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The prospect of getting hitched often gives a couple butterflies — about their enormous wedding budget. But marrying your special someone doesn’t have to mean going into debt. A wedding planning and budget breakdown can help you prioritize which elements matter most to you, so you can achieve the wedding of your dreams without going overboard.

We’ll review the average wedding cost breakdown of common wedding items big and small, mistakes to avoid, and cost-cutting tips that will make the whole process easier on your wallet and your peace of mind.

Average Cost of a Wedding

Based on a survey of 1,000 people, SoFi’s recent survey found that the median cost of a wedding is $10,000. As you might expected, individual figures can vary greatly: If you get hitched in the grand ballroom of a hotel in Chicago with sweeping views of Lake Michigan, it’s going to be much pricier than gathering with just immediate family and your best friends to exchange vows by that same lake.

In real life, the average cost of a wedding varies widely based on location. In Idaho, Oklahoma, and Wyoming, wedding expenses total around $16,000. Over in New Jersey, New York, and Washington, D.C., the big day exceeds $40,000.

We’ve rounded up the items that will account for most of your wedding budget.

Major Costs to Include in Your Wedding Budget Breakdown

Next, consider this breakdown for a major, $30,000-plus wedding with all the bells and whistles. While the median cost of a wedding is considerably lower, this will give you an idea of how expenses may be broken down. Most couples go all-in on just one or two priorities for their big day.

Average Wedding Costs
Venue	$10,700
Engagement Ring	$6,000
Live Music	$4,300
Photographer	$2,500
Rehearsal Dinner	$2,300
Flowers	$2,300
Videographer	$1,900
Wedding Dress	$1,800
DJ	$1,400
Invitations	$530
Wedding Cake	$500
Favors	$450
Bride’s Hair Stylist	$130
Bride’s Makeup	$115
Catering	$75/person

Mind you, these are the costs incurred by and for the bride and groom. The groomsmen and bridesmaids will incur their own costs for being in the wedding.

Figure Out What You Can Afford

No one is born knowing how to plan a wedding. To set your wedding budget, start by asking yourself a few questions:

•   How much of your savings are you willing to use for your overall wedding budget?

•   Are your parents or other relatives planning to contribute financially?

•   How much can you reasonably save each month from your salary?

•   How long will it take to save the amount of money you need?

•   Is a wedding really worth the amount of money you want to spend on it?

Getting clarity on these answers will help you come up with a starting number.

Recommended: What Are the Tax Benefits of Marriage?

Typical Wedding Budget Allocation

Budget allocation involves assigning a percentage of your overall fund to each category. Use the percentages below to get a rough idea of how much you can pay for your venue, catering, etc. According to The Knot, a typical budget allocation looks like this:

Wedding Budget Allocation
Venue	30%
Catering	23%
Live Music	13%
Wedding Rings	7%
Alcohol	7%
Photographer	7%
Flowers	7%
Videographer	6%
Couple’s Attire	6%
Wedding Planner	5%
Lighting & Decor	5%
DJ	4%
Guest Entertainment	3%
Transportation	3%
Stationery	2%
Hair & Makeup	2%
Favors	1%
Cake or Desserts	1%
Officiant	1%
Other	5%

These numbers don’t add up to 100% because alternative options are offered for the same category, such as live music, DJ, or guest entertainment. In combination with the average wedding costs table above, you should be able to project your total budget without any major surprises.

Common Wedding Budget Mistakes to Avoid

•   Not budgeting enough for wedding budgets. Many couples underestimate the amount of money they’ll spend on a wedding. When there’s no plan, everything becomes a priority and you’ll go through money faster than you can imagine. Be sure to make both a wedding budget and a savings plan to make it happen.

•   Not communicating with loved ones about the budget. If you have parents or other loved ones helping to cover expenses, be sure to have a conversation with them to avoid overestimating their contribution.

•   Not saving long enough. Once you know how much you’ll need, be realistic about how long it will take you to save that money. You may want to consider pushing back your wedding date to have enough time to save for it. (Too late to save up? Learn about wedding financing options.)

•   Going into debt. Many couples put wedding expenses on a credit card. If the balance isn’t paid off within the month, you’ll end up paying high interest rates on top of what you budgeted.

•   Forgetting to budget for unexpected costs. Surprise bills always come up. Keep a small amount reserved for unexpected wedding expenses.

•   Not keeping track of your spending. With wedding expenses, it’s easy to lose track of which bills you’ve paid. A spending app can help you monitor expenses and stick to your budget.

7 Cost-Cutting Tips When Planning a Wedding on a Budget

If your list of wedding expenses far exceeds your budget, don’t panic. Trimming your costs isn’t so hard if you know how to go about it. These ideas can help.

1. Limit Your Guest List

Consider shortening your guest list to include only close friends and family members. This can be a blessing in disguise for certain types of weddings. For instance, a destination wedding is especially difficult to coordinate for more than 100 people.

2. Host the Ceremony or Reception at Home or Outside

The wedding venue is often your biggest expense — unless you move the ceremony outside or to a private home. You can reserve a park pavilion for around $100. A permit to hold a wedding ceremony at a national park is around $385. Forgoing a fancy venue puts a lot of money back in your pocket.

Recommended: Should I Sell My House Now or Wait?

3. Source Second-Hand Items

Utilizing a few previously owned items is a real budget saver.

•   Wedding decor. Gently used decor is often sold online at a fraction of the cost. Keep your eye on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, eBay, and Etsy, for items that work with your theme.

•   Wedding dress. A wedding dress that costs thousands brand-new can be thrifted for a few hundred dollars. If you really want to save money on wedding attire, consider borrowing a dress from a good friend or family member.

4. Ask Friends and Family to Gift Their Skills

Do you have a photographer in your network? What about an aspiring caterer or florist? While it’s worth paying for their skills, you can also try exchanging something of value. Babysitting for busy parents is always a winner.

You can also ask for services in lieu of a gift. Tactfully articulate your desire to start your new life on a budget, while respecting their need to earn a living. If they say they can’t do it, don’t push.

5. DIY Whenever Possible

Many details that cost a fortune to outsource may be pulled together with the help of friends and family.

