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Q: How do you do kakeibo?

The kakeibo budgeting method is fairly simple. All someone has to do is write down all of the money they have coming in each month (income) and, as they spend it, record where it goes. This method involves tracking spending in four different spending categories: general, wants, culture, and unexpected extras.

Q: How do you make a kakeibo journal?

All anyone needs to create a kakeibo journal is to grab an empty notebook they have on hand or buy an inexpensive one. There’s no need to get fancy here; a blank or lined notebook does the trick.

Aug

2024

Guide to Kakeibo: The Japanese Budgeting Method

By Jacqueline DeMarco | Budgeting & Goals, Financial Independence, money | Comments Off

Sticking to a budget can be challenging, but one of the best ways to succeed is to find a system that works for you. Following a method that meets your needs and preferences can go a long way towards getting your spending and saving on track.

One Japanese budgeting method that’s gaining a lot of attention these days is the kakeibo (pronounced kah-keh-boh) method. Essentially, this budgeting method involves keeping a journal of all incoming and outgoing money to encourage a more mindful approach to spending.

Let’s take a closer look at how this unique Japanese money management method works, including:

• What does kakeibo mean?

• How does the kakeibo method work?

• What are the kakeibo categories?

• How can you properly use kakeibo to budget better?

What Is the Kakeibo Method?

Kakeibo translates to “household financial ledger” and is a very simple budgeting method. All you have to do to embrace the kakeibo method is keep a journal and log all of your incoming earnings and all of your outgoing expenses. By keeping this journal, you, the spender, will become more mindful of each purchase you make. This can help you focus more on your goals than on impulse purchases.

At its most basic, the kakeibo method could be thought of as “slow budgeting,” meaning it slows down the pace of managing your finances. In a world of apps and websites, it may suit those who want to unplug a bit and let the details of a budgeting program really sink in by working with pencil and paper, although there are digital tools that can make kakeibo work for those who love one-click convenience.

How Does Kakeibo Work?

The kakeibo method works by creating a kind of detailed line item budget at the beginning of each month based on your projected income and spending, while keeping savings goals in mind. As you spend money throughout the month, you will keep a diary or journal of sorts where you track every single penny you spend.

At the end of the month, you can review your journal to see the progress you’ve made on your savings goals and if you stuck to your original targets. This reflection period can also help you adjust your monthly budget or behaviors as needed in the upcoming month.

History of Kakeibo

Kakeibo was invented in 1904 by Hani Motoko, who is often referred to as Japan’s first female journalist. She designed this system as a way to make a budget for beginners. Specifically, she was creating a budget system for homemakers to keep track of their household spending. The concept she designed is simple and gives people control over their budgets while helping them become more aware of their spending habits.

Properly Using Kakeibo

There are four important questions you can ask yourself in order to use this Japanese budgeting method properly.

How Much Money Do You Have to Spend?

First, it’s important to write down how much income you expect to come in. If you are a W2 employee, you can simply look at past paychecks to figure out how much you bring into your bank account after taxes in a month If you are self-employed or work variable hours, you can look at multiple months of past income to get a general idea of how much you earn.

How Much Would You Like to Save?

An important part of any budget that’s easy to forget is adding savings goals as a fixed expense. You can ask yourself how much you want to save each month and add it into your budget so you don’t accidentally spend that money.

If you’re wondering how much money to save each month, financial experts typically recommend 20% should go towards funding your savings goals. This is part of the popular 50/30/20 budget rule, which you’ll learn more about below.

How Much Money Are You Spending?

While it can be hard to nail down exactly what you spend in a month, you can start with the “needs” in life. What are the basic expenses of living? These include the essentials you need to survive, such as:

• Housing

• Food

• Basic clothing

• Utilities

• Healthcare

• Transportation for work and school

• Debt payments

As you watch your budget, kakeibo encourages you to see how your discretionary spending is evolving. For instance, you may realize that during the pandemic, you signed up for a variety of streaming services which you forgot about. You might opt to unsubscribe for one or more of them.

However, it also (as you will see from how expenses are categorized, below) encourages you to think about how to use your dollars to make your life more enjoyable.

How Can You Improve Next Month?

Any budget is a work in progress. A key element of the kakeibo method is journaling spending to encourage mindfulness. At the end of the month, you can look back at your spending to see where you can improve.

In this way, you become more intentional with your money. By getting granular with your understanding of your spending, you will better realize the impact of unplanned, impulsive or compulsive spending. And you will hopefully be better able to rein it in.

Kakeibo’s Category System

The kakeibo method involves tracking spending in four different budget categories. Here’s how they stack up:

1. General

This category consists of essentials that you can’t cut from your budget like food, utilities, healthcare, rent, and transportation. Now, while it’s true these expenses can’t be cut entirely because they are necessities, they could be decreased if needed. You could look for ways to decrease your heating bill in winter, or even move to a smaller home or one in a less expensive neighborhood.

Recommended: How Much Should I Spend on Rent?

2. Wants

Wants are purchases someone enjoys like travel, clothing, and dining out, but that aren’t essentials. Sometimes, it’s easy to blur the lines between needs vs. wants and believe that discretionary expenses are musts. A few examples:

• Thinking you need your fancy takeout latte every morning when you really could have made a cup of joe at home for a fraction of the price.

• Saying you “had” to take an Uber when, if you’d woken up a bit earlier, you could have used public transportation.

• Insisting that you “must” buy new clothes every fall, even though you might have a closet full of wearable garments.

