SoFi Blog

It’s a question on a lot of minds. When is the next recession? Although nobody can claim to possess the trillion dollar crystal ball that predicts recessions, extensive research has been done into what causes economic downturns and where the US seems to be in the current cycle.

It may seem as though there’s always an ongoing conversation about this, and it is overwhelming to try and decipher the mixed messages coming from politicians, economists, and the media.

Uncertainty and fear about the economy can lead to inaction and missed opportunities. There is a lot you can do to prepare and stay informed in the event of a recession.

In our efforts to bring you the latest updates on things that might impact your financial life, we may occasionally enter the political fray, covering candidates, bills, laws and more. Please note: SoFi does not endorse or take official positions on any candidates and the bills they may be sponsoring or proposing. We may occasionally support legislation that we believe would be beneficial to our members, and will make sure to call it out when we do. Our reporting otherwise is for informational purposes only, and shouldn’t be construed as an endorsement.

Editor’s note: this article has been updated from its original publish date of July 29, to include new information.

In July 2019, The Federal Reserve cut rates for the first time since the financial crisis. Now, it has cut rates again—for the fifth time in eight months. This time, it is directly tied to the spread of COVID-19—more widely known as the coronavirus.

“The coronavirus poses evolving risks to economic activity,” the Fed said in a statement. “In light of these risks and in support of achieving its maximum employment and price stability goals, the Federal Open Market Committee decided today to lower the target range for the federal funds rate.”

Americans may want to prepare now for some changes to their finances—especially given the macroeconomics around this particular cut. This action has the potential to affect savings, credit cards, student loans, mortgages, and investment portfolios.

Curious about how the process of cutting and hiking rates works? Wondering how the rate announcement by the Federal Reserve may affect you? Read on for a high-level overview of information that may be helpful as you plan for the near future and beyond.

It hasn’t been an easy few weeks on Wall Street, and the decision to halt trading on Monday only added to the market frenzy. Between the increasing threat of the coronavirus and a major drop in crude oil prices, the market is certainly responding… drastically.

Before making assumptions on what the stock market halt means for the economy, let’s break down what a stock market circuit breaker is and its history in the New York Stock Exchange.

While the historically large field of 2020 Democratic candidates continues to narrow, one recent addition to the race is only just now releasing some of his key plans and ideas.

On February 18, former New York City mayor and current presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg released the student loan proposal he would potentially enact as president. The Bloomberg student loan plan is similar to that of other Democrats still in the race.

These plans, including Bloomberg’s, generally focus on low- and middle-income families when it comes to student loan aid. More progressive candidates like Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders want to outright cancel most, if not all, current student loan debt.

Bloomberg’s higher education plan is focused on tuition-free community college and expanding federal subsidies and grants to low-income students.

Let’s dive into the details.

The gig economy has been on the rise for a while now, altering the way people find and perform an increasing number of jobs—from ride-sharing to delivering groceries to consulting on high-level projects.

And as the app-based and online technology that simplifies those transactions evolves—matching workers with the businesses and consumers who need their services—the trend is expected to continue.

But there have been growing pains. Some gig workers and their supporters have raised questions about basic protections and benefits they’ve lost out on because they’re considered independent contractors instead of employees, including overtime pay, paid sick days, and worker’s compensation insurance.

Others say the flexibility many independent workers enjoy can translate to job volatility for those who participate in what the US Bureau of Labor Statistics calls “electronically mediated employment ,” especially those who drive for a living.

Now it seems their voices were heard, at least in California, where a groundbreaking law signed by Governor Gavin Newsom in September went into effect January 1, 2020. The law is expected to change the way employers treat certain nontraditional workers, but it has seen a lot of push back from companies.