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The main factors that can hurt a home appraisal include needed updates, comparable properties, market conditions, your home’s location, and whether you hired an inspector to flag issues or necessary repairs. By getting ahead of the factors within your control before an appraisal, you may get a more favorable answer to the all-important question of what your house is really worth.

The more you know and understand about the home appraisal process, the better. Here’s a crash course of sorts on the process and what negatively affects home appraisal.

Recommended: Should I Sell My House Now or Wait?

A Primer on Home Appraisals

A home appraisal reveals the fair market value of a home, which is important whether you’re buying, selling or refinancing a mortgage. An appraisal can also be used to determine property taxes. Lenders require appraisals because they ensure that the lender won’t offer you a loan that’s more than what the home is appraised value is worth.

So, what do appraisers look for when they do a home appraisal? A real estate appraiser, who is a third party licensed or certified by the state, will review a home inside and out, looking at a home’s age, size, foundation, appliances and neighborhood, among other things. They will then compare the house to similar homes in the area to assess its value.

An appraisal is usually required by a lender when a buyer is getting a mortgage or when someone is refinancing their mortgage. If an appraisal is for a home sale, neither the buyer nor the homeowner can be present. When someone is refinancing, on the other hand, the homeowner is permitted to attend. That no doubt is a plus as it’s an opportunity for the homeowner to ensure the appraiser takes note of any upgrades and new features that could increase their home’s worth.

Things That Can Hurt Your Home Appraisal

Much hinges on the home’s appraisal itself, so you’ll want it to go as smoothly as possible. Start by knowing what hurts a home appraisal so you can avoid any hiccups that could prevent you from getting the highest value for your home.

1. Much-Needed Updates That Never Happened

If you’ve been putting off any needed upgrades, this is when it could come back to bite you. Let’s say you’ve been meaning to renovate your kitchen and somehow just didn’t get around to it. A kitchen that looks pretty much like it did 30 years ago isn’t going to wow anybody, least of all an appraiser who will wonder what else is in decline.

While it can be helpful to take care of some common home upgrades that can net you a return on your investment, you don’t necessarily want to go crazy updating either. Not only could it be tougher to recoup all the money you put into home improvements, you may find that while you love the changes you’ve made, your taste may not have universal appeal. It’s a delicate balance to make upgrades that will get two thumbs up from the appraiser and the potential buyers.

2. Comparable Properties

When it comes to housing, you do kind of have to keep up with the Joneses. With appraisals, it’s all about sales of comparable homes over the last 12 months. What are homes similar to yours on your street or a few blocks over selling for? If they are getting top dollar that will push up the price of your home. On the flip side, if those homes are hanging around on the market for months and selling at prices below expected, that could put a drag on what you can get for yours.

Comparable sales help determine the market, which is why both your real estate and your appraiser will look at them. Ideally, the appraiser, as much as possible, is comparing apples to apples so you get a fair appraisal. The other properties should be similar in size, age and amenities, among other factors. It’s a losing proposition for you if the appraiser goes for the extreme, say a house that sold at a bargain because someone was in a hurry to bail for whatever reason.

3. Skipping a Home Inspection

When it comes to your house, ignorance is not bliss. While you may know when you need to make a repair to a leaky roof, for instance, there can be plenty wrong that’s not obvious to you. That’s why it’s a good idea to have a home inspection before you put your house on the market.

A home inspector can suss out all manner of malfunctions that could be plaguing your house, particularly things you may be clueless about. If you get bad news, think of it as good news since you’ll now have the opportunity to make necessary home repairs before you put your house on the market and an appraiser comes with a magnifying glass of sorts looking for signs of trouble.

4. An Undesirable Location

Few things matter more in real estate market than location. If you’re in a neighborhood that’s seen as flawed or your house is on a busy or noisy street, that could all come into play when it comes to the value of your property.

