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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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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.

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.¹

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). 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).²

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

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

¹ 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.

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.

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.

A Guide to Alternative Investments

By Derek Stratton | Uncategorized | Comments Off

Alternative Investments 101

SoFi’s Alt Investment Guide for Beginners

Alternative investments — which fall outside the realm of conventional assets like stocks and bonds — were once considered too high risk for ordinary investors. Now alternative strategies are becoming more accessible through mutual funds and ETFs, and may even be available in some employer-sponsored retirement plans starting in 2026.

Thanks to their low correlation with traditional asset classes, alternatives may offer investors certain benefits. Alts can increase portfolio diversification, which may help offset some risk factors and improve risk-adjusted returns.

Alts include a range of assets including commodities, art, and collectibles, as well as alternative strategies such as investing in derivatives, real estate, private equity, and more.

Because alts tend to be very complex, fairly illiquid, and high risk, these investments do require careful management. To that end, this guide provides a comprehensive overview of some of the most common alternative investment choices.

Many colorful objects, small toys, chess pieces sit on platforms, representing the complexity of alternative investments.

Alternative Investments: An Overview

The term “alternative” refers to investments that are alternatives to conventional strategies — not necessarily substitutes for them. To invest wisely in alts, it’s important to consider the potential risks and benefits of these assets. Alts tend to be complex, lightly regulated, and less transparent than other asset classes.

In addition, investors should bear in mind that alts can differ widely from one another in terms of their structure, fees, liquidity, tax treatment, and more.

What Are Alternative Investments?

Why Do Alternative Investments Matter?

Ways to Invest in Real Estate Funds

Real estate is a common type of alternative investment because real estate values tend not to correlate with stock market performance, and thus they may provide a potential buffer against volatility. You can invest in various types of properties directly, or buy shares of publicly traded Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), as well as mutual funds and ETFs that provide access to this asset class.

How to Invest in Real Estate: A Beginner’s Guide

What’s a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) and How to Invest In One

Pros & Cons of Investing in REITs

Exploring Commodity Funds

Commodities are raw materials (e.g., precious metals, oil and gas, agricultural products) that are used in manufacturing or for consumption. Owing to the relatively steady demand for most commodities, these can be a hedge against inflation. That said, demand for different commodities can fluctuate — and commodities can be vulnerable to environmental and political risks.

Investors can access commodities via commodity stocks, mutual funds, and ETFs.

What Are Commodities? How Do They Fit Into the Stock Market?

How to Invest in Commodities

Commodities Trading Guide for Beginners

The World of Foreign Currency Funds

Foreign currency investing, often referred to as forex, is one of the largest and most liquid global markets. Forex trading offers the potential for diversification and tends to cost less than other types of alts. That noted, trading currencies directly can be quite volatile, and investors may prefer the relative stability of mutual funds or ETFs that provide exposure to foreign currencies.

investing tips and options for retirement

The Essential Guide to Investing in Foreign Currency

What Is Forex Trading?
A Guide for Beginners

What Is a Currency Carry Trade in Forex Markets?

Overview of Private Equity and Venture Capital Funds

Private equity provides investors with an opportunity to own a stake in smaller and early-stage companies that need capital to regain their footing, make a pivot, or (in the case of venture capital) get off to a strong start. As such, the risks of many PE and VC projects tend to be high — although there is also the potential for substantial profits when companies succeed.

High investment minimums have made it difficult for retailers to access these investments, but that has been changing as more private equity funds are designed with retail investors in mind.

What Is Private Equity?

Venture Capital: What Is It and How Does It Work?

Private Equity vs Venture Capital: What’s the Difference?

Understanding Private Credit

Private credit is a form of lending from non-bank financial institutions. Sometimes called direct lending or private debt, private credit allows smaller companies to seek financing via channels outside of traditional bank loans.

Private credit can be a boon to businesses by supplying much-needed capital. And, as a type of alternative investment, it can create opportunities for investors who pool funds in order to issue loans — which in turn generate income for investors through interest payments. Private credit may utilize a range of strategies, each with its own risk and reward factors, so it’s important to understand the structures involved.

What Is Private Credit?

Private Credit vs. Private Equity: What’s the Difference?

What Is an Interval Fund?

New Vehicles for Alternative Investments

Although the alternative space was largely off limits for most ordinary investors until recently, alternative investment options are rapidly evolving to provide lower-cost, more liquid choices for retail investors through mutual funds, ETFs, and other vehicles (including some retirement accounts), many of them offered by well-established asset managers.

As always, investors need to do their due diligence to understand the potential pros and cons of these investments.

ETFs vs Mutual Funds: Learning the Difference

Understanding the Different Types of Mutual Funds

Mutual Funds vs Stocks: Differences and How to Choose

Alternative investments, now for the rest of us.

Access new investment strategies to potentially build and protect your wealth.

Start trading alternative funds that include commodities, private credit, pre-IPO unicorns, venture capital, and more.

Dec

2025

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By Wesley Yu | Uncategorized | Comments Off

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SoFi Blog

Tips and news—for your financial moves.

Dot Plot for 2026 Reveals Deepening Disagreement On Rates

Economic and Earnings Calendar

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Want to see more stories like this? On the Money is SoFi’s flagship newsletter for all things personal finance.

U.S. Inflation Calculator

How To Use Use This Calculator

Example Scenario

How This Inflation Calculator Works

The Formula

FAQ

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

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

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

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

Sources

Strategies for saving and spending after college

So what?

Related Reading

Alternative Investments: An Overview

Ways to Invest in Real Estate Funds

Exploring Commodity Funds

The World of Foreign Currency Funds

Overview of Private Equity and Venture Capital Funds

Understanding Private Credit

New Vehicles for Alternative Investments

Tips and news—
for your financial moves.

Want to see more stories like this?
On the Money is SoFi’s flagship newsletter
for all things personal finance.