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Tips for Paying Off Outstanding Debt

A car loan, a mortgage, student loans, credit cards. It might feel like a dark debt cloud is looming over you sometimes. If you carry some debt on your personal balance sheet, you’re not alone.

The Federal Reserve’s most recent report shows that total household debt in the U.S. has reached more than $15.84 trillion. That includes everything from mortgages to credit cards to student loans. We’re a heavily indebted nation, and for some, it may take a psychological toll. If that’s you, here’s the comforting news: There are some tried-and-true strategies for paying back outstanding debt.

What Is Considered Outstanding Debt?

What is outstanding debt? Outstanding debt refers to any balance on a debt that has yet to be paid in full. It is money that is owed to a bank or other creditor.

When calculating debt that’s outstanding, add all debt balances together. This could include credit cards, student loans, mortgage loans, payday loans, personal loans, home equity lines of credit, auto loans, and others. You should be able to find outstanding balance information on your statements.

How to Find Outstanding Debt

When paying off outstanding debt, you first might need to track it all down.

As you move throughout the debt payoff journey, you may find it helpful to start a file for your statements and correspondence. Also, you could create a list or input information into a spreadsheet. Organizing your information is necessary for building a debt payoff strategy.

Build a list of all debts with the most useful information, such as the outstanding balance, the interest rate, the monthly payment, the type of debt, and the creditor. If you have an installment loan, such as a personal loan, the principal amount of the loan is another helpful piece of information.

What if I Can’t Find All My Outstanding Debts?

If you feel as though you’ve lost track of some debts, you may want to start by requesting a credit report from at least one of the three major reporting agencies, Experian®, TransUnion®, or Equifax®. You are legally entitled to one free copy of your credit report from each of the three agencies per year. It’s easy to request a credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com .

A credit report includes information about each account that has been reported to that particular agency, including the name of the creditor and the outstanding debt balance.

It is possible that some outstanding debts may have been sold to a collection agency. The name of the original creditor may be included on the credit report. If that is not the case, you may need to investigate further.

Recommended: Statute of Limitations on Debt: Things to Know

Some outstanding debts may not appear on a credit report. Creditors are not required to report to the agencies, but most major creditors do. That said, a creditor could choose to report to none, one, two, or all three of the agencies. If you’re in information-collecting mode, you may want to consider requesting reports from more than one agency, or all three.

Outstanding Debt Amounts

Aside from how a debt is structured — revolving or installment debt — it can also be thought of as good debt or bad debt.

Generally, if borrowing money, and thus incurring debt, enhances your net worth, it’s considered good debt. A mortgage is one example of this. Even though you might incur debt to purchase a home, the value of the home will likely increase. As it does, and as you pay down the mortgage balance, your net worth has the potential to increase.

Bad debt, on the other hand, is debt taken on to purchase something that will depreciate, or lose value, over time. Going into debt to purchase consumer goods, such as cars or clothing, will not enhance your net worth.

Each person has a unique financial situation, level of comfort with debt, and ability to repay debt. What one person may be able to justify may be completely unacceptable to another.

How Does an Outstanding Debt Impact Your Credit

One thing lenders may consider during loan processing is the applicant’s debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Lenders will look at this number to determine their potential risk of lending. Different lenders have different stipulations about this ratio, so asking a potential lender about theirs is a good idea.

Calculating DTI is done by dividing monthly debt payments by gross monthly income.

•   Monthly debt payments can include rent or mortgage payment, homeowners association fee, car payment, student loan payment, and other monthly payments. (Typically, monthly expenses such as utilities, food, or auto expenses other than a car loan payment are not included in this calculation.)

•   Gross income is the amount of money you earn before taxes and other deductions are taken out of your paycheck.

Someone with monthly debt payments of $1,000 and a gross monthly income of $4,000 would have a DTI of 25% ($1,000 divided by $4,000 is 25%).

Generally, a DTI of 35% or less is considered a healthy balance of debt to income.

Should I Pay Down Outstanding Debt?

Barring extenuating circumstances, it’s a good idea to make regular, consistent payments on your debt. Whether or not you decide to pay the debt back on an expedited schedule is up to you.

Some may not feel the need to aggressively tackle their outstanding debt. They may be just fine to continue paying off a balance until the loan’s maturity date. This may apply to people with manageable debt payments, those who have debts with lower interest rates, or those focusing on other financial goals.

For example, someone with a low-interest-rate mortgage loan may not feel the need to pay it down faster than the agreed-upon schedule. So they continue to make regular, scheduled payments that make up a manageable percentage of their monthly budget. Therefore, they are able to work on other financial goals in tandem, such as saving for retirement or starting a fund for a child’s college.

