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A personal loan is a flexible lending product that can be used for anything from covering the cost of a home repair to consolidating high-interest debt. While there’s no universally required credit score for a personal loan, you generally need a score of at least 610 to qualify, and an even higher score to get a lender’s best rates.

That said, some lenders offer personal loans for no credit, and even for bad credit. To make up for the increased risk, however, they will typically charge high interest rates.

Read on for a closer look at the minimum credit score for a personal loan, how your credit score can impact loan amounts and interest rates, plus other factors lenders look at when considering an applicant for a personal loan.

What Personal Loans Are and How They Work

A personal loan enables you to borrow a specific amount of money to use in virtually any way you like — unlike a mortgage or auto loan which is earmarked for one specific purpose. Personal loans are offered by banks, credit unions, and online lenders and are generally unsecured (meaning you don’t have to pledge an asset to secure the loan).

Common uses of personal loans include home renovations, vacations, weddings, car/home repairs, medical expenses, moving expenses, major purchases, and credit card consolidation.

Once you get approved for a personal loan, you receive the funds in one lump sum up front then repay the money (plus interest) in monthly installments over a set period of time, called the loan term.


💡 Quick Tip: Some lenders can release funds as quickly as the same day your loan is approved. SoFi personal loans offer same-day funding for qualified borrowers.

What You Need to Qualify for Personal Loans

These are a few factors lenders take into consideration when deciding whether or not to offer you a personal loan, as well as how much to offer and at what rate. Here’s a look at what you may need to qualify.

Credit Score

A credit score is a three-digit number (typically between 300 and 850) designed to predict how likely you are to pay a loan back on time based on information from your credit reports. There is no universally set minimum credit score for personal loans but many lenders require applicants to have a minimum score of around 620. To get approved for a lender’s lowest rates, however, you may need a credit score closer to 690.

That doesn’t mean borrowers with lower scores or thin credit are out of luck. Some lenders offer personal loans to applicants without any credit history at all. There are also personal loans on the market designed for applicants with poor or bad credit. Keep in mind, though, that these loans often come with high rates and less-than-favorable terms.

Debt-to-Income Ratio

Lenders will also look closely at an applicant’s debt-to-income (DTI) ratio, which measures the percentage of a person’s monthly income that goes to debt payments. You generally want your DTI to be as low as possible because that indicates that your income is well above what you need to cover your monthly expenses.

If you’re applying for a personal loan, lenders typically want to see a DTI of 35% to 40% or less. A lender might allow a higher DTI, however, if you have a strong credit score or other compensating factors, like enough money in your savings account to cover several months of living expenses.

Income

To make sure that borrowers have the cash flow to repay a new loan, lenders typically have minimum income requirements for personal loans. Income thresholds vary widely by lender — some require applicants to earn at least $45,000 per year, while others have a minimum annual income requirement of just $20,000. Lenders don’t always disclose their income requirements, so you may not be able to discover these minimums before you apply for a personal loan.

Lenders see your income by looking at your monthly bank statements, last two years of tax returns, and pay stubs. Some lenders also require a signed letter from an employer. If you are self-employed, you can provide tax returns or bank statements to show proof of income.


💡 Quick Tip: With average interest rates lower than credit cards, a personal loan for credit card debt can substantially decrease your monthly bills.

Personal Loan Options by Credit Score

When it comes to having the right credit score for a personal loan, there is no one set score that disqualifies someone from getting their hands on one. That said, having a FICO® Score in the good range (670-739) or higher gives applicants the widest range of lending opportunities and the most favorable interest rates. Take a closer look at how different FICO credit score ranges can affect lending opportunities.

FICO Credit Score Range	Rating	Lending Opportunities
800+	Exceptional	Wide variety of lending products, favorable interest rates, larger loan amounts
740-799	Very Good	Wide variety of lending products, favorable interest rates, larger loan amounts
670-739	Good	Wide variety of lending products, good loan amounts, fair interest rates
580-669	Fair	Can qualify for some lending products with slightly higher interest rates
<580	Poor	Limited lending opportunities, smaller loan amounts, typically high interest rates

Exceptional

An exceptional credit score qualifies applicants for the widest variety of personal loan options, the most favorable interest rates, and larger loan amounts.

Very Good

Having a very good credit score qualifies applicants for most if not all of the same rates and lending opportunities as exceptional applicants.

