Dec

2025

Week Ahead on Wall Street: Don’t Hibernate Just Yet

By Mario Ismailanji | | Comments Off

In a typical year, the week following the final Federal Reserve meeting of the year would mark the beginning of the holiday drift. Trading volumes would start drying up, news flow would slow to a trickle, and investors would essentially pack it in for the year.

This week, like so much of 2025, won’t be typical, though. Investors are still playing a game of catch-up with economic data, and the government will release jobs numbers and key inflation metrics for November.

Plus, now that the Fed meeting is behind us, the communications blackout period is over and Fed officials are free to publicly speak about monetary policy and their economic outlooks. We expect a meaningful amount of discussion given the range of views underlying the Fed’s latest decision to lower its benchmark interest rate. (It was a 9-3 vote, and committee members disagreed about where rates could go in 2026).

Dot Plot for 2026 Reveals Deepening Disagreement On Rates

The temptation might be to tune out and look toward the holidays, but the market has a few more hurdles to clear. Between the flood of delayed data and the slate of speeches from Fed officials, this week promises to be an eventful one.

Economic and Earnings Calendar

Monday

• December Empire State Manufacturing Activity: The New York Fed’s survey of manufacturing executives in the region on business conditions and their outlook.

• December NAHB Housing Market Index: This index tracks how homebuilders feel about the current and future state of the single-family housing market.

• Fedspeak: Fed Governor Stephen Miran will participate in a moderated conversation with former Fed Vice Chair Richard Clarida at Columbia University’s Institute of Global Politics. New York Fed President John Williams will deliver keynote remarks at a New Jersey Bankers Association event.

Tuesday

• November Employment Situation Summary: This monthly blockbuster release from the Labor Department gives a comprehensive look at employment, wages, and hours worked in the previous month.

• October Retail Sales: This measures spending at retail stores and is a key indicator of consumer demand.

• December New York Services Activity: The New York Fed’s survey of manufacturing executives in the region on business conditions and their outlook.

• December S&P Global US PMIs: These indexes track how purchasing managers across different industries feel about the business environment.

• Earnings: Lennar (LEN)

Wednesday

• Weekly Mortgage Applications: Mortgage activity gives insight on demand conditions in the housing market.

• Fedspeak: Williams will deliver opening remarks at the regional Fed’s FX Market Structure conference. Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic will participate in a moderated discussion at the Gwinnett County Chamber of Commerce.

• Earnings: General Mills (GIS), Jabil (JBL), Micron Technology (MU)

Thursday

• November Consumer Price Index: The CPI is one of the most popular indicators for tracking consumer price trends and is a marquee release for market watchers.

• December Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Activity: The Philadelphia Fed’s survey of manufacturing executives in the region on business conditions and their outlook.

• December Kansas City Fed Manufacturing Activity: The Kansas City Fed’s survey of manufacturing executives in the region on business conditions and their outlook.

Friday

• November Existing Home Sales: Most home transactions in any given month tend to come from the existing market, and as a result set the tone for the broader housing market.

• December University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment: How consumers feel about economic conditions affect their spending habits. This survey places a particular focus on inflation and its trajectory.

• December Kansas City Fed Non-Manufacturing Activity: The Kansas City Fed’s survey of services executives in the region on business conditions and their outlook.

• Earnings: Conagra Brands (CAG), Lamb Weston (LW), Paychex (PAYX)

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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.

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Dec

2025

Kentucky Mortgage Refinance Calculator

By Dana Paltao | Uncategorized | Comments Off

Kentucky Mortgage Refinance Calculator

By SoFi Editors | Updated December 2, 2025

When you take the step to refinance your mortgage, it’s important to fully understand both the potential benefits and possible costs involved before making any decisions about your home loan. A Kentucky mortgage refi calculator can be a great resource during this process. The tool helps provide estimates for your monthly payments, shows you the total interest you might pay over the life of the loan, and calculates the break-even point, an important figure that lets you know when the savings from refinancing will outweigh the initial costs.