Other scenarios may call for a more aggressive strategy to pay down debt. Some reasons to consider an expedited plan:

•   Debt levels, and therefore monthly payments, feel unmanageable.

•   Carrying debts with higher interest rates, like credit cards.

•   Missed payments and added fees.

•   It could also be as simple as wanting to have zero debt.

Carrying a large debt load could negatively affect your credit score. One factor in a credit score calculation is the ratio between outstanding debt balances and available credit on revolving debt, like a credit card — the credit utilization rate.

Using no more than 30% of your available credit is recommended. So, if a person has a $5,000 credit limit on a card, that would mean using no more than $1,500 at any given time throughout the month. Using more could result in a ding on their credit score.

Carrying debt also means paying interest. While some interest may not be avoidable, it’s generally a sound financial strategy to pay as little in interest as possible.

Credit cards tend to have some of the highest interest rates on unsecured debt. The average interest rate on a credit card is nearly 17%, as of June 22, 2022. Penalty rates can reach nearly 30%. With high rates, it’s worth seriously considering paring back debt balances.

Outstanding Debt Management Strategies

The next step is to pick a debt reduction plan.

Two popular strategies for paying off debt are called the debt snowball and the debt avalanche. Both ask that you isolate one source of debt to focus on first.

Simply put, you’ll make extra payments or payments larger than the minimum monthly payment on that debt until the outstanding balance is eliminated. You’ll continue making the minimum monthly payment on all your other debts.

Debt Snowball

A debt snowball payoff plan involves working on the source of debt with the smallest balance. For example, a person with three credit cards would pick the one with the lowest outstanding balance and work on paying it down.

The idea here is that there’s a psychological boost when a card is paid off, so it makes sense to go after the smallest first. That way, when a person works up to the card with the next highest balance, they can focus singularly on it, without a bunch of annoying, smaller payments getting in the way of the ultimate goal.

It’s called a snowball because the strategy starts small, gaining momentum as it goes.

Debt Avalanche

Alternatively, the debt avalanche method starts with the debt with the highest interest rate. Because this source of debt costs the most to maintain, it is a natural place to focus.

The debt avalanche is the debt payoff strategy of choice for those who prefer to look at things from a purely mathematical standpoint. For example, if a person has one credit card with an 18% annual percentage rate and another with 12%, they’d focus on that 18% card with any extra payments, no matter the balance.

Of course, it is also possible to modify these strategies to suit personal preferences and needs. For example, if one source of debt has a prepayment penalty, maybe it drops to the bottom of the list. If there’s a particular credit card you tend to overspend with, perhaps that’s a good one to focus on.

Outstanding Debt Payoff Methods

Once you decide on a strategy, whether it’s one discussed above or something that works better for your financial situation, you’ll need to figure out where the money will come from to pay down outstanding debt.

Starting by simply listing your monthly income and expenses is a good first step. If you find that you have enough money to begin making extra payments toward your outstanding debt balances, then you might choose to start right away.

Some people choose to keep a 30-day spending diary to get a clear picture of what they spend their money on. This can be a good way to pinpoint areas you might be able to cut back on to have more money to apply to outstanding debt.

If your existing budget is already tight and won’t accommodate extra payments, you might consider looking for some other financial strategies.

Increasing Income

Sometimes the answer is just to make more money. That could mean getting a part-time job or selling things you no longer need or want. You might also think about asking for a pay raise at your regular job.

Using Personal Savings

Tapping into money you’ve saved can be another way to pay down outstanding debt. Savings account interest rates, even high-yield savings accounts, pay much less interest than you might be incurring in interest on your outstanding debts. Keeping enough money in a savings account as an emergency fund is recommended, but if you have a surplus in your personal savings, putting that money toward your debt balances is a good way to make headway on outstanding debt.

Consolidating With a Credit Card

Using a credit card to pay off debt may seem an unlikely choice, but it can make sense in some situations. If your credit score is healthy enough to qualify for a credit card with a zero- or low-interest promotional rate, you might consider transferring a higher-rate balance to a card like this.

The benefit of this strategy is having a lower interest rate during the promotional period, potentially resulting in savings on the overall debt.

There are some drawbacks to transferring a balance in this way, though. One is that promotional periods are limited, and if you don’t pay the balance in full during this period, the remaining debt will revert to the card’s regular rate. Also, it’s typical for a promotional-rate card to charge a balance transfer fee, which can range from 3% to 5%, or more, of the balance transferred. This fee will increase the amount you will have to repay.

Consolidating With a Personal Loan

Using one new loan to pay off multiple outstanding debt balances is another debt payoff method. A personal loan with a lower overall rate of interest and a straightforward repayment plan can be a good way to do this.

