Sep
14
2023

What Is a Direct Stock Purchase Plan (DSPP)?

By | Growing Wealth, invest, Investing | Comments Off on What Is a Direct Stock Purchase Plan (DSPP)?

A direct stock purchase plan (DSPP) is a plan that allows investors to purchase stock in a company without a broker and get it directly from the company instead.

With DSSPs, there are often no brokerage fees. Meanwhile, discounts to the share prices may be available for larger purchases. With shares purchased through a DSPP, investors have the same profit and loss opportunities, access to dividends, as well as stockholder voting rights.

However, direct stock purchase plans may not be right for every investor. Learn more about buying stock direct from companies through a DSPP, including the pros and cons.

Direct Stock Purchase Plan, Explained

What is a direct stock purchase plan? Typically, many investors use a broker to buy shares of stock. But you can sometimes purchase stocks directly from companies, no broker required. This is what it means to participate in a direct stock purchase plan.

Many blue-chip stocks tend to offer DSPPs. For example, let’s say Company X offers a plan that allows investors to buy $500 or more worth of company stock directly from it, up to $250,000 a year, with some service and transaction fees.

With a DSPP, investors directly purchase shares, sometimes at a small discount. Discounts can range from 1% to 10% to encourage investors to buy more shares.

However, because many brokerage accounts now waive fees and commissions entirely for many investors, the savings difference is smaller than it used to be.


💡 Quick Tip: Did you know that opening a brokerage account typically doesn’t come with any setup costs? Often, the only requirement to open a brokerage account — aside from providing personal details — is making an initial deposit.

Pros and Cons of a DSPP

Direct stock purchase plans have benefits and drawbacks. These include:

Pros:

•   No broker needed. Investors can purchase shares of stock directly from the company.

•   Very little money is required to get started, and the process is typically simple to do.
Good for long-term investing.

•   Some DSPP programs offer dividend reinvestment plans.

Cons:

•   An investor may not achieve portfolio diversification because not all stocks offer DSPPs.

•   Companies may put maximum limits on how much an individual investor can purchase.

•   When selling DSPP stocks, multiple types of fees can sometimes be charged.

How To Invest in a DSPP

Armed with information about how to buy directly from companies, investors may want to explore what specific opportunities exist. Perhaps they already have a publicly traded company in mind. In that case, they can go to that company’s investor relations website to see if the company offers this type of investment opportunity.

They can also search on the Internet to see which direct stock purchase plans are available.

More specifically, if someone wants to buy stocks in this way, they typically open an account and make deposits into it. Usually, these deposits are automatically made monthly through an ACH funds transfer from the investor’s bank account. In some cases you can write checks as well.

Then, that dollar amount is applied toward purchasing shares in that company’s stock, which can include fractional shares. For example, let’s say that one share of a company’s stock currently costs $20. If an investor sets up an ACH withdrawal of $50 monthly, then, each month they have purchased 2.5 shares of that company’s stock.

One of the benefits of investing through a direct stock purchase plan is the ability to incrementally invest in an inexpensive way. This might make it a good choice for some first-time investors with smaller amounts of money to invest, with initial deposits ranging from $100 to $500. In some cases, initial deposit minimums can be waived if you purchase a certain dollar value of stock every month. But again, it may be difficult to achieve portfolio diversification with DSPP.

Companies With DSPPs

A number of large, well-established companies offer DSPPs. Companies with direct stock purchase plans include Walmart, The Coca-Cola Company, Starbucks, and Home Depot, and Best Buy, among others.


💡 Quick Tip: How to manage potential risk factors in a self-directed investment account? Doing your research and employing strategies like dollar-cost averaging and diversification may help mitigate financial risk when trading stocks.

What to Consider Before Buying DSPPs

When online investing was new, people typically needed to pay significant fees to brokers to buy stock. In that era, direct stock purchase plans could be money-savers for investors. Over time, though, fees for online investing have lessened, making this less distinctive of a benefit.

In addition, many DSPPs charge initial setup fees, and may have other investment fees, including ones for each purchase transaction or sale. Although they may be small, these fees can build up over time. And it may be challenging to re-sell shares without the use of a broker, which makes this investment strategy more of a long-term one.

Plus, any time a share is purchased, some degree of stock volatility comes along with it — how much depends upon what is happening with that specific company and the overall levels of turbulence in the market.

Here’s something else to consider: When owning stock in just one company, or only a couple of them, portfolios aren’t diversified. When you diversify your investment assets, it helps to spread out the degree of risk. That’s because, if one stock’s value decreases, others may rise to balance out that portfolio.

The Takeaway

Direct stock purchase plans are when individual investors can directly purchase shares of that company’s stock without the need for broker involvement. The benefits of DSPPs potentially include purchasing company shares at a discount, and not needing a broker to make the transaction.

The downside of DSPPs is that a limited number of companies offer them, which means that an investor who invests solely through DSPPs may not have the best portfolio diversification. Plus, with brokerage commissions and fees rapidly shrinking, in many cases to zero, DSPPs have become a less essential way of cutting down trading costs for investors.

Ready to invest in your goals? It’s easy to get started when you open an investment account with SoFi Invest. You can invest in stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds, alternative funds, and more. SoFi doesn’t charge commissions, but other fees apply (full fee disclosure here).


Invest with as little as $5 with a SoFi Active Investing account.

