SoFi Blog

Good Data, Bad Geopolitics, and Exchange Rates
Asset prices remained relatively flat over the past month, caught between the push of positive economic data on equities and the pull of geopolitical tensions. While North Korea’s nuclear threats sent equities and interest rates down, we see these events subsiding without major implications for global markets. In determining where the markets will go over the next few months, it’s important to take a look at the interaction between economic data, central bank policy, exchange rates, and equity prices.

In recent posts, we’ve talked about the difficult situation currently facing central bankers. Their mandates essentially require them to begin raising interest rates just when the market’s starting to take off in order to curb inflation. It’s like the host taking away the punch bowl just when the party’s really getting started.

A duchess once said: “You can never be too thin or too rich.” Many people would disagree with the first part, but very few would argue with the second. However, while you can’t have too much money, you might have too much cash.

How much cash should you have?

You probably already know that you should have an emergency fund—three to six months of expenses saved in a place you can access it quickly and easily if needed, like a checking or savings account.

But what you might not know is that, beyond your emergency fund, a savings account is one of the worst places to keep—and grow—your money. The average savings account interest rate of the five largest U.S. banks this year was 0.08%—less than one-tenth of one percent!

Starting a family, or even starting to think about it, is an incredible stage in life. But it can also be overwhelming. You might be thinking about the hard questions: What will your life be like with a newborn? What will you and your partner be like as parents? Should you move closer to family?

Think about your best memories of your parents while you were growing up for a moment. Maybe it’s the year they finally bought that bike you wanted for your birthday, or all the times you opened the freezer to see it stocked with mint chocolate chip ice cream, because mom knew it was your favorite.

It’s worth pondering as you take in your parents now, as they grow older. You might be wondering when you’ll be returning the favor of taking care of them, and more importantly, how.