Location also counts within your home. If your layout is dated — say it’s old-fashioned and highly compartmentalized instead of today’s more in-demand open layout concepts — that could be less attractive to buyers. Or, they might only be interested in knocking down walls and reconfiguring the space, which likely means they’ll want to pay less for the house if they are going to have put money into it to bring it in line with what they’re looking for.

4 Ways to Prevent Low Home Appraisals

Just like there are some things you can get out ahead of before they hurt your home appraisal, there are also some moves you can make to prevent your home appraisal coming in lower than you’d like.

1.   Hire your own appraiser: Typically, the lender hires the appraiser. However, there’s no reason you can’t hire your own appraiser before the sale. Your realtor should have a handle on someone who is experienced and has a reputation for giving fair estimates. You then can ask the buyer or lender’s appraiser to review what your appraiser produced.

2.   Provide records: If you have records of repairs and upgrades that’s the kind of proof that works in your favor. It also doesn’t hurt to have documentation like photos — before and afters aren’t just for an Instagram post of your new haircut.

3.   Prepare for the appraiser’s visit: Don’t dismiss the importance of maintaining curb appeal. Your home should be clean inside and outside before the appraiser comes over. Strive to get as close to an interior design catalog as you can.

4.   Dig up property comparables on your own: You don’t have to leave it to the appraiser and real estate agents to do all the homework. Go the extra mile and consider calling real estate agents with homes in escrow to get the sales prices. Create a list that you can pass along to the appraiser.

Checking Your Home Value Without an Appraisal

You can get a sense of what your home is worth even if you don’t get an appraisal. There are several websites that can give you valuable insight into your home’s potential value, including Zillow, Trulia, Redfin, Realtor.com and Eppraisal, among others.

Another option is to use a house price index (HPI) calculator , which relies on data from mortgage transactions over time to estimate a home’s value. Projections are based on both the purchase price of the home and the changing value of other homes nearby. This tool can help you see how much a house has appreciated over time. You’ll also get a glimpse of estimated future changes in mortgage rates.

Recommended: Does Net Worth Include Home Equity?

The Takeaway

Because appraisal value of your home is likely your biggest asset, it’s worth putting the time and effort into the appraisal process. The payoff could be huge if you tend to the major factors that hurt an appraisal or get proactive about preventing a low appraisal.

If you’re worried about budgeting for any necessary updates or repairs, a tool like SoFi can help you track your spending in different categories.

Stay on top of your budget as you get your house appraisal ready.

Photo credit: iStock/ucpage

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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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The 16-digit number on your credit card might remind you of the routing number you see on your checks or bank statements. But they aren’t the same.

In fact, there’s no such thing as a credit card routing number, even if it was issued by a bank or credit union. The series of digits you see on the front or back of your card is your credit card number, and it provides important information about the credit card issuer, the card’s payment network, and you (the card holder).

Read on to learn more about the differences between a routing number and a credit card number and why credit cards don’t need routing numbers.

What Are Routing Numbers?

A routing number is a nine-digit number used to identify a specific bank, credit union, or other type of financial institution in the United States. The American Bankers Association created routing numbers in 1910 to aid in processing checks. Routing numbers are still used today to help keep banking transactions secure, whether you’re making a direct deposit, an automatic bill payment, a wire or P2P transfer, or a phone payment.

Every bank has its own routing number — and some have more than one — that works kind of like a payment address. The routing number ensures the money from a financial transaction is correctly “routed” from one financial institution to another. Once the funds get to the proper financial institution, the money can then be moved into the designated bank account.

Recommended: Routing Number vs. Account Number

Where Can I Find My Routing Number?

If you still use paper checks, and keep your checkbook handy, that’s probably the easiest place to look for your bank’s routing number. You should be able to find the routing number in the lower left corner of your checks.

The first nine digits are the bank’s routing number. After a gap, the next 10 digits are your account number. After another gap, the last few digits represent the number of the check you’re currently using.

