Financial Topics Archives

Jul

2025

Pros & Cons of the FIRE Movement

By Krystal Etienne | Budgeting & Goals, invest, Preparing for Retirement | Comments Off

Table of Contents

What Is the FIRE Movement?
FIRE vs. Traditional Retirement
Target Age for Early Retirement
Saving Strategies for Retiring Early
Financial Independence Retire Early: Pros and Cons
Investing for FIRE
FAQ

Many people dream of the day that they clock into work for the very last time. In most cases, we imagine that’ll be when we’re in our 60s. But what if you could take the freedom and independence of retirement and experience it 20 or 30 years earlier?

That’s the basic principle of the Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE) movement, a community of young people who aim to live a lifestyle that allows them to retire in their 50s, 40s, or even 30s rather than their 60s or 70s.

While it may sound like the perfect life hack, attempting to live out this dream comes with some serious challenges. Read on to learn more about the FIRE movement and some techniques followers have used to help achieve their goal of early retirement. That can help you determine whether any of their savings strategies might be right for you.

Key Points

• FIRE stands for Financial Independence, Retire Early, with proponents aiming to retire earlier than the traditional time frame of 65 to 70 years-old.

• The movement originated from the book Your Money or Your Life in 1992, and gained traction in the 2010s.

• Achieving FIRE may require saving 50% to 75% of income and living frugally.

• Benefits include increased time flexibility, reduced financial stress, and a more passion-driven life.

• Drawbacks involve unpredictability, potential boredom, and challenges in re-entering the workforce.

What Is the FIRE Movement?

FIRE stands for “financial independence, retire early,” and it’s a movement where followers attempt to gain enough wealth to retire far earlier than the traditional timeline would allow.

The movement traces its roots to a 1992 book called Your Money or Your Life by Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez. FIRE started to gain a lot of traction, particularly among millennials, in the 2010s.

In order to achieve retirement at such a young age, FIRE proponents may devote 50% to 75% of their income to savings. They also use dividend-paying investments in order to create passive income sources they can use to support themselves throughout their retired lives.

Of course, accumulating the amount of wealth needed to live for six decades or more without working is a considerable feat, and not everyone who attempts FIRE succeeds.

FIRE vs. Traditional Retirement

FIRE and traditional retirement both aim to help people figure out when they can retire, but there are major differences between the two.

Retiring Early

Given the challenge many people have of saving enough for retirement even by age 65 or 70, what kinds of lengths do the advocates of the FIRE movement go to?

Some early retirees blog about their experiences and offer tips to help others follow in their footsteps. For instance, Mr. Money Mustache is a prominent figure in the FIRE community, and advocates achieving financial freedom through, in his words, “badassity.”

His specific perspective includes reshaping simple but expensive habits, such as eliminating smoking cigarettes or drinking alcohol, and limiting dining out.

Of course, the basic premise of making financial freedom a reality is simple in theory: spend (much) less money than you make in order to accumulate a substantial balance of savings.

Investing those savings can potentially make the process more attainable by providing, in the best-case scenario, an ongoing passive income stream. However, many people who achieve FIRE are able to do so in part because of generational wealth or special circumstances that aren’t guaranteed.

For instance, Mr. Money Mustache and his wife both studied engineering and computer science and had “standard tech-industry cubicle jobs,” which tend to pay pretty well — and require educational and professional opportunities not all people can access.

In almost all cases, pursuing retirement with the FIRE movement requires a lifestyle that could best be described as basic, foregoing common social and leisure enjoyments like restaurant dining and travel.

Target Age for Early Retirement

Early retirement means different things to different people. While some individuals may consider age 55 to be an early retirement, many FIRE proponents aspire to retire in their 40s or even in their 30s, if possible.

According to a SoFi 2024 Retirement Survey, 12% of respondents say their target retirement age is 49 or younger. Of that group, 35% are using FIRE strategies to reach their goal, making it one of the top methods.

Strategies to Retire Early
Source: SoFi Retirement Survey, April 2024

Saving Strategies for Retiring Early

Retiring early can involve making some serious adjustments to an individual’s current lifestyle. People who follow the FIRE movement generally try to put 50% to 75% of their income in savings. That can be challenging because once they pay their bills, there may not be much leftover for things like going to the movies or having dinner out.

As noted above, among the SoFi survey respondents, roughly one-third (35%) say they are using FIRE strategies.

Traditional Retirement

Most working people expect to retire sometime around the age of 65 or so. For those born in 1960 or later, Social Security benefits can begin at age 62, but those benefits will be significantly less than they would be if an individual waited until 67, their full retirement age, to collect them.

People saving for traditional retirement typically save much of their retirement funds in tax-incentivized retirement accounts, like 401(k)s and traditional IRAs, which carry age-related restrictions. For example, 401(k)s generally can’t be accessed before age 59½ without incurring a penalty.

But remember that even a traditional retirement timeline can be difficult for many savers. For example, the SoFi survey found that just 17% of respondents are saving 15% of their income for retirement, the amount many financial professionals recommend.

Online calculators and budgeting tools can help you determine when you can retire, and they are customizable to your exact retirement goals and specifications.

Financial Independence Retire Early: Pros and Cons

Although financial independence and early retirement are undoubtedly appealing, getting there isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. There are both strong benefits and drawbacks to this financial approach that individuals should weigh before undertaking the FIRE strategy.

Pros of the FIRE Approach

Benefits of the FIRE lifestyle include:

• Having more flexibility with your time. Those who retire at, say 45, as opposed to 65 or 70, have more of their lifetime to spend pursuing and enjoying the activities they choose.

• Building a meaningful, passion-filled life. Retiring early can be immensely freeing, allowing someone to shirk the so-called golden handcuffs of a job or career. When earning money isn’t the primary energy expenditure, more opportunities to follow one’s true calling can be taken.

• Learning to live below one’s means. “Lifestyle inflation” can be a problem among many working-age people who find themselves spending more money as they earn more income. The savings strategies necessary to achieve early retirement and financial independence require its advocates to learn to live frugally, or follow a minimalist lifestyle, which can help them save more money in the long run — even if they don’t end up actually retiring early.

