Nov
09
2022

11 Tips for Buying a High-Mileage Car

By | Family Finances, Life & Career, money | Comments Off on 11 Tips for Buying a High-Mileage Car

Are you thinking about buying a car? Brace yourself: The average cost of a new vehicle in the United States is nearing $50,000. Couple that with increased wait times for new car orders since the onset of the pandemic, and buying a used car might be a more attractive option.

During your used car search, you may come upon several vehicles with 100,000 miles or more on them. Conventional wisdom used to preach that 100,000 miles was a critical turning point in a vehicle’s value and reliability. In other words, the advice was to proceed with extreme caution. But today, a well-cared-for high-mileage vehicle can still be a wise purchase — if you know what to look for when buying a high-mileage car.

If you’re ready to learn the new rules, read on. You’ll gain insight into:

•   Whether to buy a high-mileage car

•   The pros and cons of buying a high-mileage car

•   Smart tactics that can help you get the best deal possible.

Is It Wise to Buy a High-Mileage Car?

Buying a high-mileage car can be an easy way to save money. In fact, if the price is right, you may be able to buy a used car with cash, meaning you won’t have to worry about monthly car payments and high interest rates.

However, cars with higher mileage are understandably more prone to mechanical issues. When buying high-mileage cars, it’s important to consider models with a clear history of routine maintenance. It is also wise to consider automotive manufacturers that are well-known for building longer-lasting cars; Consumer Reports singles out Honda and Toyota specifically, though some people are loyal to other makes, too.

Recommended: Can I Get a Personal Loan for a Car?

Buying a High-Mileage Car: Pros and Cons

So what are the pros and cons of buying a high-mileage car? Let’s break it down:

Pros of High-Mileage Cars Cons of High-Mileage Cars
Affordability: Used cars are generally cheaper than new cars; the more miles on the odometer, the more affordable it typically is. And expect continued savings: For the most part, used cars are cheaper to insure than new ones. Maintenance costs: A high-mileage automobile is more likely to need repair work. Eventually, a necessary repair may cost more than the car’s value, at which point you may want to consider buying a different car.
Depreciation: A new car typically loses 20% of its value in the first year; then 60% by the 5-year mark. By buying an older, high-mileage car, you don’t have to worry about such large depreciation hits. Safety: A car with high mileage is likely at least a few years old, so it won’t have the industry’s latest safety technologies.
Ease of purchase: You can likely drive a high-mileage car off the lot as soon as you sign. Wait times for some new cars, however, have reached as long as four months in 2022. In addition, you may be able to purchase a high-mileage car with cash, meaning you can skip the credit check and financing discussions./td>

Financing challenges: While paying with cash is an option for a higher-mileage car, the price may still be too steep for your bank account. Because of the increased chances for mechanical issues, lenders might be hesitant to offer financing for cars with more than 100,000 miles on them.

Recommended: What Credit Score Do You Need to Buy a Car?

11 Practical Tips for Buying a High-Mileage Car

If buying a high-mileage car is right for your budget, the following tips for buying a used car could be helpful:

1. Having a Budget

Before researching used cars, it’s smart to have an idea of what you are willing to spend. This might involve analyzing your savings or discussing your car loan options with a lender.

Once you have settled on a budget that you can afford, respect that limit. Even if you see a must-have car that’s slightly over your budget, remember that you set a max number for a reason: It’s what you are comfortable paying.

2. Researching Makes and Models with Good High-Mileage Ratings

While most cars can make it to 200,000 miles and beyond when taken care of, not all cars are created equal. Research makes and models that are well-known for lasting beyond 200,000 miles; Consumer Reports is one solid, objective resource for this.

You can also use resources like Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds, and Cars.com to understand fair prices for the specific make and model you have chosen, given its mileage and condition.

Recommended: Can You Get a Car With a Credit Card?

3. Researching Reviews on the Car Model

Next up when thinking about what to look for when buying a high-mileage car: What do the experts have to say?

Once you have selected your preferred car model, read independent reviews from popular car sites (like Edmunds, Consumer Reports, and Car and Driver) and actual drivers on car forums. Doing so may help you get a feel for how this model performs, particularly once it has 100,000 or more miles on it.

While it might not cover the specific year, make, and model of the car you are considering, J.D. Power’s annual Vehicle Dependability Study can give you a good idea of automakers that excel at designing long-lasting vehicles.

If it appears that the vehicle you have chosen may not be as dependable as you thought, you may want to start your research over, focusing on a different model.

4. Researching Risks and Costs

No matter which high-mileage car you are considering, there will be inherent risks as far as reliability goes. It’s wise to familiarize yourself with the potential problems associated with a higher-mileage car. This may provide you with a better understanding of what could go wrong.

Knowing the common issues that high-mileage cars encounter can help you calculate how much to save for car maintenance.

5. Researching Car Insurance

Before you drive home in your used car, it’s a good idea to have car insurance figured out. In fact, every state but Virginia and New Hampshire legally requires you to carry car insurance if you own a vehicle.

Check out minimum car insurance requirements for your state as you research. Often, the minimum level of coverage is an adequate amount for a high-mileage vehicle.

That said, determining the right amount of car insurance coverage is entirely up to your discretion. Think about what will make you feel safe and well protected.

