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Imagine this: Your friends text you, let’s go skiing! And you want to say yes. Who wouldn’t want to glide down a mountain and enjoy an apres ski in a cozy lodge? And no worries, you say, I’ll just put it on the card! Or this: Your best friend plans a destination wedding to France.

Of course you’re going to RSVP yes—you couldn’t miss out on witnessing such a momentous day. And hey, when you use your credit card you’ll earn a few rewards.

Or even this: Your little sister needs a dress for prom, and asks if you’ll cover the cost. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience, you think as you hand over your card.

It’s easy to say yes in the moment, offer up your credit card, and think about the cost later. But the shock and stress of looking at your credit card statement after a month of spending can be overwhelming. And when your spending goes unchecked or your balance doesn’t diminish, credit card debt can rack up quickly.

When used responsibly, credit cards can provide the opportunity to do things like build credit and earn rewards points or cash back that can be used for other purchases. When used with abandon, however, careless spending on credit cards can lead to debt—which may feel insurmountable.

It’s no secret that credit card debt is a problem that plagues many Americans. According to the Federal Reserve, consumer debt in 2019 exceeded $4 trillion , over $1 trillion of which is credit card debt.

Nearly 55% of Americans who have a credit card are in credit card debt. The average credit card balance during the first quarter of 2019 was $6,028 , according to Experian. That balance can grow quickly, considering that annual percentage rates (APRs) for credit cards can be quite high (the average APR has hovered around 17% for some time).

Common Ways to Deal with Credit Card Debt

If you’re currently dealing with or have dealt with credit card debt in the past, you know how hard it can be to dig yourself out of the hole. While it can feel like an impossible problem to solve, there are strategies and resources available which may put you on a path toward eliminating your credit card debt once and for all.

When taking action on your credit card debt, it is generally recommended to put a plan in place. There are plenty of strategies that are touted for their ability to help you crush debt. Creating a debt reduction plan might provide the structure you need to meet your goal of debt repayment.

For some, the avalanche method, which organizes debts based on interest rate so the debt with the highest interest rate is targeted first, may make the most sense. For others, the built in reward of the snowball method, which targets debts with the smallest amount first may be preferred.

Regardless of the method you choose, it’s considered best practice when using these programs to try and stick with the debt repayment plan you’ve developed unless you see a compelling reason to switch. It can also be an opportunity to check in with your spending to determine what habits have gotten you into debt. You may find you’ll need to make a few changes to your spending habits to truly eliminate credit card debt from your life.

Beyond aggressively making payments on your debt, there may be other strategies worth considering. For some, it may be helpful to find a way to consolidate your credit card debt into better repayment terms.

One option for this is to use a balance transfer credit card. In concept, these are pretty straightforward. Basically, you open a new no- or low-interest credit card and transfer the balance of your existing credit card to it. You’re then able to pay off your debt with a lower interest rate as long as the balance is repaid within the given timeframe.

This, in theory, could put you on the path to pay off your credit cards in a more timely manner because you may not face high interest payments. But the low interest rate on balance transfer credit cards is usually only offered for an introductory period, commonly anywhere between six and 18 months. After that period expires, the rates usually increase.

If you can pay off the balance transfer card before the low initial rate expires, it could be an avenue worth pursuing. However, balance transfers often come with a fee—usually 3% to 5% of the total amount you’re transferring.

If it’s a large debt, you may end up paying a hefty fee, which may make this option a less attractive method. Another option is borrowing a personal loan for credit card debt consolidation. While it may seem counterintuitive to take out a new debt to help get out of an old debt, it could be worth considering.

FAQs: Paying Off Credit Card Debt with an installment Loan

For some, paying off credit card debt with a personal loan (which is an installment loan) might be a helpful strategy for getting out of credit card debt. Here are some commonly asked questions about debt consolidation loans:

Why use a personal loan to pay off credit cards?

If you have a lot of high-interest credit cards, you can rack up debt much more quickly if you don’t pay off the entire monthly balance, which ultimately might hold you back from building a solid financial future.

Carrying a balance from month to month means you’re not only paying for the upfront cost of your purchases, you may also be paying a hefty fee in interest. On average, households with a revolving balance of credit card debt paid $1,141 in interest.

If you’re in this situation, using an unsecured personal loan to pay off credit card debt can be an avenue worth exploring.

Ways to use a loan to pay off credit card debt

Instead of owing money on multiple credit cards, some people take the total amount owed among all their cards, consolidate that debt into a single loan amount to pay off the credit cards. That is what’s known as an installment loan known as a personal loan.

