Dual Income No Kids (DINKs): Definition and Explanation

The acronym “DINK” stands for “dual income, no kids,” and references a household in which two adults are working for an income (dual incomes) but do not have children (no kids), and as a result, fewer expenses. DINKs have become more common over the years as many young adults have opted not to have children, often due to the financial resources required to raise them.

What Does DINK Mean?

As noted, DINK is short for “dual income, no kids,” or “double income, no kids.” It refers to households where there are two active incomes and no children. The two incomes can either come from both partners or one partner having two incomes.

Some couples opt to wait longer before having kids, so they fall into the “DINKY” category, which stands for “dual income, no kids yet,” allowing them to save money.


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The Significance of Dual Income, No Kids

Without the added expense of children, DINK couples might have more disposable income available for spending and investing. Marketing campaigns for luxury vacations, homes, and other high-end items often target DINK couples.

However, just because a household has two incomes doesn’t automatically mean they have more money – there’s always room for improving your financial life, after all.

There are some reasons why they may still struggle financially, including:

•   Their two incomes are not very high

•   They live in an expensive area

•   They have spending habits that eat up a large portion of their income

Why Are More Couples Choosing the DINK Life?

One of the main reasons couples choose to wait or forgo having children is the financial cost, which can range well into the hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years.

Further, when the Great Recession hit in 2008, many Millennials were just graduating from college or starting their careers. That recession made it challenging to get jobs and begin investing for the future. On top of recovering from the recession, nearly half of Millenials and a third of Gen Xers have a significant amount of student loan debt.

These factors have made it difficult for young people to achieve financial milestones and start families earlier in life. However, there are some couples who choose to wait a few years before having kids after they get married for non-financial reasons. They prefer to use their time as a young couple to travel, make life plans, and enjoy an untethered lifestyle.

Types of DINKs

DINKs come in a variety of types, including new couples and empty-nesters.

New Couples

New couples can be newlyweds, or simply those living together in a single household who are not married. They may be young or older, too, and are still feeling out their relationship and planning out their next steps. Children may or may not be a part of those next steps, but for the time being, new couples are standing pat with double-incomes.

Empty Nesters

While empty nesters may be parents, they may be at the point in their lives where their children have grown up and moved out, no longer presenting a financial burden. With that, they have some significant space in their budgets unshackled, with which they can make different spending, saving, and investing decisions.

Same-sex Couples

While many same-sex couples do have children, many do not, and they might also fight into the DINK category.

Structuring a DINK Household

There are many costs associated with having children, including clothing, food, healthcare, and education. Partners who don’t have children might instead choose to splurge or save up for early retirement.

DINK couples with disposable income have many options for how to spend or invest their money. Some couples may choose to buy nice cars, while others may enjoy going out to eat. They also potentially have more free time to travel and spend money. In general, clothing, food, or travel that may have been too expensive for couples with children can be accessible for DINK couples.

A couple with no children likely won’t need as many bedrooms or as much space in terms of housing. They can either choose to save money by renting or buying a smaller place to live. They can also choose to use the extra space for other purposes, such as a home gym, art studio, or rent out a room for extra income.

Kids also take up a lot of time and have fairly rigid schedules. Some DINK couples may choose to take more time off for travel and leisure, while others might choose to work longer hours or find ways to earn supplemental income.

In addition to purchasing and leisure options, dual income couples may have the opportunity to invest their extra money. They might purchase stocks, bonds, real estate, or explore other opportunities.

They could also try and get by on a lower income, too – for some DINKs, one earning a salary of $40,000 is enough to make ends meet in certain circumstances, especially if the other partner earns more.

7 Financial Tips for DINKs

Learning about each other’s financial habits and goals is important so that couples can get on the same page, whether they’re planning to have children or not. It also helps to have productive conversations about finances.

Establishing open and honest communications before having kids may make things easier in the long run. There are some crucial areas for couples to work on if they want to live a successful DINK lifestyle or get their finances set up before having children:

1. Paying Off Debts

Before setting off on a lavish vacation, it’s wise for DINK couples to have a plan to pay off high-interest debts such as credit cards and student loans.

Without kids, home loans, and other monthly bills, couples may have more available funds to tackle their debt and. Once they’ve paid down the debt, they can use the extra money they’ve saved from monthly interest payments to invest or spend elsewhere.

2. Creating Sustainable Spending Habits

Whether a DINK couple is waiting to have kids or doesn’t ever plan on having them, practicing responsible spending habits is crucial for financial success. If a couple is always in debt, having kids probably won’t change that.

Similarly, not having kids could make it tempting to go out to eat or travel a lot. Having conversations about the type of lifestyle each person wants both now and over the long-term helps make day-to-day spending choices easier. Earning $100,000 is a good salary, but if you have bad spending habits, it may still not be enough.

3. Traveling Smart

Travel is a huge draw for many DINK couples, but it can quickly get expensive. If couples want to travel a lot, they might consider staying in less expensive places and skipping the luxury trips.