You can also find your routing number by logging into your bank or savings account online. (If you have more than one account at a particular bank, your account numbers will be different, but the routing number for those accounts will likely be the same.) Or you can call your bank’s customer service line and ask for help getting the correct routing number.

If the checkbook or other bank paperwork you have is old, you may want to go online to confirm that the routing number you’re using is still current. Routing numbers can sometimes change, such as when two financial institutions merge, for example, or go through an acquisition. You should receive advance notice if that happens, but you may want to look just to be sure you’re using the most up to date routing number.

Why Don’t Credit Cards Have Routing Numbers?

A routing number is used to move funds between two bank accounts — from your employer’s account to your checking or savings account, for example, or from your checking account to the electric company.

When you use your credit card, you aren’t depositing or transferring money. You’re borrowing money, and processing that transaction works differently. That’s why there’s no routing number on a credit card. Instead, the credit card issuer uses your credit card number to track your transactions and make sure they end up on your bill. The number also can help card processors identify the financial institution that will settle the payment when the card is used.

What Do the Numbers on a Credit Card Represent?

It’s important to note that your credit card number is not the same as your account number. Your credit card number includes your account number, but it has a few more digits. And each of those digits has a purpose.

Every credit card number is unique: If you apply for a credit card and you’re approved, the card you receive will have its own number. But most cards use a similar, formatted sequence that can be used to identify the card issuer, the payment network, and the account holder:

•   The first number in this sequence typically represents the card’s payment network. Most credit cards start with a 3 (American Express), 4 (Visa), 5 (Mastercard), or 6 (Discover), as those are the major payment networks.

•   The next five digits complete the card’s Bank Identification Number (BIN), or Issuer Identification Number (IIN), and can tell you about the card’s “issuer.” (The credit card issuer is the financial institution that gave you the card and manages your account.)

•   The remaining digits — except, usually, the last digit — represent the cardholder and the account the card is connected to.

•   And finally, there’s the “checksum” or “check digit,” which is used by card issuers and payment networks to catch errors and help protect against unauthorized card use.

Though this format may differ a bit from one card to the next — some card numbers may have 15 digits instead of 16, for example — all card issuers must follow a set of standards created by the International Organization of Standardization (ISO) and enforced by the American Network of Standards Institute (ANSI). This allows consumers to use their card or card number no matter where they are in the world.

Does a Debit Card Have a Routing Number?

Although a debit card is typically tied to at least one bank account, it does not have a routing number. Each debit card has a unique 16-digit card number that identifies the card issuer, the card network, and the bank customer and accounts to which it’s connected.

You read that right. While each credit card you own is linked to one specific credit account, your debit card may be linked to multiple accounts (checking, savings, etc.) if they’re at one financial institution.

How does the bank decide which account you want to use for each transaction? If you use your debit card to make a purchase, the money will be pulled from the account you’ve designated as your primary checking account. And if you’re using your debit card at an ATM, you should be able to see a list of all the accounts connected to that particular card, and you can make a deposit to or withdrawal from the account of your choice.

Your debit card will not be linked to your credit card account, however, even if it’s through the same financial institution. And even if your debit card has a payment network logo or hologram in the corner, you cannot use it as a credit card. The money will be withdrawn from your bank account, either right away or after a short delay.

Credit Cards vs Debit Cards

It can be useful to have both a credit card and a debit card on hand to help manage your finances. Though they look a lot alike, there are key differences:

Credit Cards	Debit Cards
Funds are borrowed from the bank.	Funds come directly from your own bank account.
You’ll pay interest if you carry a balance.	No interest is charged.
A credit card can help you build credit.	A debit card won’t help you build your credit.
A credit card can hurt your credit if you overspend.	A debit card can help you stay disciplined and avoid carrying debt.
You have access to cash when you need it.	You have access to cash when you need it.
Your card may offer rewards and discounts.	Most debit cards don’t offer rewards.
Each card is connected to a specific account.	One debit card can be linked to multiple bank accounts.

Recommended: Can You Use a Credit Card Like a Debit Card?

