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Q: What Is A Will?

Simply speaking, a will (also known as a last will and testament) is a legal document that details what you want to be done with your possessions after your death.

Jun

2023

How to Make a Will: 7 Steps

By Anna Davies | Budgeting & Goals, Financial Independence, money | Comments Off

It’s easy to put off writing a will. The process can seem complicated, not to mention expensive. And, if you’re single and don’t own a house, you may also feel like a will is unnecessary.

But writing a will actually doesn’t have to take a lot of time, or money. And even if you don’t have a lot of assets, having a will can give you peace of mind that your preferences will be followed.

Here’s what you need to know to write your own will.

What Is a Will?

Simply defined, a will (also known as a last will and testament) is a legal document that details what you want to be done with your possessions after your death. Your will may also identify a guardian if you have young children, as well as an executor, the person who will carry out the terms of your will.

What a will doesn’t cover is any asset in which you’ve designated beneficiaries. Named beneficiaries override a will. For example, if you designate all your property to go to your parents but you have a life insurance policy in which your brother is listed as a beneficiary, your brother will get the life insurance payout while your parents would get the rest of your assets.

There are other important documents people may create at the same time as they create a will, and are all a part of an estate plan. These include:

• Living will If you were to become incapacitated, what are your preferences as far as medical treatments? This document legally outlines your wishes.

• Power of attorney If you are unable to make decisions for yourself, who has the authority to make those decisions on your behalf? Power of attorney may be divided into medical power of attorney — the person who has power to make medical decisions for you — and financial power of attorney. Both can be the same person.

• Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order This document communicates that, in the event of your heart no longer beating or you no longer being able to breathe independently, that you do not want doctors to perform any life-saving action.

• Organ and tissue donation If you were to die, would you want your organs and tissue to be donated? Having a form explicitly stating your wishes can make it easier for loved ones to fulfill your desires, instead of guessing what they think you would have wanted.

Not all documents need to be filled out at once. For example, some people may only fill out a DNR order if they have a terminal illness or are unlikely to recover.

Dying Without a Will

Even if you think you own nothing of great value and you’re still working on money management, chances are you do your own things that matter to your family. And if you die without a will, your loved ones may become involved in a complicated court process that will freeze your assets until state inheritance laws are followed.

If you’re single and die without a will, your assets will likely go to your closest blood relatives, which may be your parents or siblings. While this may be the preferred choice for some people, having a will allows you to earmark certain assets (or pets) for a charity or close friends.

It’s also a final chance to communicate your wishes to your loved ones and allows your loved ones to avoid a potentially drawn-out court process.

Dying without a will can become even more problematic if you have children. If you die without a will, the court will appoint a guardian. And, while the court attempts to choose a guardian with the best interest of children in mind, that choice may not be the same choice you would make.

How To Create a Will

Below are simple steps that can help you make a will.

1. Choosing How You’ll Create Your Will

For people who own a lot of property or assets, and may want to set up trusts as a way to minimize taxes and ensure their heirs follow their wishes, it can be well worth the investment to hire an attorney who can walk them through the basics of estate planning.

However, online templates and will-creating platforms can be sufficient for many people. These DIY options can be much less expensive than working directly with an attorney and are legal and binding provided they are signed appropriately. Some of these online options are even free.

Recommended: How to Write a Will Online in 8 Steps

2. Making a List of Your Assets

In order to leave property to your loved ones, you need to know exactly what you have. So it can be a good idea to start by making a list of all your significant assets, including jewelry, artwork, real estate/land, cars, and bank accounts that don’t name a beneficiary.

If you have retirement funds and/or life insurance, you don’t need to write out who is going to receive the proceeds, as these require naming beneficiaries within the account or policy.

3. Being Specific About Who Gets What

Once you have a list of all your assets, you can decide who you would like to get what. Here, it’s helpful to be as specific as possible, such as using full names and being detailed in describing the assets.

4. Considering Guardianship

For many parents, including pet parents, guardianship can be the most fraught element of their will. This can be a decision that takes time.

