Culture & Capital demystifies early-stage investing through conversations with founders, operators, and cultural leaders.

What do early-stage startups, venture capital, and cultural influence have to do with getting your money right? A lot more than you might think in this new world of expanded access to once-exclusive investment funds.

That’s the idea behind Culture & Capital, a new podcast by SoFi and a Cashmere production. The show brings listeners inside the evolving world of private capital, helping curious investors understand how companies are shaped by vision, brand, and innovation before they ever hit the public markets.

With more people looking to explore opportunities in alternative investments, Culture & Capital offers access to the stories and strategies that dominate today’s early-stage investing conversations. Whether you’re exploring alternatives for the first time, looking to build confidence in an already-defined investing strategy or want to deepen your understanding of venture capital, this podcast delivers practical insights through human storytelling in a clear, approachable way.

Why this podcast, why now?

Culture & Capital launches as SoFi expands its Alternative Investments platform — now offering members access to professionally managed funds from Cashmere, Fundrise, and Liberty Street Advisors. These funds allow individuals to invest in early-stage companies and private equity opportunities, all with low minimums and seamless access through the SoFi app.

But investing confidently means more than access; it also requires education. That’s where Culture & Capital comes in. Each episode unpacks essential ideas and concepts, like:

•  How successful VCs spot winning founders and teams early

•  Understanding how product-market fit and consumer behavior tie together

•  Measuring the impact of brand and community on early-stage companies

•  What experienced investors are paying attention to next

•  How venture capital fits into a diversified investing strategy

The show is hosted by Katie Perry, a business journalist and marketing agency owner. Her sharp, conversational style helps make complex topics easy to understand, whether you’re deep into VC or just learning how it works.

The debut episodes feature:

•  Brand strategist Jonny Bauer and renowned fashion designer/entrepreneur Jenna Lyons, on purpose, brand, early-stage bets, and building their agency, FundamentalCo

•  Matt Higgins, businessman, author, and co-founder and CEO of private investment firm RSE Ventures, on backing breakout founders

•  Andrew Benin, CEO and co-founder of Graza, on how brand, vision, and hustle built one of the most admired startups in CPG

Future guests include professional athletes entering venture capital and operators building today’s most interesting consumer brands.

Being a strategic investor means understanding the tools and the landscape.

At SoFi, our mission is to help you get your money right by offering the most innovative digital products and showing you how to confidently take advantage of them. That starts with education, access, and conversations that connect the dots between financial strategy and real-world trends.

Every adventure benefits from a compass—think of Culture & Capital as your guide to navigating the new frontier of accessible early-stage venture investing.

New episodes are available now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.

Watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify today.

This article appeared in SoFi's On the Money newsletter. Not getting it? Sign up here.

How do you do the holidays justice when money is tight?

You want to make the holiday season special for your family and friends, and you may feel you need to outdo last year — or at least keep up with everyone else.

Two-thirds of shoppers in a Beyond Finance survey said they feel an unhealthy cultural pressure to buy holiday gifts when they can’t afford them. And 19% admitted they’d bought gifts or trips so they could post about them on social media.

In other words, guilt, FOMO, and Instagram can make it hard not to overspend, even when prices are high and the economy feels increasingly precarious. And yet a monthly Gallup poll showed Americans downsized their holiday gift budgets more than they ever have in the middle of the shopping season: By November they were expecting to spend $778, on average, down from $1,007 in October.

So what can you do to stay true to your budget without going full Grinch? Here are some ground rules that could help:

•  Have a holiday heart-to-heart. If you’re facing a cash crunch this season, chances are that some of the people you exchange gifts with are, too. They’ll be relieved when they see your simple group text request: “Santa’s pursestrings are a little tighter this year, so why don’t we try something a little different?”

  Be ready with suggestions like a white elephant exchange in which everyone has to buy (and receive) one meaningful price-capped gift rather than presents for everyone. Or set a spending limit for everyone at your celebration to help reduce anxiety and decision fatigue. You could also make it a kids-only gift year.

•  Cap it at four gifts. If you have kids and the Santa haul in your house has gotten out of control, adopt the viral “four gift rule.” The idea is simple: Each child gets something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read. (You may need it for the adults in your life, too.)

•  Set an example. Speaking of kids, it’s easy to think we’re not doing enough for them, and it’s natural to want to take them to a magical theater performance or decorate the house and yard to the nines. But what better way to model living within your means than making your reality a teachable moment.

“Let them know when they’re an adult, some years are going to be better than others,” Mary Clements Evans, a certified financial planner, told Scary Mommy. “Some years, you’re going to have more money than others. If they’re old enough, try to teach them a little bit about inflation. What happens if somebody loses a job? I don’t think you can teach kids those lessons too young.”

•  Scale the love. If you have a bunch of relatives or one big friend group on your gift list, consider putting effort into one gift that will make everyone smile — like a digital family greeting, photo collage, or special bread. (According to a recent Deloitte survey, Gen Zs and Millennials are the most likely to make their own gifts this season, including food gifts like baked goods, sauces, and charcuterie.)

•  Let tradition trump tickets. Stage shows and fancy New Year’s Eve dinners can get pricey fast. But there are other fun traditions that cost far less (or nothing), and they may end up being more memorable for you and your loved ones. Pile the family in the car with some to-go hot chocolate and look for the coolest light displays. Take everyone ice skating or sledding. Or have a holiday-themed potluck party with karaoke.

•  Stock emergency gifts to avoid last-minute expenses. When you need gifts right away, you’re at the mercy of expedited shipping costs or the prices at the only place that’s still open. If you spot a good go-to gift, grab an extra (or two) so you’ll always have something on hand for that person you accidentally left off your list.