Good

Having a good credit score puts a borrower near or slightly above the average of U.S. consumers, and most lenders consider this a good score to have. Applicants shouldn’t struggle to find a personal loan, but they may not be approved for the lowest interest rates.

Fair

Because a fair credit score is below the average score of U.S. consumers, many lenders will approve loans with this score, but rates and terms might not be as desirable as they are for higher scores.

Poor

A poor or “bad” credit score is well below the average score of U.S. consumers and demonstrates to lenders that the applicant may be a lending risk, which greatly limits the applicant’s borrowing options. If they do qualify for a personal loan they likely can expect to be approved at high interest rates.

Alternatives to Personal Loans

If your credit score makes it difficult to qualify for a personal loan, you may want to explore alternative lending options. Here are some to consider.

•   Credit card cash advance: Consumers with credit cards may be able to request a cash advance from their credit card, which can make it easy to get access to cash quickly. These cash advances typically come with higher interest rates than a regular credit card purchase.

•   Peer-to-peer loans: There are some web-based lending sites that offer some flexibility in qualification requirements. Since these sites are not lenders, and more like matchmakers, they may help you find an investor who is willing to look at other factors besides your credit score.

•   Cross-collateral loans: If you already have a loan secured by collateral with a lender (such as auto loan or mortgage), you may be able to qualify for another loan with the same lender using that same collateral. However, not all lenders allow cross-collateral loans. And there are risks involved for borrowers. To have a lien released from the asset used as collateral, you typically need to pay both loans in full.

Personal Loan Rates From SoFi

Think twice before turning to high-interest credit cards. Consider a SoFi personal loan instead. 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.

FAQ

Is a different credit score required for loans of different sizes?

Generally, the higher your credit score, the larger the loan you can qualify for. Maximum amounts for personal loans range from $500 to $100,000. If you have strong credit, you may qualify for a larger loan than you need. Be sure to consider how much you can afford to repay each month before deciding what size loan to take out.

Can you get a personal loan without having a credit score at all?

There are some personal loans on the market with no credit check. Since the lender can’t rely on your credit history, they will typically focus on other indicators of your ability to pay back the loan, such as your income, employment history, rental history, and any previous history with the lender.

When applying for a personal loan with no credit check, you’ll want to carefully weigh the benefits against the costs. Lenders will often charge higher interest rates and impose more fees to lessen their risk.

Can getting a personal loan affect a credit score?

Getting a personal loan can affect credit scores both positively and negatively. Applying for a personal loan typically results in a hard credit inquiry, which may cause a small, temporary drop in your credit score. On the flip side, taking out a personal loan can have a positive impact on your credit by increasing your credit mix. Making on-time payments can also improve your credit profile. (Late payments, however, can have a negative impact on your credit.)

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Photo credit: iStock/Moyo Studio

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.

Checking Your Rates: To check the rates and terms you may qualify for, SoFi conducts a soft credit pull that will not affect your credit score. However, if you choose a product and continue your application, we will request your full credit report from one or more consumer reporting agencies, which is considered a hard credit pull and may affect your credit.

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.

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.

Disclaimer: Many factors affect your credit scores and the interest rates you may receive. SoFi is not a Credit Repair Organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. SoFi does not provide “credit repair” services or advice or assistance regarding “rebuilding” or “improving” your credit record, credit history, or credit rating. For details, see the FTC’s website .

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We aren’t born with a credit history and, ironically, one of the only ways to build a credit history is to take out credit — which can be hard to do if you don’t have any credit history. Does that mean if you have little to no credit history, you can’t get a personal loan?

Not necessarily. But you may have a harder time qualifying for a loan with favorable interest rates. Read on to learn why a credit score is such an important factor in the loan application process, how to qualify for a personal loan without a substantial credit history, and how no-credit-check personal loans work.

What a Personal Loan Is and How It Works

Personal loans are a type of lending product that allows consumers to borrow money to use for a wide variety of purposes. There are typically few limitations on what you can use a personal loan for, unlike a mortgage or student loan that dictates what the borrower can spend the borrowed funds on.

Personal loans are available through banks, credit unions, and other lending institutions. With this type of loan, you receive the proceeds (or principal) in one lump sum then repay it, plus interest, in fixed monthly installments over the term of the loan.


💡 Quick Tip: Before choosing a personal loan, ask about the lender’s fees: origination, prepayment, late fees, etc. SoFi personal loans come with no-fee options, and no surprises.