•   Centerpieces. Your table decor can be made ahead of time by the wedding party or a group of aunties.

•   Invitations. It’s so easy to make your own wedding invitations. Even if you’re unskilled, you can use online tools like Canva to create your design. Save the result as a photo file for cheap printing. Image files cost as little as 19 cents to print. Compare that to formal invitations that typically cost several dollars each to print.

•   Catering. Know someone who makes an incredible main dish or specializes in smoked barbeque? They may be willing to help out for little more than the cost of groceries and supplies.

•   Flowers. Making your own bouquet from flowers sold at the farmer’s market or grocer is an easy way to save a lot of money. Check out a YouTube video tutorial and you’ll be on your way.

6. Use a Dummy Wedding Cake

A dummy wedding cake is one that is made just for appearance. It’s frosted to look like a real cake but underneath it’s just styrofoam or cardboard.

7. Time Your Wedding Strategically

Wedding season traditionally runs from May to October. This is when demand is highest — and prices too. If you can plan a wedding for the off-season (say, December or March) demand and prices are lower. You may be able to get the venue you want for the price you want.

8. Scout Out Vendors

While you’re saving money for the wedding, you might as well suss out suitable vendors and venues at other weddings. Make notes on what you like, and book services way ahead of time for a better deal.

Recommended: The 52-Week Savings Challenge

The Secret to the Wedding of Your Dreams

Your dream wedding doesn’t have to spawn a nightmare budget. Be mindful of what you really want and what you can really afford. If a backyard potluck is all it takes to make you happy, then don’t worry about what other people say you “should” do.

Do what you want — and feel great about sticking to a budget that frees up funds for other purposes, like your first home or a lengthy honeymoon. Because saving for a dream wedding is just the first step in a couple’s life together.

Recommended: What is The Difference Between Transunion and Equifax?

The Takeaway

Budgeting for a wedding can help you start married life on the right foot financially. First, find out the average costs in your area for major wedding expenses — venue, catering, music, photography. Then determine how much money you can pull together from family, your current savings, and however many paychecks you’ll receive before the big day. Budget allocation (assigning a percentage of your funds to each category) can help you separate your wants from needs. For example, you may want a live band and sit-down dinner for 200, but you only need a DJ and lots of passed hors d’oeuvres. If you scrimp on some items, you can splurge on others.

The right tools can make budgeting a lot easier. SoFi has a free money tracker app that offers a complete picture of your financial health. For saving, investing, and paying off debt, take a look at SoFi.

SoFi makes it easy to know where you stand, what you spend, and how to hit your financial goals — all in one app.

FAQ

How should your wedding budget be broken down?

Spend according to your values. If you value how you look, allocate a large portion of your budget to the dress, tuxedo, hair stylist, and makeup artist. If you value memories created by a video, allocate enough budget for that service. It all comes down to priorities. Spend more money on the things that are important to you, and save money on things that are incidental, and you’ll most likely be happy with your decisions.

What is a good budget for a simple wedding?

Since tastes and costs vary so much, it’s hard to offer an exact number for a simple wedding budget. Getting married doesn’t have to cost much more than the marriage license fee, but if you want to celebrate with loved ones, you’ll need to save money to make it happen. With a little creativity, it’s possible to make your wedding ideas come to life on any budget.

What is a low budget for a wedding on average?

For a low-budget wedding where no meals are provided for guests, plan on spending a few hundred dollars. At the very least, you need to pay a fee for a marriage license and an officiant. You can wear something you already have, eat a potluck meal, and take your own pictures — and it will still be magical.

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Photo credit: iStock/Prostock-Studio

SoFi Relay offers users the ability to connect both SoFi accounts and external accounts using Plaid, Inc.’s service. When you use the service to connect an account, you authorize SoFi to obtain account information from any external accounts as set forth in SoFi’s Terms of Use. Based on your consent SoFi will also automatically provide some financial data received from the credit bureau for your visibility, without the need of you connecting additional accounts. SoFi assumes no responsibility for the timeliness, accuracy, deletion, non-delivery or failure to store any user data, loss of user data, communications, or personalization settings. You shall confirm the accuracy of Plaid data through sources independent of SoFi. The credit score is a VantageScore® based on TransUnion® (the “Processing Agent”) data.

*Terms and conditions apply. This offer is only available to new SoFi users without existing SoFi accounts. It is non-transferable. One offer per person. To receive the rewards points offer, you must successfully complete setting up Credit Score Monitoring. Rewards points may only be redeemed towards active SoFi accounts, such as your SoFi Checking or Savings account, subject to program terms that may be found here: SoFi Member Rewards Terms and Conditions. SoFi reserves the right to modify or discontinue this offer at any time without notice.

Non affiliation: SoFi isn’t affiliated with any of the companies highlighted in this article.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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There are many ways to build credit, and paying rent can be one of them. That is, as long as your rent payments are being reported to the major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. From there, you’ll also need to make sure you’re regularly making on-time payments, as late or missed payments can have a negative effect on your credit.

While it may not feel as automatic as other methods, with some effort, you can use your rent payments to build your credit. Here’s a closer look at how to do so.

Recommended: When Are Credit Card Payments Due?

How Paying Rent Affects Your Credit

Paying rent has the potential to affect your credit in two major ways: through your traditional credit history or through alternative data.

If you use your credit card to make rental payments, then your account activity will get included in your credit report. If you’re making timely payments in full, then this can positively impact your credit score. Late or missed payments, on the other hand, can lead to negative effects on your credit score.

Alternative data refers to sources that are not typically used to calculate credit scores. However, some lenders may consider them to determine creditworthiness. Rental payments are one example of alternative data — though for this information to count, you’ll usually have to enroll in a rent reporting service. And again, in order to build your credit through rental payments, it’s necessary to make those payments on time.

Can Your Rent Payments Appear on Your Credit Report?

Rent payments can appear on your credit report if your payment activity is reported to the major credit bureaus. To find out if your rent gets reported, ask your landlord or the property management company.

Your method of payment also affects whether your rental payments will show up on your credit report. For example, if you’re able to pay rent with a credit card, your payment should show up on your credit report. However, if you pay with a check or bank transfer, your payment most likely will not appear on your credit report.