It can be helpful to do a little soul-searching as you categorize your spending to make sure you properly identify your purchases.

3. Culture

This unique budgeting method carves out space for cultural activities. These could include:

• Museum admission or membership

• Tickets to a concert, play, or dance performance

• Books

• Admission to a local garden or zoo

Thanks to this category, the kakeibo budgeting method can get you thinking about spending towards quality of life and valuable experiences, rather than just material goods.

4. Unexpected Extras

This category includes purchases that aren’t recurring and may come as a surprise. Some examples are:

• Birthday or holiday gifts

• Car repairs

• Unexpected medical bills

These kakeibo categories can help you get a clearer understanding of where your money is going. This can, in turn, make it easier to adjust spending habits and meet savings goals. While it can feel a bit tedious to write down every single purchase, doing so can help make spending become much more mindful.

How Kakeibo Is Different From Other Budgeting Methods

Each budgeting method puts its own spin on money management. The kakeibo method is different from other types of budgets because it focuses more on creating better spending habits than strictly sticking to a budget.

By making you aware of your spending in detail, you become better attuned to your money and more aware of how impulse spending can derail your budget.

Benefits of Kakeibo

Having a budget that illuminates your financial situation and helps you avoid overspending can be a key step in financial self-care. Kakeibo has helped many people with this. Some of the specific benefits associated with this method include:

• Makes spending more mindful

• Simplifies budgeting into four distinct categories

• Encourages realistic savings goals

• Emphasizes making slow but steady progress

• Celebrates small achievements.

Disadvantages of Kakeibo

There are also some disadvantages associated with kakeibo that some budgeters may find discouraging.

• Can be time-intensive

• Detailed record-keeping is required, which can be tedious to some people

• May not provide enough structure to motivate some

Who Is Kakeibo Suited for?

The kakeibo method is best suited for someone who wants a simple budgeting method, who needs to make their spending habits more mindful, and who wants to work towards savings goals.

It may also be best for people who don’t get impatient with record-keeping, as it does involve very detailed tracking of expenses.

Alternatives to Kakeibo

If you feel the kakeibo method isn’t the right budgeting system for you, consider one of these budgeting systems instead:

• Envelope budgeting method. This technique relies on budgeting out purchases for the month in cash envelopes labeled with each intended spending category. So you’d distribute your income into envelopes marked with things like food, clothing, etc. When you’ve spent the money allocated in a given envelope, that’s it; no more is available.

• The 50/30/20 rule. With this type of budget (briefly mentioned above), 50% of expenses go toward necessities, 30% goes toward lifestyle spending, and 20% goes toward saving for financial goals. There’s also a similar budgeting principle called the 70/20/10 rule for those who have higher living expenses.

• Zero-based budget. This budgeting method requires budgeting out every single dollar of income that comes in during a month. This doesn’t mean someone has to spend all of that money; it’s possible to allocate money towards a savings goal.

Banking With SoFi

The kakeibo method is a simple budgeting technique that can help consumers break bad spending habits and become more mindful with their money. It may not work for everyone, but it may be worth a try if you’re ready to devote time and energy towards spending less and saving more.

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 4.00% APY on SoFi Checking and Savings.

FAQ

How do you do kakeibo?

The kakeibo budgeting method is fairly simple. All you have to do is write down all of the money you have coming in each month (income) and, as you spend it, record where it goes. This method involves tracking spending in four different spending categories: general, wants, culture, and unexpected extras.

Is there an app for kakeibo?

While it’s possible to manage a kakeibo budget with good old-fashioned paper and pen, some people might want to record their spending digitally. There are a variety of apps on the market designed to help people manage their kakeibo budget.

How do you make a kakeibo journal?

All you need to do to create a kakeibo journal is to grab an empty notebook you have on hand or buy an inexpensive one. There’s no need to get fancy here; a blank or lined notebook does the trick.

Photo credit: iStock/mphillips007

SoFi® Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A. ©2024 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.

*Awards or rankings from NerdWallet are not indicative of future success or results. This award and its ratings are independently determined and awarded by their respective publications.

SoFi members with direct deposit activity can earn 4.00% 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 4.00% 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 4.00% 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 12/3/24. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.

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.

SOBNK-Q324-040

Aug

2024

Simple Guide to Using Savings Clubs

By Jacqueline DeMarco | Budgeting & Goals, money | Comments Off

Spending money is typically fun, while saving money is hard — all that temptation to buy cool new things or try the latest restaurant. Which is why we can all use a little extra motivation to stash away some cash, and a savings club can play a role in that process.

Basically, savings clubs are a type of bank account in which the account holder contributes to the account over time to meet a specific goal. It can be a valuable option vs. breaking out your plastic and running up credit card debt.

What Is a Savings Club?

So, what is a savings club? A basic savings club definition is that it’s a bank account that the account holder uses to hold funds to meet a specific savings goal. For example, some people set up what are known as “Christmas clubs” in which they make regular contributions throughout the year to save for holiday gifts, travel, decor, and parties. By saving gradually in advance, they may be able to avoid the wallop of that major end-of-year credit-card bill.

Usually, savings clubs accounts that can be opened at a bank or credit union. They can be a good idea in terms of where to put short-term savings, as they typically earn interest. Often these savings clubs have other incentives attached to them to encourage account holders to follow through on their savings goals. There can also be penalties associated with savings clubs — such as forfeiting earned interest for withdrawing funds from the account early — to help motivate people to keep saving.