FAQ

What is the difference between a brokerage and a direct stock purchase?

The main difference between a brokerage and a direct stock purchase is this: With a direct stock purchase, an investor buys shares of one company. A brokerage, on the other hand, offers multitudes of different stock options an investor may choose from.

What is direct stock vs portfolio stock?

With direct stock, an investor purchases shares of stock directly from a company. A portfolio refers to a collection of different types of investments an investor may have, including stocks, bonds, or stock funds, to name a few.

What is the difference between DSPP and DRIP?

By using a DRIP (dividend reinvestment plan), investors can buy more stock in companies whose shares they own by reinvesting what they earn from dividends. With a DSPP, an investor can purchase stock directly from a company. Unlike a DRIP, they don’t have to use dividends to purchase shares.

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.

SoFi Invest®
INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE
SoFi Invest encompasses two distinct companies, with various products and services offered to investors as described below: Individual customer accounts may be subject to the terms applicable to one or more of these platforms.
1) Automated Investing and advisory services are provided by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser (“SoFi Wealth“). Brokerage services are provided to SoFi Wealth LLC by SoFi Securities LLC.
2) Active Investing and brokerage services are provided by SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA (www.finra.org)/SIPC(www.sipc.org). Clearing and custody of all securities are provided by APEX Clearing Corporation.
For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest platforms described above please visit SoFi.com/legal.
Neither the Investment Advisor Representatives of SoFi Wealth, nor the Registered Representatives of SoFi Securities are compensated for the sale of any product or service sold through any SoFi Invest platform.

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Sep
14
2023
chef cooking in kitchen

Why College May Not Be for Everyone

By | Building Your Career, Life & Career, Student Loans, student_loan | No Comments

While college is a good option for many people, it isn’t for everyone — and not going to a four year college doesn’t mean you can’t have a meaningful career.

More people than ever before have a college degree, but a four-year program isn’t the only way to be successful. Even employers are realizing that there are many skills that can’t be captured in a degree program. In fact, some major tech companies, including Google and Apple, no longer require applicants to have a four-year degree for some of their positions.

There are certain jobs for which you need a college degree, like an electrical engineer, marketing manager, or teacher, but there are plenty of careers out there that don’t require additional degrees.

Reasons You Should Not Go To College

There are a number of valid reasons to delay college — or put it off entirely. Here are some to consider:

•   You’re not excited about your options. Maybe you didn’t get into the schools you expected to or you’re having second thoughts when you try to imagine yourself attending the schools you did get into. If the thought of college fills you with dread or doubt rather than excitement, taking a year off to reassess your options can be a good strategy.

•   You’re unsure what career you are interested in pursuing. You may want to explore different options by being exposed to college-level courses at a community college, or spend time volunteering, working, or traveling.

•   You’re already working. If you already have a job, you may be wanting to lean into your current job or save money to go to school in a few years.

•   You’re exploring non-degree avenues. There are many high-paying trades that don’t require a degree but may require on-the-job experience or an apprenticeship.

•   You have a plan for a gap year. Some people like to take a year to travel, work, or otherwise take a break in between high school and college to further explore their identity and what they want to do in the future.

•   You feel you’re going to college only to please your family. If you feel pressured to go to college, it may be a sign that college isn’t the right option for you, at least right now.

•   You have essential family obligations. Some students need to help their families and may not be able to take time off to go to school. These students may consider community college or a part-time degree program. Speaking with your current high school counselor may help you find ways to juggle multiple responsibilities.

•   You want to take time to pursue a talent. From sports to the performing arts to a creative path, some people choose to explore a talent more seriously, focusing time, energy, and resources prior to going to college. This can be a decision you make with the help of your family and any coaches or teachers.

Refi now to pay off loans &
reach your goals faster with a shorter term.

Reasons You Should Go To College

College can be a great time to grow and learn and, for some, it’s a natural step. Here are some other reasons why college may make sense:

•   You’re excited and realistic about college. You recognize college may have ups and downs but feel confident that college feels “right” as your next step — not just something your family or teachers expect from you.

•   A college degree will help you achieve your career goals. You’ve done your research and/or talked with alums and people working in your targeted field and feel confident that college makes sense for your career goals.

•   College fits into your overall financial plan. You have a sense of how much college will cost and a plan for how you will pay for it, which might include a combination of financial aid, savings, and federal or private student loans. You also want to make sure you will be able to manage any student loan payments after you graduate.

•   You have a ‘Plan B’ in case you realize that college isn’t the right fit. Sometimes people realize one semester into school that college may not be what they need at that moment in their lives. It can be helpful to talk about what this may be, so that you don’t feel trapped if school doesn’t feel like it’s a good fit.

How Graduation Rates Vary by Type of College
Source: National Center for Education Statistics

Alternatives to a College Degree

Just because you aren’t interested in a four-year degree doesn’t mean you need to forgo higher education entirely. Alternative educational models, like trade schools and community colleges, offer many practical certification and two-year associate degree programs that can help you get ahead.

It is important to know that even if you’re not planning to pursue a four-year degree, you still have options when it comes to creating a career that is right for you.


💡 Quick Tip: You’ll make no payments on some private student loans for six months after graduation.

Trade School

Sometimes known as technical or vocational schools, trade schools can prepare you for a specific job, such as a dental hygienist, electrician, cosmetologist, or web developer. These programs are normally much shorter than four years, and certain programs may allow you to finish in only a few months. There are both public and private trade schools.

