Jul
16
2024
Why Do We Feel Guilty Spending Money?

Why Do We Feel Guilty Spending Money?

By | Budgeting & Goals, money | Comments Off on Why Do We Feel Guilty Spending Money?

It’s not uncommon to feel guilty about spending money, even when it’s a necessary purchase, since you may believe the funds could be better applied elsewhere. Perhaps you could buy something better, or maybe you could use the cash to pay down debt or save for the future.

Some purchases trigger more guilt than others, and some people are more prone to experiencing this unpleasant sensation than others. Read on to learn more about feeling guilty after spending money.

Is Spending Money a Bad Thing?

Spending money in and of itself is not a bad thing. In fact, it’s a necessary reality of life, and financial products like checking accounts and credit cards are designed to enable it. It would be hard to imagine navigating daily life without spending cash to, say, buy food or commute to work.

But there are a lot of opinions out there about how people should spend their cash, which can lead to conflicting emotions. Treating oneself can stir up feelings around self-worth, and spending money on a big-ticket item can trigger anxiety about future finances. (You’ll learn more about these scenarios in a moment.)

Despite money’s necessary role in life, feeling guilty about spending it is fairly common. One recent LendingTree survey found that 71% of respondents reported feeling that way. That sensation can snowball, creating free-floating money worries.

Spending cash is an inescapable reality, but the guilt associated with it doesn’t have to be.

Recommended: How to Cut Back on Spending

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Reasons Why We Feel Guilty About Spending Money

Often, guilt and anxiety around spending money come from the motivation for the transaction, not the purchase itself. Learning to stop feeling guilty after spending money may require people to notice when they feel guilt or shame after a purchase and change their mindset or spending behavior accordingly.

Everyone has different emotional triggers around their spending, but there are some common scenarios when someone might feel guilty, such as these:

Buying Items to Keep Up With Friends

FOMO, or the “fear of missing out,” may be a silly acronym, but it’s a powerful motivator for spending.
People may spend more so they don’t miss valuable time with friends or feel they are fitting into their group of pals. That could mean paying too much for a vacation or buying a cool new watch they see friends wearing. These expenses can be small, subtle purchases, too, like meeting a friend at a pricier restaurant than you’d usually visit, or it could reflect a significant financial decision, like buying a new instead of used car to “keep up with the Joneses.”

FOMO spending may make someone feel guilty about spending money because it’s tied to the deep desire to fit it. It is often more about self-image and self-esteem than a particular item.

Recommended: How to Save Money on Hotels

Buying Items That Do Not Align With Our Financial Values

Similar to FOMO spending, cultural messaging about “the right way” to spend can lead to a sense of guilt or buyer’s remorse.

It may be the influence of social media encouraging someone to buy a certain brand or societal pressure (the American dream) to own property. Whatever the purchase is, guilt could crop up because it’s not something the individual truly wants — and deep down, they know that.

Saving Goals Impacted by Impulse Spending

An impulse or unexpected purchase could lead to feeling guilty after spending money.

It could be something as simple as forgetting lunch at home and having to buy something expensive near the office. Or maybe it’s buying something you totally didn’t plan to but saw it was on sale. It may be a small purchase, but it eats into your budget and savings goals because it’s unexpected.

Many of these purchases arise from a lack of planning, leading to guilt. You feel as if you messed up, and now you are literally paying for it. Buying a new set of luggage, for instance, is not a good reason to use emergency funds or money in your savings account, so you may be upset with yourself.

Having a Money Mindset Tied to Emotions and Past Experiences

Guilt about spending money may have little to do with the individual and be more connected to their family or upbringing.

People who grew up with parents or guardians in debt may experience feelings of scarcity around money. If you grew up always hearing there wasn’t enough money and getting calls from collection agencies, you may hold a sense of guilt with every purchase.

Or, if someone’s experienced debt in the past, any transaction may trigger anxiety as they remember their old patterns of overspending.

Recommended: Using the 30-Day Rule to Control Spending

Tips to Help You Stop Feeling Bad About Spending Money

Instead of agonizing over every purchase or waking up worried about bills, it may be time to stop feeling guilty when you spend money. Here are some strategies to help combat those negative feelings while improving your financial wellness.

Taking Care of Financial Responsibilities

When people prioritize financial responsibilities, they may feel less guilty spending the surplus, or leftover money, in their budget.

That means enacting a “paying yourself first” mindset, which can be one of the most important personal finance basics. When a paycheck deposits, immediately put money away towards future goals, like retirement or savings. Setting up automatic transfers makes it easy.

Taking care of financial responsibilities first can give someone the freedom to use the remaining cash relatively guilt-free.

30-Day Savings Rule

To avoid guilt over impulse spending, try implementing a 30-day rule on purchases. If you want to purchase something, whether it’s a new laptop or a new coat, wait 30 days. After 30 days, you can buy it. But in many cases, you may find you don’t even want it anymore.

Slowing down the purchase process can help separate needs from wants, as well as quit spending money impulsively.

If impulse purchasing is a major source of guilt, consider a 30-day freeze on shopping, buying only necessities for a month. This can be a good tip to stop overspending. It can help you reset your spending behaviors.

Improving Your Money Mindset

Understanding needs versus wants can be a helpful way to understand and improve money mindset.

For some, the idea of a want is “bad,” translating to guilt when a purchase isn’t absolutely necessary. But, wants can make life more comfortable and bring pleasure — two very good things. So the key is differentiating between needs and wants, and understanding where wants fit into a budget. Perhaps not every want can or should be satisfied, but recognizing they are part of life and budgeting for them is important.

You might try the 50/30/20 budget rule, which says to put 50% of your after-tax earnings towards needs, 30% to wants, and 20% toward savings.

Creating a Personalized Budget

Sometimes guilt stems from the unknown. If someone doesn’t know how much cash they have in their bank account, they may feel guilty purchasing something.

