Saturday,
November 4, 2023
Top Story
The week in review
• Economic data painted a mixed picture: The ADP Employment Report showed private U.S. companies added 113,000 jobs in October, fewer than expected. The government’s official jobs tally came out Friday. Looking back at September, the number of job openings rose more than expected to the highest level since May. Hotel and restaurant jobs contributed the biggest increase. Economic activity in the manufacturing sector fell sharply from September, marking the 12th consecutive month of contraction.
• The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage declined for the first time in two months.
For more economic news, visit On the Money — SoFi’s one-stop-shop for news, trends, and tips!
‘Tis the season… to budget
It’s the time of year for pumpkin-spiced everything, family and friend gatherings, shopping, and… budgeting.
You don’t want to start 2024 with a massive spending hangover. Get ahead of it this year and create a budget.
Review last year’s spending: If 2022 holiday shopping left you in the red, don’t repeat past mistakes and review them. How much did you spend? Are there any areas you can cut back on this year?
Create a budget: Ideally you already have a general budget, but if you don’t, it's a great time to create one.
You can create your budget with pen and paper, a spreadsheet or use an app. (SoFi has one here.)
The hard part: sticking to it
You’re making a list… checking it twice. Don’t let last-minute purchases blow your budget. Take the time to make a list of all your expected expenses this season, including: gifts, decorations, food for parties and travel. Then assign how much you can spend on each category, including how much you can spend per gift.
Track your spending: Track purchases in your budget. If you overspend on one thing, you can make up the difference by cutting back somewhere else.
This week’s top stories
Forget the Fed — there was another big event this weekWith the budget deficit widening and yields soaring to multi-year highs, all eyes were on this week’s Treasury Department's refunding announcement. Here’s what you need to know.
Read more >> Did inflation steal your raise?Inflation is outpacing wage growth. Now, even with inflation slowing, new data suggests the trend won’t change in 2024. Here’s what you need to know.
Read more >> Getting through the holidays without stressing about moneyIt’s the season… to be stressed about money? Hold up. Holiday finances are a stressor for nearly half of Americans. Here are tips from SoFi Financial Planner Brian Walsh to manage your money this holiday season.
Read more >>Deep dives from SoFi Learn
What you need to know about high-yield savings accountsWhen you’re saving up, you want your money to work for you. There are ways to earn interest while keeping your money in a low-risk place, such as a high-yield savings account.
Read more >> What’s considered good credit?Your credit history matters if you’re looking to make a big purchase and get financing. Here are 8 reasons why good credit is so important.
Read more >> Understanding Fed interest ratesFederal Reserve interest rate policy drives market action, and affects your mortgage rate. Here's what you need to know to understand how it works.
Read more >>