Top 10 Fun Things to Do When Visiting Miami

Sure, you could spend an entire Miami vacation just relaxing on the beach, people-watching, and sipping cold drinks.

But there’s so much to explore in the Magic City, you also could build an almost limitless list of fun things to do in Miami. In fact, you may have trouble narrowing it all down to a manageable itinerary of absolute must-sees — whether you’re visiting on your own, as a couple, or with friends or family.

You could have an amazing time just focusing on bucket-list items, like going to Little Havana or strolling the Miami Beach Boardwalk. Or you might use your time to take in Miami’s renowned architecture or to go shopping or history hunting.

The best answer may well be to mix it up and sample the sunny outdoors, the arts, plus some of the great food and nightlife. So here is a curated list of seasoned travelers’ tips and picks for the top things to do in Miami, Florida. Get ready for an amazing adventure.

Best Times to Go to Miami

Springtime is probably the best time to visit Miami — if you don’t mind the crowds — followed closely by December through February. The weather is typically warm, but you’ll avoid the heat and humidity.

You may find there’s a festival or two you’ll want to base your visit around. If you travel in March, for example, you can enjoy Carnaval Miami events, like the Calle Ocho Music Festival or Art on the Drive. And in December, the Art Basel international art fair comes to town.

Bad Times to Go to Miami

There really isn’t a wrong time to go to Miami. The beach is always there, after all. But if heat, humidity, rain, and the potential for hurricanes aren’t your thing, you may want to avoid summer travel to Miami or planning a vacation for the summer or early fall.

Average Cost of a Miami Vacation

The cost of a vacation in Miami can vary significantly, depending on how long you stay, when and where you stay, and how you get there. (And, of course, you might lower the price tag by using credit card miles or cash back.)

Travel sites generally put the average cost of a weeklong trip at about $1,200 to $2,450 for an individual and $2,300 to $4,600 for a couple. (If you’re traveling with your kids or traveling with pets, the cost could be significantly more.)

Here are just a few of the costs you may want to consider when budgeting for your trip (and when you’re figuring out how to make the most of your credit card rewards):

Getting There

Roundtrip airfare to Miami can average from $200 to $600 or more, based on where you’re flying from and when you’re traveling. (Don’t forget to look at how credit card travel insurance works, just in case your flight is canceled, your luggage gets lost, or some other mishap occurs.) Driving could end up costing about the same, or even more, if you have to stop at a hotel for a night or two.

Accommodations

If you’re willing to stay at a budget hotel or a hotel or rental that’s outside the more popular areas of the city, you may be able to save some serious money in this category. Otherwise, you can expect to pay about $150 to $700 or more (much more) per night for a mid-range to luxury hotel on your Miami trip.

Transportation

Though much of Miami is walkable, to conveniently get around to everything you want to see, you may want to rent a car. A mid-size SUV could cost about $21 to $66 per day, and a convertible can be about $65 per day.

Dining

The average spend per person for food in Miami can range from $30 to $100 per day. But your food bill may go up or down (just like at home) based on how often you dine out, the restaurants you choose, and whether you drink tap water or an excellent bottle of wine. A couple of street tacos or a fast-food meal, for example, could cost less than $10, while a meal in a nice restaurant like Joe’s Stone Crab might be $100 or more per person.

Sightseeing

There are many free things to do in Miami, and admission to most museums and other attractions generally costs $25 or less for an adult.

Recommended: Where to Keep a Travel Fund

10 Fun Must-Dos in Miami

There’s so much to do in and around Miami, it could be a challenge to squeeze it all into one week—or even two or three weeks. But if you go in with a plan having pre-selected some must-see destinations, you can improve the chances that you’ll get to your fair share of fun activities.

To help get you started, here’s a list of 10 cool things to do in Miami, compiled from dozens of travel sites, blogs, and “best of” lists, plus advice from savvy travelers.

1. Check Out the South Beach Scene

You’ve seen it in movies. You’ve read about it in books. When most people think about Miami, they probably picture the iconic South Beach area. There’s plenty there to explore, from the beautiful, expansive beach to the Art Deco buildings, trendy boutiques, and top-rated bars and restaurants. And the free South Beach Trolley loops around the neighborhood from 8 am to 11 pm seven days a week. It’s a popular area, so expect to find crowds, especially when the weather is at its best.

2. Take a Tour of Little Havana

You can book a bus tour or walking tour of Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood to get the full story on its food and cultural diversity. Or you can settle in with a mojito at one of the excellent restaurants there, then wander over to watch a dominos or chess match at Domino Park at the corner of Calle Ocho (Eighth Street) and 15th Avenue.

3. Check Out the Wynwood Arts District

Another top thing to do in Miami: You can take in the street art for free in the super-cool Wynwood Arts District. Then, for more cutting-edge art, buy a ticket to see the Wynwood Walls outdoor museum. Artists from around the world have covered the museum’s abandoned warehouse walls with graffiti and street art. The district is also home to several art galleries, a variety of well-reviewed restaurants, and chic, high-end shopping. thewynwoodwalls.com/

4. Do Some Time-Traveling at HistoryMiami

HistoryMiami is celebrating 80 years of providing access to archives and artifacts that bring South Florida’s stories to life. You can visit the museum’s permanent and rotating exhibitions to get a true feel for the area’s history and heritage, and its evolution. historymiami.org

5. Linger at the Lush Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

If you’re a fan of flowers, butterflies, and all things green, a trip to the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is a must. Its horticultural collections include tropical fruit trees, orchids, palms, and Florida native plants; and while you’re there, you can wander over to the Wings of the Tropics exhibit to see hundreds of spectacular butterflies fluttering about. The museum hosts several family-friendly festivals and other events throughout the year, including the mouth-watering Bacon & BBQ Classic in June. fairchildgarden.org/

Recommended: How Families Can Afford to Travel

6. Miami Beach Boardwalk

The scenic Miami Beach Boardwalk (sometimes referred to as the South Beach Boardwalk) is a favorite with tourists and locals alike. The pathway starts at the southern point of South Beach and stretches seven miles along the ocean to the Surfside border in North Beach. Or you can venture off the boardwalk onto Lincoln Road and explore the popular shopping district there.