This is where a personalized budget comes into play and can help you manage your money better. Everyone’s budget will be a little different, but feeling knowledgeable about and in control of one’s money can help alleviate guilt.

For example, if someone looks forward to having brunch out every Saturday, they may create a line item in their budget for it. That way, they don’t feel guilty spending the money as it’s earmarked for that purpose. They eliminate the possibility of anxiety spiraling over that cost.

Only Spending Money That You Have

It sounds like common sense, but only spending money that’s available can help prevent guilt around money. It’s an unhappy fact that many Americans carry credit-card debt: The typical balance is currently approximately $6,900, and the average credit card interest rate is almost 25%.

There are of course times when paying with a credit card and carrying a balance are necessary, such as when your hot-water heater breaks or you get hit with a major dental bill. But in general, it’s wise to pay with a debit card or cash so you don’t wind up getting stuck with high-interest debt. By only spending the money you have, you can avoid guilt, worry, and a lower credit score to boot.

Guilt isn’t constructive and won’t change your financial situation. However, working on financial discipline can improve the overall outlook on spending and make sure your purchases are ones you can truly afford.

The Takeaway

People feel guilt about spending money for many different reasons, even when they can afford their purchases. Getting rid of that guilt is possible through understanding why spending makes someone feel guilty and learning financial responsibility to prevent guilt altogether.

One place guilt shouldn’t crop up? In a bank account. Avoid it by knowing that you have an account that pays you a terrific interest rate while charging you no fees.

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 I get over my guilt of overspending?

First, figure out what kind of spending makes you feel guilty and why. Perhaps it’s based on childhood or past experiences. Then, consider creating a budget and planning purchases to avoid buyer’s remorse or impulse spending.

What is the psychology behind overspending?

People may overspend because they’re afraid of missing out on experiences, they want a self-esteem boost, or they want to fit in with their peers.

How do you forgive yourself for not saving money?

Understanding the emotional triggers behind overspending and not saving can help build a sense of self-compassion. Many people overspend or fail to prioritize saving. Dwelling on it won’t change the past. For these reasons, forgiving yourself and moving on is best.

Photo credit: iStock/Deagreez

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.

*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.

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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Jul
16
2024
Understanding the Simple Deposit Multiplier

Understanding the Simple Deposit Multiplier

By | Financial Independence, money, Terminology | Comments Off on Understanding the Simple Deposit Multiplier

Banking can be a complex thing, but understanding what’s known as the simple deposit multiplier doesn’t have to be. The simple deposit multiplier is the multiple by which a bank can lend out funds based on the reserve requirements. It ensures the bank maintains the minimum amount of money on hand to keep bank operations up and running. It also gives the bank the opportunity to boost the economy.

What Is a Deposit Multiplier?

Also called the deposit expansion multiplier or simple deposit multiplier, a deposit multiplier is the maximum amount of money banks can create based on reserved units. To put it another way, it’s the multiple that banks use to know how much they can lend out vs. money kept on hand (say, in checking accounts) according to the existing reserve requirement. The deposit multiplier is typically a percentage of the amount deposited at a bank.

Why does the deposit multiplier concept matter? It plays a key role in the fractional reserve banking system, or FRB. This system involves the stipulation that banks must keep a certain amount of money on hand in reserves to conduct their day-to-day business. More specifically, the U.S. central bank, the Federal Reserve, mandates that banks hold a certain amount of money, known as required reserves, to make sure there is enough month for withdrawals from depositors. Any excess money that remains after the bank fulfills its daily operations can be loaned to borrowers (say, for mortgages). The amount that can be used for loans is determined by the deposit multiplier.

By accepting deposits and then making loans, banks have the ability to increase and decrease the money supply. When a financial institution lends out money in excess of its required reserves to businesses and consumers, it can amplify the money supply. That’s why the deposit multiplier metric matters; it’s a key way that the Federal Reserve and central banks can control the money supply as part of an overall monetary policy.

Recommended: How Long Does It Take For a Direct Deposit to Go Through?

How Does a Deposit Multiplier Work?

Here’s how a deposit multiplier works: When the account holder puts money in any of the different kinds of deposit accounts offered, the bank holds a percentage of it. This percentage is called the reserve requirement, which is set by the Federal Reserve. It helps ensure that the bank keeps an adequate amount of cash reserves available to meet the needs of withdrawal requests.

Keeping money accessible on demand can be critical. This protects against people trying to withdraw cash in keeping with fund availability rules and finding that their money is unavailable, which could be a deeply problematic and distressing experience.

A deposit multiplier is the multiple that allows banks to lend out money that’s deposited in the bank. This is the maximum amount of money the bank can lend out according to the value of its reserves. It is typically expressed as a percentage. You’ll learn more about that in a moment.

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Real Life Examples of a Deposit Multiplier

To understand a deposit multiplier, it’s wise to understand a few basic banking concepts.

•   For banks, deposits are liabilities, because it is money owned by the account holder, and loans are assets for banks, because that money belongs to the financial institution and must be repaid.

•   Banks also have reserves, which are deposits in the bank or in the Federal Reserve. Reserves are cash available to the bank.

◦   There is also an amount the bank must keep on hand, known as required reserves.

◦   Excess reserves is the term used to describe when the bank has more reserves than is required; these funds can in turn be lent out.

Now, if someone makes a $1,000 deposit, the bank’s liabilities and reserves would increase by $1,000. If the required reserve ratio is 10%, that means must keep $100 on hold and available, but the other 90%, or $900, may be lent. This allows the bank to expand the economy and profit.

To see how the simple deposit multiplier works, consider an example in which a deposit of $10,000 was made and the required reserve ratio is 5%, meaning $500 has to stay on hand.

The deposit multiplier formula is: 1 / reserve ratio.