What Is a Credit Score?

A credit score is a three-digit number used to predict how likely you are to pay your bills on time. Your credit scores (yes, you have more than one) are calculated using information from your credit reports. Different companies use different credit scoring models, but most take the following factors about a person’s financial history into account:

•   Bill-paying history

•   Current unpaid debt

•   Number and type of loan accounts you currently have

•   How long current loan accounts have been open

•   How much available credit is currently being used

•   New applications for credit

•   Financial events like debt in collections, bankruptcies, or foreclosures

When you apply for a loan, the lender will typically take your credit score into account to determine if they should lend you money, how much money they should lend you, and at what interest rate. The higher someone’s credit score is, generally the easier it is to qualify for lending products with low interest rates.

There are many different types of credit scores and scoring models. Your credit score depends on the credit scoring model used by the lender you’re applying with. Each lender also has its own personal loan credit score requirements.

How Do You Find Your Credit Score?

While you may not be able to track down every potential credit score you have, there are some easy ways to learn your FICO® credit score, which is one of the most widely used credit scoring models. This can give you an idea of what your scores likely look like across the board.

•   Credit card or other loan statements: You can often find your credit score by looking at your monthly credit card or loan statements or by logging into your account online.

•   Nonprofit counselors: If you’re working with a nonprofit credit counselor or HUD-approved housing counselor, those professionals can often provide you with a free copy of your credit report and credit score.

•   Credit score services: You may be able to get your credit score for free from a credit score service as part of a free trial. But be careful about getting locked into a service that charges a monthly fee.

•   Credit reporting agencies: You can buy your score directly from the credit reporting companies.

Recommended: How To Read A Credit Report

What You Can Do if You Don’t Have a Credit Score

If you’re trying to get a personal loan with little to no established credit, you may run into some challenges. Here are some steps that can help.

Establishing Credit

First-time personal loans for no-credit-history borrowers can be hard to get. To get around this hurdle, you’ll want to start establishing credit. One way to do this is to become an authorized user on a trusted friend’s or family member’s existing credit account. Another way is to apply for a secured credit card backed by collateral. With each option, as you make on-time payments, you’ll begin to establish a credit history.

Finding a Cosigner

Another option that can make it easier to qualify for credit products without a strong credit history is to add a cosigner (or co-applicant) to a loan or credit card. When lenders see that someone else (someone with good credit) is willing to make payments on the original borrower’s behalf (if they fail to do so), they have a lot more confidence in lending them money.

Using Collateral

Adding collateral to a personal loan means that the lender has something they can seize and use to recoup their losses if the borrower defaults on their payments. For example, auto loans are secured by the car the loan is financing. Before using collateral, a borrower needs to make sure they can make their loan payments on time each month or they risk the lender taking possession of their collateral.

Personal Loan Options With No Credit History

If a borrower is really struggling to find a personal loan because they don’t have a credit history, they can pursue a loan that doesn’t require a credit check. This type of lending product does exist but often comes with high interest rates and fees to make up for the risk the lender feels they are taking on.

In some cases, loans that don’t require credit checks, like payday loans, can be predatory, so consumers should make sure they know what they’re getting into when taking out this type of personal loan.

Applying for a Personal Loan With No Credit

Some lenders offer personal loans with no credit check. Since they can’t rely on your credit history, they will typically focus on other indicators of your ability to pay back the loan, such as your income, employment history, rental history, and any previous history with the lender. When applying for a personal loan with no credit check, it’s important to read the fine print and carefully weigh the benefits against the costs. Lenders will often charge higher interest rates and impose more fees to lessen their risk.


💡 Quick Tip: With average interest rates lower than credit cards, a personal loan for credit card debt can substantially decrease your monthly bills.

Checking Your Personal Loan Rate

If you’re in the market for a personal loan, it’s a good idea to research different lenders to find one that’s best for your needs. As you compare lenders, take note of their minimum credit requirements, loan amounts, repayment terms, funding time, and whether or not they offer joint, cosigned, or secured loans (which may help you get a lower rate).

Once you’ve identified a few lenders you prefer, it’s time to prequalify – this only involves a soft credit check and gives you a preview of the loan offers you may receive, including your estimated annual percentage rate (APR).

SoFi offers personal loans with 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.

FAQ

Can someone with no credit score get a personal loan?