You also may want to build a visit to New World Center into your itinerary and take in a movie or concert from the lawn of SoundScape Park. miamibeachboardwalk.com and nws.edu/events-tickets/wallcast-concerts-and-park-events

7. Go Birding in Barnacle Historic State Park

If you’re ready for something a little outside the city, you might want to take a drive over to Coconut Grove and visit The Barnacle Historic State Park. The park’s location and landscaping attract herons, pelicans, kingfishers, and other shorebirds. While there, you also can take a guided tour of the Munroe House Museum, located on the shore of Biscayne Bay, to get an idea of what life was like for pioneer and sailor Ralph Middleton Munroe in the late-1800s. Picnics are allowed on the lawn, and events are scheduled throughout the year at the museum and park. floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/barnacle-historic-state-park

8. Enjoy Miami’s Exhilarating Nightlife

Miami has a little bit of everything when you’re ready to head out at night, from comedy, improv, and karaoke clubs to nightclubs with rooftop lounges, live music, and dancing, to neighborhood pubs where you can sample a microbrew and watch the ballgame on a big screen. Keep in mind that if you’re heading to a nightclub, there will likely be a dress code that just says no to flip-flops, ball caps, tank tops, and shorts.

9. Tour the Art Deco District

If you’re an architecture buff or just like to look at cool old buildings, you may want to spend some time in Miami Beach’s Art Deco Historic District. You can take a guided or self-guided walking tour of the district’s lovingly restored buildings. Then learn more about Miami Beach’s Art Deco, Mediterranean Revival, and Miami Modern design styles at the Art Deco Museum and Welcome Center. miamiandbeaches.com/things-to-do/history-and-heritage/art-deco-historic-district

10. Take a Walk on the Wild Side at the Shark Valley Loop

The 15.4-mile Shark Valley Loop Trail is one of the highlights of the vast Everglades National Park and worth the trip if you’re up for a bit of a drive. (It’s about 30 miles west of the city.) You can hike or bike the trail to get a close-up look at Florida’s wild side, or you can take a two-hour guided tram tour from the Shark Valley Visitors Center. nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/shark-valley-tamiami.htm

Insider Tips

Now that you know some of the best things to do in Miami, consider these insider tips that might help improve your trip, including:

A Little Bit About Location

To make your trip to Miami more manageable, you may want to keep your sightseeing priorities in mind when choosing your accommodations. You’ll likely save money on hotels or rentals outside the city or farther from the beach. However, traffic in the area can be challenging, and you could spend a large part of your visit just trying to get to the attractions you hope to see. If your homebase is closer in, you can take advantage of the walkability in many popular tourist areas.

Make the Most of the Fresh Seafood

If you love seafood, you’ll love dining in Miami, where you can get your favorite fish sandwich, fish tacos, scallops, shrimp, stone crab claws, clams, and lobster just about anywhere and at any time of day.

Your choices will range from cutting-edge food trucks to elegant eateries, with menu items at all price points. For a special night out, consider Joe’s Stone Crab in South Beach, which is famous for both its food and the service. Joe’s is best known for its stone crab claws and another Florida favorite: Key lime pie.

Plan How You’ll Pay

It can be a good idea to bring cash, your debit card, and a couple of different credit cards to pay for various things during your trip to Miami. You also may want to bring at least one travel credit card so you can get rewarded for qualifying purchases.

The Takeaway

Miami is a super-popular destination for a variety of very good reasons: Great weather, gorgeous beaches, amazing architecture and attractions, as well as terrific food and drink. If you decide to travel there, there are plenty of incredible sights to see, or you can have fun just lounging by the sea or a pool. That’s part of what makes Miami such a great destination for solo voyagers, couples, friends, and families to visit.

Whether you want to travel more or get a better ROI for your travel dollar, SoFi can help. SoFi Travel is a new service exclusively for SoFi members that lets you budget, plan, and book your next trip in a convenient one-stop shop. SoFi takes the guessing game out of how much you can afford for that honeymoon, family vacation, or quick getaway — and we help you save too.


FAQ

Is it helpful to know some Spanish when vacationing in Miami?

You won’t need to take a language course to get around Miami successfully, but knowing a few popular phrases could be useful, including hola (hello), gracias (thank you), ¿Cómo estás? (How are you?), and ¿Dónde está? (Where is it?).

What are the best things to do in Miami Beach on a rainy day?

Although much of Miami is built around South Florida’s beautiful weather, there are also plenty of museums and galleries to visit if it’s raining or too hot and humid.

What are some things to do in Miami for couples?

Walking the beaches and enjoying the nightlife in Miami are about as romantic as it gets. A visit to Vizcaya Museum and Gardens (vizcaya.org/) will provide lush grounds and gardens to explore and plenty of photo opportunities too.


Photo credit: iStock/Gian Lorenzo Ferretti Photography

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When you use your SoFi Credit Card to make a purchase on the SoFi Travel Portal, you will earn a number of SoFi Member Rewards points equal to 3% of the total amount you spend on the SoFi Travel Portal. Members can save up to 10% or more on eligible bookings.


Eligibility: You must be a SoFi registered user.
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You must book the travel on SoFi’s Travel Portal reached directly through a link on the SoFi website or mobile application. Travel booked directly on Expedia's website or app, or any other site operated or powered by Expedia is not eligible.
You must pay using your SoFi Credit Card.

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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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Which Number Is the Routing Number on a Check?

If you’re wondering what those digits across the bottom of a check mean, the first one you see at the lower left is the routing number. Those three sets of numbers have different meanings and uses; they help financial transactions get processed swiftly and efficiently. They move funds from one place to another with precision.