So with a required reserve ratio of 20%, the deposit multiplier is five. That means that for every dollar in the bank’s reserves, the financial institution can boost the money supply by up to $5. If the reserve ratio was 5%, the deposit multiplier would be 20, and the bank could build the money supply by $20 for each dollar held in reserve. As you see, the lower the reserve ratio is, the higher the deposit multiplier is and the more it can lend out.

Recommended: Benefits of Using Mobile Deposit

How Do You Find the Simple Deposit Multiplier?

The simple deposit multiplier is a ratio between bank reserves and bank deposits. It’s important for maintaining the money supply of the economy and the banking system.

As noted above, this figure is calculated by dividing 1 by the required reserve ratio. For example, if the required reserve ratio is 10%, this means the deposit multiplier is 10. For banks, this means that for every $10 deposited, a total of $1 must be kept in reserves, and the bank can increase the money supply by $10 for each dollar it’s holding.

Deposit Multiplier and the Economy

The Federal Reserve, which is the U.S. central bank, uses the deposit multiplier as one of its monetary tools to control the supply of money in the economy. Usually the money that is deposited in a bank is unlikely to stay in the bank. The money that a consumer deposits in a bank is lent out to another consumer in the form of a loan. The deposit multiplier measures this change in checkable deposits as bank reserves change.

Banks are creating money by expanding the amount of reserves into a larger amount of deposits. If the bank decides to keep a small amount of deposits as reserves that means more money is sent to other banks and more deposits are created at these other banks. If a bank decides to keep a larger sum of deposits as reserves, that means less money or new deposits are made in other banks or circulated among consumers.

When money is loaned out to a consumer, at some point that loan will be repaid and deposited back into the banking system. If there is a required reserve ratio of 10%, then 10% of that new deposit will remain in the bank and the rest can be loaned out into the economy. This cycle fuels economic growth, not to mention profit for the bank.

Recommended: How to Deposit Cash in an ATM

Deposit Multiplier vs Money Multiplier

While these two terms sound quite similar and are closely connected, they are not quite interchangeable. Consider the differences between a deposit multiplier vs. money multiplier.

•   The deposit multiplier is the maximum amount of money banks can create by lending funds. Some deposited money must remain on hand according to the required reserve ratio, but the rest can be used to grow the economy as indicated by this figure. The deposit multiplier is calculated as one divided by the reserve ratio.

•   The money multiplier is the increase in the bank’s money supply. It measures the change in money supply created through bank lending and is usually lower than the deposit multiplier since banks don’t lend all of their reserves.

Recommended: Guide to Maxing Out Your 401(k)

The Takeaway

The deposit multiplier is a tool used by financial institutions. It expresses the maximum amount of money a bank can create based on its cash held in reserves. The figure is calculated as one divided by the required reserve ratio; the lower the reserve ratio is, the higher the deposit multiplier is and the more a bank can lend out. The deposit multiplier can help to optimize an economy’s money supply, which is why this metric is used by central banks all over the world.

If you are a personal banking client, you probably aren’t too focused on the deposit multiplier. You likely want convenience, high interest rates, and low fees. If so, check out what SoFi offers.

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 use a deposit multiplier?

The deposit multiplier is used to determine the amount of money that can be created with the funds in a bank’s money supply.

How are deposit levels calculated?

In banking, the loan-to-deposit ratio (LDR) is calculated by dividing the bank’s total amount of loans but the sum of deposits over a specific time period. Loans are considered assets, by the way, since the money is the bank’s, while deposits are deemed liabilities, since they belong to the account holder.

What is the formula for a simple deposit multiplier?

To find the deposit multiplier, you divide one by the required reserve ratio. So if the reserve ratio is 5%, the deposit multiplier is 20. If the reserve ratio is 10%, the deposit multiplier is 10.

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.

*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.

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-Q324-004

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Jul
16
2024
Tips for Maximizing Time and Money

Tips for Maximizing Time and Money

By | Budgeting & Goals, Financial Independence, money | Comments Off on Tips for Maximizing Time and Money

Your finances and time, if managed well, can elevate your quality of life significantly. Finding ways to make the most of these two resources can enhance how secure and enjoyable your days are.

Read on to understand the time-money relationship and how to make it work as well as possible.

What Does ‘Time Is Money’ Actually Mean?

The phrase “time is money” means that a person can translate their available hours into money by getting paid to work. If you’re sitting around relaxing, for instance, you could instead be working and earning cash.

This saying can be further explained in terms of opportunity cost. Say a person has an hour to spend. That person can choose to work for that hour or they can choose to do something that does not yield any income, like reading a book. The person who reads the book loses the opportunity to earn income for that hour. If the person can earn $50 an hour, the opportunity cost of choosing to read a book is $50. Thus, time is money.

Of course, it’s every person’s decision about how much they want to work versus enjoy their free time as they see fit. Some people are driven to work 60 or more hours a week and are focused on how much they can deposit in their checking account. Others, craving work-life balance or, say, taking care of children, work much less (if at all). They have chosen a different path.

Get up to $300 when you bank with SoFi.

No account or overdraft fees. No minimum balance.

Up to 4.00% APY on savings balances.

Up to 2-day-early paycheck.

Up to $2M of additional
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What Is the Relationship Between Time and Money?

Balancing time and money can involve a trade-off. To make more money, some people spend more time on their careers and have less time for the other obligations and pleasures in life, whether that means spending time with family, relaxing, or pursuing hobbies and passion projects. Working long hours can mean less time to clean, shop, and otherwise handle chores. If one makes enough by working, they can perhaps delegate those duties and hire someone to handle them.

For example, a lawyer might be able to afford to pay a landscaper $50 an hour to do yard work while they earn $300 an hour working with a client. The lawyer nets $250 by doing so. If the lawyer does the yardwork and not the landscaper, the lawyer loses the $300 they could have earned doing legal work. Seen through a financial lens, it could be sensible to embrace strategies that maximize your earning power with the limited time you have. If, however, you are a person who earns less than a lawyer and/or you love to garden and care for your property, you might well decide to do the yard work yourself.

