SoFi Blog

Couples in committed relationships share a lot of things, from values and goals to favorite takeout places to Netflix and Spotify accounts. But many couples share something else: student loan debt. It’s not at all unusual—nearly 70% of people holding a Bachelor’s degree leave school with college debt—but it can be trying and cause concern.

If you and your partner are in that group, you might have already discovered how student loan debt can affect your financial lives. And if you’re like 54% of people surveyed, you might even have had second thoughts about taking on the debt of the person you love.

If the United States economy was a movie, student loans would be the super villain– or at the very least, a founding member of the Suicide Squad.

Over the past decade or so, outstanding student loan debt has grown faster than a toxic algae bloom, surpassing a whopping $1.3 trillion. Saddled with increasingly scary levels of debt, young professionals have decreased spending and put off major purchases, such as buying a home, fueling an ongoing drag on the economy. Inability to pay student loan debt can even lead to mental health issues and physical illness, which can have a major impact on employee productivity and business performance.

When it comes to finances, the Fergusons of Baltimore, Maryland, may still be working on certain goals, such as paying down student loan debt and saving for retirement, but there’s one thing they’ve fully mastered: communicating about their financial progress and dreams.

The Fergusons—Dominique, William, and their kids Dexter, 26, and Natalie, 24 — hold bi-annual family meetings to discuss all things financial. By sharing everything from progress on paying down debt to new knowledge on upcoming expenses, they’re able to make positive strides toward their objectives. They’ve also been able to help one another. In fact, it was Dexter who told his parents, Dominique and William, about the potential to save a ton on interest by refinancing the loans they took out to pay for their children’s college with SoFi’s Parent PLUS student loan refinancing.

At SoFi, we have a diverse community of driven members, who look to us for innovative approaches in reaching their financial goals. As educated professionals – many emerging in their careers – our members attend our community events to build their financial knowledge, enhance their careers, and connect with others equally motivated towards success. It’s why we do everything we can to help them grow, network, and have some fun as they navigate through life and their careers. Our latest event at New York University’s elegant Torch Club is a perfect example.

Summertime is all about sunshine, much-needed vacation time, and relaxation. It’s also a great time to make significant headway on your student loans.

We know that might sound crazy—after all, there’s nothing fun or relaxing about dealing with student loan debt. But here’s the thing: if you want that debt out of your life ASAP, it won’t help to take a vacation from it. Follow a few summer savings tips now, and you’ll see some satisfying progress by the time winter rolls around.