Going from left to right, your checks are typically printed with the routing number, account number, and check number. It can be helpful to understand what a routing number represents in more detail. Those digits are useful when writing checks, signing up for direct deposit, and doing other banking activities.

Read on to learn about this important number and more, including:

•   What is a routing number?

•   Which number is the routing number on a check?

•   How is a routing number different from your bank account number?

•   When do you need to use a routing number?

What Is a Routing Number?

A routing number is a 9-digit identification number that’s been assigned to your bank or credit union by the American Bankers Association (ABA). It’s often referred to as an ABA number or a routing transit number (RTN). According to the ABA, a routing number can only be issued to a federal or state-chartered institution deemed to be eligible for a master account with the Federal Reserve.

The purpose of a routing number is to indicate which financial institution is responsible for processing a payment and to ensure the funds go to the correct place. Each bank has its own unique routing number to distinguish it from all of the other banks. This helps to avoid any confusion, mix-ups, or mistakes. For example, if your bank has a similar name to another one, it’s still distinguishable because of the financial institutions’ different routing numbers.

Routing numbers are only used in the U.S., but some large national and global banks may possess multiple routing numbers based on where the account is held or where you reside. A bank may also use more than one routing number for different transactions, such as one for wire transfers and another for processing checks.

Where to Find a Routing Number on a Check

Many of us, at one time or another, look at the digits on a check and wonder which one is the routing number. As previously mentioned, when you look at the bottom of a check, you’ll find three separate series of numbers. Typically, your routing number in the bottom left corner, your individual bank account number the second cluster of digits, and the check number can be found to the right of the account number. However, there are times when these numbers can appear in a different order, such as on an official bank check.

All of the numbers featured on the bottom of the check are printed with magnetic ink character recognition (MICR), an electric ink that makes the digits more machine-readable and helps banks process checks more quickly. The ink can’t be faked or copied, offering enhanced security for the account holder and the bank.

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Routing Number vs. Bank Account Number

Now that you know which is the routing number on a check, consider that the routing and bank account numbers are two distinct things.

•   As noted earlier, the routing number identifies the financial institution responsible for the transaction and makes sure the money deposited or debited goes to the right place.

•   Your bank account number on the other hand, is a series of numbers used to pinpoint a specific savings, checking, or business account. It’s created especially for you and pertains only to your individual funds. If you have a checking and savings account with the same bank, each account will have its own separate number but the routing number for both will remain identical.

While routing numbers contain 9 digits, bank account numbers can have anywhere between 5 and 17 numbers. Generally though, account numbers are within the 8 to 12 digit range.

A routing number is safe to share and is available to the public. Your own bank account number is best to keep private whenever possible and only supplied to trusted sources. The combination of your personal account number with a bank’s routing number, can in some cases give someone direct access to your money.

What Are Routing Numbers Used For?

Routing numbers are necessary because in a financial transaction, these digits help banks identify each other. This is key in the event where you need to transfer money from one account to another. For example, if you send a loved one a check for their birthday, the routing number on the bottom of the check indicates the funds come from your particular bank and account.

You will find some instances when accessing your routing number will be necessary. Here’s some of those situations:

Setting Up Direct Deposit

Getting your earnings directly deposited into your bank account has pretty much made paper paychecks obsolete. In fact, one survey by the American Payroll Association found 93% of people use direct deposit as their method of getting paid.

If your employer gives you the option of receiving your pay via direct deposit, signing up should be pretty seamless. You’ll most likely fill out a form giving your company’s HR or payroll department your bank’s routing number along with your personal account number so they know exactly where to deposit your paycheck. Once you set up a direct deposit, come pay day, your money will automatically show up in your account. (Of course, make sure to use the digits for a current account vs. sending direct deposit to a closed account.)

Direct deposit isn’t only for paychecks. It can also be implemented for receiving Social Security and other government payments, annuities, travel and expense reimbursements, and 401(k) disbursements, among others.

Making a Wire Transfer

A wire transfer is a fast way of sending money electronically from one bank account to another. Some details to note:

•   These accounts can be domestic (between two U.S accounts) or between an international and a U.S. account. Wire transfers can be sent through your bank branch or online bank account. You can also choose to go with a wire service entity such as Western Union.

•   In order to send money via a wire transfer, you’ll need to provide the account you’re using to complete the transfer, the recipient’s bank name and routing number, plus their bank account number. Additionally, you may also need to provide your bank’s routing number and your individual bank account number.

•   Many banks charge a wire transfer fee for sending or even receiving one. An incoming fee may be around $15 and an outgoing one can trigger a charge of $25 on domestic transactions.

•   If it’s not an urgent matter, it will cost less to send money electronically through an Automated Clearing House (ACH) transfer. An ACH transaction uses an electronic network system that represents more than 10,000 financial institutions in the U.S. You may wonder what ACH transaction fees are like? They are typically free for bank clients, which is a nice benefit. The downside of an ACH is it can take a couple of days to process, whereas a wire transfer can be processed the same day .

Recommended: ACH vs. Check: What Are the Differences?

Paying a Bill Online

Making a bill payment online and scheduling automatic payments for your recurring monthly bills can make life a lot easier. In order to make online bill payments, whether you arrange for it to be automatically deducted or log on to the biller, such as a utility or credit card company, those bill payees will need both your financial institution’s routing number along with your individual account digits.

You can also pay businesses or people electronically directly from your bank account through apps such as Venmo and PayPal. When you sign up for these apps, you can choose where you want your payments to come from, or go to, if someone is sending you money. One choice is to link to your bank account, in which case, those apps will need your routing and account numbers.

Recommended: Changing the Due Dates of Your Bills: Is it Possible?