In addition to one fixed monthly payment, a personal loan provides another benefit — the balance cannot easily be increased, as with a credit card. It’s easy to swipe a credit card for an additional purchase, potentially undoing the progress you’ve made on your debt repayment plan.

To consolidate with a personal loan, you might want to look around at different lenders to get a sense of what interest rates they might offer for you. Typically, lenders will provide a few options, including loans of different lengths.

The Takeaway

Outstanding debt can be a heavy burden. Many people owe large amounts of debt, but don’t know how to start making a dent in their balances. A good place to start is by identifying income and expenses to see your overall financial picture. From there, you may decide to focus on paying down certain debts over others. Choosing one method to pay down your debts and finding the money to do so are the next steps.

If you decide to pursue a debt payoff strategy, an unsecured SoFi Personal Loan may be an option for you. SoFi offers unsecured, no-fee option, low fixed-rate personal loans to help guide your financial journey.

Ready to kick-start your debt payoff strategy? A personal loan from SoFi could help you consolidate your debt into one easy-to-manage monthly payment.


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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.

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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What Are Penny Stocks & How Do They Work?

Penny stocks are shares of small companies that trade for less than $5 per share. They are highly speculative investments, meaning they carry a high degree of risk. Usually, traders looking for short-term gains use penny stocks, rather than long-term investors looking to build wealth.

But investors are often allured by penny stocks because they are relatively cheap and offer potentially high returns. Most people have a story of a relative who swears they know about a great penny stock that’ll cost next to nothing, promising some way to get rich quickly. While this story is seductive, it’s far from reality. Before trying to use penny stocks to make quick gains, investors must know how they work and the risks involved.

What Are Penny Stocks?

Penny stocks are low-priced securities that trade for less than $5 a share, though usually, they trade for less than $1.

Penny stocks are generally considered to be highly speculative and risky investments. This is because most penny stocks are issued by small, unknown companies with little or no operating history. In addition, these companies often lack the financial resources to continue operating for very long and are susceptible to fraud.

​​Despite the risks, some investors are attracted to penny stocks because they offer the potential for large profits in a short period of time. For example, if a penny stock’s price doubles from $0.30 per share to $0.60 per share, that’s a 100% return on investment on just a $0.30 price increase. Of course, the flip side is that you could also lose all of your investment just as quickly.

Exploring Penny Stocks & How They Work

Although some penny stocks trade on major exchanges, such as the New York Stock Exchange or Nasdaq, most penny stocks trade on the over-the-counter (OTC) market, through the OTC Bulletin Board (OTCBB) or on the pink sheets.

Penny stocks that trade on the OTC market do not have the same regulatory requirements as companies listed on major exchanges. Companies that list their shares on the major exchanges are subject to a high degree of regulatory scrutiny; these publicly traded companies must meet minimum listing standards and provide regular financial reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

In contrast, over-the-counter stocks have fewer hoops to jump through, as they do not have to meet minimum listing requirements. However, penny stocks that trade on the OTCBB must file financial statements with the SEC, while penny stocks listed on the pink sheet are not required to do so.

Because many penny stocks do not have to report periodic financial statements to a regulatory agency, it can be difficult for investors to find adequate information to make informed investment decisions on these securities. This lack of knowledge is one of the reasons penny stocks are risky investments.

Penny Stocks Are Highly Speculative

As noted above, penny stocks are highly speculative investments often bought and sold by traders who want to make short-term gains. Because of this potential for significant, short-term gains, many people view penny stocks as a way to get rich quickly. However, this is far from the case; penny stocks carry a high degree of risk and, as such, should be traded by people with the time, money, and risk tolerance to dabble in this market. You should only invest in them if you are willing to lose all of your money.

💡 Recommended: The Difference Between Speculation vs. Investing

Who Can Buy Penny Stocks?

Anyone can buy and sell penny stocks, though it is recommended that they have the appropriate risk tolerance before investing in these speculative securities.

To trade penny stocks, you’ll need to open an account with a broker that offers OTC trading. Many online brokers offer this service, but do your research before selecting one, including what kind of fees they charge. Once you have an account, you can start buying and selling penny stocks. Just remember to be careful, as they can be very risky.

Pros of Penny Stocks

High Reward Potential

There is a belief by some penny stock traders that these small securities have more room to grow than large stocks, thus resulting in significant, short-term price appreciation. The potential for short-term gains means that penny stocks may provide high rewards, despite their risks, especially if traders utilize buying on margin to make their trades.

