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A personal loan can be a lifesaver. But what if you realize you should have taken out more than you did? In most cases, you can’t increase your loan after the fact. However, you may be able to take out a second personal loan.

If you want or need to borrow more, we’ll review your options, their pros and cons, and some alternatives to borrowing.

What if You Want to Borrow More in Personal Loans

If you’ve already taken out a loan but need additional funds, you might be wondering if you can add to your existing personal loan. In most cases, the answer is no. You can’t increase your loan amount, but you may be able to apply for a second loan. Technically, there’s no limit to how many personal loans you can have.

Lenders may approve a second or third loan if the borrower has paid off part of the first loan and has a history of on-time repayment. In some cases, you need to have made at least three consecutive scheduled payments on your existing loan.

To help your chances of getting approved for a new loan, it helps to understand the general process.

Considerations Before Applying for a New Personal Loan

If you’re looking into adding to an existing personal loan, you’re probably already familiar with the basics. While there are different types of personal loans, they all typically have lower interest rates than credit cards. According to the Federal Reserve, the average APR for personal loans was 8.73% as of September 2022, compared to the typical credit card interest rate of 16.65%.

Common uses for personal loans include covering medical bills, paying for home repairs, and consolidating debt. Plus, personal loans are widely available from a variety of sources, from banks and online lenders to credit unions and nonprofits.

But debt is still debt. Increasing debt can have negative consequences: lowering your credit score, raising your risk of defaulting, and adding to general financial stress. Plus, loans come with interest that accrues over time, so you are paying more for the borrowed money over the life of your loan. The last thing you want to do is dig yourself into a deeper financial hole.

Before you take out another loan, take a step back and consider whether you truly need to borrow the money. Ask yourself:

•   Can you save for your goal by trimming expenses or taking on a side hustle?

•   Can you work on paying off your existing debt first?

Applying for a New Personal Loan

Of course, we’d all like to have enough savings in the bank to cover a major expense. But reality is complicated and emergencies are, by definition, hard to plan for. (Hello, surprise medical bills!)

If you’ve decided that borrowing makes sense for you, it’s possible to apply for an additional personal loan. A personal loan calculator can help you find out what interest rate and term options you may qualify for. Generally, shopping around for a loan requires only a soft credit inquiry, which doesn’t affect your credit score.

Applying with a Co-Applicant

In some cases, you may realize that your existing debt is making it hard to qualify for a new loan. But you still have another option: You may be able to re-apply with a co-applicant. If the co-applicant has a strong credit history and income, you may be able to obtain a loan or qualify for a lower interest rate together.

Once you receive the loan, both you and the co-applicant (who typically becomes the co-borrower) will be responsible for paying it off. That means if you fail to live up to your agreement in making payments, the other can be held responsible for the full amount of the loan. A co-borrower typically can’t be removed from the loan unless they die or you pay the loan off entirely.

If you still don’t qualify, the biggest help for qualifying in the future might be time. Building up a history of making debt payments on schedule, paying down other debt, and increasing your income via a new job or side gig can all turn things around.

Recommended: Getting a Personal Loan with a Co-Applicant

The Takeaway

In most cases, borrowers can’t add to an existing personal loan. However, you may be able to apply for a second loan. Eligibility requirements vary by lender, but in some cases you need to have made several consecutive on-time payments before applying for a new loan. Whenever possible, borrowers should look into cutting back on expenses or trying to increase income before taking on more debt.

SoFi Relay can help you keep track of your budget while you’re paying off debt. If you’re looking to apply for a personal loan, consider checking out the options available at SoFi. SoFi Personal Loans have absolutely no fees — no origination fees required, no prepayment fees, and no late fees.

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.

When debt accumulates on a high-interest card, interest starts to add up as well, making it harder to pay off the total debt — which, in turn, can become a credit card debt spiral. If you end up with mounting debt on a high-interest credit card, a balance transfer is one possible way to get out from under the interest payments.

A balance transfer credit card allows you to transfer your existing credit card debt to a card that temporarily offers a lower interest rate, or even no interest. This can provide an opportunity to start paying down your debt and get out of the red zone. But before you make a balance transfer, it’s important that you fully understand what a balance transfer credit card is and have carefully read the fine print.

How Balance Transfers Work


The basics of balance transfer credit cards are fairly straightforward: First, you must open a new lower-interest or no-interest credit card. Then, you’ll transfer your credit card balance from the high-interest card to the new card. Once the transfer goes through, you’ll start paying down the balance on your new card.