By doing this, you would then start making payments toward one single personal loan instead of payments to multiple cards. The hope would be that the interest rate on the personal loans would be lower than any combined interest rates on any credit cards you might have.

Is using a personal loan to pay off credit cards the right option for you?

Whether consolidating your credit card debt through a personal loan is right for you is based on different factors.

For instance, what are the balances and terms on your current credit card debt vs the terms you could obtain on a new debt consolidation loan? Try utilizing a debt calculator to help you gather some estimated numbers. If you qualify for a lower interest rate, paying off credit debt with a personal loan has a number of potential advantages. For one thing, consolidating or refinancing debt can help simplify your payment plan, turning multiple bills into one.

Taking out a personal loan to pay off debt can be one way to take advantage of better financing terms such as lower interest rates, which could help save you money in the long run.

Benefits of Taking Out a Personal Loan to Pay Off Credit Cards

Debt consolidation loans can be particularly useful for consolidating debt on multiple credit cards that may have less than favorable terms, and it’s easy to see why. Debt consolidation loans can potentially help you streamline your finances. Making a lower fixed payment on a single loan every month may also help reduce the chances of missing payments.

It is worth noting that some credit card interest rates can vary based on factors such as the type of transaction, purchase, or cash advance, whether the rate is fixed or variable, qualifying criteria, and more.

According to Bankrate.com the average interest rate on a variable credit card is running around 17% and sometimes reaching as high as 29.9% APR if you miss payments. One tool to help you understand how much interest you might be paying is our Credit Card Interest Calculator.

Personal loans, on the other hand, can typically be found at a lower interest rate. A lower interest rate could potentially reduce the amount of interest the borrower is required to repay over the life of the loan.

Depending on your circumstances, a percentage point or two off could make enough of an impact on your interest payments to place you on the path to paying off your credit cards in a more timely manner.

When you take out a personal loan it can be used for almost anything that’s a personal expense, such as general consumer/household purpose, home renovations, and debt consolidation; theoretically, you could use a personal loan to pay for anything from a wedding to an elephant (although good luck finding a low APR on that one).

Potential Considerations Before Taking Out a Loan to Consolidate Credit Card Debt

When considering a personal loan, one way to start could be by making a chart of your debts and their respective interest rates, and calculate how long it could take you to become debt-free.

Also, consider whether you have explored all options in determining how best to position your outstanding debt into better financing terms.

Once you’ve done the initial legwork, a good next step is to compare that credit card repayment plan with a personal loan, and see which is better for your budget.

Check the math and review the loan terms and interest rate to confirm you’d actually end up with a preferable repayment plan. For instance, a lower monthly payment might seem great, but if it ultimately extends the length of your repayment, depending on the rate and term, you might end up paying more in interest than you realize.

Consider your current and future financing terms: whether it’s simply peace of mind in the form of one monthly bill, or saving the maximum amount of money, what works best for one person may not be great for you. If you’re still in doubt about how to best get ahead of your debt, consider asking for help from a professional.

Those professionals could offer some valuable insight to help you create a personalized plan that can help you find the best path toward your financial goals, like living in a debt-free future.

Taking an intentional step toward tackling your debt can be challenging, but with a little creativity and discipline, you can work on managing your debt without letting it slow your financial plans for the future.

With SoFi, you may qualify to consolidate your high interest debt into one single unsecured personal loan, with loan amounts up to $100,000 and fixed interest rates with no origination fees or prepayment penalties.

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

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

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

PL17107

With graduation comes a fair share of celebration and changes. From grad parties to finding your first job to possibly a major move, life moves pretty fast during that first year out of school. While you’re busy setting up a new life, you may not even have time to think about those student loans you might’ve taken out for school.

When it comes to student loans, however, it’s not as easy as out of sight, out of mind. You might be busy setting up the next phase of your life, but don’t forget that your loan repayment will come calling, and likely sooner than you think.

Graduate students and undergrads currently leave school owing $29,200 on average, but the total amount you’ll pay back will depend on things like the interest rates on your student loans, the length of the loan term, and any loan forgiveness you may be eligible for. If you used student loans to get through college, you’re one of the 45 million Americans sharing the load of the country’s $1.6 trillion-plus student loan debt.

These figures are certainly daunting, especially for students who may face uncertainty about job prospects or find themselves having to leave school unfinished due to financial hardships or other reasons.

