SoFi Blog

Summertime gets a lot of the travel glory. But when it comes to stellar travel times, fall is a bit of a hidden gem.

From high-spirited harvest festivals to flamboyant foliage, there’s all manner of reasons to take a trip this autumn—and if you’re looking for some inspiration, you’re in luck.

Whether you’re just starting to think about getting pregnant, or you’re back at work after your second (or third!) baby, there’s no doubt about it: when it comes to family planning, there’s a lot to think about.

From what choices you should make in your career, to the changes you may need to make to your finances, you’ll want to do some research and start planning ahead as early as possible. There are no right or wrong answers to this whole parenting thing (seriously!)—there are only the best choices for you and your family.

Let’s start from the beginning: what should you prioritize when you’re first starting to think about welcoming a new addition to your life? Let’s break down some common questions about how bringing a baby into your life will impact both your finances and your career.

Summers are short and can feel like they’ve ended before they’ve hardly begun. If you’re sorry to see the summer go, one way to keep your chin up can be buying next year’s summer stuff on sale this year. Yep, it might feel a bit illogical to buy cool summer stuff when the weather turns cool, but the retailers are looking to unload. That’s when you swoop in and triumph. Buy now, keep your money later. Once the weather heats up again, you’ll be good to go.

Think of it this way: Retailers want to get it out the door, and you want to save your hard-earned money. It could be a win-win situation for everyone. Retailers typically like to stay one step ahead in both fashion and season, so if you can work it like the models on the runway, you might be able to buy next summer’s wardrobe in September when the end-of-season deals beckon.

Paying off debt can be exhausting. It’s already overwhelming to take out a $10,000 loan, for example. But you also have to pay interest on that $10,000. Over the years, that interest means you could end up paying hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than you originally borrowed.

There’s no easy way to say it—higher interest rates make paying off debt more difficult.

The good news: Due to some recent activity from the Fed, it might be possible to lock down lower interest rates than what you may currently be paying.

This year, SoFi gave one lucky member the opportunity to win $50,000 with our 50x50x50 Money referral sweepstakes.

Members who referred friends to SoFi Checking and Savings® received $50 for themselves, $50 for their friend, and the chance at a $50,000 grand prize.

What would you do with an extra $50,000? While many might fantasize about using a $50,000 windfall to buy a fancy car or make a downpayment on a home, prize winner Denny is using his money for a much-needed financial reset to pay off debt and take care of his family.