6. Not Being Impatient

Patience is important when shopping for a used car (as it is for many big purchases, this is especially if there is a specific model you have in mind. It might be tempting to buy the first high-mileage car that meets your basic criteria, but it is a good idea to take your time, view multiple options, and compare them before making a decision.

If your current vehicle is nearing the end of its life, you might want to start car shopping before it is totally out of commission. That way, you are less likely to be rushed into a decision.

Recommended: Leasing vs. Buying a Car

7. Test-Driving the Car

Test-driving a car is a good idea whether you’re buying new or used. When buying new, it allows you to determine if the vehicle is right for you. Are the seats comfy? Are the controls intuitive? Can you work around its blind spots?

Checking these things for a high-mileage car is also important. On top of that, a test drive in a used car allows you to monitor for potential problems. You can visually inspect the car, but you can also feel how it drives, listen for weird sounds, and even smell for things like water damage.

8. Getting a Vehicle Inspection

Though paying a mechanic to inspect a car you don’t own might sound like a waste of money, it can be a good idea when considering a used vehicle. Private sellers and dealerships might not disclose (or even know about) every small issue. An independent mechanic inspecting a high-mileage car, however, will be able to point out potential problems and estimate your costs for repairing them.

If a dealer or private seller is unwilling to let you take the vehicle to a mechanic during your test drive, consider insisting upon this — and even offer to follow the private seller to your mechanic. If the seller is still unwilling, it is probably wise to pass on the vehicle. There might be major issues lurking under the hood.

Assuming your mechanic does uncover problems and they are expensive to fix, you may want to skip the purchase and continue your search.

9. Getting a Vehicle History Report

Whenever you are purchasing a used car, whether it’s high- or low-mileage, it is a good idea to get a vehicle history report. Some dealerships and private sellers may have already ordered a vehicle history report for you to review. Even if they haven’t, consider proceeding. The cost is often negligible, typically between $25 and $100.

Why get a vehicle history report? These reports contain information about the number of previous owners, any major accidents, mileage accuracy, potential flood damage, and more helpful info for determining if the vehicle is worth the cost and what issues it may have faced in the past.

10. Paying Cash If You Can

When buying high-mileage cars, you may be able to use cash to negotiate a better car deal. Paying with cash also means you can set aside any money you would have used for a monthly car payment to use for car repairs, as needed.

Cash is also a good way to keep within your means — and the original budget you set for yourself.

11. Having an Emergency Fund for Your Car

A high-mileage car is more likely to encounter regular problems requiring potentially costly repairs. It can therefore be a good idea to have an emergency savings fund held as a savings account, ideally earmarked to include any car-related issues. Repair costs can rise significantly at the 100,000-mile mark.

Banking With SoFi

Saving up to buy a used car with cash and setting aside money for potential repairs mean you’ll need a high yield bank account with good savings features. When you open a Checking and Savings account with SoFi, you’ll have the convenience of spending and saving in one place, plus features that help you save automatically. What’s more, when you open an account with direct deposit, you’ll enjoy a competitive APY and pay no fees, both of which can help your money grow faster.

Better banking is here with SoFi, NerdWallet’s 2024 winner for Best Checking Account Overall.* Enjoy up to 4.30% APY on SoFi Checking and Savings.

FAQ

What is the most reliable high-mileage car?

In general, Honda and Toyota manufacture the most reliable high-mileage cars — a distinction that extends to other Japanese automakers when you read reviews from credible automotive sites. Some other high-mileage cars that rate well include the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Subaru Outback, and Nissan Maxima.

What is the highest mileage you should buy for a used car?

While mileage limits can vary depending on the vehicle’s maintenance records and the brand, it can be wise to make 200,000 miles your max limit when shopping for a high-mileage car.

Is mileage more important than age?

It is important to consider both mileage and age when shopping for a used vehicle. In general, the more miles a car has, the more likely it is to need repairs. However, a newer car with the same high mileage as an older car is more likely to have newer safety systems, which can be reassuring to many drivers.

Photo credit: iStock/HABesen

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® Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A. ©2024 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 4.30% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Direct Deposit means a recurring deposit of regular income to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government benefit 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, or are non-recurring in nature (e.g., IRS tax refunds), do not constitute Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. SoFi members with direct deposit are eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits.

As an alternative to direct deposit, SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits can earn 4.30% 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 members with Qualifying Deposits are not eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits.

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 4.30% 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 10/8/2024. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.

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Nov
09
2022

Learning Finance Without a Finance Background

By | Family Finances, Life & Career, money | Comments Off on Learning Finance Without a Finance Background

An advanced financial degree isn’t a requirement for taking control of your finances. In fact, you can learn all you need to know about finance without a financial education background at all — if you’re willing to put in the work (and sometimes spend a little money).

Learning about how the realm of money works can boost your financial literacy and may improve how well you spend, save, and invest your hard-earned cash.

So let’s take a look at some of the easiest ways to learn finance on your own time, including:

•   Reading books and blogs

•   Consuming video and audio content

•   Attending online and in-person classes and seminars

Why Being Sound in Finance Is Important

Even if you don’t want to become an accountant or manage clients’ investment portfolios, learning about finance is an important practice for everyone. Knowing financial basics like how to build a budget, how to pay off debt, how bank accounts work, and even how to do basic investing in stocks and bonds can be key to your financial stability. You’ll likely become a smarter consumer and savvier money manager, not turning a blind eye to your bank and IRA statements.

