SoFi Blog

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.

Name: Alegria Beveridge

Locale: Denver, CO

Alma Maters: Mount Ida College and Bay Path University

By Day: Software Project Manager

SoFi Member Since: 2015

Approximate SoFi Loan: $37,000 (self), $250,000 (husband)

SoFi Savings: $7,000 on own loans, $30,000 on husband’s loans

Maybe you have long been on the recycling bandwagon, you eat seasonal and local foods, perhaps you even buy carbon offset credits to reduce your carbon footprint. But now you want to take the next step and go green with your energy usage, as well.

Whether you own a house or rent an apartment, there are several great options available for adopting renewable energy these days. Here’s a quick guide to the basic options – including what the costs look like and what benefits you may gain as a result.

In what seems like a move by the jewelry industry to extend “engagement season” (in other words, the increase in marriage proposals from Thanksgiving through Valentine’s Day), National Proposal Day is coming up. Taking place on Sunday, March 20th, it’s also International Day of Happiness. Perhaps there’s a connection?

Ready to make your debt sweat in the New Year?

Whether it’s a credit card carrying around extra poundage after the holidays, a student loan that sweats when it walks up the stairs, or a mortgage that requires multiple airplane seats, we’ve got a plan that will whip your debt into shape by making it so skinny, it literally disappears.

Read on for our 5-step debt shape-up guide, and make 2016 the year you shed some serious debt.