• Less stress. Money is one of the leading stressors for many Americans. Gaining enough wealth to live comfortably without working could wipe out a major cause of anxiety, which could lead to a more enjoyable, and healthier, life.

Cons of the FIRE Approach

Drawbacks of the FIRE lifestyle include:

• Unpredictability of the future. Although many people seeking early retirement thoroughly map out their financial plans, the future is unpredictable. Social programs and tax structures, which may figure into future budgeting, can change unexpectedly, and life can also throw wrenches into the plan. For instance, a major illness or an unexpected life event could wreak havoc on even the best-laid plans for financial independence.

• Some find retirement boring. While never having to go to work again might sound heavenly to those on the job, some people who do achieve financial security and independence and take early retirement, struggle with filling their free time. Without a career or specific non-career goals, the years without work can feel unsatisfying.

• Fewer professional opportunities. If someone achieves FIRE and then discovers it’s not right for them — or they must re-enter the workforce due to an extenuating circumstance — they may find reintegration challenging. Without a history of continuous job experience, one’s skill set may not match the needs of the economy, and job searching, even in the best of circumstances, may be difficult.

• FIRE is hard! Even the most dedicated advocates of the financial independence and early retirement approach acknowledge that the lifestyle can be difficult — both in the extreme savings strategies necessary to achieve it and in the ways it changes day-to-day life. For instance, extroverts might find it difficult to forgo social activities like eating out or traveling with friends. Others may find it challenging to create a sense of personal identity that doesn’t revolve around a career.

Investing for FIRE

Investing allows FIRE advocates — and others — to earn income in two important ways: dividends and market appreciation.

Dividends

Shareholders earn dividend income when companies have excess profits. Dividends are generally offered on a quarterly basis, and if you hold shares of a stock you could earn them.

However, because dividend payments depend on company performance, they’re not guaranteed. Those relying on them to live should have other income sources (including substantial savings accounts) as a back up income stream.

Market Appreciation

Investors can also earn potential profits through market appreciation when they sell stocks and other assets for a higher price than what they initially paid for them.

Even for those who seek retirement at a traditional pace, stock investing is a common strategy to create the kind of compound growth over time that can build a substantial nest egg. There are many accounts built specifically for retirement investing, such as 401(k)s, IRAs, and 403(b) plans.

However, these accounts carry age-related restrictions and contribution limits which means that those interested in pursuing retirement on a FIRE timeline will need to explore additional types of accounts and saving and investing options.

For example, brokerage accounts allow investors to access their funds at any point — and to customize the way they allocate their assets to help support growth goals.

The Takeaway

Whether you’re hoping to retire in a traditional fashion, shorten your retirement timeline, or you’re simply looking to increase your wealth to achieve shorter-term financial goals, like buying a new car, investing can be an effective way to reach your objectives.

Ready to invest in your goals? It’s easy to get started when you open an investment account with SoFi Invest. You can invest in stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds, alternative funds, and more. SoFi doesn’t charge commissions, but other fees apply (full fee disclosure here).

¹Opening and funding an Active Invest account gives you the opportunity to get up to $3,000 in the stock of your choice.

FAQ

What does “FIRE” stand for?

FIRE is an acronym that stands for “financially independent, retire early.” It’s a movement where followers try to save enough to retire much earlier than the traditional age, such as in their 30s and 40s rather than their 60s.

How many people are using FIRE strategies to save for retirement?

According to the SoFi 2024 Retirement Survey, 35% of those who wish to retire by age 50 are utilizing FIRE strategies to save for retirement.

What are some drawbacks of FIRE strategies?

Potential drawbacks of using FIRE strategies include the fact that saving so much and spending so little is very challenging, retirement may not be what many people envision once they achieve it, and the future is unpredictable, and their plans may change.

INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE

SOIN-Q325-004

Jul

2025

What Is a Shell Company and Why Do They Exist?

What Is a Shell Company? A Comprehensive Guide to Shell Companies

By Colin Dodds | Growing Wealth, invest, Investing | Comments Off

Table of Contents

How Are Shell Companies Created?
3 Uses of Shell Companies
How Shell Companies Operate
Example Shell Companies
Shell Companies and Shady Dealings
Spotting Red Flags as an Investor
Risks of Investing in Shell Companies
Regulations and Oversight of Shell Companies
FAQ

A shell company is a legal entity that has no significant business assets or operations. It can be used for a variety of purposes, both illegal and legitimate: from hiding certain activities from law enforcement to providing a legal structure that can be used to take a company public.

A shell company can be set up by a large corporation or a private individual. Legitimate uses of a shell company include setting up a foreign entity for a domestic operation in order to manage tax liabilities, or even to facilitate mergers or acquisitions. Another common use of a shell company is to set up a special purpose acquisition company, or SPAC.

Because shell companies can occupy certain gray areas, it’s important for investors to do their research to avoid fraudulent entities.

Key Points

• Shell companies are legal entities without significant assets or operations, often used for raising funds, tax benefits, and protecting assets.

• Shell companies have legitimate uses, but could be used to shield illegal activities from the law.

• Legitimate purposes include facilitating public listings, holding assets, or managing tax liabilities.

• Establishing a shell company involves registering through an agent, setting up accounts, and managing operations, despite lacking substantial assets.

• Investors must conduct thorough due diligence to avoid fraudulent shell companies, ensuring understanding and verifying legitimacy.

How Are Shell Companies Created?

There is more than one way to create a shell company. Most often, the people or corporations that launch new shell corporations use a registered agent in the country where the company will have its legal headquarters. So, in the United States, shell companies would need to register with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

In most countries, the agent must register his or her name, and the name of an owner or a shareholder director. The cost of creating and legally registering a corporation will vary from country to country, from as little as a few thousand dollars to as much as several hundred thousand dollars.

Being “hollow,” by definition, shell companies can do many things. They can open bank and brokerage accounts. They can transfer funds in and out of their home country. They can buy and sell real estate or other companies. They may own copyrights and earn royalties on those copyrights.