Can You Manually Report Rent Payments to Credit Bureaus?

Unfortunately, you can’t report your rent payments to the credit bureaus on your own. Your landlord usually won’t be able to either, unless your building is managed by a property management company that does.

The good news is that there is a workaround to getting your rent payments reported, but it involves using a rent reporting service.

Tips for Getting Credit for the Rent You Pay

There are two main ways to get your payment activity put on your credit report: enrolling in a rent reporting service or using a method of payment that’s guaranteed to show up on your credit report.

Sign up for a Rent Reporting Service

You can sign up for a rent reporting service yourself, or you can ask your landlord to do so if you’re hoping to use your rent payments to establish credit. If you sign up yourself, you may have to go through some verification procedures, such as having your landlord verify your rent payments.

In most cases, you’ll pay a fee for using the service. You may pay a set-up fee only, or you could owe a monthly fee. If your landlord signs up, they could incur a fee that they may then pass onto you. Still, it could be worth it if you want your rent payments reported to the credit bureaus.

Use Your Credit Card

If your landlord or property management company accepts this method of payment, then using your credit card could get your rent payment put on your credit report. Keep in mind that like rent reporting services, you may be charged a processing or convenience fee for using your card to pay for rent.

Recommended: What is a Charge Card?

Does Missing Rent Hurt Your Credit Score?

Missing even one payment could affect your credit score negatively if your rent payments are reported to the credit bureaus. Considering that payment activity is one of the major factors used in calculating your credit score — your payment history makes up 35% of your FICO — it’s best to try and make on-time payments each month.

However, if you don’t use your credit card to make rental payments, you aren’t signed up for a rent reporting service, and your landlord doesn’t report your payment activity, then your credit score will most likely not be affected by missing rent. Still, missing rent payments can have other serious implications down the road, from making it harder to negotiate rent in the future to possible eviction.

Other Ways to Build Credit

While paying rent can build credit, there are other ways to go about doing so. If you’re hoping to establish your credit, here are some alternatives to consider.

Take Out a Personal Loan

The good news is that there are many loans that are specifically geared toward those looking to build their credit. Sometimes marketed as credit-builder loans, these loans approve you for a specific amount that you then make payments on in monthly installments until the amount is paid off in full.

Unlike a traditional personal loan, the money borrowed is held in a savings or escrow account — think of it as forced savings — and your payment activity is reported to the credit bureaus. Once you pay off the loan, you’ll receive the funds, minus any applicable fees.

You can also choose to take out a traditional personal loan, where you’ll receive a lump sum upfront. The amount you qualify for and the terms of the loan will depend on your creditworthiness. In fact, if you’re in a bind and have strong credit, you can even use personal loans for rent.

With either of these options, make sure to shop around for lenders and compare offers. Also take the time to read the fine print carefully, so you understand exactly what you’re getting into.

Become an Authorized User

Another option to build credit is to ask someone you trust — such as your spouse or a relative — who has good credit to make you an authorized user on their credit card. Doing so means that this account gets added to your credit history.

This can allow the primary cardholder’s credit activity to help you build your credit, as long as they continue to be responsible with their credit card. In turn, this could help you to secure the necessary credit score to rent an apartment or qualify for loans.

Recommended: Tips for Using a Credit Card Responsibly

Use a Credit Card

Another way to build credit is through responsible credit card usage. Depending on your credit history, you can choose from a secured or unsecured credit card. A secured credit card may be easier to qualify for, since many are geared toward those with limited or no credit history. You’ll need to put down collateral (usually a refundable deposit), which will serve as your credit limit.

Or, you can try to apply for an unsecured credit card if you believe your approval changes are high. Some credit cards, like the SoFi Credit Card, may even offer perks like cash-back rewards.

Whichever route you go, make sure to stay on top of making your payments on time, and avoid using too much of your available credit limit. You could even consider paying your bills with a credit card to build up your payment history.

Recommended: Does Applying For a Credit Card Hurt Your Credit Score?

The Takeaway

You can build credit with your rent payments if you make them using your credit card or if your payments get reported to the credit bureaus. Ask your landlord or rental company if payments already get reported to the bureaus. If they don’t you can sign up for a rent reporting service, though you’ll most likely pay a fee to do so. From there, rent can affect your credit score positively or negatively, depending on whether you’re timely with your payments.

Aside from paying rent to build credit, there are other, often easier ways to build credit. This can include applying for and responsibly using a credit card, such as the SoFi credit card. With the SoFi credit card, you can lower your APR by making 12 monthly on-time payments.

See if you qualify for the SoFi credit card today!

FAQ

How soon will my rent payments appear on my credit report?

How soon your rent payments will appear on your credit report depends on several factors, including when you made your payment, how you paid, and whether you did so through a credit reporting service. Experian, for instance, receives updates every 24 hours, though it could take longer for your rent payment to show up on your credit report.

Can I boost my credit by paying rent?

You may be able to build your credit by paying rent if you use a method of payment that gets reported to the credit bureaus or if you sign up for a rent reporting service. Otherwise, if your landlord or property management company doesn’t report your payment activity, it won’t affect your credit.

How long does unpaid rent stay on credit?

If you missed a rent payment and your rent payments do get reported to the credit bureaus, the negative remark may stay on your credit report for up to seven years.

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Photo credit: iStock/miniseries

¹See Rewards Details at SoFi.com/card/rewards.

SoFi cardholders earn 2% unlimited cash back rewards when redeemed to save, invest, a statement credit, or pay down eligible SoFi debt.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

The SoFi Credit Card is issued by SoFi Bank, N.A. pursuant to license by Mastercard® International Incorporated and can be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.

Disclaimer: Many factors affect your credit scores and the interest rates you may receive. SoFi is not a Credit Repair Organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. SoFi does not provide “credit repair” services or advice or assistance regarding “rebuilding” or “improving” your credit record, credit history, or credit rating. For details, see the FTC’s website .

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

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If you’re wondering whether financing a phone builds credit, the answer is that it depends. In some cases, financing a phone may help you build credit — but only if the financing company reports your payment activity to the credit bureaus.

