Southern Blog
A New Year to Beware of an Old Scam
By Charlestien Harris Happy New Year to those of you I have not greeted! Unfortunately for us consumers, scammers are always busy trying to get something for nothing! Real estate property title scamming is not new, but it happens more often than you think. Some of you...
Southern Bancorp: Wealth Builders for Everyone!
By Charlestien Harris Who wants to build wealth…raise your hand! Most of us aspire to be financially stable during our lifetime. Being financially sound and knowing how to build your wealth can take different paths depending on the goals you set for yourself. What is...
Cost of Medicare Increasing in 2025: Here’s What to Know
By Charlestien Harris I know, I know – nobody wants to hear about higher costs coming in the new year! But you should be prepared because the higher costs are coming regardless of whether you are prepared or not. For some seniors, this means making major adjustments...
ACA Open Enrollment Deadline is Fast Approaching
By Charlestien Harris The end of the year is coming, and usually, we don’t think about our health concerns until the new year. However, there is a deadline approaching fast: the Affordable Care Act (ACA) enrollment for health insurance. The open enrollment deadline...
Giving Tuesday: A Good Time to Consider the Tax Benefits
By Charlestien Harris The Tuesday after Thanksgiving is commonly known as Giving Tuesday. It is when many people choose to make charitable donations to qualified organizations. People making charitable donations for Giving Tuesday, or at any time during the year,...
Preventing Holiday-Induced Financial Stress
By Charlestien Harris Often, we are told to get in the “holiday” spirit. But what does that really mean? For some of us, it means adopting a more festive attitude or mood. For others, it means wondering how to pay for the extra food, gifts, and costs incurred while...
November to Remember Your Healthcare Savings
By Charlestien Harris November signals that the end of the year is on the horizon, and the current year is winding down fast! We probably can think of a lot of things on a to-do list, but spending available medical dollars is not one that may come readily to your...
2024 Year-End Tax Strategies
By Charlestien Harris Taxes! Taxes! Taxes! You may have just filed your extension from last year’s taxes, but this is the perfect time to begin preparing for next year’s tax season. November is the perfect month to start thinking about year-end tax strategies to...
The Telltale Signs of Too Much Debt
By Charlestien Harris The holidays are coming! The holidays are coming! But that does not automatically mean that the usual debt must accompany the season. Nearly every adult in the United States has some form of debt. There are several steps you can take to avoid...
Weatherizing Your Home to Save Money
By Charlestien Harris Burrrrr… Mr. Winter is already flexing his muscles with this early cold snap! I don’t know about you, but I can feel the temperature changing, which lets me know winter is on its way. Usually, during the winter months, utility bills can get...