For example, some parents love the bond their children have with their grandparents but worry about how aging parents would handle the physical stressors of raising young kids. Other parents may wish to appoint a sister or brother who already has children, so their own kids can be brought up alongside other children. There is no wrong answer, but thinking through contingencies and what-ifs can be helpful in making the most informed decision.

It can also be a good idea to discuss the idea of guardianship with the intended recipient. Maybe a single uncle loves your kids but is uncomfortable taking on the role of parent, or maybe grandparents have similar reservations as to their fitness for taking on the role.

5. Choosing an Executor

Naming an executor for your will is an important choice. This is the person who will make sure that the wishes laid out in your will are followed. The duties of an executor include paying any remaining bills and debts, distributing your assets, and handling probate (transferring the titling of assets).

If you wish, you can name more than one person as an executor of your will.

6. Signing Your Will and Storing it in a Safe Place

A will is only legal when it is made legal — that is, printed and signed according to instructions. You generally need to sign a will in the presence of at least two witnesses. In some cases (such as if you’re using a document called a “self-proving affidavit” to simplify the process of going through probate court), your signature must be notarized as well.

You’ll also want to make sure you keep copies as directed. Many people keep a physical copy in a safe place, as well as a digital copy. Some might also share their will with their executor, or tell them where it is so it can be easily and quickly accessed if you were to die unexpectedly.

7. Updating Your Will as Appropriate

As your life changes, you may need to return to your will and update it. This could be due to:

• Asset changes. Buying a house, opening an investment portfolio, and other financial moves may lead you to revisit your will.

• Relationship changes. If you get married or have a serious partner, you may want to change your will to reflect that.

• The addition of children or pets to your family.

• The death or incapacitation of an appointed guardian.

It can also be good practice to assess your will after every life change, or every year or so. To update a will, you can either write what’s called a codicil (essentially a document stating any updates, written and signed by witnesses) or create a new will, depending on the extent of the changes.

The Takeaway

While the topic of death and end-of-life wishes can seem overwhelming, creating a will can be relatively straightforward. And, thanks to the many online templates now available, you can often make your own will for a relatively low flat fee, or even for free.

The process of writing a will typically includes coming up with a list of assets, choosing where you’d like each asset to go, as well as choosing a guardian (if you have children) and an executor of your will.

While you may not think you need a will, having one (and updating it as appropriate) can be a gift to your loved ones when they may need it most.

As you get your affairs in order, you may also want to get your financial life organized. One simple step that can help is opening an online bank account, such as SoFi Checking and Savings. With SoFi Checking and Savings, you can spend, save, and earn a competitive annual percentage yield (APY) — all in one place. Plus, you won’t pay any annoying account fees.

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.

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SoFi members with direct deposit activity can earn 4.00% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Direct Deposit means a recurring deposit of regular income to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government benefit payments (e.g., Social Security), made by the account holder’s employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency (“Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Deposits that are not from an employer or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, or are non-recurring in nature (e.g., IRS tax refunds), do not constitute Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. SoFi members with direct deposit are eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits.

As an alternative to direct deposit, SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits can earn 4.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Qualifying Deposits means one or more deposits that, in the aggregate, are equal to or greater than $5,000 to an account holder’s SoFi Checking and Savings account (“Qualifying Deposits”) during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Qualifying Deposits only include those deposits from the following eligible sources: (i) ACH transfers, (ii) inbound wire transfers, (iii) peer-to-peer transfers (i.e., external transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc. and internal peer-to-peer transfers from a SoFi account belonging to another account holder), (iv) check deposits, (v) instant funding to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, (vi) push payments to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, and (vii) cash deposits. Qualifying Deposits do not include: (i) transfers between an account holder’s Checking account, Savings account, and/or Vaults; (ii) interest payments; (iii) bonuses issued by SoFi Bank or its affiliates; or (iv) credits, reversals, and refunds from SoFi Bank, N.A. (“SoFi Bank”) or from a merchant. SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits are not eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits.

SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder’s Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits throughout each 30-Day Evaluation Period to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility. The 30-Day Evaluation Period refers to the “Start Date” and “End Date” set forth on the APY Details page of your account, which comprises a period of 30 calendar days (the “30-Day Evaluation Period”). You can access the APY Details page at any time by logging into your SoFi account on the SoFi mobile app or SoFi website and selecting either (i) Banking > Savings > Current APY or (ii) Banking > Checking > Current APY. Upon receiving a Direct Deposit or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits to your account, you will begin earning 4.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% on checking balances on or before the following calendar day. You will continue to earn these APYs for (i) the remainder of the current 30-Day Evaluation Period and through the end of the subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period and (ii) any following 30-day Evaluation Periods during which SoFi Bank determines you to have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits without interruption.

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

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

Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 12/3/24. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.

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

This article is not intended to be legal advice. Please consult an attorney for advice.

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Jun

2023

How to Save Money From Your Salary

By Kim Franke-Folstad | Budgeting & Goals, Life & Career | No Comments

When times are tight, it can feel as though putting even a few dollars away every month is next to impossible. How can you save money when you have a low salary and so many expenses?

There are ways to get that needle moving in the right direction — even for those who are new to working full time and living on their own. Here’s a look at three simple strategies that can help you save a little more from every paycheck.

Taking Advantage of the Employer Match

Concerning but true: A full 27% of people who are 59 or older have no retirement savings, according to a recent survey from Credit Karma. Thankfully, it’s never too late — or too early — to start putting money aside for retirement. Enrolling in your company’s 401(k) plan can be a great place to start, and they may even offer matching contributions.

Not every employer offers a match — or a 401(k), for that matter — but if it’s a perk that you can take advantage of, getting more information about how your plan works could open up an avenue for saving more from your salary.

Employers differ in their matching contributions. Some employers might contribute a dollar for every dollar or a percentage of every dollar an employee puts into their 401(k) plan, up to a designated percentage of the employee’s salary.

Plans are frequently set up so that employee contributions are taken directly from their paycheck, so the decision to contribute is automated instead of being something to think about each month.

Preparing a Budget and Following It

If the idea of a budget seems daunting — or past attempts have been less than successful — it might be because your approach to budgeting is too complicated. It’s not necessary to create a complex set of spreadsheets. In fact, when you’re new to budgeting, a simple approach often works better.

One easy budgeting framework you might consider is the 50/30/20 rule. This approach streamlines expenses into three categories so you don’t have to monitor every single expenditure to make it work. Instead, you divide your take-home pay (what you make after taxes are taken out) into three main categories: needs, wants, and savings. Here’s how it works.

• Put 50% of your money toward needs: This includes housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, insurance, prescription medications, minimum payments on credit cards and other debt, and any other expense you have to cover. If you require a cell phone or other equipment for work, that might be a need, but if it’s the newest, most expensive model, you may be slipping into the wants category.

• Put 30% toward wants: Here’s where everything from vacations to vending machine snacks can come in. If it isn’t essential, it goes into this chunk of your budget, so you’ll want to look at what you are currently spending on wants and see if you can find places to cut. Are you paying for streaming services you rarely watch? Are you a member of a gym you never go to? Could you cook one or two more nights per week and spend less on takeout? It’s all your call — but these costs all must fit into the allotted amount of money.

• Put 20% toward savings or paying extra on your debt: This category allows you to siphon off some of each paycheck to build your emergency fund, save for other short-term goals (like buying a car or going on vacation), and fund your retirement account. If you’re carrying high-interest debt, you’ll want to use some of this money to pay it down by making payments beyond the minimum.

• Feel free to tweak: The 50/30/20 guideline is just that — a guideline. You may want to adjust the breakdown if the cost of living is particularly high in your area, and you need to spend more than 50% of your take-home pay on needs. On the other hand, if you’re in a hurry to pay down debt, you might want to cut back on your wants spending to make it work. The key to budget success, however, is to stick with it. So you don’t want to come up with a spending plan that is so austere you can’t maintain it.

Automating Your Savings and Payments

Once you come up with a framework for how much you will spend and save each month, it’s a good idea to put as much of the plan on autopilot as possible.

Setting up autopay for your regular monthly bills, for example, eliminates the risk of missing payments and racking up late fees. In addition, you may want to consider automating your savings — this way, you won’t have to remember (and, quite possibly, forget) to transfer some money from your salary to savings each month, or be tempted to spend that money.