Generally, when selecting to do a balance transfer to a new credit card, consumers will apply for a card that offers a lower interest rate than they currently have, or a card with an introductory 0% annual percentage rate (APR). Generally, you need a solid credit history to qualify for a balance transfer credit card.

This introductory period on a balance transfer credit card can last anywhere from six to 21 months, with the exact length varying by lender. By opening a new card that temporarily charges no interest, and then transferring your high-interest credit card debt to that card, you can save money because your balance temporarily will not accrue interest charges as you pay it down.

But you need to hear one crucial warning: After the introductory interest-free or low-APR period ends, the interest rate generally jumps up. That means if you don’t pay your balance off during the introductory period, it will start to accrue interest charges again, and your balance will grow.

Recommended: How to Avoid Interest On a Credit Card

What to Look For in a Balance Transfer Card


There are a number of different balance transfer credit cards out there. They vary in terms of the length of no-interest introductory periods, credit limits, rewards, transfer fees, and APRs after the introductory period. You’ll want to shop around to see which card makes sense for you.

When researching balance transfer credit cards, try to find a card that offers a 0% introductory APR for balance transfers. Ideally, the promotional period will be on the longer side to give you more breathing room to pay off your debts before the standard APR kicks in — one of the key credit card rules to follow with a balance transfer card.

You’ll also want to keep in mind fees when comparing your options. Balance transfer fees can seriously eat into your savings, so see if you qualify for any cards with $0 balance transfer fees. If that’s not available, at least do the math to ensure your savings on interest will offset the fees you pay. Also watch out for annual fees.

Last but certainly not least, you’ll want to take the time to read the fine print and fully understand how a credit card works before moving forward. Sometimes, the 0% clause only applies when you’re purchasing something new, not when transferring balances. Plus, if you make a late payment, your promotional rate could get instantly revoked — perhaps raising your rate to a higher penalty APR.

Should I Do a Balance Transfer?

Sometimes, transferring your outstanding credit card balances to a no-interest or low-interest card makes good sense. For example, let’s say that you know you’re getting a bonus or tax refund soon, so you feel confident that you can pay off that debt within the introductory period on a balance transfer credit card.

Or, maybe you know that you need to use a credit card to cover a larger purchase or repair, but you’ve included those payments in your budget in a way that should ensure you can pay off that debt within the no-interest period on your balance transfer card. Again, depending upon the card terms and your personal goals, this move could prove to be logical and budget-savvy.

Having said that, plans don’t always work out as anticipated. Bonuses and refund checks can get delayed, and unexpected expenses can throw off your budget. If that happens, and you don’t pay off your outstanding balance on the balance transfer card within the introductory period, the credit card will shift to its regular interest rate, which could be even higher than the credit card you transferred from in the first place.

Plus, most balance transfer credit cards charge a balance transfer fee, typically around 3% — and sometimes as high as 5%. This can add up if you’re transferring a large amount of debt. Be sure to do the math on how much you’d be saving in interest payments compared to how much the balance transfer fee will cost.

Recommended: When Are Credit Card Payments Due

Balance Transfer Card vs Debt Consolidation Loan

Both a personal loan and a balance transfer credit card essentially help you pay off existing credit card debt by consolidating what you owe into one place — ideally at a better interest rate. The difference comes in how each works and how much you’ll ultimately end up paying (and saving).

A debt consolidation loan is an unsecured personal loan that allows you to consolidate a wider range of existing personal debt, including credit card debt and other types of debt. Basically, you use the personal loan to pay off your credit cards, and then you just have to pay back your personal loan in monthly installments.

Personal loans will have one monthly payment. Plus, they offer fixed interest rates and fixed terms (usually anywhere from one to seven years depending on the lender), which means they have a predetermined payoff date. Credit cards, on the other hand, typically come with variable rates, which can fluctuate based on a variety of factors.

Just like balance transfer fees with a credit card, you’ll want to look out for fees with personal loans, too. Personal loans can come with origination fees and prepayment penalties, so it’s a good idea to do your research.

How to Make a Balance Transfer

If, after weighing the pros and cons and considering your other options, you decide a balance transfer credit card is the right approach for you, here’s how you can go about initiating a balance transfer. Keep in mind that you’ll need to have applied for and gotten approved for the card before taking this step.

