SoFi Blog

After classes are over, finals have been taken, and mortarboards have been hung up, recent graduates pack up their suitcases for a trip of a lifetime. Taking a big trip after graduating from college has become a time-tested rite of passage.

Many new grads jet off to Europe or South America for the summer soon after the graduation ceremony ends. Usually, traveling after college serves a dual purpose: it is both a way to celebrate your huge accomplishment and to have some fun before joining the permanent workforce.

The only problem is that with many students graduating with hefty student loan debt and no source of income yet, funding your dream college graduation trip can be difficult. The good news is that, whether you’re planning an ecotourism trip to Belize or a classic tour of Italy, there are ways to make your dream trip happen.

A girl—or guy—has gotta eat. But how do you make sure you eat well while paying off student loan debt? You don’t have limit yourself to a diet of canned beans and ramen while repaying your student loans.

With some careful planning, you’ll be able to eat healthy, nutritious, and delicious food, while still having enough money to double down on your debt. If you’re looking for a way to save on groceries, we’ve got you covered. These 10 tips and tricks can help you learn how to budget for food so that you can satisfy all your cravings.

Does it feel like everywhere you turn, people are stressing the importance of saving for retirement? Here at SoFi, we’re guilty as charged. We believe that building up a nest egg is important because we all want to be able to afford (and enjoy!) our retirement dreams.

But we also believe that all saving and no spending is no fun. So we’re here with some motivation to save money for tomorrow without suffering from FOMO today. It just takes a little creativity, a lot of diligence, and a “you got this!” attitude. (Because really, you got this.)

Applying to college or grad school can be a stressful experience. Between the different application requirements, test prep, and deadlines, there can be a lot to cover. And getting all of your ducks in a row can take a bit of legwork.

Before you file your applications, you’ll want to do your research on the schools and programs you are considering. When it comes to college and grad school, tuition isn’t the only thing that can get expensive. As you go through the application process, there are hidden costs and unexpected fees that can add up to a pretty penny.

Here are some of the hidden fees that pop up when you apply to college or grad school. With this information you can create a budget to prepare for the costs that may arise during the application process.

If you have plenty of money and a generous heart, tipping is a relatively easy way to be kind to another human being. For most people, though, it’s an annoyance. And some full-on despise it. You’ve already paid for the meal, they reason, so why tack a tip onto the price?

Besides that, there’s often math involved—typically a percentage. And the calculation frequently is done on the fly, while you’re talking, finishing your cocktail, wrapping up your business (or dinner roll) and looking for your keys.

Also, it’s inexact. There are no real rules for who or how much you’re supposed to tip – just a few general rules of thumb. (Which are not the same thing.)

And yet, this is how the world works. Or, at least, the United States. There are workers – and some are extremely hard workers – who rely on gratuities for a large part of their earnings. It’s become customary to acknowledge their service by adding a little extra to the bill.

And if you don’t, well, you’re kind of a jerk.