Decorating my home for each season is one of my favorite things to get me into the spirit of the upcoming seasonal activities. Fall, in particular, is one of my favorite seasons to decorate for because it gives such warm and cozy vibes. 
However, incorporating new seasonal styles and décor pieces into your home at each season change can be expensive. And, of course, with styles changing all the time, last year's trends are rarely still in style, making you feel like you have to go out and buy more to keep up.
This year, I decided to try decorating my home for fall with easy-to-find items from local thrift stores. In doing so, I found great pieces that can be reused each year and for multiple seasons, depending on how I style and mix and match them. Below are some of the items that I was on the hunt for:

Credit cards are a valuable financial tool for both individuals and businesses–but they come at a price.

This Saturday, the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers will have their first home game of the 2024 football season. As an alumnus of the university and a huge college football fan, I've been waiting for this moment since our last season ended.

With the start of a new school year right around the corner, it's time to start filling the cart with back-to-school items. If the rows and rows of school supplies at Walmart and Target haven't already sucked you in, then Tax-Free Weekend is the perfect time to grab some of the key items on your list.

There is no better time of year to live at the beach than the summer. I love spending time outside by the ocean or the river and soaking up the UV rays, with sunscreen, of course. 

Buying a home is a huge milestone and perhaps the largest purchase most of us will ever make. It's important for those who are interested in homeownership to understand the benefits of buying a home versus renting and what a smart investment this decision is for your future. It's also important to understand that homeownership is a lifestyle choice and one that will impact your financial status.

Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions many of us make in our lives. But how do you know if you should continue renting vs. buying a home?

There are pros and cons to each of these housing options, so it's important to do some research about both to help you decide if renting or buying a home is the right decision for you. 

I recently sat down with Meredith Olmstead, CEO and Co-Founder of FI Grow Solutions, a marketing and sales team that works with financial institutions, for an episode of their podcast, Hit Record. In the episode, Meredith and I talked about the benefit to credit unions in having a Brand Ambassador, what the role looks like, and some of the challenges. Check out the episode below: 

Purchasing a home in South Carolina has proven to be an intelligent investment. Since 2018, South Carolina's real estate market has experienced substantial growth. Over the last five years, from the fourth quarter of 2018 to the fourth quarter of 2023, the state's total home appreciation was recorded at 84%, with an average annual growth rate of 16.8%. If your equity improved in recent years, and you have a need for an affordable financing option, a cash out refinance mortgage could deliver wide-reaching benefits.