Some lenders offer personal loans with no credit check. These lenders will look at other indicators of your ability to pay back the loan, such as your income, employment history, rental history, and any previous history with the lender. No credit check loans may come with higher rates and fees, though, so you’ll want to read the fine print.

How hard is it to get a personal loan with no credit score?

It isn’t necessarily hard to get a personal loan without a credit score, as personal loans for no-credit-history borrowers do exist. The bigger challenge is to get approved for a personal loan with a low interest rate and that doesn’t require collateral or a cosigner.

Do no-credit-score, no-cosigner loans exist?

Yes, loans that don’t require a credit check or a cosigner do exist. However, these loans may come with sky high interest rates and less-than-ideal terms.

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Photo credit: iStock/Yaroslav Olieinikov

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.

Checking Your Rates: To check the rates and terms you may qualify for, SoFi conducts a soft credit pull that will not affect your credit score. However, if you choose a product and continue your application, we will request your full credit report from one or more consumer reporting agencies, which is considered a hard credit pull and may affect your credit.

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.

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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If you’re overwhelmed by credit card debt, you might consider credit card debt forgiveness, which can involve paying less than you owe. This type of credit forgiveness is rare, however, and it usually comes with some financial consequences.

Still, if you’re unable to repay your credit card balance, it may be an option worth exploring. Read on to learn how to get credit card debt forgiven and what options there are to credit card forgiveness.

What Is Credit Card Debt Forgiveness?

Credit card debt forgiveness occurs when a portion of your credit card debt is effectively erased. However, this rarely happens. And when it does, it usually comes at a high cost.

As part of the terms and conditions you agreed to when signing up for a credit card, you likely committed to repaying your credit card debt accrued from swiping your card to make purchases. For this reason, it’s unlikely the credit card company will forgive your debt unless you have a compelling reason for why you don’t have to repay it.

(If your identity was stolen and a fraudster ran up your credit card bill, for instance, you’re probably not responsible for repaying the outstanding balance. In this case, you may consider disputing a credit card charge.)

When you don’t pay your credit card bill for an extended time, the credit card company may sell your debt to a debt collector. At this point, the debt collector will reach out to try to get you to repay all or a portion of the debt you owe. However, if you agree to repay a portion of your debt, they may forgive the rest, resulting in credit debt forgiveness.

Recommended: Charge Card Advantages and Disadvantages

How Does Debt Forgiveness Work for Credit Cards?

If a debt collector forgives your debt, you’ll generally still have to pay off a portion of the amount you racked up. Here’s a look at how credit card debt forgiveness works:

•   Say that you owe $10,000 in outstanding credit card debt. If you haven’t paid your bill for the last six months — not even your credit card minimum payment — your credit card company may have sold the debt to a debt collector.

•   At this point, you’ll no longer communicate with your credit card company about debt negotiations since the debt collector is now responsible for recouping the loss.

•   If you agree to repay $5,000 of the debt, your debt collector may require you to make a lump sum payment or installment payments over a set period of time.

•   This means that the other $5,000 of your outstanding credit card balance is now forgiven, meaning you don’t have to pay it.

While this may seem like a relief, here’s one important point to note: You’re still responsible for paying taxes on the amount of credit card forgiveness you receive in most cases. Essentially, you will claim the forgiven debt as taxable income and report it on your tax return.

When Does Credit Card Debt Forgiveness Work Best?

When you’ve fallen behind on your credit card payments and your creditor sells your debt to a debt collector for a fraction of the total balance, this is usually the best time to request credit forgiveness. Typically, debt collectors are more willing to settle some of your debt since they purchased your debt for a portion of what you owe. In other words, any debt you agree to pay back will help the debt collector make a profit from the transaction.

However, if your debt has not yet gone to a debt collector and the creditor is about to charge-off your account, you could still consider credit card forgiveness. A charge-off means that the creditor is accepting your debt as a loss. Therefore, they can recoup the funds by selling your debt to a debt collector. So, before they sell the debt, they might be willing to negotiate credit card debt forgiveness with you.

How Credit Card Debt Forgiveness May Affect Your Credit

The most significant financial implication of credit card debt forgiveness is the negative impact it can have on your credit. When you don’t pay your credit card bill for an extended amount of time, the creditor may report this as a charge-off to the three major credit bureaus (TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian). A charge-off indicates that you didn’t follow through with your financial commitments to a lender, and it can stay on your credit report for up to seven years.