But one possible avenue for debt relief is that many student loans come with a grace period. A grace period is the length of time before you have to start student loan repayment, and the clock typically starts six months after you:

•   graduate
•   leave school
•   drop below part-time credit hours

Typically, you can use a grace period once per loan. During the grace period, you’re not required to make payments on your student loans. Most federal student loan grace periods are six months, but the Federal Perkins loan has a grace period of nine months. Some federal student loan grace periods can be extended even longer, for active duty military for instance. PLUS loans do not offer a grace period.

A grace period is different from other loan payment delays, such as deferments or forbearance, which have to be requested (grace periods typically begin automatically for those loans that have them)..

One important note: Grace periods are usually only available on federal student loans, and not all federal student loans have grace periods.

If you take out a private student loan some lenders, such as SoFi, may allow those with existing student loans in pre-repayment grace period status to align their first payment date with the soonest scheduled first payment date of those existing loans (up to a maximum of 180 days from the date of approval). In other cases, you may have to start repayment as soon as you graduate or leave school.

Theoretically, the grace period is there to give you time to get yourself financially settled and solidly employed, and for many students who are just leaving the campus life, a grace period feels like a no-brainer.

That said, there are other options during your grace period: You can get a jumpstart on your student loans and start paying them immediately, or start saving up to pay them. As with any financial decision, though, there are pros and cons to consider.

Here are some questions to consider during your grace period.

Some Advantages of Student Loan Grace Periods

The biggest advantage of the grace period is that you have a cushion of time before you have to start making loan payments, usually around six months after graduation/leaving school/dropping to part-time enrollment. Under certain circumstances, you may qualify for an extension.

Exceptions for most federal student loans include:

•   Active military duty. If you’re called for duty more than a month before the end of your grace period, you’ll have a full six-month grace period when you return.

•   Going back to school. If you go back to school before the end of your grace period, even just part-time, your grace period will reset to six months after you stop attending school.

•   Consolidating the loan. If you choose to consolidate your eligible federal student loans before your grace period ends, you’ll forfeit the rest of your grace period. In that situation, your payments will begin in about two months after the consolidation loan is disbursed.

Federal loans that have a six-month grace period include:

•   Direct Subsidized Loans
•   Direct Unsubsidized Loans
•   Subsidized Federal Stafford Loans
•   Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans

If you received a Federal Perkins Loan before the program expired, the average grace period is around nine months. You may want to check with your school to be certain.

The only federal loans that don’t offer a grace period are PLUS loans, which are reserved for:

•   graduate students
•   professional students
•   parents of dependent undergraduates

PLUS repayment begins immediately, but borrowers may be eligible for deferment. (Not sure what type of loan you have? Check the National Student Loan Data System .)

Used wisely, the grace period can serve its intended purpose — to give you some breathing room to find your first job, get settled, and build up a bit of income.

The bills come quickly during that first foray into post-college life, including moving costs, rental deposits, utility setup, groceries, decorations, and business attire. The grace period may give you adequate time to take care of all those necessities and get a few paychecks into your bank account before starting to pay back your loans.

Some Disadvantages of Student Loan Grace Periods

Even when you’re not required to make payments during your grace period, you’ll likely still accrue interest on your federal student loans. If your loan was large to begin with, this accumulation of interest could put you at even more of a disadvantage right out of the gate.

The exception to this rule is if you have federal Direct Subsidized Loans—these will not accrue interest during the grace period.

To make matters even more complicated, some loans simply accrue interest, while others capitalize unpaid interest into the principal balance of the loan, which means you effectively pay interest twice. Making interest payments on a student loan, even if you decide to use the grace period, may help you avoid any unpleasant surprises.

On top of that, graduation, moving, and getting a job can come with a bunch of unexpected spending. While emergencies and unanticipated bills come up, especially during your first year out of school, it’s encouraged to keep expenses down.

Remember when the grace period is up, you’ll have to start making monthly payments, or risk penalties such as delinquent marks on your credit report and late fees.

Choosing How to Handle Your Grace Period

If you decide that the pros of the student loan grace period outweigh the cons, you could use that payment-free time to start setting aside funds for later. During your grace period you can:

•   Use a student loan calculator to determine your monthly payments.
•   Work with your lender/servicer to see what your payments will be.
•   Make it a goal to try and put away at least a partial amount each month.