Recommended: How Much Money Should I Save a Month?

How Do Savings Clubs Work?

Usually, savings clubs create a schedule the depositor can follow to make regular deposits of a certain amount. So, say you open a savings club account to gather cash for a vacation next summer. If you want to save $1,200 over one year, the club would guide you through depositing $100 a month to meet that goal. Typically, the end date associated with a savings club aligns with your goal, whether that’s heading to Hawaii, getting married, or celebrating the holidays.

Deposits for savings clubs can be drawn from the account holder’s paycheck, which can make it easier to steadily progress towards meeting a savings goal. Automatic savings transfers can be a real helping hand because you don’t see the money in your checking, as if it’s available to be spent.

Some savings clubs allow multiple people to contribute to it — similar to another type of savings account, the joint account — so they can work together towards a savings goal. While usually only couples share a bank account, friends, or family members can choose to contribute to a savings club together to save up for a group vacation, present, or family reunion. Or some financial institutions will allow parents to help a child open a holiday savings account. In all cases, this can be a good strategy, since savings club accounts may offer higher interest than a typical savings account, though there can be penalties for early withdrawal.

Benefits of a Savings Club

There are quite a few benefits attached to savings clubs, including:

• Saving on a schedule towards a specific goal

• Offering saving incentives

• Creating discipline in a savings routine

• Teaching children about financial literacy and the value of saving

• Paying higher interest rates than typical savings accounts

Drawbacks of a Savings Club

There are also some downsides associated with savings clubs worth being aware of:

• Withdrawing funds early can lead to penalties

• Not contributing on schedule can lead to penalties

• Some savings clubs can be banking scams if not hosted by a financial institution such as a bank or credit union (beware “money board” and “circle game” schemes)

• Investing money elsewhere may lead to more growth

Savings Club vs Savings Account: What’s the Difference?

There are many reasons why you would put money in a savings account, and savings clubs offer a specific financial product to serve a specific goal. Let’s look at some differences between these two account types.

Savings Clubs Can Offer Higher Interest Than a Traditional Savings Account

One of the reasons savings clubs can be so motivating is because they often offer a higher interest rate than traditional savings accounts do. Knowing your money can grow faster can be an exciting prospect.

Savings Clubs Have Penalties for Premature Withdrawal

There are no penalties when someone withdraws money from a standard savings account. Nor is there a set period of time they have to keep their money in the account.

With a savings club, however, there can be penalties (such as losing the interest accrued) for actions such as withdrawing funds before the predetermined end date or for not making a contribution according to the savings club schedule. These penalties can be an incentive to save, but they can also create a challenging savings environment.

Savings Clubs Often Require a Minimum Deposit and Term Lengths

While basic savings accounts don’t usually have strict requirements attached to them, savings clubs often have minimum deposit requirements. These requirements may be as low as $1 or can be much higher. Savings clubs can also come with predetermined term lengths — usually six months to a year — and may require automatic weekly or bi-weekly deposits. Some people don’t like feeling “locked in” in this way.

Recommended: How Do Savings Accounts Work?

Starting a Savings Club

In most cases, you’ll start a savings club that’s hosted at a bank or credit union, review the terms, make an initial deposit, and continue funding the account.

Some people may choose to set up social savings clubs with friends and/or relatives by taking the following steps.

• Define a savings goal for the club

• Find people to join the savings club

• Create savings club rules and structure

• Commit to the planned schedule and follow through

Where the funds are actually kept can be decided by the group; an interest-bearing savings account will offer the nice perk of having your money earn money.

Banking With SoFi

Savings clubs can offer a motivating way to stockpile cash, thanks to their usually higher interest rates (compared to traditional savings accounts) and their structured schedule.

Better banking is here with SoFi, NerdWallet’s 2024 winner for Best Checking Account Overall.* Enjoy up to 4.00% APY on SoFi Checking and Savings.

FAQ

Why would someone join a savings club?

Savings clubs can help you efficiently save towards a specific short-term goal, like accumulating money for the holidays or for a vacation. Benefits of saving this way include a motivating format and often a higher interest rate vs. traditional savings accounts do. Also, the potential penalties associated with not sticking to the schedule can also motivate people to save.

Should I have a savings club or savings account?

Whether or not you should have a savings club vs. a standard savings account depends on your personal goals and preferences. If you benefit from having a savings schedule and are offered a good interest rate, it may be a great fit. If, on the other hand, you want the ability to withdraw funds from your account penalty-free, it may not be the right move.

Can I use a savings club for long-term savings?

Savings clubs are usually designed to meet short-term goals, not long-term savings goals. They typically last for six months to a year. Those looking for long-term growth may find that investing money elsewhere can lead to more growth than a savings club can offer.

Photo credit: iStock/MicroStockHub

SoFi® Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A. ©2024 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.

SoFi members with direct deposit activity can earn 4.00% 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 4.00% 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 4.00% 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 12/3/24. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.

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.

*Awards or rankings from NerdWallet are not indicative of future success or results. This award and its ratings are independently determined and awarded by their respective publications.

SOBNK-Q324-039

Aug

2024

17 Tips to Save Money on Coffee Expenses

17 Ways to Save Money on Coffee Expenses

By Marcy Lovitch | Budgeting & Goals, Financial Independence, money | Comments Off

We’re a nation of coffee lovers, with java consumption at a two-decade high, according to the National Coffee Association’s 2024 research. Whether you like a cup of basic black coffee or an iced latte with all the bells, whistles, and whipped cream, coffee may feel like an affordable treat.

