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.

There’s something pretty great about giving to those around you in need. Getting knee-deep with fellow do-gooders in a cause larger than yourself can score major feel-good vibes. And while giving back to your community is a rewarding and worthwhile pursuit in itself, an added bonus is that investing your time, money, or expertise in your local community can be a powerful way to build relationships and enhance your personal brand. Because you can help others while helping yourself.

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.

Editor’s Note: The following article on home renovation and budgeting originally appeared on our web partner Houzz’s website. Some of the content has been slightly edited from its original version, and is written from the perspective of a home designer.

The budget conversation — it’s sometimes awkward, often slightly uncomfortable and usually comes with a bit of anxiety. Because of the nature of construction, things often cost more than what homeowners think. There are endless debates on why that is, but the result is that we designers often have conversations with our clients that end with an awkward silence. The silence usually means that certain aspects of the project might be out of our clients’ reach. And truth be told, we really don’t like being the messenger in these conversations. We want our clients to be satisfied with the process and get what they really want.