There are two different ways to automate savings. One is to split your direct deposit into two accounts. For example, you might have the majority of your paycheck go into your checking account and a smaller percentage into a high-yield savings account. If a payroll split isn’t an option, you can set up an automatic transfer from your checking to your savings on the day your paycheck clears. This way, the money gets whisked away before you have a chance to spend it.

The Takeaway

A savings plan doesn’t have to be complicated — or painful. In fact, you can start saving more from your salary by making just a few simple changes. These include: making sure you are putting some of your paycheck into your retirement plan at work (at least up to any employer match), coming up with a basic spending plan (such as the 50/30/20 breakdown), and putting your savings on autopilot. Before long, budgeting and saving will likely become a habit you don’t even have to think about.

If you’re looking for more ways to simplify your finances, you might consider opening a checking and savings account where you can spend, save, and earn all-in-one product. With a SoFi Checking and Savings account, you’ll earn a competitive annual percentage yield (APY) and pay no account fees, both of which can help your money grow faster.

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.

Jun

2023

Top 10 Fun Things to Do When Visiting Philadelphia

By Jason Steele | Budgeting & Goals, credit card | Comments Off

Philadelphia is perhaps most known for its historic sites, like the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. It certainly played a role in the birth of our nation, but it has much more to offer as a travel destination. There’s amazing museums, street art, markets, and more to enjoy, plus incredible food, including those Philly cheesesteaks.

If you’re planning on spending time there, whether a weekend or a week, you’ll want to time it right and do some smart planning to make sure you get the most for your money. Here, you’ll learn about some of the fun things to do when visiting Philadelphia, plus ways to have a memorable trip.

Best Times to Go to Philadelphia

The best time to go to Philadelphia is in the spring, from around March to May. The average temperatures during this time are in the 50s to low 70s. The weather is warm without being too hot, and it’s not too crowded with tourists.

Early fall can also be a nice time to visit before it gets too cold, with average temperatures in the same range.

You might also considering visiting when some of the city’s biggest events are happening:

• The Philadelphia Flower Show in March

• The Kensington Derby and Arts Festival in May

• The Odunde Festival in June, the largest African-American street festival in the nation

• The Philly Bike Ride in October.

Bad Times to Go to Philadelphia

Winter is the least busy time to go to Philadelphia since it can get very cold and snowy.

However, because of this, hotel prices may be lower, so it may be enticing if you’re looking for how to save money on hotels in Philadelphia.

Summer travel is also a less desirable time to go to Philadelphia because of the crowds and hot weather, which can be in the 80s and humid. But if you don’t mind the warm temperatures, you’ll find plenty of tourists soaking up this historic city.

Average Cost of a Philadelphia Vacation

Philadelphia can be pretty affordable for a city destination. It’s possible to visit Philadelphia at nearly any budget. If you want a central location, Center City is a popular place to stay, with hotel prices around $500 to $600 a night during a weekend in May. If you’re looking for a more affordable place to stay, check out hotels near Fairmount Park, which can run between $300 to $400 for the same weekend.

What about a longer trip? In terms of total costs, not including getting to and from Philadelphia, expect to pay $1,319 for one person for one week, and $2,638 for a couple. If you’re budgeting for a trip and ready to start saving, you should think about where to keep travel funds. A high yield savings account can be a good choice as it keeps your money secure and earns interest; online banks often offer the best rates.

You may want to avoid “book now pay later” travel options if possible, and instead try to save money ahead of time so that you don’t pay extra in interest.

If you’re thinking about booking a trip to Philadelphia but are worried that you may have unforeseen circumstances and have to cancel your trip, you can look into travel insurance. If you pay for your trip with certain credit cards, they may provide travel insurance for certain situations. You should understand how credit card travel insurance works when deciding whether to purchase private travel insurance or use your credit card protections.

10 Fun Must-Dos in Philadelphia

There’s a lot to do in this large, historic city. This list of the top 10 must-dos in Philadelphia includes top-rated attractions and ideas from travelers who’ve been there and done that. You’ll find free activities as well as things that are pricier and that you might want to charge and earn credit card rewards.