With more understanding of your finances, you’ll have more control over them. Financial literacy can help you avoid (or get out of) debt, save for important goals like a wedding or vacation, and increase your net worth through investments and home ownership. This can benefit the financial health and well-being of your family, too.

8 Ways to Learn About Finance

Wondering how to learn finance without enrolling in a four-year degree? Here are some of the easiest ways to teach yourself about finance. Dive in, and you may be rewarded with knowing how to manage your own money confidently and find your way to financial freedom:

1. Taking an Online Course

Taking an online course is one of the best ways to learn finance — and you can even do it in sweatpants. LinkedIn offers several finance and accounting courses that are ideal if you are working toward becoming a practicing financial professional, but you can also find free or affordable financial literacy classes for the average person.

Popular options for online financial courses include Coursera, edX, and Udemy. Just be sure to find courses aimed at non-finance pros. Many universities, including MIT and the University of Michigan, offer some courses for free; you’ll just have to pay if you want the certificate of completion.

2. Reading Books

There’s no way around it: If you want to learn about finance at a deeper level, you’ll probably benefit from cracking open a book. Your local library probably offers shelves of books on finance (maybe even digital versions for your e-reader), but you can also order books online or shop at second-hand bookstores.

Goodreads is a great place to research personal finance books. Some of the best core books for learning about finance, especially for beginners, include:

•   Get a Financial Life by Beth Kobliner

•   I Will Teach You to Be Rich by Ramit Sethi

•   Your Money or Your Life by Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez

•   The Simple Path to Wealth by JL Collins.

Recommended: 10 Personal Finance Basics

3. Listening to Podcasts

If reading isn’t your thing, you can instead try learning finance via podcasts (or audiobooks). Listening to the top money podcasts means you can use your time efficiently: Stream the podcast during your commute to and from work, while exercising or walking the dog, or even while cooking dinner.

Some podcasts are aimed at beginners while others have more targeted audiences, usually those interested in investing.

If you’re a beginner, check out:

•   So Money

•   Financial Grownup

•   Freakonomics

Students may benefit from The College Investor; The Dave Ramsey Show is popular with people working to get out of debt; and investors who want to learn more about the market should queue up What’s News, Jill on Money, or Planet Money.

4. Utilizing YouTube and Other Visual Media

Podcasts are great for on-the-go learning, but if you want to sit and watch financial content so you can take notes, YouTube is a great place to start. Here are some of our top recommendations for financial literacy video content:

•   The Financial Diet or Two Cents for general personal finance content

•   Wealth Hacker for investing and passive income advice

•   Bigger Pockets for real estate investing.

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5. Hiring a Financial Professional

While learning about how to use a checking and savings account is important, more complex topics like debt consolidation or investing in the stock market may be too intimidating for some.

If you find yourself too busy to learn or just struggling with the concepts, consider hiring a financial professional. Some financial professionals offer specific services like tax preparation and wealth management; you can also hire a financial consultant who can offer advice on all areas of your finances, from paying down student loan debt to building an emergency savings to refinancing a mortgage. This process, beyond providing guidance, can also help you build knowledge about the areas of finance about which you are most curious.

Recommended: What Is Financial Therapy?

6. Taking an In-Person Class or Seminar

How to learn about finance if you find yourself easily distracted during online courses? In-person classes at a local college or even seminars and workshops in your area could be a good option.

You can check out nearby universities and community colleges to see what classes they offer. If you have hired a financial advisor, they might be able to recommend upcoming seminars in your area. Finally, your local library may also host workshops.

7. Subscribing to Business and Investing Publications

Beginners can likely get by on podcasts and YouTube content, but once you advance to more complex investing concepts, it’s a good idea to subscribe to business and investing publications, whether in print or digitally. Popular financial magazines include Barron’s, The Economist, Kiplinger’s, Forbes, and Money. The Wall Street Journal is a popular resource for monitoring investments.

Many investment apps now offer access to news about the market. If you are using an app rather than a traditional investment firm, see what information they offer access to before signing up for any subscriptions.

Recommended: 5 Ways to Achieve Financial Security

8. Follow a Finance Blog

If a newspaper delivered on your doorstep feels too archaic, you can instead use finance blogs to learn basic topics and stay on top of changing news. One good place to start: See what your bank or investment management firm offers. Many have top-notch blogs covering an array of topics.

You may also find blogs that suit your particular needs, whether that’s understanding annuities, managing finances for a single-paycheck family, or estate planning. If you read a book on money that you like or listen to a podcast that you find valuable in one of your key areas of interest, search for more intel on the expert involved. They may well have a finance blog that can deepen your knowledge.

Managing Finances With SoFi

A key player in your financial knowledge and well-being is the bank you choose as your partner. SoFi can be a smart choice when you’re shopping for a new bank account. Our Checking and Savings lets you conveniently spend and save in one place, while sharing a suite of tools to help you monitor and manage your money. What’s more, when you open an account with direct deposit, you’ll earn a competitive APY and pay no account fees, which can help your money grow faster. Qualifying accounts can also access their paychecks up to two days early.