Trade schools don’t award bachelor’s degrees. Instead, when you graduate from a trade school, you typically receive a diploma or certificate indicating that you are trained and certified to perform a specific job. Some trade school programs do offer associate degrees, which are the same type of degrees offered by many community colleges.

Recommended: How to Know if Trade School is Right for You

Community College

As mentioned above, community colleges usually offer two-year degrees called associate degrees. These degrees can either stand alone or be a stepping stone to obtaining a bachelor’s degree at a four-year school.

Indeed, many community colleges offer career preparation programs that are designed to help students jump into the workforce without the need for a bachelor’s degree.

Community college could also be a great way to test out college life and see if you want to continue pursuing higher education. They tend to be much less expensive than four-year universities, which means it won’t cost you an arm and a leg before you decide if higher education is right for you.

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are paid positions designed to teach the apprentice about a specific job or industry. They can help you learn how to use industry-specific tools and technologies and help you develop your skills over a period of time. This may be in fields as diverse as plumbing to transportation engineering to baking.

Apprenticeships can be a win-win for employers and employees because they allow those starting out to begin working (and earning a paycheck) immediately, and they help employers fill vacant jobs.

Recommended: A Complete Guide to Apprenticeships

Certificate Programs

Similar and sometimes overlapping with trade schools, certificate programs offer specialized training in a specific area. This may include coding, cybersecurity, yoga, fitness, getting a commercial driver’s license (CDL) or other areas where specialized knowledge may be a prerequisite. These certificates may also be helpful in making job seekers eligible for positions with higher starting salaries.

Recommended: Are Coding Bootcamps Worth the Money?

Taking a Gap Year

A gap year is when a student takes a year off between high school and college. Some colleges allow accepted students to defer for a year, holding a place for them in the next year’s incoming class. Some people create a travel itinerary, others may work or volunteer for the year. There are some gap year programs that create opportunities for students, but keep in mind that some programs may be costly.

Starting a Business

If you are already passionate about — and have a lot of knowledge about — a specific field or industry, you might consider skipping college altogether and jumping into that business.

Starting your own business takes a lot of hard work, but it could mean that you get to be your own boss and work in an industry you love. And because you could quickly become an expert on the products or services you provide, you aren’t necessarily at a disadvantage because you lack a degree.

If You Do Go the College Route

There are plenty of options if you choose not to attend a four-year college. However, there are also options within the world of college, including the type of college you choose, the major you decide to pursue, and how you pay for college.

There’s no denying that college can be expensive. In the 2022-2023 school year, the average cost for tuition and fees at an in-state college was $10,423, while the average sticker price for a private college was $39,723. And, these numbers don’t include room and board. This can be a big financial commitment, especially if you are on the fence about pursuing higher education.

That’s why it can be a good idea to begin creating a payment strategy early. A great first step is to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see how much federal aid — including scholarships, grants, work-study, and federal student loans — you qualify for.

Federal student loans do have limits on how much a student can borrow each year they are enrolled in school. Some students may need additional funds to bridge the gap. In that case, some may consider borrowing a student loan from a private lender, such as a bank or credit union, to help cover college costs.

In general, it can be a smart idea to tap all your federal loan and grant options before you consider private student loans. That’s because federal loans offer some protections, such as deferment options, that private loans may not. However, private loans can cover up to 100% of the cost of attendance, including money to pay for books, room and board, and personal expenses.


💡 Quick Tip: Parents and sponsors with strong credit and income may find much lower rates on no-fee private parent student loans than federal parent PLUS loans. Federal PLUS loans also come with an origination fee.

The Takeaway

College can lead students on a new career path, but depending on your goals and other factors, may not be necessary. Some students may choose to pursue a trade or vocational program instead of a four-year degree, while others may simply want to wait a year or so to earn and save more money to cover the cost of going to college.

If you’ve exhausted all federal student aid options, no-fee private student loans from SoFi can help you pay for school. The online application process is easy, and you can see rates and terms in just minutes. Repayment plans are flexible, so you can find an option that works for your financial plan and budget.


Cover up to 100% of school-certified costs including tuition, books, supplies, room and board, and transportation with a private student loan from SoFi.

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SoFi Private Student Loans
Please borrow responsibly. SoFi Private Student Loans are not a substitute for federal loans, grants, and work-study programs. You should exhaust all your federal student aid options before you consider any private loans, including ours. Read our FAQs. SoFi Private Student Loans are subject to program terms and restrictions, and applicants must meet SoFi’s eligibility and underwriting requirements. See SoFi.com/eligibility-criteria for more information. To view payment examples, click here. SoFi reserves the right to modify eligibility criteria at any time. This information is subject to change.

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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Sep
14
2023
Advance/Decline Line: Definition, Formula, Examples

Advance/Decline Line: Definition, Formula, Examples

By | Growing Wealth, invest, Investing, Terminology | Comments Off on Advance/Decline Line: Definition, Formula, Examples

The Advance/Decline line, or A/D line, is a technical stock market indicator used by traders to measure the overall health of the stock market. This measurement tells market participants whether there are more stocks rising or falling on a trading day, and whether a majority of stocks are pushing the market in either direction.

For traders who are looking for greater insight into market trend analysis, the A/D line may be a suitable indicator to help determine where the market is trending, how strong that trend is, and the direction the market could be going in the short-term.

