating apps, and taking a political stance, whether for the right, left, or anywhere in between. These associations also have a tendency to bleed together: beliefs about money, love, and politics all impact one another in interesting ways.

So, for this Valentine’s Day, we surveyed over 1,000 millennials (ages 25-35) across the U.S. to see how they are navigating these topics and found some trends that surprised us.

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6 Conversations to Have with Your Spouse Before Tax Season

When you’re working on your tax return each year, it’s tempting to get through it as quickly as possible, then forget all about the stress it caused.

But tax season is actually a great time to take a look at the year that’s behind you and use that information to plan for the years ahead—especially if you’ve made some major transitions in your life.

If you’re newly married, new parents, or new homeowners, for example—or expect to be sometime soon—your tax situation may change. And so, by extension, will the ways you budget and invest for the future. Look at it as an opportunity to sit down with your spouse, maybe with a glass of wine, and strategize.

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Why You Shouldn’t Be Ashamed of Your Student Debt

Have you hidden how much student debt you have from friends or partners? Do you feel embarrassed when you think about your balance? Many people feel a sense of shame when it comes to their debt, and student loans are no exception.

In the U.S., 45 million borrowers now have a combined $1.56 trillion in student loan debt. For many people, student loans are the largest chunk of debt they will face in their lives, excluding a mortgage .

While most people are accustomed to going into debt in order to purchase a home, there seems to be more internal baggage associated with carrying around student loans. This shame and feeling of isolation can escalate if you have trouble paying your loans, if you didn’t graduate, or if you are struggling to find a job in your field.

Student loans can certainly feel like a burden and can take years to pay off, but they don’t have to be a source of embarrassment. Instead, you can shift your mindset to see them as an investment, just like a house or car—and, in many ways, better.

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Budget Friendly Spring Break Trips

If you’re already over the cold winter weather there’s some good news on the horizon: Spring break is almost here. Each year, millions of people pack their bags to head to sunnier, warmer places and live out their vacation dreams. You might think spring break is just for college kids, but guess what?

Not all travelers are 21-years-old and hoping to go to Daytona Beach in April. There are plenty of reasons to travel over spring break. You might be a teacher—whether that’s an elementary school teacher or a college professor—and you can only travel around school breaks. Or maybe you have kids in middle school, and you can only take a vacation during the children’s spring break.

Whatever your reason is for prioritizing a trip this spring, you should know that traveling doesn’t have to mean emptying your wallet. Here are nine places where you can do spring break on a budget.

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How to Screen Dating Partners Based on Their Career

Looking for a life partner who is compatible with both you and your career ambitions isn’t always easy. Of course, there are plenty of online dating questions to ask before meeting—like what a potential date does and whether they enjoy their work.

And you probably already know how to check someone’s career out online. What does their LinkedIn profile say about their career path? How do they interact professionally on Twitter, and what topics do they engage with?

If you’re really looking for career compatibility, here are a few other things to keep in mind.

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