If you get used to living on a budget that doesn’t include your student loan payment, you may be setting yourself up for future stress. Instead, you could consider:

•   Waiving the grace period and starting student loan payments immediately. If you have enough wiggle room in your budget, you can start paying your loans down immediately. Since your loan wouldn’t be accruing unpaid interest during the grace period, it could lead to savings in the long term.

•   Setting aside a part of your monthly paycheck to start paying down the interest. If your budget doesn’t allow for monthly payments yet, you could try saving what you can to pay off some of the interest on your student loans during the grace period. Even a small contribution can make a difference.

But if your budget doesn’t allow for any payments during your grace period, don’t sweat it. Your grace period is there for a reason, to give you some breathing room while you sort things out financially.

Some Ways Refinancing Can Help

Although you might be stuck with the debt, you aren’t necessarily stuck with the terms of the original loan you took out. It may be possible to refinance your student loans to terms that work better for you. Refinancing lets you take out a brand-new loan with a new interest rate and new loan terms.

When refinancing, you may be able to qualify for a lower interest rate than the one you are currently paying. Refinancing student loan debt could also offer you the opportunity to shorten your term length or lower your monthly payment (possibly by extending your term).

If you are managing a number of student loans, refinancing may help to simplify your life by giving you one loan to pay, instead of multiple loans to remember.

Keep in mind that if and when you refinance your federal student loans, you will be losing out on potential benefits that come with them.

These benefits, like Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), income-driven repayment plans, or deferment or forbearance, can also save you money and stress, so make sure to do your research before deciding to refinance.

If you choose to refinance your student loan, you might consider doing it with SoFi. With flexible terms and low- or fixed-variable rates, SoFi can make it easy to save while repaying your student loans. There are no application or origination fees, and you can do it all online.

Don’t let your grace period’s end catch you off guard. If you plan ahead, and plan for future payments, you could end up on more solid financial footing.

About SoFi

SoFi offers student loan refinancing which may help you lower your monthly payments or shorten your loan term. Discover the different student loan refinancing options to see if refinancing could be a good option for you.

SoFi Student Loan Refinance
SoFi Student Loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. NMLS #696891. (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). SoFi Student Loan Refinance Loans are private loans and do not have the same repayment options that the federal loan program offers, or may become available, such as Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Income-Based Repayment, Income-Contingent Repayment, PAYE or SAVE. Additional terms and conditions apply. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal.

SLR18175

Despite all of the conversation the student loan crisis has inspired in recent years, one important piece of the puzzle is often missing from the dialogue. While most headlines have focused on undergraduate borrowers and their student debt, the percentage of graduate student loan debt has been steadily increasing.

Today people take on a larger amount of debt for master’s, MBA, law, and medical programs than ever before. So what do borrowers need to know about the current state of graduate student loans? Here are some essentials:

The Increase in Graduate Borrowing

According to a 2018 report from the New America Foundation, debt for students who earned a range of master’s and professional degrees has surged in recent years. There isn’t one specific reason for this, of course, but one impetus for going back to school seems to be that some regard a master’s degree as the new bachelor’s degree.

It should come as no shock then that the average graduate student loan debt has skyrocketed. In the 2017 to 2018 school year, graduate school loan disbursements accounted for more than a third of the total federal loan program. In fact, more than $37 billion was disbursed to grad students that school year.

And for those pursuing professional degrees, including those studying law or medicine, the current average debt load was around $145,000 (for law) and around $196,000 per student in 2018. But the increase in graduate student debt isn’t necessarily due to a higher number of borrowers—it’s that students are borrowing more for graduate school.

And while people with graduate degrees tend to earn higher salaries and experience lower unemployment rates than their counterparts with undergraduate degrees, the earning potential for each type of degree can vary widely.

As with any investment, borrowers may want to consider their likely return on investment (in the form of future salary potential) when choosing how much debt to take on for higher education.

Grad Students Are Taking on More Debt than Undergrads

While undergrads have limits on how much they can borrow in federal loans, qualifying students pursuing graduate or professional degrees can use federal Grad PLUS loans to cover the entire cost of attendance (determined by the school), minus any other financial assistance received.

Students in professional degree programs have the “highest rates of annual borrowing, taking on an average of $40,624 from all sources for a single academic year.”

Graduate Loans Come with Higher Interest Rates

According to Sallie Mae’s report, “How America Pays for Graduate School,” 53% of graduate students borrow money to help cover graduate school costs. Graduate students have two options available to them through the federal Direct Loan program.

