Saturday,
September 30, 2023

text

Top Story

The week in review

•   The week started with local Fed indexes. The Chicago Fed National Activity Index fell in September, while the Dallas Fed Manufacturing index, which measures the overall performance of manufacturing in Texas, showed that general business conditions worsened.

•   The UAW is expanding its strikes against two of the Big Three automakers, General Motors (GM) and Stellantis (STLA), to 38 facilities across 20 states. The union said it had made progress in negotiations with Ford (F), including wage tiers and profit sharing.

•   The Federal Trade Commission and 17 U.S. states are suing Amazon (AMZN), alleging the e-commerce giant exploits its monopolistic dominance to hike prices and sideline rivals using anti-discount strategies and the pricing of its fulfillment services. Amazon shares closed down 4% on the news.

•   The number of Americans filing for first-time unemployment benefits increased to 204,000 in the week ending September 23. However, the figure was still below expectations and remains just above its seven-month low. Continuing benefit claims, which measure continuous filings for at least two weeks in a row, are hovering near an eight-month low.

For more economic news, visit On the Money — SoFi’s one-stop-shop for news, trends, and tips!

How to stay on top of your credit card payments

Credit cards allow you to purchase goods and services and pay for your charges at the end of your statement period. But there are advantages to keeping your credit card usage low. One way of doing so without compromising on the convenience of using your credit card, is paying off your statement using the 15/3 method.

This means you make two payments each month – the first one halfway through the cycle, or about 15 days before your statement date, and the second one three days before your card statement is due. Making credit card payments bi-monthly means that your credit utilization ratio never goes over 30%, which is the percentage generally recommended.

And if you’re in the market for a new card, check out if SoFi’s credit card might be right for you.


text

This week's top stories

Receiving Social Security? You might see a $60 boost next year
The pace of inflation is slowing, and with it the size of cost-of-living-adjustments. Here’s what to expect for next year’s social security COLA.
Read more >>

What you need to know about delaying student loan repayments
Student loan repayments are coming back but not everyone is in the financial situation to resume paying the charges. Here’s what you need to know if you need to delay your student loan repayments.
Read more >>

Government shutdown: What happens next?
The U.S. government is hurtling toward a partial government shutdown this weekend. Here’s what that could mean federal workers, government agencies, and your portfolio.
Read more >>

Deep dives from SoFi Learn

These are the best low-stress jobs for introverts without a degree
Not everyone wants to put themselves out there to the same extent. Introverts may prefer to work independently, for example. If that applies to you and you don’t have a college degree, these might be some of the best jobs for you.
Read more >>

What to know about negotiating a signing bonus
If you’re in the process of negotiating the terms of a new job, don’t forget that a signing bonus may also be on the table. Here’s how to ask for one.
Read more >>

Key health care terms to know to pick your insurance plan
Health insurance can be confusing. Learn more about common terms to be better equipped for your next benefit selection.
Read more >>

TLS 1.2 Encrypted
Equal Housing Lender