SoFi Blog

The last cold snap has finally passed and you can finally go outside without a full-on puffy jacket cocooning you ankle to shoulder. Soon enough it will be summer a.k.a. backyard season.

But what if your backyard is looking a little grim? A backyard remodel can help turn even the dingiest cement patio into your own personal oasis—where you can sit back and relax by your own personal pond, or live out your Masterchef dreams with an outdoor artisan pizza oven that bakes the crispest crusts on the block.

A backyard remodel is also a great way to bring an outdated home into the modern era without worrying about removing walls or making structural changes to the interior of your home. Adding modern landscaping can take a 70’s home from drab to fab faster than you can say “lawn flamingo.”

And depending on the extent of the remodel, updating your backyard could also be cheaper than interior home renovations. A backyard remodel could also potentially increase the value of your home, which means that putting some work into your yard now might help maximize the amount you can sell the home for later.

Here’s what you need to know about backyard remodeling before you start peeping new raised flower beds for behind the pool.

In a perfect world, going on vacation wouldn’t mean sacrificing all the comforts of home. It would be possible to experience new places without ever feeling like you’ve left anything behind. House sharing and interesting new vacation rentals have come close to solving this problem, but there might be an even better solution.

Driving around the country this summer in a recreational vehicle (RV) might just be the way to hit the road. With loads of options from small vintage-inspired teardrop trailers all the way up to rolling mini-mansions, you’ll probably find something that fits your needs in an RV for summer travel.

Imagine having a furry friend by your side as you navigate your classes and new relationships in college. Sounds comforting, doesn’t it? While this is a nice idea, having a pet is a lot of work, and there are several things to consider before getting a dog in college: Can you be a full time student and also take care of a dog? Will you have enough time? Can you afford it?

That being said, if you’re committed, the benefits of having a dog in college, especially the mental health benefits, may outweigh the cons.

There are, of course, other pets to consider besides dogs—cats, iguanas, ferrets—each with their own considerations, but we will focus on canines. Here is what you need to know to help you decide if having a dog in college is right for you.

Remember the long, cold winter days you spent cooped up inside wishing for sunnier, warmer weather? Those days are now a distant memory as the summer heat starts to take hold.

Sure, you could sit in the air conditioning, but who wants to spend all summer inside? And sometimes, fighting the crowds for a spot at the local pool, beach, or lake can be a headache.

If the rising temperatures have you searching for “cold places in July,” this list could be just what you’re looking for. Summer vacations don’t have to be all beaches and hot, humid days. Here are some cool weather summer vacations that could help you beat the heat this summer.

Congratulations, you’re having a baby! Soon, your entire life will be filled with baby bottles, diapers, and … so many sleepless nights. Before you welcome a new life into the world, your to-do list will likely keep expanding.

From preparing the nursery and assembling a crib to creating a birth plan and baby-proofing the house, there is a lot to take care of. And we know it can be completely exhausting. While you are hustling to get everything ready before you bring your little one home, you might want to take a minute to slow down and enjoy this process. One way parents are doing this is by celebrating with a babymoon.

A babymoon is an excursion you go on with your significant other just before the birth or adoption of your child. It’s a time to kick back and relax just one last time. Sure, this trip sounds like another expensive baby-related item, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are a few ideas on how to plan, where to go, and ways to finance your last getaway as a twosome without going overboard on the budget.