How Do Credit Card Payments Work?

Tips on Establishing Credit

A lot of basic “adulting” involves a credit score. Renting an apartment? The landlord will want a credit score. Financing a car? Lenders need to see a credit score. Buying a home? You get the point.

A low or non-existent score can get in the way of your life plans. But a few simple steps can set you on the path to success.

How Many Credit Cards Do You Need?

Don’t own a credit card yet? Getting a card is a simple way to start establishing credit. (People who already have a card with a balance might want to focus on paying it off instead of applying for a new one, though.) However, it’s crucial to use a card wisely—otherwise, cards can do more harm than good.

Most people should consider applying for just one card, not five. And keep in mind that just because someone has a card doesn’t mean they have free money. Opening one new line of credit and using it responsibly is a good way to build credit.

Recommended: Does Applying for Credit Cards Hurt Your Credit Score?

How Credit Cards Impact Your Credit Score

While some people out there believe credit cards are the root of all evil, they can boost credit scores in multiple ways if used correctly. The most common credit score model is issued by Fair, Isaac and Company, aka FICO®. Your FICO Score is comprised of five factors:

•   Payment history: 35%
•   Amount owed: 30%
•   Length of credit history: 15%
•   Credit mix: 10%
•   New credit: 10%

Credit cards can be an effective tool in a new credit builder’s toolbox. When someone uses a credit card responsibly, this can potentially have a positive effect on all five FICO categories.

Payment history: Making monthly payments on time (even just minimum payments) can help your credit score. As you make consecutive monthly payments, your score should gradually increase — as long as you remain responsible with your finances in other areas of your lives.

Amount owed: Everyone has something called a “credit utilization ratio,” sometimes referred to as a “debt-to-credit ratio.” This is the ratio of debt you owe versus how much debt you can owe.

Credit cards have credit limits. Let’s say Dana’s credit limit is $10,000, and she owes $5,000 on her card. Her credit utilization ratio is 50%. If she pays off $1,000 and only owes $4,000, her ratio is 40%. The lower the ratio, the better—that’s why older adults often lecture teens and early 20-somethings to pay off their card balances in full. A low ratio means better things for borrowers’ credit scores.

Length of credit history: The longer you have a line of credit, the better it is for your score. Ideally, someone would open their first credit card and keep it for years while making payments on time and keeping their balance low.

Those who already have a credit card but have racked up debt may want to think twice before canceling their card for this very reason—they might be better off working to pay off the balance aggressively and keeping the card for longer. But if they want to remove the temptation to keep charging the card, they can cut up the credit card like Rachel does in Friends. This way, the card isn’t sitting in their wallet, but their line of credit is still open.

Credit mix: FICO likes it when people have multiple types of debt. A recent college graduate’s only debt might be student loans. To improve their credit mix, they might consider getting a credit card as well.

New credit: When someone applies for a card, the issuer checks their credit score to determine whether they’ll be approved and what the interest rate should be. This is known as a “hard credit inquiry.” A bunch of hard credit inquiries in a short amount of time looks bad for a credit score, especially for someone whose score is already low. Besides, by limiting themselves to only one card, young people who are still learning the ropes of establishing credit might be less inclined to spend recklessly.

Consider a Secured Credit Card

Young people with low credit scores (or even no scores at all) may not be accepted if they apply for a top-notch credit card. Another option is to apply for a secured credit card. This type of card is meant specifically for people who want to build credit.

To use a secured credit card, people make a cash deposit to back their credit card account. The deposit amount becomes their spending limit. For example, John makes a $100 deposit when he receives his secured credit card. He can charge up to $100 to his card before paying it off. As long as he makes payments, he can keep charging to the card as long as the balance doesn’t exceed $100. If John doesn’t make payments on time, the issuer can take money from his cash deposit.

Secured cards benefit both the consumer and issuer. The consumer can build credit, and a cash deposit makes it less risky for the issuer to do business with someone who hasn’t yet proven that they can make payments on time.

What happens to that cash deposit down the road? If all goes well, people should get back their money. Many reputable credit card issuers offering secured credit cards give consumers the option to upgrade to a regular “unsecured” credit card once their credit score improves. When the user upgrades, they should receive that deposit back.

People researching secured credit cards may want to look for issuers who will let them transition to an unsecured card. This can simplify the process of switching to a regular credit card. Plus, the borrower won’t have to hang onto an unnecessary card or cancel the secured card later—which can help the “length of credit history” part of their FICO score!

Become an Authorized User on a Parent’s Credit Card

Some people may not trust themselves to use a credit card without racking up a ton of debt. Or they have the exact opposite fear—they might never use it, so they wouldn’t be making payments to boost their payment history. The latter fear may be the case for young people who are still receiving financial help from their parents and therefore don’t have many expenses to put on a card.

In either of these cases, young people might consider becoming an authorized user on a parent’s credit card. The parent can call the credit card issuer to officially put their child’s name on the card.

Young people should only add their name to a parent’s card if the parent has a high credit score and solid financial habits. If the parent starts to miss payments or accumulate a ton of debt, it will negatively affect the authorized user’s credit score.

Establishing credit through a parent’s card can help someone acquire a decent score before getting their own credit card. If they have a good credit score prior to applying for their first card, they might be approved for a harder-to-get card at an attractive interest rate. After receiving their own card, they might decide to remove their name from the parent’s card so they can have sole control over their personal credit score.