Balance-Transfer Checks


In some cases, your new card issuer will provide you with balance-transfer checks in order to request a transfer. You’ll need to make the check out to the credit card company you’d like to pay (i.e., your old card). Information that you’ll need to provide includes your account information and the amount of the debt, which you can determine by checking your credit card balance.

Online or Phone Transfers

Another way to initiate a balance transfer is to contact the new credit card company to which you’re transferring the balance either online or over the phone. You’ll need to provide your account information and specify the amount you’d like to transfer to the card. The credit card company will then handle transferring the funds to pay off the old account.

The Takeaway

Whether you should consider a balance transfer credit card largely depends on whether the math checks out. If you can secure a better interest rate, feel confident you can pay off the balance before the promotional period ends, and have checked that the balance transfer fees won’t cancel out your savings, then it may be worth it to make a balance transfer.

Whether you're looking to build credit, apply for a new credit card, or save money with the cards you have, it's important to understand the options that are best for you. Learn more about credit cards by exploring this credit card guide.

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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Global inflation and supply chain issues have derailed a lot of people’s post-COVID plans, including renovating or remodeling their homes. The cost of remodeling and renovating has risen partly because there’s a shortage of supplies, so retailers have raised prices on the supplies and materials they do have. Plus, the Federal Reserve Bank has raised interest rates in an effort to slow inflation, meaning home improvement loans cost more. This doesn’t necessarily mean homeowners must put off renovations, but it does mean that sticking to your home reno budget may require more creativity and planning.

How to Keep Inflation From Ruining Your Home Renovation Budget

Here are some strategies for keeping inflation from blowing your home reno budget:

1. Understand Renovation vs Remodel

People use the terms renovation and remodel interchangeably, but they are not the same thing. A renovation is fixing up what’s already there; a remodel is changing what’s there. That may mean expanding a room, or converting a pantry to a breakfast nook. Remodeling is usually more expensive because it is more involved and can include the need for permits, whereas renovations are often smaller projects that you can sometimes DIY. Before getting started with either, it can be smart to budget for the level of transformation you can reasonably afford in this economic climate.

2. Invest Wisely

One thing experts agree on is that the best home renovation or remodel investments are projects that can raise the value of a home at resale. Some of these projects include a kitchen or bathroom makeover, expanding outdoor space, and even just replacing the garage door. SoFi’s home improvement ROI calculator can help you identify some of these home investment opportunities.

3. Finance Carefully

Since you’re investing in your home, especially with the idea of improving its value, it’s smart to look for the right partner to help you strategize how to finance your project. It’s possible your project may be eligible for a home equity loan where you borrow against the value of your home for funds. Another financing option is a personal loan. Unlike the home equity loan, a personal loan for home improvement projects requires no collateral.

💡 Learn more about how home improvement loans work.

4. Have a Plan

Home renovation projects notoriously run over budget. Global supply chain issues are making that even worse. Many projects must happen according to a specific sequence, like receiving a delivery of plumbing supplies and scheduling workers before you gut the bathroom. If something goes wrong with the sequencing, it might mean you lose your workers to another job that’s ready to go, or you have to pay extra to expedite shipping. These hold ups can be expensive. That’s why it’s important to plan meticulously before you begin.

5. Be Flexible

Can’t get the Italian granite you were eyeing for the kitchen counters? What about slate, which can be a fourth of the price and can look just as stunning. Or Sintered Stone? Or steel? Deciding from the beginning to be flexible on the things you can, and uncompromising only on the materials or designs that really matter to you, can save you thousands.

6. Consider High Quality Items

Because there is generally lower demand for slightly higher quality and pricier items, those appliances and materials haven’t risen as much in price . So you might have an opportunity to get something you might have considered out of your price range for about the same as the more standard one.

7. Oversee the Project

The typical contractor fee for most general contractors to oversee renovation projects is 20% of the project , so if you’re planning a $50,000 remodel and you do the contracting yourself, you could save $10,000 right off the bat. But it will be your job to source and schedule the experts you need — plumbers, electricians, etc. — and oversee the work. Just remember: It’s not uncommon to pay to have a job done twice during renovations, so it’s wise to stay on top of workers if you choose this option.

8. Do Something Yourself

Using skills you already have, or picking up a few through online videos and in-person workshops, can save you some time and money. If you decide you can do the job yourself, and it isn’t one that requires permitting and licensing, you may be happy with your results. Doing it yourself does have its risks such as not ending up with the quality you could have by using a professional. On the other hand, if you have some skills, you might do a better job than a mediocre contractor who isn’t as invested in your home as you are.

