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How Many Weddings Can You Afford to Attend?

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Senior Editor Rebecca Moretti explores hot topics at the intersection of finance and pop culture in our new column, “Out of the Chat.”

One of my friends recently told me that she’s spent over $10,000 this year to attend seven weddings. This exorbitant figure made more sense once I realized they were nearly all destination weddings, but still — that’s a good start to a down payment on a house.

While she’s no doubt an outlier, it got me thinking about how expensive these celebrations can be. From tuxedos and gowns to registry gifts and hotel stays, the costs can add up fast.

Last year, wedding guests spent an an average of $610 per wedding, according to a study by The Knot, a wedding planning site. That’s an increase of $180 over the past five years. When travel was required, the bill was even higher: Those who drove from out of town spent an average of $840, while those who flew shelled out $1,680.

And then there’s being in the wedding party.. Between the various parties, matching outfits, Airbnbs, and boozy brunches, that’s a whole other layer of costs (Venmo much?). Zillow points out that the cost of attending one wedding + one bachelor(ette) weekend can cost nearly as much as the typical U.S. rent of $2,072. Yikes.

And get this: A Zillow survey found that nearly half of Gen Z and millennials had made some type of sacrifice on their housing so they could afford to go to wedding events. Common sacrifices included renting or buying a smaller place than they would have otherwise or living with roommates.

Luckily, I haven’t had to make trade-offs to be part of my friends’ big days, but I understand why people would, and I might if I had to. Attending a wedding is special, especially if you’re celebrating someone close to you. From crying happy tears when your friends walk down the aisle, to dressing up together and closing down the dance floor, it’s an experience that’s hard to give up. You just want to be there.

Unfortunately, it’s not always possible. One-quarter of Gen Z and millennials in Zillow’s survey said they’ve declined at least one wedding invitation because of the cost. And I do think it can be a good budget move to skip events that aren’t that important to you, especially if you’re getting a ton of invitations. If it’s a long-lost second cousin or a colleague that you barely know, it’s perfectly okay to RSVP “Not Attending.”

But if you really want to go and cost is the obstacle, don’t assume your bill is set in stone. For one, you don’t need to buy a new outfit and shoes for every wedding. It’s okay to be an outfit repeater: I wore the same dress to two back-to-back weddings, and I survived. Another option is to borrow an outfit from a friend. (You can return the favor when they have an event to attend.) You could also consider renting a dress or a tux, or altering something you find secondhand.

If it’s a destination wedding, you don’t have to stay at the resort suggested by the newlyweds. During a recent wedding, I ended up staying at a random-ish hotel because the suggested one was booked, and I saved about $1,000. And if you’re friends with other wedding guests, you could suggest splitting a room or an Airbnb. In the same vein, if the wedding requires a road trip, consider carpooling with others to split the gas costs (it might make the trip more fun, too).

And don’t forget credit card and loyalty points: If you have a travel credit card, the points can really add up, and I’ve often gotten free flights and big hotel discounts from mine. If you’re signed up for a free loyalty program with a big hotel chain or airline, that can help, too.

Lastly, plan ahead as much as possible. The nice thing about wedding invites is you get them enough in advance to be able to book flights and accommodations early — and hopefully snag better deals. You can also start saving in a dedicated fund as soon as you get the invite. Even if you put aside just $10 a week for a year, you’ll end up with $520 in your wedding fund. By the time the event rolls around, that cushion will make the expenses less stressful — and the experience more fun.


Please understand that this information provided is general in nature and shouldn’t be construed as a recommendation or solicitation of any products offered by SoFi’s affiliates and subsidiaries. In addition, this information is by no means meant to provide investment or financial advice, nor is it intended to serve as the basis for any investment decision or recommendation to buy or sell any asset. Keep in mind that investing involves risk, and past performance of an asset never guarantees future results or returns. It’s important for investors to consider their specific financial needs, goals, and risk profile before making an investment decision.

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.

SoFi isn't recommending and is not affiliated with the brands or companies displayed. Brands displayed neither endorse or sponsor this article. Third party trademarks and service marks referenced are property of their respective owners.