Further, you’ll need to consistently make on-time payments if you’d like to build your credit. If your phone account ends up in collections, that will have the opposite effect on your credit. Here’s a closer look at how financing a phone can affect credit.

How Does Cell Phone Financing Work?

Think of cell phone financing much like taking out a loan. But instead of getting funding, you’re getting a cell phone that you will then pay off over time.

Some people may decide to go this route if they don’t have enough money saved to buy a new phone outright. Others may even choose to lease a new phone, which entails making monthly payments that allow for an easy upgrade to a newer phone on a more regular basis.

When financing a phone, you’ll most likely sign a contract outlining the value of the phone and the payment terms, such as the monthly amount due and the term length.

Cell Phone Financing Options

You can find different cell phone financing options, including through your wireless carrier, phone manufacturer, or a third-party company. Depending on which option you choose, you may undergo a hard credit inquiry when you apply for financing. This could temporarily affect your credit score, given new credit is one of the factors considered in determining your FICO score.

Recommended: Does Applying For a Credit Card Hurt Your Credit Score?

Wireless Carrier

When you purchase or lease a phone through your wireless carrier, you’ll most likely be presented with different payment options. If you’re purchasing a phone, you may be able to sign up for a monthly payment plan — sometimes without incurring interest. You may even be able to negotiate a discount if you’re a repeat customer or choose certain wireless plans.

For those who want to lease, your wireless carrier may offer options like the ability to periodically upgrade your phone by trading in your existing phone for a newer model. Or, you may be offered the choice of buying the phone after a certain amount of payments.

Whichever option you choose, know that sales tax may not be included in your monthly payment — you’ll need to pay that upfront. Plus, you may need to make a down payment depending on your credit profile. Those with good credit, as opposed to a bad or fair credit score, may secure more favorable terms.

Recommended: When Are Credit Card Payments Due?

Phone Manufacturer

Major phone manufacturers like Apple and Samsung typically have their own installment plans to purchase their phones. With these plans, you’re approved for a certain amount that you can use to finance a phone, which you’ll then pay off over time.

Like wireless carriers, some phone manufacturers have the option to upgrade to a newer model by offering credit for trading in your existing phone. In some cases, you may be charged interest, so it’s best to review the terms before committing to a plan.

Recommended: What is a Charge Card?

Third-Party Companies

Some electronics stores offer financing for cell phones if you open a store credit card and use it to purchase a phone. You may be able to make interest-free monthly payments if you pay for the phone in full within a certain period of time.

Recommended: How to Avoid Interest On a Credit Card

Buy Now, Pay Later

Many retailers offer buy now, pay later options. Some don’t charge interest as long as you meet their payment terms. However, there can be fairly high late fees, so check the terms and conditions before proceeding.

Cell Phone Financing Options That Build Credit

Not all cell phone financing options help you build credit. That’s because not all companies that provide financing will report your payment activity to the major credit bureaus. As such, that information won’t get added to your credit report.

That being said, there are ways that financing a phone can help you build or establish credit. This includes the following:

•   Financing through a phone manufacturer: Major phone manufacturers have their own branded credit cards or financing accounts on which they will report your activity to the credit bureaus. As long as you keep making on-time payments, this can help to build your score. To ensure your payment activity will affect your credit, it’s best to check with the manufacturer.

•   Financing through a third-party company: Many stores offer branded credit cards that you can use to finance your phone. This is another way that financing a phone can build credit, since the company will generally report your payment information to the major credit bureaus.

Recommended: Effect Paying Off Debt Has on Your Credit Score

Cell Phone Financing Options That Don’t Build Credit

In most cases, financing a phone through your wireless carrier won’t help you build your credit. That’s because these companies most likely won’t report your payment activity to the credit bureaus. If your payment activity does not appear on your credit report, it won’t have an effect on your credit.

For similar reasons, buy now, pay later plans also usually don’t help you build credit.

Should You Finance Your Phone to Build Credit?

Financing a cell phone in order to build credit is best for those who are able to consistently make on-time payments. That way, this positive payment activity will get reported to the credit bureaus and help to build your score.

However, if you’re unsure whether you’ll be able to do so, it may make sense to find an alternative way to build credit. Even one missed payment could negatively affect your credit and land you in more debt than you’d originally anticipated.

Is Financing a Cellphone Worth It?

Financing a phone can come with some advantages, such as freeing up cash you can use to fund other financial goals. If you can get financing with zero interest and know you’ll be able to pay off your phone in full within the agreed-upon terms, then it may be worth considering if you want to have more cash available to you. If your financing plan doesn’t have a prepayment penalty, it can even give you the flexibility to pay off the phone early if you want.

However, if you need to pay interest, or you believe that you won’t be able to pay off the phone within the zero-interest period, you’ll need to carefully consider the financial repercussions. Interest charges can add up, so look at your budget to see whether you can truly afford the phone you want.

If not, it may be worth holding onto your phone until you can save up for a new one, or choosing to finance a phone that costs less.

Other Ways to Build Credit

Financing a phone isn’t the only way to build credit. Some of your other options include using a credit card responsibly and taking out a personal loan.

Using a Credit Card Responsibly

Using a credit card responsibly can help you build credit. Because payment history is the biggest factor in what affects your credit score, making timely payments on your credit card balance can go a long way toward building your credit score.

Plus, if you pay for your cell phone with your credit card, you can even secure cell phone insurance coverage. With an option like the SoFi Credit Card, you can get up to $1,000 of complimentary cell phone insurance coverage.

Recommended: Tips for Using a Credit Card Responsibly

Taking Out a Personal Loan

Getting a personal loan is another way to potentially build credit. How personal loans boost credit score is through on-time payments you make on the loan, since lenders will report your activity to at least one credit bureau.

Before taking out a loan, however, check the terms carefully. You’ll want to look at what interest rate you’ll be charged and what your monthly payment amount will be.

The Takeaway

Financing a phone can help you build credit, as long as the financing company reports your payment activity to credit bureaus. If not, you may want to consider other ways to help you build your credit.This could range from taking out a personal loan to using a credit card, such as the SoFi credit card, responsibly.

Apply for the SoFi credit card today!

FAQ

Do cell phone financing options report to credit bureaus?