Recommended: What Is the Time Value of Money (TVM)?

Tips for Managing Time and Money

As you may see from the yard work example above, good time management is not just about working every waking hour. It’s about allocating time for tasks wisely and balancing work and personal lives. Otherwise, your health, mood, and personal relationships could suffer. Not every minute of your time should have a price tag on it.

Here are some time and money management tips to get you started.

Prioritizing Tasks

You only have so many hours in a day to get things done, so prioritizing is critical. Work, picking children up from school or daycare, grocery shopping, and preparing food are daily and weekly priorities. So too are things like exercise, meditation, seeing loved ones, and doing whatever feeds your spirit, from rafting to reading. Plan your priorities daily, but typically no more than three or you could feel overwhelmed.

Writing Down Your Schedule

Your daily schedule is critical, but planning your time weekly and monthly can also keep you on-task and organized. More than that, it can help you visualize your available time and consolidate tasks so you can make your life more manageable. For example, can you combine one task with another? Can you go to the grocery store while your child is on a playdate, saving you a trip? Can you fit in a workout during your lunch hour? Organizing your time and life can make you much more efficient and reduce stress.

There are many calendar-keeping tools available, from cool journals to apps. Using alerts on your mobile phone can also help you keep track of the “musts” on your daily schedule.

Putting Time Limits on Tasks

Spending more time on enjoyable tasks and putting off the less palatable ones is human nature. But it’s also procrastination that can leave you short on time and stressed about deadlines at work and at home.

One good solution: Set time limits for activities, and schedule them wisely. Tackle a difficult project when you have the most energy, such as first thing in the morning. Block off an hour or two. If you split up challenging tasks into manageable chunks, you won’t become overwhelmed. Just getting started and seeing some progress can motivate you to continue.

Focusing on One Task at a Time

Multitasking can be a fast track to inefficiency. Walking the dog and listening to a podcast is one thing, but trying to write a report while your child is doing homework (and asking for help), is another — and probably not efficient — one.

Given a quiet room and time to focus, you might knock out the report in an hour or two. Multitasking, on the other hand, can mean for many of us that nothing receives your full attention and is done well.

Removing Interruptions While Working

Social media, pop-up notifications, emails, phone calls, colleagues who want to chat on Slack, family members, and pets all can enrich and inspire your life, but when you are balancing time vs. money, face the facts. They pull you away from work and from being efficient. Find ways to eliminate interruptions, and you’ll likely accomplish more things, more quickly.

If you have an urgent task and work at home, consider going to a coffee shop or a library where you might have more peace. If colleagues at work are a problem, ask to use a conference room temporarily to get your work done or say you are on deadline and pull back from chat apps and email alerts. To avoid technology distractions, try putting your phone away in a drawer so that it is out of sight and out of mind while working.

Creating a Realistic Budget

When it comes to the financial aspect of money vs. time, budgeting can really optimize your efforts to wrangle your funds.

A budget helps you account for your income, expenses, and savings so there are fewer surprises and so you hit your goals. Many people, in fact, believe that being disciplined with money or more accountable for it is a major key to wealth.

Making a budget typically involves looking at your monthly after-tax income, including keeping track of money from side hustles and the like. Then, you will subtract the cost of your monthly necessities (housing, food, medical care), as well as debt, and then allocate what’s left to spending and saving. This process should reveal if you are living within your means, or are you spending more than you earn?

If your expenses exceed your income, look for ways to cut back on spending, such as eating out less, biking to work instead of driving or calling an Uber, or perhaps consolidating high-interest credit card debt with a lower-interest personal loan. The ultimate goal is to create a budget that you can live with and with room to save for long-term goals, like the down payment for a house or for retirement.

Finding Ways to Invest Your Money

A reasonable goal for long-term financial planning is to set aside 10% of your income and invest it. You can educate yourself with books, podcasts, websites, and apps to, say, learn the pros and cons of stocks vs. bonds. A professional financial advisor can also help you to find the best vehicles to build wealth. For example, a 401(k), a diversified portfolio of stocks and mutual funds, or a passion like watch investing or whiskey investing can all play a role in your investing.

Remember, however, the golden rule for investments, though, since they are not covered by the FDIC, or Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation: Only invest what you can afford to lose.

Using Time for Yourself Wisely

Work-life balance is increasingly a goal for Americans, and a number of companies are experimenting with four-day workweeks as one path to achieving this.

Overwork and burnout are real dangers for those who Incessantly strive to capitalize financially. It’s definitely wise to schedule time for yourself. It can be as simple as meditating, spending time with family, working out, volunteering, or pursuing a hobby. Spending time on things that bring you joy can spur you to be your best when you are working, too.

Automating Your Bills and Payments

Automating your monthly bills can be a win-win. Paying bills on time is the biggest single contributor (at 35%) to your credit score, and taking care of those charges before they accrue late fees also makes good money sense.

What’s more, in terms of the time vs. money equation, setting up automated bill payments will also free up some space in your schedule. Your bills will be paid on time each month, without you having to click around websites or write checks and buy stamps to mail them. It will take a few minutes of work up front, but the task is then much easier.

Watching Your Spending

Remember that budget you diligently prepared? Stick to it by following the 30-day spending rule. Wait 30 days before purchasing an item to avoid overspending and racking up debt. If you do spend too much, you’ll pay unnecessary fees on overdrafts or credit card interest payments.

The Takeaway

There’s little doubt that time and money are two valuable but limited resources. Making the most of each requires some smart strategies, such as budgeting, scheduling, reducing overspending, and finding work-life balance. But by respecting the value of time and money — and managing them well, you’ll likely enjoy a better quality of life, today and in the future.

Want to have more time and watch your money grow faster?

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

Is time worth more than money?