💡 Quick Tip: Did you know that opening a brokerage account typically doesn’t come with any setup costs? Often, the only requirement to open a brokerage account — aside from providing personal details — is making an initial deposit.

3 Uses of Shell Companies

People and corporations use shell companies in a wide range of legitimate businesses for legitimate reasons. Those might be used as a vehicle to raise funds, as a legal entity to attempt to take over another business via a reverse merger, or as a legal entity to give form to a company that intends to go public.

1. Tax Benefits of Shell Companies

Many shell corporations operate in a legal gray area, and it’s possible that corporations and wealthy individuals may use them to avoid taxes.

Many companies have found ways to move their profits to offshore shell corporations to take advantage of less expensive, or more permissive tax rules in other countries (similar to how some states may be more tax-friendly than others). American corporations might set up shell companies in countries with inexpensive labor, where they have already begun to outsource some of their operations.

Corporations aren’t the only ones that use shell companies to avoid paying taxes. Wealthy individuals around the world may also use shell corporations, domiciled all over the world, to hide their earnings and their wealth.

2. Less Risk, More Opportunity

Tax avoidance isn’t the only reason a corporation would set up a shell corporation. It might create a shell company to operate in a country, while protecting its other operations from the legal, political, and financial risks related to that country. That way, if something goes wrong in the country where it operates, the parent company can limit its exposure by existing — at least on paper — offshore.

A corporation may also set up a shell corporation in another country to gain a window into new regions. A business might set up a shell company in Panama or Switzerland to gain access to the local business community, in order to generate contacts and information that would lead it to business opportunities in Latin America or Western Europe.

3. SPACs

While shell companies come up in the news in relation to questionable tax-avoidance schemes, in recent years, they’ve also been mentioned alongside special purpose acquisition companies, or SPACs.

At any given time, there may be hundreds of shell companies that qualify as SPACs — which may be a reason that SPACS were so popular for a couple of years in 2020 and 2021. These are companies formed exclusively to raise capital via an initial public offering (IPO), which will then purchase a private company already in operation. SPACs are a type of “blank check company.”

These companies issue an IPO, then hold the money in a trust, until the SPAC management team chooses a company and buys it — thereby taking it public. And if the SPAC doesn’t find a company to buy, or can’t buy the company or companies it likes within a pre-set deadline — often two years — then the managers promise to liquidate the SPAC and give investors their money back.

How Shell Companies Operate

Shell companies operate as a sort of holding entity, since they generally don’t have any business operations. So, they’re structures that exist as a containment entity more so than an actual company.

Common Characteristics of Shell Companies

As noted, shell companies have some common characteristics, though they may not exist in each and every instance:

• No business activity or revenue

• Lack of or few assets

• Few, if any, staff members

• Management is located in another country

Again, there are many forms that shell companies may take, and they may not all share the same characteristics.

Differences Between Shell Companies and Traditional Businesses

Perhaps the biggest and most obvious difference between shell companies and traditional businesses is that shell companies don’t usually have any sort of business operations. That is, they’re legal entities that aren’t designed to necessarily drive revenue and produce goods or services.

Conversely, a traditional business has assets, managers, employees, and produces goods or services with the goal of generating revenue and profits for its owners. And while a traditional business may in fact own other businesses, it does so, again, with the goal of generating profits. In short: Shell companies tend to exist for different reasons than traditional businesses.

💡 Quick Tip: How to manage potential risk factors in a self-directed investment account? Doing your research and employing strategies like dollar-cost averaging and diversification may help mitigate financial risk when trading stocks.

Example Shell Companies

An example of a shell company could be as follows.

Say there’s an entrepreneur that’s looking to raise money before they officially launch a startup. They may create an LLC, which is a business entity, that doesn’t have any assets or employees. It only exists on paper. But the business entity — a shell company — can be used to hold the money being raised for the startup prior to its launch.

In effect, the company itself is merely a shell used to hold cash until it’s ready for use. It’s not really a functional business in the traditional sense.

Shell Companies and Shady Dealings

While there are many legitimate uses for shell companies, as outlined, bad actors also might use them to shield their operations and their assets from authorities. And as different jurisdictions compete for business, new loopholes emerge on a regular basis. In Panama, the British Virgin Islands, and in certain states, there are strong laws that prevent the government from revealing the beneficial owner of a given shell corporation.

And for creative financiers, there are always new ways to add layers of anonymity, such as phony company directors, who agree to sign their names for a few dollars. Among professionals who specialize in such things, there are ways to find would-be board members, and for countries and states with convenient tax and privacy laws.

Are Shell Companies Legal?

Yes, shell companies are legal, and are most often used for legal purposes. While they can be used for illegal purposes, many shell companies have legitimate purposes.

Shell Companies vs Holding Companies

Though there may be some superficial similarities, shell companies and holding companies are not the same thing. As discussed, shell companies may be formed to serve as empty entities that may be used to take advantage of different taxation regulations, for example.

A holding company, on the other hand, is like a parent company. Holding companies hold or own other companies within it, like an umbrella. It allows its owners to control numerous businesses without necessarily actively managing any of them.

Spotting Red Flags as an Investor

For investors worried about getting their money tied up in a potentially shady shell company, there are some things to keep an eye out for, and steps to take before making any sort of investment.

How to Identify Risky Shell Companies

When it comes to looking out for shell companies that may pose risks to your portfolio, you may want to research where a company’s communications are coming from (are they written by an actual person, or an anonymous author?), the company’s history (does it actually have a history of business operations and revenues?), where its stock trades (is it an over-the-counter (OTC) stock, or does it trade on a large exchange?), and more.

Warning Signs of Fraudulent or Illegitimate Shell Companies

Specific warning signs that a shell company may be fraudulent or illegitimate may include:

• Trading outside major exchanges: As noted, an OTC stock may require some more due diligence for investors.

• Changing business names: If the company has a history of shifting its focus or name, that could be a red flag.

• Look for “Q”: Stock ticker symbols that end with a “Q” sometimes indicate that the company has filed for bankruptcy. That could be a warning sign for investors.