It depends on which cell phone financing option you chose. Some financing providers report payment activity to the credit bureaus, while others don’t. For instance, wireless carriers most likely won’t report payments on cell phone financing, whereas phone manufactures and some electronic stores do.

Does upgrading your phone affect your credit score?

Upgrading your phone may affect your credit score if the financing company needs to conduct a hard credit inquiry before approving you for a phone.

How long does a phone bill stay on your credit report?

If you have a charged-off account — meaning your creditor has tried to collect payment from you and failed — that information may remain on your credit report for seven years.

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Photo credit: iStock/Delmaine Donson

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

The SoFi Credit Card is issued by SoFi Bank, N.A. pursuant to license by Mastercard® International Incorporated and can be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.

Disclaimer: Many factors affect your credit scores and the interest rates you may receive. SoFi is not a Credit Repair Organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. SoFi does not provide “credit repair” services or advice or assistance regarding “rebuilding” or “improving” your credit record, credit history, or credit rating. For details, see the FTC’s website .

SoFi cardholders earn 2% unlimited cash back rewards when redeemed to save, invest, a statement credit, or pay down eligible SoFi debt.

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Maybe you think paper checks are a relic from the recent past, but don’t write them off so quickly. Did you know that there are still 14.5 million checks issued in the U.S. every day?

That means there may be many instances when you need to cash a check, such as receiving a tax refund or getting paid for a side-hustle gig. All too often, people set aside that paper rectangle and plan to deal with it later, only to realize weeks or even months have passed before they come across it again.

But is a check still good if it’s not cashed right away? Learn the answers here, including:

•   How long are checks good for?

•   What are the different kinds of checks? When do they expire?

•   What should you do with an uncashed check?

How Long Do Checks Usually Last?

Both corporate checks and personal checks technically expire after six months from the issue date. There may be alternate void dates written on the check, such as 90 days, but that’s more of the issuer’s preference rather than a rule that’s etched in stone. After six months, a bank considers the check “stale” and isn’t legally required to cash it.

Here’s one reason why checks have expiration dates. If you wait too long to cash a personal check, there’s a decent chance that the issuer won’t have enough money in their account to cover the outstanding check.

If this happens, the check bounces and you’ll likely be charged a fee by the bank.

Fees for Bounced Checks

•   The maximum amount varies, but typically it costs about $27 dollars when a check bounces as of 2022.

•   You may also be hit with overdraft fees, which average almost $30.

When you wait a long time to cash some type of corporate check, you usually run less risk of having it bounce. It could, however, happen.

When a Check Is More Than Six Months Old

So what should you do if you discover an uncashed check that was issued more than six months ago? It can obviously happen, especially in this era when many transactions are done by payment apps and e-checks. Some of us aren’t used to dealing with paper checks.

Here’s the scoop:

•   Even if the check doesn’t bounce, the bank can refuse to cash it after the six-month mark. When that happens, you’ll generally need to reach out to the issuer and ask for another check. In that case, the issuer may ask you to return the first copy so they can properly void it.

•   In a best-case scenario, the bank could still honor the check. They’re not required to do so by federal law, meaning you could still access the cash despite exceeding six months.

When a Treasury Check Is More Than a Year Old

How long are checks good for when they are issued by the U.S. Treasury? They usually don’t expire until one year after the date it’s issued. Common types of Treasury checks include federal tax refunds, Social Security benefits, and Veterans Affairs benefits. If these checks expire, follow these steps:

•   In order to get an expired check reissued, you must contact the paying agency directly and go through the check claims process and appropriate paperwork.

•   You can avoid expired U.S. Treasury checks completely by signing up for electronic direct deposit or opting for a direct express card (designed for those without bank accounts). For those who receive federal benefits, like Social Security, receiving payments electronically is required by law.

Note that state and local governments all have their own expiration dates when it comes to checks. Consider looking into those specific guidelines for things like state tax refund checks.

Expiration Dates for Different Types of Checks

You’ve just learned about how six months is the usual expiration date after a check is issued or one year for Treasury checks.

However, there are some exceptions to these guidelines. These likely occur when the funds attached to a check were secured by the issuing bank in some way.

Certified Checks

With a certified check, the issuer’s bank guarantees the funds, but they remain in the individual’s account until you cash the check. However, the bank puts a hold on the correct amount of cash so there’s no risk of the account being overdrawn before you deposit that check.

Still, there’s no hard and fast expiration date for a certified check. The main concern is that eventually, the bank may hand over the funds to the state in your name as unclaimed property if you fail to cash the check. Each state has its own process for reclaiming those abandoned funds, which you may learn more about from the state’s unclaimed property office.

Alternatively, you can visit MissingMoney.com , a multi-state database which may help you find your unclaimed cash from certified checks and other sources.

Recommended: What Is a Business Check vs. a Personal Check?

Cashier’s Checks

When you receive a cashier’s check from someone, the funds have already been withdrawn from their personal bank account and transferred into an escrow account with the issuing bank. The money sits there waiting until you cash the check. The bank may still place a void date on the check and no longer guarantee the funds after that point.

If you miss your window of opportunity, the bank may transfer the money to the state as unclaimed property, just as they would with uncashed certified checks.

Cashier’s checks are usually reserved for large amounts of money. When someone pays you with this method, it’s generally smart to cash it as quickly as possible. Plus, it can be very difficult to replace a hard copy of a cashier’s check if you lose it.

Money Orders

A money order is another secure form of payment. It never expires, but, depending on the terms of the money order, there may be fees incurred if it is not cashed in a certain amount of time.

A money order works differently than most checks. The issuer doesn’t transfer funds from their bank account. Instead, they can use cash, a debit card, or traveler’s check to pay for it. The money order then gets assigned a cash value and can be cashed or deposited.

It’s relatively easy to replace a money order if it’s been lost, especially compared to certified and cashier’s checks. If this happens, the original issuer will generally need to go to the place where the money order was purchased to complete the replacement process.

There may also be a fee for replacing the money order (for example, $13.90 at the U.S. Post Office). However, the process isn’t immediate. It can take between 30 and 60 days to investigate a lost or stolen money order. So, if there are any issues with a lost money order, it’s typically best to try and resolve the issue as soon as possible to help expedite the process.