9. Vet Your Craftsman

Hiring someone who does a poor job or damages your home is a common risk of home renovation projects. Shopping for carpenters, painters, plumbers, and others solely on the basis of price can very easily lead to problems, which can require more time and investment on your part to correct. Choosing a contractor that’s skilled and reliable requires taking the time to look at portfolios, ask questions, and seek recommendations and reviews.

10. Collect a few Bids

It can take more time, but getting bids from several different companies is a smart way to help keep your renovation costs low. Not only does this type of “shopping” give you options for how much you can pay for specific tasks, but it can also give you an idea of how different contractors would approach your project.

11. Shop Wisely

It can be easy to order items online or pick up everything from your local home remodeling store, but high shipping costs and limited in-store options can actually increase your expenditures. If you’re looking to minimize costs, settling for what’s most convenient isn’t likely to help you. Instead, taking the time to shop around thoroughly and think creatively about your renovation plans can help save you a bundle.

12. Price Match

If you find an appliance online that you really love, you may want to try bringing a copy of that ad to your local retailer, and asking them to match the deal. This way you not only save yourself shipping costs, but you also get the best price for the item you prefer.

13. Try Repurposing

Before you spend money replacing what you have, consider transforming your items instead. Perhaps you could refinish or paint your kitchen cabinets instead of replacing them. Changing the hardware and interior panels are also simpler options that can reflect your style. Sometimes small changes can result in big transformations.

14. Consider Salvaged Materials

You can sometimes save big using salvaged materials. Secondhand shops like Habitat ReStores can sell old kitchen cabinets, flooring, light fixtures, plumbing fixtures, and furnishings for a fraction of the original sale price. You can even find unused paint, hardware, and art. For additional options, online sites like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace can provide useful, previously used items as well.

15. Be Creative Side

Pinterest can be a great source of budget friendly renovation ideas. You can spend a few hundred dollars on a mason jar light fixture; or you could make your own. How about creating a room divider with used pallets? Necessity is often the mother of invention, and you may discover a creative side you didn’t know you had by looking for creative design solutions.

The Takeaway

Inflation and supply chain problems can make home renovations and remodeling on a budget much more challenging, but not impossible. If you choose the best projects for added value; plan and shop for materials and craftspeople with care; and are willing to be creative and flexible, you can wind up investing less money, time and worry.

If your home renovation budget is a tad bit short of your dream, a home improvement loan from SoFi could give you the extra boost you need. With no collateral, no fees and the opportunity for same-day funding, SoFi can help get your project up and running in no time.

Photo credit: iStock/LightFieldStudios

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.

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.

Maybe you’ve just bought a house, or maybe you’ve had your house for decades and love everything about it — except for the extremely outdated kitchen, built before the days of marble top counters, stainless steel appliances, and kitchen islands. Renovating your kitchen can get expensive fast, but with inflation, materials cost even more than usual, so it can be tougher to control expenses. Luckily, there are a few strategies you can use to get the updates you crave, without emptying your pockets.

How to Keep Inflation From Ruining Your Kitchen Renovation

1. Setting A Budget

Like most people, you probably already have a budget in mind. That’s a good start, but even with a spending limit in place, it’s smart to use a tool like this home renovation cost calculator to get an estimate of what your kitchen reno will ultimately cost, and make sure your budget will truly cover it. These calculators allow you to choose from basic to extremely bespoke changes, and they consider the cost of labor and raw material, generally with a 20% margin for the contractors. (And contractors can cost much more than you may expect!)

2. Being Flexible

Be flexible about your upgrades. It’s not uncommon to have to cut back on some of your plans due to price hikes, sold out materials or surprise developments during construction. Expect to make compromises. If your dream project begins to get pricey, consider focusing on just one or two aspects of your reno that are most important to you, and saving other changes for another time.

3. Getting Creative

To keep your costs down, try thinking outside the box. Say the countertop you really want is way out of your budget. Perhaps your contractor may know where to find salvaged materials at a deep discount. Or the cabinets you had your eye on have jumped in price. Opting to reface instead of replace your existing cabinetry could be a reasonable, cost-effective approach. Being open to these kinds of options can really help keep your spending in check.