Start on your path to financial freedom with SoFi.

FAQ

Is finance easy to learn?

Finance can be easy to learn if you are willing to seek out informative content from books, podcasts, videos, blogs, and even professionals and then invest some time soaking up knowledge. Learning about finance requires dedication and sometimes a little investment — but knowing how to manage your money can pay off in the long run.

What should I learn first about finance?

Some of the most fundamental personal finance concepts include building a budget, opening a bank account, and understanding your credit score. Once you have mastered those more basic concepts, you can then focus on things like retirement planning, debt consolidation, and real-estate and stock-market investing.

Can I make finance a career without a degree?

Having a degree of some kind (ideally in finance but even in mathematics or other allied areas) is very helpful for building a career in finance. Completing internships and/or industry courses outside of a college setting can put you on the right path, though you may still need a certification for a specific job in finance. For example, Certified Public Accountants and Certified Financial Advisors have completed specific programs to earn their credentials. That said, self-taught individuals might be able to build careers in creating personal-finance educational content, like podcasts and blogs.

Photo credit: iStock/fizkes

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

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

SoFi® Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A. ©2024 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 4.30% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Direct Deposit means a recurring deposit of regular income to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government benefit 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, or are non-recurring in nature (e.g., IRS tax refunds), do not constitute Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. SoFi members with direct deposit are eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits.

As an alternative to direct deposit, SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits can earn 4.30% 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 members with Qualifying Deposits are not eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits.

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 4.30% 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 10/8/2024. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.

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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Tips for Financially Recovering From Money Addiction?

By | Family Finances, Life & Career, money | Comments Off on Tips for Financially Recovering From Money Addiction?

When you think of addiction, you might automatically think of people who are dependent on drugs, alcohol, food, or sex as a coping mechanism. But it’s also possible to be addicted to money. This issue can manifest itself through unhealthy behaviors such as gambling, frequent overspending, or extreme saving (yes, it’s possible to overdo a good thing).

Having an addiction to money can be harmful financially and emotionally; it can also put a strain on your personal relationships. Recognizing the signs of a money addiction can be the first step in making a recovery.

Read on to learn more, including:

•   Can you be addicted to money?

•   What are the signs of being addicted to money?

•   What impact does it have if you are addicted to money?

•   How can you recover from a money addiction?

What Is Money Addiction?

Broadly speaking, addiction is defined as a chronic disease that leads people to engage in compulsive behaviors, even when the consequences of those behaviors may be negative. The precise cause of addiction isn’t known, but it is believed to be a combination of a person’s genetics, brain circuitry, environment, and life experience.

When someone has a money addiction, their compulsive behaviors are centered around money, and they may approach their finances in a way that’s outside the norm of what people typically do.

For example, having a lack of savings or too much debt are common financial challenges that many people face. If you’re an average person, you might try to remedy those issues by working on building a small emergency fund or creating a workable debt payoff plan. While the person’s finances might not be in great shape, there isn’t any indication of compulsive behavior.

Someone with a money addiction, on the other hand, will typically have a different relationship with their finances. They might commit to an aggressive savings plan, for example, because they believe they have to save even if it means sacrificing basic needs. Or they may compulsively shop for emotional fulfillment while turning a blind eye to their debt.

Can You Be Addicted to Money?

Money addiction can be a real thing and is for many people. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), which is the official manual of the American Psychiatric Association, specifically recognizes certain financial behaviors as addictive. For example, the DSM-V classifies gambling disorder as an addictive disorder.

Whether you end up addicted to money can depend in part on your experiences and the money values you developed in childhood. If you frequently ask yourself, “Why am I bad with money?” the answer could be that you learned negative financial behaviors from your parents and the people you grew up around. Genetics and biology also play roles.

What money addiction looks like for one person might be very different for another. And it can sometimes be difficult to recognize those behaviors as addictive. For example, someone who spends $20 a day on lottery tickets in the hope of someday winning the jackpot might not see that as compulsive or having a money addiction. They could fail to realize how that behavior might be harming them financially because they’re so focused on the idea that they’ll win eventually.

Signs You May Be Addicted to Money

How do you know if you have an addiction to money or are just bad at managing it? As mentioned, experiencing common money issues such as debt or a lack of savings can indicate that you might need to work on learning personal finance basics like budgeting. But there are other signs that could point to a full-fledged money addiction. Here are some signals:

Life Revolving Around Obtaining Money

The first clue that you might be addicted to money is feeling obsessed with the idea of getting it. It’s one thing to wonder how you’re going to stretch your finances until your next paycheck; it’s another to spend most of your waking hours thinking about how to get money. If you often think of how you can obtain money instead of considering how to make the most of the money you do have, that could be a sign of a money addiction.

You don’t have to be broke to have this mindset either. You might be making $250,000 a year at your job, for example, but still not think it’s enough and constantly consider ways you could make more money.

Engaging in Dangerous or Risky Behavior

Certain behaviors could signal a money addiction if they involve your taking big risks that you’re not necessarily comfortable with. For example, when a money addict gets paid, they might take that money to the casino instead of using it to pay bills. Their addictive mindset doesn’t allow them to factor in the risk that instead of winning big, they might lose it all.