Filing Your Taxes

Getting or expecting a refund this year? Direct deposit for your tax refund is the fastest and most reliable way to get your money. And, it’s also popular. According to the IRS, 80% of taxpayers choose direct deposit as the method in which they get their refund. If you choose this option, you’ll need to enter your bank name, routing number, and the bank account digits where you want to receive your refund.

Make sure you verify you’ve put in the correct routing and bank account numbers on your federal and, if applicable, state return before you sign and submit it. If not, the IRS will send you a paper check instead.

Looking Up a Bank

Nowadays with so many banks offering enticing reasons to open an account, such as a signup bonus , low-interest rates, and low-to-no monthly fees, it’s possible to have a checking account with one bank and a savings account with another. In this case, you’ll have a routing number for each bank. You’ll need to know both if you want to transfer money between accounts, for example.

Thanks to the internet, you may find the other bank’s routing number simply by going on their website. Some may list it on the home page or elsewhere, like the FAQ section. You can also use a search engine to type in the name of the bank and “What is their routing number?” to try to find out the information.

Finding a Routing Number Without a Check

Don’t have a check handy? No problem. There are definitely other ways you can easily get your routing number. Here’s how:

Monthly Bank Statement

Banks and credit unions make a monthly statement available to customers either online or on paper that’s sent through the mail. When you have your statement, you should find the bank’s routing number along with your account number on the top of the first page.

If you can’t locate it, try logging on to the bank’s website and do a search for your routing number or explore your account details to find those digits.

Checking your monthly bank statement frequently is a good way to keep on top of your transactions. Review your statement regularly to check for any bank errors or fraudulent activity such as incorrect debits from an altered check or a continued recurring charge from a long-ago canceled subscription. If you discover any type of errors, contact your bank right away.

Mobile Banking App

Having 24/7 online access to your bank account makes finding your routing number possible from your couch. Many banks have a mobile app these days. While these apps tend to differ in setup and layout depending on your bank, you should be able to find your routing number through the app by looking up your account details.

You can also access your bank statement through the app and as previously mentioned, generally find your routing number that way.

Your Local Bank Branch

If all else fails and you can’t easily find your bank’s routing number, visit your nearby branch in person to get the information. Sometimes the bank will have the routing number posted in the lobby area so you can simply jot it down or take a photo of it with your phone. Asking a teller or bank officer directly if it’s not displayed.

Can’t make it to the bank or have an account at an online vs. traditional bank? Call their customer service number. A representative can typically give you the bank’s routing number over the phone.

Look It up Through the ABA

The American Bankers Association has a routing number lookup tool called the ABA Routing Number Lookup. This mechanism allows you to locate the routing number for your bank or credit union. One thing to know when using the ABA Routing Number Lookup, users are limited to no more than two lookups a day and to 10 lookups a month. You’ll also have to agree to terms for access and use of the ABA’s tool.

The Takeaway

Your bank’s routing number can be found at the bottom of your personal checks on the far left-hand side. If you don’t have a check at your fingertips, you may need to find your bank’s routing number another way. You might call your bank, get it from your bank statement, or find it through the bank’s mobile app.

Interested in opening an online checking account? When you sign up for a SoFi Checking and Savings account with direct deposit, you’ll get a competitive APY, pay zero bank fees, and enjoy an array of rewards, such as access to the Allpoint network of 55,000-plus fee-free ATMs globally. Qualifying accounts can even access their paycheck up to two days early.

Better banking is here with SoFi, NerdWallet’s 2024 winner for Best Checking Account Overall.* Enjoy up to 3.80% APY on SoFi Checking and Savings.

FAQ

Is the routing number always first on a check?

Typically, yes, the routing number is the first set of digits at the bottom left-hand area of a check. But in some cases, it can be switched up and appear after the account number, such as on a bank check.

Are routing numbers 8 or 9 digits?

Routing numbers are always 9 digits. Your individual bank account number typically falls between 8 and 12 digits, but it can be anywhere between 5 and 17 numbers, depending on your financial institution.

Which is the account number on a check?

The account number on a personal check is the group of numbers that appears on the bottom, normally sandwiched between the routing number on the left and the check number on the right.


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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 members with Eligible Direct Deposit activity can earn 3.80% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Eligible 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 (“Eligible Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below).

Although we do our best to recognize all Eligible Direct Deposits, a small number of employers, payroll providers, benefits providers, or government agencies do not designate payments as direct deposit. To ensure you're earning 3.80% APY, we encourage you to check your APY Details page the day after your Eligible Direct Deposit arrives. If your APY is not showing as 3.80%, contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. As long as SoFi Bank can validate those details, you will start earning 3.80% APY from the date you contact SoFi for the rest of the current 30-day Evaluation Period. You will also be eligible for 3.80% APY on future Eligible Direct Deposits, as long as SoFi Bank can validate them.

Deposits that are not from an employer, payroll, or benefits provider 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 Eligible Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. SoFi members with Eligible Direct Deposit are eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits.

As an alternative to Direct Deposit, SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits can earn 3.80% 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 Eligible 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 an Eligible Direct Deposit or receipt of $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits to your account, you will begin earning 3.80% 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 Eligible 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 Eligible 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 Eligible 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 Eligible Direct Deposit or Qualifying Deposits until SoFi Bank recognizes Eligible Direct Deposit activity or receives $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits in a subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period. For the avoidance of doubt, an account holder with both Eligible Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits will earn the rates earned by account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit.

Separately, SoFi members who enroll in SoFi Plus by paying the SoFi Plus Subscription Fee every 30 days can also earn 3.80% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. For additional details, see the SoFi Plus Terms and Conditions at https://www.sofi.com/terms-of-use/#plus.

Members without either Eligible Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits, as determined by SoFi Bank, during a 30-Day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, or who do not enroll in SoFi Plus by paying the SoFi Plus Subscription Fee every 30 days, will earn 1.00% 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 1/24/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.
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The Risks of Playing the Stock Market

Playing the stock market is a common but misleading phrase: The stock market is not a game and it does come with investment risks.