Depending where you’re staying, you may be able to visit Philadelphia without renting a car. The city is very walkable, and there are buses, trains and above-ground trolleys in some parts of the city. The city also has an inexpensive shuttle service that stops at historic and cultural destinations around Center City, called the Philly PHLASH.

Now, here’s the list of the top 10 fun things to do while visiting Philadelphia.

1. Check out the Liberty Bell

Although the Liberty Bell doesn’t ring, it’s one of the most famous bells and is an iconic symbol of freedom. Its chime summoned people to hear the first reading of the Declaration of Independence in July of 1776. The Liberty Bell Center is free to visit year-round and does not require tickets. It’s located in front of Independence Hall, the next item on this list.

2. Immerse Yourself in History at Independence Hall

The Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence inside of Independence Hall in 1776. The framework for The U.S. Constitution was created there as well, and it’s now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

To visit this important site in the founding of our nation, you can tour Independence Hall daily from 9 am to 5 pm. Guided tours are available year-round for a $1 ticket. Also, be sure to arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled tour time to go through security screening. phlvisitorcenter.com/IndependenceHall

3. Chow Down on a Cheesesteak

A trip to Philadelphia is not complete without a delicious, classic Philly cheesesteak, which is said to have originated in the 1930s. What is it exactly? Chopped meat, onion, and cheese sandwich on an Italian roll. Two of the most popular places to get a Philly cheesesteak include Geno’s Steaks and Pat’s King of Steaks. They are both located at the intersection of South 9th Street and Passyunk Avenue in Philadelphia, in South Philadelphia. A cheesesteak will cost you $12 to $15. genosteaks.com/menu/ and patskingofsteaks.com/

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4. Wander Through Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens

One of the best things to do in Philadelphia is to take in the Magic Gardens, a unique indoor and outdoor art installation by local Philly artist Isaiah Zagar. The Magic Gardens contain multiple, brightly colored tiled passages over and underground. The installation includes such surprising, creatively repurposed materials like bottles, ceramic shards, cement and even bicycle spokes.

Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens is located on South Street in Philadelphia. The attraction is open year-round between 11 am and 6 pm, but is closed on Tuesdays. Tickets cost between $8 and $15. phillymagicgardens.org/

5. Run up the ‘Rocky’ Steps

If you pass the front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, you may see people racing up the stairs and jumping around with their arms up. That’s because the first of the popular boxing films featured the character of Rocky Balboa, played by Sylvester Stalone, running up the steps to a soaring soundtrack. A statue commemorating Rocky is located at the bottom of the stairs.

The movie is almost 50 years old, but still has a dedicated following. This is a fun stop for film buffs, and read on to learn why you’ll want to go inside after you climb those steps.

6. Explore the Philadelphia Museum of Art

The Philadelphia Museum of Art includes more than 240,000 works spanning 2,000 years. It includes many famous works from the Renaissance, and an array of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist canvases. You’ll see masterpieces by such famed artists as van Gogh, Toulouse-Lautrec, and Klee. Whether your taste in art runs Medieval or modern, you’ll find something to admire.

The museum is open Thursdays to Mondays, and closed on Christmas, Thanksgiving, and July 4. Hours vary by date, but it’s generally open between 10 am and 5 pm. Tickets cost $25. There’s also a Pay What You Wish day on the first Sunday of every month and every Friday night after 5 pm. philamuseum.org/

7. Visit the Barnes Foundation

If you want to see even more art, the Barnes Foundation is another top thing to do in Philadelphia. Although less well-known than the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Barnes Foundation includes a large collection of French impressionist and Post-impressionist paintings. The Barnes Foundation has an impressive 181 Renoirs, which is more than any other collection. It also includes 69 Cezannes, as well as African art.