Money addiction can play out in other ways that might not seem risky at first glance. Trading stock options or futures, for example, is something plenty of people do every day. If your guess about which way a stock will move pays off, you could net some decent profits.

Where that kind of behavior becomes problematic is if you’re constantly losing money, but you continue investing anyway. It’s similar to the person with a lottery ticket addiction. You keep telling yourself that your winning number is sure to come up eventually, but in the meantime, you’re steadily losing money.

Not Wanting Others to Know Your Money Struggle

Covering up your money behaviors can be another strong hint that you have a financial addiction. That includes things like hiding receipts, credit card bills, or bank statements, or hiding the things you’re purchasing from a spouse, significant other, or another family member. You may act defensive or defiant when someone tries to ask you about your money situation.

Here’s another simple test to determine if you’re addicted to money. If you have to ask yourself, “Why do I feel guilty spending money?“, that could suggest that you know there’s a problem with what you’re doing.

Living in Denial About Spending

Your spending patterns can be one of the best gauges of whether you have a money addiction, provided you own up to them. Avoiding your financial life can be a symptom: If you shy away from checking your bank statements or adding up how much credit card debt you have, those could be red flags for money addiction.

Understanding why you spend the way you do can be a first step toward recovery. For instance, there’s a difference between compulsive vs. impulsive spending. Knowing which one you engage in more often can help you identify the triggers that are leading to bad money habits.

Unwilling and Unable to Change Money Habits

Another sign of money addiction is a sense of resignation, or knowing that you have a problem with money but not doing anything about it. You might feel ashamed to let someone else know that you need help with money, for instance. Or you might take the attitude that things have been the way they are for so long already that there’s no point in trying to change the situation.

Fearing the Loss of Money

No one wants to lose money but having an unnatural fear of doing so could be a clue to a money addiction. Being afraid of losses can keep you from making smart decisions with your money that could actually improve your financial situation. For example, you might be so afraid of losing money in the stock market that you never invest at all. In the meantime, you could potentially miss out on thousands of dollars in compound interest growth. Or it might have you working 24/7 and never enjoying downtime because you are so focused on making as much as possible to avoid feeling poor.

Another expression of money addiction could be saving so much that you have very little spending money. If you feel compelled to save a certain possibly excessive amount, it could keep you from paying bills on time and enjoying the occasional dinner out or movie because you feel every penny must go into your bank account. This behavior can be akin to hoarding and can likewise interfere with daily life.

Effects of Money Addiction

How money addiction affects you personally can depend on what form your addictive behaviors take. Generally, there are a number of negative side effects you might deal with as a result of money addiction, including:

•   Constantly feeling worried or stressed over money

•   Failing to set or reach financial goals

•   Carrying large amounts of debt

•   Having little to no money in savings

•   Missing out on legitimate opportunities to grow your money

•   Getting no enjoyment from the money that you do have

•   Living with a scarcity mindset

•   Having strained personal relationships because of money.

In short, money addiction can keep you from having the kind of financial life and daily life that you want. The longer you’re addicted to money without addressing the causes, the more significant the financial and emotional damage might be. The sooner you learn to manage money better, the less you will pay (literally and figuratively) for it.

Tips to Recover From Money Addiction

If you have a money addiction, you don’t have to stay stuck with it. There are things you can do to cope with and manage an addiction to money, similar to how you’d deal with any other type of addiction.

Improving your money mindset can lead to positive actions and break the addictive cycle. Here are some key steps on your path to recovery.

Being Honest

Before you can break your addiction to money, you first need to be honest with yourself that you have a problem. It can be difficult to acknowledge that you have an issue with money, but it’s necessary to identify what’s behind your compulsive behaviors.

You may also need to come clean with others around you if your financial behaviors have affected them directly or indirectly. For example, if you’re hiding $50,000 in credit card debt from your spouse, that’s a conversation you need to have. They probably won’t be thrilled to hear that you’ve run up so much debt, but they can’t help you address the problem if they don’t know about it.

Seeking Help

Fixing a money addiction might not be something you can do on your own. You might need professional help, which can include talking to a qualified therapist to understand your money behaviors and improve them. Or it could mean working with a nonprofit credit counseling company to hammer out a budget and a financial plan for getting back on track. Or it might mean taking both of these steps.

Even having an accountability partner can be helpful if you’re struggling with overspending. Any time you’re tempted to make an impulse buy, you can call up your accountability buddy and ask them to talk you through it until the urge to spend passes.

Recommended: Maxed-Out Credit Card: Consequences and Steps to Bounce Back

Using Money for Good

Money isn’t an inherently bad thing, and it can do a lot of good if you know how to use it. If you have negative associations with money, you can help turn that around by using it for positive purposes.

For example, you might start making a regular donation to a charitable cause you believe in. Or if you’ve neglected saving in favor of spending, you might try paying yourself first by putting part of every paycheck into a high-interest savings account. Prioritizing savings and focusing on your needs vs. wants can be a form of financial self-care that can help with breaking a money addiction.