However, that little indulgence and energy booster is getting more expensive. In fact, between inflation and the higher cost of coffee beans, java prices have increased nationwide. Specifically, in April 2024, the price was 26.5% higher than it was in April 2010, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This means you’re most likely paying more for your coffee at home and in neighborhood and national chain coffee shops.

While you might not consider spending an extra 25 or 50 cents a cup a big deal, these expenses can add up and mess with your budget. Fortunately, there are lots of ways you can still enjoy your daily cup of joe without going broke. Read on for 17 practical ways you can save money on coffee.

How Much Does the Average Person Spend on Coffee?

It’s estimated that women shell out $2,327 on coffee each year, while men spend $1,934, according to the Perfect Brew. Statistics show Millennials are the biggest spenders with the average 25 to 34 year-old dishing out $2,008 a year on their coffee habit, followed by 35 to 44 year-olds, who spend $1,410 on coffee each year.

How Spending Money on Coffee Shops Can Add Up

The average price of a cup of coffee-shop joe costs nearly $5 according to the latest data. If you’re buying your coffee five days a week, that’s $25 a week and $100 a month. It might not sound like a lot, but do the math and you’ll find even if you’re only ordering one cup, you’re shelling out $1,200 a year just on to-go coffee. By making a few small changes to your routine, you could potentially save yourself hundreds of dollars and then use that money to open a savings account and sock the funds away for future goals, like a vacation or even a down payment on a house.

17 Great Ways to Save Money on Coffee

Think you might be spending a small fortune on coffee? It may be time to take stock of how much of your money is going towards those pots of Italian roast at home and pumpkin spice lattes when out and about. By incorporating some small changes, you can end up with extra money that can go into savings.

Here are 17 great ideas on how you can lower the cost of buying coffee every day.

1. Grind Your Own Beans

Even though bags of pre-ground coffee and whole beans may cost the same, grinding beans can be more economical in the long run. Why? Whole beans stay fresher longer compared to pre-ground coffee, which is often made with lower quality beans, additives, and fillers, tending to go stale faster. Coffee that’s lost its aroma and flavor may go unused or tossed, resulting in pouring money down the drain along with your brew.

2. Improve Your Brew Method

One reason why you might skip making coffee at home is because it doesn’t taste like it does at the coffee shop. If this is the case, it’s time to up your brewing game. Start by using the right grind size for your coffee method, such as a coarse grind for a French press or a medium-coarse grind for automatic drip. Also try figuring out your preferred coffee strength for the ratio of coffee to water, and understand the best water temperature for your chosen brewing method.

3. Invest in a Quality Coffee Maker

Here’s another smart idea for how to save money on coffee: Get a coffee maker you’re excited about. It will likely inspire you to drink more coffee at home. Purchasing a coffee maker may feel like a bit of a splurge, but in the long run, you’re likely to be spending money wisely. Making coffee at home will offset the cost of daily trips to the coffee shop.

4. Get an Inexpensive Milk Frother

Instead of paying extra for a latte or a cappuccino from your local barista, make your own at home with a milk frother. Milk frothers work by aerating the milk and creating the foam to add to your hot or cold coffee drinks. There are different types of frothers, from handheld to electric, which vary considerably in price, but you can find one on Amazon for as low as $4. Little savings like this can help you live below your means.

5. Drink Your Coffee Black

It might take time to get used to it, but by drinking black coffee, you’ll be saving money on buying milk or creamer in the supermarket and at the cafe. Some national coffee chains charge as much as 80 cents extra or more if you order coffee with certain types of dairy-free milk, such as almond, oat, soy, or coconut. What’s more, when you keep it simple and black, you can really appreciate the coffee’s true aroma and flavor.

6. Switch to a Cheaper Alternative

If you’ve been toying with giving up coffee for a less expensive fix, consider switching to tea, which can cost up to three times less than coffee you make at home. Caffeinated teas such as black, matcha, and Oolong can provide plenty of flavor while still providing you the buzz you need.

The cheapest choice? Decrease the amount of coffee you drink everyday or quit entirely.

7. Refrigerate or Freeze Leftover Coffee

Made too much coffee? No problem. Refrigerate it later and drink it iced, or add it to a smoothie with other ingredients such as peanut butter, banana, vanilla extract, and the milk of your choice. Leftover coffee can also be used to make coffee popsicles or fill an ice tray for cubes you can add to iced coffee.

8. Make Your Own Creamer

Those French vanilla and other flavored creamers can liven up your cup of joe, but they don’t come cheap. Cut your grocery bill by saying no to those costly supermarket creamers. Do a search for homemade creamer recipes on the internet, and you’ll find many different variations. Making your own creamer can be as easy as combining 1 can of sweetened condensed milk, 1-¾ cup skim milk, and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract.

9. Add Your Own Flavorings Instead of Paying Extra

Before you head out to a coffee bar for one of those flavored treats, try spicing up your coffee at home by sprinkling in cinnamon, powdered cocoa, cayenne pepper, or vanilla extract. Fancy syrups used by coffee shops are easy to create yourself and you can find a variety of recipes online. A couple of teaspoons of maple syrup can sweeten up your java too.

Recommended: 30 Ways to Save Money on Food

10. Order the Smallest Size Coffee

The difference between buying a small and a large size coffee can be as much as 80 cents or more. Opting for a smaller cup over the largest size over the course of a week could save you about $5. That’s $20 a month and a yearly savings of $240.