Pay Bills on Time

Okay, we’ve established that making monthly credit card payments positively contributes to the “payment history” part of a credit score. Credit cards aren’t the only things people can pay on time, though. Making timely payments on things like car loans or student loans also helps.

Certain bills don’t show up on credit reports, such as cell phone bills and insurance payments. While paying those bills doesn’t improve people’s credit scores, skipping payments can certainly hurt their scores. When people default on their payments, their credit scores can take a major hit. So it’s important for people to pay all their bills—even the ones that aren’t on their credit reports.

Take out a Credit-Builder Loan

Just as secured credit cards exist for people trying to build credit, there are special loans for this purpose, as well. These are called credit-builder loans, and they are usually offered by smaller banks and credit unions.

When people take out credit-builder loans, the loan amount is held in a separate bank account until the borrower pays off the full amount. By making payments on time, the “payment history” part of people’s scores should gradually improve. Borrowers do have to pay interest on the loan, and the percentage will depend on the lender. But there’s a huge bonus: Once people pay off the loan, they get to pocket the full loan amount and the interest they’ve paid. Not only do they walk away with a better credit score, but they now have money to put toward their emergency fund or student loan payments.

While people don’t need a good score to be approved for a credit-builder loan, they do need proof that they earn enough money to make monthly payments on time. They may need to provide documents such as bank statements, employment information, housing payments, and more.

Considering taking out a credit-builder loan? When shopping around, it is a good idea to keep an eye out for factors like APR, required documents, term length, loan amount, and additional fees before making a decision.

Be Patient

Establishing credit is the perfect example of “slow and steady wins the race.” People shouldn’t get discouraged when their credit score doesn’t surge after two months of making payments on time. And if they do get discouraged, they shouldn’t give up. The important thing is to continue making payments on time and using a card responsibly. The reward will come.

Keep Track of Your Credit Score

Many people have no idea what their credit score is. By regularly checking their score, they can know exactly where they stand and how much progress they need to make to reach their goals.

Some people may be concerned that checking their credit score can lower their score. But don’t worry, only “hard inquiries” affect credit scores. Hard inquiries occur when issuers or lenders check borrowers’ scores to determine whether to approve them for a credit card or auto loan, for example. But when a person checks their own score on a website or app, this is considered a “soft inquiry” and doesn’t affect their score.

Checking credit scores is easy with SoFi. By seeing their spending and credit score all in one app, users might feel encouraged when they notice their payments are actually improving their score, further motivating them to keep their credit score in a good place for the future.

Track payments and credit scores with SoFi.



SoFi Relay offers users the ability to connect both SoFi accounts and external accounts using Plaid, Inc.’s service. When you use the service to connect an account, you authorize SoFi to obtain account information from any external accounts as set forth in SoFi’s Terms of Use. Based on your consent SoFi will also automatically provide some financial data received from the credit bureau for your visibility, without the need of you connecting additional accounts. SoFi assumes no responsibility for the timeliness, accuracy, deletion, non-delivery or failure to store any user data, loss of user data, communications, or personalization settings. You shall confirm the accuracy of Plaid data through sources independent of SoFi. The credit score is a VantageScore® based on TransUnion® (the “Processing Agent”) data.

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.

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.

Checking Your Rates: To check the rates and terms you may qualify for, SoFi conducts a soft credit pull that will not affect your credit score. However, if you choose a product and continue your application, we will request your full credit report from one or more consumer reporting agencies, which is considered a hard credit pull and may affect your credit.

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Smart Financial Strategies to Reach Your Goals

Most people have money goals. One person might want to pay off their student loans; another might be saving up for the down payment on a house; and yet another might want a seven-figure retirement fund.

Whatever your particular aspiration may be, there are smart strategies that can help you achieve your goals. These tactics can help improve your financial fitness, balance your budget, reduce debt, and save more money.

Read on to learn some of the best personal financial strategies that can scoot you closer to reaching your money goals.

Smart Financial Strategies to Aim For

Here are some solid ways to begin to enhance your financial fitness.

Build and Maintain an Emergency Fund

When faced with an unexpected big expense or being laid off, it can be helpful to have saved up an emergency fund, which is a cash reserve that is only tapped, well, in case of an emergency. When should you use your emergency fund? A layoff, an unexpected medical or car repair bill, or a relative in need may all be good reasons to dip in.

Starting an emergency fund might cover your basic living expenses for anywhere from three to six months or more. So, if a person normally spends $3,000 per month, then they could strive to set aside $9,000 to $36,000 in their emergency fund. Naturally, this amount will vary based on individuals’ unique financial situations and income vs. expenses.

Now, if that dollar amount sounds a little daunting, it’s always possible to start small — setting aside 50 or 100 dollars a month. With some accounts, users can even automatically transfer a set amount to a savings account on a specific date each month (e.g., payday). Over the course of a year, that bit-by-bit approach to saving money can add up to a much larger sum.

Once a person has tackled high-interest debt, they may have more income available to squirrel away towards their emergency fund.

Some savers prefer to host their emergency fund in a high-yield savings account, which, thanks to its higher annual percentage yield (APY) than standard accounts, can help your money grow faster.

Get up to $300 when you bank with SoFi.

No account or overdraft fees. No minimum balance.

Up to 3.80% APY on savings balances.

Up to 2-day-early paycheck.

Up to $3M of additional
FDIC insurance.


Paying Off Debt

Debt can be a budget killer. With high interest rates and fine-print fees, individuals can end up paying significantly more than an initial charge on outstanding recurring debts, whether student loans or credit cards.

