Apr
22
2025
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Using the 30-Day Rule to Control Spending

By | Budgeting & Goals | No Comments

The 30-day rule says, when tempted to make an impulse purchase, to wait 30 days and see if you still really want the item. This can help you avoid overspending, veering away from your budget, and taking on credit card debt. It forces you to pump the brakes on a purchase and wait before buying.

Here, you’ll learn more about the 30-day rule and how it can help you save money.

Key Points

•  The 30-day rule advises to wait 30 days before making any non-essential purchases to ensure thoughtful spending.

•  Record the details of the desired item, including the price and location, for reference, and put a note in your calendar for 30 days later.

•  During the waiting period, evaluate the necessity and whether it fits within the budget.

•  After 30 days, compare the item’s price with other vendors to find the best deal.

•  If the item is still desired and affordable, proceed with the purchase.

What Is the 30-Day Rule?

The 30-day rule is a simple strategy that has the power to help you control your spending and make solid financial choices. Here’s how it works:

•   If you feel the urge to make a significant purchase of something that’s non-essential, whether it’s in a store or online, the rule says: Stop. Leave the store, or click away from the site.

•   Write down what you wanted to buy, along with where it can be found, and its price. Date the document and then mark on your calendar when 30 days will have passed.

•   Some people find this additional step helpful: Rather than just write down the amount of the discretionary purchase, you could put that amount of money into your savings account. Seeing your pumped-up savings account balance can potentially help you decide not to purchase something that’s an impulse buy.

•   During the 30 days, you can think about whether you really need the item or, if it’s a “want” rather than a “need,” whether you want to spend discretionary funds from your bank account on it.

•   After 30 days have passed, if you still wish to purchase the item, then you can potentially do so, knowing that it’s no longer an impulse buy. Rather, it’s likely to be a well thought-out and planned financial choice. It can also help your budget to compare prices with different vendors after you’ve made your decision to buy.

Pros and Cons of the 30-Day Savings Rule

Now that you understand the principle behind the 30-days savings rule, consider the upside:

•   It helps you avoid impulse buys.

•   It gives you time to assess a major purchase, comparison-shop, and budget.

•   It helps you avoid shopping due to boredom.

However, the 30-day savings rule can also have downsides:

•   It can lead to feelings of frustration or deprivation not to be able to buy in the moment.

•   If you wait 30 days and then decide to buy, the item you want could be more expensive or sold out.

Needs vs Wants

The 30-day rule can be an excellent way to manage the causes of overspending and help you differentiate needs from wants.

Examples of Needs

Needs are your basic living expenses; the items that are vital for daily life. For example, if you’re out of toilet paper, that clearly goes into the needs category, and doesn’t fit the rule. You could shop for a better price, sure, but it’s a pretty necessary purchase.

If your car is almost out of gas and you’ve got to drive to work in the morning, the same concept applies. Yes, if you need to eat dinner and the cupboards are bare and the fridge is empty, you’ll need food (but not necessarily steak and lobster).

Examples of Wants

On the other hand, wants are things that are not part of daily survival. Groceries to cook dinner are an example of needs, but a pricey sushi dinner or even that vanilla latte to go in the morning are clearly wants.

When it comes to shopping, you may find yourself giving into wants when you pick up some new shoes just because they’re on sale or decide to upgrade your phone even though your current one works fine.

There’s a middle ground, of course, where it may be tougher to decide if something is a need or want, and whether the rule applies. For example, you may have a big work conference coming up, and there’s a really sweet suit on sale.

On the one hand, you may have an outfit that will work just fine, but on the other, this one may be more appropriate, giving you the confidence to shine at the conference. In that case, it may make sense to think about the purchase for a day or two, rather than for a full 30.

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The Role of FOMO Spending

FOMO (which stands for Fear of Missing Out) spending is the kind in which you feel that if you don’t buy a particular item, you might miss out on something important. This could happen if you see social media posts where friends (and perhaps even people you don’t know!) are buying something you don’t have. That can lead to what’s known as FOMO spending.

This anxiety can significantly influence how people spend their money, serving as motivation to spend funds that they can’t really afford. Some points to consider:

•   The reality is that not everyone’s financial situation is the same. Your friends may earn a higher income, have a different debt situation, and manage lesser expenses than you do.

•   If you find yourself feeling peer pressure to spend in ways that aren’t healthy for your budget, it may make sense to come up with alternative, less expensive activities to do together.

   For instance, instead of going out to an expensive new restaurant with a friend, you could cook together. And just because everyone else may seem to be spending their summer vacation at a far-flung destination doesn’t mean you can’t have a great getaway at a nearby cabin on a lake or travel somewhere exotic during the off-season.

•   If you’re more tempted to buy when you use your credit or debit card, it may be wise to bring a set amount of cash instead when going to spending-trigger locations. If you love to shop, shop, “window-shop” online to your heart’s content, and then maybe consider visiting a brick-and-mortar store when it’s time to make a purchase. This can help ensure that the item lives up to your expectations.

Each of these strategies is a way of practicing delayed gratification — and there are plenty of benefits to engaging in this healthy behavior (besides from possibly fattening your wallet).

Recommended: Why Do We Feel Guilty Spending Money?

Benefits of Delayed Gratification

Delayed gratification, according to studies, is often a trait found in successful people. When someone can delay satisfaction until the appropriate time, they are more likely to thrive financially, as well as in their relationships, careers, and health than those who haven’t yet mastered the skill.

It isn’t always easy to wait when doing something might make you feel good right now, but waiting can lead to bigger rewards in the future. As this becomes a practice, it can help to boost your overall self-control and achieve long-term goals.

One of the more well-known studies on delayed gratification involves, of all things, marshmallows. This study was conducted at Stanford University in the 1960s, and went like this:

•   Participating children were taken into a room where they each found one marshmallow on their plates.

•   The children could choose to eat their marshmallow now, or wait 15 minutes and then get a second one.

The children who chose to wait, the researchers discovered, had higher standardized test scores. They also were found to have fewer behavioral issues and health problems.

You might use this study to think about your own ability to wait for greater rewards. Focusing on finances, you might consider times when a quick impulse purchase didn’t turn out to be the best move, as well as times when saving for something better was ultimately more rewarding. These moves can help you cut back on spending and, say, build up an emergency fund.

Recommended: How to Achieve Financial Discipline

Tracking Your Spending and Saving

The above strategies all have one thing in common. They involve tracking your spending and saving so that you can make choices that fit your budget, lifestyle, goals, and dreams.

As part of that process, it may make sense to identify where you’re overspending. The reality is that it’s gotten super easy to spend — and, therefore, overspend — in today’s frictionless financial world.

You may find that you’re spending literally hundreds of dollars a month in ways you didn’t realize, whether that’s by picking up a quick coffee at the drive-thru window, a subscription you rarely use, or something else entirely.

When you know where your money is going, down to the last penny, it can help you adjust your budget in a way that prioritizes your financial needs and money goals. That could involve paying down debt, saving up for a vacation next summer, or banking some cash for the down payment on a house in the future.

Recommended: Savings Calculator

4 Other Tips and Strategies to Save Money

Here are some additional savings strategies to consider:

Pay Yourself First

Want to pay yourself first? You can do this by having money automatically deducted from your paycheck and transferred into your savings account. By automating your savings, you can make sure that you don’t spend money that can be helping to fund your future dreams.