Due Diligence Steps Before Investing

In addition to looking out for some of the potential warning signs outlined, investors can do some extra due diligence and research into a company’s directorship and management, to see where it’s based, and who comprises it.

Further, “mass registrations” to a single address could also be something to look into. If there are hundreds or thousands of companies registered in a single place, that may be a worrisome sign. Additionally, dig through some of the company’s quarterly and annual reports to look for financial anomalies. That could, again, reveal some troublesome patterns that investors should take into account.

Risks of Investing in Shell Companies

Investors should know the risks of investing in shell companies.

Potential Financial and Legal Consequences

As discussed, shell companies are legal, and many are used for perfectly legitimate purposes. But if they’re being used for nefarious reasons, such as money laundering or other criminal purposes, there could be consequences that could affect investors.

While the risk of losing your investment is always an issue, it’s also not out of the realm of possibility that if a shell company is caught up in a legal melee, that the investors themselves could end up facing financial penalties and fines, or even legal consequences. That, however, depends on the specific circumstances of each entity.

Regulatory Scrutiny and Compliance Issues

In recent decades, regulators have become increasingly aware of the use of shell companies to potentially cover up criminal actions, so there’s been more interest in scrutinizing them and making sure they’re complying with applicable laws. That could lead to legal problems, or not. It depends on the specifics.

How to Protect Yourself From Investment Scams

For investors, protecting yourself from an investment scam or a shady shell company comes back to the basics: Do your due diligence, and perhaps steer clear of any investment that presents red flags.

That includes looking through company reports and filings, doing your best to track down the company’s management and directors, looking for anything fishy in terms of name-changes or wild revenue swings, and more.

Regulations and Oversight of Shell Companies

Like any other type of business or company, shell companies are subject to regulation and oversight.

Global Efforts to Curb Illicit Use

As mentioned, shell companies have become known for their use as money laundering vehicles, or to help facilitate other types of crimes. The Panama Papers in 2016, and the Danske Bank scandal that unraveled in 2018, are two instances in which the world learned a lot about how shell companies can be used illicitly.

Accordingly, many companies cooperate across jurisdictions to exchange information and try to curb illicit use. There may be specific laws in different countries, and the U.S. has its own as well.

Compliance Requirements for Legitimate Shell Companies

In the U.S. shell companies are required to report ownership information to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, or FinCEN, as part of the Corporate Transparency Act, which became law in 2021. That law attempts to shine a light on who, exactly, owns these companies, and could be benefiting from illicit use. However, that law may not be enforced per new Trump administration guidelines.

Further, there are anti-money laundering rules and Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures in the mix, often depending on specific companies (like banks) that can help regulators do due diligence and flag suspicious activity.

The Takeaway

Shell companies are legal business entities that are often used for legal reasons, such as managing tax liabilities or raising funds. Shell companies can be used for illegal purposes, too — e.g., money laundering — which is what they’re often associated with.

Most investors wouldn’t invest in shell companies in their day-to-day trading, but they might consider allocating part of their portfolios to a SPAC. It’s important to remember that these are speculative, risky investments, so they don’t make sense for every investor.

¹Opening and funding an Active Invest account gives you the opportunity to get up to $3,000 in the stock of your choice.

FAQ

Is a shell company legal?

Yes, shell companies are legal, and are generally used for legal purposes. A shell company is simply a business entity that has little to no assets or employers, and doesn’t engage in standard business operations. However, investing in shell companies is risky due to the lack of transparency, increased vulnerability to manipulation, potential for fraudulent activities, and regulatory and legal risks.

What is an example of a shell company?

An example of a shell company could be an LLC formed by an entrepreneur planning to launch a startup. The entrepreneur files the paperwork to create the LLC, and then uses it to gather funds until the startup launches, rather than have the LLC engage in any business itself.

What is the difference between a holding company and a shell company?

Holding companies are parent companies, or umbrella organizations, that often have multiple businesses running underneath or within them. Shell companies typically do not have assets or employees, or any meaningful business operations.

Photo credit: iStock/akinbostanci

INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE

SoFi Invest is a trade name used by SoFi Wealth LLC and SoFi Securities LLC offering investment products and services. Robo investing and advisory services are provided by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Brokerage and self-directed investing products offered through SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC.

For disclosures on SoFi Invest platforms visit SoFi.com/legal. For a full listing of the fees associated with Sofi Invest please view our fee schedule.

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.

Investing in an Initial Public Offering (IPO) involves substantial risk, including the risk of loss. Further, there are a variety of risk factors to consider when investing in an IPO, including but not limited to, unproven management, significant debt, and lack of operating history. For a comprehensive discussion of these risks please refer to SoFi Securities’ IPO Risk Disclosure Statement. This should not be considered a recommendation to participate in IPOs and investors should carefully read the offering prospectus to determine whether an offering is consistent with their investment objectives, risk tolerance, and financial situation. New offerings generally have high demand and there are a limited number of shares available for distribution to participants. Many customers may not be allocated shares and share allocations may be significantly smaller than the shares requested in the customer’s initial offer (Indication of Interest). For more information on the allocation process please visit IPO Allocation Procedures.

Investment Risk: Diversification can help reduce some investment risk. It cannot guarantee profit, or fully protect in a down market.

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.

Disclaimer: The projections or other information regarding the likelihood of various investment outcomes are hypothetical in nature, do not reflect actual investment results, and are not guarantees of future results.

¹Claw Promotion: Probability of Member receiving $1,000 is a probability of 0.026%; If you don’t make a selection in 45 days, you’ll no longer qualify for the promo. Customer must fund their account with a minimum of $50.00 to qualify. Probability percentage is subject to decrease. See full terms and conditions.

Dollar Cost Averaging (DCA): Dollar cost averaging is an investment strategy that involves regularly investing a fixed amount of money, regardless of market conditions. This approach can help reduce the impact of market volatility and lower the average cost per share over time. However, it does not guarantee a profit or protect against losses in declining markets. Investors should consider their financial goals, risk tolerance, and market conditions when deciding whether to use dollar cost averaging. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should consult with a financial advisor to determine if this strategy is appropriate for your individual circumstances.

