SoFi Blog

Remember the long, cold winter days you spent cooped up inside wishing for sunnier, warmer weather? Those days are now a distant memory as the summer heat starts to take hold.

Sure, you could sit in the air conditioning, but who wants to spend all summer inside? And sometimes, fighting the crowds for a spot at the local pool, beach, or lake can be a headache.

If the rising temperatures have you searching for “cold places in July,” this list could be just what you’re looking for. Summer vacations don’t have to be all beaches and hot, humid days. Here are some cool weather summer vacations that could help you beat the heat this summer.

As the American student debt crisis looms, more and more families are being burdened. For 2018 graduates, the average student loan debt was $28,500 . So, while it may seem like you’re alone in dealing with your debt and you may feel like you are facing a lifetime of anxiety, know that 60% of student loan borrowers expect to pay off their student loan debt in their forties .

As with any difficult situation, it is important to have people to talk to. Financial advisors are helpful, but family and friends can also provide crucial support and guidance.

Congratulations, you’re having a baby! Soon, your entire life will be filled with baby bottles, diapers, and … so many sleepless nights. Before you welcome a new life into the world, your to-do list will likely keep expanding.

From preparing the nursery and assembling a crib to creating a birth plan and baby-proofing the house, there is a lot to take care of. And we know it can be completely exhausting. While you are hustling to get everything ready before you bring your little one home, you might want to take a minute to slow down and enjoy this process. One way parents are doing this is by celebrating with a babymoon.

A babymoon is an excursion you go on with your significant other just before the birth or adoption of your child. It’s a time to kick back and relax just one last time. Sure, this trip sounds like another expensive baby-related item, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are a few ideas on how to plan, where to go, and ways to finance your last getaway as a twosome without going overboard on the budget.

There are over 5.1 million photos tagged with #vanlife on Instagram as of this writing. There are photos taken in the backs of vans and showing toes poking out of plush comforters that open up to sweeping beaches. They show dogs wearing handkerchiefs around their necks in converted vans, tiny kitchens, and adorable couples who’ve struck out on their own in rolling tiny spaces.

There’s no real way to tell how many people are actively living a van life, since no van life census exists. But it’s hard to deny that the trend has been growing and more and more folks are taking their tiny house dreams on the road. Maybe you’ve just landed a remote job. Maybe you’re looking for a huge project. Or maybe you’re just looking for a change in scenery (and another change and another change).

Regardless of your motivation, you might be about to make a huge change and you want to give some time and thought to the real cost of van life. Here are some costs and van life essentials to think about.

As darkness falls on the Fourth of July, Americans around the country gather to watch vibrant fireworks displays commemorating the patriotic holiday. But before the fireworks illuminate the night skies, Independence Day celebrations like backyard barbecues, pool parties, and parades will take center stage.

Hosting a party can get expensive, but we’ve compiled a list of Fourth of July party ideas that might keep your budget in check so you can still enjoy the summer fun.