Try Out Different Budget Methods

It can take a little trial and error to find a budget that works for you and your unique situation. Some people like the 50/30/20 rule, others use the envelope system, and there are many other options. Do a little online searching and experimenting to find one that works for you.

Use an App

Technology can help you track your spending and save more. Your financial institution may have tools that make this a snap. Or you might decide to take advantage of a roundup app that puts a little money into savings with every purchase you make. Again, see what your bank offers, or an online search can reveal alternatives.

Start a Side Hustle

Another way to save more is to earn more. Starting a low-cost side hustle can be one way to do just that. Whether that means walking dogs, selling your nature photos, or providing social media services for local businesses, there could be a simple and satisfying way to tap your talents and bring in more cash.

The Takeaway

The 30-day rule can help you save money. It says that if you are thinking of making an impulse purchase, you should wait 30 days before buying. If, after the end of that time, you still really, really want the item, go ahead and buy it if you can finance it. This can help you avoid overspending and racking up credit card debt. It may help you keep more money in your budget for essential spending or debt payments or in your bank account, earning some interest.

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


Better banking is here with SoFi, NerdWallet’s 2024 winner for Best Checking Account Overall.* Enjoy up to 3.80% APY on SoFi Checking and Savings.

FAQ

What is the 30-day rule for saving money?

With the 30-day rule, you wait 30 days before making a major purchase to be sure you really want or need it. This technique of waiting can help you delay gratification, feel more in control of your finances, and potentially avoid overspending on impulse buys.

Does the 30-days rule work?

The 30-day rule can work if you stick with it. By waiting 30 days before making a major purchase, you have time to consider whether you really need it, shop around for the best price, or decide that it was an impulse buy and you don’t really want it anymore.

What is the golden rule of saving money?

The golden rule of saving money is to save money before you spend. Some people refer to this as “paying yourself first.” By prioritizing saving, you can potentially minimize debt and reach your financial goals.

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Feb
26
2025
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How Much Money Should I Have Saved by 40?

By | Budgeting & Goals, Growing Wealth, invest, Investing, Preparing for Retirement | No Comments

By the time you reach 40, your retirement savings should ideally be on track to support a comfortable lifestyle once you stop working. But how do you know if you’re saving enough? Exactly how much should you have for retirement by age 40?

The answer depends on various factors, including your income, current expenses, and long-term financial goals. Below, we’ll walk you through key retirement savings benchmarks, simple ways to calculate your retirement savings target, and how to play catch-up if you’re behind.

Key Points

•   Aim to have three times your annual income saved for retirement by age 40.

•   Prioritize paying off high-interest debt over saving for retirement in your 40s.

•   Maximize contributions to 401(k) and IRA accounts to boost savings.

•   Consider Roth accounts for tax-free withdrawals in retirement.

•   Protect your retirement savings by building an emergency fund with at least six months’ worth of living expenses.

Understanding Your Retirement Savings at 40

Whether you have a full-time job or you’re self-employed, a smart way to save for retirement is in a retirement savings account, such as 401(k) or an individual retirement account (IRA). Unlike regular investment accounts, these accounts give you a tax break on your savings, either upfront or down the line when you withdraw the funds.

In the meantime, your money grows without being taxed.

A general rule of thumb is to save at least 15% to 20% of your income into your retirement fund. However, you may need to adjust this percentage based on your income and current monthly expenses.

💡 Quick Tip: Want to save more, spend smarter? Let your bank manage the basics. It’s surprisingly easy, and secure, when you open an online bank account.

Retirement Savings Benchmarks for 40-Year-Olds

Financial experts provide benchmarks to help gauge whether you’re on track with retirement saving. A common guideline suggests having two to three times your annual salary saved in a 401(l) or IRA by 40. For example, if you earn $80,000 per year, you should aim for $160,000 to $240,000 in retirement savings.

If you haven’t reached this benchmark, however, don’t get discouraged. There are ways to boost retirement savings in your 40s, plus ways to play catch-up later (more on that below).

Analyzing Personal Financial Circumstances

As you enter your 40s, it’s likely that your income is increasing. However, your expenses and financial obligations may also be on the rise. You may be managing mortgage payments, still paying off student loans, and also trying to save for a child’s future college education. Here’s a look at how to balance it all.

Income and Earning Potential

Your income level directly affects how much you can save for retirement. If your income is modest and your expenses are high, it may be difficult to put 10%, let alone 15%, of each paycheck into retirement. The key is to save a consistent percentage of each paycheck, even if it’s small. As your income grows, so will your contributions. As you earn more, you can also gradually bump up the percent you put into retirement savings.

Current Debt and Financial Obligations

In your 40s, you may have debts, which can hinder your ability to save for retirement. Which is wiser — saving for retirement or paying off your debts?

A general rule of thumb is to prioritize paying off high-interest debts, like credit cards, over saving for retirement. This is because your investment returns likely won’t exceed the interest you’re paying on your balances. With other debts, like student loans and a mortgage, however, it’s generally a good idea to balance paying them off while consistently contributing to retirement savings.

Recommended: Money Management Guide

Calculating Your Retirement Savings Target

So how much 401(k) should you have at 40? There are two guidelines financial planners often use to help people determine how much they should have in retirement savings. Here’s a closer look at each.

Salary Multiplier Method

This approach recommends saving a multiple of your salary at different life stages. While this method doesn’t account for any unique lifestyle choices or financial needs, it provides a quick and easy way to assess your savings progress at various ages.

Retirement Savings By:

•  Age 30: 1x your annual income

•  Age 40: 3x your annual income

•  Age 50: 6x your annual income

•  Age 60: 8x your annual income

•  Age 67: 10x your annual income

Income Replacement Ratio Approach

This method focuses on saving enough to replace 75% of your pre-retirement income annually once you stop working. So if you think you’ll be making $100,000 in the last few years before retirement, you would plan on needing $75,000 a year to live on once you stop working.

There are a few reasons you’ll likely need less than your full income after retirement:

•   Your everyday expenses will likely be lower.

•   You’re no longer a portion of your earnings into retirement savings.

•   Your taxes may be lower.

How to Maximize Your Retirement Savings in Your 40s

Maximizing contributions to tax-advantaged accounts such as 401(k)s and IRAs can accelerate your retirement savings in your 40s.

Contribute to Retirement Accounts

If you have access to a 401(k) at work, you ideally want to contribute up to the max allowed by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). For tax year 2024, the most you can contribute to a 401(k) is $23,000 if you’re under age 50. For 2025, the maximum rises to $23,500.

If you don’t have access to an employer-sponsored retirement plan, you can open an IRA and set-up automatic transfers from your checking account into the IRA each month — ideally up to max allowed for an IRA. For tax years 2024 and 2025, you can contribute up to $7,000 if you’re under age 50.

You can make 2024 IRA contributions until the unextended federal tax deadline.

Take Advantage of 401(k) Matching

Employer-sponsored 401(k) plans often come with matching contributions. If your employer offers this benefit, consider adjusting your contributions to get the full match, since this is essentially free money. Over time, compound returns (which are the returns you earn on your returns) on these extra contributions can lead to substantial growth.

Leverage Catch-Up Contributions

Once you reach age 50, you can make catch-up contributions to your 401(k), which could help you save even more for retirement.

For tax years 2024 and 2025, the 401(k) catch-up contribution is an extra $7,500 on top of the regular $23,000 limit for 2024 (for a total limit of $30,500) and $23,500 for 2025 (for a total limit of $31,000). Those aged 60 to 63 can contribute an additional $11,250 (in place of the $7,500) in 2025, if their plan allows it.