Graduate or professional Direct Unsubsidized loans have a 6.08% interest rate for the 2019-2020 school year. Direct PLUS loans currently available to graduate students through the federal government carry a 7.08% interest rate for the 2019-2020 school year. (There are also loan fees to factor in.)

Beyond this, some students may dip into higher-interest private loans. That’s compared with undergraduate federal loans, which are currently at 4.53% (until June 30, 2020).

The Cost of Going Back to School

Even with the staggering costs associated with graduate school, for some individuals it can be a beneficial step toward future success. Everyone’s situation is different, so whether or not you choose to pursue a graduate degree is a personal decision.

There are a number of different factors to sort through and evaluate as you determine if going back to school is worth the cost. Here are a few questions to help you navigate your decision making process.

Is the investment in this degree worth the cost?

One way to determine this is to calculate the financial return on education (ROE). An initial step might be to calculate the average lifetime earning potential for graduates in your chosen field of study.

If a graduate degree can lead to strong career growth, it can be well worth it. But that the market for graduate degrees can be inconsistent.

Programs can vary widely by cost, and schools have a lot of leeway to develop programs and price them with little oversight. So doing your due diligence on your school or schools of choice before going full steam ahead towards a graduate degree is probably wise.

Could the degree help your career path?

How will graduate school fit into your overall career goals? Sometimes it can further your current career. In other cases, a graduate degree can help you pivot into a related field.

There are a few ways to gather intel on this, such as talking to trusted friends and mentors in your desired field of study. Do they have any insight to share?

Another resource to check out is LinkedIn, where you can look at individual profiles of people who work for companies you admire. What was their career path?

While everyone’s journey is different, you may glean some valuable information about the type of experience and degrees those in positions you aspire to hold.

In some cases, a graduate degree will be required for a career in a certain field. Careers in medicine, law, and others may require some form of additional education.

Could a graduate degree improve overall life satisfaction?

If you’re interested in getting a graduate degree, you probably have some outcomes and goals in mind. Perhaps you want to improve your earning potential or get a promotion. Beyond financials, consider how an advanced degree might improve your overall happiness.

Much of what makes people happy at work is made up of intangibles—corporate culture, coworkers you enjoy, a boss you work well with and can learn from, work-life balance, and a sense of self-worth, which differs from person to person.

Will a degree move you toward a career that you’ll find more rewarding? These are all extremely personal factors that could influence your decision to pursue a graduate degree.

Financing Your Graduate Degree

If ultimately, you decide to go back to school to get a master’s or other professional degree, you’ll likely have to find a way to pay for it. Graduate degrees can be expensive—as we’ve shown above—here are a few ideas for financing your degree.

Looking for Scholarships and Grants

It may be worth searching for potential graduate school scholarships or grants available for grad students. Typically you can search by field, demographic, location, or even by school.

There are a variety of databases that aggregate scholarships online that can provide a starting point for your search. A good rule of thumb is to track your scholarship applications so you can streamline the process.

Keeping track of questions you’ve already answered so you can repurpose them for future applications may be helpful, since it could cut down the time it takes to apply. Tracking each application can help you easily keep tabs on where you’ve applied and who you’ve heard back from.

There are fewer scholarships available for graduate school than there are for undergrad degrees, covering just 15% of total grad school costs, according to Sallie Mae.

But since scholarships and grants don’t need to be repaid, even just a small sum can be helpful in making ends meet as you find a way to pay for grad school. Hey, $1,000 in scholarships is $1,000 less you’d need to borrow in loans.

Searching for Fellowships or Assistantships

Many schools offer fellowships or assistantships to graduate students. These are typically merit-based—things like a high GPA in college could help you qualify.

Graduate student assistantships are usually either research-based or teaching-based. The benefits may vary by school but could include help with tuition, a living stipend, or both. The assistantship typically requires students to work for 15 to 20 hours a week in their specified role.

Some schools also have graduate resident assistants. In this role, students generally work in an on-campus residence hall (often helping undergrads). In return, they might get free room and board or a stipend. Specifics will vary by school.

Fellowships are similar to assistantships but generally don’t require a set number of work hours on-campus.

Assistantship and fellowship opportunities vary by school and there are usually different application processes. You may want to review the websites of the schools you are planning on applying to for more information.

Taking Advantage of Employer Programs

Some employers offer education benefits to their employees. If available to you, this could be a valuable tool to help you pay for your graduate degree.