•  Catch yourself. How did matching family pajamas, elaborate advent calendars, “brrr baskets,” and stocking stuffers pricey enough to be the actual gift infiltrate our holiday gift list? If you’re committed to scaling back, these extras could be a good place to start.

•  Ditch the guilt. You don’t have to spend what you spent in the past. If you can get by with $15 gifts for your nieces and nephews, don’t go grabbing something for an additional $10 to make up the difference. This year, take the win.

Related Reading

Learn to Recognize Holiday Spending Triggers (Take Charge America)

30 Amazing Gift Ideas That Cost Next to Nothing (Real Simple)

Are the Discounts Worth Getting That Store Credit Card? (SoFi)

Please understand that this information provided is general in nature and shouldn’t be construed as a recommendation or solicitation of any products offered by SoFi’s affiliates and subsidiaries. In addition, this information is by no means meant to provide investment or financial advice, nor is it intended to serve as the basis for any investment decision or recommendation to buy or sell any asset. Keep in mind that investing involves risk, and past performance of an asset never guarantees future results or returns. It’s important for investors to consider their specific financial needs, goals, and risk profile before making an investment decision.

The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. These links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement. No brands or products mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this content.

SoFi isn't recommending and is not affiliated with the brands or companies displayed. Brands displayed neither endorse or sponsor this article. Third party trademarks and service marks referenced are property of their respective owners.

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This article appeared in SoFi's On the Money newsletter. Not getting it? Sign up here.

Getting a bonus can feel like winning a small lottery. But if you’re tempted to splurge with it, don’t forget to consider your financial future, too. Maybe use 10% or 20% to treat yourself, and put the rest toward something that will have a lasting impact.

Need guidance? Here are five ways to make your bonus really matter.

1. Pay down credit cards. If you’re carrying a credit card balance, paying it off (or at least down) is arguably the best use of your bonus. Credit cards have some of the highest interest rates of any loan — especially in today’s economy — charging over 22%, on average. And the interest compounds daily, costing you more with each passing day.

For example, depending on how slowly you pay it off, a $5,000 credit card balance with a 22% APR could wind up costing you more than $5,000 just in interest. (It would cost $1,750 in interest if you’re paying $200 a month, $8,678 if you’re paying $100 a month.)

Why not use your bonus to break free of this burden and free up more of your hard-earned cash in the future? (This SoFi calculator can do the math for you.)

2. Supercharge your retirement savings or Health Savings Account (HSA). Even if you’re already contributing regularly to your 401(k) or IRA, adding a lump sum can leave you with a substantially larger nest egg when you retire, thanks to the power of compound growth.

Or, if you have one, add your bonus to your HSA, which could become even more valuable as healthcare costs rise. HSA funds not only never expire, but they can be invested and even become a stealth retirement savings vehicle.

Plus, maxing out these types of tax-advantaged accounts lowers your taxable income for the year.

Bonus tip: If you’ve already maxed out your 401(k) and don’t have a high-deductible plan, consider funding a Roth IRA with after-tax money. There’s no immediate tax benefit, but your investment earnings and all qualified withdrawals will be tax-free once you’re retired, when you could be in a higher tax bracket.

3. Build up your emergency savings. If you haven’t bulked up your savings, adding your bonus can give you peace of mind. Maybe you’re not sure if you’ll have enough to bridge the gap if you’re laid off, your car breaks down, or there’s a medical emergency.

Whatever happens, having enough in your emergency fund can help you avoid accruing debt (and unnecessary stress) to cover unexpected expenses. (Ideally, you’ll have enough saved to cover three to six months’ worth of living expenses.)

Pro tip: Use a high-yield savings account to earn interest while keeping your money accessible.

4. Save for other stuff. Beyond emergencies and retirement, your bonus can jumpstart savings for specific goals like home renovations or a special vacation. Or, wouldn’t it be nice to have money set aside for something unexpectedly good instead of bad? Consider starting an “opportunity fund.” Maybe you discover your new side hustle is going well enough to require more equipment or a website upgrade. Or you get a new job on the other side of the country and need money for your move.

Whatever you’re saving for, keeping the funds separated or in a dedicated account will make them less tempting to dip into. (We like the Vaults feature of SoFi high-yield accounts.)

5. Prepay to get the discount. There are many expenses that can cost less if you prepay — or pay for the entire year rather than month-by-month. These include:

•   Insurance premiums (auto, home, life)

•   Property (HOA fees, property taxes)

•   Education (tuition, daycare, music lessons)

•   Memberships (gym, Amazon Prime, streaming services)

•   Utilities (internet, security monitoring)

•   Healthcare (dental work, LASIK)

•   Professional (software subscriptions, licenses)

If the discount is sizable, consider paying ahead to get the best bang for your buck. (Just make sure these costs will continue to be part of your life — or that they’re refundable if things change.)

Please understand that this information provided is general in nature and shouldn’t be construed as a recommendation or solicitation of any products offered by SoFi’s affiliates and subsidiaries. In addition, this information is by no means meant to provide investment or financial advice, nor is it intended to serve as the basis for any investment decision or recommendation to buy or sell any asset. Keep in mind that investing involves risk, and past performance of an asset never guarantees future results or returns. It’s important for investors to consider their specific financial needs, goals, and risk profile before making an investment decision.

The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. These links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement. No brands or products mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this content.

SoFi isn't recommending and is not affiliated with the brands or companies displayed. Brands displayed neither endorse or sponsor this article. Third party trademarks and service marks referenced are property of their respective owners.

OTM2025121501