SOIN-Q225-094

Jul

2025

The Effects of Deadweight Loss

By Matthew Zeitlin | invest, Investing, Terminology | Comments Off

Table of Contents

What Is Deadweight Loss?
Common Causes of Deadweight Loss
How to Calculate Deadweight Loss
Why Investors Should Care About Deadweight Loss
FAQ

Deadweight loss is a macroeconomic term that refers to the total value of lost trades, caused by a mismatch between supply and demand. Deadweight loss can be the result of taxation, price restrictions, the impact of monopolies, and other factors.

Deadweight loss isn’t limited to a single company, but rather describes the impacts on the overall economy of certain policies, which can trickle down and have an effect on the markets.

Key Points

• Deadweight loss refers to the value of all the trades or transactions that did not occur owing to a market inefficiency.

• These inefficiencies are the result of a market distortion, or mismatch, such as what occurs when a tax or minimum wage is imposed.

• These factors can impact production costs and pricing, which can cause a disequilibrium in both supply and demand, leading to deadweight loss.

• Deadweight loss generally plays out in terms of larger societal and/or economic trends, and as such can impact markets as well.

What Is Deadweight Loss?

Deadweight loss refers to inefficiencies created by a misallocation or inefficient allocation of resources, and is an important economic concept. Deadweight loss is often due to government interventions such as price floors or ceilings, or inefficiencies within a tax system that effectively reduce trades or transactions by interfering with supply and demand equilibrium.

To understand more fully, it can be helpful to think about how government interventions can impact the equilibrium between supply and demand.

First: Calculate Surplus

In order to know how to calculate deadweight loss, we must first be able to calculate surplus.

Typically, a business will only sell something if they can do so at a price that’s greater than what they paid for it themselves, and a consumer will only buy something if it’s at or less than the price they want to pay for it — the same principle as generating a stock profit.

Scenario A — The Equilibrium: Let’s imagine Store X sells comic books for $10 each. The store buys the comic books from the wholesaler for $5 and sells them for $10, pocketing $5 of “producer surplus.”

Before the Store X opened, consumers traveled to another store to buy comic books for $15. This $5 difference between the price they were willing to pay and the newly available price is the “consumer surplus”.

In this case, let’s say Store X is able to sell 1,000 comic books, that means the combined producer and consumer surplus is $10,000.

Breakdown:

• P₁ = Producer’s Cost of a Comic Book = $5

• P₂ = Producer’s Price to Sell a Comic Book = $10

• P₃ = Price the Consumer Pays = $10

• P₄ = Price the Consumer Is Willing to Pay = $15

• Units Sold = 1,000

• Producer Surplus = (P₂ – P₁) * Units Sold = ($10 – $5) * 1,000 = $5,000

• Consumer Surplus = (P₄ – P₃) * Units Sold = ($15 – $10) * 1,000 = $5,000

• Total Surplus 1 = Producer Surplus + Consumer Surplus = $5,000 + $5,000 = $10,000

In this theoretical example, there is no deadweight loss because supply and demand are in balance. That would change if another factor entered the picture that caused a market distortion that caused a loss in the number of purchases. Deadweight loss being the value of the trades or transactions that did not occur, owing to a market inefficiency.

💡 Quick Tip: Before opening an investment account, know your investment objectives, time horizon, and risk tolerance. These fundamentals will help keep your strategy on track and with the aim of meeting your goals.

Common Causes of Deadweight Loss

There can be several causes of deadweight loss, but some of the most common are government-mandated changes to markets. Examples include price floors, such as a minimum wage, which can create some inefficiencies in the labor market (there may be workers who would be willing to work for less than minimum wage).

Price ceilings, also can create deadweight loss — an example could be rent control. Finally, taxes can create deadweight loss, too.

How to Calculate Deadweight Loss

To properly calculate deadweight loss, you need to be able to represent the supply and demand of the goods being sold graphically in order to determine prices. According to the laws of supply and demand, the higher a price goes, the fewer of that item will get sold; and vice versa.

Example of Deadweight Loss

Let’s go back to our comic book example and imagine that the town’s government imposes a $2 tax on comic books.

Scenario B — The Impact of Taxes

What happens to the price of comic books and the surplus generated by the sales of comic books? Theoretically, Store X could simply bump up prices $2 and sell 1,000 comic books for $12 each, maintaining a $5 producer surplus on each comic book sold, with $2 going to the government, and consumer surplus of $3.

In this case the combined consumer and producer surplus is lower — $5 × 1,000 + $3 × 1,000 = $8,000. So there’s a missing $2,000 of what economics call “gains from trade.” But, the government is collecting $2,000, so the money does not disappear from the economy.

In other words, the government is collecting $2,000, with which it can buy things, hire people, and literally send money to people via economic stimulus measures. Thus, the tax revenue does not disappear from the economy.

But in reality, if Store X were to increase the price to $12, thus passing on the tax to customers, they may not be able to sell enough comic books to maintain the revenue needed to keep the store open.

If they lower the price to $11, splitting the cost of the tax between the store and consumers, it’s likely fewer consumers would buy comic books: let’s say Store X would now sell 600 comic books instead of 1,000.

The combined consumer and producer surplus is $4,800 ($4 × 600 + 600 × $4) with $1,200 of tax collected (600 × $2) meaning there’s a total of $6,000 of consumer surplus, producer surplus, and government revenue. In this case the deadweight loss is $4,000.

Breakdown:

• P₁ = Producer’s Cost of a Comic Book = $5

• P₂ = Producer’s Price to Sell a Comic Book = $9

• P₃ = Price the Consumer Pays = $11

• P₄ = Price the Consumer Is Willing to Pay = $15

• Units Sold = 600

• Tax = $2/Comic Book

• Producer Surplus = (P₂ – P₁) * Units Sold = ($9 – $5) * 600 = $2,400

• Consumer Surplus = (P₄ – P₃) * Units Sold = ($15 – $11) * 600 = $2,400

• Gains From Trade (Tax) = $2 * 600 = $1,200

• Total Surplus 2 = Producer Surplus + Consumer Surplus + Gains From Trade = $6,000

• Deadweight Loss = Total Surplus₁ – Total Surplus₂ = $10,000 – $6,000 = $4,000

The higher price, created through taxation, has impacted the equilibrium between supply and demand and created a deadweight loss — the number of sales that evaporated due to fewer transactions happening between the comic book seller and the readers.

