April is Credit Union Youth Month, and Carolina Trust is celebrating in full swing like we do every year. This year's official youth month theme is "Save Small. Dream Big. at your credit union™, and one day you may have enough to fulfill a financial dream!" This theme makes saving for the future fun and encourages younger members to create financial dreams and work hard to see them through.

Youth Month is a great annual opportunity to engage with our young members and teach them about important financial topics. Taking topics like credit, investing, and budgeting and putting them into terms that kids can understand can be tricky, so I'm here to help!

In this blog post, I will try to explain the concept of credit by comparing it to a library book. If you're not already a cardholder at our public library, now is an excellent time to become one. Not only will your child get to do a bit more reading, but you can use the experience to explain the concept of credit.

Every March, millions of Americans get sucked into the craze of March Madness. Whether or not they've seen a college basketball game all season, there's something about building a bracket, tuning in to watch their teams play, and bragging rights when they anticipate a major upset that has so many people hooked.

Although the two have little in common, except that a bit of luck can make you rich (or broke), there are a few financial lessons that we all can learn from March Madness.

Say goodbye to the masks and king cakes, and hello to the season of sacrifice, Lent. This week, we celebrated Fat Tuesday and the start of Lent. Fat Tuesday(Mardi Gras) is a long-standing tradition in the Catholic Church, where people overindulge themselves in preparation for Lent, the 40 days of fasting and repentance that lead up to Easter Sunday. 

This tease of warm weather that we've been having is getting me geared up for spring. It's also making me want to go ahead and pull my spring décor and clothes out of the attic.

I typically change out my closet each season to not overload it. Every time I do, I'm reminded of all the clothes that I continue to keep year after year that I don't wear. This year, using the tips from the BALANCE blog below, I'm determined to get rid of the clutter and make more space for things I love.

With tax deadlines right around the corner, we want to make sure that you're prepared. Check out the BALANCE blog below about recent changes to the child tax credit, as some changes may impact your financial situation.

The Grand Strand area is rich with African American history, and with February being Black History Month, there's no better time to explore the past and honor those who paved the way.

As I was researching places and events in our area celebrating black history month, I came across the blog post below, written by Visit Myrtle Beach. It is an excellent round-up of places in our community that share the story of how African culture has shaped our area and lifestyle.

February is here, and love is in the air. It's actually pretty hard to hide from love this time of year, especially when the shelves of every store are lined with hearts and other cheesy romantic things.

Although Valentine's Day can be a bit commercial, I love having a special day dedicated to showing my friends, family, and significant other how much I love them.

Whether you love Valentine's Day or hate it, this time of year is a perfect reminder to give yourself a little self-love.

Self-Love can sound like a cheesy thing. My first thought always goes to giving myself a big hug or something silly. However, self-love really boils down to the stuff you're doing every day to show yourself some love. Are you investing time and energy into yourself? Are you lifting yourself up? Are you as kind and giving to yourself as you are to the people you love? If not, Valentine's Day is a great time to start.

I'm not saying you have to buy yourself a card and box of chocolates. However, if it makes you feel good, then you definitely should.

If you need a few ideas for practicing self-love this Valentine's Day season, check out my suggestions below:

First time auto buyers have a lot to consider when deciding whether to lease a brand-new car or buy an affordable vehicle they will someday own. While leasing may offer a newer, fancier car with lower monthly payments; obtaining a car loan and buying your first car you will someday hold the title to is very (financially) appealing.

It's that time of year again; W2's are rolling in, tax professionals are gearing up, and your mind is already swirling on how to spend your tax refund check. Once you get through the initial stress of preparing your financial documents and filing your taxes, thinking of ways to spend the anticipated extra money can be exciting. However, don't let the excitement of having a little extra cash in your pocket make you hastily spend it on something you'll regret.

Instead, check out the BALANCE blog below for ten ideas to make the most of your refund money.

Buying a home in the Carolinas for the first time can be a daunting experience. If you are a first time home buyer, remember that knowledge is power. Below, we present 5 key lessons to remember as you start shopping for your first house.