When it comes to credit cards, for instance, the average interest rate is 20.09% for existing accounts and 22.29% for new accounts . If a person gets charged hundreds or even thousands of dollars in interest per month on existing debts, it could take longer to pay off the initial borrowed amount.

In terms of adopting smart strategies that can lead to greater financial independence, a good place to start is by paying off high-interest debts as quickly as possible.

Two popular debt-repayment approaches are called the snowball method and avalanche approach.

•   With the snowball method, you pay down your smallest debts first — no matter what the interest rate is. Once that smallest debt is paid off, you could then apply that payment amount towards the next debt, and so on.

For instance, if a person pays $150 a month to one debt, they could continue paying that sum to their next smallest debt after the first one has been paid down. At the same time, you’ll make minimum payments on all other debts to keep the payment history intact. Over time, the additional payments “snowball,” building up to less overall debt.

•   With the avalanche method, a person opts to pay off the debt with the highest interest rate first. Once the highest debt gets paid off, they’ll then roll the regular payments on that now-cleared debt into their next highest debt, all while paying the minimums on other debts at the same time.

While the avalanche method may make more sense mathematically, the snowball method can be more psychologically motivating. The snowball approach can keep some people engaged, since they’ll see quicker progress towards paying down one of their high-interest debts.

However, if a person can commit to the avalanche method, they may end up saving more in total interest paid than with the snowball financial strategy.

Using Credit Cards Wisely

Credit card debt can land cardholders in financial hot water. However, using credit cards judiciously can come with certain benefits (assuming the cardholder regularly pays down what they buy). Here’s a closer look:

•   Many credit cards give rewards in return for account holders spending money when shopping. For instance, a user may be able to get 1% to 5% back on grocery store or other purchases at specific retailers. With some cards, it’s possible to earn points that can be used toward discretionary expenses like travel, eating out, hotels, and more.

•   Generally, credit cards offer fraud protection, which means that if a card gets stolen (or their account gets hacked), fraudulent charges are not paid by the cardholder — unlike, say, with cash.

•   When it comes to healthy financial strategies, it’s also possible to use your credit cards to maintain one’s credit score. One factor that lenders might consider is a loan applicant’s credit history (including the number of active accounts open and their debt-to-income ratio).

Smart financial strategies for credit cards include paying off the entire bill on time and keeping old lines of credit open so the account holder’s credit history is longer. Also, it’s advisable to aim for a lower credit utilization ratio — which is how much debt a person has in relation to how much credit is available. A credit utilization rate below 30% is, generally, considered “good,” though lower will be better.

•   Another one of the smart financial strategies is to use credit cards for 0% interest balance transfers. If someone has a credit card with a high-interest rate, they could apply for a balance transfer credit card, pay a fee to transfer over their card’s balance, and then get more time to pay down the existing debt interest-free.

Some cards offer over a year of interest-free access. However, it can be smart to pay off the transferred debt before the end of the agreed-to 0% interest period. Otherwise, a higher interest rate will kick in on whatever has not been paid off. In some cases, the interest after the zero-interest period could be higher than what was paid on the original card.

Budgeting Incoming and Outgoing Money

Budgeting is a classic way to keep tabs on how much money is coming in and how much is being spent each month. If a person is not yet budgeting for their expenses, whether essential or discretionary, it can be one of the simplest ways to track money, and there are many different budgeting methods available.

When adopting financial strategies for budgeting, a good place to start with the 50/30/20 rule. With this budgeting rule, a person spends 50% on needs, 30% on wants and 20% on savings.

•   Needs include housing, utility bills, food (basic groceries, not pricey takeout or restaurant meals), car payments, and debts.

•   Wants span entertainment, travel new but unnecessary clothing and gadgets, and similar purchases.

•   Savings could include an emergency fund, retirement account, and investments.

Budgeting can be made easier with Google Sheets or Excel, or by using an app, or taking advantage of tools that your financial institution offers. Digital personal finance apps can be easy to use. Many financial institutions offer solid ones that give users insights on spending patterns and money habits.

Considering Reducing Monthly Expenses

After tracking their monthly expenses, some people like to see where they can trim and tighten their spending. Some pricey expenses that could be pared down include:

•   Housing costs: If rent is gobbling up a huge amount of income each month, moving to a less expensive place or area (i.e., lowering your cost of living) could help with cutting back on spending. If an individual ends up moving to a more economical city or town, it’s likely that local housing costs, groceries, and the general amount it takes to cover day-to-day living expenses will go down as well. Or you could take in a roommate.

•   Transportation: In terms of transportation, drivers could try to get out of an expensive lease and purchase or lease a less expensive vehicle. Or a person could utilize public transit or carpool with colleagues to save on gas. One good financial strategy is to shop around for lower car insurance rates.

•   Pricey cable plans: If a person spends a significant amount each month on non-essential items or services, they may want to try to reduce their discretionary costs, too. For instance, instead of paying an expensive cable bill every month, one could only pay for Hulu or Netflix as a way of lowering your streaming services costs. Many internet providers run promotions, so it may be worth thinking about switching to a less expensive provider.

•   Eating out vs. cooking at home: In lieu of eating out every day, budget-minded individuals could cook at home. Buying ingredients is, generally, much less expensive than dining in a restaurant or picking up take-out. And, if cooking is intimidating, perhaps invest in a slow-cooker to ease into cooking at home.