The Barnes Foundation is located in the Franklintown neighborhood. Is open Thursday through Monday, from 11 am to 5 pm. Admission ranges from $5 to $25 depending on your age. barnesfoundation.org/

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8. Tour Reading Terminal Market

Reading Terminal Market is 130 years old and located below a former railroad terminal in Center City, Philadelphia. There are many vendors selling flowers, Amish baked goods, spices, Spanish olives, hoagies, books, crafts, and more. Reading Terminal Market is free to enter, and is open daily from 8 am to 6 pm. readingterminalmarket.org/

9. Snap Selfies at the Love Sculpture

Philadelphia is known as the City of Brotherly and Sisterly Love. And the colorful steel LOVE Statue by artist Robert Indiana certainly says it. You’ll find this Pop Art favorite at John F. Kennedy Plaza, with the four letters of the word “love,” stacked up; it’s a popular place to take photos.

There are actually multiple LOVE statues in the city. There’s also another LOVE statue on the University of Pennsylvania campus and an AMOR statue at Sister Cities Park, a few blocks from Kennedy Plaza. The statues are all free to visit.

10. View the Delaware River Waterfront

The Delaware River separates Pennsylvania from New Jersey, and the waterfront area can be a fun thing to do in Philadelphia. It includes multiple attractions and parks, like Cherry Street Pier, Race Street Pier, Blue Cross RiverRink, and Spruce Street Harbor Park. The waterfront has great views of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, which connects Philadelphia and New Jersey. If you’re traveling with pets, the Delaware River waterfront can be a perfect place to take a stroll with your dog while you’re visiting Philadelphia.

The Takeaway

Philadelphia is a unique destination that brings history to life, but also has an array of art and other attractions to take in. Plus, there’s great food to sample in this city. A trip to Philadelphia can be both fun and educational, as well as affordable, provided you know a few smart hacks.

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FAQ

What are things to do in Philadelphia for free?

There are many things to do in Philadelphia for free, like visiting sites including the LOVE sculpture, the Rocky steps, or the Liberty Bell. Free activities are one way to hack how families afford to travel.

What is Philadelphia most popular for?

Philadelphia is probably most famous for historic sites like the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. However, other popular and well-known attractions include Love Park, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Reading Terminal Market and the Rocky Steps.

How can I spend a day in Philadelphia?

Philadelphia’s Historic District has several attractions within walking distance of each other and would be a good way to spend a day in Philadelphia. The Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Elfreth’s Alley, and Franklin Square are all located in Philadelphia’s Historic District. Or you might visit some art attractions for a day, such as the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Barnes Foundation, and Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens.

Photo credit: iStock/Ultima_Gaina

¹See Rewards Details at SoFi.com/card/rewards.

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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Jun

2023

Understanding the Life Insurance Application Process

By Kelly Boyer Sagert | Life & Career, Terminology | Comments Off

The first step is to fill out an application with your carrier of choice. You’ll want to be well versed in whole and term, whether a medical exam is required, contestability, and the right amount of insurance needed.

Jun

2023

Pros & Cons of Sector Investing

By Brian Nibley | Growing Wealth, invest, Investing | Comments Off

Sector investing simply refers to targeted investing in a particular market sector or industry. Finance, real estate, utilities, and retail are a few examples of common sectors.

Many institutional investors use a sector investing strategy, but it’s one that individual investors can use as well, either by selecting individual stocks according to a theme or to describe different exchange-traded funds (ETFs) or mutual funds that focus their investments on a single sector.

Common Investing Sectors

Investors who want exposure to the following sectors can either invest directly in companies or assets, or invest in ETFs or mutual funds composed of securities within that sector.

Health Care

This section focuses on companies that contribute to health care needs and related endeavors.These may include hospitals and related real estate, health insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, companies that make medical devices, and more.

Precious Metals

The precious metals sector is historically seen as a safe haven asset that investors flock to in times of crisis. Even outside of a crisis, companies involved in the exploration of new metal deposits and mining of those deposits can sometimes provide significant returns.

Investors may be keen to find ways to invest in gold, but other examples include mining companies, direct investments in commodities, or in funds ETFs that purchase them.

Real Estate

This sector includes real estate developers and property owners, as well as mortgage-backed securities.

Real estate investors may also choose to put money into real estate investment trusts (REITs), which use investor money to acquire income-producing properties like data centers, office builds, shopping malls, or apartment buildings. One attractive feature of REITs is that they pay out a large portion of their income in the form of dividends to investors.

