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.

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.

When you have good credit, qualifying for a car loan is easy. However, if your credit is less than satisfactory, the situation is more difficult. Fortunately, it is possible to purchase a car even if your credit isn't perfect. In fact, NerdWallet reports that more than 1 in 5 car loans goes to borrowers with credit scores below 600.

Finding and buying your first home is one of life’s adventures. For first time home buyers, a first home is an excellent financial investment that offers an empty canvas of possibility. Yet what many forget with their first home purchase is that your home, unless it is in the middle of the country, also comes with a neighborhood. As you shop for your first home, you are also shopping for your first neighborhood, and you need to consider the location carefully.

Here are some considerations that can help you choose the right neighborhood when you are buying your first home.

Congrats! Buying your first car is an exciting and rewarding experience. But while it may be tons of fun, there are some things that you must know as a first time car buyer to ensure that you choose the right vehicle for your needs and budget. Here are some first time car buyer tips to ensure your success.