SoFi Blog

There are plenty of cute Valentine’s Day ideas to be found, but what about cheap Valentine’s gifts that won’t break the bank? A last-minute frenzy of wandering through the red, pink, and purple aisles at the grocery store could cost you, and honestly, probably won’t impress your sweetie much.

Turns out, those ages 25 to 34 are the biggest spenders during the heart holiday with a spending average of $202.76, but could they have done it for less?

Our list of eight cheap Valentine’s gift ideas will have your sweetheart swooning over your thoughtfulness, and you’ll be ready to brag about how much you didn’t spend! Well, maybe you’d like to keep that to yourself, too. We won’t judge.

When you think about retiring, you may imagine yourself lounging on a beach of sparkling sand with a fruity drink in your hand and a wide variety of amenities available to you. Or you might picture moving near where your grandchildren live so you can spend plenty of time going to their sports games, musical concerts, and more.

Or, as another option, you might envision moving to where the cost of living is low, so your money can go towards traveling the world. You might dream of upsizing to the home you’ve always wanted, or perhaps you’re thinking about simplifying during your retirement years. You might want to buy an RV and spend this time of your life on the road!

Where to live in retirement depends largely upon your goals, and what’s perfect for you might not interest someone else at all. In this post, we’ll share information about what to consider in a retirement spot and what some of the most popular retirement spots are, and offer a blueprint to help you create your own unique plan.

We’ll also talk about the linchpin of whatever retirement plan you’re creating: the ability to fund it.

It can often start out innocently enough. One partner, who may be better with handling money and finances (or more willing to take on the responsibilities) offers to pay the bills and balance the checkbook every month.

However, with time, the spouse not paying the bills may begin to wonder how things are going: are the credit cards paid on time? How about the mortgage and car payments?

If you’re experiencing financial cheating or are dealing with an overspending spouse, first remember that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. A financial challenge like this one can have a positive outcome and set you on an even better path than the one you were on before.

It can be the one incident that may draw you closer as a couple (once the problem is confronted and on its way to being resolved).

After a few years in the dorms, you and your friends are thrilled to be moving into your very own college apartment. You have grand plans for decorating the space to highlight each of your eclectic styles and make it feel like a relaxing sanctuary you can return to after a busy day of classes and meetings on campus.

Unfortunately, your bank account has other ideas. The list of decor you’ve compiled isn’t exactly in line with what you can realistically afford on a college student’s budget. You may have to forgo the Himalayan salt lamp for more practical apartment additions like, you know, dishes?

With a little effort (and some flexibility in your wish list) you can find ways to furnish your apartment on a budget.

Continuing your education through graduate school can be an exciting decision. Grad school can mean an opportunity to further your knowledge and expertise in your chosen field, and may lead to a lucrative and fulfilling career. But all that potential often comes with a shiny price tag.

The average graduate student spent approximately $24,812 on grad school costs during the 2016-17 school year, according to the most recent “How America Pays for Graduate School” report by Sallie Mae.

In reality, the actual cost of getting a graduate degree can vary widely due to a number of different factors including the type of degree you are pursuing and enrollment status.