To some degree, those risks can be mitigated by using certain strategies, including using a more long-term, buy-and-hold strategy and embracing diversification, among other things.

And while investing is a serious business, playing the stock market can have an element of fun to it in the sense that investors who do their research — and tune into the news and business cycles — can take advantage of trends that might enable them to earn better returns on investment.

Playing the Stock Market: What Does It Mean?

Despite the phrase “playing” the stock market, it’s important to make the distinction between investing and gambling up front.

While both gambling and investing involve risk, investing actively attempts to manage various forms of risk, rather than relying on blind luck. Second, smart investing involves a strategy, something that a gambler pulling the lever on a slot machine can’t employ.

But because all investing involves an element of risk — there is no 100% safe investment — in a way each investment can feel like a gamble. However, it’s important to keep in mind that the market is not a casino, and just because there’s risk involved doesn’t mean that “playing the market” is the same as playing roulette.

Playing the Market: Risks and Rewards

Learning how to play the stock market — in other words, become a good investor — takes time and patience. It’s good to know the basics of the risks and rewards.

Potential Risks

In a broad sense, the most obvious risk of playing the market is that an investor will lose their investment. But on a more granular level, investors face a number of different types of risks, especially when it comes to stocks. These include market risk, liquidity risk, and business risks, which can manifest in a variety of ways in the real world.

A disappointing earnings report can tank a stock’s value, for instance. Or a national emergency, like a viral pandemic, can affect the market at large, causing an investor’s portfolio to deflate. Investors are also at the mercy of inflation — and stagflation, too.

For some investors, there’s also the risk of playing a bit too safe — that is, they’re not taking enough risk with their investing decisions, and as such, miss out on potential gains.

Potential Rewards

Risks reap rewards, as the old trope goes. And generally speaking, the more risk one assumes, the bigger the potential for rewards — though there is no guarantee because risk always entails the possibility of losses as well. Investors may earn returns in a couple of different ways:

•   By seeing the value of their investment increase. The value of individual stocks rise and fall depending on a multitude of factors, but the market overall tends to rise over time, and has fully recovered from every single downturn it’s ever experienced.

•   By earning dividend income. Dividends from stocks can also be reinvested, in order to further grow your investments.

•   By leaving their money in the market. It’s worth mentioning that the longer an investor keeps their money in the market, the bigger the potential rewards of investing are.

How to Play the Stock Market Wisely

Nobody wants to start investing only to lose money or see their portfolio’s value fall right off the bat. Here are a few tips regarding how to play the stock market, that can help reduce risk:

Invest for the Long-term

The market tends to go up with time, and has recovered from every previous dip and drop. For investors, that means keeping their money in the market for the long haul can be one strategy to mitigate the risks of short-term market drops.

As another common saying has it: “Time in the market beats timing the market.”

Consider: If an investor buys stocks today, and the market falls tomorrow, they risk losing a portion of their investment by selling it at the decreased price. But if the investor commits to a buy-and-hold strategy — they don’t sell the investment in the short-term, and instead wait for its value to recover — they effectively mitigate the risks of short-term market dips.

That said, you can’t rule out the risk of a downturn from which the markets never recover. It’s never happened, but no one has a crystal ball.

Do Your Research

It’s always smart for an investor to do their homework and evaluate a stock before they buy. While a gambler can’t use any data or analysis to predict what a slot machine is going to do on the next pull of the lever, investors can look at a company’s performance and reports to try and get a sense of how strong (or weak) a potential investment could be.

Understanding stock performance can be an intensive process. Some investors can find themselves elbow-deep in technical analysis, poring over charts and graphs to predict a stock’s next moves. But many investors are looking to merely do their due diligence by trying to make sure that a company is profitable, has a plan to remain profitable, and that its shares could increase in value over time.

Diversify

Another risk-mitigation strategy that investors can employ is diversification. Diversification basically means that an investor isn’t putting all of their eggs into one basket.

For example, they might not want their portfolio to comprise only two airline stocks, because if something were to happen that stalls air travel around the world, their portfolio would likely be heavily affected. But if they instead invested in five different stocks across a number of different industries, their portfolio might still take a hit if air travel plummets, but not nearly as severely as if its holdings were concentrated in the travel sector.

Use Dollar-cost Averaging

Dollar-cost averaging can also be a useful strategy. Essentially, it means making a series of small investments over time, rather than one lump-sum investment. Since an investor is now buying at a number of different price points (some may be high, some low), the average purchase price smooths out potential risks from price swings.

Conversely, an investor that buys at a single price-point will have their performance tied to that single price.

The Takeaway

While playing the market may be thrilling — and potentially lucrative — it is risky. But investors who have done their homework and who are entering the market with a sound strategy may be able mitigate those risks to a degree.

By researching stocks ahead of time, and employing risk-reducing strategies like dollar-cost averaging and diversification when building a portfolio, an investor is more likely to be effective at mitigating risk.

Ready to invest in your goals? It’s easy to get started when you open an Active Invest account with SoFi invest. You can invest in stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and more. SoFi doesn’t charge commissions, but other fees apply (full fee disclosure here). Members can access a complimentary 30-min session with a SoFi Financial Planner.

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.


SoFi Invest®

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

SoFi Invest encompasses two distinct companies, with various products and services offered to investors as described below: Individual customer accounts may be subject to the terms applicable to one or more of these platforms.
1) Automated Investing and advisory services are provided by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser (“SoFi Wealth“). Brokerage services are provided to SoFi Wealth LLC by SoFi Securities LLC.
2) Active Investing and brokerage services are provided by SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA (www.finra.org)/SIPC(www.sipc.org). Clearing and custody of all securities are provided by APEX Clearing Corporation.
For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest platforms described above please visit SoFi.com/legal.
Neither the Investment Advisor Representatives of SoFi Wealth, nor the Registered Representatives of SoFi Securities are compensated for the sale of any product or service sold through any SoFi Invest platform.
For a full listing of the fees associated with Sofi Invest please view our fee schedule.


