Julia Califano

About the Author

Julia Califano is an award-winning journalist who covers banking, small business, personal loans, student loans, and other money issues for SoFi. She has over 20 years of experience writing about personal finance and lifestyle topics for major print and digital outlets, including Good Housekeeping, Glamour, Self, Harper’s Bazaar, Newsday, and DailyWorth. She has also served as an editor at Time Inc., Condé Nast, and Hearst.

The latest articles from Julia Califano

Life & Career

20 Highest-Paying Jobs in California

Julia Califano | September 04, 2026

Budgeting & Goals

Different Types of Savings Accounts to Grow Your Wealth

Julia Califano | September 01, 2026

Budgeting & Goals

50/30/20 Budget Rule: What It Is and Tips On Using It

Julia Califano | August 31, 2026

Budgeting & Goals

How to Save $10,000 in a Year: 8 Ways to Try

Julia Califano | August 24, 2026

Budgeting & Goals

Where to Cash a Check Without Paying a Fee

Julia Califano | August 24, 2026

Budgeting & Goals

Borrowing From Your 401(k): Pros and Cons

Julia Califano | August 21, 2026

Budgeting & Goals

What Is the Reverse Budgeting Method?

Julia Califano | August 21, 2026

Budgeting & Goals

6 Short-Term Financial Goals to Set for Yourself

Julia Califano | August 21, 2026

Budgeting & Goals

What Is the Loud Budgeting Trend?

Julia Califano | August 20, 2026

Budgeting & Goals

Home Accessibility Renovations: Creating an Accessible Home

Julia Califano | August 14, 2026

Fresh Out of School

Why People Refinance Student Loans

Julia Califano | July 31, 2026

Debt Payoff

Student Loan Debt Statistics in 2026

Julia Califano | July 28, 2026

Fresh Out of School

How to Keep Track of Your Student Loans

Julia Califano | July 28, 2026

Budgeting & Goals

What Is the 100 Envelope Challenge?

Julia Califano | July 23, 2026

Budgeting & Goals

Are Certificates of Deposit (CDs) Taxable?

Julia Califano | July 21, 2026

Budgeting & Goals

Budgeting Guide for Teens: 7 Tips to Build Better Money Habits

Julia Califano | July 21, 2026

Budgeting & Goals

How Much Does Tree Removal Cost?

Julia Califano | June 26, 2026

Growing Wealth

Portfolio Rebalancing Strategies: How and When to Rebalance

Julia Califano | June 26, 2026

invest

What is the Federal Funds Rate and Why Does It Matter?

Julia Califano | June 23, 2026

Growing Wealth

How to Calculate EBITDA: Formula & Equations

Julia Califano | June 20, 2026

Growing Wealth

Farmland Investing in 2026: Agriculture Investment Opportunities

Julia Califano | June 17, 2026

money

How to Transfer Large Sums of Money Between Bank Accounts

Julia Califano | June 16, 2026

Money & Life

Online vs Traditional Banking: What’s Your Best Option?

Julia Califano | June 12, 2026

Budgeting & Goals

Joint Bank Accounts: What They Are and Pros and Cons

Julia Califano | June 10, 2026

Budgeting & Goals

How to Cash a Check Without a Bank Account 7 Ways

Julia Califano | June 10, 2026

Budgeting & Goals

How Many Savings Accounts Should I Have?

Julia Califano | June 05, 2026

Credit

Can a Personal Loan Hurt Your Credit?

Julia Califano | May 27, 2026

student_loan

PA School vs Medical School: Key Differences Explained

Julia Califano | May 22, 2026

student_loan

Nursing School vs Medical School: Choosing Your Path

Julia Califano | May 22, 2026

Cryptocurrency

What Is Dollar-Cost Averaging in Crypto? Benefits, Risks, and Best Practices

Julia Califano | May 07, 2026

Budgeting & Goals

How Long Does It Take to Hear Back From Colleges?