Tuition reimbursement programs will vary by lender, so you may want to check in with HR or the program administrator to get the details on the application process and how much you might qualify for.

Also, it may be worth finding out if there are any contingencies associated with the reimbursement. For example, some companies may require you to stay with the company for a certain period of time after graduation. Others may only provide assistance for select programs.

Borrowing Student Loans

When the above options aren’t enough, student loans can come into play. A good way to get started is to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®). This is how you can apply for federal aid including work-study and federal student loans. Federal student loans are the most common source of funding for graduate students.

In the case that federal student loans aren’t enough, private loans may be an option. Private lenders will review personal information like your credit history and more in order to determine the terms and interest rates you may qualify for. Borrowers with a strong credit history (among other financial metrics that vary by lender) could qualify for competitive rates.

How Refinancing Can Help

Many borrowers are aware that they can refinance private student loans, but it may come as a surprise to many that they may also be able to refinance federal student loans with a private lender.

Even a small change in interest rate can make a big difference in the long run. Refinancing student loans at a lower rate may allow borrowers to save money on interest or free up some cash flow by extending their loan term to lower their monthly payments.

Since federal loan benefits (like forbearance, income-driven repayment plans, and loan forgiveness) don’t transfer to private lenders, borrowers would be wise to first check to see if they’re eligible for one of the government’s loan benefits (should they want to take advantage) before deciding to refinance.

But for borrowers who are looking for a potentially lower interest rate and have improved their financial situations since leaving school, refinancing can be a great option.

For many grad school borrowers, student loans can be a powerful investment in their career and financial future. But a big loan balance means big responsibility, making it important to balance the cost of an advanced degree program with its related earning potential.

If and when the time comes, refinancing can help borrowers knock out more of their loans and move on to bigger and better things.

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

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

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

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

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

SoFi Student Loan Refinance
SoFi Student Loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. NMLS #696891. (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). SoFi Student Loan Refinance Loans are private loans and do not have the same repayment options that the federal loan program offers, or may become available, such as Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Income-Based Repayment, Income-Contingent Repayment, PAYE or SAVE. Additional terms and conditions apply. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal.

SLR14104

Investing can be intimidating, especially if you’re a beginner. There are lots of terms, concepts to understand, and a variety of regulations that oversee the industry.

As a novice investor, navigating the intricacies of the investing world can be overwhelming. But investing can be part of a financial plan to help you grow your wealth in the long term.

One way to make something less intimidating? Educating yourself on the subject. Taking the time to learn a few investing basics can make the entire concept seem less frightening.

Here are some basic investing definitions and ideas to help make investing more approachable.

How Saving and Investing Are Different

You may think if you’re saving money you don’t need to invest, but in reality the two concepts are different. Saving is when you incrementally set aside money for emergencies or the future.

Your savings are typically kept in a savings account or another cash equivalent where the money can be easily accessed when you need it.

When you invest, you use your money to buy stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate. The hope is that those investments will earn a return. This strategy can be used to reach long-term goals.

Setting Your Financial Goals

One way to start is by understanding your financial goals. The goal you are saving for can inform how you invest and the types of assets you invest in. If you’re in your 20s and you’re investing toward your retirement, your strategy might be different than someone who is in their mid-40s and investing toward the same goal.

People sometimes have multiple goals they are working toward simultaneously, like saving for retirement, buying a house, or putting their children through college in the future.

Understanding Risk v. Return

In finance, risk refers to the degree of uncertainty about the rate of return on an asset and the acknowledgment that there is the potential for the financial returns to be less than you expected.

For example, an asset could perform incredibly well and make a great return for the investor. But there’s also the chance that the asset could underperform, leading to a financial loss for the investor. Generally, as investment risks rise, investors seek a higher rate of return to compensate them for taking on additional risk.

Each of your investing goals will have a different time horizon, which is the amount of time an asset is held until it is liquidated. Typically, the longer the time horizon, the more risk you can stand to take on.

For example, in your 20s you’re likely able to build a riskier retirement portfolio. As you age and get closer to retirement, you may want to adjust your investment strategy so that it is more conservative.

Diversification Can Minimize Risk

There’s really no way around risk when you’re investing, but there are strategies that can help investors minimize risk. Having a diversified portfolio is one way to reduce risk.

Portfolio diversification is spreading your investments over many different asset classes, business sectors, companies, industries, or countries.

Typically risks don’t impact all asset classes in the same way so diversifying your assets is generally less risky than concentrating your money in one asset or one asset class. A diversified portfolio can’t eliminate risk, but it can help minimize risk, especially in the long-term.