What Is the Advance/Decline Line (A/D)?

The advance/decline line (A/D) is a market indicator that traders use during stock technical analysis to estimate the breadth, or the overall strength or weakness of the stock market. The A/D line monitors how many stocks are currently trading above or below the previous day’s close. Traders may follow these changes over time to try to forecast the direction of the market.

In a particular index, like the S&P 500, Nasdaq, or Dow Jones Industrial Average, stocks go up and down. But just because some stocks move in one direction, it doesn’t mean that all stocks move in that same direction. Sometimes it can be difficult for investors to discern whether the direction of the market is being influenced by larger stocks that hold more weight in an index, or by a majority of stocks that are pushing the markets in a particular direction.

The purpose of the A/D line is to see how it correlates with the price movement of the index it’s being compared to. Traders and investors can use the A/D line to see how many stocks are rising or declining to form an estimate on market direction.

Where Is the Advance/Decline Line on a Chart?

Market participants can find the advance/decline line above or below a stock index chart. Investors can reference the A/D line and compare it to the chart stock market indexes to better understand the strength of the market and to help gauge the direction of where the market might be headed.

Advance/Decline Line vs the Arms Index

The Arms Index — also known as the story-term trading index (TRIN) — is another technical analysis indicator used to estimate market sentiment and measure volatility. It’s a ratio between advancing and declining stocks versus the volume of stocks whose price increases or decreases. In other words, the TRIN compares advancing and declining stocks to their volume and shows whether the volume is flowing toward advancing or declining stocks.

If more volume is trending toward declining stocks, the TRIN for that day will be greater than one. If more A/D volume correlates with advancing stocks, then the TRIN will be below one for that day. A high TRIN reading could signal to traders that stock selling may be on the horizon. A TRIN reading below one could indicate a buying opportunity.

Traders may use the TRIN ratio as a short-term market gauge to measure overbought or oversold market levels, while the A/D line can be used to gauge longer term market sentiment by measuring the rise and fall of stock over a period of time.


💡 Quick Tip: How to manage potential risk factors in a self-directed investment account? Doing your research and employing strategies like dollar-cost averaging and diversification may help mitigate financial risk when trading stocks.

Advance/Decline Line Formula

The A/D Line is calculated by taking the difference between the number of stocks that advance and the number of stocks that decline, compared to the prior close. This value is added to the previous day’s A/D Line value. If there are more declining stocks versus advancing stocks on a particular day, then traders will see the A/D line start to move downward. If there are more stocks that are advancing, the A/D number is going to be increasing. Here is the formula:

Advance/Decline Line = Number of advancing stocks – Number of declining stocks + Previous A/D Line value

Calculating the Advance/Decline Line (A/D)

The A/D line is a cumulative, daily calculation that is plotted each day so market participants can see the direction of where stocks are moving. When reading the A/D line, it’s important for traders to look at the direction of the line and not its value.

Traders may use the A/D line to help decide which trades to place next. For example, if the market shows more declining stocks than advancing stocks, this means a majority of stocks closed at a lesser value than their previous day close. As a result, traders may anticipate that the market will fall in the near term, and may choose to sell because the market trend is moving in a bearish direction.

Some indexes, like the S&P 500, are market-cap weighted, which means the larger companies hosted in the index influence the direction of the index. The A/D line allows investors to look at stocks on a level playing field. When a market rises, for example, the A/D line shows investors whether this rise was driven by a majority of stocks increasing or if the rise was caused by a select few of stocks that hold a larger weight in the index.

What Does the Advance/Decline Line Show?

The advance/decline line shows traders the degree of participation of stocks in a market that is either rising or falling and whether the majority of stocks are moving in a similar direction of the market.

The line is a representation of stocks that are ticking up or down cumulatively, adding stock movements each day to see the trend of advancing stocks vs. declining stocks. If there were more declining stocks than advancing stocks on a particular day, the A/D line would start to slope downward. If there were more advancing stocks than declining stocks on the day, then the A/D line would slope upwards.

Sometimes there might be a difference in direction between the index and the A/D line. This is called a divergence, and it can happen in one of two ways.

Bearish Divergence: Declining Line

If the index is on an upward trend but the A/D line has a negative slope, this is known as a bearish divergence. The increase in the index may be driven by some stocks, but this scenario signals to traders the market may reverse and trend downward in the short term.

Bullish Divergence: Rising Line

If the index is on a downward trend but the A/D line has a positive slope, this is called a bullish divergence. The index seems to be bearish, but the A/D line tells market participants there are more advancing than declining stocks during the period that the index is declining. This may signal a trend reversal in market prices and indicate the market has more strength than meets the eye.

Example of Using the A/D Line

Traders use the A/D line to compare it to the price movement of the index.

For example, when an index you’re monitoring is moving to new highs, you want to see the A/D line moving new highs to confirm the index’s direction.

If the index and the A/D line are both hitting new highs, the market is hitting a bullish trend. If the stock market reaches a new peak but the A/D line reaches a lower peak than the previous rally, that means fewer stocks are participating in a higher move and the rally could be coming to an end. This could suggest that the strength of the market is driven by a few names with larger market caps.

Is the A/D Line a Good Indicator?