Recommended: What Is a Counter Check?

Traveler’s Checks

Traveler’s checks are a sort of check that assumes cash value without ever expiring. You may choose to use them while traveling abroad to avoid carrying around large amounts of cash. When you arrive in your destination country, traveler’s checks can be exchanged for local currency.

How long is a traveler’s check good for if not cashed during your trip? You can bring any unused checks home, and then consider these options:

•   Since they’re marked in U.S. dollars rather than foreign currency, you can simply save them to exchange during a future overseas trip, regardless of the type of currency used there.

•   You can usually redeem unused travelers checks with the issuing bank. Just check in advance what kind of fees may be involved.

•   Traveler’s checks are also accepted domestically, meaning you may be able to use them instead of cash, plastic, or personal checks at some stores.

Quick Money Tip: Want a new checking account that offers more access to your money? With 55,000+ ATMs in the Allpoint network, you can get cash when and where you choose.

Why Do Checks Have Expiration Dates?

As mentioned briefly above, checks typically have an expiration date as a way to nudge the recipient to cash it sooner rather than later. When people hold onto uncashed checks, it makes it challenging for the issuer to know how much money they actually have in their account and keep their personal finances up to date.

An expiration date, whether it’s six months or a year, can help them balance their books and not worry about someone cashing a check years later.

Recommended: How to Write a Check to Yourself

What to Do With an Uncashed Check

It’s not uncommon to dig through a pile of unopened mail or a stack of papers and discover a check that you never cashed. What’s next in this situation? Consider these tips:

•   If it’s been less than six months for a conventional check, you can likely cash it as usual. Treasury checks are good for up to a year. Mobile deposit can make getting the funds into your bank account quick and easy.

•   If it’s past the expiration date, you may check with your bank and see if they will honor it. If they believe the funds are available, they just might cash it.

•   If the check cannot be cashed, you will likely have to contact the issuer and request a new check. You may need to return the expired check as part of this process.

If you are the issuer of the check and see that six months have gone by and your check hasn’t been cashed, you may try reaching out to the payee to see if the check has been lost or stolen. If that is the case, or they just let it sit uncashed, you may reissue the check as your next step.

Recommended: How to Sign Over a Check to Someone Else

The Takeaway

It’s wise to deposit checks quickly once you receive them. As a general rule of thumb, the six-month mark represents the strictest timeline. Cashing or depositing any check before then can help avoid problems with a check getting stale. Checks issued by the federal government via the U.S. Treasury Department have a little more leeway — a full year from the issue date.

SoFi can help you avoid the hassle of going to a bank branch or ATM to cash your check. With SoFi Checking and Savings, you’ll be able to snap a photo and deposit your check. There are plenty of other great benefits too: We offer a competitive Annual Percentage Yield (APY) and no account fees, which can help your money grow faster (as can savings features like Vaults and Roundups). Plus, you’ll spend and save in one convenient place.

Better banking is here with SoFi, NerdWallet’s 2024 winner for Best Checking Account Overall. Enjoy up to 4.60% APY on SoFi Checking and Savings.

FAQ

Can I cash an expired check?

It depends. Your bank may still cash a cash that’s past the expiration date if they believe the funds are available. But they do have the right to refuse it if six months have passed since the date it was issued or one year in the case of checks from the U.S. Treasury.

How can banks tell if a check is expired?

The date on the check tells you and your bank when the check was issued. A check typically expires six months after that date or, in the case of U.S. Treasury checks, a year later. Some companies print on their checks “void after 90 days,” but most banks will honor a check up to 180 days.

Can an expired check be reissued?

Yes, an expired check can likely be reissued. Contact the payor to request this.

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SoFi members with direct deposit activity can earn 4.60% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Direct Deposit means a deposit to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government payments (e.g., Social Security), made by the account holder’s employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency (“Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Deposits that are not from an employer or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, do not constitute Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate.

SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits can earn 4.60% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Qualifying Deposits means one or more deposits that, in the aggregate, are equal to or greater than $5,000 to an account holder’s SoFi Checking and Savings account (“Qualifying Deposits”) during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Qualifying Deposits only include those deposits from the following eligible sources: (i) ACH transfers, (ii) inbound wire transfers, (iii) peer-to-peer transfers (i.e., external transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc. and internal peer-to-peer transfers from a SoFi account belonging to another account holder), (iv) check deposits, (v) instant funding to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, (vi) push payments to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, and (vii) cash deposits. Qualifying Deposits do not include: (i) transfers between an account holder’s Checking account, Savings account, and/or Vaults; (ii) interest payments; (iii) bonuses issued by SoFi Bank or its affiliates; or (iv) credits, reversals, and refunds from SoFi Bank, N.A. (“SoFi Bank”) or from a merchant.

SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder’s Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits throughout each 30-Day Evaluation Period to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility. The 30-Day Evaluation Period refers to the “Start Date” and “End Date” set forth on the APY Details page of your account, which comprises a period of 30 calendar days (the “30-Day Evaluation Period”). You can access the APY Details page at any time by logging into your SoFi account on the SoFi mobile app or SoFi website and selecting either (i) Banking > Savings > Current APY or (ii) Banking > Checking > Current APY. Upon receiving a Direct Deposit or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits to your account, you will begin earning 4.60% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% on checking balances on or before the following calendar day. You will continue to earn these APYs for (i) the remainder of the current 30-Day Evaluation Period and through the end of the subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period and (ii) any following 30-day Evaluation Periods during which SoFi Bank determines you to have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits without interruption.

SoFi Bank reserves the right to grant a grace period to account holders following a change in Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits activity before adjusting rates. If SoFi Bank grants you a grace period, the dates for such grace period will be reflected on the APY Details page of your account. If SoFi Bank determines that you did not have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits during the current 30-day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, then you will begin earning the rates earned by account holders without either Direct Deposit or Qualifying Deposits until you have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits in a subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period. For the avoidance of doubt, an account holder with both Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits will earn the rates earned by account holders with Direct Deposit.

Members without either Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits, as determined by SoFi Bank, during a 30-Day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, will earn 1.20% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances.

Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 10/24/2023. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.

SoFi® Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A. ©2023 SoFi Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.
The SoFi Bank Debit Mastercard® is issued by SoFi Bank, N.A., pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated and can be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.

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Scheduling annual visits with your doctor is important for maintaining good physical health. Likewise, planning a financial checkup can be a great opportunity to assess your money health.

Financial wellness means ensuring that you have enough money to meet your obligations today while also being able to fund your goals for tomorrow. Regular financial checkups can help you see how well you’re doing. What’s more, they give you the opportunity to pinpoint where you might be able to improve your money management strategy as well, helping you to achieve wellness.

If you’ve never done a personal financial checkup before, fear not. Getting started is easier than you might think. Read on to learn:

•   What is a financial checkup?

•   Why are financial checkups important? How will I benefit?

•   What are the key steps in a financial checkup?

What Is a Financial Checkup?

A financial checkup is a thorough review of your personal finances. It’s similar to getting a health checkup from a doctor, only instead of checking your blood pressure and other vitals, you’re measuring your financial stats. For example, some of the things you might review as part of a financial check include your:

•   Monthly budget and expenses

•   Debt situation and repayment strategy

•   Credit reports and scores

•   Retirement savings

•   Emergency savings

•   College planning, if you have kids

•   Insurance needs and coverage

Those are all things that can go along with setting up a financial plan. What is a financial plan? It’s a strategy for managing your money in order to reach your personal money goals. You can complete a financial checkup and financial plan yourself or do so with the help of a professional financial advisor.

Recommended: Are you financially healthy? Take this 2 minute quiz.💊

Why Are Financial Checkups Important?

A financial health checkup can help you to establish where you are with your money situation, where you’d like to be financially, and what steps you need to take in order to get there. Completing regular personal financial checkups can guide you to improve your financial health as you work toward your goals.

For instance, money checkups could help you to:

•   Get clarity around budgeting and expenses

•   Eliminate bad spending habits

•   Define your short- and long-term financial goals

•   Instill a sense of financial discipline as you work toward those goals

•   Develop a habit of saving consistently

•   Create an actionable plan for paying off debt

•   Form a workable strategy for retirement savings

•   Fine-tune your investment goals

Taking those kinds of actions can get you on the path to living your personal definition of financial freedom. That might mean retiring early, for instance, or finding ways to create passive income so you can live a lifestyle that isn’t job-dependent.

Skipping out on regular financial checkups can make it more difficult to do those kinds of things and put your financial security in danger. The simple reason: You’re oblivious to how you’re doing with your money.

Quick Money Tip:Typically, checking accounts don’t earn interest. However, some accounts will pay you a bit and help your money grow. An online bank account is more likely than brick-and-mortar to offer you the best rates.

Key Steps to Take for a Financial Checkup

Money checkups can help you move ahead with achieving financial security, but what do you actually include in one? How often do you need to perform a financial checkup? And do you need to get help from a professional financial advisor? Here’s a closer look.

•   Frequency: In terms of frequency, it may be a good idea to consider a personal financial check at least once a year. For example, you might schedule it for the beginning of January. That way, you can review the previous year and set goals for the upcoming year. Quarterly checkups may be a better option if you’d like to get smaller snapshots of your finances throughout the year.

•   Hiring a financial advisor: Whether you hire an advisor for a financial checkup is entirely up to you. An advisor can offer an extra set of eyes to review your finances but it’s important to know what you’ll pay for that help. The average financial advisor cost is around 1% of the assets they manage annually. However, some financial institutions provide access to professional advisors for free. It’s worth doing a bit of research to see what might be available.

Ready to start your financial health checkup? Here’s a simple checklist you can follow.

Take Your Financial Vital Signs

Getting some numbers down on paper can be a good way to start your financial checkup. Looking at certain metrics for the last 12 months can give you some perspective on where you are financially. Here are some of the most important measurements to take:

•   Your monthly income and expenses

•   How much you have saved for emergencies

•   What you’re carrying in total debt

•   Debt-to-income ratio (i.e., how much of your income goes to debt repayment)

•   Your credit scores

•   How much you’ve invested for retirement

•   What percentage of your income you’re saving monthly

Along with looking at specific numbers, it can also be helpful to ask some basic questions to gauge your financial health. For example, you might ask yourself:

•   How many months did I stick to my budget vs. going over budget?

•   Have I bounced any checks or overdrafted my bank account this year?

•   Was I late paying any bills in the past 12 months?

•   Did I reach any savings goals or fall short of any goals?

•   Did my overall debt load increase or decrease?

•   How well did my investments perform?

The purpose of looking at numbers first and asking these kinds of questions is to establish your financial baseline. You can then move on to the next steps to take a deeper dive into your money situation.

Review Your Budget

Making a budget is usually at the top of the list of personal finance basics for beginners. A budget is a plan for spending the income that you have each month. The basic elements of a budget include:

•   Fixed expenses, such as housing

•   Variable expenses, which need to be paid monthly but their amounts may change (such as food costs)

•   Discretionary expenses or the “wants” in your budget

•   Income

•   Debt repayment

•   Savings

You might also include taxes as its own budget category if you’re self-employed. In this situation, you will need to set aside money regularly to pay estimated tax bills.

If you’re doing a financial checkup for the last 12 months, it can be helpful to look at what’s changed in your variable and discretionary expenses. For example, are you paying more for utilities than you were 12 months ago? Has your grocery bill increased? (Given the current rate of inflation, it may well have.) Is a bigger chunk of your budget going to “fun” things like hobbies, entertainment, or recreation?

Analyzing individual budget categories can help you pinpoint money leaks or areas where you might be able to cut back on spending. It’s also a good opportunity to review what you’re paying for cell phone service, internet, or car insurance to see if it’s worth switching to a cheaper provider.

Check Your Emergency Fund

An emergency fund is money that you save for unplanned or unexpected expenses. Emergency savings is meant to be separate from money you save for sinking funds or for various short- and long-term financial goals.

If you have an emergency fund, check the balance to see how much cash you have on hand for rainy days. How much should you have in an emergency fund? An often-cited rule of thumb dictates saving three to six months’ worth of expenses for emergencies. If your savings balance is below that amount, you might go back to your budget to see where you might be able to find extra money to set aside.