11. Pay with Cash Instead of Credit

When paying for coffee, it’s easy to whip out a credit card. However, using your card each time and not keeping track can be an eye-opener when your bill comes due. If you’re carrying a balance and have an interest rate of, say, 19%, you’re paying almost 20% more by using your plastic for that cup of joe. Instead, switch to cash only for coffee to become more aware of how much you’re really spending — and to avoid getting into a position of having to pay off outstanding debt.

12. Ask for Gift Cards

For special occasions like birthdays or holidays, put a coffee gift card on your wishlist. A $15 or $20 gift card from a loved one can give you a week or two reprieve from spending your own money at coffee shops.

13. Pay with an EBT Card

The USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, provides financial assistance towards groceries for individuals in need. SNAP recipients receive an Electronics Benefit Transfer (EBT) card to buy food items and non-alcoholic beverages at most major supermarkets as well as Amazon, Instacart, and more. This means you can use your benefits in participating retailers to buy such brands as Califia Farms, Starbucks, or Dunkin’ brand packaged coffee, K-cups or cold bottled drinks. Although Starbucks doesn’t accept SNAP at their stand-alone stores, some of its licensed kiosks found inside certain grocery sellers such as Target, Fred Meyer, and Safeway, accept EBT.

The catch? You can only purchase SNAP-eligible items that have a nutritional label. Hot foods and beverages are excluded so barista-prepared coffee isn’t covered. You can check to see what stores in your area take EBT cards with the USDA Snap locator .

14. Check out Coffee ‘Happy Hours’

Look for coffee shop happy hours where you can get your favorite beverages at lower prices. Starbucks, Peet’s, and Ziggi’s Coffee are some national chains that often offer happy hour deals, and your local coffee shop may have them as well.

15. Avoid Hanging Out in Coffee Shops

With more people working remotely, coffee shops have become a popular place to get out of the house and get one’s job done. But, as the hours pass, you’re likely to order more coffee. Just like the price of eating out vs. eating at home can be more expensive, camping out for a longer period of time also means you may feel obligated to purchase food, plus contribute to the tip jar.

16. Budget for Your Coffee

Sometimes you just have to reward yourself with a fancy coffee. This is doable as long as you work it into your weekly budget. That gives your spending some structure and gives you permission to buy that treat guilt-free. As you hone your money-saving skills by sticking to your budget, a PSL can be a great way to celebrate a job well done.

One way to create a flexible budget is to try following the 50-30-20 rule, which teaches you to allocate your take-home income into three categories: needs (50%), wants (30%), and savings (20%). That weekly peppermint mocha can be factored in as a non-essential want.

17. Use a Reusable Cup

In an effort to reduce single-cup waste, some national chains such as Starbucks, Tim Hortons and Peet’s, give customers 10 cents off of each cup of coffee if you bring a reusable cup. Drinking out of an insulated cup not only means you’re helping the environment, but your coffee tends to stay hotter longer too.

Banking With SoFi

Want to find room in your budget for a little more java? Opening the right bank account could help you save and potentially even grow your money. That way you can order a special coffee from time to time and really savor it.

Better banking is here with SoFi, NerdWallet’s 2024 winner for Best Checking Account Overall.* Enjoy up to 4.00% APY on SoFi Checking and Savings.

FAQ

Is it cheaper to make or buy coffee?

Making coffee at home turns out to be much more affordable than buying coffee at a shop. Depending on the type of coffee maker and coffee you use, you can spend pennies per cup. Using a drip coffee maker can cost about 29 cents a cup compared to $3 or more at a cafe.

How much money do you save if you make your own coffee?

At about 29 cents a cup, making coffee at home can cost as little as $105.85 a year if you drink it every day. On the flip side, getting a $4 coffee at a popular cafe every day can be as much as $1,460 a year. Based on those figures, drinking coffee at home can save you a little more than $1,354 annually. In the bigger picture, over the course of 10 years, you’d save more than $13,540. And that’s without interest.

Is coffee worth the money?

For people who can’t live without their daily coffee, this is a no brainer. Spending money on coffee you love is worthwhile, as long as it fits within your budget. You shouldn’t have to sacrifice your daily pick-me-up. The key is deciding if regular visits to the coffee shop are worth the money, or if you can still enjoy a quality cup of coffee with a less costly alternative.

Photo credit: iStock/Toms93

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4.00% APY
SoFi members with direct deposit activity can earn 4.00% 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 4.00% 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 4.00% 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 12/3/24. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.

*Awards or rankings from NerdWallet are not indicative of future success or results. This award and its ratings are independently determined and awarded by their respective publications.

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.

External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.

SOBNK-Q324-038

Aug

2024

Why Did My Credit Score Drop When My Credit Card Balance Decreased?

By Ashley Kilroy | Credit, credit card | Comments Off

Paying down your credit card debt is a huge win for your finances, but you might see your credit score go down even after you lower your balance. While this can be confusing, the drop is often due to other factors, like the types of credit you have and the length of your credit history.

Read on to learn why your credit score may have dropped after paying off debt and how you can boost it.

Why Your Credit Score May Drop When a Credit Card Balance Decreased

While you might expect your credit score to go up after paying off debt, there are a few reasons why it could dip instead.

Worst case scenario: If someone uses your personal information to open a new credit account, or makes charges on your cards without your approval, your credit score may take a hit. The longer the fraud goes unnoticed, the harder it becomes to fix the issue.