Because credit bureaus use this information to calculate your credit score, a charge-off could lower your score for a while. A lower credit score may make it challenging to qualify for future loans or credit cards. And if you do qualify, you may have to pay a higher than average credit card interest rate, which can make borrowing more expensive.

To avoid this situation, it’s best to contact your credit card issuer as soon as you get behind on payments. Credit card companies may be willing to help you if you’ve fallen on hard times. They may offer a hardship plan, which can lower your monthly payments or reduce your interest for a set amount of time and ultimately help you get back on your feet. This is only a temporary solution though, so if your financial issues are more significant, you may need to explore another solution.

Pros and Cons of Credit Card Debt Forgiveness

If you can’t make your credit card payments, credit card forgiveness might be a viable option. But, while getting your debt forgiven can help alleviate the financial burden, it also can harm your credit and cost you financially.

Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons of pursuing credit card debt forgiveness.

Pros	Cons
Potentially avoid bankruptcy	Can harm your credit score
Repay only a portion of the debt you owe	Will remain on your credit report for up to seven years
Pay off debt in a shorter time frame	Must pay income tax on forgiven debt

Alternatives to Credit Card Debt Forgiveness

An alternative to credit card debt forgiveness may make more sense for your financial situation. Exploring all of your options in advance can help ensure that you make the best decision for your needs.

Debt Management

Third-party credit counseling agencies offer debt management plans that help you establish a plan for debt repayment. Working with one of these agencies may help you lower the fees you owe as well as your interest rate. However, you usually must agree to repay the total amount of outstanding debt before moving forward.

With a debt management plan, you’ll make one monthly payment to the credit counselor, who will then distribute the funds among the creditors you owe. Most plans help you repay your debt within three to five years. During this time, your account will still accrue interest, though your creditor might be willing to offer a lower rate.

To use one of these plans, you usually have to close your credit card account. This can negatively impact your credit score since it lowers your total credit card limit, thus increasing your credit utilization rate. Your credit utilization ratio is one of the most significant factors credit bureaus use when calculating your credit score.

Also, you will likely have to pay a monthly fee to your credit counselor. If considering this option, carefully vet the counselors you are considering and make sure the one you are working with has a good reputation.

Debt Settlement

Working with a debt settlement company can help you to lower the amount of debt you owe. For example, if you owe $10,000 as your credit card balance, the credit debt settlement company may try to help you settle your debt for $5,000 instead. But, of course, this strategy will only work if the creditor would rather have some of your debt repaid instead of having you default on the account.

Debt settlement also can harm your credit. Usually, debt settlement companies require you to stop making credit card payments while they negotiate with your creditor. At this time, your payments will go toward the debt settlement company so they can offer your creditor a lump sum payment as an incentive to settle your debt. However, pausing payments can negatively impact your debt since payment history is another factor used to calculate your credit score.

While debt settlement may sound good in theory, you should use it as a last resort option before filing bankruptcy. This solution is risky since it doesn’t guarantee that you’ll settle your debt. Your creditor could reject the offer.

Debt Consolidation

If your credit isn’t damaged too much, you might be able to qualify for a debt consolidation loan. While this isn’t technically a debt relief option, it can help you to consolidate your debt and potentially lower your interest rate, allowing you to save money.

To consolidate your debt, you’ll apply for another loan, ideally one with better terms than your existing debt. You’d use the loan to pay off your outstanding credit card debts. Then, you will make installment payments to the lender instead of paying the creditors.

Before you apply for a debt consolidation loan, compare your options to identify the loans with the most competitive terms and interest rates.

Declaring a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

Depending on your situation, declaring Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy may make the most sense. For instance, if you can’t make the payments with a debt management or debt settlement plan, bankruptcy could be an option to avoid going deeper into debt. But before you declare bankruptcy, consider speaking with a bankruptcy attorney to weigh out the pros and cons of this solution.

Bankruptcy should be one of your last resorts since it can drastically harm your credit. Also, it will stay on your credit report for up to 10 years after the filing date. To settle your debts with bankruptcy, you may also be forced to sell some of your assets.

The Takeaway

Credit card debt forgiveness involves paying less than the full amount you owe. While this prospect may sound great in theory, in reality it can harm your credit and end up costing you financially. If you find yourself starting to struggle with debt repayment, contact your credit card company to see if they will offer a hardship plan. If they’re unwilling to help or your financial troubles require a more long-term solution, you can explore credit debt forgiveness and other alternatives.

