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Money Matters for Military Families
By Charlestien Harris ATTENTION – July is National Military Consumer Month! I discovered this little-known fact while conducting research for my weekly article. We enjoy our freedom in this country thanks to the dedicated service members who protect it with honor. In...
Let’s Celebrate National Savings Month
By Charlestien Harris, Retired Financial Counselor at Southern Bancorp Did you know that July is designated as National Savings Month? I didn't know that fun fact either. It was established to encourage individuals to focus on saving, budgeting, and...
College Students Preparing to Live on Their Own
By Charlestien Harris, Retired Financial Counselor at Southern Bancorp If you ask the average young adult whether they’re ready to leave the comforts of their parents’ home, they will most definitely say, “Yes!” I know this because, when I was that age, I once said I...
Prequalification vs. Pre-approval: What’s the Difference?
By Charlestien Harris, Retired Financial Counselor at Southern Bancorp Searching for your dream home doesn’t have to remain just a dream. Knowing in advance how much money you have available to purchase a home can go a long way in turning that dream into reality. One...
Homeownership Affordability: Know Your Numbers
By Charlestien Harris One of the most important factors to consider when purchasing a home is affordability. Affordability can look different for each person considering homeownership. Homeownership affordability is defined as the ability to purchase and maintain a...
Homebuyer Education: What Is It, and Why Do I Need It?
By Charlestien Harris, Retired Financial Counselor at Southern Bancorp Now that you’ve decided you’re ready to purchase a home, it’s time to learn more about the home buying process. A Homebuyer Education Course is designed to educate potential buyers about the steps...
Are You Ready to Buy a Home?
By Charlestien Harris, Retired Financial Counselor at Southern Bancorp June is commonly known as National Homeownership Month – a time to celebrate the American dream of owning a home and to promote the benefits of homeownership. National Homeownership Week began in...
Planning on Tying the Knot? Say ‘I Do’ to Saving!
By Charlestien Harris June is a very popular month for weddings – often considered the third most popular month after September and October! You’ve probably heard the phrase “tying the knot” used to describe a wedding ceremony. This week, I want to share some thrifty...
Money-Saving Moves for National Moving Month
By Charlestien Harris May is National Moving Month, which kicks off one of the busiest moving seasons of the year. It’s also when home sales begin to rise, and people start making big changes. Moving can be a hassle and a chore, and it often brings more change than...
Make Every Penny Count in May and Every Day!
By Charlestien Harris, Retired Financial Counselor at Southern Bancorp Some people may look for pennies – especially if they’re on the ground – and pick them up. Others may carry a found penny for good luck or put the first penny they receive in their pocket. Either...