SoFi Blog

The kids are back in school, football is on the tube, and many of us are scratching our heads as to how it’s already the last quarter of 2019. Even in the face of all the background noise of trade wars, political arguments, and interest rate cuts, the market ended the month higher.

Contrary to experts predicting the impending crash, the longest expansion in United States history kept chugging forward. As you get ready for your favorite TV shows to return from break, sit back and catch up on some highlights from September.

Halloween is a sneakily expensive holiday. Because it doesn’t involve gifts, many of us may not remember to budget for it, but the fact of the matter is that between candy, costumes, and parties, establishing a Halloween budget is never a bad idea.

If you’re staring down October 31 with dread, wondering how you’re going to cover costs with what’s left in your bank account at the end of the month, there is hope. Halloween doesn’t have to break the bank, especially when it comes to costumes—frequently one of the most expensive parts of celebrating.

Instead of heading out to your local party store to drop a ton of cash on a costume that will just end up in the trash, you could get in touch with your inner DIY-er and plan out a costume you can make by reusing things you already own or picking up a few things from a dollar store.

These cheap costume ideas will ensure you’re the best dressed and the most financially savvy.

Weddings are a rite of passage, but as any future bride and groom know, paying for them is a major headache. From the venue to the dress, wedding costs can be exorbitant, especially for couples dealing with other financial priorities.

Wedding flowers can be a pricey part of the big day, making up about 10% of a typical wedding budget . But what’s a wedding without a bouquet to toss?

Fortunately, there are ways to save on your wedding flowers without giving up your dream. Learn how you can find wedding flowers that fit both your budget and your vision board.

Sometimes, money matters can feel frustrating as a millennial. Learning something new can make you scratch your head, wondering where to start. Investing is no exception.

One advantage millennials have is the ability to learn from previous generations. Additionally, there is one arena where millennials may have it better than previous generations, and that’s the arena of investing.

Currently, there are many accessible, transparent options for investing that are both low-cost and don’t require a huge amount of money to get started.

If you’re wondering “how do I learn to invest my money?”, you could start by taking a peek into history to learn what was different, what was the same, and what you can do better.

Here are four things that millennials can learn about investing from previous generations.

To understand Bitcoin, there are a few other definitions to clarify first, including that of digital currency .

This type of currency does not have a physical form, so it can’t be seen or touched, but theoretically, it can be used in the same ways as traditional money, including buying and selling goods and services. Digital currency can be used around the globe, as long as parties accept this type of payment, being exchanged among digital wallets.

Cryptocurrency is a type of digital currency, one that’s based on cryptography, using complex mathematical principles to create and analyze algorithms. Bitcoin is the most widely recognized form of cryptocurrency, but it isn’t the only option.

Bitcoin uses blockchain technology and a decentralized ledger to operate. In hypothetical terms, blockchain technology is like a spreadsheet duplicated across networks of computers with the technology creating the ability for people to regularly update the spreadsheet with transactions.

Records are public and easily verified, creating a sense of openness. Bitcoin has no primary regulating authority—and no centralized version of its record exists. Regulators are increasingly getting involved, but the regulatory structure is currently nowhere near the same degree as those imposed on securities or banking products.