The Takeaway

Do credit cards have routing numbers? No. Though the routing number on your checks and the number on your credit card may look similar, they serve different functions.

A routing number helps ensure a payment comes from or goes to a specific financial institution, but it doesn’t contain information about the checking, savings, or business account the transaction is tied to. An account number is needed to make that happen. A credit card number, on the other hand, contains information about the card issuer, the payment network, and the card holder. It can help identify the financial institution that will settle the payment when the card is used, and it identifies the card holder who will ultimately be responsible for those charges.

Understanding the difference between these numbers — and knowing where to locate them when necessary — can help speed up your financial transactions and make them go smoother.

Whether you're looking to build credit, apply for a new credit card, or save money with the cards you have, it's important to understand the options that are best for you. Learn more about credit cards by exploring this credit card guide.

FAQ

What is a routing number?

A routing number is a nine-digit number that identifies your bank or credit union in a financial transaction.

Does a credit card have a routing number?

Credit cards don’t have routing numbers. Instead, credit cards have a 16-digit credit card number that identifies the card issuer, the payment network, and the card holder.

Where can I find my routing number?

The easiest way to find your bank’s routing number is to look at your paper checks or a bank statement. The first nine digits in the lower left corner are the routing number. You also can log onto your account online or call your bank’s customer service number to get the correct routing number.

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Photo credit: iStock/RgStudio

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

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

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A year may seem like a short period of time, but you can accomplish a lot, including developing a one-year savings plan that can help you hit some significant financial goals. A plan that lasts 365 days can give you, as an earner, the opportunity to save and feel a sense of accomplishment.

In other words, a year from today, you could be richer than you are now, or potentially have a better emergency fund. Or, if you are diligent, you may be on your way to funding a European vacation or finally redoing that dated bathroom.

Of course, creating a plan that will work for your unique situation does require a bit of upfront effort. That’s exactly what you’ll learn when you read on.

Decide What are You Saving For

Before you even glance at your budget, it’s important to get clear about exactly what you’re saving for. Creating a specific objective can give you the information you need to create a solid plan to make it happen — it might also help motivate you to stick to that plan once you’ve made it.

For a one-year saving plan, consider factors like your income and current cost of living to settle on something that will likely be achievable in just a year. For instance, maybe this year you want to stash cash for one of the following:

•   A vacation you’ve been dreaming of for years (pending pandemic complications, of course).

•   A down payment for a new car.

•   A down payment (or significant portion thereof) for a new home.

•   Long-awaited home improvements.

•   Putting extra money away for retirement.

You may be familiar with the idea of SMART goals — that objectives are most easily met when they’re Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound.

In the world of one-year savings plans, that means coming up with a specific dollar figure for your goal and making sure it’s relevant enough to your life to keep you motivated.

You probably also want to consult your earnings and expenses to ensure that it’s a realistic goal; it’s going to be a lot harder to save up $5,000 if you’re making $30,000 than it is if you’re making $60,000. (You’ll learn more about budgeting and cuts in just a second.) Divide your total goal by 12 to see how much it would require you to set aside each month, which will give you better insight as to how achievable it really is.

Once you’ve got your goal worked out, write it down and post it in a prominent place in your home, like on your refrigerator. Studies have shown that you’re more likely to reach your financial goals if you take this simple action, so it’s worth picking up your pen!

How To Create a One-Year Saving Plan You’ll Stick To

Now that you’ve got a goal in mind, you still need to figure out how to turn it into a reality.
Here are some ideas on how you could do it..

Start with Your Existing Budget

You can’t make any big changes to your finances if you don’t know what they look like in the first place. And that means the first step toward revamping your budget is to take a closer look at how it looks right now.

If you don’t have a budget yet, take a month to track exactly where all your money is going. Be sure to include both regular, fixed expenses, like rent and insurance, as well as more flexible, discretionary spending like food and transportation. Be brutally honest. Tacking every cent of fixed vs. variable expenses will give you the best chance at figuring out how to spend less.