•   Shopping online: Online shopping can tempt many to spend unnecessarily. It’s just so darned easy to click-to-buy when a credit card is saved online. So, some savings seekers opt to delete their credit card details from their favorite online shops.

This adds one extra step (digging the card out of the wallet) before being able to purchase. Those added seconds can give shopping lovers a second chance to decide whether the item in their cart is really essential. You might also unsubscribe from shopping emails that can tempt you with sales and special offers.

Negotiating Better Deals

If you don’t have time to call up your providers and search for better deals, apps like Trim can analyze an individual’s spending patterns, negotiating internet, cable, phone and medical bills while canceling older subscriptions. Users pay a fee for this service, but it could end up saving dollars that would otherwise get spent unknowingly.

You might also call your credit card company and see if they can lower your rate, especially if you’ve found a better deal elsewhere. And if you have a major bill, don’t be shy about seeing if it can be reduced. You may even be able to negotiate medical bills.

Opening a Retirement Fund

When it comes time to retire, money will be needed to pay for everyday life. That’s why it’s a good financial strategy to start a retirement account as soon as a person starts working.

There are many different types of retirement accounts to choose from, including individual retirement accounts like a Roth IRA (which individuals can open on their own and contribute to with after-tax money), a 401(k) (which is a plan through an employer, and a traditional IRA (which people open on their own and gets taxed upon withdrawal).

If an employer offers retirement fund matching, take advantage of it! Matching entails putting a percentage of a paycheck automatically into one’s retirement. The employer then matches that deposit with the same amount. Employer matching can speed along an individual’s path towards saving for retirement; it’s pretty much free money.

In terms of how much to save for retirement, it can be smart to put aside at least 15% of pre-tax income every single year. Doing so can help you later on in life to avoid needing to delay retirement because not enough had been saved prior.

Searching for Low Interest Rates on Loans

Big expenses — going to college, purchasing a car, buying a home, repairing a house, or moving — can come with a big price tag. So, many individuals seek out loans to cover these big-ticket items. When taking out a loan, some smart financial strategies include shopping around and comparing interest rates — looking for the lowest interest rate possible.

As with any debt, it’s essential to pay back the loan on time every month to avoid late payment fees or dings to one’s credit history. For some, it may also be possible to refinance a loan and secure a lower interest rate.

Getting Started with Investing

For those stashing money in a traditional savings account, it’s likely that the money is earning very little interest. As a result, some individuals choose to invest their money with the hopes of earning a higher return over time.

Investing is one the financial strategies, however, that can come with higher risks. Few investments, including those in the volatile stock market, are guaranteed to make a return. For instance, investing in stocks can bear higher returns, but stocks can also plunge in value. Indeed, some investments are riskier than others.

Speaking with a financial advisor can help many to understand the pros and cons of investing and whether it’s the right choice for them.

Here’s an overview of common kinds of investments:

Investing in the Stock Market

While investing money in the stock market can result in a higher return, it’s not guaranteed. It can be safer to invest in already profitable companies that pay out dividends, which distribute some of a company’s earnings to investors. However, more seasoned investors may choose to take on more risks, investing in start-ups or lesser known companies.

Micro Investments

Should a person want to purchase stocks that are more expensive but can’t afford buying an entire share, it’s possible to complete a micro investment. Micro investments are fractions of stocks and a good way to get in on the market without taking too big of a risk.

Mutual Funds

Mutual funds are diverse investments; rather than investing in one stock, an investor is putting their money into a collection of them. The fund has a manager who decides what they’ll do with the money. Typically, investors are charged a fee to invest in these funds.

Investment Bonds

Investment bonds, which are loans made to a company or government, are significantly less risky than stocks. But, it’s worth remembering that lower risk also typically comes with a lower return. Many people get U.S. Treasury Savings Bonds when they’re children and cash them in at a later date.

High-interest Savings Accounts

Some high-interest savings accounts offer around 3.00% APY or higher on deposited funds — significantly higher than the 0.01% that many standard accounts offer. There’s no risk of lost saving, as long as account holders stay below the FDIC-insured limit of $250,000 per account holder, per account ownership category, per insured institution. Interest rates on savings accounts can, of course, vary over time and by bank.

Whichever method gets chosen, there are investment brokers and financial advisors who can offer guidance on how to utilize income and savings.

The Takeaway

Keeping tabs on income, expenses, savings, and investments is one smart financial strategy. With so much to track when it comes to personal finances, budgeting tools can help you develop smarter financial habits and trim back on unnecessary spending.

Opening an online bank account with SoFi lets you save and spend in one convenient place, while earning a competitive APY. Ready to track and then tweak your spending? A SoFi Checking and Savings Account has tools to help you do just that, as well as save towards different goals with our Vaults feature.

Learn more about SoFi Checking and Savings today.



SoFi® Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A. ©2025 SoFi Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.
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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.

Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice.

Disclaimer: 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 .

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.


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.

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Car Repossession: How it Affects Your Finances

If you fail to make your car payments or otherwise default on your loan, you risk having your car repossessed, or taken back by the lender.

The process of vehicle repossession can be costly. You may be responsible for the deficiency balance on the car, which is the amount you owe on the car, minus the amount the lender sells the car for, as well as additional fees.

Repossession can also have a negative impact on your credit score, which can make it harder to qualify for another car loan, as well as credit cards or a mortgage, in the future.

Read on to learn more about car repossession, how to avoid it, and what your options are if it happens.

Recommended: How Much Auto Insurance Do I Really Need?

Why Do Cars Get Repossessed?