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Week Ahead on Wall Street: A Shutdown Tipping Point?

The government shutdown, now the longest in U.S. history, has dragged on for over 40 days. And now, having already missed one paycheck, hundreds of thousands of federal workers are set to miss another one. Beyond the direct and painful hit to families, the blow to consumer incomes risks derailing consumer spending, which accounts for over two-thirds of U.S. gross domestic product (GDP).

Since air traffic controllers and TSA staff have to work without pay, staffing shortages are also intensifying. To cope with the pressure, the Transportation Department and Federal Aviation Administration ordered flight cuts of approximately 10%. This all comes ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday week, one of the busiest and economically important parts of the year.

The threat to the economy adds pressure on lawmakers to find a solution. And although betting markets suggest traders expect the shutdown to drag into next week, things can change very quickly.

Who knows if we’ll see the first real signs of progress toward a deal this week, but until the government reopens, expect more market choppiness.

How Many Days Will the Government Be Shut Down This Year?

Economic and Earnings Calendar

Note: This list includes all regularly scheduled reports, but most that involve government data will not be released while the shutdown is ongoing.

Monday

•  Earnings: Interpublic Group of Companies (IPG), Occidental Petroleum (OXY), Paramount Skydance (PSKY), Tyson Foods (TSN)

Tuesday

•  October NFIB Small Business Optimism: This measures how small business owners feel about current and future economic conditions.

Wednesday

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

•  Fedspeak: New York Fed President John Williams will deliver a keynote speech at the 2025 U.S. Treasury Market Conference. Philadelphia Fed President Anna Paulson will speak at the regional Fed’s annual fintech conference. Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic will discuss economic trends at the Atlanta Economics Club.

•  Earnings: Cisco (CSCO), TransDigm Group (TDG)

Thursday

•  October 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.

•  October Treasury Statement: This summarizes the U.S. federal government budget by tracking government revenues and expenditures.

•  Weekly Jobless Claims: This high frequency labor market data gives insight into filings for unemployment benefits.

•  Fedspeak: St. Louis Fed President Alberto Musalem will take part in a fireside chat on the economy and monetary policy.

•  Earnings: Applied Materials (AMAT), Disney (DIS)

Friday

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

•  October Producer Price Index: The PPI tracks price trends that producers face and is down significantly from its peak earlier in the cycle.

•  Fedspeak: Bostic will take part in a moderated discussion at the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management’s annual conference. Kansas City Fed President Jeff Schmid will discuss monetary policy and the economic outlook at an energy conference hosted by the regional bank and the Dallas Fed.

•  Earnings: Qnity Electronics (Q)

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Please understand that this information provided is general in nature and shouldn’t be construed as a recommendation or solicitation of any products offered by SoFi’s affiliates and subsidiaries. In addition, this information is by no means meant to provide investment or financial advice, nor is it intended to serve as the basis for any investment decision or recommendation to buy or sell any asset. Keep in mind that investing involves risk, and past performance of an asset never guarantees future results or returns. It’s important for investors to consider their specific financial needs, goals, and risk profile before making an investment decision.

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.

SoFi isn't recommending and is not affiliated with the brands or companies displayed. Brands displayed neither endorse or sponsor this article. Third party trademarks and service marks referenced are property of their respective owners.

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Fewer Than Half of Americans Are on Track for Retirement

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

Retirement readiness is a murky concept.

Between the dire predictions about Social Security, the headlines about “magic” retirement savings numbers, and the various gauges and rules of thumb, it can be hard to make sense of it all. And for many people, it’s difficult enough just finding surplus income to tuck away.

So let’s start with a basic premise underlying a new study by Vanguard: Most of us probably want to maintain our current lifestyle in retirement. In other words, we want to have the resources to cover roughly the same expenses even when we’ve stopped working.

And if we assume this, only 42% of Americans are on track to have enough resources, Vanguard found. The other 58% will fall short, with those earning a typical salary (a median per-capita income of $51,000) having to cut their spending by an estimated $5,000 a year, or 13%, during their retirement.