While this is a rather extreme example of what happens when taxes force up prices, it’s a good way of thinking about how deadweight losses are more than just items getting more expensive. Rather, the deadweight loss formula can illustrate the evaporation of mutually beneficial economic transactions due to different types of taxes and other policies.

A similar impact can occur when a government imposes price floors or ceilings on items.

💡 Quick Tip: Are self-directed brokerage accounts cost efficient? They can be, because they offer the convenience of being able to buy stocks online without using a traditional full-service broker (and the typical broker fees).

Why Investors Should Care About Deadweight Loss

Deadweight loss can affect investors in a number of ways, and it’s important to consider it when looking at different types of investments. One of the most debated issues in economics is the effects that the tax system has on income, investment, and economic growth in the short and long run.

Some argue that income taxes, payroll taxes (the flat taxes on wages that fund Social Security and Medicare) and capital gains taxes work like the comic book tax described above, preventing otherwise beneficial transactions from happening and reducing the economic gains available to all sides. There’s evidence on all sides of this debate, and the effects of tax rates on overall economic growth are, at best, unclear.

As an investor, deadweight loss might matter when it comes to companies or sectors impacted by specific taxes, such as sales taxes or excise taxes on alcohol or cigarettes.

Deadweight loss shows how taxes on specific items can not only reduce profitability by increasing a company’s tax bill, but also affect revenue by reducing overall sales or driving down prices that businesses can charge or receive from buyers. As an investor, this knowledge and insight can be useful when allocating capital between companies, sectors, or types of assets.

The Takeaway

Deadweight loss is the result of economic inefficiencies, and it can affect an investor’s portfolio if it results in slower sales and revenues for businesses. It’s a large economic concept, and may not have a day-to-day direct impact on the stock market. But it’s still good for investors to know the basics of deadweight loss and how it applies to them.

Invest with as little as $5 with a SoFi Active Investing account.

FAQ

Why does a monopoly cause a deadweight loss?

A monopoly can cause deadweight loss because competitive markets create competition and fairer prices. A monopoly distorts prices, leading to inefficiencies.

Can deadweight loss be a negative value?

No, deadweight loss cannot be a negative value, but it can be zero. Zero deadweight loss would mean that demand is perfectly elastic or supply is perfectly inelastic.

Is deadweight loss market failure?

Deadweight loss is not a market failure, but rather, the societal costs of inefficiencies within a market. Market failures can, however, create deadweight loss.

Photo credit: iStock/akinbostanci

INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE

SOIN-Q325-025

Jul

2025

Front-Running Explained

By Samuel Becker | Growing Wealth, invest, Investing, Terminology | Comments Off

Table of Contents

What Is Front Running?
How Front Running Works
A Front Running Example
Front Running in the Real World
Is Front Running Legal?
Are There Times When Front Running Is OK?
FAQ

Front running is when a broker or other investor obtains information that will impact a stock, and places a trade in advance of the news.

In most cases front running is illegal because the broker is acting on information that’s not available to the public markets, and using it for their own gain.

Front running is somewhat different from insider trading, where an individual investor working at a company is able to place a trade based on proprietary information about that company. Insider trading is also illegal.

There is another definition of front running, however, which involves index funds. This type of front running is not illegal.

Key Points

• Front running involves trading a financial asset based on non-public information in order to profit, which is illegal due to unfair market advantage.

• This practice is different from insider trading, although both involve using non-public information for personal profit, and both are prohibited by regulatory agencies.

• Front running can occur when investors or brokers use this news to anticipate significant trades, allowing them to act before the information is public.

• Real-world cases of front running have led to significant penalties, including multi-million dollar fines and prison sentences for those involved in fraudulent trades.

• While most forms of front running are illegal, index front running, which involves changes to market indexes, is considered legal and commonly practiced.

What Is Front Running?

Front running trading means that an investor buys or sells a security based on advance, non-public knowledge or information that they believe will affect its stock price. Because the information is not widely available, it gives the trader or investor an advantage over other traders and the market at large.

Based on this definition of front running, it’s easy to see how the practice — though illegal — earned its moniker. Investors trading stocks based on privately held information, are literally getting out in front of a price movement.

In addition to stocks, front running may also involve certain derivatives contracts, such as options or futures.

Again, although front running is technically different from insider trading, the two are quite similar in practice, and both are illegal. Front running is forbidden by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). It also runs afoul of the rules set forth by regulatory groups like the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).

If a trader has inside knowledge about a particular stock, and makes trades or changes their position based on that knowledge in order to profit based on their expectations derived from that knowledge, that’s generally considered a way of cheating the markets.

How Front Running Works

The definition of front running is pretty straightforward, and there are two main ways front running — also called tailgating — can occur.

• A broker or trader investing online or through a traditional brokerage gets wind of a large upcoming trade from one of their institutional clients, and the size of the trade is sure to influence the price.

• A broker or trader learns about a specific analyst report about a given security that’s likely going to impact the price.

In either case, the trader gains access to price-relevant information that’s not yet available to the public markets, and they are well aware that the upcoming trade will substantially impact the price of the asset. So before they place the trade, they might either buy, sell, or short the asset — depending on the nature of the information at hand — and make a profit as a result.

A Front Running Example

Say there’s a day trader working for a brokerage firm, and they manage a number of clients’ portfolios. One of the broker’s clients calls up and asks them to sell 200,000 shares of Company A. The broker knows that this is a big order — big enough to affect Company A’s stock price immediately.

With the knowledge that the upcoming trade will likely cause the stock price to fall, the broker decides to sell some of his own shares of Company A before he places his client’s trade.

The broker makes the sale, then executes the client’s order (blurring the lines of the traditional payment for order flow). Company A’s stock price falls — and the broker has essentially avoided taking a loss in his own portfolio.