More likely, closing your account after paying off a credit card balance can affect your credit score. This changes the overall picture of your credit usage and history, which might cause a small, temporary drop.

Remember that credit scores can fluctuate for many reasons, and a drop isn’t always a bad sign. You can keep track of your score with credit score monitoring.

Track your credit score with SoFi

Check your credit score for free. Sign up and get $10.*

Credit Score Factors

Let’s dive deeper into the factors that can affect your credit score. We’re focusing on the FICO credit scoring model, which most lenders use to make their decisions.

Payment History

A history of on-time payments has the biggest impact on your credit score, making up 35% of it. If you’ve recently missed a payment or two, your credit score might be negatively affected. On the flip side, staying on top of due dates, whether with a money tracker app or a calendar, can help you keep your credit score healthy.

Credit Utilization

Paying off your credit card balance and then closing the account could cause your credit score to drop. That’s because it increases the percentage of credit you’re using compared to the total amount available — also known as credit utilization. Lenders typically want you to have a credit utilization ratio under 30%. If yours is higher than that, rest assured there are ways to lower your credit card utilization.

Length of Your Credit History

Length of credit history refers to the average amount of time your credit accounts have been open. In general, the longer your credit history, the better your credit score may be. Closing a credit card account, especially one you’ve had for a long time, can bring that average down, and you may see a drop in your credit score as a result. So think carefully before you decide to close an account.

Credit Mix

Paying off certain types of debt might also lower your credit score because it reduces the variety of your credit types. Lenders like to see that you can responsibly handle different kinds of debt, such as installment loans and mortgages. When you pay off a car loan or other type of debt, it can decrease the diversity of your credit mix, which could lead to a drop in your credit score.

If you paid off both your credit card debt and a loan simultaneously, this might explain the drop in your score. Also, if you closed the credit card account after repayment, your credit mix may be impacted.

New Credit Card Applications

When you apply for a new line of credit, like an auto loan or credit card, the issuer usually performs a hard inquiry on your credit report, which can temporarily lower your score. Lenders check your credit to see if you’re a responsible borrower. Even requesting a credit line increase on an existing card can trigger a hard inquiry.

A soft inquiry is different. It just means you or another company looked at your report, but it doesn’t impact your score. If you’ve recently applied for credit, that hard inquiry could be the reason for the dip. It can be helpful to learn more about soft credit inquiries vs. hard credit inquiries.

How to Pay Off Debt and Help Your Credit Score

To pay off debt and help your credit score, here are a few steps to follow:

• Create a budget. By tracking your income and expenses, you can understand where your money is going. This will help you find ways to save money and put more toward paying off debt. A spending app can help automate budgeting.

• Prioritize debts. Depending on your situation, you may want to focus on paying off high-interest debts first, such as credit cards, while making minimum payments on lower-interest debts. Doing so could help you save money on interest in the long run.

• Make regular payments. Consistently pay at least the minimum amount due on all your debts. Whenever possible, pay more than the minimum, which can help reduce your debt faster.

• Consider debt consolidation. If you have multiple high-interest debts, you may want to consider consolidating them into a single loan with a lower interest rate. This can simplify your debt management efforts and potentially reduce overall interest costs.

• Use credit responsibly. Aim to keep your credit utilization ratio below 30% by not maxing out your credit cards.

How Do I Keep My Credit Score From Dropping?

It can take a while to build up your credit, so you’ll want to take steps to protect it. Here are some tips to help you keep your credit score from dropping after you pay off debt:

• Pay your bills on time. Sending bill payments on time is important because it’s such a big part of your credit score. If you need a hand, set up autopayments to make sure your lender or creditor gets your payment on or before the due date.

• Think twice before closing an account. After you pay off a credit card, try not to close it unless you really have to. If you’re worried about spending, you can cut up the card. Keeping older accounts open helps maintain the length of your credit history, which is good for your score.

• Avoid new credit applications. Every time you apply for new credit, it can result in a hard inquiry on your report, which might temporarily lower your score.Try to avoid opening new lines of credit unless you really need to.

• Check your credit report. Regularly check your credit report for any errors or signs of fraud. (There are ways to check your credit score without paying.) If you spot something unusual, be sure to dispute any inaccuracies right away.

How Long Does It Take for Your Credit Score to Improve After Paying Off Debt?

Lenders usually update account activity with the three major credit bureaus — Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion — at the end of the billing cycle. This means it can take 30 to 45 days for any changes to impact your credit report.

It’s a good idea to check your credit report at least once a year. You can get a free report from AnnualCreditReport.com. Remember that checking your credit report and score won’t hurt your credit score.

Ways to Increase Your Credit Score After Paying Off a Loan

To help give your credit score a boost after paying off debt, stay on top of your other credit accounts by paying bills on time and using credit wisely. For example, if you have a credit card, use it for small purchases like gas or groceries, and pay off the balance each month. It proves to lenders that you can manage credit well.

Also try to keep the amount of credit you’re using low compared to your total credit limit. Remember, creditors usually like to see a ratio below 30%. This means using less than 30% of your available credit. Paying off smaller debts may help improve your overall debt-to-income ratio.

How to Get Credit Score Monitoring

Credit monitoring can help you keep an eye on your accounts and catch issues early. It tracks your accounts and alerts you to any unusual activity so you can address problems right away.