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

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.

Claw Promotion: Customer must fund their Active Invest account with at least $50 within 30 days of opening the account. Probability of customer receiving $1,000 is 0.028%. See full terms and conditions.

Third Party Trademarks: Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. (CFP Board) owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, CFP® (with plaque design), and CFP® (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.

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10 Tips for Finding Cheap Cruises

10 Tips for Finding Cheap Cruises

The high seas, sun, 24/7 dining, and stops at exotic ports of call: What’s not to love about a cruise? Sometimes, the answer is the price. A cruise can be a big-ticket vacation item that’s a challenge to afford.

But for the people who crave an all-inclusive travel experience, there are smart ways to snag a deal. Whether your fantasy is navigating the dramatic Alaskan coastline or floating through the Caribbean’s crystal waters, there are hacks that can help make it a reality.

Read on to learn insider strategies for finding the cheapest ways to cruise.

Buyer Beware

First, a word to the wise: As just about every frugal traveler knows, sometimes deals really are too good to be true…or at least not all they’re cracked up to be. It’s important to read the fine print and be sure of what’s included and not included in cruise deals you may find.

When considering the cheapest way to cruise, you’ll want to think about airfare, meals, excursions, room type and location, and other amenities that can lead to upcharges. That way, you can budget appropriately and make sure you have enough money in your travel fund to ensure you can afford your trip.

You’ll also want to pay close attention to cancellation policies. Many people plan trips far in advance, and situations can change between the time you book and the time you are supposed to board the ship. It can be wise to consider the costs and benefits of trip insurance. Note: Some credit card travel insurance may have you covered; check with your card issuer for details.

Next, the money-saving tips.

1. Read Cruise News

There are countless sites and blogs devoted to the cruise industry, staffed by both insiders and frequent cruise passengers. These sites cover both industry trends as well as specific deals and offers from particular cruise lines. In addition to finding cruise deals, they are great for learning about unique cruise offerings and locales. Some noteworthy sites include CruiseFever (cruisefever.net/), CruiseHive (cruisehive.com/) and CruiseCritic (cruisecritic.com/).

2. Search the Travel Sites

CruiseDirect.com (cruisedirect.com/), CruisesOnly.com (cruisesonly.com/), Cruise.com (cruise.com/), and others are searchable databases of cruise offers. They are similar to Expedia, Travelocity, and other general interest travel websites, except they are devoted to cruises. These sites typically have sections focused on cruise deals and may at times have exclusive offers that aren’t available elsewhere.

Cruise line websites typically have their own deals section, as you’ll see on Carnival (carnival.com/cruise-deals), Princess (princess.com/cruise-deals-promotions/), and Royal Caribbean’s (royalcaribbean.com/cruise-deals) sites.

3. Scan Social Media

The sites already mentioned and many others have social media presences on Twitter, Facebook, and other platforms. They often broadcast limited time deals through these accounts, so following them could be a good idea. Some good examples are CruiseDeals on Twitter, Best Travel Deals’ cruise account on Twitter, and the travel agent-led private Facebook groups Cruise Deals! and Vacation Packages & Cruises.

4. Look for Bundles

Both travel websites and cruise lines themselves often encourage passengers to bundle a variety of services and amenities when booking. These cruise bundles can offer real savings. Some of the options that are typically bundled include airfare, meal and drink packages, transport to and from the ship, free WiFi, and more. (About that WiFi: While some cruise lines have free WiFi, others charge $20 or $30 a day for this.)

When evaluating these packages, it’s worth taking the time to review each item, what it includes (there are various levels of perks available on ships, after all), whether you really want everything in the bundle, and what it would cost if you were to purchase the items separately.

5. Travel With Friends

If you have a big family and/or lots of friends, or if the idea of going on a cruise with your coworkers isn’t terribly off-putting, you might be able to score a group rate on a cruise. For example, Norwegian Cruise Lines features a group deal that offers bonuses for every five cabins booked. People traveling on group deals may qualify for bonus packages that include food and drinks, excursions, free WiFi, and more.

Recommended: How Families Can Afford to Travel

6. Book Well in Advance…Or Last Minute

Popular cruises, particularly the more luxurious ones, tend to fill up quickly. And the best rates are usually available when tickets first go on sale, which can be as much as a year and a half in advance. After tickets begin to sell (often between November and March, when promotions kick in) and the sail date nears, prices typically start to rise. The other benefit of booking early is that you’re more likely to get your choice of cabin and dining options. Early bookers may also get access to other special perks, like free airfare, upgrades, and free drinks.

That said, there are also plenty of stories of people scoring incredible last-minute deals on cruises. As the departure date grows closer, if a ship hasn’t sold out, the cruise line may offer serious incentives in order to fill up those empty rooms.

7. Sail During Shoulder Season

Determining peak cruising season when demand is the highest can be tricky because of all the variables involved. First and foremost (and perhaps most obviously), different parts of the world experience the seasons and corresponding vacations at different times. So peak season in one part of the world may be very different from peak season in another.

Many think that off-peak season, when demand is the lowest, is the best time to find a cruise deal, though that may not always be the case. If a cruise line cuts back on the supply of cruises too much because of seasonal drops in demand, there may not be many deals or even much availability to be found.

That’s why many point to “shoulder season,” the period between the peak and off-peak seasons, as the best time to find deals on cruises. Keep in mind that the weather might not be as great as it is during peak season, but you’re also more likely to avoid crowds both on the boat and on shore excursions. You’ll also want to consider seasonality when looking for the cheapest days to fly to and from your cruise’s point of departure and return.

Recommended: How to Balance the Urge to Travel and the Need to Save

8. Check for Special Discounts

Factors such as what organizations you’re a member of and where you live can help you lower the price of your dream cruise, whether that means exploring the Mediterranean or waters around Mexico.