Enjoyment

Just as some people like to gamble, others like to trade stocks and other securities for fun. Plenty of people would consider analyzing stock charts, reading up on unknown companies, and making bets as one of their hobbies. Traders like this might consider penny stocks as “fun spending,” not long-term investing.

Cons of Penny Stocks

Small Likelihood of Success

Making money on a penny stock can be a rare occurrence. Investors should be aware of this, despite the tales of sudden wealth they may hear. Also, contrary to popular belief, success by investing in penny stocks can often take a long time.

Possibility of Losing it All

A small likelihood of success means that there will inevitably be many failures. It is common for small, unestablished businesses to fold and go under, flounder, or have unsuccessful stock. When stocks become worthless, investors lose all of their money.

Lack of Liquidity

Penny stocks usually do not have a lot of liquidity, meaning it can be challenging to find buyers when you want to sell. This can make it hard to get out of a position if the stock price declines.

Volatility

Penny stocks have high volatility, which means that their prices can change a lot, rapidly. This can happen in either direction, making them a difficult tool for building long-term wealth.

Scammers

The penny stock business is ripe with scammers and fraudsters. Numerous penny stock newsletters promise big wins, and penny stock “investors” manipulate both the market and potential customers.

Researching Penny Stocks to Buy

It’s often difficult for investors to adequately research what penny stocks to buy and sell. Because many penny stock companies do not have to file reports to regulators, investors do not always have great information about the company’s finances, management, and operations.

One of the first things investors should do is check websites like the OTC Markets website to search for company information on the penny stocks you’re interested in. Once you’ve done that, you can see if the companies have filed reports with the SEC through its EDGAR database . Using this company and financial information, you can develop a sense of the company’s finances and business practices.

Also, it may help to look at penny stocks that trade on exchanges such as the NYSE or NASDAQ. Because these stocks are required to file regular financial reports to the SEC, there is more easily accessible research investors can use to make investment decisions. Additionally, these companies are usually more stable and have more liquidity than penny stocks trading on the pink sheets or OTCBB.

Overall, you want as much public information as possible when researching penny stocks to buy and sell. When you make investment decisions with inadequate public information, you may open yourself up to relying on shady information that could come from paid promoters or fraudsters looking to pump and dump a stock.

The Takeaway

The allure of making significant, short-term gains by trading penny stocks draws many people into this market. But with the potential of high rewards comes the increased risk and a probability that gains will be hard to come by. Before diving into penny stock trading, assessing your risk tolerance is essential to see if this strategy is right for you.

For investors more comfortable with trading penny stocks listed on the major exchanges, like NYSE and Nasdaq, SoFi can help. With SoFi Active Investing, investors can buy and sell stocks, as well as fractional shares and exchange-traded funds (ETFs), with no commission for as little as $5.

Ready to take a step toward reaching your financial goals? Learn about SoFi Invest®


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FAQ

Can you make money with penny stocks?

While making money with penny stocks is possible, it is also possible to lose money. Penny stocks are generally considered a high-risk investment, and as such, they may not be suitable for all investors.

Are penny stocks good for beginners?

Penny stocks are generally not good for beginners. They are often very volatile and can be challenging to trade.

Are penny stocks popular investments?

Penny stocks are sometimes popular investments for traders looking for high-risk, high-reward investments. These stocks are typically very volatile, which can lead to significant profits or losses.


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11 Work-From-Home Jobs Great for Retirees

11 Work-From-Home Jobs Great for Retirees

They’re calling it the Great Unretirement. Millions of people who retired in the last decade, and particularly since COVID, are seeking to return to work in the interest of gaining a little more financial security as well as other benefits like connecting with a community and creating a sense of purpose. Fortunately, since the pandemic normalized working from home, there are a lot more remote jobs on the market.

This is important because the AARP noted recently that the opportunity to work from home makes a big difference in retirees’ decision to return to the workplace. Those who previously held jobs where remote work is common may find it easiest to secure jobs post retirement, but there are also options for retirees who didn’t have computer-based jobs. With thorough research and a careful eye, the opportunities are abundant, especially in these key industries.

Education

These days continuous learning, upskilling, and reskilling are absolutely essential to success. As a means to support this need, the online learning industry is booming. It is expected to reach nearly $460 billion
by 2026
. Courses are exploding, covering everything from cooking to meditation, to data science, to creative writing. As a retired senior, you have a lifetime of expertise that you could use to help others grow their skills and help you grow your bank account.

Instructor

Almost anything you’ve mastered can be turned into an online course: woodworking, flying drones, even traveling on the cheap. Whether it’s a hobby or a profession, you might be able to convert it to profit in an online course that students can purchase. Sites like Teachable and Coursera allow would-be teachers to set up an account and create courses that could provide passive income for years.