Julia Califano | May 07, 2026

Going to College

Pell Grant Lifetime Limit: How Much You Can Receive and How It Works

Julia Califano | May 07, 2026

Budgeting & Goals

What’s a Good Monthly Retirement Income for a Couple in 2026?

Julia Califano | May 04, 2026

Basics of High-Yield Savings Accounts

Julia Califano | April 29, 2026

Budgeting & Goals

How to Budget on a Fluctuating Income

Julia Califano | April 29, 2026

invest

Financial Planning for Couples: A Practical Guide to Managing Money Together

Julia Califano | April 28, 2026

Can You Have a Joint Bank Account Without Being Married?

Julia Califano | April 28, 2026

Budgeting & Goals

Pros and Cons of Car Refinancing

Julia Califano | April 13, 2026

invest

How Is AI Used For Fraud Detection in Online Banking?

Julia Califano | April 09, 2026

money

Understanding Remittance Fees: A Simple Guide to Saving on International Transfers

Julia Califano | April 09, 2026

Debt Payoff

How to Negotiate Medical Bills

Julia Califano | April 08, 2026

Budgeting & Goals

Gifting Money to Your Kids for College Tuition

Julia Califano | March 31, 2026

Going to College

7 Ways to Pay for Vet School

Julia Califano | March 20, 2026

Building Your Career

How an MBA Can Help With Career Change

Julia Califano | March 16, 2026

Building Your Career

Student Loan Forgiveness for Firefighters

Julia Califano | March 12, 2026

Building Your Career

Moonlighting for Medical Trainees to Cover Med School Debt

Julia Califano | March 11, 2026

Going to College

Why Is College So Expensive?

Julia Califano | March 09, 2026

Going to College

Is the Average College Tuition Rising? | The Price of College

Julia Califano | March 06, 2026

Financial Independence

Debit Card Fraud Protection: Common Types of Frauds Explained

Julia Califano | February 10, 2026

Going to College

Nursing Student Loan Options: How to Pay for Nursing School

Julia Califano | February 06, 2026

Debt Payoff

How Much is Nursing School? Average Cost of Nursing Degrees

Julia Califano | February 06, 2026

Going to College

Comparing the Pros and Cons of Going to College

Julia Califano | February 05, 2026

7 Key Banking Industry Trends to Watch For in 2026

Julia Califano | January 30, 2026

Debt Payoff

Undergraduate vs Graduate Student Loans: 6 Ways They Differ

Julia Califano | January 29, 2026

student_loan

Top 10 Student Loan Questions to Ask

Julia Califano | January 22, 2026

Debt Payoff

Creating a Credit Card Debt Elimination Plan

Julia Califano | January 22, 2026

Debt Payoff

What Is a Debt Repayment Plan?

Julia Califano | January 22, 2026

Debt Payoff

How Debt Collection Agencies Work

Julia Califano | January 22, 2026

Fresh Out of School

Student Loan APR vs Interest Rate: 5 Essential FAQs

Julia Califano | January 20, 2026

personal_loan

What Is a Credit Card Interest Cap?

Julia Califano | January 16, 2026

Cryptocurrency

What Is a Crypto Wallet? A Simple Guide

Julia Califano | January 16, 2026

Going to College

9 Steps to Filling Out the FAFSA Form for School Year 2026-2027

Julia Califano | January 07, 2026

Fresh Out of School

Applying for No-Interest Student Loans

Julia Califano | January 02, 2026

Cryptocurrency

What Is Cryptocurrency? A Simple Guide for Beginners

Julia Califano | December 26, 2025

Debt Payoff

Understanding Average Graduate Student Loan Debt

Julia Califano | December 23, 2025

SMB

How to Refinance a Business Loan

Julia Califano | November 03, 2025

Growing Wealth

Crypto Exchange vs Crypto Wallet: Key Differences and How to Choose

Julia Califano | October 29, 2025

Cryptocurrency

What Is a Crypto Wallet Address? A Beginner’s Guide

Julia Califano | October 27, 2025

Cryptocurrency

How to Report Crypto Scams and Recover Funds in 2026

Julia Califano | October 27, 2025

Cryptocurrency

How Will the Genius Act Impact Stablecoin in 2026?