You may find that belonging to a group like AARP can score you a cruise discount. In fact, American Express and other card issuers may offer cruise benefits. There may also be general discounts for seniors, military families, teachers, and even frequent cruisers.

You might also be able to take advantage of resident cruise deals if you live in a particular area. Carnival, for example, offers deals to residents of states including Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.

9. Pay in Full

Even if you’ve found a fantastic deal on a cruise, vacations are expensive, so it’s important to consider your financial options. If you don’t have the funds to cover the entire cost of the trip, then you may want to consider waiting until you do.

Keep in mind that if you put the trip on a credit card and carry that balance over from month to month, you’ll be paying relatively high interest rates, perhaps 20% or higher. That adds to the cost of the trip significantly, even if you’re using a cash back rewards credit card.

Some people opt to use personal loans for vacations, which typically come with lower interest rates than credit cards. But personal loans, though often more affordable than credit cards, aren’t free, and they’ll add to your vacation budget as well.

10. Maintain a Budget

When planning your cruise, it’s important to drill down and really think through the budget. If you don’t have a truly all-inclusive deal, you’ll want to to itemize everything, such as:

•   Cruise tickets

•   Flights

•   Ground transportation

•   Food and drinks

•   Excursions

•   Souvenirs

•   On-ship entertainment

•   Gambling

•   Pictures

•   Travel insurance

•   Gratuities

•   WiFi

•   International calls

•   Fees for any travel visas

•   Currency exchange

There are plenty of great budgeting trackers that can help you monitor spending on vacation and more. But when it comes to vacation planning, it’s best to earmark the money before you’ve spent it, add a cushion of 10% or 20% to cover the unexpected, and then stick to it. You’ll enjoy the vacation more knowing that you’ve got it covered and won’t stress out when it’s over because you’ve spent more than you can afford.

Also don’t forget to see how you might apply your credit card rewards for travel; you might be able to apply cash back or otherwise lower costs this way.

The Takeaway

Taking a cruise doesn’t have to be expensive. If you’re wondering how to get cheap cruise tickets, there are luckily myriad ways you can get cruise discounts, ranging from going during the off or shoulder seasons to bundling your vacation expenses.

The cheapest way to cruise may be to avoid paying with credit cards, personal loans, or other methods that will end up costing you in interest. So if you need extra help budgeting for that cruise vacation, SoFi Checking and Savings could help. With a SoFi Checking and Savings Account, you can set savings goals for your next vacation.

SoFi Checking and Savings: The smart way to start saving for your next cruise.


Photo credit: iStock/nantonov

SoFi® Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A. ©2025 SoFi Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.
The SoFi Bank Debit Mastercard® is issued by SoFi Bank, N.A., pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated and can be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.


SoFi members with Eligible Direct Deposit activity can earn 3.80% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Eligible 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 (“Eligible Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below).

Although we do our best to recognize all Eligible Direct Deposits, a small number of employers, payroll providers, benefits providers, or government agencies do not designate payments as direct deposit. To ensure you're earning 3.80% APY, we encourage you to check your APY Details page the day after your Eligible Direct Deposit arrives. If your APY is not showing as 3.80%, contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. As long as SoFi Bank can validate those details, you will start earning 3.80% APY from the date you contact SoFi for the rest of the current 30-day Evaluation Period. You will also be eligible for 3.80% APY on future Eligible Direct Deposits, as long as SoFi Bank can validate them.

Deposits that are not from an employer, payroll, or benefits provider 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 Eligible Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. SoFi members with Eligible Direct Deposit are eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits.

As an alternative to Direct Deposit, SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits can earn 3.80% 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 Eligible 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 an Eligible Direct Deposit or receipt of $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits to your account, you will begin earning 3.80% 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 Eligible 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 Eligible 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 Eligible 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 Eligible Direct Deposit or Qualifying Deposits until SoFi Bank recognizes Eligible Direct Deposit activity or receives $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits in a subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period. For the avoidance of doubt, an account holder with both Eligible Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits will earn the rates earned by account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit.

Separately, SoFi members who enroll in SoFi Plus by paying the SoFi Plus Subscription Fee every 30 days can also earn 3.80% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. For additional details, see the SoFi Plus Terms and Conditions at https://www.sofi.com/terms-of-use/#plus.

Members without either Eligible Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits, as determined by SoFi Bank, during a 30-Day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, or who do not enroll in SoFi Plus by paying the SoFi Plus Subscription Fee every 30 days, will earn 1.00% 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 1/24/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at http://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.


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.


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.

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Student Loan Forgiveness Scams: Watchouts for 2022

Student Loan Forgiveness Scams: What to Watch Out For

It didn’t take long after President Biden announced his student loan forgiveness program in August 2022 for the scammers to get up and running. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) and federal agencies have unearthed hundreds of ads, text messages, phone calls, and emails targeting student loan borrowers. Their purpose? To get consumers to divulge private financial information or to pay for unnecessary services. In response, the U.S. Department of Education issued warnings about the student loan forgiveness scams and advice on how to avoid them.

The ongoing student loan payment pause hasn’t slowed the scammers down. Keep reading to learn how student loan forgiveness program scams try to fool you, and how you can avoid getting duped.

Status of Biden’s Student Loan Forgiveness Plan

The student loan forgiveness plan would cancel up to $10,000 in federal student loan debt for single borrowers with an adjusted gross income of less than $125,000 a year, or less than $250,000 for married couples. Pell Grant recipients could have as much as $20,000 in student debt canceled. To refresh your memory, check out this story on the student debt relief plan.

The DOE officially began to accept applications for forgiveness on Oct. 17, 2022, but had to stop in November due to legal challenges to Biden’s program.

Meanwhile, the pause on federal student loan payments for all borrowers has been extended several times. Repayment could potentially resume as late as 60 days after June 30, 2023, when the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to release its decision on the challenges to President Biden’s student debt cancellation program.