Consultant

While returning to work is one way to invest in your later years, returning to your field of expertise may net you more money than taking a role that you haven’t yet developed the skills for. If you happen to have years of experience in a field such as business or design, taking on clients as a consultant can be a great way to share your expertise at a premium. Sites like LinkedIn and Indeed can also help, allowing you to search for job opportunities by location, contract status & experience level.

Tutor

If you have the skills to teach but don’t want to do all the back-end work of creating and selling a course, look for jobs tutoring online. Tutors are hired not only by U.S. schools and companies but also by international ones making it highly flexible and potentially highly lucrative.

International English Teacher

The more interconnected the world becomes, the more important it is for people around the world to be able to speak a common language. If you are a native English speaker, or if you speak English really well, you may qualify to teach English to students around the world . For this role, you’ll likely need to get a certificate, but once you are qualified, you can apply for jobs teaching online or even set up your own business.

Customer Service

Another effect of the pandemic is that the world got used to doing its business online, which means that there is a need for people who can support customers online. People often think of customer support jobs as dealing with angry customers. But the reality is that a lot of customer support agents find their jobs very rewarding because they’re solving people’s problems.

Customer Support Agent

Customer support agents work with customers on the phone, through a chat function, on social media, or even through email and generally help customers with things like making returns, processing exchanges and billing problems. Agents must have good communication skills, empathy, solid problem-solving skills, and enough technical aptitude to use the company’s customer support system. Other than that, they generally just need a computer and a headset.

Technical Support Agent

Technical support is similar to customer support except you will be solving customers’ technical issues. For example, the customer doesn’t know how to change their billing address on an app they use, or they can’t figure out how to use the software they bought. You will need some technical know-how, but often companies train employees and provide a knowledge base for them to use to help resolve customer problems.

Travel Agent

For a while, the business of booking people’s travel seemed to have been taken over by sites like Google. But there are still businesses, such as travel companies that work with corporate clients, and medical centers that need to book travel for patients, who hire and train individuals to manage travel booking. Being organized and having good customer service skills is important in this position, and having experience with the type of organization you’re working for can probably help, too.

Administration

Administrative jobs may be some of the best options for seniors working at home. Often these jobs require little experience, but the fact that you’ve been managing your finances, taking care of your own errands and tasks, and otherwise doing the administrative jobs required for life in the 21st century means you’re equipped for these jobs. And if you’re doing them in a specific field where you have expertise, the earnings potential increases.

Virtual Assistant

A virtual assistant tackles all kinds of tasks, from setting appointments to, writing emails, to updating clients’ social media accounts. Virtual assistant jobs are great part time gigs for seniors at home because they only require the skills you already use to manage your own life. If you’re particularly good at management, you can snag lucrative clients and really see your retirement earnings soar.

Bookkeeper

Obviously, such a responsible role requires experience. But with an accounting or business management background you can help small business clients who don’t have the budget for a full-time bookkeeper or a big accounting firm. This could include local restaurants, small shops, or individual medical practitioners.

Tax Preparer

Tax preparers work for firms like H&R Block, who train them before tax season, or independently, serving clients. A lot of tax preparation is formulaic, but to serve clients well, it is key to be familiar with all the rules that change from year to year.

Data Entry Specialist

If you can type quickly and have an eye for detail, data entry may be for you. You can generally land a data entry role without any experience, but if you go for a position in a field where you have expertise — say law, medical records, insurance or consumer packaged goods, the pay is likely to be higher.

Spotting a Scam

As with all things online, there’s always a possibility that something may not be quite what it seems, and that includes online job postings. Remote working opportunities are especially susceptible to fraud because everything is often conducted digitally with no human interaction. As you look for remote opportunities, be cautious of listings that seem too good to be true. Offering a generous amount of money for very little work, or requiring payment before work can begin are red flags. Investigating opportunities thoroughly can help you prevent becoming a victim.

The Takeaway

Opportunities for seniors and retirees to beef up their savings and retirement investments through remote online work are more abundant and varied than ever before. It may be necessary to spend some time searching to best match your interests and skills to the income you want to make and the hours you’re willing to work. And again, it’s important to use discretion when pursuing opportunities to avoid falling victim to a scam.

And when you do find the perfect remote gig to supplement your retirement income, SoFi can help you store those funds. With no account fees and an automatic savings feature, a SoFi Checking and Savings account can help you organize your savings, and get you paid up to two days sooner.

Learn what SoFi Checking and Savings can do for you.


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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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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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What is the Average Grocery Bill for 1 Person Per Month?

What Is the Average Monthly Grocery Bill for One Person?