If luxury is important to a couple, they might think about only going on one big trip per year and taking advantage of points, credit cards, and other offers to maximize their ability to see the world.

4. Planning Ahead and Investing Early

The more couples can figure out what they want in life and get their finances organized, the easier it is to plan their finances. If they plan to have kids in the future, they might consider saving now for college and other child-related expenses that may come later.

Factoring in future raises, inheritances, and other additional income or expenses is also helpful. Even if couples don’t start with high incomes, the earlier they can start saving, the more their portfolio has time to grow.

5. Consolidating Stuff

Just as couples without kids may not need to live in a large home, they may not need as many things. DINK couples might choose only to have one car or bicycle. There might be other items that each person has been buying for themselves that could be shared.

6. Acquiring New Skills

Couples without kids may choose to invest some of their time and money into additional training and education. If they plan to have kids in the future, this might help them move up the career ladder or earn a larger salary when the kids do come.

7. Getting Wise About Taxes

DINK couples can make smart financial choices to minimize their taxes. Contributing to an HSA or putting pre-tax income into a 401K can help reduce the tax burden. Owning a home may also provide tax breaks to some homeowners.

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The Pros and Cons of a DINK Lifestyle

There is nothing dinky about the DINK lifestyle. Not having kids, or waiting to have kids presents a huge financial opportunity for many couples. However, if they aren’t smart about their savings and spending, couples may risk running into financial trouble.

Pros of Becoming a DINK Couple

•   More free time and money to travel for work or pleasure.

•   Ease of mobility — moving or traveling to a new house, city, or country is more manageable without kids.

•   Disposable income to spend on cars, clothing, food, or other items.

•   Ability to save money by living in a smaller house and not paying for children.

•   Opportunity to save and invest extra income.

Cons to Remaining a DINK Couple

•   Potential for overspending and splurging on travel and luxuries rather than saving and investing.

•   DINK couples may be in a higher income bracket and have to pay more taxes.

•   There may be less family support for caregiving as they age.

Planning for a Life Without Children

Life without kids might be an excellent decision for many couples. The extra free time and money can be used in many meaningful ways.

However, couples need to be on the same page about whether they want kids, and there are some things to keep in mind about a childless future.

Couples will need to figure out:

•   How they’ll spend their retirement years

•   Who will visit or take care of them when they’re older

•   And who they will leave their money and assets to after they die

Saving up extra money for caregivers, retirement, and unforeseen circumstances can be an intelligent strategy for DINK couples. DINK couples must also make sure that they create an estate plan, so that their assets get distributed according to their wishes after they pass away.

Key Financial Baselines To Keep in Mind

When doing financial planning for the future, a few things are certain. Couples will have to pay taxes, and they’ll need food, shelter, and basic necessities. Beyond that, there are some baselines couples can look to as they plan for retirement, investing, home buying, and any kids they might plan to have.

The 4% Rule

Using the 4% rule, most couples will likely need to sock away more than $1 million for retirement, in order not to outlive their savings.

Home Costs

As of the fall of 2023, the average house costs nearly $500,000 in the U.S. — something to keep in mind.

Although these numbers may sound like a lot of money, couples with two incomes and no children can start saving some of their extra cash early and take advantage of compound interest over time. If they are savvy about their savings and spending, couples can potentially retire early and enjoy more free time for travel and personal pursuits.

Planning for the Ultimate DINK Lifestyle

To recap, “DINK” stands for dual income, no kids, and refers to households with two earners and no children. These households do not have the financial responsibilities associated with children, and thus, tend to have greater purchasing power than other families or households that do have kids.

Going kid-free has many upsides, but it’s important to be money smart, plan, and work together to create a prosperous and secure future. Couples who are planning to never have children or to wait to have them, often have more disposable income to put toward their financial goals, including investing.

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FAQ

What does the term DINKs refer to?

“DINKs” refers to households with two earners and no children. It’s an acronym that stands for “double income, no kids,” or “dual income, no kids.”

What are the benefits of dual income without kids?

The primary benefit of DINK households is that they do not have the financial responsibilities associated with raising children, and as a result, have more purchasing power or discretionary income. They may be able to save and invest more, accordingly.

What percentage of married couples don’t want kids?

While it’s hard to say exactly, a rough estimate would be that around 20%, or one out of five adults say they do not plan to, or want to have children.


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Average Gas Prices by State and Year

Average Gas Prices by State and Year

Although gas prices hit new highs in 2022, that wasn’t the first time gas numbers have spiked. A look back at the average national gas price in previous decades can provide some context. So can observing how state regulations affect the price of gas in your area.

Keep reading to learn more about historical gas prices, get a sense of how things have changed over time, and learn tips for finding cheap gas in your area.

Key Points

•   Gas prices reached new highs in 2022, with fluctuations influenced by global events and oil production cuts.