Utilities

Utility investing focuses on companies that provide utilities like phone and internet service, electricity, or natural gas. Utilities are considered to be a defensive or safe haven sector, since they tend to do well during a recession because people almost always need the services they provide.

Tech

Technology companies have become an increasingly large part of the economy as more organizations continue to undergo digital transformation. Investments in the tech sector might include streaming video providers, computer companies, or social media companies.

Consumer Staples

This sector focuses on the companies that make or sell items that people need to buy, such as supermarkets, food producers, and convenience stores.

Consumer Discretionary

This sector includes companies that make or sell goods that people like to purchase but don’t need, such as e-commerce companies, home improvement, apparel, or sporting goods retailers. This sector tends to perform well during times of economic expansion and to lag during a recession.

Energy

This sector focuses on companies that produce or supply energy. That may include oil drillers, coal miners, and pipeline operators. Some energy investors might focus only on stocks in the renewable energy space, such as wind farms or solar panel producers.

Pros of Sector Investing

Some of the benefits involved in sector investing include diversification and the ability to invest with market cycles.

Diversification

Investing in multiple sectors of the economy is one method of attaining diversification within a portfolio, which involves investing in many different types of stocks. If some sectors produce outsize gains, they can help offset lower returns in other sectors.

Rotation Strategy

One of the more common sector investing strategies is sector rotation, meaning that investors change their allocation to certain sectors depending on the economic cycle. For example, they might invest more heavily in the utility sector during a recession, when utilities tend to outperform, and move those funds into consumer discretionary goods during a recovery.

Cons of Sector Investing

While sector investing may prove beneficial, it also has its potential drawbacks. Some of the same features that make this strategy profitable or appealing can also make it risky.

Potential Volatility

Things that impact one sector as a whole tend to affect most or all companies within that sector. As a result, a single relevant event or news headline could have dramatic consequences for those heavily invested. This could result in large moves upward or downward.

For example, imagine being heavily invested in the oil and natural gas sector. Suddenly, the demand for energy plummets because of restrictions on travel, decreased consumer spending, and overall lack of demand for petroleum products. This would likely have a dramatic effect on nearly all companies in the oil and gas sector, leading to potentially large losses for investors with a large exposure to this sector.

On the other hand, if markets became optimistic that a future event would restore demand, or something happened to decrease supply, then volatility could swing the other way pushing up the value of investments.

Concentration risk

Concentration risk is a form of investment risk in which investors over-allocate a portion of their portfolio to a single sector and lose the downside protection that may come with a properly diversified portfolio, which spreads investments across different types of assets to minimize risk.

It is notoriously difficult for individual investors to sustainably engage in stock market timing, in which they can precisely determine the most optimal time to buy and sell a specific investment.

Sector ETF Investing

Investing in sector-focused ETFs is one of the easiest and most common ways to invest in sectors. Sector-specific exchange-traded funds hold dozens or hundreds of stocks within a specific sector, allowing investors to get exposure to the entire sector without having to make investments in individual companies.

Choosing an ETF takes less time and research than choosing many individual stocks. While ETFs may not experience the same level of gains as individual stocks, they also have less volatility.

The Takeaway

Sector investing involves making investments in specific parts, segments, or sectors of the economy. There can be pros and cons to doing so, and investors should consider all factors or even speak with a financial professional before making a decision.

To determine the best investing strategy for you, you’ll need to consider your long-term goals, your risk tolerance, financial objectives, and the amount of time and effort you want to spend choosing investments.

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).

For a limited time, opening and funding an Active Invest account gives you the opportunity to get up to $1,000 in the stock of your choice.

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Shares of ETFs must be bought and sold at market price, which can vary significantly from the Fund’s net asset value (NAV). Investment returns are subject to market volatility and shares may be worth more or less their original value when redeemed. The diversification of an ETF will not protect against loss. An ETF may not achieve its stated investment objective. Rebalancing and other activities within the fund may be subject to tax consequences.
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Pros & Cons of Sector Investing

Common Investing Sectors

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Pros of Sector Investing

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Cons of Sector Investing

Potential Volatility

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