Key Points

• The refinance calculator helps estimate monthly payments, total interest costs, and the break-even point, all key elements to making an informed refinancing decision.

• Even a small reduction in your interest rate can lead to substantial savings over the life of the loan, making refinancing a potentially advantageous move.

• Extending the term of your loan can lower monthly payments but increase total interest paid. Shortening the term can do the opposite, so consider your financial goals carefully.

• Factor in refinancing costs, like origination, appraisal, and attorney fees, which can range from 2% to 5% of the loan amount.

Kentucky Mortgage Refinance Calculator

Calculator Definitions

• Remaining loan balance: The remaining loan balance is what you owe on your existing mortgage. This affects how soon you can refinance a mortgage, as you usually need to have at least 20% equity in your home.

• Current/New interest rate: Interest is the percentage of the total loan amount that the lender charges you for the privilege of borrowing. The difference between your current interest rate and a potential new rate, even a small amount, can significantly impact both your monthly payments and your overall savings over the duration of the loan.

• Remaining/New loan term: The remaining loan term represents the duration you are expected to repay your mortgage after completing the refinancing process. A shorter term can save you a significant amount of money in interest payments over the life of the loan, but will also lead to an increase in your monthly payments.

• Points: Mortgage points, also known as discount points, allow you to prepay a portion of the interest due on a home loan at closing. Each point typically costs 1% of the total loan amount and can reduce your interest rate by 0.25%.

• Other costs and fees: Refinancing your mortgage comes with various costs and fees, including those for the lender, credit report, home appraisal, and attorney. Mortgage refinancing costs typically range from 2% to 5% of the total loan amount being refinanced.

• Monthly payment: Your monthly mortgage payment typically covers the principal and interest. A refi mortgage calculator can help you compare your current monthly payment with the estimated payment after refinancing to potentially secure better terms.

• Total interest: Total interest represents the cost you will pay to the lender over the life of the loan. Compare the total interest paid before refinance with the projected total interest on a mortgage refinance to determine your potential savings.

How to Use the Kentucky Mortgage Refinance Calculator

Here’s how to use the Kentucky mortgage refinance calculator effectively.

Step 1: Enter Your Remaining Loan Balance

Enter your remaining loan balance. This figure represents the principal amount you owe on your current home loan.

Step 2: Add Your Current Interest Rate

Input your current interest rate. This helps estimate your current monthly payment and total interest costs, which can be compared with potential new rates and terms. Your interest rate depends on market conditions, your credit history, and the type of mortgage loan you choose.

Step 3: Estimate Your New Interest Rate

Estimate your new interest rate based on current mortgage rates offered by lenders. Enter this rate into the refinance calculator to see how it could affect your monthly payments and total interest.

Step 4: Select Your Remaining Loan Term

Enter the number of years that remain on your current mortgage. This estimates the total interest you’d pay if you kept your current mortgage.

Step 5: Choose a New Loan Term

Choose a new loan term that aligns with your financial goals. A longer term can lower monthly payments, while a shorter term can reduce total interest paid over the life of the loan.

Step 6: Enter Any Points You Intend to Purchase

Select the number of discount points, if any, you plan to purchase. Points can lower your interest rate, but they come with an upfront cost.

Step 7: Estimate Your Other Costs and Fees

Input the amount of other potential costs and fees, such as origination, credit report, home appraisal, and attorney fees. These costs can range from 2% to 5% of the loan amount.

Step 8: Review Your Break-Even Point

The calculator divides the total closing costs by the amount of your monthly savings to determine your break-even point. This figure helps you assess whether refinancing is worth pursuing. If you plan to stay in your home longer than this point, refinancing can be beneficial.

Recommended: How to Refinance a Mortgage

Benefits of Using a Mortgage Refinance Payment Calculator

You will see that using our Kentucky mortgage refinance payment calculator has many benefits. It can help you evaluate whether refinancing is a viable option to lower your monthly payment or interest rate. The tool provides insight into potential savings, allowing you to see if refinancing could free up money for other financial goals. Even a small reduction in your interest rate, such as a quarter percentage point, can result in significant savings, especially for larger home loans.