•   As of early October 2023, the average price of gas was $3.77 per gallon.

•   Historical data shows significant changes in gas prices over the decades, adjusted for inflation.

•   State regulations and local market conditions significantly impact gas prices across different states.

•   Various apps and tools are available to help consumers find the cheapest gas prices in their area.

Why Gas Prices Are Rising in 2023

As anyone who’s gone to the pump in the past couple of years knows, filling up isn’t as cheap as it used to be. Gas prices have risen in the second half of 2023, due in large part to a drop in global oil production. In early October of 2023, the average price of gas was $3.77 per gallon, according to AAA — up 60 cents from the $3.17 average at the beginning of the year. Still, that’s lower than what consumers paid in June 2022, which saw the highest recorded average of $5.03.

Fuel prices have been soaring for a few reasons. Prior to coronavirus’s arrival in the U.S. in 2020, gas cost around $2.50 per gallon. During the pandemic, as fewer Americans were driving to work or for pleasure, the price of oil plummeted.

In 2021 people started driving and flying again, and demand for gas surged. The supply couldn’t keep up, so the price of gas increased.

Prices dropped a little in early 2022 as things started getting back to normal — until late February, when Russia invaded Ukraine. The ensuing war led to a steep increase in prices as Europe, the U.S., and other countries agreed to stop buying Russian oil.

Then, in mid-2023, Russia and Saudi Arabia announced an extension of their oil production cuts, which caused prices to jump up yet again. The U.S. Energy Information Administration expects gas prices to continue rising over the rest of the year.


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Average Price by State for Regular Unleaded in October 2023

Data is courtesy of AAA .

STATE NAME

Unleaded Price in October 2023

Alabama $3.28
Alaska $4.63
Arizona $4.59
Arkansas $3.33
California $5.93
Colorado $3.83
Connecticut $3.77
Delaware $3.29
Florida $3.52
Georgia $3.20
Hawaii $4.87
Idaho $4.11
Illinois $3.75
Indiana $3.52
Iowa $3.51
Kansas $3.56
Kentucky $3.37
Louisiana $3.29
Maine $3.74
Maryland $3.48
Massachusetts $3.73
Michigan $3.66
Minnesota $3.69
Mississippi $3.20
Missouri $3.45
Montana $4.05
Nebraska $3.67
Nevada $5.03
New Hampshire $3.64
New Jersey $3.59
New Mexico $3.68
New York $3.88
North Carolina $3.40
North Dakota $3.80
Ohio $3.35
Oklahoma $3.51
Oregon $4.72
Pennsylvania $3.85
Rhode Island $3.67
South Carolina $3.27
South Dakota $3.77
Tennessee $3.30
Texas $3.30
Utah $4.09
Vermont $3.79
Virginia $3.50
Washington $5.10
West Virginia $3.56
Wisconsin $3.41
Wyoming $3.86

Average Price by State for Premium in October 2023

Data is courtesy of AAA.

STATE NAME

Premium Price in October 2023

Alabama $4.05
Alaska $5.04
Arizona $5.20
Arkansas $4.11
California $6.33
Colorado $4.51
Connecticut $4.71
Delaware $4.16
Florida $4.25
Georgia $4.11
Hawaii $5.32
Idaho $4.56
Illinois $4.67
Indiana $4.48
Iowa $4.29
Kansas $4.19
Kentucky $4.25
Louisiana $4.03
Maine $4.59
Maryland $4.34
Massachusetts $4.61
Michigan $4.67
Minnesota $4.42
Mississippi $3.95
Missouri $4.11
Montana $4.63
Nebraska $4.31
Nevada $5.55
New Hampshire $4.50
New Jersey $4.45
New Mexico $4.33
New York $4.73
North Carolina $4.18
North Dakota $4.48
Ohio $4.27
Oklahoma $4.12
Oregon $5.18
Pennsylvania $4.58
Rhode Island $4.64
South Carolina $4.05
South Dakota $4.40
Tennessee $4.08
Texas $4.04
Utah $4.55
Vermont $4.62
Virginia $4.29
Washington $5.55
West Virginia $4.24
Wisconsin $4.30
Wyoming $4.41


💡 Quick Tip: Income, expenses, and life circumstances can change. Consider reviewing your budget a few times a year and making any adjustments if needed.

Average Price by State for Diesel Gas in October 2023

Data is courtesy of AAA.

