SoFi Blog

Tips and news—
for your financial moves.

children using smartphone

Back to School List: Starter Phones for Young Students

Fall is approaching, and that means two things: fall leaves and the sounds of thousands of harried parents navigating increasingly long back-to-school lists. From pencils and notebooks to new school uniforms, your shopping list might be a mile long. For some parents, this back-to-school season will be the first time their kid heads off to school with a new cell phone in their backpack.

If grabbing your child their first cell phone is on your back-to-school to-do list, there are some important things to consider before handing over a tricked-out smartphone to someone whose brain might not be fully developed yet. Deciding to get a cell phone for your child is a personal decision. Here’s what to know when it comes to making that decision.

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Tips for Saving Money on Back to School Supplies

Fall might bring falling leaves and trips to the apple orchard for cider and donuts, but it can also bring a whole lot of stress, especially when it comes to back to school. As your student gets ready for a new year, you’re overwhelmed with new school forms, back to school physicals, sports sign up forms, and of course, the dreaded back to school list.

Back to school lists seem to be getting longer and longer, with students expected to show up with everything from whiteboard markers to tissues. Wondering how to save money on school supplies?

Just because your list gets longer every year doesn’t mean that you have to spend more. With back to school shopping sales and some creative reuse, there are many ways to save on school supplies.

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Highest Paying Jobs Out of College

The term “entry-level job” might bring to mind dingy cubicles, fetching coffee, long hours, or a small paycheck. However, depending on your degree and qualifications, this may not be the case.

With the right diploma and experience, as well as a stellar job search and interview, you could catch one of these coveted roles. A promising role right out the gate could mean financial stability, and paying off those pesky student loans sooner.

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July Monthly Market Commentary

The Fed made moves, big tech got slapped and the candidates bristled.

Another month is in the books, and the more things change the more they stay the same. Stock markets seemed to climb to new heights in July while pundits continued to discount the rally and call for the next recession. Even presidential candidates got in on the doomsday predictions this month.

Just like in June, market-moving news is coming from the Fed, geopolitical tensions, and major technology companies. As the summer winds down, sit back and catch up on some highlights from July.

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Dorm Essentials for Incoming Freshman

Let’s be real: shopping for your new dorm is one of the most exciting parts of going away to college. You might be leaving home for the first time ever, and are anxious to design a room that is somehow practical, comfortable, and well-designed all at once.

While there are plenty of lists that will tell you exactly what size sheets to bring and where to find the perfect set of plastic drawers, the reality is that there are some completely unexpected necessities you’ll need for your new home away from home. From multiple light sources to backup phone chargers, we’ve got you covered with our ultimate dorm room essentials list.

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