Many financial companies offer free credit monitoring, so it’s a good idea to contact your bank or credit card to see if you qualify. If you’ve been part of a data breach, you might get credit monitoring for free. Otherwise, you can sign up for it yourself, typically for a monthly fee of $10 to $30. Alternatively, you can take a DIY approach and monitor your credit for free.

The Takeaway

After paying off credit card debt, it’s possible to see your credit score dip. While this drop is usually short-lived, it can be due to changes in your credit mix, history length, utilization ratio, or a combination. To boost your score, focus on responsible credit management. Consider strategies like setting up autopay to ensure you make timely payments, and avoid taking on more debt. These habits can help you maintain a strong credit score.

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

Why has my credit score gone down when nothing has changed?

Your credit score might change even if everything seems the same. Certain factors like report updates, identity theft, variations in credit usage, and new information from creditors can impact your score. By regularly reviewing your credit report, you can catch and address changes and errors.

Is a decrease in credit balance good?

It’s usually best to pay your credit card bill in full instead of carrying a balance, as carrying a balance doesn’t help your credit score. Aim to keep your balances below 30% of your total credit limit to maintain a healthy credit score.

Why is my credit score going down if I pay everything on time?

Even if you pay everything on time, your credit score might still go down because of things like using more of your available credit or applying for new credit. Closing old accounts or having a short credit history can impact your score, too.

Photo credit: iStock/milan2099

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.

*Terms and conditions apply. This offer is only available to new SoFi users without existing SoFi accounts. It is non-transferable. One offer per person. To receive the rewards points offer, you must successfully complete setting up Credit Score Monitoring. Rewards points may only be redeemed towards active SoFi accounts, such as your SoFi Checking or Savings account, subject to program terms that may be found here: SoFi Member Rewards Terms and Conditions. SoFi reserves the right to modify or discontinue this offer at any time without notice.

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 .

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.

SORL-Q324-005

Aug

2024

Why Did My Credit Score Drop When I Was Added as an Authorized User?

By Lauren Ward | Credit, credit card | Comments Off

While there are many benefits to being an authorized user on another person’s account, you risk damaging your credit score if the primary cardholder isn’t responsible with the account.

Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of being an authorized user and how to prevent a credit score drop after being added to someone else’s account.

What Does It Mean to Be an Authorized User?

An authorized user means you’ve been added to another person’s credit account and can use it to make purchases. You’ll also receive your own card, though you can’t see the primary cardholder’s charges nor will you receive a bill. The primary cardholder is responsible for any charges made on the card.

The move comes with several benefits. You can have immediate access to credit without the need for a credit inquiry. Plus, it’s an opportunity to establish a credit history or help repair or build your credit.

However, there are limitations worth noting. The biggest one is that the primary cardholder’s behavior reflects on you. If he or she routinely misses payment due dates or uses up most of their available credit, for instance, your credit score (and theirs) can take a hit. What’s more, you can’t make changes to the account or add other authorized users, and you won’t be able to ask for credit limit increases.

If you find yourself stretching your finances every month, consider using a budget. A spending app can help you create a budget and spot upcoming bills.

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Check your credit score for free. Sign up and get $10.*

How Being an Authorized User Affects Your Credit

When you’re added as an authorized user to an account, your credit could be impacted positively or negatively — or not at all.

For instance, if you’re added to an account with a record of timely payments, your credit score may improve. If you’re an authorized user on an account that’s not in good standing, your credit score could suffer. And if the credit card issuer doesn’t report authorized user activity to any of the three credit bureaus, your score won’t be impacted.

Credit score monitoring services can help you keep tabs on any changes in your credit score and see an overview of your debt balances.

Who Should You Ask to Add You as an Authorized User?

Oftentimes, being added as an authorized user on a credit card account can help you establish credit or increase your credit score. But keep in mind that the primary cardholder is responsible for making payments, and the card’s use will be reflected on both of your credit reports.

Trust is key, so only consider asking someone who has a positive payment history, good spending habits, and low credit utilization ratio.

How to Add an Authorized User to Your Account

The process of adding an authorized user to an account varies by credit card. But generally speaking, you should be able to handle it online or by calling the issuer directly.

When adding an authorized user, you will likely need to know their personal information, such as their address, phone number, and Social Security Number. Once you’ve submitted your request, your credit card company should mail a new card to the authorized user.

How to Remove an Authorized User From Your Account

The easiest way to remove an authorized user from your account is to contact your credit card company’s customer service department. However, depending on the card, you may be able to take care of this online. You’ll likely be asked to verify your account information.

Does Removing an Authorized User Hurt Your Credit Score?

Removing an authorized user from an account may not hurt your credit score, but it could impact theirs. If the card has a long record of on-time payments and low credit utilization, that positive history will be removed from the authorized user’s credit report. And if the account has been open for a long time, it could also decrease the average length of their credit history.

However, the authorized user may see a boost in their score if they’re removed from an account with a history of late or missing payments or high credit utilization.

How Does an Authorized User Build Credit?

Before you’re added as an authorized user, it can be helpful for you and the primary cardholder to understand the factors that affect your credit score. Here’s what goes into your FICO™ Score, which most lenders use.

• Payment history

• Amounts owed

• Length of credit history

• New credit

• Credit mix

Of those five factors, payment history and amounts owed have the biggest impact on your credit score. So ensure the primary cardholder makes on-time payments and avoid carrying a high balance, which can affect your credit utilization ratio.

How Fast Does an Authorized User Build Credit?

How long does it take to build credit? Credit card companies typically report activity to the credit bureaus every 30 to 45 days.