Everyone buys groceries, but how much should an individual or household spend on food each month? Food is the third largest expenditure for Americans, and for those looking to cut costs, it can be a place where reductions are possible with some planning and budgeting.

In 2020, Americans spent an average of 8.6% of their income on food, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Everyone is different when it comes to their personal food choices, household, and budget, so it’s difficult to come up with a goal amount for everyone’s monthly grocery bill. However, looking at averages across the country can help one figure out if they are within the range of other people in their region, age bracket, and household size.

Recommended: Does Net Worth Include Home Equity

Grocery Bills and Inflation

Inflation can have a big effect on the price of groceries, making it harder to stay within a budget and reduce one’s bill. Over the past year, the cost of groceries has increased by 10.8% . Some foods, such as meat, poultry, and eggs, have risen by 14.3%. This increase is partly due to inflation and partly due to food shortages caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Average Monthly Grocery Budget Bill for One Person or More

There are several factors that determine how much a person might spend on groceries each month. These include age, gender, how many people live in the household, and monthly budget. Another major factor is the region one lives in. Some areas have much more expensive food than others.

The most expensive city for groceries is Honolulu, Hawaii, where the monthly average grocery bill is $556.76. The least expensive city is Manchester, New Hampshire with an average of $183.00, according to Move.org. Other expensive states include Vermont, Alaska, and New York, while less expensive states include Kansas, Idaho, and Utah.

In addition to groceries, one’s overall monthly bill for food includes any snacks and meals eaten out. The averages below are based on an individual or family cooking all their meals and snacks at home, they don’t include meals eaten out. Averages look at foods many people commonly purchase, such as eggs, dairy, meat, bread, and produce items.

Family Size

Average Grocery Bill

1 $229-$419 depending on age and gender. Men and younger people have a higher average.
2 For a household with two people, the average grocery bill doubles to $458-$838. If a household consists of one adult and one child their bill is likely less than a household with two adults.

Averages for children vastly vary depending on the age and gender of children, location, and budget. For each child under 12 added one can estimate an additional $143-$357 in their bill. If teenagers are in a household one can expect to add an additional $233-$344.

4 Averages for a family of four are based on two adults between the ages of 20-50, and two children, one aged 6-8 and one aged 9-11. The average grocery bill is $887 per month.

Particular Foods That Are More Expensive Now

As briefly mentioned, in the past year, some foods have risen in cost more than others, due to issues in the supply chain. These include meat, fish, eggs, and poultry.

Buying Groceries vs Dining Out

It’s up to each individual and family to decide how often to eat out or get takeout food and how much of their money to spend on dining at restaurants. In general, eating out tends to cost more than cooking at home, and it’s a good idea to keep track of and budget for or it can add up quickly. The USDA recommends spending about 4% to 5% per month on dining out. A couple ways to help save money on eating out are to pick up food instead of having it delivered, and to find discounts and loyalty programs for local restaurants.

9 Tips for Reducing Your Grocery Bill

In looking at the average grocery bills above, one might start to think that they are spending too much on groceries, if they didn’t already feel that way before. Here are a few tips for lowering one’s monthly grocery bill.

1. Make a Budget and Plan Ahead

Allocating funds for groceries in a monthly budget planner then making a plan for what to buy can help reduce one’s grocery bill. Meal planning and shopping lists can help with sticking to the plan.

2. Look for Discounts and Sales

There are many discount apps and coupons available for those who are grocery shopping on a budget. They are free and can help with reducing one’s grocery bill. However, some coupons can be tricky and actually cause additional spending, if they ask one to purchase two or more of an item to get the discount or they result in buying an item that wouldn’t have been purchased otherwise. Some stores also have sale days, especially after a big holiday, so those can be good days to go shopping.

3. Don’t Shop on an Empty Stomach

Avoiding impulse buying is another way to reduce one’s grocery bill. Studies have shown that shopping on an empty stomach leads shoppers to spend more and to buy high calorie foods that may be less healthy.

4. Consider Meal Kits

Although meal kit services may appear expensive, and some are, if they reduce the amount that one eats out at restaurants or the amount spent on groceries, that is a plus. Meal kits provide pre-portioned meals, so they prevent buying extra ingredients that go to waste.

5. Pay Attention to Delivery Fees

Having groceries delivered can be a great way to save time, and since it can help with sticking to a plan and grocery list, it can also help prevent impulse buys. However, delivery fees and tips can add up, so it’s important to factor those into monthly budgeting.

6. Shop at a Different Store

It can be easy to fall into a pattern of shopping at a certain grocery store due to convenience or their offering of foods one likes. But if that store has higher prices, it may be worth considering going to a different store for some or all of one’s groceries.