The IRA catch-up contribution is $1,000 for both 2024 and 2025, for a total contribution limit of $8,000 for those age 50 or older.

Expert Strategies to Increase Retirement Savings

There are a number of smart ways to maximize your savings and stay on track for retirement. Here are a few strategies experts advise.

Salary Negotiations and Their Long-Term Impact on Savings

If it’s been a while since you’ve received a raise, this may be a good time to ask for one. By age 40, you’ve probably developed skills that make you valuable to your employer. To increase your chances of success, it can be helpful to research industry standards, highlight your achievements, and demonstrate your value to the company.

Even small salary increases can have a compounding effect on long-term savings. If you need some incentive for negotiating for a higher salary, consider this: Increasing your retirement contributions by just $25 a month for the next 20 years can add an extra $13,023.17 to your retirement fund, assuming a growth rate of 7.00% and monthly compounding.

💡 Quick Tip: Help your money earn more money! Opening a bank account online often gets you higher-than-average rates.

Building a Solid Financial Foundation With a Six-Month Emergency Fund

Having an emergency fund that contains at least six months’ worth of living expenses is also critical to your retirement plan.

Why? While retirement is still a long way off if you’re 40, an emergency could happen at any time. For instance, you may get hit with an unexpected medical bill or your heating system might break in the middle of winter and need to be replaced. If you don’t have the emergency funds to cover these things, you might be forced to dip into your retirement fund early (and pay penalties) or run up debt that could limit your ability to save for retirement.

You might open a high-yield savings account for your emergency fund to help it grow. Consider automating your savings to make sure you’re contributing to your emergency fund regularly. Once it’s fully funded, you can allocate the money you had been contributing to the emergency fund to your retirement savings.

Recommended: Emergency Fund Calculator

Why Prioritizing Roth Retirement Accounts Can Pay Off

A Roth IRA or Roth 401(k) is a retirement account that taxes your contributions up front, but your withdrawals in retirement are tax-free, including all your growth. This differs from a traditional IRA, which involves tax-deferred contributions, meaning you’ll pay taxes every time you withdraw money, including on your growth. A Roth IRA or 401 (k) can be especially beneficial if you anticipate being in a higher tax bracket later in life.

Even if you have a 401(k) at work, you can add a Roth IRA to boost your retirement earnings. However, there are contribution and income limits with Roth IRAs that you’ll need to keep in mind.

The Role of Expenses in Retirement Planning

Figuring out how much your retirement living expenses will be is important for calculating how money you’ll need to save. These are some of the things you may want to consider and budget for when figuring out how much to save for retirement.

Planning for Health Care Expenses in Retirement

As people grow older, their health care needs and costs typically increase. For many, health care can be one of the biggest retirement expenses. Fidelity estimates that the average person may need $165,000 to cover health care costs in retirement.

If you have a high-deductible health insurance plan, you might want to set up a health savings account (HSA). An HSA is a tax-advantaged account that can be used to pay for medical expenses. You can invest the money in an HSA, and if you leave it untouched, it will grow and earn interest. When you make withdrawals in retirement, you won’t pay any taxes if you spend the money on qualified health care expenses.

Long-term care insurance is another option to consider for covering health care costs later in life. Researching Medicare options and potential out-of-pocket expenses ahead of time can help you prepare for future medical needs.

Incorporating Home Costs Into Retirement Savings

Housing costs are another major retirement expense. You may have mortgage payments, homeowner’s insurance, and home maintenance and repairs to pay for. If you rent, you’ll have to cover your monthly rental fee plus renters’ insurance.

If you’re planning on a move after you retire, where you choose to live can have a major impact on how much you pay for housing. In general, living on the coasts can be more expensive. You may want to take the cost of living into consideration when you’re thinking about where you want to live in retirement.

Family and Retirement: Balancing the Present and Future

Along with planning for retirement, you may be saving for important family milestones, such as college and a child’s wedding. Fortunately, with proper budgeting and planning, it is possible to help cover these expenses and save for retirement at the same time.

Budgeting for College Savings While Prioritizing Retirement

To help your children with the cost of college, consider opening a 529 plan. You fund this account with after-tax dollars, but your money grows tax-free and withdrawals for qualified education expenses are also tax-free.

Just keep in mind: Financial experts generally recommend that people in their 40s prioritize retirement savings over college savings. The reason? Financial aid can help fill a college funding gap, but there’s no financial aid for retirement, so you’ll want to ensure your retirement contributions remain consistent.

You might funnel extra funds toward college saving. You can also let family members know they can contribute to a child’s 529. For instance, instead of birthday gifts, you might ask loved ones to contribute to your child’s 529 instead.

Weddings and Other Major Family Expenses

If you’d like to help pay for your child’s wedding or first home purchase it’s a good idea to save for those goals separately, so they don’t disrupt your retirement savings progress.

If the wedding or home purchase is coming up in the next few years, you might open a high-yield savings account earmarked for that goal. If these family expenses are well off in the future, you might want to invest in mutual funds or a stock index fund, which could deliver more growth (though returns are not guaranteed).

The Takeaway

While there are several rules of thumb as to how much money you should have saved by 40, the truth is everyone’s path to a comfortable retirement looks different. One piece of advice is universal, however: The sooner you start saving for retirement, the better your chances of being in a financially desirable position later in life.

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


Better banking is here with SoFi, NerdWallet’s 2024 winner for Best Checking Account Overall.* Enjoy up to 3.80% APY on SoFi Checking and Savings.


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Although we do our best to recognize all Eligible Direct Deposits, a small number of employers, payroll providers, benefits providers, or government agencies do not designate payments as direct deposit. To ensure you're earning 3.80% APY, we encourage you to check your APY Details page the day after your Eligible Direct Deposit arrives. If your APY is not showing as 3.80%, contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. As long as SoFi Bank can validate those details, you will start earning 3.80% APY from the date you contact SoFi for the rest of the current 30-day Evaluation Period. You will also be eligible for 3.80% APY on future Eligible Direct Deposits, as long as SoFi Bank can validate them.

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SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder’s Eligible 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 an Eligible Direct Deposit or receipt of $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits to your account, you will begin earning 3.80% 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 Eligible Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits without interruption.

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Members without either Eligible Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits, as determined by SoFi Bank, during a 30-Day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, or who do not enroll in SoFi Plus by paying the SoFi Plus Subscription Fee every 30 days, will earn 1.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances.

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Feb
25
2025

Guide to Maxing Out Your 401(k)

By | Budgeting & Goals, Growing Wealth, invest, Investing | No Comments

Maxing out your 401(k) involves contributing the maximum allowable to your workplace retirement account to increase the benefit of compounding and appreciating assets over time.

All retirement plans come with contribution caps, and when you hit that limit it means you’ve maxed out that particular account.

There are a lot of things to consider when figuring out how to max out your 401(k) account. And if you’re a step ahead, you may also wonder what to do after you max out your 401(k).

Key Points

•   Maxing out your 401(k) contributions can help you save more for retirement and take advantage of tax benefits.

•   If you want to max out your 401(k), strategies include contributing enough to get the full employer match, increasing contributions over time, utilizing catch-up contributions if eligible, automating contributions, and adjusting your budget to help free up funds for additional 401(k) contributions.