STATE NAME

Diesel Price in October 2023

Alabama $4.29
Alaska $4.77
Arizona $4.96
Arkansas $4.23
California $6.45
Colorado $4.43
Connecticut $4.62
Delaware $4.29
Florida $4.50
Georgia $4.21
Hawaii $5.83
Idaho $4.82
Illinois $4.32
Indiana $4.47
Iowa $4.30
Kansas $4.31
Kentucky $4.31
Louisiana $4.19
Maine $4.51
Maryland $4.40
Massachusetts $4.55
Michigan $4.40
Minnesota $4.38
Mississippi $4.11
Missouri $4.19
Montana $4.70
Nebraska $4.30
Nevada $5.25
New Hampshire $4.42
New Jersey $4.52
New Mexico $4.43
New York $4.74
North Carolina $4.33
North Dakota $4.41
Ohio $4.36
Oklahoma $4.22
Oregon $5.17
Pennsylvania $4.82
Rhode Island $4.54
South Carolina $4.30
South Dakota $4.41
Tennessee $4.27
Texas $4.09
Utah $4.72
Vermont $4.55
Virginia $4.36
Washington $5.67
West Virginia $4.32
Wisconsin $4.18
Wyoming $4.63

Average US Gas Price 1978 to 2022

Historical data courtesy of Axlewise. Prices are adjusted for inflation and shown in 2020 dollars.

Year

Gas Price

2020 $3.99
2021 $3.13
2020 $2.24
2019 $2.26
2018 $2.25
2017 $2.26
2016 $2.28
2015 $2.30
2014 $2.29
2013 $2.30
2012 $2.30
2011 $2.30
2010 $2.31
2009 $2.31
2008 $2.32
2007 $2.33
2006 $2.33
2005 $2.33
2004 $2.34
2003 $2.35
2002 $2.41
2001 $2.40
2000 $2.36
1999 $2.37
1998 $2.36
1997 $2.37
1996 $2.36
1995 $2.35
1994 $2.32
1993 $2.33
1992 $2.33
1991 $2.34
1990 $2.34
1989 $2.33
1988 $2.32
1987 $2.32
1986 $2.35
1985 $2.35
1984 $2.38
1983 $2.39
1982 $2.42
1981 $2.42
1980 $2.43
1979 $2.44
1978 $2.44

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Tips for Finding Cheap Gas Stations in Your State

There are a few ways to find the cheapest gas in the nearby area and save money on your gas bill:

•   Use an app like GasBuddy to locate the lowest nearby price. The app lets drivers search by gas type, payment type, the brand of gas station, and other factors. The app also offers cashback deals, paid subscriptions, and more.

•   AAA has a gas price monitoring website that gets updated every day. Drivers can search by state and country to find the best prices.

•   Both Google Maps and Waze keep track of gas prices. When you search for gas stations within their maps, the price of gas at local stations will pop up. Although one can’t filter by price or automatically see the lowest price, it’s fairly easy to look around and find the cheapest option.

•   Another useful app is GetUpside. The app lets users compare gas prices near them, and also earn cash back every time they fill up their tank.

•   Besides the ability to buy in bulk, one of the perks of getting a Costco or Sam’s membership is getting discounts on gas. It’s often the cheapest option for club members.

•   Certain days of the week tend to have lower prices. Generally, Mondays are the cheapest, followed by Sunday, while Wednesday and Thursday are the most expensive days.

Recommended: What Credit Score is Needed to Buy a Car

The Takeaway

Gas prices go up and down in response to a variety of global and domestic factors. But there are a few ways to source the best deals on gas and stay within your budget, including apps and membership-only retailers.

Take control of your finances with SoFi. With our financial insights and credit score monitoring tools, you can view all of your accounts in one convenient dashboard. From there, you can see your various balances, spending breakdowns, and credit score. Plus you can easily set up budgets and discover valuable financial insights — all at no cost.

See exactly how your money comes and goes at a glance.

FAQ

What was the price of gas in 1980?

In 1980, the average price of gas was $1.19. That is equivalent to $4.60 in 2023 dollars.

What year were gas prices the highest?

Before 2022, the highest average gas price was $4.11 in July 2008.

How much did gas cost in the 90s?

In the 1990s, gas cost between $1.11 and $1.15 per gallon.


Photo credit: iStock/skodonnell

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Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

Non affiliation: SoFi isn’t affiliated with any of the companies highlighted in this article.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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31+ Ways to Save for Halloween

31 Ways to Save for Halloween

While the National Retail Federation is expecting record spending this Halloween of nearly $103 per person, revelers might be planning to focus more on Halloween savings this year. Inflation is scarier than ghosts.

Luckily, creativity is one of the hallmarks of this spooky season, and savings are easy to achieve. Here are 31 ways to do it.

Get Creative with Costumes

Costumes may be the best part of Halloween. You can “be” anyone or anything for one night. But costumes don’t have to be expensive. In fact, with a little creativity you can have a great costume for almost nothing.

1. Rent, Don’t Buy

Sites like Halloweencostumes.com and Costume.com rent theater-level costume styles for a fraction of the purchase price.


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2. Make Your Own

Extend Halloween fun by making your own costume. The internet is full of innovative ideas — homemade costumes that turn the wearer into jellyfish or fairies, or that create illusions, like someone sitting on a flying carpet.