4. Doing It Yourself

DIY can be a great way to keep inflation from ruining your kitchen budget … if you know what you’re doing. There are millions of how-to videos online with detailed instructions on everything from putting in new flooring to installing sinks. One of the largest costs of any renovation is labor, and you can reap some significant savings by doing some of the things yourself, and saving the really hard stuff for a contractor. Keep in mind, though, that taking on tasks outside of your abilities could end up costing you in the end, so be realistic about what projects you can handle and which are better left to the professionals.

💡 Recommended: How Much Does it Cost to Remodel a House?

5. Considering Temporary Fixes

Can you update your cabinets and countertops with removable materials? Or perhaps a new coat of paint and some new pulls? Peel and stick wallpaper has become particularly popular due to its variety and flexibility. It comes in countless prints from wood grain to marble, and can be used as a backsplash, on countertops, kitchen cabinets, and yes, walls. Incorporating one of these simple changes can give your kitchen a fast and financially friendly refresh.

6. Renovating vs Remodeling

Yes, there’s a difference, and the distinction is important. If you are remodeling, you are changing the physical space, breaking down walls, removing cabinetry, etc. Remodels are almost always more labor intensive, require more materials, possibly permits, and definitely more of your contractor’s time, so they are almost always more expensive, even without inflation. Renovating, however, means you are updating what already exists. In this scenario, it’s often easier to pick your battles — keep the cabinets but change the countertop, for instance. So, if you really want to keep costs down, you may want to consider renovating cosmetic features instead of remodeling.

7. Consider a Loan

If you can’t wait to renovate but don’t have all the cash you need, you could consider getting a personal loan to cover the costs. If you’ve made enough mortgage payments, tapping into your home equity could be another option for funding your project. There are both benefits and drawbacks to borrowing so be sure to read the fine print, keep a close eye on interest rates and do your best to keep your project on track and under budget.

8. Increase Your ROI

Tapping into a mortgage refi or getting a personal loan might seem risky, but it can make sense if you’ve considered how much your home improvement may boost the value of your home when it comes time to sell it. Using a home improvement ROI calculator can help you estimate how much value you can add to your home after a renovation or remodel.

Another metric you may want to consider is the return on investment, for a particular project. Boosting your curb appeal — that is, the exterior of the house — can give you the most bang for your buck. So can things like replacing a garage door, sprucing up the yard and landscaping, and even painting the exterior of the house. And even a minor kitchen renovation can boost your home’s value, potentially offsetting any inflation costs you may incur.

9. Choosing The Right Contractor

Once you’ve decided what you want to do and what you can afford, it’s time to find a good contractor to execute your vision. This one decision can make or break the entire project, so it’s wise to ask for personal referrals. If that’s not an option, you can always search the top-reviewed contractors in your area. And just like comparing prices at the grocery store, getting estimates from at least three contractors can help you save.

The Takeaway

Inflation might be sky high right now, but it doesn’t have to stop you from having the kitchen of your dreams. Whether you are going for a full remodel or a few cosmetic changes, there are ways to update the look of your kitchen without breaking the bank.

And should you decide to pick up a personal loan to cover those costs, be sure to budget a little extra for the “just-in-case.” SoFi’s home improvement loans range from $5K to $100K and can cover just about any kitchen project. Plus, with no collateral and same day funding, you can kick off your project sooner and can find yourself cooking in your new kitchen in no time.

Photo credit: iStock/sturti

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

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

Some things in life sound too good to be true, and getting cash back for purchases may seem like one of those deals. But an increasing number of credit cards, called cashback cards, offer clients money back when they charge what they buy.

Many people are familiar with the concept of credit card rewards, when lenders give clients a little something back—points, airline miles—as an incentive for using their card.

In the case of cashback cards, that reward is, well, cash.

How Does a Cash Back Credit Card Program Work?

Cashback credit cards reward clients based on their spending, providing a credit that is a small percentage of the total purchase.

If a cashback card provides 1% back, for instance, the cardholder would generally earn 1 cent on every dollar spent, or $1 for every $100 they charge to their card. If, over the course of the year, a person charges $10,000 in purchases to their cashback credit card, they’d earn $100 in cash back for that time period.

Unlike sale items, when an item is discounted at the time of purchase—meaning, of course, the shopper pays a cheaper price—cashback cards work more like a rebate. The customer buys something at the posted rate and gets money back at a later date.

The average American had a credit card balance of $5,315 in 2020, according to Experian. Assuming that full balance is eligible for cash back, it would earn $53.15 with a credit card providing 1% cash back and $106.30 for one giving 2% cash back.