The answer to this question is subjective. To a person who is terminally ill, time is clearly the most precious commodity; they might rather have less money and more time. In another scenario, someone might say money matters more. They might be willing to work every free minute for years to ensure they have a high-paying career, even if they don’t have much free time to enjoy the luxurious life they lead.

Is it worse to waste my time or money?

Neither wasting time nor money is a great idea, though many of us of course do so from time to time. A better approach can be to minimize the waste and balance your life so you have both enough time and money. This often requires prioritizing, planning, and budgeting.

What are the benefits of managing time and money wisely?

A key benefit of managing time and money wisely is better quality of life. Effective time and money management will make all aspects of your life easier because you gain peace of mind and may stress less about your money and your schedule. You can take control of two very important variables.

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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.

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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What to Know about Credit Card Cash Advances

What to Know about Credit Card Cash Advances

By | Credit, Financial Independence, money | No Comments

Sooner or later, most of us hit that moment where we need some cash — and fast. Maybe a major car repair or medical bill arrives, you get laid off, or you simply overspend for a period of time: All are ways that you can unfortunately find yourself in a hole financially.

A particularly expensive (or unlucky) month might make a credit card cash advance seem appealing. But before you go ahead and get a bundle of bills from your credit card issuer, read up on the consequences of doing so.

Can You Get Cash Back from a Credit Card?

Yes, it’s possible to get a cash advance on a credit card. But just because you can do something doesn’t always mean you should.

A credit card cash advance is a stopgap for a financial emergency that can come with high costs to a person’s immediate financial situation. Furthermore, if not paid back quickly, it may also affect their credit history in the long term.

While a cash advance is certainly easy (it’s similar to making an ATM withdrawal from your checking account), there are typically better and more affordable options for most financial needs.

A credit card cash advance is used to get actual cash against a credit card account’s cash limit, which might be different from the credit limit. It’s essentially a loan from the credit card issuer. Here’s how it usually works:

•   You put your credit card into an ATM, enter the card’s PIN, and choose an amount to withdraw. The cash is then dispensed for you to use as you see fit.

•   If you don’t know the card’s PIN, a cash advance can be completed by going into a bank or credit union with the credit card and a government-issued photo identification.

•   A cash advance check directly from the credit card company — sometimes included with mailed monthly billing statements — can also be used to get a cash advance.

Why Do People Use Cash Advances?

Why use a cash advance from a credit card? The bottom line: convenience and speed. ATMs are plentiful in most towns, and it takes just a few minutes to complete the process of getting a cash advance at an ATM. There’s no approval process required either.

Some people may assume they don’t have enough time to access other kinds of credit. This isn’t always true, however. For instance, funds obtained through an unsecured personal loan are sometimes available in just one to five days after approval of the loan.

As fast and simple as a credit card cash advance may seem, however, there are significant costs involved. Realizing the financial impact of these withdrawals may encourage a person to look elsewhere for funds.

Recommended: 39 Passive Income Ideas to Build Wealth

Cost of Withdrawing Cash from a Credit Card

A cash advance is an expensive way to borrow money. To put it in perspective, they’re just a step up from payday loans (which typically have much higher interest rates than credit card cash advances, extra fees, and short repayment terms). Here’s a closer look at how these expenses can pile up.

Cash Advance Fee

It’s typical for credit cards to have a fee specifically for cash advances. This fee can be anywhere from 3% to 5% of the total amount of the cash advance. This fee is added to the account balance immediately — there is no grace period.

Higher APR

The average APR, or annual percentage rate, a credit card issuer typically charges for a cash advance is quite a bit higher than normal purchase charges. Currently, the average credit card interest rate on purchases is almost 25%. But what is the APR for a cash advance? The rate is likely to be between 25% and a whopping 30% or more, according to recent research.

What’s more, unlike interest charged on regular purchases, there is no grace period for the interest to start accruing on a cash advance. It starts accumulating immediately and increases the account balance daily.

ATM Fee

Getting a credit card cash advance from an ATM may also mean incurring an extra fee charged by the ATM owner, if that’s not the financial institution that issued your credit card. These fees currently average $4.73 or so per transaction. As you see, the ATM fee can increase the charges for a cash advance, which often add up quickly.

Payment Allocation Rules

If you’re thinking that a cash advance can be paid off first and then the interest rate will revert to the lower rate charged on regular purchases, guess again. While federal law dictates that any amount more than the minimum payment made must go toward the highest interest rate debt, the minimum payment amount is typically applied at the credit card issuer’s discretion. This might well work in the card issuer’s favor, not yours.

Recommended: How to Increase Your Credit Limit

A Hypothetical Scenario

You might be wondering just what a cash advance looks like in actual dollars and sense, so let’s consider this scenario.

Say a person is carrying a credit card balance of $1,000 with an APR of 25%. Perhaps they are trying to financially survive a layoff and need funds, so they find out how to get a cash advance on their credit card and take out $1,000 with a 30% APR. When they receive the billing statement, they pay $1,000 toward their credit card balance.

The minimum payment due amount of $35 is applied to the regular purchases that are accruing interest at a rate of 25%. The remainder, $965, is applied to the cash advance balance that’s getting charged a 30% interest rate.

In order to completely get rid of that 30% APR, the account holder would have to pay the full $2,000 balance.

The cash advance will only be paid off when the entire credit card balance is paid in full, which means they could be setting themselves up with higher interest charges for a long time to come.

Waiting until the next monthly statement is available will just increase the amount due. Every day the cash advance accrues interest, it costs the cardholder more money. The faster the balance is paid off, the less interest will accrue.

Using a credit card interest calculator can be enlightening when figuring out how much purchases or cash advances will really cost with interest applied and how much time it might take to pay them off.

Personal Loans vs Cash Advances

Now you understand how to get a cash advance from a credit card and the expenses involved. So what are the alternatives to this kind of a cash advance? Ask friends or family for a loan? Find ways to make money from home?

