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. 

I love living in the south; life is slow, and the people are friendly, but boy, IT IS HOT. It's almost impossible to beat the heat without blasting the a/c unless you catch a breezy day at the beach (my personal favorite way). But having the a/c blasting from May to October can get pretty pricey. Check out the BALANCE blog below for Ways to Reduce Summer Cooling Costs.

As we head further into the heat of the summer, Here are some of the hottest events happening along the Grand Strand this month that are perfect for enjoying the spirit of summer. No matter what type of things you enjoy, there is a little something for everyone. Be sure to comment below on which events you're looking forward to the most!

Summertime has finally arrived at the grand strand, and unfortunately, hurricane season came right along with it. Living near the coast, we are in hurricane season from June 1st to November 30th. Thinking about a potential hurricane can be somewhat stressful. However, being educated and prepared can help relieve a bit of that anxiety.

Looking for some ideas to kick off the summer? There are a lot of fantastic events going on along the Grand Strand this month that are perfect for getting into the summer spirit. No matter what type of things you enjoy, there is a little something for everyone. Be sure to comment below on which events you're looking forward to the most!

Did you know that May is mental health awareness month? According to Mental Health America, approximately 20% of adults in the United States are experiencing a mental illness, with South Carolina ranked 8th in prevalence, according to Forbes Advisor. 

Every year around Mother's Day, I tell myself that I'm going to start gift shopping early to give myself enough time to find the perfect gift. I typically start thinking about gift ideas well in advance; however, selecting a gift and purchasing one is a whole different story.

Mother's Day is always one of the most challenging holidays to shop for because there is genuinely no gift on the planet that is good enough to thank my mom for all that she's done/does for me. And since I know the perfect gift doesn't exist, I typically buy my mom something that I know she needs, and then I wait until the very last minute to buy it. Luckily for you, that means I'm the Queen of last-minute gift ideas. So, if you still haven't found the "perfect" Mother's Day gift, check out my last-minute gift ideas below:

April is CUNA Youth Month, which is a perfect opportunity to start the conversation with your kids about money. Let’s face it: no kid is going to master money at age five. However, introducing financial concepts early on can help them be more capable and comfortable with money later in life. Here are some easy tips you can teach your five-year-old about finance:

I can't believe that my favorite season of the year is almost here, wedding season. Once we start seeing the first few glimpses of spring weather, I can always expect wedding invitations to start flooding in. And with every wedding invitation that I receive, there is sure to be a shower invitation to follow. I've been invited to so many weddings this year that I'm starting to think the saying "April Showers Bring May Flowers" isn't about rain after all.