Do All Cashback Credit Cards Work the Same Way?

Yes and no. While all cashback cards typically use the same model—money back based on a percentage of total purchases—the differences are typically in the details.

Things like the rate of cashback earnings, interest rate, the process for redeeming cash back, and so on vary by card and lender. Some lenders may even offer several cashback credit card products with different rates and benefits.

As such, before signing up for a cashback credit card, it’s smart to spend some time researching and comparing cashback cards to find the one that best suits your needs.

What to Look for in a Cashback Card

There are a number of considerations when choosing a cashback credit card that will determine just how profitable the card will be for a specific person.

Because people have different spending habits and financial preferences, the best type of credit card will ultimately depend on the individual. Here are some things to consider.

Rate of Cash Back

Not all cashback credit cards offer the same rate of return, so it’s best to comparison-shop. Though differences in percentages may sound negligible, getting 2% instead of 1% means double the cash back—and those small amounts can add up over time.

Some credit cards also provide different rates of cash back depending on the spending category or how much money the cardholder charges in a year. For example, some credit cards may provide a higher percentage on expenditures such as gas, travel, or groceries and a different rate for other types of purchases.

Tiered cashback cards may provide a higher (or even lower) rate when annual purchases exceed various thresholds.

Some credit cards also offer higher introductory cashback rates.

How a person chooses to redeem cash back may also determine the final payout. A travel rewards card, for example, may provide a higher rate of return for cardholders who redeem the money they earn on flights, and a lesser amount for those who redeem their rewards on statement credits or other purchases.

It can be difficult to tell at a glance how much the cashback percentage rate may actually net an individual, especially when considering categorized and tiered rewards. But when comparison-shopping for a cashback credit card, it is worth crunching some numbers to get an idea.

One way to estimate how much in cashback rewards a card will actually end up earning is to apply the posted cashback rates to previous credit card statements or to the spending allocations within an individual’s annual budget.

Annual Fees

Though some cashback credit cards have no annual fee, others do. It’s a good idea to factor in any annual fee when estimating the cashback rewards based on your spending habits. Calculating the returns on fee vs. no-fee cards can help to assess whether it’s worth shelling out extra.

If a bank charges $99 for a cashback card earning 2%, the bank fees would essentially cancel out the $100 in cash back earned on the first $5,000 in annual spending.

Someone who charged $7,500 annually would net $51 with the 2% cashback card, and $75 with a no-fee 1% cashback card. But if they charged $20,000 annually, the $99/2% cashback credit card would net $301, while the no-fee card would only earn $200 in cash back.

APR

The nearly half of Americans who carry a balance on their credit cards each month will want to pay close attention to a credit card’s annual percentage rate. This is the amount of interest cardholders will have to pay if they do not pay off their credit card balance in full each month.

The average credit card APR was 14.65% in late 2020, according to the Federal Reserve—a rate that can quickly cancel out any cashback benefits.

Recommended: What is a Good APR?

Redemption Terms

A good question to ask a lender before signing up for a cashback credit card is “Where can I get cash back?” The terms of redemption can vary across credit card products.

In some cases, cardholders may see an annual one-time credit for the full amount earned. Other cards allow cardholders to redeem their cash back at any time.

Tips for Getting the Most Out of a Cashback Card

While signing up for—and using—a cashback credit card is the first step to getting money back on everyday purchases, there are some ways to optimize the returns.

Pay Off Your (Whole) Credit Card Bill on Time

With few exceptions, credit card charges are not subject to interest until after the statement payment due date. But after that payment becomes due, extra interest and fees can quickly add up—erasing any cashback benefits.

Optimize Redemptions

When it comes to redeeming cash back, it’s worth seeking the biggest bang for your buck.

If a card offers different rates of cash back depending on how rewards are redeemed, being strategic when cashing out can result in a greater windfall.

Consider Extra Fees

Though a cashback credit card can make it tempting to charge everything you buy, that’s not always the most cost-effective strategy.

Though it’s generally an exception, some merchants impose surcharges for using a credit card or may provide discounts for paying in cash. In such cases, it’s a good idea to crunch the numbers to ensure the extra fees don’t actually cost more than the cashback reward.

The Takeaway

Free money may be hard to come by—but not if you use a cashback credit card. When choosing a card, It’s best to look at the rate of cash back, any annual fee a card may charge, and the APR if you carry a balance.

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


*See Pricing, Terms & Conditions at SoFi.com/card/terms

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


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

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