•   Diversifying your investments within your 401(k) and regularly reviewing and rebalancing your portfolio can optimize your returns.

•   Seeking professional advice and staying informed about changes in contribution limits and regulations can help you make the most of your 401(k).

What Exactly Does It Mean to ‘Max Out Your 401(k)?’

Maxing out your 401(k) means that you contribute the maximum amount allowed by law in a given year, as specified by the established 401(k) contribution limits. But it can also mean that you’re maxing out your contributions up to an employer’s percentage match, too.

If you want to max out your 401(k) in 2024, you’ll need to contribute $23,000. If you’re 50 or older, you can contribute an additional $7,500, for an annual total of $30,500. If you want to max out your 401(k) in 2025, you’ll need to contribute $23,500. If you’re 50 or older, you can contribute an additional $7,500, for an annual total of $31,000. In addition, in 2025, those aged 60 to 63 may contribute an additional $11,250 instead of $7,500, thanks to SECURE 2.0, for an annual total of $34,750.

Should You Max Out Your 401(k)?

4 Goals to Meet Before Maxing Out Your 401(k)

Generally speaking, yes, it’s a good thing to max out your 401(k) so long as you’re not sacrificing your overall financial stability to do it. Saving for retirement is important, which is why many financial experts would likely suggest maxing out any employer match contributions first.

But while you may want to take full advantage of any tax and employer benefits that come with your 401(k), you also want to consider any other financial goals and obligations you have before maxing out your 401(k).

That doesn’t mean you should put other goals first, and not contribute to your retirement plan at all. That’s not wise. Maintaining a baseline contribution rate for your future is crucial, even as you continue to save for shorter-term aims or put money toward debt repayment.

Other goals could include:

•   Is all high-interest debt paid off? High-interest debt like credit card debt should be paid off first, so it doesn’t accrue additional interest and fees.

•   Do you have an emergency fund? Life can throw curveballs—it’s smart to be prepared for job loss or other emergency expenses.

•   Is there enough money in your budget for other expenses? You should have plenty of funds to ensure you can pay for additional bills, like student loans, health insurance, and rent.

•   Are there other big-ticket expenses to save for? If you’re saving for a large purchase, such as a home or going back to school, you may want to put extra money toward this saving goal rather than completely maxing out your 401(k), at least for the time being.

Once you can comfortably say that you’re meeting your spending and savings goals, it might be time to explore maxing out your 401(k). There are many reasons to do so — it’s a way to take advantage of tax-deferred savings, employer matching (often referred to as “free money”), and it’s a relatively easy and automatic way to invest and save, since the money gets deducted from your paycheck once you’ve set up your contribution amount.

How to Max Out Your 401(k)

Only a relatively small percentage of people actually do max out their 401(k)s, however. Here are some strategies for how to max out your 401(k).

1. Max Out 401(k) Employer Contributions

Your employer may offer matching contributions, and if so, there are typically rules you will need to follow to take advantage of their match.

An employer may require a minimum contribution from you before they’ll match it, or they might match only up to a certain amount. They might even stipulate a combination of those two requirements. Each company will have its own rules for matching contributions, so review your company’s policy for specifics.

For example, suppose your employer will match your contribution up to 3%. So, if you contribute 3% to your 401(k), your employer will contribute 3% as well. Therefore, instead of only saving 3% of your salary, you’re now saving 6%. With the employer match, your contribution just doubled. Note that employer contributions can range from nothing at all to upwards of 15%. It depends.

Since saving for retirement is one of the best investments you can make, it’s wise to take advantage of your employer’s match. Every penny helps when saving for retirement, and you don’t want to miss out on this “free money” from your employer.

If you’re not already maxing out the matching contribution and wish to, you can speak with your employer (or HR department, or plan administrator) to increase your contribution amount, you may be able to do it yourself online.

2. Max Out Salary-Deferred Contributions

While it’s smart to make sure you’re not leaving free money on the table, maxing out your employer match on a 401(k) is only part of the equation.

In order to make sure you’re setting aside an adequate amount for retirement, consider contributing as much as your budget will allow. Again, individuals younger than age 50 can contribute up to $23,000 in salary deferrals in 2024 and up to $23,500 in 2025, while those 50 and over can contribute more in catch-up contributions.

It’s called a “salary deferral” because you aren’t losing any of the money you earn; you’re putting it in the 401(k) account and deferring it until later in life.

Those contributions aren’t just an investment in your future lifestyle in retirement. Because they are made with pre-tax dollars, they lower your taxable income for the year in which you contribute. For some, the immediate tax benefit is as appealing as the future savings benefit.

3. Take Advantage of Catch-Up Contributions

As mentioned, 401(k) catch-up contributions allow investors aged 50 and over to increase their retirement savings — which is especially helpful if they’re behind in reaching their retirement goals.

Individuals 50 and over can contribute an additional $7,500 for a total of $30,500 in 2024, and can contribute an additional $7,500 for a total of $31,000 in 2025. And again, in 2025, those aged 60 to 63 can contribute an additional $11,250, instead of $7,500, for a total of $34,750. Putting all of that money toward retirement savings can help you truly max out your 401(k).

As you draw closer to retirement, catch-up contributions can make a difference, especially as you start to calculate when you can retire. Whether you have been saving your entire career or just started, this benefit is available to everyone who qualifies.

And of course, this extra contribution will lower taxable income even more than regular contributions. Although using catch-up contributions may not push everyone to a lower tax bracket, it will certainly minimize the tax burden during the next filing season.

4. Reset Your Automatic 401(k) Contributions

When was the last time you reviewed your 401(k)? It may be time to check in and make sure your retirement savings goals are still on track. Is the amount you originally set to contribute each paycheck still the correct amount to help you reach those goals?

With the increase in contribution limits most years, it may be worth reviewing your budget to see if you can up your contribution amount to max out your 401(k). If you don’t have automatic payroll contributions set up, you could set them up.

It’s generally easier to save money when it’s automatically deducted; a person is less likely to spend the cash (or miss it) when it never hits their checking account in the first place.

If you’re able to max out the full 401(k) limit, but fear the sting of a large decrease in take-home pay, consider a gradual, annual increase such as 1% — how often you increase it will depend on your plan rules as well as your budget.

5. Put Bonus Money Toward Retirement

Unless your employer allows you to make a change, your 401(k) contribution will likely be deducted from any bonus you might receive at work. Many employers allow you to determine a certain percentage of your bonus check to contribute to your 401(k).

Consider possibly redirecting a large portion of a bonus to 401k contributions, or into another retirement account, like an individual retirement account (IRA). Because this money might not have been expected, you won’t miss it if you contribute most of it toward your retirement.

You could also do the same thing with a raise. If your employer gives you a raise, consider putting it directly toward your 401(k). Putting this money directly toward your retirement can help you inch closer to maxing out your 401(k) contributions.

6. Maximize Your 401(k) Returns and Fees

Many people may not know what they’re paying in investment fees or management fees for their 401(k) plans. By some estimates, the average fees for 401(k) plans are between 1% and 2%, but some plans can have up to 3.5%.

Fees add up — even if your employer is paying the fees now, you’ll have to pay them if you leave the job and keep the 401(k).

Essentially, if an investor has $100,000 in a 401(k) and pays $1,000 or 1% (or more) in fees per year, the fees could add up to thousands of dollars over time. Any fees you have to pay can chip away at your retirement savings and reduce your returns.