Julia Califano | October 27, 2025

Budgeting & Goals

How Long Does a Direct Deposit Take to Go Through?

Julia Califano | September 23, 2025

Debt Payoff

Applying for Graduate School: Tips for Success

Julia Califano | August 26, 2025

Student Loans

5 Ways to Start Preparing For College

Julia Califano | August 25, 2025

Going to College

Gift Aid vs Self Help Aid For College

Julia Califano | August 21, 2025

Going to College

Tips for Taking Online Classes Successfully

Julia Califano | August 20, 2025

Going to College

College Move-In Day for Parents

Julia Califano | August 13, 2025

Student Loans

The Ultimate Guide to Studying in College

Julia Califano | August 12, 2025

Budgeting & Goals

What Should Your Average Car Payment Be?

Julia Califano | August 07, 2025

Fresh Out of School

What Is a Parent PLUS Loan?

Julia Califano | August 07, 2025

Debt Payoff

Paying Tax on Personal Loans

Julia Califano | August 06, 2025

Budgeting & Goals

Can You Get a Loan to Pay Taxes?

Julia Califano | August 05, 2025

Credit

Will a Personal Loan Build Credit?

Julia Califano | August 05, 2025

Student Loans

Ways to Cut Costs on College Textbooks

Julia Califano | August 01, 2025

Debt Payoff

10 Ways to Improve Your Borrowing Power

Julia Califano | July 31, 2025

Building Your Career

How to Get Your Money Back From Unauthorized Transactions

Julia Califano | July 17, 2025

FinTok: Evaluating TikTok Financial Advice

Julia Califano | July 17, 2025

Budgeting & Goals

Guide to Budgeting as Couples

Julia Califano | July 14, 2025

Budgeting & Goals

Tips for Avoiding Minimum Balance Fees

Julia Califano | July 14, 2025

Budgeting & Goals

How to Avoid ATM Fees

Julia Califano | July 09, 2025

Budgeting & Goals

The Advantages of Online Personal Loans

Julia Califano | June 20, 2025

Growing Wealth

How to Make Money With Interest 7 Ways

Julia Califano | June 20, 2025

Credit

How the UltraFICO Credit Score Works

Julia Califano | June 18, 2025

Debt Payoff

What We Like About the Snowball Method of Paying Down Debt

Julia Califano | June 18, 2025

Budgeting & Goals

How Much Does a Shower Remodel Cost?

Julia Califano | June 11, 2025

Budgeting & Goals

3 Ways to Pay for Your Kid’s Braces

Julia Califano | June 10, 2025

Budgeting & Goals

7 Tips for Maintaining the Value of Your Home

Julia Califano | June 09, 2025

Budgeting & Goals

How Much Does it Cost to Adopt a Child?

Julia Califano | June 05, 2025

Debt Payoff

Can You Refinance Student Loans More Than Once?

Julia Califano | June 05, 2025

Home Ownership

How to Start the Process of Buying a Home — Home Buying Process Checklist

Julia Califano | May 27, 2025

Budgeting & Goals

How to Pay for IVF: Financing Options and Loans Explained

Julia Califano | May 27, 2025

Home Ownership

6 Tips for Doing Home Addition Projects the Right Way

Julia Califano | May 20, 2025

Home Ownership

Garage Conversion Ideas Worth the Effort

Julia Califano | May 20, 2025

Life & Career

Am I Eligible for Federal Work-Study?

Julia Califano | May 08, 2025

Budgeting & Goals

How to Finance a Divorce

Julia Califano | May 07, 2025

Budgeting & Goals

25 Tips for Sharing Expenses With Roommates

Julia Califano | April 30, 2025

Going to College

Pros & Cons of Joining Greek Life

Julia Califano | April 28, 2025

Budgeting & Goals

How Does a Money Order Work?

Julia Califano | April 23, 2025

money

What Is a National Bank?