Active Investing v. Passive Investing

Active investing is a hands-on approach to investing. It’s what portfolio managers do every day. Essentially they analyze and then select investments based on worth. Typically active investing comes at a cost since you’ll usually need to rely on a team of professionals to actively manage the investments.

Passive investing is a lower-maintenance approach to investing. Instead of assessing individual assets one at a time, your goal is to match the performance of certain market indexes that already exist. Passive investing typically has lower fees than active investing.

Passive funds have been growing in popularity. There are pros and cons to investing using each approach. The markets are changing constantly, so one aspect of smart investing is staying informed.

In some cases, having a financial professional on your side to help you proactively manage your funds can help alleviate stress.

When you invest with SoFi Invest®, you’ll have the option to choose between active or automated investing options as well as the opportunity to consult with certified financial advisors who can help you develop your investment strategy and navigate the ins and outs of investing.

How Can I Start Investing?

There are a variety of options when you’re ready to get started. If your employer offers a 401(k), that can be one of the easiest ways to start investing.

A 401(k) is an employee-sponsored plan designed to help you save for retirement. It allows both you and your employer to make contributions. Another option for retirement is an IRA or individual retirement account.

You could also open a brokerage account for financial goals outside of retirement. It’s an investment account that allows you to buy and sell investments like stocks, bonds, and mutual funds.

When you’re ready to start investing you may want to speak with a qualified financial advisor who can help you establish your savings goals and risk tolerance and help you develop a personalized investment strategy.

If you choose to go this route, there will likely be a cost associated. One option to consider is SoFi Invest.

When you open an account with SoFi Invest, you’ll receive a complimentary consultation with a certified financial advisor who can help you make a plan to tackle your goals. Plus, we’ve eliminated pesky management fees.

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

SoFi Invest®
The information provided is not meant to provide investment or financial advice. Investment decisions should be based on an individual’s specific financial needs, goals and risk profile. SoFi can’t guarantee future financial performance. Advisory services offered through SoFi Wealth, LLC. SoFi Securities, LLC, member FINRA / SIPC . The umbrella term “SoFi Invest” refers to the three investment and trading platforms operated by Social Finance, LLC and its affiliates (described below). Individual customer accounts may be subject to the terms applicable to one or more of the platforms below.
Active Investing—The Active Investing platform is owned by SoFi Securities LLC. Clearing and custody of all securities are provided by APEX Clearing Corporation.
Automated Investing—The Automated Investing platform is owned by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor (“Sofi Wealth“). Brokerage services are provided to SoFi Wealth LLC by SoFi Securities LLC, an affiliated SEC registered broker dealer and member FINRA/SIPC, (“SoFi Securities”).
Advisory services are offered through SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Information about SoFi Wealth’s advisory operations, services, and fees is set forth in SoFi Wealth’s current Form ADV Part 2 (Brochure), a copy of which is available upon request and at adviserinfo.sec.gov .

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Getting an education, driving your new car off the lot, buying a home—it can sometimes feel like every big life step comes with a little thing called debt.

And while it’s often accumulated while making investments and purchases that can help you reach your personal and professional goals and build the future you want, it’s no secret that debt also has the potential to have negative consequences.

Though your initial purchase may bring with it an initial rush of excitement and adrenaline, eventually reality sets in: You will eventually have to pay off your debt over a period of time, perhaps with variable interest, often with an added mix of financial anxiety and chest pains.

But debt repayment doesn’t have to be so stressful—sometimes it can even be empowering. It all depends on how you think about it and how you plan ahead.

Many folks may have a combination of shorter-term debts, like credit cards, and longer-term debts, like student loans and a mortgage.

Just making all the different monthly payments can become a chore that takes hours off your life, not to mention a big chunk of your paycheck. And if you’re just making the minimum monthly payments, it might seem like you’ll be repaying your debts forever.

Choosing a debt payoff strategy can ease your mind—and maybe even your wallet. A successful debt payoff strategy is typically one that helps you feel empowered and in control of your finances, while keeping you motivated to get out of debt as soon as possible.

Ahead, we’ll take a look at some popular payoff methods, including the snowball, avalanche, and snowflake strategies. We will also explore the loan consolidation strategy.

Keep in mind that each option has its benefits and drawbacks; choosing the right strategy will ultimately come down to your specific financial situation and what will most effectively inspire you to get debt-free.

