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Advantages of Online Banking

Posted by August on May 6, 2025 1:51:31 PM

When you think of things that make your life easier, what comes to mind? Smartphones? Other electronic devices? Household appliances? When you think about it, one of the biggest boosts to easier living in the last decade has been immediate access to your cash via online banking technology. It’s easy. It’s convenient. And it has a lot to offer.

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Topics: Personal Finance

Ready to Begin Investing?

Posted by August on May 1, 2025 5:02:19 PM

Unless you majored in economics or finance in college, you probably didn’t learn much about the stock market growing up. And, if you’re like many people, your eyes glaze over when you hear stock market news. Nonetheless, despite the economic turmoil of recent years, the stock market remains among the most important option for Americans to build their wealth and secure a comfortable retirement. So, while you may still choose to work with a financial advisor to guide your investment strategy, here are some investment basics you should know.

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Topics: Personal Finance

Everything You Need to Know About Artfields

Posted by August on Apr 24, 2025 11:13:16 AM

Artfields is officially back! During ArtFields, the town of Lake City, once one of South Carolina's most prosperous agricultural communities, becomes a living art gallery as we recognize, celebrate, and share the artistic talent of the Southeast.

ArtFields started in 2013 with a simple goal: honor the artists of the Southeast with a week's worth of celebration and competition in the heart of a traditional Southern small town. The competition and exhibition offer over $145,000 in cash prizes. The votes of people visiting ArtFields determine the winners of two People's Choice Awards; a panel of art professionals selects all the other awards, including the $50,000 Grand Prize and $25,000 Second Place award.

With Carolina Trust having a branch in the heart of Lake City, I'd been through the town several times before, but after attending Artfields a few years ago it's become a can't-miss annual event for Adam and I. Saying that Lake City completely transforms for Artfields would be an understatement. The amount of fine arts culture and community closeness that Artfields creates left such a lasting impact that this event will find a spot on my calendar year after year.

If you're planning to attend Artfields this year, here are all the things you need to know:

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Topics: Home, Life & School, Seasonal

Two Strategies for Digging Out of Debt

Posted by August on Apr 17, 2025 1:22:34 PM

Carrying consumer debt can weigh heavily on our minds, reduce our freedom of choice,  and cost us a ton of money in interest. Assuming you’ve got more than one debt to pay off, which method of debt repayment should you use?

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Topics: Debt Consolidation

How to Spruce Your Home for Spring on a Budget

Posted by August on Apr 11, 2025 12:14:29 PM

When I think of Spring, I think airy, bright, warm, and fresh. It's the perfect time to give your home a little sprucing up. But if you're not careful, Spring sprucing and cleaning can quickly become expensive.

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Topics: Personal Finance

How To Get The Best Deal When Buying a Car

Posted by August on Apr 3, 2025 3:08:04 PM

Buy new, buy used, or lease? These are just a few of the many decisions you’ll need to make before happily driving away with a vehicle. While shopping for a car or truck is exciting, it’s also no simple matter. You can avoid buyer’s remorse by making important financial and practical decisions before signing on the dotted line.

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Topics: Seasonal

4 Tips You Should Know When Using an Auto Loan Calculator

Posted by Carolina Trust Federal Credit Union on Mar 31, 2025 2:30:00 PM

Here's How to Make Sure You Don't Overpay for Your Car and Car Loan

Everyone wants to get the best price on their next car purchase. Finding a car with the right price is the first step, but you'll also need to carefully consider your loan. An auto loan calculator is a helpful tool to use as you analyze car loans. This tool allows you to input the vehicle's price, loan term, and interest rate, as well as other fees and costs, to see both the monthly payment and total cost of the loan over its lifetime. By using it well, you can avoid overpaying not only for the car itself, but also for the loan. If you've never used an auto loan calculator before, these tips will help you make the most out of this tool.

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Topics: Personal Finance, Auto Loans & Car Buying

Avoid These Tax Blunders

Posted by August on Mar 28, 2025 9:33:26 AM

It's that time of year again; W2s are rolling in, tax professionals are gearing up, and your mind is already swirling with ways to spend your tax refund check. Before getting too excited and seeing dollar signs, check out this BALANCE blog post for common tax blunders you should try to avoid. 

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Topics: Seasonal

Spring Cleaning for Your Finances

Posted by August on Mar 21, 2025 12:14:46 PM

The freshness of spring motivates a lot of people to throw open the windows and doors, and do a thorough spring cleaning. It’s a great way to take stock of what you have, organize it so everything’s more accessible, and ditch the clutter that’s keeping you from enjoying your space. While you’re at it, why not dive into a bit of spring cleaning for your finances, too?

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Topics: Personal Finance, Seasonal

What is a Home Equity Loan and Can it Help with Debt Consolidation?

Posted by Carolina Trust Federal Credit Union on Mar 20, 2025 12:30:00 PM

When hard-working people find themselves swimming in high-interest debt, it’s time to look for a lifeline and pull yourself out. Leveraging your home equity to consolidate monthly payments that are crushing your financial health and quality of life can be a game-changing solution.

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Topics: Home Equity, Home Loans, Debt Consolidation

Carolina Trust Federal Credit Union Blog 

Welcome to the Carolina Trust Federal Credit Union Blog! We're excited to share financial tips and information for a variety of different topics.

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Check out recent blog posts by our Brand Ambassador, August, for tips on achieving financial success in the bag. 

 

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