Julia Califano | April 11, 2025

Family Finances

How to Talk to Your Children About Student Loans: 6 Key Points

Julia Califano | April 11, 2025

Budgeting & Goals

Wedding Gift Etiquette: 8 Rules to Follow As a Guest

Julia Califano | April 11, 2025

Budgeting & Goals

What Is Financial Wellness & How Do You Achieve It?

Julia Califano | April 11, 2025

Student Loans

What Is a Trade School and Is It Right for You?

Julia Califano | April 11, 2025

Should You Include an Emergency Savings Program in Your Employee Financial Wellness Strategy?

Julia Califano | April 11, 2025

Family Finances

What Parents Should Know About Student Loans

Julia Califano | April 11, 2025

SMB

What Are Working Capital Loans?

Julia Califano | April 11, 2025

Budgeting & Goals

Setting Goals in College

Julia Califano | April 11, 2025

Student Loans

Should You Choose a College Based on Price?

Julia Califano | April 10, 2025

Debt Payoff

Can You Combine Your Student Loan Debt with Your Spouse?

Julia Califano | April 10, 2025

Going to College

Supporting Your Child in the College Application Process

Julia Califano | April 10, 2025

Building Your Career

Achieving Your Career Goals This Year

Julia Califano | April 10, 2025

Top 10 Reasons Financial Wellness Is Important in the Workplace

Julia Califano | April 10, 2025

Budgeting & Goals

How to Set and Reach Savings Goals

Julia Califano | April 10, 2025

Fresh Out of School

Should You Pay Off Your Student Loans Before You Buy a House?

Julia Califano | April 10, 2025

Life & Career

Tips for Parents of College Students

Julia Califano | April 10, 2025

Budgeting & Goals

9 Money Hacks To Try This Year

Julia Califano | April 10, 2025

Budgeting & Goals

Money and Marriage: Making Important Money Decisions in Marriage

Julia Califano | April 10, 2025

Life & Career

A Guide to Making Friends in College

Julia Califano | April 10, 2025

The Importance of Offering 529 Plan Contributions in an Employee Benefits Package

Julia Califano | April 10, 2025

Student Loans

How to Study for AP Exams

Julia Califano | April 10, 2025

Budgeting & Goals

How to Stick to a Budget: 6 Ways to Stay on Track

Julia Califano | April 10, 2025

Budgeting & Goals

How to Split Finances As a Couple

Julia Califano | April 10, 2025

Budgeting & Goals

How to Save for College

Julia Califano | April 10, 2025

Budgeting & Goals

8 Ways to Keep Your Finances Organized

Julia Califano | April 10, 2025

Budgeting & Goals

How to Close a Bank Account: Savings & Checking Accounts

Julia Califano | April 10, 2025

Family Finances

How to Prepare Financially for a Divorce

Julia Califano | April 10, 2025

Family Finances

What is the Federal Family Education Loan Program?

Julia Califano | April 10, 2025

Debt Payoff

5 Alternatives to Emergency Student Loans

Julia Califano | April 10, 2025

How to Combine Financial Well-Being and Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives

Julia Califano | April 10, 2025

Credit

10 Credit Card Rules You Should Know

Julia Califano | April 10, 2025

Budgeting & Goals

6 Tips for Making a Financial Plan

Julia Califano | April 10, 2025

13 Companies That Help Employees Pay For College

Julia Califano | April 10, 2025

Going to College

College Visit Checklist for Parents

Julia Califano | April 10, 2025

Budgeting & Goals

Navigating Needs vs Wants: Your Guide to Smart Budgeting

Julia Califano | March 06, 2025

Budgeting & Goals

How to Make a Budget in Excel

Julia Califano | March 04, 2025

Budgeting & Goals

Financial Planning Tips for LGBTQ+ Couples

Julia Califano | January 27, 2025

Family Finances

What Is a Regional Bank? A Comprehensive Guide

Julia Califano | January 13, 2025

Family Finances

Regional Banks vs. National Banks

Julia Califano | January 13, 2025

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