SoFi Blog

If you got a tax refund this year, you’re probably still giddy about the extra money. Who doesn’t love an unexpected windfall? Maybe you gave the federal government a little too much out of each paycheck last year. But what matters now is that you’ve got a tax refund in hand, and you want to be wise about how to use it.

If you have yet to decide what to do with your tax refund, it might be time to set some priorities. This is going to be relatively painless, and hopefully it will help you gain some clarity on the money issues that keep you up at night.

If debt is dragging you down, this could be an opportunity to pay off a credit card or two, or some other high-interest debt that’s been plaguing you. If your refund is anywhere close to the average—which was about $3,000 last year—you could potentially take a serious bite out of any balances you’re carrying.

If your summer plans consist of days spent by the pool, catching up on a juicy summer read, we’re jealous. If you’re in the market for a house, you may want to consider swapping your easy beach read for the real estate listings.

As the weather heats up, typically so do housing markets—nearly nearly 40% of housing sales occur between April and July . Nice summer weather can not only make it easier for real estate agents to show a house, but it can also simplify the process of moving since you don’t have to deal with snow, ice, or any wintery complications.

Before you head out to the plethora of open houses, consider these tips for navigating the summer home buying season.

Summer’s almost officially here. And for live music enthusiasts that means one thing: it’s time to start making those 2019 music festival dreams a reality.

There are a whole lot of options out there. The 2018 season saw over 150 festivals to choose from. It’s highly likely that 2019 will offer the same abundance of awesome and be a good year to hit the road with your pals, see some live music, and make some new memories.

With all those choices and options, you might have to do some planning. Here’s our guide to some of the top music festivals this summer, with some tips on how to maybe save and manage cash along the way.

While it may seem obvious, it’s worth repeating: When you put your house on the market, you want it to sell quickly. Case closed. But how do you make the magic happen?

Real estate agents know the real deal—curb appeal wins the day. First impressions matter to potential buyers, and that may mean completing some renovations before putting the house on the market to help it sell with speed.

If you’re interested in improving your home’s resale value, what project should you choose? Renovations can have varying impacts on your home’s value, so it might be worth doing a bit of research. The best value-boosting projects can change from year to year, depending on the economy, demand for raw materials, and buyer preference.

April 15th is a day most are familiar with. For some, it means sending money off to Uncle Sam. For others, it means an influx of cash as a tax refund is issued.

Tax season with student loans can be a little different since student loans could impact your tax return in a couple different ways. In some cases, certain tax deductions can help borrowers decrease their tax liability (which is the technical term for how much an individual owes in taxes). Other times, the harsh consequences of struggling to make student loan payments kick in.

Taxes and student loans can be confusing enough on their own. When you combine them, it can feel like you are trying to navigate a maze. While everyone’s situation is different, there are some rules and regulations worth knowing.