3. Hit the Thrift Store

Thrift stores and surplus stores can not only provide the materials for a costume, they can also give you ideas: buy a wedding dress and become a ghostly bride or purchase a lab coat and become a mad scientist. You also might spot great savings on fall fashions while you’re at it.

4. Swap Costumes with Friends

Swapping costumes with friends is a great way to save money. And your outfit from last year may be someone’s dream costume for this Halloween.

5. Look For Sales

You can shop online at Halloween retailers and regular discount stores that sell costumes. Some may have sales to boost early purchases, or to clear out inventory as Halloween gets closer.

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Decorate on a Budget

You would think pumpkins would be a super cheap decoration, but that’s not always the case. There are, however, some easy ways to haunt your house magnificently and take advantage of Halloween savings at the same time.

6. Become a Prop Master

There are lots of videos online explaining how to make everything from real-looking spider webs to authentic tombstones and creepy candles. Want to be eco-friendly? You can substitute toxic chemicals and unsustainable materials like Styrofoam with more sustainable materials.

7. Repurpose Last Year’s Decorations

Rework the decorations you used last year to create a whole new look. Give that mummy a hat, or have the witch you made last year hide behind a bush this time. If you’re crafty, a bit of paint or touch of glue can give your decor a whole new look.

8. Hit Garage Sales

Check out local garage sales and estate sales for decorations other people are ready to discard. You can often find some cool vintage treasures!

9. Trade Decorations with Friends

Tired of your old skeleton? You can switch it for a pal’s ghoul or light-up graveyard. You can offer up your old decorations on social media or just have everyone gather and trade like Halloween market.

10. Try the Discount Stores

Super discount stores often have great decorations for almost nothing. Dollar stores, surplus stores, Spirit Halloween stores, and others can provide garlands, Jack o’ Lanterns, skeletons — you name it.

11. Scan Thrift Stores

A thrift store is like a treasure hunt inside a shopping trip. You never know what you’ll find at a thrift shop but you’re sure to find inspiration for decorations!

12. Don’t Forget the Lighting

Lighting changes everything. Put a green or purple bulb in a lamp and a basic room is automatically made spooky, especially if you’re lighting something from below.

13. Make Creepy Shadows

With nothing more than some paper and scissors you can make scary silhouettes for the windows: a werewolf looking in, or a dagger-wielding murderer, for example. Put in front of a flashlight, they can even create some large, scary shadows for a spooky wall.

14. Scary Music Makes Ambiance

The most ordinary scene can feel terrifying when you add scary music. You can look online for options from classical pieces like Dance Macabre to soundtracks from horror movies complete with howling winds, distant church bells, and crows calling. There are even spooky tracks available on streaming services like Spotify.

15. Look for Pumpkin Deals

Most Jack O’ Lantern pumpkins cost less than $10, but if you need more than just one, the pumpkin costs can mount quickly. Some retailers have special offers on pumpkins that can really squash your spending. One way to potentially spot good deals online is to follow retailers on social media.

16. Grow Your Own

It’s too late this year, but you can grow your own pumpkins next year. You may be able to grow other decorations to use for fall, like corn husks and twisted tree branches that can later be made into haunted forests and witches’ brooms.

17. Shop in November

Everything Halloween related goes on deep discount the day after Halloween to make room for the upcoming holidays. Many people take advantage of these closeout sales to save money while also stocking up on decor for the following year. Don’t forget about websites — there are often good deals to be found online.


💡 Quick Tip: Income, expenses, and life circumstances can change. Consider reviewing your budget a few times a year and making any adjustments if needed.

Low-Cost Ways to Celebrate Halloween

Haunted houses and ghost tours can cost as much as $50 per person, but there are a lot of ways to celebrate Halloween without spending a scary amount of money. Try hosting your own party, where you can save on food by shopping the sales, using coupons, and having potlucks.

18. Look for Coupons

Coupon sites offer discounts on haunted houses and other spooky activities. Just make sure you read the fine print. Some coupons may require you to visit during the week or might only be valid for specific shows.

19. Show a Scary Movie

Hold a movie marathon where your friends and family create the lineup by bringing their favorite scary films. Or tune in the Halloween classics on television. Serve popcorn and inexpensive Halloween candy. And if someone has a projector, you can show it outside and make it that much spookier.

20. Host a Costume Contest

Consider inviting the kids to dress up and compete to create the scariest, funniest, and even most creative costumes using items they already have at home. The prizes don’t need to be expensive, just something from a dollar store.

21. Carve Jack-O’-Lanterns

Have friends bring their own pumpkins and have a jack-o’-lantern carving party. You can even roast the seeds and serve them as a snack.

22. Host a Scary Makeup Party

Have a get-together where you paint your faces with inexpensive makeup to look like werewolves, vampires, and banshees. Watch some online tutorials for inspiration as you get into the Halloween spirit.

23. Tell Ghost Stories

This is a great activity to do in the dark, maybe even around a fire with some s’mores. Have everyone come with a ghost story to share.