Also, consider where you’re keeping your emergency fund. Ideally, that money should be somewhere that’s easily accessible in case a true emergency comes along. But you might also be interested in earning a great interest rate in the meantime. If you’re keeping your emergency fund in a traditional savings account at a regular bank, you might consider upgrading to a high-yield savings account instead in order to cash in on a higher rate.

Factor in Life Changes

Life changes can affect your financial plans in different ways. Losing a job, for instance, can shrink your income. Getting married might increase your household income if you’re both working. Having a child, changing jobs, moving, buying a home, and starting a business are other situations that can impact your financial outlook.
If you’ve been through any of these life changes in the past year, consider what that might mean for things like budgeting, saving, and expenses. It’s also important to review your tax situation.

Getting married, for instance, means a change to your tax filing status. Having a child can open the door for added tax breaks. And starting a new business can bring additional tax obligations, such as estimated quarterly tax payments. Those are all things that could increase your tax bill year to year. It’s therefore important to consider where they fit in during your financial checkup.

Recommended: Getting Back on Track After Going over Budget

Review Your Investment and Retirement Goals

Investing can be key to building wealth over the long-term. You can invest inside of a tax-advantaged plan, such as a 401(k) or Individual Retirement Account (IRA), or through a taxable brokerage account. As part of your financial health check, it’s helpful to know:

•   Where your money is invested (i.e., taxable vs. tax-advantaged accounts)

•   How your portfolio is diversified across different asset classes

•   How those assets have performed over the last year

•   What you’re paying in investment fees

•   How your risk tolerance or tax situation has changed over the past year

•   Whether you’re on track with retirement saving.

Reviewing those things can give you an idea of whether you’re on the right track with your investments. For example, if you’re 30 years old and want to retire at 50 with $1 million, but you only have $10,000 invested, that’s a clear sign that you’ve got a lot of work left to do.

Using online investment calculators and retirement calculators can help you to figure out how closely you’re keeping up with your goals. And if you don’t have an investment account yet, you may want to consider setting up an IRA online and a taxable brokerage account so you can start growing wealth.

The Takeaway

A financial checkup is a smart way to keep tabs on your money and your financial health. It will give you the opportunity to make course corrections and can aid you with overcoming personal financial challenges. If you’re struggling with credit card debt, for example, then a periodic financial checkup can help you to figure out a strategy for paying down your balances while streamlining your expenses so you’re less reliant on plastic. It can also help with positive situations, such as where to allocate a recent raise.

Better banking is here with SoFi, NerdWallet’s 2024 winner for Best Checking Account Overall. Enjoy up to 4.60% APY on SoFi Checking and Savings.

FAQ

How often should you do a financial checkup?

Completing a financial checkup at least once a year can be a good way to see whether you’re on track with your goals and where you might be able to improve. If you’d like to check in with your money more often, you might schedule quarterly financial checkups instead.

How do you do a financial health checkup?

A financial health checkup starts with gathering information about your income, expenses, debt, and savings. From there, you can review your financial progress and goals to determine what steps to take next with your money.

What does financial wellness include?

Financial wellness means being able to manage your current money obligations with ease while also being able to look ahead to the future. Someone who has achieved financial wellness generally has stable income, a firm grip on their expenses, a dedicated savings habit, and little to no “bad” debt. Another component is looking forward and tracking well for future financial goals, like retirement.

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Photo credit: iStock/Bilgehan Tuzcu

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

SoFi® Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A. ©2023 SoFi Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.
The SoFi Bank Debit Mastercard® is issued by SoFi Bank, N.A., pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated and can be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.

SoFi members with direct deposit activity can earn 4.60% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Direct Deposit means a deposit to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government payments (e.g., Social Security), made by the account holder’s employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency (“Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Deposits that are not from an employer or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, do not constitute Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate.

SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits can earn 4.60% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Qualifying Deposits means one or more deposits that, in the aggregate, are equal to or greater than $5,000 to an account holder’s SoFi Checking and Savings account (“Qualifying Deposits”) during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Qualifying Deposits only include those deposits from the following eligible sources: (i) ACH transfers, (ii) inbound wire transfers, (iii) peer-to-peer transfers (i.e., external transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc. and internal peer-to-peer transfers from a SoFi account belonging to another account holder), (iv) check deposits, (v) instant funding to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, (vi) push payments to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, and (vii) cash deposits. Qualifying Deposits do not include: (i) transfers between an account holder’s Checking account, Savings account, and/or Vaults; (ii) interest payments; (iii) bonuses issued by SoFi Bank or its affiliates; or (iv) credits, reversals, and refunds from SoFi Bank, N.A. (“SoFi Bank”) or from a merchant.

SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder’s Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits throughout each 30-Day Evaluation Period to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility. The 30-Day Evaluation Period refers to the “Start Date” and “End Date” set forth on the APY Details page of your account, which comprises a period of 30 calendar days (the “30-Day Evaluation Period”). You can access the APY Details page at any time by logging into your SoFi account on the SoFi mobile app or SoFi website and selecting either (i) Banking > Savings > Current APY or (ii) Banking > Checking > Current APY. Upon receiving a Direct Deposit or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits to your account, you will begin earning 4.60% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% on checking balances on or before the following calendar day. You will continue to earn these APYs for (i) the remainder of the current 30-Day Evaluation Period and through the end of the subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period and (ii) any following 30-day Evaluation Periods during which SoFi Bank determines you to have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits without interruption.

SoFi Bank reserves the right to grant a grace period to account holders following a change in Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits activity before adjusting rates. If SoFi Bank grants you a grace period, the dates for such grace period will be reflected on the APY Details page of your account. If SoFi Bank determines that you did not have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits during the current 30-day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, then you will begin earning the rates earned by account holders without either Direct Deposit or Qualifying Deposits until you have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits in a subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period. For the avoidance of doubt, an account holder with both Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits will earn the rates earned by account holders with Direct Deposit.

Members without either Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits, as determined by SoFi Bank, during a 30-Day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, will earn 1.20% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances.

Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 10/24/2023. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.

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