It’s important to ensure you’re getting the most for your money in order to maximize your retirement savings. If you are currently working for the company, you could discuss high fees with your HR team. One of the easiest ways to lower your costs is to find more affordable investment options. Typically, the biggest bargains can be index funds, which often charge lower fees than other investments.

If your employer’s plan offers an assortment of low-cost index funds or institutional funds, you can invest in these funds to build a diversified portfolio.

If you have a 401(k) account from a previous employer, you might consider moving your old 401(k) into a lower-fee plan. It’s also worth examining what kind of funds you’re invested in and if it’s meeting your financial goals and risk tolerance.

What Happens If You Contribute Too Much to Your 401(k)?

After you’ve maxed out your 401(k) for the year — meaning you’ve hit the contribution limit corresponding to your age range — then you’ll need to stop making contributions or risk paying additional taxes on your overcontributions.

In the event that you do make an overcontribution, you’ll need to take some additional steps such as letting your plan manager or administrator know, and perhaps withdrawing the excess amount. If you leave the excess in the account, it’ll be taxed twice — once when it was contributed initially, and again when you take it out.

What to Do After Maxing Out a 401(k)?

If you max out your 401(k) this year, pat yourself on the back. Maxing out your 401(k) is a financial accomplishment. But now you might be wondering, what’s next? Here are some additional retirement savings options to consider if you have already maxed out your 401(k).

Open an IRA

An individual retirement account (IRA) can be a good complement to your employer’s retirement plans. With a traditional IRA, you can contribute pre-tax dollars up to the annual limit, which is $7,000 in 2024 and in 2025. If you’re 50 or older, you can contribute an extra $1,000, for an annual total of $8,000 in 2024 and 2025.

You may also choose to consider a Roth IRA. As with a traditional IRA, the annual contribution limit for a Roth IRA in 2024 and 2025 is $7,000, and $8,000 for those 50 or older. Roth IRA accounts have income limits, but if you’re eligible, you can contribute with after-tax dollars, which means you won’t have to pay taxes on earnings withdrawals in retirement as you do with traditional IRAs.

You can open an IRA at a brokerage, mutual fund company, or other financial institution. If you ever leave your job, you can typically roll your employer’s 401(k) into your IRA without facing tax consequences as long as both accounts are similarly taxed, such as rolling funds from a traditional 401(k) to a traditional IRA, and funds are transferred directly from one plan to the other. Doing a rollover may allow you to invest in a broader range of investments with lower fees.

Boost an Emergency Fund

Experts often advise establishing an emergency fund with at least six months of living expenses before contributing to a retirement savings plan. Perhaps you’ve already done that — but haven’t updated that account in a while. As your living expenses increase, it’s a good idea to make sure your emergency fund grows, too. This will cover you financially in case of life’s little curveballs: new brake pads, a new roof, or unforeseen medical expenses.

The money in an emergency fund should be accessible at a moment’s notice, which means it needs to comprise liquid assets such as cash. You’ll also want to make sure the account is FDIC insured, so that your money is protected if something happens to the bank or financial institution.

Save for Health Care Costs

Contributing to a health savings account (HSA) can reduce out-of-pocket costs for expected and unexpected health care expenses, though you can only open and contribute to an HSA if you are enrolled in a high-deductible health plan (HDHP).

For tax year 2024, those eligible can contribute up to $4,150 pre-tax dollars for an individual plan or up to $8,300 for a family plan. For tax year 2025, those eligible can contribute up to $4,300 pre-tax dollars for an individual plan or up to $8,550 for a family plan. For 2024 and 2025, those 55 or older can make an additional catch-up contribution of $1,000 per year.

The money in this account can be used for qualified out-of-pocket medical expenses such as copays for doctor visits and prescriptions. Another option is to leave the money in the account and let it grow for retirement. Once you reach age 65, you can take out money from your HSA without a penalty for any purpose. However, to be exempt from taxes, the money must be used for a qualified medical expense. Any other reasons for withdrawing the funds will be subject to regular income taxes.

Increase College Savings

If you’re feeling good about maxing out your 401(k), consider increasing contributions to your child’s 529 college savings plan (a tax-advantaged account meant specifically for education costs, sponsored by states and educational institutions).

College costs continue to creep up every year. Helping your children pay for college helps minimize the burden of college expenses, so they hopefully don’t have to take on many student loans.

Open a Brokerage Account

After you max out your 401(k), you may also consider opening a brokerage account. Brokerage firms offer various types of investment account brokerage accounts, each with different services and fees. A full-service brokerage firm may provide different financial services, which include allowing you to trade securities.

Many brokerage firms require you to have a certain amount of cash to open their accounts and have enough funds to account for trading fees and commissions. While there are no limits on how much you can contribute to the account, earned dividends are taxable in the year they are received. Therefore, if you earn a profit or sell an asset, you must pay a capital gains tax. On the other hand, if you sell a stock at a loss, that becomes a capital loss. This means that the transaction may yield a tax break by lowering your taxable income.

Pros and Cons of Maxing Out Your 401(k)

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Pros:

•   Increased Savings and Growth: Your retirement savings account will be bigger, which can lead to more growth over time.

•   Simplified Saving and Investing: Can also make your saving and investing relatively easy, as long as you’re taking a no-lift approach to setting your money aside thanks to automatic contributions.

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Cons:

•   Affordability: Maxing out a 401(k) may not be financially feasible for everyone. May be challenging due to existing debt or other savings goals.

•   Opportunity Costs: Money invested in retirement plans could be used for other purposes. During strong stock market years, non-retirement investments may offer more immediate access to funds.

Test your understanding of what you just read.

The Takeaway

Maxing out your 401(k) involves matching your employer’s maximum contribution match, and also, contributing as much as legally allowed to your retirement plan in a given year. If you have the flexibility in your budget to do so, maxing out a 401(k) can be an effective way to build retirement savings.

And once you max out your 401(k)? There are other smart ways to direct your money. You can open an IRA, contribute more to an HSA, or to a child’s 529 plan. If you’re looking to roll over an old 401(k) into an IRA, or open a new one, SoFi Invest® can help. SoFi doesn’t charge commissions (the full fee schedule is here), and you can access a complimentary 30-min session with a SoFi Financial Planner.

Opening and funding an Active Invest account gives you the opportunity to get up to $1,000 in the stock of your choice.

FAQ

What happens if I max out my 401(k) every year?

Assuming you don’t overcontribute, you may see your retirement savings increase if you max out your 401(k) every year, and hopefully, be able to reach your retirement and savings goals sooner.

Will You Have Enough to Retire After Maxing Out 401(k)?

There are many factors that need to be considered, however, start by getting a sense of how much you’ll need to retire by using a retirement expense calculator. Then you can decide whether maxing out your 401(k) for many years will be enough to get you there, even assuming an average stock market return and compounding built in.

First and foremost, you’ll need to consider your lifestyle and where you plan on living after retirement. If you want to spend a lot in your later years, you’ll need more money. As such, a 401(k) may not be enough to get you through retirement all on its own, and you may need additional savings and investments to make sure you’ll have enough.

About the author

Ashley Kilroy

Ashley Kilroy

Ashley Kilroy is a seasoned personal finance writer with 15 years of experience simplifying complex concepts for individuals seeking financial security. Her expertise has shined through in well-known publications like Rolling Stone, Forbes, SmartAsset, and Money Talks News. Read full bio.


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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.