The A/D line is considered a reputable and popular measurement for traders to gather reliable insight into the strength of a market trend. Note that there are many market indicators out there, and each will have good and bad use cases. But generally, the A/D line may be a good choice for many investors to utilize.

When the price of an asset changes, traders will want to know whether it’s best to buy or sell. With the A/D line, traders can estimate price trends of assets and potential reversals by reviewing the direction of the A/D line, which is considered to be a reasonably reliable indicator in predicting trends since it shows market participants how the market is behaving.

Pros of the A/D Line

Traders can find the A/D Line indicator either above or below a stock chart on a trading platform and may use it as a tool to try to time the market and potentially catch a particular stock price.

By gauging the direction of where markets are headed, the A/D Line can help traders forecast stock price movements on the upside or downside. This may help market participants position their trades favorably.

Cons of the A/D Line

It’s important for market participants to be careful to not rely on the A/D Line as their only market indicator. While the A/D Line offers insight into overall market direction, it may not be able to capture minor market changes.

The A/D Line does not capture price changes between trading gaps, or when a stock’s price moves higher or lower throughout the trading day even though there’s not much trading going on.

Another limitation is that even though the line shows the general direction of where the market is trending, either a positive or negative slope, the A/D line doesn’t show the precise percentage the stock moved.

How Investors Can Use the Advance/Decline Line

The A/D line is positioned against an index to help spot market trends and reversals. Traders who trade on the major indexes can use the A/D line to gauge overall market sentiment. Market participants can look at a historical A/D line to see how the market performed in different periods of time.


💡 Quick Tip: How do you decide if a certain trading platform or app is right for you? Ideally, the investment platform you choose offers the features that you need for your investment goals or strategy, e.g., an easy-to-use interface, data analysis, educational tools.

The Takeaway

The Advance/Decline Line is a tool used by traders and investors to forecast the direction of where the overall stock market is headed. The A/D Line is a well-known market indicator used to predict and confirm trends and forecast market reversals.

The A/D Line offers a great visual guide that may help traders make decisions on market strategies and positions in the short term. But while there are benefits of using this metric, it’s important for market participants to know the A/D line’s drawbacks as well.

Ready to invest in your goals? It’s easy to get started when you open an investment account with SoFi Invest. You can invest in stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds, alternative funds, and more. SoFi doesn’t charge commissions, but other fees apply (full fee disclosure here).

For a limited time, opening and funding an Active Invest account gives you the opportunity to get up to $1,000 in the stock of your choice.

FAQ

What is considered a good Advance/Decline ratio?

An advance/decline ratio of one or more is generally considered to be good, as it’s a signal that a stock is in a stable or on an upward trend. Conversely, a ratio of less than one is a sign that it could be declining.

What is the 10-day Advance/Decline line?

The 10-day advance/decline line is a technical indicator that allows investors to get a measure of the average number of daily advancers minus decliners within an index or specific sector over the previous ten trading days.

What does a period of decline in investment mean?

A period of decline in investment is a broad description of a period of deflation in the investment market. It could take the form of an overall drop in the value of investments.

Photo credit: iStock/utah778

SoFi Invest®
INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE
SoFi Invest encompasses two distinct companies, with various products and services offered to investors as described below: Individual customer accounts may be subject to the terms applicable to one or more of these platforms.
1) Automated Investing and advisory services are provided by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser (“SoFi Wealth“). Brokerage services are provided to SoFi Wealth LLC by SoFi Securities LLC.
2) Active Investing and brokerage services are provided by SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA (www.finra.org)/SIPC(www.sipc.org). Clearing and custody of all securities are provided by APEX Clearing Corporation.
For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest platforms described above please visit SoFi.com/legal.
Neither the Investment Advisor Representatives of SoFi Wealth, nor the Registered Representatives of SoFi Securities are compensated for the sale of any product or service sold through any SoFi Invest platform.

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.

Claw Promotion: Customer must fund their Active Invest account with at least $25 within 30 days of opening the account. Probability of customer receiving $1,000 is 0.028%. See full terms and conditions.

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14
2023
25 Ways to Find Affordable Housing

25 Ways to Find Affordable Housing

By | Budgeting & Goals, Financial Independence, money | Comments Off on 25 Ways to Find Affordable Housing

Getting your own place (whether with a roommate or not) versus living on campus or with Mom and Dad is a major rite of passage. But not only does it signal a new level of independence, it can also take a big bite out of your budget.

To get the most for your money, especially in a competitive market, it can be wise to try a variety of techniques, from using little-known apps to searching smarter. These tricks can help you snag a good deal.

Here, you’ll learn some of the top ways to find affordable housing and enjoy your own space.

How to Find a Cheap Place to Live

Check out our 25 strategies for sussing out a space you can not only afford but actually want to live in.

1. Searching Craigslist

Craigslist may be an oldie, but it can still be a goodie for finding affordable housing options. You can filter your search by putting in your maximum price on the left-hand side of the screen. You may also want to check out the “rooms & shares” category to find a place with roommates.

2. Browsing Zillow

Zillow isn’t just for home-buyers; it can also be a great resource for renters. You may want to download the app and also sign-up to get alerts on apartments in your area that are in your price range.

💡 Quick Tip: An online bank account with SoFi can help your money earn more — up to 4.60% APY, with no minimum balance required.

3. Asking Your Friends

Digital listings aren’t the only way to look for a great new place. Your friends can also be a great resource for figuring out where the best apartments are, especially if you know they’re not spending an arm and a leg on their living situation.

