The $6,000 Senior Tax Deduction: What Does It Mean?

Sep 25, 2025 | Blog, Financial Fitness

By Charlestien Harris, Retired Financial Coach at Southern Bancorp Taxes are a fact of life, and being a senior citizen is no exception. Many people believe that Social Security income is not taxable, but that’s not entirely true. Whether your Social Security benefits...

Secured or Unsecured Credit Cards
Which is Better?

Sep 19, 2025 | Blog, Financial Fitness

By Charlestien Harris, Retired Financial Coach, Southern Bancorp The holidays are just a few months away, and if we’re being honest, most of our purchases will be made by sliding, tapping, or inserting a card. Now is a great time to evaluate which type of card might...

September is Insurance Awareness Month

Sep 12, 2025 | Blog, Financial Fitness

By Charlestien Harris, Retired Financial Counselor at Southern Bancorp You might be asking yourself, “Why is having insurance so important?” Well, let me ask you this: How would you pay for an unexpected event like a car accident, a house fire, or a medical emergency?...

Managing Your Finances During College

Sep 4, 2025 | Blog, Financial Fitness

By Charlestien Harris, Retired Financial Counselor at Southern Bancorp Managing your finances during college can be a significant source of stress. For many students, this is the first time they’ve had to take personal responsibility for their financial decisions....

Recognizing and Diffusing Text Scams

Aug 29, 2025 | Blog, Financial Fitness

By Charlestien Harris, Retired Financial Counselor at Southern Bancorp I don’t know about you, but I’ve been receiving – and promptly deleting – a flood of text messages about package deliveries, toll payments, work-from-home opportunities, and more. I’m frustrated...

How to Limit the Effects of Inflation on Your Budget

Aug 22, 2025 | Blog, Financial Fitness

By Charlestien Harris Eventually, what goes up must come down…right? Well, sometimes yes, and sometimes no – especially as it relates to inflation. Inflation is the rate at which prices increase over a given period. It can also be described as the decline in the...

Preparing for Fall Expenses

Aug 15, 2025 | Blog, Financial Fitness

By Charlestien Harris, Retired Financial Counselor at Southern Bancorp Autumn marks the beginning of the fall season, and setting aside money for upcoming costs – such as heating bills, fall wardrobe updates, and potential holiday expenses – is essential for staying...

Understanding Investment Options and Terms

Aug 8, 2025 | Blog, Financial Fitness

By Charlestien Harris, Retired Financial Counselor at Southern Bancorp August is National Investor Month – who knew? Well, now you do! This month is dedicated to celebrating the art of investing and recognizing those who actively manage their financial futures. It’s a...

Back-to-School Financial Literacy Basics for Families

Aug 1, 2025 | Blog, Financial Fitness

By Charlestien Harris, Retired Financial Counselor at Southern Bancorp Financial literacy is a critical skill that benefits every member of the family, regardless of age. For many parents, setting a good example and providing the tools and knowledge children need to...

Money Matters for Military Families

Jul 25, 2025 | Blog, Financial Fitness

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...