Third Party Trademarks: Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

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Feb
13
2025

The Importance of Saving Money

By | Budgeting & Goals, Financial Independence, money | Comments Off on The Importance of Saving Money

Whether from parents, friends, or financial advisors, you have probably heard plenty of people say that you should be saving money. But did you ever stop and consider why exactly saving money is so important?

Saving money is truly a smart move: It can help you achieve your financial aspirations, prepare for the future, and weather unexpected events. It can even help you earn money without doing anything at all. When you look at it in a big-picture way, saving can also relieve a lot of money stress from your life.

Key Points

•   Saving money can be a valuable habit that helps provide financial security and peace of mind.

•   Saving money can enable the handling of unexpected expenses.

•   When cash is saved, it can facilitate achieving long-term goals like retirement.

•   By saving money, a person could increase wealth through compound interest.

•   Saving money can help offer flexibility and freedom in life choices.

Reasons Why Saving Money is Important

It can be hard to get motivated to save money just because it’s the “responsible” thing to do. But you may see the appeal once you understand the huge advantages that saving offers. Here are a few.

Peace of Mind

If money is tight, you may find yourself worrying how you will pay the rent or other critical bills if an extra unexpected expense were to suddenly come up, as they often do. After all, cars break down, and dental work can crop up. Or what if your kid discovers a passion for soccer and wants to go to a pricey summer camp.

Having savings in the bank (whether that’s an online bank or a traditional one) can provide the sense of security that comes with knowing you can get through these kinds of moments without hardship. You’ll be able to have that back-up money to afford many of life’s expenses that crop up. By saving, you may also worry less about tomorrow, knowing that you have stashed away some cash. That means you can breathe a little easier.

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No account or monthly fees. No minimum balance.

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Avoiding Debt

When you have money in the bank, you can make purchases, planned or not, with the money that’s on deposit. That means you can avoid using high-interest credit cards or potentially taking out a personal loan or a home equity line of credit (HELOC) to pay for things.

That can help you avoid debt, which can help save a significant amount of cash in the long run.

Expanding Your Options

Generally, the more money you have saved, the more control you can have over your life and your financial security.

If you’re unhappy with where you live, for instance, having some savings can open up the possibility of moving to a more desirable location or putting a down payment on a new home.

If you dislike your job, having a cushion of cash in your savings account might afford you the option of leaving that job even before you have another one lined up.

Money certainly does not solve all problems, but having savings can give you a little bit of breathing room and allow you to take positive steps in your life.

Having Financial Freedom

Another benefit of savings is that you are on a program that can give you financial freedom. If you stick to a plan of stashing 10% or 20% into savings, as many financial experts recommend, you can avoid living paycheck to paycheck and have more financial freedom.

For example, with adequate savings, you might be able to take a sabbatical from work and pursue a passion project. You might have enough cash to start your own business or retire early. Or you might plan a luxe anniversary celebration somewhere tropical. Savings can enable your dreams.

Recommended: Guide to Improving Your Money Mindset

Saving for Big Purchases

Having a savings account is a great way to afford big purchases without racking up credit card debt and the high interest that goes along with it or turning to other expensive financing options.

Say you want to take your kids on a Disney vacation or you really need that second car. Or maybe there’s a designer bag that you’re totally in love with. By putting money aside in a savings account and earning interest on those funds, you can be in a position to buy your wish-list item outright, rather than borrowing funds to do so. (To see how your money can grow when in an interest-bearing account, you might use an online savings account interest calculator.)

Saving Money for Emergencies

Here’s another reason why it is important to save money: Life has its twists and turns. One minute, everything is humming along nicely, the next, your car needs $2,000 worth of repairs. Or the hot water-heater conks out or you lose your job. These situations and others can put a real strain on your finances.

That’s why financial experts generally recommend building up an emergency fund of at least three to six months’ worth of living expenses to prepare for any financial surprises.

It can be hard to prioritize this, but saving for an emergency fund is important. To help make it happen, you might set up an automatic transfer from your checking into savings the day after payday. This can painlessly, seamlessly whisk money to your emergency fund so it doesn’t sit in savings, tempting you to spend it. Whether the amount is $15 or $150, just do it. Every bit helps.

Recommended: Emergency Fund Calculator

Earning Interest

Savings accounts come with interest, which is the bank’s way of thanking you for keeping your money with them, where they can use it until you withdraw it.

Here’s an example: That can help your savings along. If you have $5,000 in a savings account with a 3.00% APY earning compound interest monthly, that would give you an extra $152 at the end of the year. Add $20 per month to the account and let it sit for five years, and you’ll have a total of $7,101. Nice! That’s cash in your account for doing absolutely nothing.

Reducing Your Taxes

Here’s the part about how saving money makes you money, beyond interest you’ll earn. If you save money into certain tax-advantaged retirement vehicles, not only do you have that nest egg for later in life, but you can lower your tax liability.

By putting money into your employer’s 401(k), if available, you can lower the income on which taxes are assessed. If you are self-employed, there are various retirement accounts that may allow you to put pretax dollars away for the future.

When you save money this way, you could even challenge yourself to put the tax savings back into a savings account. That’s a way to increase your money in the bank another notch or two.

Giving Back

Another reason why saving money is important is it can enable you to give back to others. When you have a cash cushion and aren’t living paycheck to paycheck, you have the opportunity to help those around you.

That might involve sending a few hundred dollars to a relative who has a big dental bill and is struggling to pay it. Or you might make a charitable donation to a medical research cause, a disaster fund, or a local after-school program that you love. The choice is yours, but having a healthy savings account can make it possible.

Benefiting from Compound Interest

Another big incentive to save, as mentioned above, is the power of compound interest.

Compound interest means you earn a return not just on the amount you originally put away, but also on the interest that accumulates.

Over time, that means you can end up with much more than you started with. And the earlier you start saving, the more your money grows, since compound interest is able to work its magic over a longer time horizon.

You saw an example above that involved putting money into a savings account at a bank. Here’s another example: A person who starts putting $100 per month towards retirement at age 25 will wind up putting $12,000 more of their money into their retirement fund by age 65 than the person who started saving $100 per month at age 35.

But because of compound interest (and assuming a 7.00% annual rate of return), the person who started at 25 will wind up with over $120,000 more at age 65 (way more than the extra $12,000 they deposited).

How to Get Started with Saving

If you’re convinced that saving is the right move, how do you actually do it? The key is to make a budget and make sticking to it easy.

This doesn’t have to be intimidating. The key is to get familiar with what you spend, what you earn, and what your goals are.

Here are some steps you could take to help get started.

Figuring Out What You’re Saving for

Is it a long-term goal, like retirement or your kids’ college tuition? A short-term goal, like an emergency fund? Or a medium-term goal, like a wedding or home renovation? It can help to get a sense of how much you need to stash away and by when.

The point of this is twofold:

•   First, you can divide the amount you need by the months left until your deadline to get a clear picture of how much you’ll need to save each month.

•   Second, you will know where to put your money. If your goal is less than a couple of years away, you may want to keep your savings in an online savings account, a certificate of deposit (CD), or money market account.

These options might help you earn more interest than a standard savings account but still allow you to access your money when you need it.

If your goal is in the distant future, you might consider investing the money in a retirement account, 529 college savings plan, or brokerage account so that it could have the chance to grow over time. All investments, however, come with risk, and growth is not guaranteed.

Sticking to a Budget

You don’t really know where your money is going unless you track it. That’s why for a month or two, you may want to take note of all your daily and monthly expenses.