While credit cards can land you in a heap of debt, they can also be a great financial tool when used responsibly.

Whether you're looking to build credit, apply for a new credit card, or save money with the cards you have, it's important to understand the options that are best for you. Learn more about credit cards by exploring this credit card guide.

FAQ

How long does it typically take before a debt is forgiven?

Depending on the route you go, the time frame for debt forgiveness may vary. For example, bankruptcy can take four to six months, while debt settlement can take 36 months or more.

Does debt forgiveness hurt your credit score?

Yes, once you become delinquent on payments, your credit score can be negatively impacted. Then, when your credit card company sells your debt to a debt collector, they may report your balance as a charge-off or a complete loss, which can also impact your credit drastically.

How do you get your credit card balance forgiven?

Usually, once a creditor sells your outstanding debt to a debt collector, the debt collector may agree to forgive some of your credit card debt. But, you must agree to repay a portion of the debt for this to happen.

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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.

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

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.

Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice.

Photo credit: iStock/damircudic
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In theory, financial wellness is something we all want. But it also sounds a little vague and potentially complex. What exactly does it mean? And, how do you achieve it?

Simply put, financial wellness is the ability to lead a successful financial life. It’s being able to meet your basic needs and manage your money for both the short- and long-term. You can enhance your financial wellness by improving various aspects of your personal finances, including budgeting, saving, investing, managing debt, and planning for the future.

Surprisingly, achieving financial wellness isn’t just about having a substantial income; it’s about how effectively you manage and utilize your resources to build a secure financial future. That means anyone can get there, no matter where they are in their financial journey or how much money they have (or don’t). Read on for a closer look at financial wellness, including what it is, why it matters, and how to apply the basic elements of financial wellness to your own life.

What Is Financial Wellness?

Financial wellness describes a condition in which you can manage your current bills and expenses, pay your debts, weather unexpected financial emergencies, and plan for long-term financial goals like saving for retirement and a child’s education. As defined by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, financial well-being (another term for financial wellness) is a condition in which “a person can fully meet current and ongoing financial obligations, can feel secure in their financial future, and is able to make choices that allow them to enjoy life.”

Just like overall “wellness” requires adopting practices — like exercising more and eating healthier foods — to help you live a better life, financial wellness is about adopting everyday money habits — like budgeting and saving — to secure your financial stability and freedom. Also like overall wellness, financial wellness is not an end state or final destination but, rather, a way to live day to day.

💡 Quick Tip: Make money easy. Open a bank account online so you can manage bills, deposits, transfers — all from one convenient app.

The Four Elements of Financial Wellness

Financial wellness is often broken down into four key areas of your personal finances. While these elements can overlap, and one can affect another, you can achieve greater results by bringing each under control. By addressing each of these pillars of financial wellness, you can start improving your financial well-being.

1. Budgeting and Financial Planning

Creating a budget that aligns with your income, expenses, and financial goals lays the foundation for financial wellness. Budgeting enables you to allocate resources efficiently, prioritize expenses, and plan for short- and long-term financial goals.

2. Savings and Emergency Funds

Establishing a habit of creating and maintaining an emergency fund to cover unforeseen expenses allows you to build financial security. Having savings acts as a safety net during emergencies and ensures financial stability, since you won’t have to rely on high-interest credit cards or loans in the event of a financial set-back.

3. Debt Management

Effectively managing long-term debt, and eliminating high-interest consumer debt, are vital components of achieving financial well-being. This frees up funds that can then go towards savings and investing and, in turn, help reach your financial goals.

4. Investing for the Future

Investing is a key underpinning of financial wellness because it allows for wealth-building and long-term financial stability. When it comes to reaching your retirement goal, saving as much as possible and starting as early as possible can be keys to success.

7 Tips to Improving Your Financial Wellness

Maybe you don’t meet the definition of financial wellness right now. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get there. What follows are seven relatively simple steps that can help you improve your current and long-term financial health and security.

1. Set Clear Financial Goals

Building financial wellness requires coming up with systems for spending, savings and investing. But before you can focus on specific habits and strategies, it helps to have a sense of what your financial life is like now, and where you want it to be months and years down the road.