4. Asking your Friends to Ask Their Friends

You can expand your word-of-mouth circle exponentially by asking your friends to ask their friends for intel on available and affordable housing. You might also be able to find folks who are actively looking for a roommate or someone to take over their lease.

5. Checking PadMapper

PadMapper ’s tagline — “Making Apartment Hunting Suck Less” — is on point. Searches on this site are quick and easy, and their verification feature can also help you avoid too-good-to-be-true housing scams, which can be a problem on some other sites.

6. Teaming up with a Pal

If you find out that a friend is also on the hunt for new digs, you may want to consider joining forces and finding a place together. You’ll not only be able to split the rent, but also the cost of food, supplies, and furnishings.

7. Hitting the Pavement

Whether it’s by car, bike, or even on foot, you can often learn a lot about the local rental market by touring the neighborhood. You might spot an appealing apartment complex you never noticed before, or see a “For Rent” sign on a multi-family house or single-family house that has a room, mother-in-law suite, or garage for rent.

Recommended: Single Family vs. Multi Family House

8. Keeping an Eye on Apartments.com

Apartments.com is a comprehensive apartment rental resource. In addition to helping you find a rental, you may also be able to use the site to sign your lease and even pay your rent. That can help simplify your money management.

💡 Quick Tip: Want a simple way to save more everyday? When you turn on Roundups, all of your debit card purchases are automatically rounded up to the next dollar and deposited into your online savings account.

9. Keeping an Ear out at Work

Your coworkers might have insight into where the best local housing rentals are, or even know of someone who is looking for a roommate. You may, however, want to proceed with caution before moving in with a coworker (depending on your roles, living with a colleague could potentially cause awkwardness at work).

10. Using Bungalow

If you’re open to sharing a living space, along with expenses, you may want to check out Bungalow. The platform, which is devoted to helping people find affordable co-living arrangements, can help match you with roommates who have similar living preferences.

11. Moving to a Cheaper City

If you live in an expensive city and your work allows you to relocate or you’re on the hunt for a new job and a change of pace, you might consider moving to one of the more affordable cities in the U.S. A cheaper city may not only have lower rents, but also a lower cost of living in general.

Recommended: Cost of Living Index by State

12. Searching Rentable

Rentable (formerly ABODO) is now available in over 300 cities and makes it easy to search local housing options in your price range. In addition to price, you can apply a wide range of other search filters to help you hone in options that might work well for you.

13. Looking in a Less Trendy Neighborhood

Another way to find affordable housing is to cast a somewhat wider net. Even if you want to stay put in your current locale, even moving a mile or two can make a big difference when it comes to your monthly rent. While you might not be as close to your favorite bars and restaurants, you could end up having more money to actually spend in those places. The cost of living could be lower due to school district divisions or other factors.

14. Hopping on Hotpads

In addition to helping you find rentals in your preferred location, HotPads will also suggest options in other, similar neighborhoods that you may want to consider. This can potentially yield deals you wouldn’t have looked for, or found, on your own.

15. Checking out Local Bulletin Boards

Yes, bulletin boards are still a thing, even in the digital age. Next time you’re at a local coffee shop or other popular hangouts, you may want to poke around and see if there is a corkboard. You never know what you might find being advertised, including an affordable place to live that will help you stay on budget.

16. Poking Around on Reddit

With all the social media options these days, it can be easy to forget about Reddit. But it might be worthwhile to go to the subreddit for your city. You may be able to write a post asking if anyone has tips on where to look for nice, affordable apartments. (You may want to first check the rules in the sidebar to make sure such posts are allowed — every Reddit community has its own guidelines.)

17. Reaching out to Facebook Communities

Your favorite local Facebook community might be able to provide some insight on where to find the best affordable housing. If the group is focused on a shared interest, you might also be able to find a potential (and like-minded) roommate within the community to split expenses with.

18. Looking During the Winter

Moving in cold, miserable weather may not be ideal. However, you might be able to score a more affordable apartment during the winter months, when there is typically less competition for apartments.

19. Trying Trulia

With dozens of search filters, Trulia is another apartment search site that is worth checking out, especially if you’re a pet owner. The site highlights whether or not a rental is pet-friendly right on the listing’s thumbnail.

20. Considering a Job that Comes with Housing

One affordable way to live in the city of your choice is to find a job that offers free or reduced-priced accommodation, such as being a building manager/superintendent, park ranger, hotel worker, groundskeeper, nanny, or live-in caregiver.

Recommended: Ways Employers Can Help Employees Buy New Homes

21. Accessing Apartment List

Here’s another idea for finding an affordable place to live: Apartment List not only lists apartments for rent in all 50 states, but also offers a handy “rent calculator.” You can input where you’re moving, how many bedrooms you need, and your monthly gross income (before taxes), and the site will help you find apartments for rent in your area that will work with your budget.

22. Checking Walk Score (Especially if You Don’t Have a Car)

Walk Score can be a valuable resource for renters who don’t have a car. The platform gives every property listing a “Walk Score” to make it easy for people to evaluate walkability and access to transportation when choosing where to live. If you move to a very walkable location, you may be able to avoid owning a vehicle or have more time to save up for a car.