Recommended: 34 Charities to Support This Year

Understanding Why Basing Your Self-Worth on Money Is Unhealthy

When you’re addicted to money, you might have a mindset that the amount of money you have determines your value. That’s an easy trap to fall into if you spend a lot of time on social media, where you’re likely to see a steady stream of influencers living dream lives. You can end up in a cycle of FOMO (or fear of missing out) spending in an effort to live a lifestyle that you can’t really afford.

That’s not a healthy place to be financially or mentally because you can find yourself constantly chasing “things” in order to feel whole. Recognizing that your self-worth goes beyond how much money you have in your bank account or which designer brands you wear can be a key step in recovering from a money addiction.

The Takeaway

Money addiction can strain or even wreck your finances, but it doesn’t have to. If you identify the issue and then are willing to take steps to manage it, you may well be able to thrive. Consider taking some first steps, whether that means opening a new bank account for savings and automating deposits into it or contacting a credit counselor. Moves like these can help you develop a positive relationship with money.

When you open a bank account online with SoFi, you can get convenient money management with no fees. You can manage your money online or through the SoFi app, which is helpful for keeping track of expenses when you’re trying to curb overspending. And if you sign up with direct deposit, you’ll earn a competitive APY, which can help your money grow faster.

Are you ready to bank better? See the difference SoFi can make.

FAQ

What is it called when you are addicted to money?

It’s called a money addiction when you have an unhealthy relationship with money that leads to compulsive or dangerous behaviors. Being addicted to money means that you have an emotional or mental dependence on it that can have potentially harmful side effects.

Can saving money be an addiction?

Saving money can be an addiction if you’re so focused on saving that you neglect meeting your basic needs or you’re blind to your ability to use money for good. If you’re only interested in seeing your savings account balance go up, you might miss out on opportunities to put your money to work in other ways or enjoy life.

Does money create dopamine?

The release of dopamine in the body is associated with pleasurable or novel experiences. If you get a rush from certain money behaviors, like saving excessively or impulse shopping, then that’s a sign that those behaviors might be triggering a dopamine release.

Photo credit: iStock/Povozniuk

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

SoFi® Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A. ©2024 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 4.30% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Direct Deposit means a recurring deposit of regular income to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government benefit 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, or are non-recurring in nature (e.g., IRS tax refunds), do not constitute Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. SoFi members with direct deposit are eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits.

As an alternative to direct deposit, SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits can earn 4.30% 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 members with Qualifying Deposits are not eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits.

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 4.30% 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 10/8/2024. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.

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Oct
18
2022
Can an Immigrant Open a Bank Account?

Can an Immigrant Who Is Undocumented Open a Bank Account?

By | Family Finances, Life & Career, money | Comments Off on Can an Immigrant Who Is Undocumented Open a Bank Account?

If you’re a fresh arrival to the United States, you’ll be glad to know that even if you’re undocumented, opening a bank account is possible. Which is very good news; after all, taking care of bills and everyday purchases is a lot easier — not to mention safer — when your cash is safely stashed in a checking account.

However, you will have to follow certain steps and perhaps a workaround or two. Probably the most important is that you’ll just need to provide an alternative for the Social Security number you don’t have. You may well find that a Tax Identification Number, or ITIN, along with the other required identification, can get the job done.

Read on for more about how an undocumented immigrant can open a bank account and the benefits of doing so.

What Do Immigrants Need to Open a Bank Account?


Like anyone else who opens a bank account, immigrants will need to provide and verify basic identifying information, such as their name and date of birth, using government-issued identification. This requirement may be met by a driver’s license, passport, birth certificate, or consular ID — and you’ll likely need to provide two different types of identification.

In addition, you’ll need to prove your residence. This can probably be done by presenting a utility bill, lease contract, or other official statement that includes your current address.

Finally, you’ll need either a Social Security number (SSN) or Tax Identification Number (ITIN). As an immigrant, the latter may be easier to obtain.

So, to recap, to open a bank account, you’ll want to check the eligibility requirements of the financial institution to which you’re applying, but you’ll probably need:

•  Official identification documentation

•  Proof of address

•  An SSN or ITIN

•  Anything else the bank might require (such as a minimum opening deposit)

💡 Additional help: What Are All the Requirements to Open a Bank Account?

What Is an ITIN?

As just mentioned, an ITIN may be an option to an SSN at many financial institutions. You may wonder what exactly that is. Here’s the scoop: ITIN is short for Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. It’s an official form of identification that the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) issues to immigrants in order to make it possible to file taxes.

But your ITIN has other perks, too — such as allowing you to open a bank account with financial institutions that accept this form of identification instead of an SSN. These days, there are plenty of banks that fit that category, but you should always contact the bank you’re considering to verify that they’ll process an account application without an SSN.

Keep in mind, too, that you aren’t automatically issued an ITIN once you arrive in the U.S. In order to obtain one, you’ll need to apply for one with the IRS directly. You can do this by mail or in person.

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No account or overdraft fees. No minimum balance.

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How to Open a Bank Account With an ITIN Instead of a SSN

Here’s the good news: Once you have an ITIN, using it in place of an SSN to open an account should be a fairly straightforward process. At many banks, you’ll simply supply that number instead of your SSN on that part of the application. If you apply online for a bank account, the application process may take only a few minutes.