While borrowers wait for updates, scammers are actively using phony government websites, false promises, and other criminal schemes to lure unsuspecting consumers. Here’s what you need to know to avoid student loan forgiveness scams.

Recommended: What Biden’s Student Loan Forgiveness Means for Your Taxes

Types of Student Loan Forgiveness Scams

Watchdogs have identified a variety of scams related to student loan forgiveness. Some are aimed at borrowers searching out information on the internet, and others directly target people who hold student loans. Fortunately, certain patterns are coming into focus. Here’s a rundown of what officials have seen so far.

Recommended: How Do Student Loans Work? Guide to Student Loans

False Deadline Warnings

These scams include texts, calls, and emails sent to borrowers conveying a false sense of urgency that they must take action before a certain date or miss out on forgiveness. In reality, the messages are designed to scare you into disclosing personal financial information, which criminals may then use for identity theft and other financial fraud. Be very wary of any “student loan forgiveness center” calls.

On Oct. 17, the DOE opened the official forgiveness application portal . The deadline for applications is the end of 2023, but you’ll want to apply a lot sooner if your payments will be resuming in January.

What’s more, for many borrowers who already have income information on file with the DOE, forgiveness will be automatic. No application — and no deadline — is necessary.

Fake Email Alerts

Especially while borrowers were waiting on an email from the DOE informing them that the forgiveness application was open, scammers are sending fraudulent emails that look as if they might be from the government in an effort to collect personal financial information. This and other fraudulent strategies are expected to continue.

To make sure you’re responding to a legitimate email, always check the address of the sender. The full address isn’t always obvious on a phone or other mobile device: That interface often shows only the name of the sender. Always click on the sender’s name to see the actual address.

The address is likely to be the real thing if it has a .gov ending, something not easy for fraudsters to imitate.

You can sign up for student loan forgiveness notifications and updates from this DOE webpage .

Help With the Student Loan Forgiveness Application

There are lots of offers on the internet and elsewhere to help borrowers claim their loan forgiveness — for a fee. While not all of the companies offering these services are illegitimate, the DOE has warned that it won’t be necessary to pay for help. They promise the application will be simple and quick to complete.

Predatory companies love to use webinars and videos explaining the details of the loan forgiveness program. The ending is always the same: a plea to sign up for their paid service, with the promise they’ll get you your debt relief. They may claim they can get you additional benefits, get your benefits faster, or get you to state tax breaks if you pay them upfront. In some cases, the outlaws charge hundreds of dollars for unnecessary service.

A real government agency will never ask for an advance processing fee. And legitimate student loan servicers will never charge a fee for providing information about your loans. You can check if a company works with the DOE at the Federal Student Aid site on avoiding scams .

Recommended: 9 Smart Ways to Pay Off Student Loans

What You Can Do to Avoid Scammers

To protect yourself from student loan forgiveness program scams, familiarize yourself with the following tips. They can help you avoid the threat of costly identity theft or financial fraud that can result from these schemes.

Never give out your FSA ID, student aid account information, or password. The DOE and the company that services your federal student loans will never call or email asking you for this information. Along the same lines, never give your personal or financial information — including your Social Security number and bank account information — over the phone or email. (That said, the beta version of the forgiveness application asks for your Social Security number but not your FSA ID.)

Avoid upfront fees. Think twice before paying anyone for help filling out the application. It is highly likely you won’t need help because the government is promising a free and easy-to-use application. Paying a fee before the application is even available is totally unnecessary.

Stay up-to-date. Having the most accurate and current student loan forgiveness information is the best defense against fraud. As mentioned above, sign up with the DOE for notifications and updates. And keep an eye on the Better Business Bureau and Federal Student Aid websites for the latest official information.

Update your contact information. To receive official notices related to student debt relief, make sure the government and your loan servicer have your most current contact information. If your income information is already on file at the DOE, qualifying borrowers will automatically receive loan forgiveness without having to apply. All borrowers, whether or not they have to apply, will be notified by the DOE when the application goes live.

To make sure you get these notices and other updates, sign up with StudentAid.gov to receive text alerts. If you don’t have a StudentAid.gov account, create one now .

You’ll also want to make sure your student loan servicer has your most recent contact information. You can find your federal student loan servicer’s contact information at Studentaid.gov/manage-loans/repayment/servicers

The Takeaway

Understanding how student loan forgiveness scammers work is an important step toward protecting yourself. Staying up to date on the latest official news and announcements can also help you bypass the onslaught of scams out there. Another important defense: Actively manage your student loan accounts and make sure all of your information is accurate and up to date.

SoFi can help. If you have more federal student debt than the new debt relief plan will forgive, or you don’t qualify for loan forgiveness, or you have private student loans, you may want to consider refinancing your debt before rates rise further.

If you do qualify for forgiveness and you refinance your federal student loans, you will no longer qualify for the new program. If you still wish to refinance, leave up to $10,000 unrefinanced ($20,000 for Pell Grant recipients) to receive your federal benefit. Remember: Good information is your best weapon when it comes to managing all aspects of student debt.

Save thousands of dollars thanks to flexible terms and low fixed or variable rates.

FAQ

What are common types of student loan forgiveness scams?

Look out for false email alerts claiming to be from the government and phony government websites. These schemes attempt to get you to divulge personal financial information, which can then be used for identity theft and other financial fraud. Other scammers are offering unnecessary forgiveness application help for a costly upfront fee.

How can I avoid falling victim to a student loan forgiveness scam?

Information is your best defense. Sign up for government alerts and notifications, and keep an eye on advice from official outlets. Also, make sure your contact information is current with both the government and your loan servicer.

Does everyone eligible to receive student loan forgiveness need to fill out an application?

No. If your income information is already on file with the Department of Education, you will not need to apply for student loan forgiveness. You’ll receive it automatically.


Photo credit: iStock/Pekic

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