Pro tip: You can often check your credit score for free through certain banks and credit cards. Many financial institutions will give regular credit score updates as a free service to their customers.

If yours doesn’t offer this service, you can sign up for a credit score monitoring service or use a tool like a money tracker app.

Difference Between Authorized User vs. Joint Account Holder on a Credit Card

Though both share an account with another person, there are some important differences between an authorized user and a joint account holder.

Most notably, a joint account holder is equally responsible for making payments on the account, while an authorized user is not. Also, when you apply for a card as a joint account holder, the credit card issuer will perform a hard inquiry, which could cause your credit score to drop temporarily. A hard inquiry is generally not required when adding an authorized user.

Pros and Cons of Being an Authorized User

Becoming an authorized user on an account comes with its share of benefits and drawbacks. Here are a few things to consider:

thumb_upPros:

• Immediate access to credit

• Could help you build or improve your credit

• No responsibility to pay the debt

thumb_downCons:

• May damage your credit score if the primary cardholder fails to make on-time payments or keep balances low

• Risk damaging your relationship with the primary account holder

• No control over account

The Takeaway

Being added as an authorized user can help you build or improve your credit, but in some cases you may notice a drop in your credit score. This often happens when the account is not in good standing, perhaps because of late or missed payments or a high balance. To help protect your (and the account holder’s) credit score, ensure bills are paid on time and keep credit utilization low.

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

FAQ

Will being added as an authorized user hurt my credit?

While becoming an authorized user can help your credit, there are times when it can have the opposite effect. For instance, if you’re added to an account that has a history of missed payments or the credit utilization ratio is too high, your credit score could fall.

How many points does your credit score go up as an authorized user?

There’s no set number of points you receive when you become an authorized user. However, if the account you’re associated with is in good standing, you may see an increase in your credit score.

How long does an authorized user show on a credit report?

Generally speaking, it takes a month or two after you’ve been added as an authorized user for the account to show up on your credit reports.

Photo credit: iStock/Milan Markovic

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.

*Terms and conditions apply. This offer is only available to new SoFi users without existing SoFi accounts. It is non-transferable. One offer per person. To receive the rewards points offer, you must successfully complete setting up Credit Score Monitoring. Rewards points may only be redeemed towards active SoFi accounts, such as your SoFi Checking or Savings account, subject to program terms that may be found here: SoFi Member Rewards Terms and Conditions. SoFi reserves the right to modify or discontinue this offer at any time without notice.

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 .

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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Guide to Kakeibo: The Japanese Budgeting Method

What Is the Kakeibo Method?

How Does Kakeibo Work?

Earn up to 4.00% APY with a high-yield savings account from SoFi.

History of Kakeibo

Properly Using Kakeibo

How Much Money Do You Have to Spend?

How Much Would You Like to Save?

How Much Money Are You Spending?

How Can You Improve Next Month?

Kakeibo’s Category System

1. General

2. Wants

3. Culture

4. Unexpected Extras

How Kakeibo Is Different From Other Budgeting Methods

Benefits of Kakeibo

Disadvantages of Kakeibo

Who Is Kakeibo Suited for?

Alternatives to Kakeibo

Banking With SoFi

FAQ

How do you do kakeibo?

Is there an app for kakeibo?

How do you make a kakeibo journal?

Simple Guide to Using Savings Clubs

What Is a Savings Club?

How Do Savings Clubs Work?

Get up to $300 when you bank with SoFi.

Benefits of a Savings Club

Drawbacks of a Savings Club

Savings Club vs Savings Account: What’s the Difference?

Savings Clubs Can Offer Higher Interest Than a Traditional Savings Account

Savings Clubs Have Penalties for Premature Withdrawal

Savings Clubs Often Require a Minimum Deposit and Term Lengths

Starting a Savings Club

Banking With SoFi

FAQ

Why would someone join a savings club?

Should I have a savings club or savings account?

Can I use a savings club for long-term savings?

17 Ways to Save Money on Coffee Expenses

How Much Does the Average Person Spend on Coffee?

How Spending Money on Coffee Shops Can Add Up

Get up to $300 when you bank with SoFi.

17 Great Ways to Save Money on Coffee

1. Grind Your Own Beans

2. Improve Your Brew Method

3. Invest in a Quality Coffee Maker

4. Get an Inexpensive Milk Frother

5. Drink Your Coffee Black

6. Switch to a Cheaper Alternative

7. Refrigerate or Freeze Leftover Coffee

8. Make Your Own Creamer

9. Add Your Own Flavorings Instead of Paying Extra

10. Order the Smallest Size Coffee

11. Pay with Cash Instead of Credit

12. Ask for Gift Cards

13. Pay with an EBT Card

14. Check out Coffee ‘Happy Hours’

15. Avoid Hanging Out in Coffee Shops

16. Budget for Your Coffee

17. Use a Reusable Cup

Banking With SoFi

FAQ

Is it cheaper to make or buy coffee?

How much money do you save if you make your own coffee?

Is coffee worth the money?

Why Did My Credit Score Drop When My Credit Card Balance Decreased?

Why Your Credit Score May Drop When a Credit Card Balance Decreased

Track your credit score with SoFi

Check your credit score for free. Sign up and get $10.*

Credit Score Factors

Payment History

Credit Utilization

Length of Your Credit History

Credit Mix

New Credit Card Applications

How to Pay Off Debt and Help Your Credit Score

How Do I Keep My Credit Score From Dropping?

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