24. Have a Seance

Also great to do in the dark near a glowing fire: Use a Ouija board or other tools to speak to the departed. It’s extra fun if one or two people hide out and make ghost noises.

25. Have a Haunted House

You needn’t put on a big production. Simple things can bring a lot of spooky fun like hanging old pictures and telling ghost stories about them while leading participants around darkened rooms. Play scary recordings and have someone hiding behind a few corners to jump out.

26. Check Out Local Haunts

Do you have a house, an old church or another place in town that’s known to be haunted? How about a neighborhood that really goes to town on the decorations? If so, Halloween is the perfect night to go visit.

27. Check Out Local Free Events

Look for local churches, malls, or schools that are putting on free Halloween parties or fall festivals for the community. Consider it ready-made fun.

Save on Treats

Halloween just isn’t Halloween without the candy. But you don’t have to spend a fortune to keep you and your trick-or-treaters happy.

28. Buy in Bulk

Get giant bags of candy from club stores like Costco or Sam’s Club. They can provide you with enough candy for the whole neighborhood — and a party at home.

29. Visit Low-Cost Retailers

Low-cost retailers like Walmart and Target often have special large bags of candy that may be on display in the holiday aisle rather than the regular candy aisle. If you can’t find it, ask for help.

30. Use Coupons

You can look for retailer coupons that give you a few dollars off your candy purchase, or even offer a buy one get one free deal.

31. Focus on the Fun

On Halloween, people are ready to be tricked, to be scared, and to believe the illusions that give them a little thrill of mystery. Instead of worrying about impressing others, focus on having good experiences and creating lasting memories.

The Takeaway

Halloween is about the kind of fear that gives you goosebumps, not sleepless nights. With today’s inflation, and a need to stretch dollars further than before, it might be a lot less scary, in a good way, to focus on your savings goals this year.

Take control of your finances with SoFi. With our financial insights and credit score monitoring tools, you can view all of your accounts in one convenient dashboard. From there, you can see your various balances, spending breakdowns, and credit score. Plus you can easily set up budgets and discover valuable financial insights — all at no cost.

See exactly how your money comes and goes at a glance.


Photo credit: iStock/Talaj

SoFi Relay offers users the ability to connect both SoFi accounts and external accounts using Plaid, Inc.’s service. When you use the service to connect an account, you authorize SoFi to obtain account information from any external accounts as set forth in SoFi’s Terms of Use. Based on your consent SoFi will also automatically provide some financial data received from the credit bureau for your visibility, without the need of you connecting additional accounts. SoFi assumes no responsibility for the timeliness, accuracy, deletion, non-delivery or failure to store any user data, loss of user data, communications, or personalization settings. You shall confirm the accuracy of Plaid data through sources independent of SoFi. The credit score is a VantageScore® based on TransUnion® (the “Processing Agent”) data.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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How Much Money Do Medical Residents Make?

While medical doctors have high earning potential, the first few years of a doctor’s career — known as residency — tend to be defined by long hours and relatively low pay. So if you’ve got a medical career ahead of you — and medical school student loans to pay off — what sort of financial life can you expect? In this article we’ll explore the average pay for medical residents, and what they can do to manage their finances during this time.

How Much Do Medical Residents Make?

So, how much do doctors make during residency? According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, the average medical resident salary was $60,373 as of July 2022 . After federal and state taxes (assuming an average tax rate of 8.9%), this leaves the average medical school resident with $3,797.73 to spend each month.

Medical residents are known to work very long hours. The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education requires hospitals to ensure that residents work no more than 80 hours a week. If you do the math, an annual salary of $60,000 breaks down to just over $14 an hour if a resident puts in a full 80 hours a week.

Making that money stretch can be a challenge — especially in high cost-of-living areas. To help, here are five tips for getting by (and even thriving) while living on an average resident salary.


💡 Quick Tip: Get flexible terms and competitive rates when you refinance your student loan with SoFi.

How to Get by on a Medical Resident’s Salary

1. Make a Simple Budget

The average resident has little time to keep track of their expenses, but building a simple budget could be the difference between making it work and ending up short. Your first step should be to make a list of all “necessary” spending, such as rent, utilities, transportation, and food.

Next you’ll want to look how much you bring home each month, including your resident’s salary and any additional income from your partner or family support. Then look at how much money you have left over. That’s how much you have to spend on “extras” each month, like dining out, travel, or clothing. You might decide to set spending limits for each category (for example, $100 for eating out) or monitor your spending as the month progresses. Or, you can do both.

2. Consider Personal Preferences and Trade-Offs

A budget can feel like a hassle, but if you set it up right, it can also be freeing. By knowing exactly how much you can spend, you can then decide what’s important for you to prioritize and what you don’t mind cutting out.

Maybe you’ll decide that you want to cut cable, but you don’t want to stop meeting up with friends at your local wine bar. Or perhaps you’ll give up eating out so you can spend more on rent. Making a budget is just analyzing each trade-off. Ask yourself, “Do I want this, or something else?”