23. Posting Your Own Classified

Prefer to be in the driver’s seat? Rather than just responding to ads, you might want to consider placing one on a free platform like Craigslist. You can give potential landlords or roommates more information about yourself up front, which could lead to a more fitting (and affordable) living scenario.

24. Considering a Sublet

If you’re looking for a short-term rental, or you’re not averse to potentially having to move again, you may want to consider a sublet. Going this route could help you find a nice place at below market-value rent, since the owner or original renter may be under the gun to find a replacement.

25. Getting out of Town

If you live in or near a major city and you’re committed to a more affordable living situation, you may want to consider heading to a more rural area. Housing can be substantially cheaper in, say, South Dakota than it is in San Diego or at the farther reaches of a commuter zone around the city you’re targeting. The rise of flexible and remote work is making escaping the city more achievable.

Worth noting: If you want to buy your own place, you might qualify for a USDA loan in some rural areas, potentially making homeownership more affordable.)

The Takeaway

Finding a nice, yet affordable place to live isn’t always easy. To increase your odds of success, you may want to use multiple online rental platforms, network with friends and coworkers, be open to different locations, and even walk the streets of your target neighborhoods to scout out opportunities.

As you search for hidden gems, you may also want to start saving money to cover your start-up expenses, which could include the first and last month’s rent plus a security deposit. That way, when a great deal comes your way, you can jump on it. A high-interest, fee-free bank account can be a good option.

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.

Photo credit: iStock/KTStock

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.

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.

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Unit Investment Trust (UIT) Explained Easily

What Is a Unit Investment Trust (UIT)?

By | Growing Wealth, invest, Investing | Comments Off on What Is a Unit Investment Trust (UIT)?

A unit investment trust, or UIT, is similar to a mutual fund in that it’s a type of investment company that can hold a variety of securities, like stocks and bonds, that investors can buy as redeemable units. In fact, UITs belong to the same category as mutual funds and closed-end funds, in that they pool money together from different investors.

Similarly, unit investment trusts are designed to provide capital appreciation and/or dividend income, although without active trading of the securities in the portfolio. Unit investment trusts can offer some advantages to investors compared to mutual funds or exchange-traded funds (ETFs). There are, however, some potential downsides that could make them less attractive than other types of pooled investments.

Unit Investment Trust (UIT) Explained Clearly

A unit investment trust is a type of investment company that issues and invests in securities. The other two types of investment companies are open-end funds (i.e. mutual funds) and closed-end funds.

Similar to a closed-end fund, a UIT raises money from multiple investors, typically through an Initial Public Offering, or IPO. Each investor holds a unit in the trust that represents an ownership share and allows them to stake a claim to any capital appreciation or dividend income the trust generates. This type of trust can be established as a grantor trust or a regulated investment corporation.

Once the portfolio manager of a unit investment trust chooses which securities to invest in, the investment focus usually doesn’t change. That means there is typically no active investing management in terms of trading the underlying assets. The investments that a UIT chooses depend on its overall strategy and objectives. So, the risk and return profile of unit investment trusts can vary from one to another, based on the underlying holdings.

When a UIT matures, investors can do one of three things:

•  Wait for the trust to liquidate its portfolio and receive their share of the proceeds

•  Roll the investment over to a new UIT

•  Receive a like-kind distribution of stock from the trust’s underlying investments

It’s important to keep in mind that UITs are not guaranteed investments. So, it’s possible that returns could be lower than expected or even negative if the trust fails to meet its objectives.

UIT Advantages and Disadvantages

Like any investment UITs have their advantages and disadvantages. As for advantages, investors may like that UITs offer a relatively easy way to diversify their portfolios with a single investment. They’re relatively easy to understand, too, and offer a degree of transparency into their holdings, so that investors can make better decisions relating to their investing strategy.

As for disadvantages? Perhaps the most obvious is that UITs are more or less fixed investments that do not change their investment mixes in an effort to adjust to the whims of the market. Some investors may prefer a more active approach to management in an effort to increase their returns.

Types of Unit Investment Trusts

Unit investment trusts can invest in a variety of different securities, but they tend to concentrate holdings in stocks and bonds. UITs generally come in one of two forms: Stock trusts and bond trusts.

These assets are held in the trust for a set time period until the trust is dissolved. A typical holding period would be anywhere from 15 months to two years, though some UITs may have an end date that’s farther in the future.

Investors can sell their holdings back to the issuing company at any time, but they can’t trade UIT shares as they would shares of a mutual fund.


💡 Quick Tip: Look for an online brokerage with low trading commissions as well as no account minimum. Higher fees can cut into investment returns over time.

UIT vs. Mutual Fund

UITs differ from most mutual funds several ways, chiefly in that they sell a fixed number of shares or units when the UIT is first opened; and the trust has a set maturity date when the UIT is dissolved and investors can redeem their units.

As noted, a mutual fund is a company that pools money from investors and invests them in securities. There are many different types of mutual funds, including but not limited to bond funds, stock funds, blended funds, target-date funds, and index funds. Some mutual funds can be actively managed while index funds follow a passive investing strategy.

At first glance, a UIT and a mutual fund might seem like the same thing since they fall under the same investment company umbrella. And while they do have some features in common, there are other things that distinguish the two.

Recommended: Active vs Passive Investing: Key Differences

How Are UITs and Mutual Funds Similar?