7. Create a Routine

Another way to stay on top of grocery budgeting is to create routines. This can help with sticking to a shopping list and making sure extra food doesn’t get purchased.

8. Buy Generic Brands instead of Name Brands

Many stores carry their own brands of food that are cheaper than big name brands. These items are very similar in taste and quality but have a lower price point.

9. Shop More Often

It may seem surprising, but going to the grocery store more often can help people spend less money than if they go on mega runs. The reason is that it avoids food waste because it’s easier to think about what will be eaten within the next few days than the next couple weeks.

The Takeaway

Since there is more flexibility in buying groceries than other expenses such as rent and other bills, cutting back on grocery spending can be a great way to save. If you’re looking to start making a budget, setting savings goals, or paying off debts, one money tracker tool to use is SoFi’s. The online app lets you connect all your banking and investment accounts so you can easily see what you are spending and saving all in one dashboard. You can create goals and set up automated savings and investments to secure your financial future.

Start making a budget and savings goals today.

FAQ

How much should you be spending on groceries a week?

The average cost of groceries for U.S. households is $102 per week. This varies greatly by location, age, and number of people in one’s household.

What is the average cost of groceries per month?

The average cost of groceries for U.S. households is $411 per month.

Examples of Popular Discounted Grocery Stores

Popular discounted grocery stores include Walmart, Smart & Final, Sam’s Club, and Trader Joe’s.


Photo credit: iStock/andresr

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.

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.

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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What Is the Biweekly Money Saving Challenge?

What Is the Biweekly Money Saving Challenge?

A money saving challenge makes saving fun again.

The Biweekly Money saving challenge is a great one to start with. It requires putting away cash for 26 weeks or every other week for one year. The amount you choose to save can vary based on your goals and comfort level.

Types of Biweekly Money Saving Challenges

If you’re paid bi-weekly, this plan type might suit your lifestyle best. It’s budget friendly, too. So if you have a little or a lot of change after bills, you can adjust this challenge to meet your needs.

26-Week or Biweekly Savings Challenge

There are many versions of this challenge. You can start with a small savings amount, like $3 or $4. If you choose the first amount, put $3 away in savings the first week. Every two weeks, add an extra $3 to the last amount you put away. So, the first week, you’ll put away $3. The second week, $6. The third week, $9. At the end of the 26-week challenge, starting with $3, you’ll have $1,053 in savings.

You might prefer a fixed savings goal, like $5,000 or $10,000. If that’s you, put away between $193 to $385 every two weeks. You’ll end up with $5,018 or $10,010, respectively.

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How to Choose a Money-Saving Challenge

Choose a financial challenge that works with your budget and meets your goals. Setting goals and starting small can be a big win in many ways. It lays the building blocks for long-term savings habits that last over time.

Find a challenge that is budget-friendly. The amount you put away can be as little as a nickel on day one. If you have more change to spare — you can put away more money. Some challenges suggest multiple savings accounts or stashing cash. If you choose to open multiple accounts — interest-bearing accounts will earn some returns, are FDIC insured, and can be accessed for emergencies or planned expenses.

You might have specific financial goals, like an emergency or wedding fund. Or you might want to build a habit of saving. Whatever your goal, a challenge can help you commit to saving $500 to $15,000 in a set amount of time — or build a good habit.

Common Money Saving Challenges

Money saving challenges are smart saving strategies or smart spending strategies depending on the process. They can show you how to save up money fast — or how to save money, period.

And there’s no shortage of creativity. Google has about 337,000 pages worth of money saving challenges from Pinterest to blogs like Mama Managing Chaos or Dough Roller. You can even try saving $2,022 in the 2023 money saving challenge. Below is a list of money challenges to get you started.

100 Envelope Challenge

Number 100 envelopes from 1-100. Each day, put in the amount of cash listed on the envelope. By the end of 100 days, you’ll have $5,050 stashed away.

In a variation, 100 days can be broken down into 13 weeks for easier deposits. The last week is four days. Every other week, set aside the week’s total of savings. Below’s chart lays out the amounts:

Week

Amount

1 $28
2 $92
3 $156
4 $220
5 $284
6 $348
7 $412
8 $476
9 $540
10 $604
11 $668
12 $732
13 $490

Holiday Helper Fund

The holidays sneak up on us quicker than we think. If you’re planning your annual budget — try setting up an account or an envelope for gifts. Setting aside an extra fund for gifts, whether holiday, wedding, or general, keeps money out of sight and mind until you need it.

On the week of January 1, set aside $20 every week, or $40 every two weeks. By December 25th, you’ll have $1,040. If you like to shop early — aim for Black Friday! In 2023, Black Friday falls on week 47. That puts you at $940 for gifts.

