SoFi Blog

Last month you may have seen the proposal to end federal tax benefits for 529 college savings plans, which sparked intense backlash and was withdrawn quickly. Even if you haven’t been following that news, or aren’t yet saving for your children’s education, 529 plans are an interesting example of how the wealth-minded manage their finances.

The holiday season can be a frenetic one as you juggle your normally busy work schedule with the added stress of shopping, social engagements and travel. But it’s also an important time of year to think about your finances. Not only is this a chance to get your financial house in order for 2015, but it also allows you to take advantage of certain money-saving measures that must be implemented before Jan. 1.

Here are 5 financial moves to consider between now and ringing in the New Year:

No matter how fiscally responsible you are, there’s one factor that can consistently stand in the way of your financial wellbeing. That factor is time – or lack thereof, to be more specific.

With all the dire “retirement crisis” stories and statistics out there, most young professionals today are aware of how important it is to save for their own nest eggs – no matter how far away their own retirement may seem.

The term “sequester” may seem so 2013, but the truth is that these automatic spending cuts are still in play – and the next round is scheduled for October 1^st.  Whether you’re currently financing an MBA or other grad school program with Direct PLUS loans or you’re considering using them in the future, these new sequester cuts may have an impact on the amount of money you’ll end up spending on your loans.

So what exactly do you need to know about student loans and the sequester?  Here’s the scoop: