Adjusting Your Budget for Working From Home

Adjusting Your Budget for Working From Home

Working from home is more common than ever. What was once a fantastic work perk has become the norm for many occupations. According to the Pew Research Center, 59% of workers who are able to work remotely continue to do so by choice in 2022, even as many others are returning to the office.

If you’re one of those fortunate enough to continue working from home (or have the option to), your budget probably looks a lot different than it used to. Commuting expenses turned into food delivery charges and wardrobe spending turned into exercise subscriptions. You might be trying to keep your home at a comfortable temperature in the middle of the day, which increases the cost of utilities. You may also have substantial costs maintaining a work-from-home office.

If you need to make some adjustments in your work-from-home (WFH) budget, check out these tips.

How Working From Home Affects Your Spending

Working from home changes what you spend money on — and possibly how much you spend every month. You probably expect to save on regular expenses that you no longer have like transportation and lunches out. But you’ll spend more in other areas such as electricity, heat, maybe decorating the space behind your desk chair for video meetings.

Here are some big expenses you may have already incurred:

Home Office Equipment

When you’re regularly working from home, the dining table may not be a great place to set up shop. Also, a chair that is meant for all-day sitting, aka an ergonomic chair, may lessen any stiffness or aching you feel in your back or neck.

If you’re a fantastic scavenger, you might have scored a desk and good chair for free, but most people spend anywhere between $240 to $2,500 on basic office furniture. If you needed to add an office to the existing space in your home via a remodel, you could have paid anywhere between $15,000 and $80,000.

Technology

Your company likely provided a laptop. But connecting it to a larger screen makes work easier on the eyes. And if you have a lot of programs open, two monitors are even better. Likewise, a full-sized keyboard and mouse help reduce the strain on your back and shoulders. And if you video-conference a lot, a ring light, external mic, and wireless headphones can enhance the experience — all of which are likely not offered by your IT department.

Fitness Equipment

If you’re not going out to work out in the gym, you may have invested in some fitness equipment such as an indoor exercise bike or treadmill as well as subscriptions for your at-home workouts.

Steps for Adjusting Your Work From Home Budget

More than two years into working from home (if you started when the pandemic did), you’ve likely made any big office furniture and technology purchases already. So now you just need to figure out how much more or less you are regularly spending. These steps can help:

Track current and pre-pandemic home and home-office expenses

Combing through your bank account and credit card statements, calculate what you’re spending on electricity, gas, water, internet, cell phone, landline, printer cartridges, paper, and office supplies for at least one month — and the same month in 2019. To get a better picture of costs, you may want to compute costs for the past three months and corresponding three months in 2019 (or even better, the past 12 months and corresponding 12 months in 2018 and 2019) and get an average. Now subtract your pre-pandemic costs (probably the smaller number) from your current costs. This is roughly how much your monthly home expenses have increased.

Track current and pre-pandemic office or work expenses

Include work clothes, shoes, dry cleaning, gas or other commuting expenses, lunch, happy hour bills, coffee drinks, and anything else related to work. Again, you can do this for one month this year and the corresponding month in 2019. Or for three months this year and pre-pandemic or last 12 months and corresponding months pre-pandemic — and calculate the average. Next, subtract today’s costs (probably the smaller number) from your pre-pandemic costs. This is roughly how much your monthly office or work-related expenses have fallen.

Compare your home costs to your office expenses

Do your increased costs offset your decreased costs so that you’re basically spending the same amount now than you did pre-pandemic? That’s great! There are no adjustments to make.

If you’re spending more now than pre-pandemic, find ways to save

Part of the increase is likely related to inflation, but you’ll still want to lower your home expenses that have increased. Find areas to target for making cuts, below.

Or perhaps you want to rethink working from home if your company is offering flexibility. Read on for WFH pros and cons to help you make the decision.

Recommended: How Much Money Should I Save a Month?

If you’re spending less now than pre-pandemic, find ways to grow your savings — and celebrate!

It looks like you are keeping more of your paycheck working from home. It’s no surprise, actually: average commute costs exceed $4,500 each year, and that figure continues to climb with rising gas prices. Of course, you could spend some of the freed-up disposable income, but you may be best off putting the money somewhere it can grow. Check out some ideas, below.

Ways to Trim Costs in a Work-From-Home Budget

If your WFH budget needs some recalibrating, here’s where you may want to look for costs that can be cut.

Utilities

Working from home means you’ll most likely see a bump in utility costs to keep everyone comfortable throughout the day. California residents, for example, used 15-20% more energy through 2020 than the previous year. To shave costs, consider taking energy-conserving steps such as shutting down your computer at the end of the workday and closing AC and heat vents and doors of unused rooms during the day.

Food

You’re likely spending less on lunch if you are making it in your kitchen. But are you? Or are you ordering in dinner more than before? Food delivery apps saw tremendous growth during the pandemic — as did online grocery delivery services. When looking for ways to cut expenses, you may want to limit how many times you order in a week — and stop having your groceries delivered.

Potential Impulsive Spending

According to a study of 2,000 Americans in 2020, the pandemic brought on a slew of impulse purchases, especially in hard-hit areas with shortages and price increases. At the time of the poll, the price of the average impulse buy was more than $180. Be aware of this whether you’re shopping online or in person.

Recommended: 33 Ways to Make Money From Home

Get up to $300 when you bank with SoFi.

Open a SoFi Checking and Savings Account with direct deposit and get up to a $300 cash bonus. Plus, get up to 4.60% APY on your cash!


What to Do With Saved Money From Working From Home

During the pandemic, the personal savings rate skyrocketed to as much as 33% — almost five times what Americans were normally able to save prior to the shutdown (7%). Working from home turned out to be a boon for the bank accounts of many. If you’ve been able to save as a result of working from home, you may want to consider making one or more of these moves:

•   Pay off debt

•   Start an emergency fund if you don’t have one yet

•   Increase your contribution to your retirement account

•   Park the money in a high-yield savings account

•   Invest through a brokerage account

Rethinking Working From Home

If your employer is letting you choose where you work and you are spending more now than you did before, you may want to reconsider working from home. Consider which advantages and disadvantages apply to you, and how much they matter to you.

Advantages of Working From Home

•   Flexibility

•   Better work-life balance

•   No commuting

•   Fewer office politics

•   More independence

•   Save on expenses like wardrobe, coffee runs, lunches with coworkers

Disadvantages of Working From Home

•   Lack of separation between work and personal life

•   Increased childcare or housework load

•   Many, many distractions at home

•   Possible less productivity

•   Weaker connections to coworkers

•   Isolated work environment

Figuring out how to make working from home work is no small task. Beyond the increased amount of juggling you’ll have to do, many struggle with how to stay productive working from home. Some people prefer the environment of a formal office.

The Takeaway

Working from home has its pluses and minuses — and one plus is saving money on all the expenses that come with commuting to work, having to be presentable, and eating lunch outside the home. But if your work-from-home expenses exceed those savings, you may want to look for ways to lower your spending — and possibly reconsider working from home (if it’s optional).

But if you’re saving more by working from home, you’ll want to figure out where best to sock away the money. If you decide you want to keep it liquid but still have it earn interest, SoFi high-yield banking offers a competitive APY with direct deposit. You’ll also pay no minimum account fees, monthly account fees, or overdraft fees.

Get the most out of your money with SoFi Checking and Savings.

FAQ

How much money do you save when working from home?

How much money you save working from home depends on your situation and personal habits. If you no longer have high transportation costs or pay less for childcare, you could be saving a substantial amount of money. If you’re spending more on utilities or food delivery while working from home, you may not save that much.

Does working from home cost more?

Working from home may increase costs in your utilities, groceries, and home office equipment. However, it may be cheaper if you had been paying a lot in transportation and wardrobe expenses that are no longer required.

Is it better or worse to work at home?

While some appreciate the found time from not commuting back and forth or freedom from not having someone breathing down their necks, others enjoy the structure and separate space that working from an office provides. The financial impact on your life will also vary according to your circumstances.


Photo credit: iStock/AsiaVision

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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Guide to Saving Money During the Summer: 10 Tips

Guide to Saving Money During the Summer: 10 Tips

Summertime can lure us into spending more money simply because our usual habits and routines are disrupted. Kids are out of school and desperate for entertainment. Adults are eager to spend time outdoors after months of being stuck at home.

In the heat of the moment, it’s easy to forget that summer fun comes at a cost. To make the most of the season without breaking the bank, keep reading for 10 tips on how to save money in the summer and how to stick to a summer budget.

Why Saving and Budgeting in the Summer Can Be Tough

Holidays aside, many of us are satisfied spending the colder months curled up on the couch enjoying a succession of movie marathons. So when summer rolls around, we’re eager to get outside — and that increases the temptations to spend exponentially. Because while sun and surf are technically free of charge, the food, drink, and transportation costs that inevitably follow can steadily chip away at your summer budget.

Another reason that saving money in summer can be tough is the spontaneous nature of summer fun. Consider that last-minute happy hour invite to a new rooftop bar ($$). Or those friends who have an empty bedroom in their rental house by the lake ($$$$). The last thing you want to think about is your bank account. And the less advance planning that’s involved, the more likely it is you’re living beyond your means.

10 Tips for Saving in the Summer

Sure, small indulgences add up over time. But so do honest attempts to curtail overspending. Let’s look at 10 ways to save money and get financially fit for the summer.

Recommended: Where to Keep Your Travel Fund

1. Not Feeling Obligated to Plan a Vacation

From airfares to gas prices, travel costs soar during the summer. Planning your big trip for the fall, when prices drop, can make it easier to stretch a travel budget. The benefits aren’t just financial: You’ll enjoy fewer crowds and less sweltering temperatures. And you can still arrange a few fun yet inexpensive staycations for summer.

2. Finding Local Events in Your Community

Many communities host special summer events like outdoor movie nights and concerts, street festivals, and sports tournaments — most of which are free to attend. Make a point of checking out free events in your area. You may discover your neighborhood has more to offer than you ever imagined.

Recommended: Visiting National Parks on a Budget

3. Suspending Your Gym Membership

When the skies are clear, who needs an indoor treadmill? Pause your gym membership during the summer months, and go for a run in the park instead. You may save enough cash to book an affordable vacation in summer.

4. Using the Outside to Cool Your House and Car

Open windows before bed and early in the morning, and use fans to keep indoor air moving. You’ll cool your home without having to rely on air conditioning. You may even find you prefer the feel of no AC.

Did you know using your car’s air conditioning can reduce your gas mileage? On hot days, park your car in the shade and place a sunshade over your windshield to reduce the need to crank the AC during your next quick trip.

5. Planning Ahead Before Going to the Store

No matter the season, a shopping list can help prevent overspending at the market. After all, groceries take a major chunk of your monthly budget. In the summer, it’s natural to enjoy wandering around air conditioned grocers and big-box stores. But that strategy (or lack thereof) may lead to a cart filled with impulse purchases. Create a shopping list before heading to the store, and try not to stray from it.

6. Tracking Your Spending

Another seasonless tip for sticking to a budget is to track your spending, especially for unplanned events. Generally, when consumers track how they spend their money, they become more mindful of their purchases and actually find it easier to stick to a budget. (Bonus: They’re also more likely to catch fraudulent charges on their credit cards.)

Get up to $300 when you bank with SoFi.

Open a SoFi Checking and Savings Account with direct deposit and get up to a $300 cash bonus. Plus, get up to 4.60% APY on your cash!


7. Setting Budget Limits

Setting summer budget limits, on things like dining out and airfare, can help you squirrel away extra cash for next year’s big trip. That’s because budgeting is the leading strategy to help you reach financial goals. By seeing how much money is left over at the end of each week or month, you can earmark that amount for more long-term costs.

8. Utilizing Cash Over Credit Cards

Paying cash for summer activities can protect your budget in more ways than one. First, cash is more concrete: Forking over multiple Jacksons will slow your spending better than throwing down a card.

Second, if you can’t afford to pay off your entire credit card bill each month, relying on cash will help you avoid paying interest on the balance.

9. Suspending Unused Monthly Subscriptions

From streaming services to meal kit delivery, monthly subscriptions can really add up. It’s important to review subscription charges on a monthly basis to see which no longer make the cut. And because our habits change so drastically in the summer, you may find you can cancel or pause some subs until you need them again.

10. Planning Accordingly if You Are Vacationing

For families with school-age children, summer may be the only time they can take a real vacation. If you hope to take a summer trip, you’ll benefit from creating a special vacation budget that outlines how much you plan to spend for things like dining out, activities, hotels, and souvenirs. Going overboard now and then is only human, but setting a detailed budget makes it less likely you’ll overdo it.

Managing Your Finances With SoFi

To get the benefits of both worlds, you may want to open an online bank account with SoFi. You’ll be able to easily access your money with mobile banking and our network of 55,000+ fee-free ATMs, and with direct deposit, you’ll earn a competitive APY. Plus, you won’t pay any monthly fees or other account fees.

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

FAQ

How can I save money on summer vacation?

Choosing less trendy destinations and creating a detailed vacation budget can make it easier to save money on a summer vacation. Avoiding travel around holiday weekends can also save you a bundle, as can postponing your big trip until after Labor Day.

Why is it hard to save money in the summer?

In a nutshell, our habits and routines change significantly with the seasons. Keeping kids entertained during the long school break, spending less time at home, and going on vacation can all tempt folks to hand over more cash than they should.

Where do budgets change the most during summer?

We all tend to spend a lot more on things like travel, entertainment, and dining out in the summer. Some less exciting costs can also run higher, like electric and water bills thanks to increased air conditioning and garden maintenance.


Photo credit: iStock/Hispanolistic

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


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

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

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

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

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

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


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Differences Between Time Deposits and Demand Deposits

Differences Between Time Deposits and Demand Deposits

A demand deposit account is a type of bank account that allows you to withdraw money “on demand,” without having to provide advance notice beforehand. Time deposit accounts only allow you to withdraw funds once the account reaches maturity.

Banks and credit unions typically offer both demand deposit and time deposit accounts, though you might know them better as checking and savings accounts (demand deposit accounts) and certificates of deposit, or CDs (a time deposit account).

These two types of accounts are designed to meet different financial goals. Understanding the difference between demand deposits vs. time deposits can help you decide where to put your money.

What Are Time Deposits?

Time deposit accounts are savings accounts that require you to keep your money in the account for a set time frame. They can also be called term deposit accounts or term deposits since the bank can specify the term that the money must stay in place.

If you’d like to withdraw money before the term ends, the bank may allow that. However, they will likely charge you a penalty fee. They may also require you to give them a certain amount of advance, either in writing, in-person, or over the phone. Once you open a time deposit account, you typically can’t add any additional funds at a later date.

How a Time Deposit Works

A time deposit works by effectively “locking in” your money for a set time period or term. During this term, your money can earn interest at a rate specified by the bank.

A certificate of deposit account is the most common type of a time deposit or term deposit account. Banks often offer CDs with varying maturity terms, which can range anywhere from one month to five years or more.

While your money is in the CD, it earns interest. Once the CD matures, you can do one of two things:

•   Roll the principal and interest earned into a new CD with different terms

•   Withdraw the principal and interest earned

If you take money out of the CD before it matures, the bank will likely impose an early withdrawal penalty. This penalty usually involves forfeiting some of the interest earned. The size of the penalty can vary depending on how early you withdraw the money and the length of the CD.

What Are Demand Deposits?

With a demand deposit account, you are allowed to put money into the account or take money out of the account when you want and without giving any advance notice. Demand deposit accounts include checking accounts, savings accounts, and money market accounts.

The money in a demand deposit account is generally considered to be liquid, or ready cash, and you can withdraw any amount (including the entire balance) at any time without paying a penalty. However, some banks may charge a fee if you exceed a certain number of withdrawals from a savings account within one month.

How a Demand Deposit Works

Demand deposit accounts work by allowing you convenient, flexible access to your money. The most common example of a demand deposit account is a checking account. With a checking account, you can deposit money, then access it by:

•   Using a debit card to make purchases online or in stores

•   Withdrawing cash at ATMs or through a teller

•   Scheduling online bill payments

•   Linking it to mobile payment apps

A trade off for this easy access to your money is that demand deposit accounts typically don’t pay high rates of interest, and checking accounts generally don’t pay any interest at all. While you can sometimes find an interest-bearing checking account, checking account interest rates tend to be on the lower side.

There are other types of interest-bearing accounts that fall under the demand deposit umbrella. They include: traditional savings accounts, high-yield savings accounts, money market accounts, and kids’ savings accounts.

Recommended: How Do Calculate Interest on a Savings Account?

Get up to $300 when you bank with SoFi.

Open a SoFi Checking and Savings Account with direct deposit and get up to a $300 cash bonus. Plus, get up to 4.60% APY on your cash!


Federal Insurance for Demand and Time Deposits

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) provides insurance coverage for member banks, which is passed on to account holders. The FDIC insures both demand and time deposit accounts, including:

•   Checking accounts

•   Savings accounts

•   Money market accounts

•   CD accounts

The standard FDIC coverage limit is $250,000 per depositor, per account ownership type, per financial institution. The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) offers similar coverage for time and demand deposit accounts held at member credit unions.

Demand Deposit Pros

When comparing demand deposit vs. time deposit accounts, it helps to understand the pros and cons of each type of account.

Here are some of main benefits of demand deposit accounts:

•   They give you access to your money without being required to give the bank advance notice.

•   They offer multiple ways to manage and access money, including online and mobile banking, automated clearing house (ACH) transfers, direct deposit, ATM banking, and branch banking.

•   There is the potential to earn interest on balances and, in some cases, rewards on purchases.

Demand Deposit Cons

While demand deposit accounts can make managing money and growing savings convenient, there are some potential downsides to keep in mind. These include:

•   There may be monthly fees or other fees.

•   Since interest rates can vary, you may need to shop around to find the best rate.

•   Banks may limit the number of withdrawals you’re allowed each month.

Time Deposit Pros

Time deposit accounts can be a great place to keep your savings — if you understand how they work. Here are some of the advantages of opening a time deposit account:

•   They offer a guaranteed rate of interest, so there’s very little risk of losing money.

•   They typically offer a higher interest rate than you can get on a demand deposit account.

•   There are generally no fees if you leave the money in the account until maturity.

Time Deposit Cons

Opening a time deposit account could make sense if you want a place to park your money for several months to years and earn a higher rate of interest. But it’s important to keep these cons in mind:

•   You may pay an early withdrawal penalty if you need to take any or all of the money out prior to maturity.

•   There is often a minimum deposit required.

•   Most time deposit accounts do not allow you to make additional deposits once the account is open.

How to Choose Between a Demand and Time Deposit Account

Demand deposit vs. time deposit: which one should you pick? The answer will depend on your financial needs and goals.

You might choose a demand deposit account if you:

•   Want convenient access to your money via a debit or ATM card, online banking, mobile banking, or at a branch

•   Want to be able to earn some interest on your savings while still having easy access to the money

•   Don’t mind the possibility of paying checking or savings account fees

A time deposit account, on the other hand, may be more appropriate if you:

•   Want to earn a higher interest rate than you can get on a standard checking or savings account at a bank

•   Have a sum of money you don’t need to touch for the immediate future

One good solution is to have a mix of demand deposit accounts and time deposits. This might include a checking account (for paying bills and everyday spending), a savings account (to hold your emergency fund), and one or more CD accounts to fund your longer-term goals. Just be sure to pay attention to minimum balance requirements and fees for each account you open.

When choosing between different types of savings accounts and CDs, you’ll also want to consider the interest rate and the annual percentage yield (APY). The difference between the interest rate vs. APY is that the APY tells you the total amount of interest you earn on the account over one year. While it’s based on the interest rate, the APY also takes into account the compounding interest (when interest accrues on previously accrued interest) to give you the most accurate idea of what you’ll earn in a year.

APY, however, is not to be confused with annual percentage yield, or APR, which refers to what you can owe in interest charges on a loan.

Recommended: Fixed vs. Variable Rate Loans

The Takeaway

There are two key differences between demand deposit and time deposit accounts: how easily you can access the money in the account and how much interest the account earns.

Demand deposit accounts (which include checking accounts, savings accounts and money market accounts) allow you to withdraw money from the account at any time, whereas time deposit accounts (such as CDs) require you to deposit your money for a specific length of time. While demand deposit accounts offer more flexibility, they typically offer lower interest rates than time deposit accounts.

To get the benefits of both worlds, you may want to open an online bank account with SoFi. You’ll be able to easily access your money with mobile banking and our network of 55,000+ fee-free ATMs, and with direct deposit also earning competitive interest. Plus, you won’t pay any monthly fees or other account fees.

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

FAQ

What is the difference between demand deposit and time deposit?

The key difference between demand deposit vs. time deposit is access. With demand deposit accounts, you generally access your money at any time without paying a penalty or giving the bank any advance notice. With time deposit accounts, you generally can’t withdraw money until the account reaches maturity.

Which type of deposits with the banks are called demand deposits?

Demand deposit accounts include checking accounts, savings accounts, and money market accounts. Checking accounts can allow you to use a debit card, pay bills online, and manage money through online and mobile banking. Savings accounts are used to hold money you don’t plan to spend right away and may offer interest. Money market accounts combine features of both checking and savings accounts.

Why are demand deposits considered money?

Demand deposit accounts hold money that you can withdraw whenever you want. You can use this account to get cash, pay bills, make purchases, or complete other financial transactions.


Photo credit: iStock/FG Trade

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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Guide to Postdated Checks

Guide to Postdated Checks

If a check writer doesn’t want the payee to be able to cash it immediately, they may choose to “postdate” it: On the date line they will simply write in a future date. This can be helpful if someone needs to deliver a check before they have the funds necessary for the check to clear in their account.

What is a postdated check? Keep reading to learn more about how this payment process works.

What Is a Postdated Check?

What does it mean to postdate a check? When someone writes a postdated check, they write a future date on the check instead of the date the check was actually written. A payer might do this so a check can’t be deposited until that later date (when they’ll have the funds available in their bank account). This can come in handy when someone wants to mail a check to pay a bill before the due date, but knows their paycheck won’t be deposited into their account until a later date.

Writing a postdated check involves the same process as writing a normal check, except the current date isn’t used.

Are Postdated Checks Legal?

Usually, postdated checks are legal in the U.S., but it’s worth verifying the rules in the state where the check writer lives. Note that these guidelines may not cover cashier’s checks or traveler’s checks, which have their own rules and limitations.

Word to the wise: Postdating is sometimes used for fraudulent purposes, so think twice before agreeing to accept a postdated check, especially from someone you don’t know well.

Recommended: How to Verify a Check Before Depositing

Can You Cash a Postdated Check?

Generally, the payee has to wait to cash a postdated check until the date specified on the check arrives. That being said, some financial institutions may cash a check prior to that date.

If a payer wants to guarantee that a check won’t be cashed until a certain date, they can make a formal post-dating request with their bank. The bank may charge a fee to do this.

Even if a bank or credit union is willing to cash a postdated check before the date written on the check, the payee may be better off waiting to cash it. The odds are that the payer added a postdate because at the time they didn’t have the funds available in their account to cover the check.

If the payee cashes it too soon, the check may bounce and cause problems for both parties. If the payee is eager to cash the check earlier, they may want to consult the payer on whether or not it’s safe to do so.

Recommended: How to Sign Over a Check to Someone Else

Get up to $300 when you bank with SoFi.

Open a SoFi Checking and Savings Account with direct deposit and get up to a $300 cash bonus. Plus, get up to 4.60% APY on your cash!


Alternatives to Postdated Checks

Check writers who want to buy some time until a deposit to their account clears have other options besides postdated checks.

Online and Automatic Bill Payments

One option for making future payments without having to postdate a check is to go digital: The payer can go online to schedule a bill to be paid on the exact date of their choosing. As a bonus, there’s no need to order checks or manage a checkbook with this payment method.

At your request, some businesses — including mortgage, utility, and credit card companies — can change the due date of your monthly bill to one of your choosing. For instance, if you get paid on the first of the month, you can request that the due date of your rent or mortgage payment always be 3 days later. That way, you can set up automated bill pay without worrying about your transaction clearing.

Payment Plans

Before you consider postdating a check to avoid overdrawing your checking account, ask if the business will offer you a payment plan. Some companies will allow individuals to make smaller, incremental payments over time rather than one big payment. Make sure to find out first if the payment plan involves a fee or interest.

Banking With SoFi

SoFi Checking and Savings makes banking online super convenient. There are no overdraft fees, minimum balance fees, or other monthly fees. And members have fee-free access to more than 55,000 ATMs within the Allpoint® Network.

Learn more about the perks of a SoFi Checking and Savings account

FAQ

Is postdating a check illegal?

No, it’s generally not illegal to postdate a check. That said, it’s a good idea to learn about the laws governing postdating checks in your area. Postdating a check can be considered a crime if the payer’s account does not have the required funds to process the check and if they intended to defraud the payee when they issued the postdated check.

Can you deposit a postdated check?

Some banks accept postdated checks if they are dated and signed. However, since postdated checks are often used when the payer is waiting for funds to clear in their account, you may be better off just waiting for the date on the check.

What is postdating a payment?

Postdating a payment refers to postdating a check. When someone postdates a check, that signals that they don’t want the payee to cash the check until that date. Some banks or credit unions still allow payees to cash postdated checks if they are signed by the payer. So if someone really doesn’t want a check to cash before a certain date, they should ask their bank about issuing a formal post-dating notice (which may incur a fee).


Photo credit: iStock/AndreyPopov

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.


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Understanding How P2P Lending Works

Understanding How P2P Lending Works

Sometimes you need a loan for a venture that a traditional bank might not approve. In these instances, a peer-to-peer (P2P) loan might be what you’re looking for. Peer-to-peer lending, also known as social lending, rose out of the 2008 financial crisis. When banks stopped lending money as freely as they had in the past, potential borrowers had fewer loan options. At the same time, low interest rates meant lower returns from savings accounts or CDs.

Enter P2P lending sites. P2P lenders essentially cut out the middleman (banks and traditional lenders) and created a space for borrowers and investors to do business. Since then, the concept of lending person-to-person has taken off, with the rise of a number of peer-to-peer lending platforms.

Wondering if a P2P loan is right for you? Or if investing in P2P lending is a smart way to diversify your portfolio? Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons.

What Is Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Lending?

P2P lending links up people who want to borrow money with individual investors who want to lend money. P2P lending sites like Lending Club, Prosper, and Upstart — three of the largest P2P lenders — provide low-cost platforms where borrowers can request loans and investors can bid on them.

Most of the personal loans offered on P2P platforms range from $1,000 to $40,000 and have repayment periods of approximately 36 months. Interest rates can vary widely, from around 6% to 36%, depending on factors including the purpose of a loan and the individual’s credit history and perceived risk.

The lending platforms make money from serving as the intermediary in this process. In exchange for keeping records and transferring funds between parties, they charge a fee — typically a 1% annual fee — to the investors lending the money. Some platforms also charge origination or closing fees to the borrowers, which typically range from 1% to 5% of the loan amount.

In addition to personal loans, many P2P platforms may also offer small business, medical, and education loans as well.

Is Peer-to-Peer Lending Safe?

The bulk of the risk of peer-to-peer lending falls onto investors. It’s possible that borrowers will default on their loans, and that risk increases if the investor opts to lend to those with lower credit ratings. If the loan were to go into default, the investor may not get paid back.

Further, peer-to-peer lending is an investment opportunity, and returns are never guaranteed when investing. There is the risk that investors could lose some or all of the amount they invest. Unlike deposit accounts with a traditional bank or credit union, P2P investments are not FDIC-insured.

How Does Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Lending Work?

The basic P2P lending process works like this: A borrower first goes through a quick soft credit pull with the P2P lending platform of their choice to determine initial eligibility. If eligible to continue, the lender likely will conduct a hard credit pull and then assign a borrower a “loan grade,” which will help lenders or investors assess how much of a risk lending to them might be.

The borrower can then make a listing for their loan, including the interest rate they’re willing to pay. With most P2P lending platforms, the borrower has an opportunity to make a case for themselves; they can provide an introduction and describe why they need the loan. A compelling, creative listing might have more luck grabbing a lender’s attention and trust.

Next, lenders can bid on the listing with the amount they can lend and the interest rate they’d be willing to offer. After the listing has ended, the qualified bids are combined into a single loan and that amount is deposited into the borrower’s bank account.

Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Lending Examples

With the rise of P2P lending, there are now a number of lending platforms to choose from. Here are some examples of popular peer-to-peer lending sites:

•   LendingClub: LendingClub offers loans of up to $40,000 that can be used for a variety of purposes, including paying down high-interest debt or funding a home improvement project. Borrowers can receive funding in as little as 24 hours upon loan approval.

•   Prosper: Prosper can provide loans in amounts anywhere from $2,000 up to $40,000. Loan terms are three or five years, and funding can happen in as little as one business day.

•   Upstart: Upstart can offer borrowers loans of up to $50,000, with loan terms of either three or five years. It’s possible to check your rate in minutes, and most loans are funded within one business day after signing.

Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Lending for Bad Credit

It is possible to get a peer-to-peer loan with a bad credit score (meaning a FICO score below 580). However, those with lower credit scores will almost certainly pay higher interest rates.

Additionally, those with bad credit may have more limited options in lenders, though there are peer-to-peer lending for bad credit options. Many platforms have minimum credit score requirements, which tend to be in the range of fair (580-669) to good (670-739). For instance, Prosper, one of the major P2P lending platforms, requires a minimum score of 680.

If you have bad credit and are seeking a P2P loan, you might first work to improve your credit score before applying. Or, you could consider getting a cosigner, which can increase your odds of getting approved and securing a better rate if you’re finding it hard to get a personal loan.

Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Lenders Fees

Peer-to-peer lending platforms can charge fees to both borrowers and investors. Which fees apply and the amount of these fees can vary from lender to lender.

A common fee that borrowers may encounter is an origination fee, which is typically a percentage of the loan amount. Other fees that borrowers may face include late fees, returned payment fees, and fees for requesting paper copies of records.

Investors, meanwhile, may owe an investor service fee. This is generally a percentage of the amount of loan payments they receive.

Pros of Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Lending

There are upsides to peer-to-peer lending for both borrowers and investors. However, the benefits will differ for both parties involved.

Pros of P2P Loans for Borrowers

•   Easier eligibility: The biggest advantage for a borrower getting a personal loan peer-to-peer is being eligible for a loan they might not have been able to get from a traditional lender.

•   Faster approval and competitive rates: P2P lenders might approve your loan faster and offer a more competitive rate than a traditional lender would.

•   Possible to pay off credit card debt: One way that people are using P2P loans is to crush their credit card debt. People with high credit card balances could be paying up to 20% APR or higher in interest charges. If they can wipe it out with a P2P loan at a lower interest rate, it can save them a lot of money.

•   Option to finance upcoming expenses: Those who are facing a lot of upcoming expenses might find it more cost-effective to take out a P2P loan rather than put those expenses on a high-interest credit card.

Pros of P2P Loans for Investors

•   Promising alternative investment opportunity: Some see P2P lending as a promising alternative investment. When you lend money P2P, you can earn income on the returns as the borrower repays you. Those interest rates can be a few percentage points higher than what you might earn by keeping your money in a savings account or a CD. While there is some risk involved, some investors see it as less volatile than investing in the stock market.

•   Option to spread out risk: P2P lenders also offer many options in terms of the types of risk investors want to take on. Additionally, there are ways you can spread the amount you’re lending over multiple loans with different risk levels.

•   Sense of community: For borrowers and investors, the sense of community on these sites is a welcome alternative to other forms of lending and investing. Borrowers can tell their stories and investors can help give their borrowers a happy ending to those stories.

Cons of Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Lending

Though there are upsides to peer-to-peer lending, there are certainly problems as well. These include:

•   Risk for investors: The biggest disadvantage of P2P lending is risk. Since P2P loans are unsecured, there’s no guarantee an investor will get their money back. The borrowers on a P2P site might be there because traditional banks already declined their application. This means investors might need to do extra legwork on their end to evaluate how much risk they can take on.

•   Potentially higher rates for borrowers: For borrowers, while P2P lenders might approve a loan that a traditional bank wouldn’t, they might offer it with a much higher interest rate. In these cases, it could be wiser to search for alternatives rather than accepting a loan with a costly interest rate.

•   Effort and personal exposure for borrowers: There can be a lot of effort and personal exposure involved for the borrower. Borrowers have to make their case, and their financial story and risk grade will be posted for all to see. While we’re used to sharing a lot of our lives online, sharing financial information might feel like too much for some borrowers.

•   Relatively new industry with evolving regulations: Then there’s the risk of P2P lending itself. The concept is still relatively new, and the decision on how best to regulate and report on the industry is still very much a work in progress. Some lending platforms have already hit growing pains as well. As regulations around the industry change and investors are tempted elsewhere, the concept could lose steam, putting lending platforms in danger of closing.

Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Loans vs Bank Loans

When it comes to P2P loans compared to bank loans, the biggest difference is who is funding the loan. Whereas bank loans are funded by financial institutions, peer-to-peer loans are funded by individuals or groups of individuals.

Further, bank loans tend to have more stringent qualification requirements in comparison to P2P loans. This is why those with lower credit scores or thinner credit histories may turn to peer-to-peer lending after being denied by traditional lenders. In turn, default rates also tend to be higher with peer-to-peer lending.

The Takeaway

Peer-to-peer lending takes out the middleman, allowing borrowers and investors to do business. For borrowers, P2P loans can offer an opportunity to secure financing they may be struggling to access through traditional lenders. And for investors, P2P loans can offer an investing opportunity and a sense of community, as they’ll see where their money is going. However, there are drawbacks to consider before getting a peer-to-peer loan, namely the risk involved for investors.

Whether you’re getting a P2P loan or a loan from a traditional lender, it’s important to shop around to find the most competitive terms available to you. SoFi makes it easy to compare personal loan rates, and you can then apply online in just one minute.

Check out SoFi personal loans today to learn more!

FAQ

Is peer-to-peer lending safe?

There are certainly risks involved in peer-to-peer lending, particularly for investors. For one, borrowers could default on their loan, resulting in investors losing their money. Additionally, there’s no guarantee of returns when investing.

What is peer-to-peer lending?

Peer-to-peer lending is a type of lending wherein individual investors loan money directly to individual borrowers, effectively cutting out banks or other traditional financial institutions as the middlemen. This can allow borrowers who may have been denied by more traditional lenders to access funds, and provide investors with a shot at earning returns.

What is an example of peer-to-peer lending?

Some popular P2P lending sites include Lending Club, Prosper, Upstart, and Funding Circle. Borrowers can use peer-to-peer loans for a variety of purposes, such as home improvement, debt consolidation, small business costs, and major expenses like medical bills or car repairs.


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.

Checking Your Rates: To check the rates and terms you may qualify for, SoFi conducts a soft credit pull that will not affect your credit score. However, if you choose a product and continue your application, we will request your full credit report from one or more consumer reporting agencies, which is considered a hard credit pull and may affect your credit.

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.


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