3. Focus on Fixed Costs

One substantial way you can make an impact on your budget is by making “big wins” on fixed costs, such as housing, car payments, or utilities. For example, lowering a bill by $20 each month is going to have a bigger effect than saving a few dollars on small purchases. Looking at your own fixed spending, where could you ask for better rates? Or cut back entirely?

While you’re at it, look at your subscription services and other memberships. Though not often considered a “fixed cost,” they can add up quickly to become a significant expense. When you put them on autopay, it’s easy to forget about them and miss the chance to cancel them each month or year. Take time to go through your credit card statement to make sure you’re not paying for a service that you’re not able to use because you’re so busy. Try to eliminate one or two for automatic monthly savings.

4. Share a Living Space

When you’re trying to save money, there’s usually no financial win that’s bigger than saving on your housing costs. To do this, you can move into a more affordable place, live with roommates, or rent out a room in your place. Not only can a roommate help you save on rent, but on utilities like water, electric, and cable.

Some folks don’t like the idea of having roommates because they lose some privacy. But if you’re a busy resident who’s not home very much and is trying to eke by on a small salary, it can be a great way to save money.

5. Choose Less Expensive Transportation

Transportation may be your second biggest expense after housing, especially if you’ve got car payments. But even if you’ve already paid off the vehicle, you’ll need to cover the cost of car insurance, as well as maintenance and sometimes parking. It can add up.

If you’re living in an area with good public transportation, or you’re able to live within walking distance of the hospital, you might want to get rid of your car to save money. In some areas, Uber or Lyft offer a flat-rate, monthly pass option that can be less expensive than owning and maintaining a car.

If you’re not ready to sell your car quite yet, simply try using it less. Even this small act may save you money each month. For example, if you’re spending $120 per month on gas but could ride public transportation for $30 per month, you may save over $1,000 on transportation in a year.

It might be a difficult transition at first, but you may find that you appreciate the time you aren’t behind the wheel. Another potential way to save money on transportation is by shopping around for car insurance. If you haven’t done so in the last several years, it could be well worth it — especially if you have a good driving record.

6. Cook at Home

You’re likely overworked and want to rest during your off hours, and it’s hard to find the time and energy to cook. But eating out is expensive. While it may be unreasonable to think that a medical resident will cook every meal, it may be worth taking a few hours each week to make a batch of meals that you can eat throughout the week. Preparing meals and eating at home could potentially save residents hundreds of dollars a month.

Another Option: Refinance Medical School Loans

Like most people who attended medical school, there’s a very likely chance you took out student loans. Managing these loans while you’re living on an average resident salary may be important for your financial success. It is important to understand your loan repayment options as a medical resident. One of the first decisions you may want to make is whether you want your loans to go into forbearance or to make payments on your loans during residency.

Student loan forbearance may seem like an ideal option for a person on a medical resident salary, but that might not always be the case: Federal medical school student loans accrue interest during that time, and that interest is added to your balance at the end of your forbearance period. This is called compounding, or capitalization, and means that you’re paying interest on top of interest.

You may want to consider refinancing your medical resident student loans with a company like SoFi that offers programs designed for medical school residents. Refinancing is the process of paying off one loan (or many loans) with another, generally to lower your overall interest rate or to change the terms of your loan.

Refinancing student loans won’t be for everyone, as you will lose access to federal loan programs such as Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). SoFi’s medical school loan refinancing offers monthly payments as low as $100 per month during residency, while no interest capitalizes during that period.

Additionally, with SoFi, you might be able to lower your overall interest rate as well, which could potentially save you thousands of dollars over the life of your loan. Learn more about SoFi’s medical resident loan refinancing rates and terms.

With SoFi, refinancing is fast, easy, and all online. We offer competitive fixed and variable rates.


SoFi Student Loan Refinance
SoFi Student Loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. NMLS #696891. (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). SoFi Student Loan Refinance Loans are private loans and do not have the same repayment options that the federal loan program offers, or may become available, such as Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Income-Based Repayment, Income-Contingent Repayment, PAYE or SAVE. Additional terms and conditions apply. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal.


SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.


Non affiliation: SoFi isn’t affiliated with any of the companies highlighted in this article.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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What Should Your Average Car Payment Be?

Car payments can take a significant bite out of your monthly budget. According to Edmunds, the average monthly car payment in the second quarter of 2023 was $733 for a new vehicle and $569 for a used vehicle.

While knowing the average car payment can be helpful, keep in mind that the actual amount you’ll pay on a car loan will depend on multiple factors, including the loan amount, interest rate, type of car you buy, your credit score, and the length of the loan.

So how do you know if you’re getting (or you got) a good deal? Read on to learn more about average car payments and what to do if you’re paying too much — or more than you can currently afford.

Key Points

•   The average monthly car payment in the second quarter of 2023 was $733 for new vehicles and $569 for used ones.