Which leads us to our next step…

Get Creative with Budget Cuts

There are really only two ways to save money: make more of it, or spend less of it. And while asking for a raise or starting a side-hustle might be smart moves, you only have so much leeway with your boss and time in your day. In other words, you likely have more control of how much you spend than how much you earn.

Since this is an elevated, short-term savings goal, you might be able to make more substantial cuts than you would if you were planning on implementing this savings strategy for the rest of your life. There are simple ways to cut down monthly expenses and save money daily. For instance, could living without streaming services be possible? Or could you quit dining out for one month and then vow not to buy any new clothes the next? A challenge like that can engage some people’s competitive spirit.

Even without these measures, how can you dial down your own living expenses? You might quit buying overpriced, pre-packaged convenience foods or find ways to get creative with ramen. Maybe you can start doing your own oil changes rather than taking the car in for service. Think of this as an opportunity to learn some new life skills while also stashing some extra cash!

Recommended: How to Save Money on Gas

Regardless of how you get there, your goal is to be able to set aside the monthly amount you’ll need to meet the one-year savings goal you wrote down and pinned to your bulletin board. So get out your calculator, and don’t be afraid to get creative.

Make a Plan for Your Investments

No matter how much money you save, it won’t go as far as it could if you just stash it under your mattress. Figuring out where to put your savings is an important step in your planning.

Different kinds of savings accounts are used to help individuals save for different goals.

•   For example, a long-term goal like retirement may be best suited for an investment vehicle like a Roth IRA, which offers some tax advantages.

•   For shorter term goals like starting an emergency fund, an account that offers more flexibility and has less restrictions, like a high yield savings account, may be a better option.

Keep it Simple

Having a plan is one thing. Sticking to it is another. But if you keep a simple savings plan, you’ll stand a much better chance of actually making it work.

For instance, automating your finances by setting up recurring transfers can direct a portion of each paycheck into your savings account. This makes saving seamless — and ensures you don’t get stuck in that all-too-familiar situation at the end of the month where you accidentally spent what you intended to set aside.

And building in systemic cuts that you don’t have to think about (like ditching that monthly subscription box, for example) is a lot easier than poring over the coupon book every Sunday.

Recommended: Money Management and Setting Financial Goals

The Takeaway

Like any money goal, your one-year savings plan is going to take some grit to get to. But having the right tools at your disposal does make the process a whole lot less painful. Whether that means choosing one of the many budgets out there to find one that suits your style or using an app your financial institution provides, there are ways to enhance your money management.

A SoFi Checking and Savings Account offers you an easy birds’-eye view of your finances, and its Vaults feature allows you to set aside savings for specific goals and purposes.

Best of all, there are no account fees, you’ll benefit from a competitive annual percentage yield (APY), which can help your money grow faster.

SoFi: Helping you achieve your financial goals.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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If you have a savings goal that’s coming up in the not too distant future — such as the downpayment on a home, a bathroom reno, or plumping up an emergency fund — you may want to consider some good short-term savings options.

There isn’t a hard and fast definition of short-term savings, but it’s typically considered to be money you want to use in five years or less.

While there are a number of options for short-term savings, one of the best places to start stashing cash for a short-term goal can be a savings account. They can offer safety (so you shouldn’t lose any money), liquidity (allowing you to access money when needed), and growth (meaning they are interest-bearing).

But some of these accounts offer more liquidity and higher interest than others. With a little reading and research, you can start socking your cash away in the right place — and start moving closer to those short-term savings goals.

Should You Invest Short-Term Savings?

Depending on your short-term savings goals, a savings account may be a wise move. One significant downside to any cash savings account is that they tend to have relatively low-interest rates.

You might however wonder: Should I invest this money in stocks or a mutual fund in order to meet my short-term goals more quickly?

Generally speaking, for short-term money, your goal is not necessarily to maximize returns. It is to control the risk — to keep it safe — so that the money is available when it’s needed.

While everyone’s risk tolerance is different, the downside to investing in the market is that you might lose money in the short term. Investment returns start to “smooth out,” or return their average yield, over longer periods. Shorter periods tend to be volatile and unpredictable — especially in the stock market.

To invest in the short-term would require complete flexibility — if the market were to fall steeply, it would likely be best to wait it out and avoid realizing losses. Suddenly, you’re on the market’s timeline, not your own.

Because of this, these investments may be inappropriate for an emergency fund, which needs to be accessible at all times. The same goes for those financial goals with a hard deadline (such as wanting to use this money as a down payment in two years).

That said, there’s a trade-off. Many of the options for short-term savings may not keep up with increasing prices or inflation and its impact on cost of living. For money that isn’t needed for many years to come, it can be a smart idea to consider investing to grow beyond inflation.

If you’d prefer to avoid risk with your short-term savings, here are options to consider.

Recommended: 5 Types of Savings You Should Consider Having

Option 1: Online Savings Account

Online-only savings accounts, also sometimes referred to as high-yield savings accounts, are an increasingly popular option for short-term savings. As their name implies, these banks or financial institutions only operate online. Here’s the scoop:

•   That means no brick-and-mortar locations and no chatting up a banker face-to-face with employees. The upside: When you compare accounts offered by traditional banks vs. online banks, the latter typically pass the savings onto their clients in the form of a higher annual percentage yield (APY).

•   A potentially higher rate of interest isn’t the only reason to use online-only savings accounts. The websites and mobile apps for online accounts essentially serve as storefronts, so online financial institutions often devote lots of resources to make sure they’re optimized and easy to navigate.

•   Additionally, many online-only institutions don’t have monthly account fees, which can be a real burden for those at the start of their savings journey. (For example, some traditional banks might charge a fee when you balance drops below the minimum.)

•   Banking online doesn’t mean you have to forgo the conveniences of your neighborhood bank. You can typically still do all of the important banking duties, such as depositing checks (via mobile deposit, or snapping a picture of the check on your phone), moving money back and forth between accounts, and speaking with a customer service rep.

In the past, most online savings accounts were required by the Federal Reserve to limit withdrawals to six times per month. These rules are evolving; post-pandemic, some banks dropped this rule. Before you sign up, you’ll want to understand the rules for accessing your money.

Also, while online banking is now considered mainstream, it’s always smart to do a little background research before you open an online account. You may want to check, for instance, to make sure an institution has Federal Deposit Insurance Corp (FDIC) coverage, a government-guaranteed program that protects your money.

Option 2: Certificate of Deposit

A certificate of deposit (CD) is a savings account that holds a specific and fixed amount of money, and for a designated period of time, such as six months or three years. In exchange for the deposit, the bank pays a fixed rate of interest.

Generally, CDs with longer maturities offer higher interest rates. For example, a bank is typically going to be willing to pay more for a deposit that’s guaranteed for five years as compared to three months.
As a saver, you often get more rewards for the risk.

You may also want to keep in mind that the interest rate on a CD is locked in at the point of purchase, as opposed to the interest rate in a savings account (both traditional and online-only), which may fluctuate.
If you’re interested in locking in a certain rate, you may want to consider a CD. (Although be aware that you would be locking yourself into a lower rate, if rates rise.)

While savings accounts are designed to provide regular access to your money, CDs are not. Because CDs have a fixed timeframe, there may be a penalty to access the money before the period is over. And in exchange for the lock-up period, you may find that financial institutions pay slightly more interest than online-only savings accounts.

CDs can be a good option for people who don’t need to touch their short-term savings for a certain period of time. And they are typically FDIC-insured.

Option 3: Money Market Account

A money market account (MMA) is like a mix between a savings and a checking account.

These accounts, offered by banks and credit unions, can allow you to write checks (though you may be limited on how often) and may also have a debit card. (Savings accounts, whether online or at a traditional bank, typically do not allow for check-writing.