Lastly, the refi calculator can help you consider the purpose of your refinance: whether it’s to lower your interest rate, switch to a different type of mortgage loan (such as a fixed-rate loan), or access home equity with a cash-out refinance.

What Is the Break-Even Point in Refinancing?

The break-even point represents the amount of time required to recoup all closing costs through the resulting monthly savings. Having a good understanding of the figure helps you decide whether a mortgage refinance is right for you.

The refi mortgage calculator shows your break-even point — by subtracting your new estimated monthly payment from your current mortgage payment, then dividing the closing costs by the monthly savings.

Let’s say refinancing saves you $100 each month, and the total closing costs amount to $2,500. It would take 25 months to cover those upfront costs and begin seeing actual savings. If you plan to sell your home before reaching this point, refinancing might not be the best option.

Recommended: How Soon Can You Refinance a Mortgage?

Current mortgage rates by state.

Compare current home interest rates by state and find a mortgage rate that suits your financial goals.

Select a state to view current rates:

Typical Closing Costs for a Refinance in Kentucky

Refinancing a home loan in Kentucky can cost anywhere between 2% to 5% of the new loan amount. There are a variety of fixed costs such as loan application fees (up to $500), credit report fees ($25-$75), home appraisal fees ($600-$2,000), recording fees ($25-$250), and don’t forget attorney fees ($500-$1,000+). Take into account percentage-based costs too, such as loan origination fees (0.5%-1% of the purchase price) and title search and insurance (0.5%-1% of the purchase price).

Another avenue some people consider is a no-closing-cost refinance, which allows borrowers to roll the closing costs into the mortgage in exchange for a higher interest rate. This move may allow you to keep cash on hand to use for other purposes, however it will increase the principal and total interest paid so you’d have to consider whether it’s worth doing.

Recommended: How and When to Refinance a Jumbo Loan

Tips on Reducing Your Mortgage Refinance Payment

Here are strategies to help you reduce your mortgage refinance payment:

• Work on improving your credit score to secure a lower interest rate.

• Shop around with different lenders and negotiate to get competitive rates and terms.

• Look into extending the term of your loan to reduce monthly payments (this will likely increase your total interest paid).

• Homeowners insurance premiums are often included in mortgage payments, so shop for a lower homeowners insurance rate by increasing your deductible or bundling policies.

The Takeaway

Refinancing your home loan can be a strategic financial move, but it’s important to assess the costs before making a decision. Use our Kentucky mortgage refinance calculator to help you estimate potential savings, both monthly and over the life of the loan, and determine whether refinancing aligns with your long-term financial goals.

SoFi can help you save money when you refinance your mortgage. Plus, we make sure the process is as stress-free and transparent as possible. SoFi offers competitive fixed rates on a traditional mortgage refinance or cash-out refinance.

A mortgage refinance could be a game changer for your finances.

View your rate

FAQ

How much does it cost to refinance a $300,000 mortgage?

Refinancing a $300,000 home loan comes with costs that can range from 2% to 5% of the loan amount, translating to approximately $6,000 to $15,000. Common fixed costs include loan application, credit report, and attorney fees. A mortgage refinance calculator can help you estimate your break-even point and assess the financial viability of refinancing.

What credit score do you need for refinancing?

A credit score of at least 620 is typically required for conventional loans, and a higher score, such as 700 or above, can help you secure more competitive interest rates and terms. Monitor your credit report, and see what you can do to improve it.

Does refinancing hurt your credit?

Because refinancing triggers a hard credit pull, it can have a temporary impact on your credit score. The impact is usually temporary, and if you manage the new loan responsibly making on-time payments, your credit score can recover.

At what point is it not worth it to refinance?