When you borrow money to buy a car, or you lease a car, you generally have to agree to specific terms outlined in the contract. You will likely have to agree, for instance, that you will make monthly payments on time and keep adequate insurance on the vehicle.

If you don’t meet those requirements, the lender (or leasing company) has the right to take the car. In some cases, a lender will alert you of your missed payments and attempt to collect payment prior to repossessing the vehicle.

Depending on the loan contract you signed, however, some lenders or leasing companies can take the car back after one missed payment, without any prior notice of late payment, or warning you that your car is going to be repossessed.

If having car insurance is a requirement of your auto contract, as it often is, your car can be repossessed if your auto insurance has lapsed and isn’t being paid.

What Rights Do I Have if My Car is Repossessed?

While the car does not technically belong to you and is the property of the lender or leasing company, you do have some basic rights if your car is repossessed. These include:

Your Personal Property

If you have any items of value in the car, such as a laptop or car seat, the bank or leasing company that owns the loan, or the car repossession agency, cannot keep or sell the property found inside the car.

In some states, a creditor must tell you what items were found in the car and how you can get them back.

If you’re having trouble retrieving personal items that are of significant value, you might want to file a complaint , or talk to an attorney about how to get your belongings back or if you can be compensated for them.

Selling Price

If your car is taken and sold, the lender doesn’t have to sell it for the highest possible price, but they are legally required to make an effort to get fair market value for the car and to sell it for a “commercially reasonable” price.

The reason is that the sales proceeds will go toward paying off your debt. It would be unfair to repossess a vehicle and then give it away for very little to somebody else

Also key: If the creditor holds onto the car and doesn’t resell it, you generally will not owe a deficiency balance on the car (which is the amount you owe minus what the car sells for).

Getting a Car Out of Repo

Should you be interested in getting a repossessed car back, that might be an option. You may be entitled to buy back the vehicle by paying the full amount you owe on the car. This typically includes your past due payments and the remaining debt, along with any fees that accumulated in the repossession process.

Another option for getting your car back is to try to buy back the repossessed car by bidding on it at the repossession sale.

Or, you might instead decide to save up for a car and get a less expensive vehicle.

How Much Does a Car Repossession Cost?

If the lender repossesses your car and then sells it at an auction, the sales proceeds go toward your loan balance. In many cases, the car sells for less than you owe, so your loan is still not paid off. The amount you owe is the deficiency balance.

In addition to the deficiency, you may also have to pay for costs related to repossession. Charges can include expenses for sending a repossession agent, storing the vehicle, and preparing the vehicle for sale.

If the deficiency balance goes unpaid, it can result in a lawsuit against you, along with wage garnishment or a lien against your property.

If you are able to buy the car back before it goes to auction, you will likely be responsible for paying the full amount you owe on the car, which may include your past due to payments and the remaining debt, along with any fees that accumulated in the repossession process.

How Car Repossession Affects Your Credit

On its own, a repossession is a red flag on your credit report and can have a serious impact on your scores. A repossession can also stay on your credit report for seven years, beginning with the date of your first late payment.

In addition to the repossession being listed in your credit report, failing to pay your auto loan on time may trigger other negative marks in your credit. For each month you are 30 days or more past due, the lender can report the account as delinquent. If the account was sent to a collection agency, a record of the collection account may also appear in your reports.

Recommended: Guide to Reading & Understanding Your Credit Report

How to Avoid Car Repossession

It can often be easier to prevent a vehicle repossession from happening than trying to fix it after the car has been taken away. Here are some ways you may be able to reduce the risk of repossession if you’re struggling with car payments.

Talking to Your Lender

If you fall behind on your auto loan or you think you soon may, it can be worthwhile to reach out to the lender to discuss what options you may have.

There is a chance your lender will allow you to defer your loan payments for a period of time or help you come up with another solution to allow you to keep your car. This shows good faith as you try to remedy your situation.

If you and the lender are able to come to an agreement about amending or skipping payments, it’s a good idea to get the new terms addressed in writing to avoid problems down the line.

Refinancing Your Car Loan

If you’re struggling to pay your auto loan, refinancing might help get your payment to an affordable level so you can continue to pay on time. Refinancing entails paying off your current auto loan with a new car loan. If you are approved for a new loan, refinancing could help you avoid repossession by satisfying what you owe on your existing loan and starting fresh with a new lender.

Considering Voluntary Repossession

If your lender won’t accept late payments and demands that you return the car, voluntarily repossessing (or surrendering) the car may be a better option than having it taken away.

Turning in your car can reduce the creditor’s expenses and, in turn, reduce how much you’re required to pay (though you’ll still likely be responsible for late payments, late fees, and possibly a deficiency balance). A voluntary repossession also gives you more control over when you give up your car than having the car suddenly taken away from you.

Your creditor may still enter the late payments and repossession on your credit report, where it can remain for seven years. However, a “voluntary surrender” can be less damaging to your credit than a “repossession.”

Impact Your Credit After a Car Repossession

While a repossession can negatively impact your credit report, it won’t be forever. As time passes, and as you handle your other credit obligations responsibly, the impact on your credit score can lessen.

Some ways to help positively impact your credit score include:

•   Paying off any outstanding debt on your car loan

•   Making payments on other debts (such as student loans) on time

•   Maintaining low balances on credit cards and paying them off in full every month

•   Making timely payments for all of your bills (so none are ever sent to debt collection agencies)

Handling your money responsibly and getting more motivated to save money can help you pay your debts back diligently. This shows future lenders that you can make wise money decisions and will be trustworthy when it comes to paying off loans and credit in the future.