While those options are certainly acceptable, an unsecured personal loan might also be an option for some people. These loans can allow you to get funds at a lower interest rate that you can use to pay off your high-interest debt. Here’s how they usually work:

•   An application for a personal loan online can typically be completed in minutes and, if approved, the borrower may possibly get the funds within a couple of days. Personal loans can be used for a variety of reasons.

•   Some common uses for personal loan funds are debt consolidation, wedding expenses, unexpected medical expenses, and moving expenses, to name a few. It’s even possible to use a personal loan to pay off that credit card cash advance, which may cost you a lot less in the long run.

There are several benefits to personal loans that are worth knowing about:

•   Personal loans are likely to offer a more manageable interest rate on the money borrowed than the typical interest rate on a credit card cash advance. Of course, the personal loan’s interest rate will depend on the borrower’s creditworthiness, but it’s likely to be lower than the one tied to a credit card cash advance.

•   When personal loans are used to pay off a cash advance, they can simplify a person’s debt. With a single personal loan, there is only one interest rate to keep track of, as opposed to juggling two high interest rates: one for the cash advance and one for regular purchases charged to the credit card.

•   Credit card debt is revolving debt, which means that the borrower’s credit limit can be used, repaid, then used again, as long as the borrower is in good standing with the lender. A personal loan, however, is installment debt, and has fixed payments and a fixed end date. Unlike the revolving debt of a credit card, the funds from a personal loan can only be used once, and then they have to be repaid.

Personal Loans and Credit Scores

Another upside of choosing a personal loan over a credit card cash advance is that responsibly managing a personal loan might positively impact the borrower’s credit score.

One factor that goes into calculating a FICO® Score is the percentage of available credit being used, the credit utilization ratio, and it accounts for 30% of a person’s total score.

In the hypothetical scenario above, if the borrower had a $3,000 credit limit on their credit card, by using $2,000 of their total available credit, their credit utilization rate would be a whopping 66% (if that one credit card was the only account appearing on their credit report).

It’s fairly typical that credit card users continue to make charges on their accounts, which is likely to keep their credit utilization ratio high.

Installment debt, such as a personal loan, is looked at in a slightly different way in credit score calculations. Making regular payments on an installment loan may carry slightly greater weight than might someone’s credit utilization rate in calculating their credit score. Thus, making regular payments on a personal loan is likely to demonstrate responsible borrowing as the balance is paid down.

As you’ve now learned, considering a variety of funding sources when you need money fast is a smart money move. When you do so, a credit card cash advance may well be seen as a last-resort maneuver.

The Takeaway

Life can certainly deliver some unexpected financial challenges now and then — moments when you need cash quickly, for instance, but don’t have any available. While a cash advance from your credit card may seem like a fast, simple solution, tread carefully. There are significant costs associated with this withdrawal which could leave you with more long-term debt than you’d like. It’s probably wise to explore your options first.

While money management can be tricky at times, partnering with the right financial institution can help improve your financial life.

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

What is a credit card cash advance?

A credit card cash advance is a quick, convenient way to access cash using your credit card. You insert it into an ATM or visit a bank branch to obtain the cash. However, this will likely involve your owing significant fees and being assessed a considerable interest rate on the money you have borrowed.

What are the costs of a credit card cash advance?

A credit card cash advance will involve a fee that’s typically 3% to 5% of the total loan amount. In addition, there may be an ATM fee of several dollars. The money that you are advanced begins to accrue interest right away, and this usually is at a higher rate than your rate on purchases. What is a cash advance APR usually? Between 25% and 30%.

What is the difference between a credit card cash advance and checking account withdrawals?

A credit card advance is significantly different from a checking account withdrawal. With a credit card advance, you are quickly getting access to cash from your credit card issuer. It is a form of a loan, and your interest rate will likely be between 25% and 30% until it’s fully repaid. With a checking account withdrawal, you are accessing your own money, so there’s no interest fee involved, though you might be charged a several dollars if you use an out-of-network ATM for the transaction.

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.

*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.

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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16
2024

How Much Income Is Needed for a $275,000 Mortgage

By | Home Ownership, mortgage | Comments Off on How Much Income Is Needed for a $275,000 Mortgage

It’s tough to afford a home these days. If you’re looking at a $275,000 mortgage, you’ll have a monthly payment of around $2,400 with today’s interest rates at 7% on a 30-year loan. You’ll need an income of about $80,000 per year to afford this mortgage.

This can change if you have a significant amount of debt, a low down payment amount, or a less-than-perfect credit history. We’ll run through a few scenarios to show you how much income is needed for a $275K mortgage.

Income Needed for a $275,000 Mortgage


The income needed for a $275K mortgage is around $80,000. If you have more debt, the lender will need to factor that in before calculating how much income you’ll need to afford the $275,000 mortgage. For example, if you have $400 in debt payments each month, you’ll need to earn more money each month to be able to afford the $275K mortgage and still stay within the 36% debt-to-income ceiling most lenders prefer. A closer look:

$2,402 (mortgage) + $400 (other debt payments) = $2,802 total debt payments per month

For $2,802 to be 36% of your monthly income, you would need to make $7,783 each month, or $93,400 per year to qualify for the $275,000 mortgage. This estimate is based on a mortgage calculator with taxes and insurance. If you would like to see what a lender can do for you, explore getting prequalified for a home mortgage loan.

First-time homebuyers can
prequalify for a SoFi mortgage loan,
with as little as 3% down.

How Much Do You Need to Make to Get a $275K Mortgage?


How much income you need for a $275K mortgage also depends on your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio, down payment, loan type, lender, and credit score. Let’s take a look at these each in detail.

What Is a Good Debt-to-Income Ratio?


The gold standard for debt-to-income ratios is <36%. However, there are lenders who are able to originate loans for borrowers with a DTI ratio up to 45%. Lenders who fall outside the norm in DTI and credit score requirements will influence how much you need for a $275K mortgage.