The rest of the application will involve the bank gathering documentation, accepting your opening deposit, and issuing your bank account number and debit card. The process of establishing the account may take a couple of days. In addition, you may need to wait a week or more to receive your debit card in the mail.

And then, voila: You’re the proud owner of a U.S. bank account!

Benefits of Opening a Bank Account for Undocumented Immigrants

If you’ve been doing most of your financial transactions in cash for a while, you may wonder if going through the steps it takes to open a bank account is even worth it.

For many immigrants, it definitely is. A bank account makes it safer and easier to store and use your money. What’s more, it can also help you establish history and move toward legitimizing yourself as an American resident.

Personal Safety

Carrying cash is always risky. If you accidentally drop some (which can easily happen while you’re lugging bags in one hand and a coffee in the other), it’s gone forever. That’s not to mention the risk of others eyeing your cash. Paper money is liable to theft, and carrying large amounts of cash could even put you at risk of physical violence.

Having a checking account makes it possible to store larger amounts of money with a lower risk level. You’ll still be able to access cash when you need it using an ATM or your debit card. For these reasons, opening a bank account could increase your level of physical safety as an immigrant.

Establishing History

Opening a bank account shows people that you’re here on at least a semi-permanent basis, and may even help you establish state residency. While the process of naturalization is, of course, long and complex, having a bank account can be one small step toward legitimizing your status as a U.S. resident.

Ability to Save Money

Most banks offer both checking and savings accounts—the latter of which is an excellent vehicle for building up a rainy day fund. Having a separate savings account makes it a lot easier to put some money “out of sight, out of mind” so you’re prepared for an emergency. And, of course, it’s a lot more secure than stuffing cash into a coffee can or under the mattress.

Earning Interest

In addition to being physically safer, bank accounts also give you an edge against inflation. Here’s why: Many of them make it possible to earn interest on your balances—even on a checking account. The interest you earn might be pretty low, but it’s still better than no growth at all. Plus, it’s a low-risk investment given that money in a legitimate bank account is FDIC-insured up to $250,000.

The Takeaway

While it may take a few extra steps, it’s totally possible for an undocumented immigrant to open a bank account. You may just have to apply for an ITIN to use in place of your SSN, and find a bank that accepts ITINs. But once you get that taken care of, you’ll have access to a safe, potentially interest-earning place to stash your cash.

Better banking is here with SoFi, NerdWallet’s 2024 winner for Best Checking Account Overall.* Enjoy up to 4.30% APY on SoFi Checking and Savings.

FAQ

How do undocumented immigrants open a bank account?

An undocumented immigrant will need an alternative to the Social Security number, or SSN, in order to open a bank account. This number is called an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, or ITIN, and you can apply for one through the RIS. Many financial institutions will accept an ITIN in place of a SSN.

Can I open a bank account without an SSN or ITIN?

Unfortunately, you’ll likely need one or the other of these official, identifying numbers in order to open a bank account.

Can a U.S. citizen open a bank account abroad?

Yes, but it can be tricky. Many U.S. citizens have offshore bank accounts, though the process of applying for one may vary depending on which country you’re hoping to open an account in. It can involve a lot of paperwork, and starting this kind of account may have tax ramifications in both the U.S. and the foreign country in question.

Photo credit: iStock/Bilgehan Tuzcu

SoFi® Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A. ©2024 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 4.30% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Direct Deposit means a recurring deposit of regular income to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government benefit 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, or are non-recurring in nature (e.g., IRS tax refunds), do not constitute Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. SoFi members with direct deposit are eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits.

As an alternative to direct deposit, SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits can earn 4.30% 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 members with Qualifying Deposits are not eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits.

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 4.30% 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 10/8/2024. 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.

SOBK0222040

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Oct
11
2022
currency on green background

Here’s What You Can Do With Leftover Foreign Currency

By | Life & Career, money | No Comments

No matter how well you plan and budget for an overseas trip, you may still end up with some extra foreign cash at the end of your vacation. And since you can’t spend that currency back home in the United States, you’ll need to come up with an alternative plan for all those foreign coins and bills now burning a hole in your pocket.

Sure, those bills may be pretty (have you seen the Australian dollar?), but it won’t do you any good hanging as art on the wall. And you don’t want to miss out on having that money to save or spend at home.

Instead of letting it go to waste, here are a few things you might do with that leftover foreign change once your trip is done and your regular life sets in again.

What to Do with Extra Foreign Currency

Using It to Pay Part of Your Hotel Bill on Vacation

There’s nothing quite so annoying as arriving at your gate with five minutes until boarding, only to realize you’ve still got about $80 worth of Moroccan dirham or Turkish lira left in your wallet.

One way to avoid this scenario is to try and use your foreign cash to cover costs while you’re still abroad. A helpful tip is to switch to cash spending near the end of your trip. Then, if you have leftover currency on your last day, see if you can use it to cover some of your hotel bill. Sometimes hotels will let you split your bill up, so that you can pay some of it in cash and put the rest on a credit card. Just be sure to leave some currency in your wallet for your cab ride to the airport and tips.

💡 Quick Tip: Tired of paying pointless bank fees? When you open a bank account online you often avoid excess charges.