He may use the profit to invest in other assets, or buy the newly discounted shares of Company A, potentially increasing his long-term profits essentially by averaging down stocks.

The trader would’ve broken the law in this scenario, breached his fiduciary duties to his client, and also acted unethically.

Recommended: Understanding the Risks of Day Trading

Front Running in the Real World

There are many real-world examples of front running that have led to securities fraud, wire fraud, or other charges.

In 2022, for example, the SEC charged an employee of a large financial institution and an outside associate, of executing a multi-year scheme worth some $47 million in fraudulent front-running profits.

In this case, the employee took advantage of proprietary information about upcoming company trades, which he conveyed to an accomplice outside the firm. Based on the ill-gotten information, this outside trader opened and closed positions ahead of the bigger company trades, and shared the profits.

The company employee was sentenced to 70 months in prison, three years of supervised release, and both traders had to forfeit some $38 million.

Is Front Running Legal?

No. In almost all cases, front running is illegal. Front running is a type of fraud that involves using information that’s not available to the public solely for personal gain.

Are There Times When Front Running Is OK?

Yes, actually. Index front running is not illegal, and is actually fairly common among active investors.

As many investors are aware, index funds track market indexes like the S&P 500 or Dow Jones Industrial Average. These funds are designed to mirror the performance of a market index. And since equity market indexes are essentially large portfolio stocks, they change quite often. Companies are frequently swapped in and out of the S&P 500 index, for instance.

When that happens, the change in an index’s constituents is generally announced to the public, before the swap actually takes place. If a company is being added to the S&P 500, that’s probably considered good news, and can make investors feel more confident in that company’s potential.

Conversely, if a company is being dropped from an index, it may be a sign that things aren’t going so well.

That gives some traders an opening to take advantageous positions. Let’s say that an announcement is made that Firm X is being added to the Dow Jones Industrial Average, taking the place of another company. That’s big news for Firm X, and means that Firm X’s stock price could go up.

Traders, if they have the right tools, may be able to quickly buy up Firm X shares the next day, and potentially, make a profit if things shake out as expected (although there’s no guarantee they will).

How is this different from regular front running? Because the information was available to the public — there was no secret, insider knowledge that helped traders gain an edge.

The Takeaway

Front-running is the illegal practice of taking non-public information that is likely to impact the price of a certain asset, then placing a trade ahead of that information becoming public in order to profit. Front running is similar to insider trading, although the latter generally involves an individual investor who profits from internal company information.

Fortunately, there are plenty of investing opportunities that don’t involve resorting to fraudulent activity like front running.

Invest with as little as $5 with a SoFi Active Investing account.

FAQ

Why is front-running illegal?

Front running is illegal for a few reasons. First, it’s a form of cheating the market, by using non-public information for personal gain. Second, in the case of institutional front running, it’s a violation of a broker’s fiduciary duty to a client.

How can I identify if my trades have been affected by front running?

Unfortunately, owing to the non-public nature of the information that typically leads to front-running, it’s very difficult for individual investors to determine whether or not their own trades have been impacted by a front-running event. Financial institutions have more tools at their disposal to detect incidents of front running.

Are there any technological solutions or tools available to detect and prevent front running?

Yes. With so many traders using remote terminals to place trades since the pandemic, trade surveillance technology and trade reconstruction tools are more important than ever. Fortunately, financial institutions have the resources to employ these tools, and other types of algorithms, to monitor the timing of different trades in order to identify front runners and front running.

Photo credit: iStock/Drazen_

INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE

SOIN-Q325-027

Jul

2025

7 Top Self-Employed Jobs for Parents

By Jacqueline DeMarco | Building Your Career, Life & Career, relay | Comments Off

Many busy parents find that a traditional 9-to-5 job isn’t the best option while they’re raising young children. Working for yourself can provide more flexibility and control, as well as better work-life balance. But there are trade-offs.

Let’s take a look at some of the best self-employed jobs in 2025. We’ll also provide tips on finding a self-employed job that helps support a family’s needs.

Table of Contents

What Jobs Are Considered Self-Employed Jobs?
Examples of Self-Employed Jobs for Parents
Tips to Finding Self-Employed Jobs for Parents in 2025
Difficulties Parents Can Encounter When Looking for Self-Employed Jobs
Pros and Cons of Self-Employed Jobs for Parents
7 Self-Employed Jobs for Parents
FAQ

Key Points

• Top self-employed jobs for parents in 2025 offer flexibility and competitive wages, such as business consultant, software engineer, and career counselor.

• Average hourly pay ranges from $27.34 for virtual assistants to $53.44 for software engineers.

• Required skills vary, including programming for software engineers and office skills for virtual assistants.

• Pros include flexible schedules and working from home; cons involve inconsistent income and lack of paid leave.

• Tips for transitioning: structure workdays, manage non-billable tasks, promote oneself, set rates, and consider financial stability.

What Jobs Are Considered Self-Employed Jobs?

At one time, self-employed business people typically worked out of a storefront or office with a small staff. Today, many self-employed individuals work from home with no employees. They deliberately keep their operation small to maintain flexibility in their schedule (and keep overhead costs down). Solo entrepreneurs usually have a strong background in a specific service they can offer to clients, such as accounting, marketing, or graphic design.

There are a number of different ways self-employed workers get paid. For instance, they may identify as an independent contractor when they work for larger businesses. They can also start a sole proprietorship or a partnership with another entrepreneur. But regardless of their business structure, it’s important for parents who are self-employed to track their spending.

Because of the amount of time spent attracting and communicating with clients, self-employment may not be the best choice of job for antisocial people.

Examples of Self-Employed Jobs for Parents

Self-employed jobs can be logistical, analytical, creative, or involve a skilled trade. Parents may pursue self-employed work as a freelance writer or a lawyer. As long as the work can be done independently, there’s virtually no limit to the type of services someone can offer when working for themselves.

Recommended: Best On-Campus Jobs

Tips to Finding Self-Employed Jobs for Parents in 2025

Parents who are considering self-employment should first ask themselves these questions:

• How much do I hope to make per hour?