The Takeaway

If you have missed payments on your vehicle or let your car insurance lapse, the lender can repossess your car and sell it at an auction. You will then likely have to pay the difference between what the car sells for and what you still owe, plus various additional fees.

Depending on your loan or lease contract, you may have time to make the missing payments and retrieve your car before it’s sold at auction.

Either way, a car repossession can be costly, and also have a negative and lasting impact on your credit scores.

One of the best ways to avoid car repossession is to stay on top of your car payments, making them in full and on time each month. Setting up a monthly budget and learning how to save money from your salary can help you make this happen.

Another good safeguard is to wait until you’ve saved up for a substantial downpayment on a car before you buy, or use that money to go with a more affordable used car and pay for it in full.

A SoFi Checking and Savings online bank account can help make this happen. With SoFi Checking and Savings, you spend and save in one convenient place and can easily track your spending on your dashboard in the app. What’s more, your money earns a competitive annual percentage yield (APY) and you pay no account fees, both of which can help your money grow faster.

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



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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.

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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.


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Guide to Financing Appliances: What You Need to Know

We take our household appliances for granted. Ovens, refrigerators, dishwashers, washers, and dryers — they’re all essential for everyday life, but we just always expect them to work. When one finally breaks down and we realize it’s time to buy a new, expensive replacement, it can be a bitter pill to swallow.

But what if you don’t have the cash on hand to pay for a new appliance? That’s where appliance financing, also called an appliance loan, comes in.

What Is Appliance Financing?

Appliance financing refers to buying a new appliance on credit. Rather than paying out of pocket for a new appliance, you’ll pay it off over time in monthly increments, like a house or car payment.

While this means you don’t have to spend money from your emergency fund or borrow money from a relative to pay for a replacement fridge or washer, it does mean you might face additional fees, like interest.

You can get appliance financing in a number of ways, including taking out a personal loan, paying for the appliance with your credit card, and exploring in-store financing, such as in-store appliance loans or rent-to-own options.

How Does Appliance Financing Work?

When you can’t afford a new appliance but need one because your old one has broken down and is beyond repair (or not worth the cost of repair), you can take out an appliance loan. How this type of financing works depends on the method of financing you use.

For example, if you pay for the appliance with a credit card, you’ll simply make your credit card payments as you would for any other purchase. But if you take out a personal loan from a bank or credit union, you’ll have a set number of years to pay off the loan, and there may be certain fees on top of the interest charged.

Methods of Appliance Financing

There are a few key ways of paying for an expensive appliance you can’t afford.

Personal Appliance Loans

You can take out a personal loan from a financial institution for almost anything, including home renovations, a wedding or vacation, debt consolidation, and, yes, even a new appliance.

Credit score requirements for a personal loan vary depending on the lender. Often, borrowers with bad credit can still qualify for personal loans, but interest rates and fees may be higher.

Additionally, lenders might have origination and prepayment fees, so it’s a good idea to read a lender’s loan details thoroughly before signing on the dotted line.

Personal loan terms generally range from two to seven years. Monthly payments will be higher on a shorter loan, but interest rates are typically lower — meaning you’ll spend less on interest over the life of the loan.

Recommended: What Is a Signature Loan?

Credit Cards

If you have a credit card with a high enough limit, you can also pay for an appliance with your card. Just keep in mind your credit card’s APR, or annual percentage rate — if you can’t pay off the balance in full by the due date, you may rack up interest charges quickly.

If you have a cash back or travel credit card, you could earn significant rewards by paying for an appliance on credit. For instance, refrigerators cost anywhere from $430 to $10,600. A 3% cash-back rewards card would earn you $318 on the purchase of a $10,600 fridge.

In-Store Financing

Many retailers offer their own financing options for large appliances, often via a store credit card. Unlike other credit cards, these cards are closed-loop, meaning you can only use them at that store.

These stores, like Lowe’s and Home Depot, may offer special perks for financing with them. This could include no interest if you pay in full within a set number of months or a percentage discount off the purchase price.

Some retailers may also offer rent-to-own options. In this scenario, you’d make a weekly or monthly payment until you’ve paid off the appliance. If you miss a payment, the store will take the appliance back. Rent-to-own fees can be high, making it more expensive for consumers by the time the appliance is paid off.

What Can Appliance Financing Be Used For?

You can use appliance financing for any kind of home appliance, but it’s generally not a good idea to take out a loan for luxury appliances like espresso makers and immersion blenders. Instead, experts advise only taking on loans for appliances that are considered more of a necessity, like:

•   Ovens and stovetops

•   Microwaves

•   Dishwashers

•   Refrigerators

•   Kitchen sinks

•   Washing machines

•   Dryers

Pros and Cons of Appliance Financing

Thinking about using appliance financing for your next household purchase? Let’s weigh the pros and cons:

Appliance Financing Pros Appliance Financing Cons
Ability to get an appliance even if you don’t have the funds readily available May spend more than the sticker price with interest and fees
Makes it easier to do a complete home renovation May face strict credit score requirements
May earn rewards, discounts, or special offers Temptation to spend outside your means

Pros

Appliance financing offers the following upsides:

•   No waiting: When your washer or oven breaks down, you need a replacement. Sure, you can go to the laundromat and rely on microwave dinners temporarily, but ultimately, you’ll need to purchase a new appliance. If you don’t have the money in your bank account or are saving for other goals, you can instead take out an appliance loan or pay with your credit card to ensure you get the appliance you need without having to wait.