•   Car loan amounts, interest rates, and the borrower’s credit score significantly influence monthly payments.

•   The average APR for auto loans was 7.1% for new cars and 11% for used cars during the same period.

•   Refinancing a car loan can potentially lower monthly payments by securing a lower APR or extending the loan term.

•   Using a personal loan to refinance an auto loan is an option, especially if it offers a lower rate than the existing auto loan.

What Is a Good APR on a Car?

Every auto loan has an annual percentage rate (APR), which is the annual cost you’re charged by the lender for borrowing money. A loan’s APR includes the loan’s base interest rate plus any added fees, so it represents the true cost of the loan.

In the second quarter of 2023, the overall average auto loan APR was 7.1% for new cars and 11% for used cars.

The actual APR you receive for an auto loan will be based on several factors, including your income, credit history, and credit score. Typically, your credit score will have the greatest influence over the rate you’ll get, since lenders use it to gauge how likely you are to repay the loan. Generally speaking, the higher your credit score, the lower your car loan APR will be.

For example, the average APR for someone with a credit score between 781 to 850 is 5.18%, whereas the average rate for someone with a credit score between 300 and 500 is 14.08%


💡 Quick Tip: A low-interest personal loan can consolidate your debts, lower your monthly payments, and help you get out of debt sooner.

Awarded Best Personal Loan by NerdWallet.
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What to Do if Your Car Payments Are Too High?

If you’re paying more than the average car loan payment, or simply more than you can comfortably afford, here are some ways you may be able to lower your payment.

•   Refinancing When you refinance a car loan, you replace your current loan with a new one and hopefully lower your car payment in the process. You may be able to qualify for a lower APR on a new loan and/or extend your loan term, which can lead to a lower monthly payment. Keep in mind, though, that if you extend your loan term, you may end up paying more in total interest over the life of the loan.

•   Selling or trading in your car If your car is beyond your budget, you might consider selling it and then buying a cheaper car. Trading it in at a dealership can be the simplest option, though you might get a better price with a private sale. Just keep in mind that selling a car that has a loan attached to it can be complicated. You‘ll want to check with your lender to make sure you aren’t breaking any terms of your loan contract.

•   Making extra payments whenever you can Consider putting the occasional windfall (such as a tax refund, bonus at work, or cash gift) toward your loan principal. This will reduce the total amount that you owe, which, in turn, can lower your monthly payments. Before you try this tactic, however, make sure your lender will apply extra payments directly to your loan’s principal and not to interest.

Recommended: Smarter Ways to Get a Car Loan

What if Your Car Payment is Lower Than Average?

If your car payment is lower than the average, that doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t benefit from refinancing. This is especially true. If your credit has improved or rates have dropped since you originally took out your car loan.

You might also be able to lower your monthly car payments if you initially received your loan from the dealer. APRs offered by car dealers tend to be higher than those offered by banks and credit unions. If you took out your initial loan through dealer-arranged financing, refinancing with a different lender could potentially get you a lower rate, and a lower monthly payment.

If your budget is stretched and you really need to lower your payments, refinancing to a longer repayment term can help lower your payments, even if you don’t get a lower interest rate. Just be aware that you’ll pay more in total interest because you are extending the length of the loan.


💡 Quick Tip: Just as there are no free lunches, there are no guaranteed loans. So beware lenders who advertise them. If they are legitimate, they need to know your creditworthiness before offering you a loan.

Using a Personal Loan to Refinance an Auto Loan

Many people assume that the only way to refinance an auto loan is with another auto loan. But that’s not necessarily the case. In fact, taking out a personal loan can be an option worth considering, particularly if you have excellent credit and can qualify for low APRs.

Personal loans are available through banks, credit unions, and online lenders and can be used for virtually any use, including debt consolidation, home repairs, and other large purchases. This makes it different from an auto loan, which can only be used to pay for a car.

If your auto loan rate is higher than the rate you can receive on a personal loan, using a personal loan to refinance your auto loan may be a way to lower your car payments.

Another reason you might refinance with an unsecured personal loan is that these loans don’t require that you use your car as collateral. That means if you’re unable to make your payments, you won’t lose your vehicle (though your credit score will likely take a significant hit).

Also, if you plan to sell your car, it can be complicated to sell a car with an auto loan attached. If you use a personal loan to pay off your car, you’ll receive the title from your auto lender, which enables you to sell it more easily.

For a personal loan to make sense for an auto loan refinance, however, you’ll need to qualify for a low rate. Just like you shopped around for an auto loan, it’s a good idea to compare personal loan rates, terms, fees and borrowing limits to ensure you find a lender that will best fit your needs.

As you compare lenders, consider a SoFi Personal Loan. SoFi offers competitive fixed rates and same-day funding. Checking your rate takes just a minute.

SoFi’s Personal Loan was named NerdWallet’s 2024 winner for Best Personal Loan overall.


SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.


Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

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