• How many hours per week do I want to work?

• What is my strongest skill set?

• What services can I offer based on that skill set?

Parents have different options for pursuing work. They can apply for posted contract or freelance roles that seem like a good fit for their skills and scheduling needs. They can also advertise their services and work on attracting clients. Or, they may decide to pursue job opportunities by tapping into their existing professional network.

Difficulties Parents Can Encounter When Looking for Self-Employed Jobs

One element of self-employment that many people struggle with is making the transition to boss. Parents who have a lot of responsibilities on their plate may find it especially hard to create a structured workday, or to make time between projects to source new clients.

Many self-employed people find it tough to promote themselves or set appropriate rates. Another money challenge: budgeting with a fluctuating income.

All of these things get easier over time, but the early days of self-employment can be challenging. If money management is a concern for you, check out these financial planning tips for freelancers.

Recommended: Does Net Worth Include Home Equity?

Pros and Cons of Self-Employed Jobs for Parents

There are advantages and disadvantages to working for oneself.

Pros of Self-employment	Cons of Self-employment
• Flexible schedule • Work from home — or wherever you work best • Choose clients you enjoy working with	• Inconsistent income makes budget planning hard • Sourcing clients is time consuming • No paid sick days, vacation, bereavement, or parental leave

Pros of Self-employment

Cons of Self-employment

• Flexible schedule

• Work from home — or wherever you work best

• Choose clients you enjoy working with

• Inconsistent income makes budget planning hard

• Sourcing clients is time consuming

• No paid sick days, vacation, bereavement, or parental leave

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7 Self-Employed Jobs for Parents

What are the best self-employed jobs? The fact is, what’s best for one parent may not be right for another. Consider a broad range of possibilities before you settle on one. The following jobs were chosen because they offer flexibility and high wages.

1. Business Consultant

Average hourly pay: $49.27

A business consultant helps other businesses improve a select area of their business (such as their marketing department) or their business as a whole. Consultants can provide support to sales, finance, operations, HR, IT, and other areas. While business consultants can book time to work with clients in a way that fits their schedule, they will often need to do so during business hours since so much of their work involves client communications.

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree, master’s degree (preferred), or a certification from a business consultant association.

Schedule Flexibility [1-5]: 3

Duties:

• Advising clients

• Creating business plans

• Improving employee performance

2. Software Developer

Average hourly pay: $63.20

Software developers write and test code for clients when creating systems software, apps, video games, and other products. Many clients need temporary or ongoing support in this area, which can provide software developers with a lot of flexibility. Developer roles usually appear on lists of ideal jobs for introverts.

Requirements: Knowledge of programming languages.

Schedule Flexibility [1-5]: 4

Duties:

• Writing code

• Testing code

• Project planning

3. Virtual Assistant

Average hourly pay: $22.82

Supporting clients as an administrative assistant virtually. Because so much of this work can be done via email, and immediate responses aren’t expected, virtual assistants can often choose their own hours.

Requirements: Office skills

Schedule Flexibility [1-5]: 4

Duties:

• Scheduling calls

• Providing email support

• Booking travel plans

4. Editor

Average hourly pay: $36.18

Editors polish writing projects across a variety of industries and media formats. This work can be done independently from home, but may require virtual meetings during traditional office hours.

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree and industry experience.

Schedule Flexibility [1-5]: 4

Duties:

• Writing copy

• Editing copy

• Mentoring writers

5. Copywriter

Average hourly pay: $30.64

Similar to editors, copywriters can work from home and do their work independently. Many writers are hired on a freelance basis, which gives them the option of taking on more projects when they have the time.

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree and industry experience.

Schedule Flexibility [1-5]: 4

Duties:

• Crafting headlines

• Writing technical guides

• Creative writing

6. Web Designer

Average hourly pay: $45.85

Web designers create websites for clients from scratch, update existing website designs, and provide ongoing website support. This work can be done independently, but does require meeting with project stakeholders during business hours.

Requirements: Knowledge of design programs, and HTML and CSS programing languages.

Schedule Flexibility [1-5]: 3

Duties:

• Build and design websites

• Enhance user interface (UI) and user experience (UX)

• Bring client’s vision to life

7. Career Counselor

Average hourly pay: $31.32

Working as a career counselor can create really flexible working hours for parents because many clients want to book sessions on nights and weekends when they aren’t working.

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree or master’s degree (preferred)

Schedule Flexibility [1-5]: 5

Duties:

• Advising clients on job search process

• Helping clients plan career trajectory

• Resume consulting

The Takeaway

Being self-employed can be very rewarding — especially for parents. Working for yourself can make it possible to have flexible working hours and to work from home. Almost any service can be offered on a freelance or consulting basis. The key is to evaluate your skills and give yourself time to build a client base.

Challenges may include creating your own workday structure, making time for administrative tasks that aren’t billable, no paid time off, and a fluctuating income. Before making the leap into self-employment, it can be helpful to take a good hard look at the family’s financial situation.

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.

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FAQ

How can a stay-at-home mom make money in 2025?

There are plenty of ways a stay-at-home mom can earn an income from home in 2025. One popular option for busy moms who need a flexible schedule is working as a virtual assistant on a part-time basis. These roles make it possible to work from home during times when children are napping or at school.

What is the best job to have as a parent?

There is no one best job for a parent to have, but there are some very desirable traits that appeal to most parents. Moms and dads are likely to value job opportunities that have flexible schedules, are remote, and have a high enough wage to support a family.

What job can I do from home with a baby?

Nowadays, many job opportunities are remote, which can make it possible for people to work from home with a baby. Some parents may choose to create their own job by going the self-employed route. Others may pursue careers as a virtual assistant, bookkeeper, copywriter, web designer, or another role that they can perform from home.

About the author

Jacqueline DeMarco

Jacqueline DeMarco is a freelance writer who specializes in financial topics. Her first job out of college was in the financial industry, and it was there she gained a passion for helping others understand tricky financial topics. Read full bio.

Photo credit: iStock/pixdeluxe

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