You may want to jot down some specific and realistic objectives, such as going on a vacation in three months, buying a house in two years, and being able to one day retire. Having clear short-, mid-, and long-term objectives can help you create a roadmap towards achieving them.

2. Create and Stick to a Budget

To achieve your goals, you’ll need to develop a realistic budget that considers your monthly income and expenses and also allows you to put some money towards savings and debt repayments (beyond the minimum) each month.

A budget is simply a plan for how you’ll direct funds toward all areas of your financial life, such as necessary expenses, discretionary (“fun”) purchases, debt payments, personal savings goals, and investing for retirement.

There are all different ways to budget — the best approach is the one you’ll stick with. One simple and popular budgeting framework is the 50/30/20 rule, in which you divide your monthly take-home income into three categories, spending 50% on needs, 30% on wants, and 20% on savings and extra debt payments. Use the 50/30/20 rule calculator below to get an idea of how much of your income would fall into each category.

3. Pay Yourself First

A simple way to make sure you achieve your monthly savings goal is to automatically transfer a set amount of money into a savings account each time you get paid — in other words, pay yourself first. If you wait to see what’s leftover after you pay your bills and do your shopping, you may not have much — or anything — to set aside.

To get started with saving, you may want to open a dedicated savings account then set up a recurring transfer from your checking account into that account on a set day each month (ideally, right after you get paid). You can base the transfer amount on the savings goal you set out in your budget.

If you want to earn a high rate and pay the lowest fees on your savings, consider storing your savings in an online account. Without the added expenses of large branch networks, online banks are typically able to offer more favorable returns than national brick-and-mortar banks.

4. Build an Emergency Fund

If you don’t have one already, you’ll want to build an emergency savings fund that covers at least three to six months’ worth of living expenses. (If you’re self-employed or work irregularly, you may want to aim for six to 12 months’ worth of expenses.) This gives you a cushion should you lose your job or get hit with a large, unexpected expense — like a medical bill or major car or home repair.

Ideally, you’ll want to keep this money separate from your spending and other savings in an account that is accessible but pays a competitive yield, such as an online high-yield savings account.

Recommended: Take the guesswork out of saving for emergencies with our user-friendly emergency fund calculator.

5. Protect Your Assets

While the emergency fund provides you with some protection, insurance provides more security in other situations. You’ll want to make sure you have adequate coverage when it comes to health, home, and auto insurance. This can offset large, sudden and unexpected expenses and losses, and reduce the possibility of going into debt.

You may get your health insurance through your employer. But with home and auto insurance, it often pays to shop around to find the best deal.

Recommended: Which Insurance Types Do Your Really Need?

6. Pay Off High-Interest Debts

If you’re paying only the minimum on your credit card balances, you may be spending thousands on interest. That leaves you with a lot less money to put into savings or investments to grow your wealth. Coming up with a plan to knock down — and eventually eliminate — high-interest consumer debt will help you save money in the long term and improve your overall financial health.

There are a number of strategies for reducing debt. One is the debt avalanche method, which prioritizes paying down your debts in order of the one with the highest interest rate to the one with the lowest, while still making the minimum payment on the other each month. Another approach is the debt snowball method, which involves paying down your debts in order from largest to smallest, while continuing to pay the minimum on the others each month.

7. Start Investing

The key to building a nest egg large enough to live on in retirement is to start investing regularly as early as you can. Even if you have a low salary and can only afford to put a small amount into your retirement account each paycheck, that money will go a lot further if you start now. That’s thanks, in part, to the power of compound interest, which is the interest your interest accumulates.

If your company has a 401(k) or other retirement savings plan, consider contributing a portion of each paycheck into that account. If your employer matches a portion of your contributions, even better — that’s free money toward your future.

What’s the Difference Between Financial Wellness vs. Financial Literacy?

Financial wellness and financial literacy are interconnected concepts, but they are not the same thing.

Financial wellness involves the overall state of a person’s financial health, encompassing their behaviors, attitudes, and actions towards money management. It includes actions like budgeting, saving, investing, and debt management. Achieving financial wellness requires applying financial knowledge effectively to attain financial stability and security.

Financial literacy, on the other hand, refers to possessing knowledge and understanding of financial concepts and principles, such as budgeting, investing, loans, and credit management. While financial literacy is essential, achieving financial wellness involves not only understanding these concepts but also implementing them effectively to manage finances and achieve financial goals.