What Determines How Much House You Can Afford?


Home affordability isn’t a simple equation. There are a number of factors that go into a lender’s decision about your loan.

Income

Reliable income is the largest determinant in loan approval. The more you make, the more you have to work with each month. However, your income and home affordability are affected by how much debt you have.

Debt

Your lender will take into account any monthly debt obligations you have. These will be added to the maximum DTI. If you have debt, your monthly mortgage will need to be lower.

Down Payment

A larger down payment can afford you a larger mortgage. If you’re able to put down 20%, you won’t need to pay for private mortgage insurance (PMI), which saves you money every month. However, 20% could be a big chunk of change to come up with, and most loans accept lower than a 20% down payment to start. See this mortgage calculator for examples.

Loan Type

Home affordability is also affected by the different types of mortgage loans. Fixed-rate loans will have a different monthly payment than adjustable-rate loans, for example. Likewise, the monthly payment on a 15-year mortgage is far different from the payment on a 30-year mortgage.

Lender and Interest Rate

Interest rates will vary from lender to lender. You may also see a different acceptable DTI ratio from lender to lender. When a lender is able to offer a lower interest rate, you’ll see your home affordability improve. When a lender has a higher acceptable DTI ratio, you may be able to qualify for a higher mortgage amount.

Recommended: Cost of Living by State

What Mortgage Lenders Look For


Worried about qualifying for a $275K mortgage? Here’s what your lender will look for during the mortgage preapproval process. These are right in line with home affordability requirements.

•   Income Your income needs to be reliable and sufficient to qualify for the loan you want.

•   Credit score A good credit score helps with approval and lower interest rates.

•   Debt-to-income ratio Too much debt could prevent you from securing the loan you want. Before you apply for a loan, work on paying off debt as best you can.

•   Down payment A higher down payment can help you qualify for a larger purchase price on a home. A down payment over 20% can help you avoid the monthly mortgage insurance payment as well.

•   Loan-to-value ratio Lenders also want to be sure the property you’re buying qualifies for a loan. They don’t want to loan more on the property than it’s worth.

$275,000 Mortgage Breakdown Examples


Your individual situation will influence the income needed for the mortgage you want. Here are a few examples created with a home affordability calculator to show you how this works. In each case, the interest rate is 7% on a 30-year mortgage.

With no debt

•   Principal and interest: $1,830

•   Taxes and insurance: $573

•   Total monthly payment: $2,403

Income needed to afford the monthly payment: $6,672 per month, or $80,064 per year.

Assumptions: 20% down payment. The original purchase price would be $343,750 to get a $275,000 mortgage with a 20% down payment.

With $1,000 per month in debt

•   Principal and interest: $1,830

•   Taxes and insurance: $573

•   Total monthly payment: $2,403

Add monthly debt obligations to the monthly mortgage payment. $2,402 + $1,000 = $3,402 monthly debts.

Income needed to afford the monthly payment: $9,450 per month, or $113,400 per year.

Assumptions: 20% down payment. The original purchase price would be $343,750 to get a $275,000 mortgage with a 20% down payment.

With no down payment and $600 in monthly debt payments

•   Principal and interest: $1,830

•   Taxes and insurance: $458

•   PMI: $252

•   Total monthly payment: $2,540

Add monthly debt obligations to the monthly mortgage payment. $2,540 + $600 = $3,140

Income needed to afford the monthly payment: $8,722 per month, or $104,664 per year.

Assumptions: No down payment. The original purchase price would be $275,000.

Pros and Cons of a $275,000 Mortgage


Pros

•   Lower mortgage payment than for the median home price in the U.S.

•   Lower income requirement than a higher-priced mortgage

Cons

•   Few homes can be found for $275,000

•   May still be unaffordable for many families

How Much Will You Need for a Down Payment?


If you’re deciding how much of your hard-earned money to put down for a down payment on a property that you plan to buy with a mortgage of $275,000, here’s how it breaks down by loan program.

Program

 Minimum down payment percentage

 Amount for $275,000
VA, USDA 0% $0
Conventional 3% or more $8,250 or more
FHA 3.5% or more $9,625 or more

Keep in mind, when you make a payment lower than 20%, you’ll need to pay PMI each month. For some loans, like the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mortgage, you’ll need a mortgage refinance to get rid of PMI.

Can You Buy a $275K Home With No Money Down?


Yes, you can buy a $275K home for no money down. The two main programs that don’t require a down payment include:

•   VA (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) mortgages

•   USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) mortgages

Beyond these two programs, you may also find local housing programs that offer down payment assistance that may be able to help get you into a home with no money down (or close to it).

Can You Buy a $275K Home With a Small Down Payment?


Since a $275K mortgage loan falls under the conforming loan limits, it qualifies for loan programs with lower down payment requirements. These include conventional financing with a minimum 3% down payment for qualified first-time buyers, FHA with a 3.5% minimum down payment, as well as VA and USDA loans which have no down payment requirement.

Recommended: Best Affordable Places to Live

Is a $275K Mortgage with No Down Payment a Good Idea


It’s possible to get a $275K mortgage with no down payment. It also may help you get into a home that you otherwise wouldn’t be able to.

If you’ve run your numbers through a mortgage calculator and have worked closely with a lender to determine if the monthly payment is affordable for you, you shouldn’t hesitate to get a mortgage with no down payment.

The major downside to getting a mortgage with no down payment is the amount of mortgage insurance you’ll pay every month. That will need to be factored in when the lender determines how much mortgage you’ll be able to afford.

Can’t Afford a $275K Mortgage With No Down Payment?


If you still have a little work to get qualified for a $275K mortgage, especially if the cost of living in your state is high, there are some smart moves you can make to help your odds of approval.