Next, you’ll want to tally up your net monthly income, meaning what goes into your account after the different types of taxes and deductions are taken out.

The difference between your monthly income and your expenses (everything from rent to student loan payments to food and dining out) is what you have left over to save. If there’s not enough left over, you can work on finding ways to cut spending or increase your income. You might try following the 50/30/20 budget rule to help guide your spending and saving.

Putting Savings on Autopilot

If you’re manually putting cash away every month, it can be easy to fall behind.

For one thing, you may forget to move money into savings regularly amid your busy schedule. And, unless you protect the money in advance by transferring it to a different account, you may accidentally spend it.

One way to avoid this is to set up automated savings through your bank account or retirement plan.

If you’re putting away the amount you identified you need for your goal, you may get there without even thinking about it.

Recommended: The Different Types of Savings Accounts

Common Places to Save Your Money

Where to put your money as you save? Consider these options:

•   Traditional savings account: You could put your money in a savings account at a financial institution, whether at a bank or credit union.

•   High-yield savings account: These accounts are likely to pay a much higher interest rate than a conventional savings account while offering the same convenience and security. They are often found at online banks.

•   CD: A CD gives you a specific rate of interest but you must agree to keep your money in the account (that is, not withdrawing any of it) for a specific term, whether that’s several months or years. Withdrawing earlier could trigger penalties.

•   Investments: There are many options here, such as Treasury bills and bonds. These can earn healthy returns and are typically considered safe places to keep money.

A quick note: While typically it’s a savings account that earns interest, some checking accounts earn a bit of interest, too. This can be especially true if you deposit your money in a checking account at an online bank. While it may not offer a high rate of interest, earning some money on what you keep in your checking account can contribute toward building your wealth.

The Takeaway

It’s important to save money for a variety of reasons. It can provide peace of mind, open up options that improve your quality of life, increase your wealth due to compound interest, and possibly lower your tax liability, and may even allow you to retire early. Many people earn wealth through a combination of working and savvy saving. Having the right banking partner can be part of the process.

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


Better banking is here with SoFi, NerdWallet’s 2024 winner for Best Checking Account Overall.* Enjoy up to 3.80% APY on SoFi Checking and Savings.

FAQ

What are the benefits of saving money?

There are many benefits of saving money: It helps you save for your future, cover unexpected expenses, make major purchases, and have financial freedom. What’s more, the money you save can help make you more money, thanks to compounding interest and lowering your tax bill.

What are common things to save money for?

Common things to save money for are an emergency fund, retirement, a big purchase (like a car, a vacation, or the down payment on a home), and educational expenses, among others.

What happens if you don’t save money?

If you don’t save, you may lack financial security and the ability to meet certain aspirations. For instance, you wouldn’t have a retirement fund and would therefore have to keep working indefinitely. You wouldn’t have money for a big purchase like a car or a home or your child’s education. Plus you wouldn’t be able to handle some expenses, whether planned or unexpected, and might have to take out a loan or use credit cards, which means you are paying for the privilege to borrow funds. That takes away from your earnings.

SoFi® Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A. ©2025 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 Eligible Direct Deposit activity can earn 3.80% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Eligible Direct Deposit means a recurring deposit of regular income to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government benefit payments (e.g., Social Security), made by the account holder’s employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency (“Eligible Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below).

Although we do our best to recognize all Eligible Direct Deposits, a small number of employers, payroll providers, benefits providers, or government agencies do not designate payments as direct deposit. To ensure you're earning 3.80% APY, we encourage you to check your APY Details page the day after your Eligible Direct Deposit arrives. If your APY is not showing as 3.80%, contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. As long as SoFi Bank can validate those details, you will start earning 3.80% APY from the date you contact SoFi for the rest of the current 30-day Evaluation Period. You will also be eligible for 3.80% APY on future Eligible Direct Deposits, as long as SoFi Bank can validate them.

Deposits that are not from an employer, payroll, or benefits provider or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, or are non-recurring in nature (e.g., IRS tax refunds), do not constitute Eligible Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. SoFi members with Eligible Direct Deposit are eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits.

As an alternative to Direct Deposit, SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits can earn 3.80% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Qualifying Deposits means one or more deposits that, in the aggregate, are equal to or greater than $5,000 to an account holder’s SoFi Checking and Savings account (“Qualifying Deposits”) during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Qualifying Deposits only include those deposits from the following eligible sources: (i) ACH transfers, (ii) inbound wire transfers, (iii) peer-to-peer transfers (i.e., external transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc. and internal peer-to-peer transfers from a SoFi account belonging to another account holder), (iv) check deposits, (v) instant funding to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, (vi) push payments to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, and (vii) cash deposits. Qualifying Deposits do not include: (i) transfers between an account holder’s Checking account, Savings account, and/or Vaults; (ii) interest payments; (iii) bonuses issued by SoFi Bank or its affiliates; or (iv) credits, reversals, and refunds from SoFi Bank, N.A. (“SoFi Bank”) or from a merchant. SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits are not eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits.

SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder’s Eligible 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 an Eligible Direct Deposit or receipt of $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits to your account, you will begin earning 3.80% 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 Eligible 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 Eligible 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 Eligible 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 Eligible Direct Deposit or Qualifying Deposits until SoFi Bank recognizes Eligible Direct Deposit activity or receives $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits in a subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period. For the avoidance of doubt, an account holder with both Eligible Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits will earn the rates earned by account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit.

Separately, SoFi members who enroll in SoFi Plus by paying the SoFi Plus Subscription Fee every 30 days can also earn 3.80% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. For additional details, see the SoFi Plus Terms and Conditions at https://www.sofi.com/terms-of-use/#plus.

Members without either Eligible Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits, as determined by SoFi Bank, during a 30-Day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, or who do not enroll in SoFi Plus by paying the SoFi Plus Subscription Fee every 30 days, will earn 1.00% 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 1/24/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.
*Awards or rankings from NerdWallet are not indicative of future success or results. This award and its ratings are independently determined and awarded by their respective publications.

We do not charge any account, service or maintenance fees for SoFi Checking and Savings. We do charge a transaction fee to process each outgoing wire transfer. SoFi does not charge a fee for incoming wire transfers, however the sending bank may charge a fee. Our fee policy is subject to change at any time. See the SoFi Checking & Savings Fee Sheet for details at sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/.
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.

This content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice.


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.


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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Jan
27
2025
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How to Achieve Financial Freedom

By | Budgeting & Goals, Financial Independence, Growing Wealth, Investing, Terminology | No Comments

Ever dream of leaving your job to pursue a project you’ve always been passionate about, like starting your own business? Or going back to school without taking out student loans? What about the option to retire at age 50 instead of 65 without having to worry about money?

Any of these opportunities could happen if you’re able to achieve financial freedom — having the money and resources to afford the lifestyle you want.

Intrigued by the idea of being financially free? Read on to find out what financial freedom means and how it works, plus 12 ways to help make it a reality.

Key Points

•   Financial freedom means having enough income, savings, or investments to afford the lifestyle you want without financial stress.

•   Strategies to achieve financial freedom include budgeting, reducing debt, setting up an emergency fund, seeking higher wages, and exploring new income streams.

•   Opening a high-yield savings account, contributing to a 401(k), and considering other investments are important steps towards financial freedom.

•   Staying informed about financial issues, reducing expenses, and living within your means are key to achieving and maintaining financial freedom.