UITs and mutual funds share common ground when it comes to diversification, regulation, and how they pass on capital gains or dividends to investors. A capital gain represents a gain between the price you initially paid for an investment and the price you receive when you sell it. A dividend is a percentage of an investment’s profits that are paid out to investors.

Since UITs and mutual funds are both types of investment companies, they’re subject to SEC regulation. This means they’re required to meet regular reporting requirements. While this can help to minimize the potential for fraud, investors are still encouraged to read each fund’s prospectus to ensure they understand what the fund invests in.

Recommended: How Do Dividends Work?

What Are the Differences Between UITs and Mutual Funds?

The biggest differences between UITs and mutual funds concerns their structure and management. A UIT has a set beginning when shares are issued, and an end date when it matures — while an open-end mutual fund typically allows investors to continually buy and sell shares. Additionally, a unit investment trust issues a certain number of units when the trust is created while mutual funds can issue new shares periodically.

With UITs, the underlying investments remain largely or entirely the same until they mature. Mutual funds, on the other hand, can buy and sell underlying assets as needed to stay aligned with the fund’s objectives. So, mutual funds can be more adaptable if an underlying investment doesn’t perform as expected.

How to Invest in UITs

If you’re interested in investing with a unit investment trust, it’s possible to buy them directly from the issuer. UITs can also trade on an exchange, so you could purchase them through an online brokerage account.

Before buying a unit investment trust, however, there are a few things to consider. Specifically, look at the following when comparing UITs:

• Duration of the UIT

• Minimum investment requirement

• Underlying investments

• Investment strategy and objectives

• Fees

Also, consider the investment risks. Again, there’s no guarantee that a unit investment trust will perform as expected. And since the trust investments are fixed, your returns (or losses) more or less hinge on whether those investments do well.

It’s also important to think about how well the underlying investments match up with the other investments in your portfolio. If you’re already heavily concentrated in equities, for example, it may not make sense to choose an equity UIT since that could increase your exposure to some of the same companies. A bond UIT, on the other hand, might help to balance out your asset allocation.

Investment Costs

Don’t forget that investments often have associated costs, and they can come in a variety of forms. For instance, investors may be on the hook for broker fees, trading fees, management fees, and more. The specifics will depend on the individual investment, but investors should do some homework to see what potential investment fees they’re up against.

Unexpected Taxes

Taxes often catch investors by surprise, too. Be sure to review what types of taxes you might be on the hook for – with investments, it’s generally either income taxes or capital gains taxes – and plan accordingly.

Are UITs a Good Investment?

Whether a unit investment trust is a good investment for you personally can depend on what you need and expect a pooled investment to do for you.

If you’re an active trader, for example, then a UIT likely wouldn’t be a good fit. On the other hand, if you tend to take the longer view when investing or you prefer a buy-and-hold approach, you may find a unit investment trust fits well in your investment portfolio.

While you could benefit from capital gains distributions and dividends, keep in mind that unit investment trusts offer less flexibility than mutual funds or ETFs. Dividends, for example, can’t be reinvested the way they could with a mutual fund or index fund.

And, as discussed, investment fees are another important consideration when investing in a UIT. Since investment costs can reduce total return amounts over time, it’s important to understand all the costs associated with buying units and redeeming them when the trust matures.

Should You Consider Investing in a Unit Investment Trust?

Given their less flexible structure and set maturity date, unit investment trusts may be appealing to investors who take a longer-term approach and tend to prefer a buy-and-hold strategy.

If you’d like more flexibility with your investments, you may consider mutual funds or ETFs in place of UITs, which have a set beginning and end date and little or no active trading of the securities within the trust. You also might want to explore alternatives to trusts or funds, like cryptocurrency or investing in IPOs.


💡 Quick Tip: Did you know that opening a brokerage account typically doesn’t come with any setup costs? Often, the only requirement to open a brokerage account — aside from providing personal details — is making an initial deposit.

The Takeaway

A unit investment trust, or UIT, are investment companies that are, in many ways, similar to a mutual fund. They can hold a variety of securities, like stocks and bonds, that investors can buy as redeemable units.

Given their less flexible structure and set maturity date, unit investment trusts may be appealing to investors who take a longer-term approach and tend to prefer a buy-and-hold strategy. If you’d like more flexibility with your investments, you may consider mutual funds or ETFs in place of UITs, which have a set beginning and end date and little or no active trading of the securities within the trust.

Ready to invest in your goals? It’s easy to get started when you open an investment account with SoFi Invest. You can invest in stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds, alternative funds, and more. SoFi doesn’t charge commissions, but other fees apply (full fee disclosure here).

For a limited time, opening and funding an Active Invest account gives you the opportunity to get up to $1,000 in the stock of your choice.

FAQ

Are fixed unit investment trusts redeemable?

Unit investment trusts do issue redeemable shares or units, much like a mutual fund. As such, the UIT is able to purchase shares or units back from an investor at an appropriate valuation.

What is the difference between unit trust and investment trust?

A unit trust is a sort of investment fund that allows investors to pool their money for investment purposes. An investment trust is a company or entity that operates an investment fund.

Are UITs actively managed?

UITs are not actively managed, and have fixed investment holdings. Accordingly, investments are purchased at the onset, and held until the UIT matures.

Photo credit: iStock/Ridofranz

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Neither the Investment Advisor Representatives of SoFi Wealth, nor the Registered Representatives of SoFi Securities are compensated for the sale of any product or service sold through any SoFi Invest platform.

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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