To help you determine if it’s not worth refinancing, calculate your break-even point. This is the number of months required for the cumulative savings from a lower interest rate to outweigh all associated refinancing costs. For example, if it will take 50 months to recoup refinancing costs, and you plan to move within 30 months, refinancing may not offer financial benefits.

Learn more about mortgages:

SoFi Mortgages
Terms, conditions, and state restrictions apply. Not all products are available in all states. See SoFi.com/eligibility-criteria for more information.

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

*SoFi requires Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) for conforming home loans with a loan-to-value (LTV) ratio greater than 80%. As little as 3% down payments are for qualifying first-time homebuyers only. 5% minimum applies to other borrowers. Other loan types may require different fees or insurance (e.g., VA funding fee, FHA Mortgage Insurance Premiums, etc.). Loan requirements may vary depending on your down payment amount, and minimum down payment varies by loan type.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Checking Your Rates: To check the rates and terms you may qualify for, SoFi conducts a soft credit pull that will not affect your credit score. However, if you choose a product and continue your application, we will request your full credit report from one or more consumer reporting agencies, which is considered a hard credit pull and may affect your credit.

SOHL-Q425-081

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Dec

2025

Inflation Calc Test Page

By Derek Stratton | Uncategorized | Comments Off

U.S. Inflation Calculator

See how the buying power of the dollar has changed over the last century. Calculate the real value of any amount from 1913 to today.

How To Use Use This Calculator

Follow these simple steps to calculate the change in purchasing power between any two years.

Amount: Type in the dollar value you want to calculate. This could be the price of a specific item (like a gallon of milk), a salary, or a general sum of money.
Start Year: Choose the year that the original amount is from. For example, if you want to know what your grandfather’s salary from 1955 is worth today, select “1955.”
End Year: Choose the target year you want to compare against. To see today’s value, select the current year.
Equivalent Value: The calculator will instantly update to show you the inflation-adjusted value, giving you a clear picture of how buying power has shifted between those two dates.

Example Scenario

Imagine you found an old receipt from 1980 for a bicycle that cost $100. To see what that same bike would cost in 2025 dollars:

Enter $100 in the Amount field.
Select 1980 as the Start Year.
Select 2025 as the End Year.

The calculator will show you the Equivalent Value, revealing exactly how much buying power that $100 represented back then compared to now. Based on this example, the Equivalent Value would be $394.

How This Inflation Calculator Works

The calculations are based on the historical Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U).¹ We use the annual average CPI data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to ensure accuracy across a wide range of dates (1913–Present).

The Formula

To calculate the inflation-adjusted value, the following standard formula is used:

End Value = Start Amount × (End Year CPI ÷ Start Year CPI)

This ratio allows us to precisely adjust the original dollar amount to reflect the price level of the selected end year.

FAQ

If a house was purchased for $150,000 in 1980, how much is that in today’s dollars?

According to general inflation, $150,000 in 1980 has the same buying power as roughly $591,080 today.

Important Note: Real estate values often rise faster than standard inflation due to location, supply, and demand. So, while this calculator shows what the dollars are worth, the actual market value of that home today might be much higher (or lower) depending on the local housing market.

If my grandfather earned $10,000 a year in 1955, was he considered rich?

It might seem low now, but adjusted for inflation, $10,000 in 1955 is equivalent to roughly $121,157 today. This helps explain why a single income back then could often support a larger family. The “sticker price” was lower, but the purchasing power of each dollar was much stronger.

If a movie ticket cost $2.50 in 1980, what should it cost today?

Based purely on inflation, that ticket should cost about $10 today. If you pay more than that at your local theater (for example, $15 or $20), it means the price of movie tickets has risen faster than the average rate of inflation across the economy.

If I put $1,000 under my mattress in 1990, what did I lose?

You still have $1,000, but you lost purchasing power. To buy the same amount of goods that $1,000 could purchase in 1990, you would need over $2,400 today.

Learn more about inflation.

Sources

1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Consumer Price Index.

This tool is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Calculated values are estimates based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The 2025 index is a projection and may differ from the final official annual average.