52-Week Savings Challenge

The concept is simple. You set aside $1 at week one. Then $2 at week two. By the end of 52 weeks, you’ll have saved $1,378. You can also start with $2 or $10 on week one, $4 or $20 on week two, and so on. You’ll end up with $2,756 for the $2 challenge or $13,780 for the $10 challenge.

Another variation keeps the weekly savings contribution a fixed amount — which can be particularly helpful for smaller budgets. For example, you can put away $10 a week to end up with $520 at the end of the challenge.

The No Spend Challenge

Brunching on Sunday? Maybe not if you’re on this plan.

Pick a week or weekend and spend money on only necessities in a timeframe (like a month). Cut out discretionary spending on non-essentials like clothes, entertainment, and eating out. It’ll give you a chance to be creative with your time on limited resources.

Instead of eating out, try a new recipe at home. Instead of grabbing a new pair of shoes — dig deeper into your closet. You set your own time limit, so you can try it until you notice a change in your accounts!

Cash Only for a Month Challenge

An MIT study found that people tend to spend more with plastic, if given the option. It even stimulates the part of your brain associated with reward, pleasure, and addiction.

A cash diet can help stave overspending. Leave your cards at home when you go out and bring the amount of cash you decide to spend. You can look at the categories in your budget where you tend to overspend, like entertainment or clothes, and set aside cash for those categories. You can only spend the cash allotted for those categories.

Recommended: Does Net Worth Include Home Equity

The 365-Day Nickel-Saving Challenge

If you have a nickel to spare, you can do this challenge. On day one, put a nickel in a jar. On day two, put in 10 cents in the jar. On the third day, add 15 cents. By day 365, you’ll be adding $18.40 — to a total of $3,339.75 in your savings. You won’t have to put away more than $20 in a day and $130 in a week for the entire challenge.

30-Day Budget Preparedness Challenge

It helps to have a map for where you’re going. The same is true with spending.

Challenge yourself to a budget. First, download a budget planner like a spreadsheet template or a budget planner app. SoFi’s app is an effective way to track spending. It even has a debt payoff planner to track your progress.

Then, go through each category and add the amount you’d like to or must spend in each (such as housing, groceries, entertainment, etc).

Knowing how much to spend before you go out can help improve your planning and control your spending. For example, if you allocate $400 a month to groceries, you can plan it by spending $100 a week. If you don’t spend it all, you can put it in savings.

Money-Saving Challenge Potential Savings

Taking on one of these challenges can help you boost your savings anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000.

But goal-setting will help you determine how much you want to save. If it’s $20,000 in two years, try the bi-weekly savings challenge. If you want to have $1,000 in your account, shoot for the 52-Week Savings Challenge. It’s a fun, concrete way to start.

If spending less is your goal — a challenge can help you cut bad habits like overspending. Setting up a budget and spending cash (not plastic) can help. Some challenges can help you function as a money tracker if paying off debt is your goal.

Whatever your goal is, these challenges are practical journeys that can pay off.

The Takeaway

A money saving challenge can be a fun way to build a savings account. It can motivate you to spend less and save more. It can be a concrete demonstration of how small change can add up.

One of the more popular ones is the biweekly money saving challenge. You can put away an amount you can afford — like $4 and increase it by $4 each week. Or you can set a goal of $5,000 and aim to set aside about $193 each week. It’s an easy plan that can adapt to many situations.

Best of all, you come away with stronger budgeting skills — like saving and prioritizing debt payoffs. These skills could help you make more fiscally responsible decisions. And when life happens, you’ll be better prepared.

SoFi’s app is one way to flex budgeting skills. It tracks your financial goals, accounts, spending, and more — all in one place. You even get access to your credit score at no cost. Try it today.

FAQ

What is the 100 envelope challenge?

This is a popular 100-day challenge. Number 100 envelopes 1-100. For each day, add the amount of cash to the envelope’s number listed on it. For example, add $1 to the envelope labeled 1, $5 to the envelope labeled $5, and so forth. By the end of the challenge, you’ll end up with $5,050.

What is the most popular money saving challenge in 2023?

There is no top biller for popular money saving challenges, but the 52-Week Savings challenge is mentioned across most, if not all search results in a Google search.

How much money do you save with the 52-week challenge?

If you follow the original plan of starting with $1 on week one, then $2 on week two, $3 on week three, and so forth, you’ll end up with $1,378. Other variations involve changing the starting amount. For instance, you can start with $5 on week one, $10 on week two, until you have $6,890 put away.


Photo credit: iStock/Rawpixel

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.

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.

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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