The Debt Snowball Method by Dave Ramsey

The first of these snow-themed repayment methods is called the snowball method. Popularized by financial self-help guru Dave Ramsey , the concept behind this strategy is that paying off your smallest debt first (regardless of the interest rate) will give you a feeling of accomplishment that will increase your motivation to pay off your next biggest debt and, eventually, tackle all of your existing debt.

Though this method may offer a valuable morale boost that can potentially help you feel more empowered in getting your finances back on track, this method probably won’t save you as much money as paying off your debts with higher interest rates first.

Even so, it’s worth noting that a 2016 study published in the Harvard Business Review found that people using this method paid off credit card debt faster than those using other methods, for the simple reason that it’s typically easier to stay motivated when you see progress in your pursuits.

How it works: Make a list or spreadsheet of your debts (list the debt with the smallest principal balance first) along with the minimum payment amount for each of them. While making the monthly minimum payments on all debts, the strategy has you start throwing as much extra money as you can afford to spare towards the smallest of your debts.

Once you have paid this portion of your debt off, this strategy suggests you take the minimum payment you were paying on that debt and reallocate it to the minimum payment of your next-smallest debt (there’s the snowball).

The idea is that, by paying off your smallest debt and increasing the amount you’re able to put towards your next smallest debt, you’ll be able to keep your momentum going and continue repeating the process until you are debt-free.

The Debt Avalanche Method

This next method is also known as the “ladder” or “debt-stacking” method. Unlike the snowball method, which is structured around behavior and motivation, the avalanche method is about streamlining your debt repayment so that you can save the most money on interest.

The avalanche strategy can sometimes require more discipline, and the initial results may sometimes seem a bit less tangible. Even so, keeping track of how much you are saving in interest can be a great motivator for many people dealing with debt.

How it works: Make a list of all your debts by order of interest rate, from the highest percentage to the lowest. While continuing to make all your minimum monthly payments on your existing debts, the avalanche method suggests that you also “attack” the highest interest rate loan with as many extra payments as you can.

In other words, send an avalanche of extra money towards the debt that’s costing you the most.

For extra motivation, you can use an extra payment loan calculator like this one to keep track of how much you’re saving in interest.

The Debt Snowflake Method

Taking the snow metaphor even further, the “snowflake” method can be used on its own or in conjunction with another method, such as the snowball or avalanche. The snowflake method involves finding extra income on top of your usual income to help pay down your debt faster.

Side gigs and extra work are often seen as ways to afford extra purchases or make a bit of extra cash to spend on the finer things in life. But instead of using this extra money on pleasure expenses, the snowflake strategy encourages individuals to find an additional income stream that can be dedicated specifically to paying off debts more quickly.

How it works: Scrape together extra micro-payments by any means possible: using credit card rewards cash, taking those cans of spare change to the bank, selling old textbooks or collectibles online, or even taking on a few side gigs. From there, the method suggests putting the extra cash from these projects toward extra debt payments.

Consolidating Debt Under a Single Loan

One final strategy for paying down debt is converting all your various debts into a single loan, commonly referred to as loan consolidation (no snow metaphor here).

This method has the potential to dramatically simplify your loan repayment process. Instead of multiple loans and multiple interest rates, you’d have one loan and one interest rate. And ideally, this new interest rate will be close to the average of all your interest rates combined—or maybe even lower.

How it works: Start by shopping around for the best loan consolidation or personal loan offer you can find. Once you find one and are accepted, your lender will grant you a personal loan that you can use to pay off your existing qualifying loans or debts in full. Then you’d pay back the personal loan, which is just a single monthly payment.

One potential downside to consolidating your loans is that your overall repayment period may get extended, meaning you could pay more in interest over time if you only make minimum payments on your personal loan.

This said, when you take out a personal loan, you can make sure to choose a loan term that doesn’t extend your repayment period and find an option that works for you, your debt, and your financial situation.

Remember, even if you decide to consolidate some of your debt with a personal loan, you can always use the snowflake method or other strategies on the remainder of your debt.

Whatever plan you end up choosing, making consistent extra payments on your personal loan whenever possible can help you get out of debt even faster (just watch out for prepayment penalties—that’s why it’s so key to always do your research before you sign on the dotted line).

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

Guest Participation: The individuals interviewed for this article were not compensated for their participation. Their advice is educational in nature, is not individualized, and may not be applicable to your unique situation. It is not intended to serve as the primary or sole basis for your financial decisions.

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

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