Pay Off Debt


You may qualify for more house by paying down debt. Let’s take a look at our previous examples:

With no debt, a $275K mortgage will cost $2,402 per month, and you’ll need to earn $6,672 per month, or $80,064 per year.

With $1,000 monthly debt obligations, a $275K mortgage will have a total of $3,402 monthly debts and you’ll need $9,450 per month, or $113,400 per year to afford a $275K mortgage.

With a reduced debt load of $600 instead of $1,000, and a $275K mortgage, you’ll have a total debt load of $3,002. You’ll need $8,339 in income per month, or $100,067 per year to afford your debt load. This is much less than the previous example where the debt load was $1,000 per month.

Look into First-Time Homebuyer Programs


Most states and local housing programs have some type of first-time homebuyer program. It may be a down payment assistance program or a forgivable second mortgage that helps cover closing costs.

Build Up Credit


There’s nothing you can do about the current interest rates, but you can work on your credit to get the best rate you can. A better credit score translates into a better interest rate almost every time, which helps immensely with affording a $275K mortgage.

Start Budgeting


Good old-fashioned budgeting can help you zero in on your goals and save a large enough down payment to afford a $275K home. It helps to think of budgeting as a tool for achieving goals, rather than a punishment or restrictive way of life.

Alternatives to Conventional Mortgage Loans


If you’re not able to qualify for one of the different types of mortgage loans just yet, you might want to look into the following alternative financing methods:

Seller financing Seller financing is where the seller agrees to carry the mortgage and acts as lender. Usually, it’s a short-term agreement and the seller may charge a higher interest rate than what a traditional lender would. The details of the arrangements are made between buyer and seller, and can be quite complex. But it also avoids many closing costs and can be a faster transaction than a traditional sale.

Private lending A private lender is any lender not associated with a bank or lending institution. They may be more flexible with qualification and offer a wider range of lending tools, such as bridge loans to help you get from one house to another.

Recommended: Home Loan Help Center

Mortgage Tips


Getting a mortgage is intimidating at first. Once you’re done reading tips to qualify for a mortgage, you’ll want to start talking to lenders. Here’s what you’ll do to find the best rate.

1.    Shop around for a loan. Shopping around for a loan within a 45-day window only counts as a single credit inquiry on your credit report, so you can check out as many mortgage lenders as you want. This can help you find one with a great deal and terms that work for you.

2.    Compare loan estimates. A loan estimate is a document that outlines the different loan costs the lender charges. You’ll be able to compare origination fees, underwriting fees, and other closing costs in determining which loan will work best for you.

3.    Don’t get caught up in analysis paralysis. After you’ve looked at a handful of lenders, it’s time to pick one. Make a decision and go forward with excitement about moving into your home.

The Takeaway


Affording a home in today’s economy seems hard, and the amount of income needed for a $275K mortgage may feel like a heavy lift. But it’s not impossible to qualify for the mortgage you want. Even after you’ve worked out all the numbers online, you’ll still want to talk to a lender. They may have more options than you’d expect, and it’s worthwhile to start the process sooner rather than later.

Looking for an affordable option for a home mortgage loan? SoFi can help: We offer low down payments (as little as 3% - 5%*) with our competitive and flexible home mortgage loans. Plus, applying is extra convenient: It's online, with access to one-on-one help.

SoFi Mortgages: simple, smart, and so affordable.

FAQ

Can I afford a $275K house on a $60K salary?

If you have a large enough down payment, you may be able to afford a $275,000 house on a $60,000 salary. For a $5,000 monthly income, you’ll need your mortgage amount to be around $1,800. To get to that payment, you’ll need a 20% down payment ($55,000) and a 6% interest rate (if rates don’t drop to that level, you can buy down your rate by paying mortgage points to your lender).

How much does a $275K mortgage cost over 10 years?

With an interest rate of 7%, a $275,000 mortgage will cost $383,158 over 10 years. So your total interest paid on this loan will top $108,000.

What credit score is needed to buy a $275K house?

Your credit score is only one factor in determining whether or not you can afford to buy a $275K house. FHA loans, for example, allow borrowers with credit scores as low as 500 (with a 10% down payment) and 580 (with a 3.5% down payment) to apply. Lenders also look at your debt-to-income ratio, income, employment history, and loan-to-value ratio.

Photo credit: iStock/FG Trade Latin

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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.

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Terms, conditions, and state restrictions apply. Not all products are available in all states. See SoFi.com/eligibility-criteria for more information.

*SoFi requires Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) for conforming home loans with a loan-to-value (LTV) ratio greater than 80%. As little as 3% down payments are for qualifying first-time homebuyers only. 5% minimum applies to other borrowers. Other loan types may require different fees or insurance (e.g., VA funding fee, FHA Mortgage Insurance Premiums, etc.). Loan requirements may vary depending on your down payment amount, and minimum down payment varies by loan type.

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.

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.

¹FHA loans are subject to unique terms and conditions established by FHA and SoFi. Ask your SoFi loan officer for details about eligibility, documentation, and other requirements. FHA loans require an Upfront Mortgage Insurance Premium (UFMIP), which may be financed or paid at closing, in addition to monthly Mortgage Insurance Premiums (MIP). Maximum loan amounts vary by county. The minimum FHA mortgage down payment is 3.5% for those who qualify financially for a primary purchase. SoFi is not affiliated with any government agency.
†Veterans, Service members, and members of the National Guard or Reserve may be eligible for a loan guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. VA loans are subject to unique terms and conditions established by VA and SoFi. Ask your SoFi loan officer for details about eligibility, documentation, and other requirements. VA loans typically require a one-time funding fee except as may be exempted by VA guidelines. The fee may be financed or paid at closing. The amount of the fee depends on the type of loan, the total amount of the loan, and, depending on loan type, prior use of VA eligibility and down payment amount. The VA funding fee is typically non-refundable. SoFi is not affiliated with any government agency.

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