Vanguard’s Retirement Readiness Model factored in Social Security payments, mortality rates, retirement saving rates, historical spending patterns, market return forecasts, and other asset allocation data across various demographic groups. And it revealed several other interesting findings:

•  Access to a 401(k) makes a big difference: Workers with access to a workplace retirement plan are almost twice as likely to be on track for “readiness” — 54% of workers with access are on track, compared with 28% of those without. (If every worker in the U.S. had access, 61% would be on track.)

•  The outlook is brighter for younger people: Compared with baby boomers and Gen X, millennials and Gen Z are more likely to be on track, thanks to stronger 401(k) adoption and plan features like auto-enrollment. The percentages are 47% for Gen Z, 42% for Millennials, 41% for Gen X, and 40% for boomers.

•  Debt is an obstacle: The typical millennial age 35-38 has about $12,000 in nonhousing debt (including credit cards, student loans, auto loans), about double what boomers carried at the same age. That knocks nearly 1 in 10 millennials off the path to retirement readiness.

•  Home equity could help many baby boomers: Many low- to middle-income baby boomers nearing retirement won’t be able to maintain their lifestyle without tapping into their home equity to close the gap. (Downsizing their home or selling and becoming renters, for instance.) However, among younger generations, property prices and mortgage rates can often put homeownership out of reach.

So what?

There’s a lot of doom and gloom surrounding retirement readiness, but the Vanguard analysis has some bright spots. For one, an annual shortfall of $5,000 for the typical earner could be worse. “Whether such a reduction would constitute a significant lifestyle change depends on individual needs and expectations,” the Vanguard researchers note.

Plus, the better outlook for young people would suggest society at large is getting better at retirement security. And the younger you are, the more time you have to get on track, if you’re not already.

There’s no doubt it can be hard to carve out surplus income, especially given the rising cost of living, a fragile job market, student debt, and other obligations. But the sooner you start and the more consistently you put money away, the better off you’ll be — even if you have to begin with a small contribution.

And perhaps most importantly, if your job doesn’t offer a 401(k) or similar plan, save on your own. You can use an IRA or traditional brokerage account (which can be roboadvised, if you’d like to be hands off.) You can even set up a 401(k)-like direct deposit. Research shows that people are 15 times more likely to save for their retirement if they have money deducted from their paychecks.

Related Reading

Financial Experts Say There’s No Such Thing as a Single ‘Magic’ Retirement Number (Fortune via MSN)

2024 Retirement Readiness Survey: How Americans Are Preparing (SoFi)

10 Things Retirees Should Stop Spending On Now (AARP)


Please understand that this information provided is general in nature and shouldn’t be construed as a recommendation or solicitation of any products offered by SoFi’s affiliates and subsidiaries. In addition, this information is by no means meant to provide investment or financial advice, nor is it intended to serve as the basis for any investment decision or recommendation to buy or sell any asset. Keep in mind that investing involves risk, and past performance of an asset never guarantees future results or returns. It’s important for investors to consider their specific financial needs, goals, and risk profile before making an investment decision.

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.

SoFi isn't recommending and is not affiliated with the brands or companies displayed. Brands displayed neither endorse or sponsor this article. Third party trademarks and service marks referenced are property of their respective owners.

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Extra Credit: 5-Question Quiz of the Week

Test your knowledge of topics covered in the past week’s newsletters. Can you get a perfect score?

 


Please understand that this information provided is general in nature and shouldn’t be construed as a recommendation or solicitation of any products offered by SoFi’s affiliates and subsidiaries. In addition, this information is by no means meant to provide investment or financial advice, nor is it intended to serve as the basis for any investment decision or recommendation to buy or sell any asset. Keep in mind that investing involves risk, and past performance of an asset never guarantees future results or returns. It’s important for investors to consider their specific financial needs, goals, and risk profile before making an investment decision.

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.

SoFi isn't recommending and is not affiliated with the brands or companies displayed. Brands displayed neither endorse or sponsor this article. Third party trademarks and service marks referenced are property of their respective owners.

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