•   Home renovation: If you’re doing a larger home renovation, like remodeling your kitchen, you may be purchasing all-new appliances. Those costs can add up quickly. By using a personal loan for appliances — or even a home renovation loan for the entire project — you can get everything you need, rather than replacing appliances one at a time.

•   Rewards: If you finance your appliance with a rewards credit card, you may earn cash back or miles on your purchase. Or, if you use in-house financing from the store, you may qualify for special terms or even a discount.

Cons

Meanwhile, consider these downsides of appliance financing as well:

•   Higher cost: When you take out a loan for home appliances, you’ll likely pay more for the appliance through interest and fees. Even if you put it on a credit card, you could incur fees if you don’t pay off the balance in full by your next statement due date.

•   Credit score requirements: While bad-credit borrowers can typically get a personal loan, some consumers with low credit scores may have trouble qualifying for in-house financing or credit cards without high fees.

•   Temptation to spend beyond means: Making a low monthly payment instead of paying the full price upfront can create the illusion of affordability. That means you might be tempted to buy an expensive appliance that’s actually outside your budget — after all, the monthly payment looks manageable. Just remember that you’ll have to make that monthly payment for several years.

Recommended: How to Pay for Emergency Home Repairs

The Takeaway

Appliance financing makes it possible to purchase a new appliance when your old one breaks down and you don’t have the cash on hand. Whether you need a new refrigerator, washer and dryer, oven, or dishwasher, an appliance personal loan, in-store financing, or credit card might be the way to go.

Thinking about funding your new appliance with a personal loan from SoFi? You’ll enjoy competitive SoFi personal loan interest rates, and same-day funding. Check out your personal loan rate in just 60 seconds.

SoFi’s Personal Loan was named NerdWallet’s 2024 winner for Best Personal Loan overall.

FAQ

Which appliances can be financed?

You can finance virtually any appliance if you qualify for a personal loan or pay with a credit card. Retailers that offer in-house financing may only offer their programs for specific appliances, however. Before financing, just keep in mind that it’s not a good idea to finance luxury appliances that you don’t need or can’t afford. Instead, most experts advise using appliance financing for necessary appliances priced within your means, such as a refrigerator or washing machine.

What is the credit requirement for an appliance loan?

Credit requirements for appliance loans vary depending on the type of loan. Borrowers with bad credit typically can find personal loans for appliances, though these will come with high interest and fees. Rent-to-own programs don’t have a credit check. But if you want to take advantage of a retailer’s in-house financing, you may need a credit score of 580 or higher, though requirements vary by store.


Photo credit: iStock/Talaj

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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Checking Your Rates: To check the rates and terms you may qualify for, SoFi conducts a soft credit pull that will not affect your credit score. However, if you choose a product and continue your application, we will request your full credit report from one or more consumer reporting agencies, which is considered a hard credit pull and may affect your credit.

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All You Need to Know About Loans for Legal Fees

Legal fees can get expensive. Whether you need to hire an attorney for a divorce case, to represent you against criminal charges, or to guide you through the adoption process, the cost can be prohibitive — but that doesn’t mean you should move forward without legal counsel.

Instead, there are a few different ways to pay for a lawyer, including personal loans. We’ll review how to get a loan for legal fees, as well as other options available to you.

What Are Loans for Legal Fees?

While you cannot find a loan designed specifically for legal fees, you can take out a personal loan to cover your legal costs. If your lawyer mentions taking out a loan for payment, they’re likely referring to a personal loan.

How Do Loans for Legal Fees Work?

Personal loans for legal fees work much like how a personal loan works typically. Personal loan rates and terms vary by financial institution. In general, the longer the loan term, the higher your annual percentage rate (APR) will be, but because the repayment is spread out over more years, the monthly payments will be lower. Generally, personal loan terms range between one and seven years.

When you get a personal loan for legal fees, you’ll get the lump sum from the lending institution to pay your lawyer. Some banks offer same-day funding. Then, rather than owing the lawyer, you’ll owe the lender until the loan is paid off in full.

Keep in mind that, in addition to interest, some personal loans include origination fees and prepayment penalties.

Typical Legal Loan Requirements

When you go to apply, the lender may have a few personal loan requirements that you’ll have to meet. These may vary by financial institution.

Credit Score

A key factor in getting approved for a legal loan is your credit score. In general, the higher your credit score, the better your chances of approval (and at a lower interest rate, which means lower personal loan rates).

The credit score you need for a personal loan will vary by institution. Some lenders may even grant personal loans to borrowers with bad credit. In those cases, fees and APRs are typically very high.

Speaking of your credit score, most lenders offer soft pulls for personal loans to see if you’re qualified. But once you apply, expect a hard inquiry on your credit report, which will temporarily lower your score.

Debt-to-Income Ratio

Lenders also factor in your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio when considering your loan application. Your DTI ratio is the total amount of your monthly debts (think car payment, student loan payments, credit card bills, mortgage, etc.) divided by your monthly income.

The lower your DTI ratio, the better your chances of getting approved for a personal loan for legal fees with favorable rates and terms.

Proof of Income and Employment

To get a legal fee loan, you’ll need to demonstrate your ability to repay it to the lender. That means that lenders often want to see proof of income and employment, such as a signed letter from your employer, pay stubs, and/or W-2 forms.