Shopping Duty Free

If you have a fair chunk of foreign currency leftover, consider making a stop at the Duty Free stores upon departure. This can be a good strategy if you are buying something you’d use ordinarily, like your favorite perfume or liquor, or if you’re still looking to buy a souvenir from the destination.

However, some countries, especially those that are sensitive to inflation, don’t accept foreign currency (except for euros and dollars) at Duty Free, so double-check that your change is eligible before you show up at the register with a cart full of goods.

Recommended: 27 Tips for Finding the Top Travel Deals

Donating to Charity

Thanks to UNICEF’s Change For Good initiative , you may not have to exchange a dime. This program involves a partnership with several international airlines to help passengers donate their excess change.

On these flights, passengers receive envelopes in which they can donate their leftover foreign currency. If you’re not flying with a partner airline and still want to donate, you can mail your change to the organization.

Some airports have similar initiatives and programs that raise money for different charities around the world — all you need to do is find the box or envelope and stuff it full of your extra change. It’s a great way to do good and not let that spare money go to waste.

Get up to $300 when you bank with SoFi.

No account or overdraft fees. No minimum balance.

Up to 4.30% APY on savings balances.

Up to 2-day-early paycheck.

Up to $2M of additional
FDIC insurance.


Exchanging It

Although exchanging physical money comes with a fee, this can be one way to recoup your cash if you aren’t planning on visiting the country again anytime soon.

In a pinch, you can exchange foreign currency at the airport (abroad or at home), but you likely won’t get the best exchange rate. A better option is to visit your U.S. bank to see if they will exchange your foreign cash (or, if possible, deposit it directly into your account). Banks typically offer better rates than the exchange kiosks you find in airports.

If you used a currency exchange service to exchange your U.S dollars into a foreign currency, see if they offer a “buyback” program. Some services allow you to sell back your unused foreign currency for a better rate or lower fees than you can get elsewhere.

Recommended: Ways to Be a Frugal Traveler

Saving It for Another Time

If you know you’ll be visiting again, why not store your extra foreign currency with your passport? Not only will you be able to keep the money, but you’ll save yourself a trip to the ATM upon arrival at your destination.

This can be one of the easiest solutions to the “what to do with leftover foreign coins” problem. And it might encourage you to start planning your return visit and growing your travel fund.

💡 Quick Tip: The myth about online accounts is that it’s hard to access your cash. Not so! When you open the right online checking account, you’ll have ATM access at thousands of locations.

Gifting It

If you’re wondering what to do with foreign coins, know that they can be a fun gift to a child or currency collector in your life. It can be an opportunity to teach kids about both the world at large and about money. Bonus points if they are from a country with a cool design on their currency — like the Egyptian pound with pharaoh Tutankhamun.

Any leftover foreign coins or bills can also be a thoughtful gift for friends or family members who are traveling to the same spot. This can make an especially nice wedding gift for friends heading out on a honeymoon.

Recommended: Can You Use Your Credit Card Internationally?

The Takeaway

If you wind up with excess foreign currency at the end of a trip, you have a few options. You might save it for later, donate it to a charity, exchange it, or gift it to a friend. Depending on how much money you have, when (if at all) you plan on returning to your destination, and how much you’re willing to pay in fees, there’s an option that will likely be the right choice for you.

Interested in opening an online bank account? When you sign up for a SoFi Checking and Savings account with direct deposit, you’ll get a competitive annual percentage yield (APY), pay zero account fees, and enjoy an array of rewards, such as access to the Allpoint Network of 55,000+ fee-free ATMs globally. Qualifying accounts can even access their paycheck up to two days early.


Better banking is here with SoFi, NerdWallet’s 2024 winner for Best Checking Account Overall.* Enjoy up to 4.30% APY on SoFi Checking and Savings.

FAQ

Where can I donate leftover foreign currency?

UNICEF’s Change for Good program accepts donations on a number of international airlines. Leftover change may also be mailed to this program. You may also see other opportunities to donate currency at airports, benefiting various charities, as well.

Can I exchange my foreign currency at a bank?

If you’re looking to exchange foreign coins and bills, it’s worth visiting or calling your bank. Many banks offer to exchange currency for their clients. However, some will only do so for a limited number of currencies. A fee is usually involved, but it is likely to be lower than what you will pay at an airport currency exchange kiosk.

What is the meaning of leftover currency?

Leftover currency is typically foreign money that you have at the end of a trip. Before or after you return home, you can exchange it to U.S. dollars. Other options include saving it for a future trip, donating it, or gifting it.

Is leftover currency legitimate?

Leftover currency is legal tender in the country you have traveled to, but when you return home, it will not be usable. Therefore, it may be wise to exchange it or donate it.

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SoFi members with direct deposit activity can earn 4.30% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Direct Deposit means a recurring deposit of regular income to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government benefit 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, or are non-recurring in nature (e.g., IRS tax refunds), do not constitute Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. SoFi members with direct deposit are eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits.

As an alternative to direct deposit, SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits can earn 4.30% 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 members with Qualifying Deposits are not eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits.

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 4.30% 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 10/8/2024. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.

*Awards or rankings from NerdWallet are not indicative of future success or results. This award and its ratings are independently determined and awarded by their respective publications.

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.

Our account fee policy is subject to change at any time.
External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.

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