Returns on these accounts often beat those on traditional savings accounts. Depending on what’s happening in the economy overall, an MMA may be in line with that of an online-only bank account.

However, MMAs sometimes require higher minimum balances than other types of savings accounts. So, this might be a better option for those with more money to save.

MMAs are considered a safe choice since, like other types of savings accounts, they are typically covered by FDIC if held by a bank, and National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), if held by a credit union. (Although, it’s always a good idea to double-check insurance coverage to be sure.)

Keep in mind that MMAs differ from money market mutual funds, which are not FDIC- or NCUA-insured.

Option 4: Cash Management Account

A cash management account (CMA) is a cash account offered by a financial institution other than a bank or credit union. These accounts are designed to merge the services and features of checking, savings, and investment accounts, all into one offering.

While CMAs are typically offered by financial service providers that are not themselves technically classified as banks, they are still usually covered by FDIC deposit insurance like regular bank deposits — often through a partner bank.

Generally, CMAs function similarly to a traditional checking account, yet pay interest that is often higher than most savings accounts.

Some brokerage firms require a large minimum deposit to open a CMA, or may charge monthly fees for anyone under that minimum. Before opening a checking and savings account, it’s a good idea to ask about monthly fees and minimum balance requirements.

Also, since checking and savings account providers automatically “sweep” your unused cash into investments that pay dividends or interest (which maximizes the account’s profitability), you may want to make sure those sweep accounts are low-risk or FDIC-insured.

The Takeaway

Short-term savings is money that you likely will need in the not too-distant future, such as within two to five years.

There are a number of options for short-term savings, but some of the safest bets include online savings accounts and CDs, among others. These accounts tend to be low-risk, typically allow you to have access to your money when you need it, and can offer a higher return than a traditional savings or checking account.

If you’re saving for a large purchase (perhaps a wedding or a down payment on a home, consider signing up for a high yield bank account. SoFi’s Checks and Savings Account offers a competitive APY, charges no account fees, and let’s you spend and save in one convenient place.

Start working towards those short-terms savings goals today!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Do you receive a year-end bonus? Lucky you! While you may be tempted to go on a shopping spree or take your gang out to a great dinner, hold on a second. Yes, you can use some for fun, but you might also want to put some of a year-end bonus toward your financial goals.

Smart bonus money moves may include paying down debt, helping to fund a short-term savings goal (such as a downpayment on a house or establishing an emergency fund), as well as investing the money to potentially achieve long-term growth.

There’s no one right formula for spending (or not spending) a bonus: Each person’s financial situation and future goals are entirely unique.

But here are some ideas for using your bonus — or any other cash infusion, in fact — that can help improve your financial wellness today and tomorrow.

Allocating Some Money to Fun

You worked hard all year. So it’s totally understandable if you want to put some of your bonus money simply towards a few wants vs. just needs.

With any financial decision, it typically doesn’t have to be all or nothing, and that includes your work bonus. In fact, taking a balanced approach to your money might actually help you to maintain the stamina that financial goals often require.

Although the exact split is ultimately up to you, to avoid overspending, you might want to consider putting roughly 90% of your bonus towards your financial goals, and devoting about 10% to “fun money.”

If you’re getting a $5,000 bonus (after taxes), for example, that means you would have $500 to spend treating yourself. The other $4,500 would then go towards putting a big dent in your money goals.

Recommended: Benefits of Automating Your Finances

Chipping Away at Debt

If you have debt — whether from a student loan, car loan, or credit card debt — a bonus can be a great way to start whittling away at whatever balance you have to contend with, or even wiping it out completely.

Doing this can help you avoid throwing more money away just on interest charges, and if you manage to wipe out debt completely, you’ll have one less financial responsibility to stress about every month.

How much of your recent influx of cash should be directed toward debt reduction is entirely personal, and will depend on your situation.

Some financial planners recommend that people with high-interest debt consider putting around half of their annual bonuses toward paying down that debt. But this decision will depend on your individual circumstances.