•   Avoiding lifestyle creep and making smart financial decisions can help you reach your financial goals and live the life you desire.

What Is Financial Freedom?

Financial freedom is being in a financial position that allows you to afford the lifestyle you want. It’s typically achieved by having enough income, savings, or investments so you can live comfortably without the constant stress of having to earn a certain amount of money.

For instance, you might attain financial freedom by saving and investing in such a way that allows you to build wealth, or by growing your income so you’re able to save more for the future. Eventually, you may become financially independent and live off your savings and investments.

There are a number of different ways to work toward financial freedom so that you can stop living paycheck-to-paycheck, get out of debt, save and invest, and prepare for retirement.

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

Get up to $1,000 in stock when you fund a new Active Invest account.*

Access stock trading, options, alternative investments, IRAs, and more. Get started in just a few minutes.

*Customer must fund their Active Invest account with at least $50 within 30 days of opening the account. Probability of customer receiving $1,000 is 0.028%. See full terms and conditions.

12 Ways to Help You Reach Financial Freedom

The following strategies can help start you on the path to financial freedom.

1. Determine Your Needs

A good first step toward financial freedom is figuring out what kind of lifestyle you want to have once you reach financial independence, and how much it will cost you to sustain it. Think about what will make you happy in your post-work life and then create a budget to help you get there.

As a bonus, living on — and sticking to — a budget now will allow you to meet your current expenses, pay your bills, and save for the future.

2. Reduce Debt

Debt can make it very hard, if not impossible, to become financially free. Debt not only reduces your overall net worth by the amount you’ve got in loans or lines of outstanding credit, but it increases your monthly expenses.

To pay off debt, you may want to focus on the avalanche method, which prioritizes the payment of high-interest debt like credit cards.

You might also try to see if you can get a lower interest rate on some of your debts. For instance, with credit card debt, it may be possible to lower your interest rate by calling your credit card company and negotiating better terms.

And be sure to pay all your other bills on time, including loan payments, to avoid going into even more debt.

3. Set Up an Emergency Fund

Having an emergency fund in place to cover at least three to six months’ worth of expenses when something unexpected happens can help prevent you from taking on more debt.

With an emergency fund, if you lose your job, or your car breaks down and needs expensive repairs, you’ll have the funds on hand to cover it, rather than having to put it on your credit card. That emergency cushion is a type of financial freedom in itself.

4. Seek Higher Wages

If you’re not earning enough to cover your bills, you aren’t going to be able to save enough to retire early and pursue your passions. For many people, figuring out how to make more money in order to increase savings is another crucial step in the journey toward financial freedom.

There are different ways to increase your income. First, think about ways to get paid more for the job that you’re already doing.

For instance, ask for a raise at work, or have a conversation with your manager about establishing a path toward a higher salary. Earning more now can help you save more for your future needs.

5. Consider a Side Gig

Another way to increase your earnings is to take on a side hustle outside of your full-time job. For instance, you could do pet-sitting or tutoring on evenings and weekends to generate supplemental income. You could then save or invest the extra money.

6. Explore New Income Streams

You can get creative and brainstorm opportunities to create new sources of income. One idea: Any property you own, including real estate, cars, and tools, might potentially serve as money-making assets. You may sell these items, or explore opportunities to rent them out.

7. Open a High-Yield Savings Account

A savings account gives you a designated place to put your money so that it can grow as you keep adding to it. And a high-yield savings account typically allows you to earn a lot more in interest than a traditional savings account. Some high-yield savings accounts may offer an 3.00% APY compared to the 0.41% APY of traditional savings accounts.

You can even automate your savings by having your paychecks directly deposited into your account. That makes it even easier to save.

8. Make Contributions to Your 401(k)

At work, contribute to your 401(k) if such a plan is offered. Contribute the maximum amount to this tax-deferred retirement account if you can to help build a nest egg. In 2024, that’s $23,000, and in 2025, that’s $23,500, not including catch-up contributions available to those 50 and above.

If you can’t max out your 401(k), contribute at least enough to get matching funds (if applicable) from your employer. This is essentially “free” or extra money that will go toward your retirement.

9. Consider Other Investments

After contributing to your workplace retirement plan, you may want to consider opening another investment retirement account, such as an IRA, or an investment account like a brokerage account. You might choose to explore different investment asset classes, such as mutual funds, stocks, bonds, or exchange-traded funds.

When you invest, the power of compounding returns may help you grow your money over time. But be aware that there is risk involved with investing.

Although the stock market has generally experienced a high historical rate of return, stocks are notoriously volatile. If you’re thinking about investing, be sure to learn about the stock market first, and do research to find what kind of investments might work best for you.

It’s also extremely important to determine your risk tolerance to help settle on an investment strategy and asset type you’re comfortable with. For instance, you may be more comfortable investing in mutual funds rather than individual stocks.

10. Stay Up to Date on Financial Issues

Practicing “financial literacy,” which means being knowledgeable about financial topics, can help you manage your money. Keep tabs on financial news and changes in the tax laws or requirements that might pertain to you. Reassess your investment portfolio at regular intervals to make sure it continues to be in line with your goals and priorities. And go over your budget and expenses frequently to check that they accurately reflect your current situation.

11. Reduce Your Expenses

Maximize your savings by minimizing your costs. Analyze what you spend monthly and look for things to trim or cut. Bring lunch from home instead of buying it out during the work week. Cancel the gym membership you’re not using. Eat out less frequently. These things won’t impact your quality of life, and they will help you save more.

12. Live Within Your Means

And finally, avoid lifestyle creep: Don’t buy expensive things you don’t need. A luxury car or fancy vacation may sound appealing, but these “wants” can set back your savings goals and lead to new debt if you have to finance them. Borrowing money makes sense when it advances your goals, but if it doesn’t, skip it and save your money instead.

The Takeaway

Financial freedom can allow you to live the kind of life you’ve always wanted without the stress of having to earn a certain amount of money. To help achieve financial freedom, follow strategies like making a budget, paying your bills on time, paying down debt, living within your means, and contributing to your 401(k).

Saving and investing your money are other ways to potentially help build wealth over time. Do your research to find the best types of accounts and investments for your current situation and future aspirations.

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


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

FAQ

How can I get financial freedom before 30?

Achieving financial freedom before age 30 is an ambitious goal that will require discipline and careful planning. To pursue it, you may want to follow strategies of the FIRE (Financial Independence Retire Early) movement. This approach entails setting a budget, living below your means in order to save a significant portion of your money, and establishing multiple streams of income, such as having a second job in addition to your primary job.

What is the most important first step towards achieving financial freedom?

The most important first step to achieving financial freedom is to figure out what kind of lifestyle you want to have and how much money you will need to sustain it. Once you know what your goals are, you can create a budget to help reach them.

What’s the difference between financial freedom and financial independence?

Financial freedom is being able to live the kind of lifestyle you want without financial strain or stress. Financial independence is having enough income, savings, or investments, to cover your needs without having to rely on a job or paycheck.

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


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.


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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Shares of ETFs must be bought and sold at market price, which can vary significantly from the Fund’s net asset value (NAV). Investment returns are subject to market volatility and shares may be worth more or less their original value when redeemed. The diversification of an ETF will not protect against loss. An ETF may not achieve its stated investment objective. Rebalancing and other activities within the fund may be subject to tax consequences.

Investment Risk: Diversification can help reduce some investment risk. It cannot guarantee profit, or fully protect in a down market.

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