It's the most wonderful time of the year, well for most people anyway. For some folks, the holidays bring about a lot of added stress and financial burden, which is why it's the perfect time to give back. If you're fortunate enough to have a little extra money this year, there are lots of ways that you can help those in need. If you're not in a place to give financially, there are still many ways to give back that don't cost a dime. Either way, I guarantee that giving back to others this holiday season will help you get into the spirit and remember the true reason why we celebrate.

With the holidays right around the corner, I'm sure you've made your shopping list and checked it twice. You might've even scoured your favorite retailers or my latest blog post to see if you can score any of the items on your list for a great deal on Black Friday. Although sometimes it's easy to load up your Amazon cart with everything you need and have it on your doorstep in two days, I would encourage you to look into local businesses as an alternative for some of your gifts this year.

The government shut down hit everyone pretty hard this year, but especially small businesses. Many small business owners rely on customers coming in day after day to stay afloat. They don't have stockholders or investors to help support them when hard times come along. They depend on you and me, their friends and neighbors, to see the hard work that goes into their business and choose to shop locally.

We're officially a week away from the biggest shopping day of the year, Black Friday. Like most things in 2020, Black Friday may look a little different this year than what you're used to. If you're one of those people who likes to get a head start on holiday shopping after finishing up your Thanksgiving dinner, you may be out of luck this year. Many major retailers have decided to kick the usual holiday tradition of opening on Thanksgiving night and instead will remain closed until Friday morning (ex: Walmart, Target, Best Buy.) However, to offset the COVID-19 retail restrictions, you're more likely to see stores offer Black Friday promotions all-week long or run major sales online to provide customers their Black Friday Shopping experience in a safer way.

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, which means it's time to start thinking about what to cook. My mom cooks the turkey in my family, and the rest of us all chip in with different sides and desserts. This year, I asked around the credit union for new recipes to try out. If you're like me, you're probably looking for something that is budget-friendly, easy to cook, and contains minimal ingredients, or at least uses ingredients that you already have. 

Have you grabbed your copy of the October Grand Strand Magazine? You'll definitely want to grab one and check out the Women in Business Edition, featuring profiles of some of our area's most prominent businesswomen.

Can you believe it is already fall? It seems like summer just flew by. As much as I love summer, I am ready for cooler weather and fun fall festivities. Growing up in the mountains in Virginia, I always loved watching the leaves change colors each fall. Although the scenery doesn't change as drastically here in South Carolina, there are still lots of other ways to get into the fall spirit.

Planning for hurricane season and other potential natural disasters can be stressful, and doing so during the COVID-19 Pandemic adds new levels of preparation to consider. In these stressful circumstances, having quick access to supplies, finances, insurance, medical, and other personal records is crucial for quickly and efficiently, starting the process of recovery. Collecting and securing these items now will give you peace of mind in the event of an emergency. It will ensure that you have everything you need to start the recovery process without delay. With two tropical storms, Arthur and Bertha, emerging before hurricane season even begins, we want to make sure you have the information that you need to be prepared. Here are a few tips to get you started:

We know that you may be getting a little stir crazy, as most of the country is operating under a mandatory Stay-At-Home Order. While kids are out of school and parents are working from home, it's easy to run out of fun activities and allow isolation to get the best of you. Carolina Trust has put together a list of fun activities to do with your kids while you’re stuck at home together.

Small businesses in our area are already starting to feel the economic impact of COVID-19. With many individuals taking refuge within their homes from the virus, it leaves small business owners with a lot of uncertainty about how they will keep their business afloat and provide for themselves and their families.