Dec

2025

Adulting (and Student Loans): Setting Yourself Up to Thrive

By Ezra Dreiblatt | | Comments Off

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

If you graduated from college this spring, chances are the past few months have been full of new adventures — and a lot of adulting. And if you took out federal student loans, it’s probably starting to feel even more real now that your first payments are due.

After you finish school, you get six months before you have to start paying back your student debt. Once that transition period has lapsed (it just did if you graduated in May,) you’ll want to get started on the right foot — with both your student loans and the rest of your finances.

First off:

• Make sure you know which company is handling your bills. (The government assigns a “loan servicer” to every borrower.)

• Check your monthly payment amount to determine whether you’re on a repayment plan you can afford. The standard repayment plan is based on the size of your balance, but you can opt for a plan based on your income instead. Use the government’s online loan simulator to compare monthly payments under different plans.

(Note: There have been a lot of changes in repayment plans the past few years, and more are coming. The Education Department posts updates here, and SoFi is tracking it all too.)

• Consider setting up autopay to avoid being late on payments. Paying on time — every time — will help you protect your credit score and mean one less thing to stress about as you’re figuring out post-college life.

But whether you have student loans or not, the habits you build right now can set you up for years to come. These basics will lay the groundwork for a strong financial footing.

Strategies for saving and spending after college

Aim to pay your entire credit card balance every month. While there may be times when you can’t pay your full balance (life happens), making this a habit can save you a lot of money on interest.

A budget or spending tracker (we like SoFi’s) can help keep you on target, showing you exactly where you’re spending. If you’re looking for a simple starting point, consider the 50/30/20 rule (50% for needs, 30% for wants, 20% for savings).

Prioritize emergency savings. Having money saved can help you avoid taking on high-interest credit card debt if something goes sideways and you have an unexpected expense or loss of income. The general rule of thumb is to have enough money saved to cover three to six months’ worth of basic living expenses, but even starting small can help. If you can only put away $20 a paycheck right now, that’s a great place to start.

Let autopilot be your friend. It’s a busy time in your life, with a lot to figure out. The more you can automate, the easier things can be. Whether you set up recurring transfers to savings, automatic bill payments, or just regular alerts/reminders, the goal is peace of mind that you won’t lose track of the important stuff. (Just review your bills to make sure there aren’t any mistakes.)

Consider saving for your future sooner rather than later. The earlier you start investing in a 401(k) or IRA, the more your future self can benefit. And it’s not a linear progression. When you invest your money, you give any money you earn from it a chance to earn even more money. It’s called compound growth, and the longer you give it to work, the more powerful it can be.

A quick example: If you add $200 a month to your 401(k) for the next 40 years, you’d end up with about $525,000 if your investments earned 7% a year. (There’s no saying what you’ll earn, but 7% is the average annual return for the S&P 500 historically, adjusted for inflation.) But if you wait 10 years to start, giving yourself just 30 years to invest before you retire, the same monthly contribution and annual return would leave you with roughly $244,000 — less than half that amount.

(Bonus tip: If you have an employer that offers a 401(k) match, that’s yet another reason to start saving. It is, quite literally, free money.)

So what?

You don’t have to have it all figured out to build healthy financial habits that stick. But you do want to avoid regrets. (Virtually all Gen Xers in a recent CFP Board survey regretted something, with almost half estimating their financial missteps cost them at least $100,000.)

To lay a strong financial foundation, be responsible, be proactive, and keep it simple. And remember, if you’re young, time is on your side.

SoFi Blog

Tips and news—for your financial moves.

Week Ahead on Wall Street: Don’t Hibernate Just Yet

Dot Plot for 2026 Reveals Deepening Disagreement On Rates

Economic and Earnings Calendar

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Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

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Massachusetts Mortgage Refinance Calculator

Massachusetts Mortgage Refinance Calculator

Calculator Definitions

How to Use the Massachusetts Mortgage Refinance Calculator