Since credit card debt typically costs the most in interest, that can be a great place to start. Many credit cards charge close to 20% interest or higher. So if your goal is to ultimately build wealth, it may be smart to minimize credit card balances or, even better, pay them off completely.

It would be unreasonable to expect that you could out-invest what you are paying out in credit card interest.
The same idea goes for any high-interest or emotionally stressful debt on your balance sheet.

Recommended: 5 Reasons to Switch Bank Accounts

Saving for a Short-Term Goal

If you haven’t yet started, or haven’t quite finished, creating an emergency fund, getting a bonus is a great time to beef up that financial cushion.

While many people don’t like to think about the possibility of their car breaking down, a medical emergency, or job loss, should one of these unexpected events occur, it could quickly put you in a difficult financial situation.

Without back-up, you can risk landing in debt should you experience a financial set-back.

How much to sock away for a rainy day is highly personal. But a common rule of thumb is to create an emergency fund that has enough money to cover three to six months of living expenses. You may need more or less, depending on your situation.

If you already have a decent cash cushion, you may next want to think about what large purchases you are hoping to make in the not-too-distant future, say, less than five years.

This could be a downpayment on a home, a renovation project, taking a special family vacation, buying a new car, or any financial step that requires a large infusion of cash.

Then consider using at least some of your bonus check to jump start these savings goals, or add to previously established ones.

It’s a good idea to put money you are saving for a short-term goal (whether it’s a downpayment or an emergency fund) in an account that is safe, earns interest, and will allow you to access it when you need it.

Some options include a savings account at a bank, an online savings account, a checking and savings account, or a certificate of deposit (CD). Keep in mind, though, that with a CD, you typically need to leave the money untouched for a certain period of time.

Invest for the Future

Bonus money can also help you start investing in longer term goals, such as retirement or paying for a child’s education. Using bonus money to buy investments can help you create additional wealth over time.

For example, a lump sum of cash can work wonders in boosting your retirement savings. Even if you’re technically on track for retirement, adding more money to your IRA or 401(k) today can leave you with a larger income stream when you’re older. If you’re already contributing to these accounts, be aware of the annual limits.

You can contribute to your retirement using your bonus in a couple of ways. Many companies will automatically deduct from your bonus for your 401(k) at the same rate as usual.

You can also ask your company in advance if you can have a special withholding for your bonus. You may be able to fill out a form (or go onto the company portal) to designate up to 100 percent of your bonus to your 401(k).

If you can’t direct that money to your 401(k), and you’re eligible for an IRA, consider maxing that out instead.

Either one can help get you closer to a great retirement–and may also help you save significantly on taxes in the short term.

People who have kids may want to consider putting some bonus money toward starting, or adding to, a college savings account, such as a 529 plan (which in some states can offer tax benefits).

For financial goals outside of retirement, you may want to look into opening a brokerage account.

This is an investment account that allows you to buy and sell investments like stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. A taxable brokerage account does not offer the same tax incentives as a 401(k) or an IRA, but is much more flexible in terms of when the money can be accessed.

How much of your bonus you should put towards long-term investments is an individual decision that will depend on your current financial circumstances.

The Takeaway

No matter the size of your hard-earned bonus, it’s a good idea to think about how it can best serve you and your goals in both the short and long term. Some smart ways to use bonus money include getting ahead of high-interest debt, setting up or enlarging your emergency fund, saving up for a large purchase (such as a home), as well as beefing up retirement savings and other long-term investments.

You can mix and match smart spending and smart saving to fit your financial situation. One easy way to do this is to sign up for an online bank account from SoFi Checking and Savings. You’ll earn a competitive annual percentage yield, pay no account fees, and you’ll spend and save — all in one convenient place. Whether you’re saving for something specific or storing cash until you’re ready to invest, SoFi Checking and Savings can help you put that year-end bonus to good use.

Help your money work harder for you with SoFi.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice.

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