The Takeaway

Financial wellness is about more than just the numbers in a bank account — it’s a holistic approach to managing your money that encompasses various elements of personal finance. People who are financially well can comfortably pay their bills and manage their monthly expenses, without living paycheck to paycheck. They can also set money aside for emergencies, as well as short- and long-term goals. They’re quick to bounce back from any financial setbacks because they have the right resources and strategies in place.

By integrating budgeting, saving, debt management, and investing into your overall financial strategy, you can take proactive steps towards financial wellness, paving the way for a more peace of mind now, and a more secure financial future.

Interested in opening an online bank account? When you sign up for a SoFi Checking and Savings account with direct deposit, you’ll get a competitive annual percentage yield (APY), pay zero account fees, and enjoy an array of rewards, such as access to the Allpoint Network of 55,000+ fee-free ATMs globally. Qualifying accounts can even access their paycheck up to two days early.

Better banking is here with SoFi, NerdWallet’s 2024 winner for Best Checking Account Overall.* Enjoy up to 4.50% APY on SoFi Checking and Savings.

FAQ

What is an example of financial wellness?

An example of financial wellness is an individual who consistently lives within their means, has minimal debt, regularly contributes to savings and retirement accounts, and has a well-thought-out financial plan to achieve their financial goals.

What’s the difference between financial wellness and financial well-being?

The terms financial wellness and financial well-being generally refer to the same thing — your ability to live within your means and manage your money in a way that gives you both satisfaction and peace of mind. It includes balancing your income and expenses, staying out of debt, and saving for the future.

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SoFi members with direct deposit activity can earn 4.50% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Direct Deposit means a recurring deposit of regular income to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government benefit payments (e.g., Social Security), made by the account holder’s employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency (“Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Deposits that are not from an employer or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, or are non-recurring in nature (e.g., IRS tax refunds), do not constitute Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. SoFi members with direct deposit are eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits.

As an alternative to direct deposit, SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits can earn 4.50% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Qualifying Deposits means one or more deposits that, in the aggregate, are equal to or greater than $5,000 to an account holder’s SoFi Checking and Savings account (“Qualifying Deposits”) during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Qualifying Deposits only include those deposits from the following eligible sources: (i) ACH transfers, (ii) inbound wire transfers, (iii) peer-to-peer transfers (i.e., external transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc. and internal peer-to-peer transfers from a SoFi account belonging to another account holder), (iv) check deposits, (v) instant funding to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, (vi) push payments to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, and (vii) cash deposits. Qualifying Deposits do not include: (i) transfers between an account holder’s Checking account, Savings account, and/or Vaults; (ii) interest payments; (iii) bonuses issued by SoFi Bank or its affiliates; or (iv) credits, reversals, and refunds from SoFi Bank, N.A. (“SoFi Bank”) or from a merchant. SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits are not eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits.

SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder’s Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits throughout each 30-Day Evaluation Period to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility. The 30-Day Evaluation Period refers to the “Start Date” and “End Date” set forth on the APY Details page of your account, which comprises a period of 30 calendar days (the “30-Day Evaluation Period”). You can access the APY Details page at any time by logging into your SoFi account on the SoFi mobile app or SoFi website and selecting either (i) Banking > Savings > Current APY or (ii) Banking > Checking > Current APY. Upon receiving a Direct Deposit or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits to your account, you will begin earning 4.50% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% on checking balances on or before the following calendar day. You will continue to earn these APYs for (i) the remainder of the current 30-Day Evaluation Period and through the end of the subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period and (ii) any following 30-day Evaluation Periods during which SoFi Bank determines you to have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits without interruption.

SoFi Bank reserves the right to grant a grace period to account holders following a change in Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits activity before adjusting rates. If SoFi Bank grants you a grace period, the dates for such grace period will be reflected on the APY Details page of your account. If SoFi Bank determines that you did not have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits during the current 30-day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, then you will begin earning the rates earned by account holders without either Direct Deposit or Qualifying Deposits until you have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits in a subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period. For the avoidance of doubt, an account holder with both Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits will earn the rates earned by account holders with Direct Deposit.

Members without either Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits, as determined by SoFi Bank, during a 30-Day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, will earn 1.20% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances.

Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 8/27/2024. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.

SoFi® Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A. ©2023 SoFi Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.
The SoFi Bank Debit Mastercard® is issued by SoFi Bank, N.A., pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated and can be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.

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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