Self-employed and need a personal loan? You’re not out of luck. Lenders may just want to see your tax returns and/or bank deposit info.

Origination Fees

Some lenders charge a loan origination fee when you take out a personal loan. This is a one-time fee at the start of the loan that covers the administrative costs of processing the loan. (If you’ve ever bought a house, you likely paid a mortgage origination fee as part of your closing costs.)

Personal loan origination fees might be flat fees or a percentage of the loan amount. Not every lender charges these fees.

Collateral

Loans for legal fees are usually unsecured personal loans, meaning they’re not backed by any collateral. Other examples of unsecured loans are traditional credit cards and student loans, where you can borrow money without putting up assets as collateral. Because there’s no collateral, fees and interest rates tend to be higher.

That being said, personal loans can be secured in some instances, meaning you’d have to put up some kind of collateral, like a car or house. Secured personal loans may have lower fees and interest rates, but costs vary by lender.

If you get a secured personal loan for your legal fees, you’ll need to offer some kind of collateral to the lender.

Pros and Cons of Using a Loan to Cover the Cost of Legal Fees

Thinking about using a personal loan to cover legal fees? Here are the pros and cons to consider:

Pros of Legal Fee Loans Cons of Legal Fee Loans
You get access to the legal help you need, even if you can’t afford it right now. You’ll pay more over time because of interest and fees.
Personal loans for legal fees may be cheaper in the long run than paying with a credit card. Interest rates are typically high if you have bad credit.
You can often get same-day funding. Your budget will be strained with another monthly payment to manage for several years.
Unlike credit card APRs, personal loan interest rates are usually fixed; you can count on the same monthly payment until it’s paid off. Missing a payment can have financial consequences.
Unsecured loans don’t require collateral, so you don’t have to put your house or car at risk. You may be overlooking cheaper alternatives, like a payment plan through the law office or crowdfunding online.

How Legal Fees Are Billed

Legal fees can run the gamut. Your attorney may charge you several types of fees during the course of their representation. Here’s a quick look at some of the fees you might incur when hiring a lawyer:

•   Hourly fees: A lawyer will likely charge you by the hour for their services — and that’s not just the hours you spend consulting with them. Lawyers do a lot of work on your case behind the scenes, and they’ll bill you for every one. Hourly rates can range from as little as $50 to $100 an hour to as much as several thousand dollars an hour, depending on the lawyer’s experience, the complexity of the case, and geographic location. The average hourly rate for a lawyer in 2022 was $313, according to the Clio 2022 Legal Trends Report.

•   Flat rates: Sometimes, a lawyer might charge you a simple fixed fee for a specific service. This is typically for less involved work (i.e., no court representation). For instance, they may charge a set rate to prepare your will or help you with a real estate transaction, bankruptcy filing, or uncontested divorce.

•   Contingency fees: As the name implies, these fees are contingent. You’ll only pay them if you win your case and are awarded a monetary sum. Often, a lawyer’s contingency fees are a percentage of that sum.

•   Litigation fees: Your lawyer may include this as a line item on your invoice, but really, it’s a catch-all for several fees. These include court filing fees, attorney’s fees, expert witness fees, fees for re-creating an accident or accessing records, copy fees, and others.

Recommended: The Cost of a Divorce

Alternatives to Legal Loans

A legal loan is not your only option for covering legal fees. If you don’t want to take out a personal loan or don’t qualify, consider these other options. Just make sure to steer clear of predatory lending.

Credit Cards

Many lawyers accept credit cards as a payment method for their services. If that’s your preferred payment method, ask a lawyer if they accept credit card payments. If they say no, keep looking for a different option.

Just keep in mind that credit cards may have higher interest rates than a personal loan. Check your credit card’s APR to calculate how much you might owe in interest if you don’t pay off your credit card balance quickly.

Legal Payment Plans

Some law offices may offer payment plans to their clients. In this case, you would pay your lawyer in monthly installments rather than in one lump sum.

While not every lawyer offers this option, it never hurts to ask. This is another question you can ask upfront before hiring a lawyer.

Crowdfunding

Asking friends and family for financial help is never easy, but loved ones may chip in if you’re in a bind.

Alternatively, you can seek a wider net of potential benefactors by crowdfunding on social media or using official crowdfund platforms. Just keep in mind that such platforms often keep a percentage of the funds as payment.

Taking Out a Personal Loan With SoFi

Paying for costly legal fees with a personal loan can ease the process and make legal counsel more accessible, whether you’re adopting a child, getting a divorce, fighting criminal charges, or suing a person or business as a victim. SoFi offers personal loans at competitive rates.

Tackle your legal fees with a personal loan from SoFi.

FAQ

Is it legal to take out a loan for legal fees?

Yes, it is legal to take out a loan for legal fees. Legal funding loans are simply personal loans that you take out with a lender to cover the cost of hiring a lawyer.

Can legal fees be tax deductible?

If you’re a business owner who incurs legal fees for your business, you can deduct the cost on your taxes. This applies to property owners who incur legal fees when renting out their property to tenants. In addition, legal fees related to adopting a child are tax-deductible through the federal adoption tax credit.

Can legal fees be paid in installments?

Many law firms offer payment plans to their clients that allow them to make payments in installments. If your lawyer doesn’t offer this and you can’t pay out of pocket, you can also look for a legal finance loan (a personal loan) to cover the cost. While you’ll pay the lawyer in a lump sum, you’ll pay off the loan in installments.


Photo credit: iStock/Andrii Yalanskyi

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.


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 .

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