Blog | Southern Bancorp

Last-Minute Savings for Summer Brides and Grooms

Dustin Jayroe — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 17:04:58 +0000

By Charlestien Harris, Retired Financial Coach at Southern Bancorp June is one of the most popular months for weddings. If you haven’t started planning – or if you haven’t noticed – it’s already June! Some people prefer not to plan far in advance, and that’s okay, but you still need a general idea of your […]

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The FAFSA Application: Do’s and Don’ts for Parents

Dakota Felder — Wed, 27 May 2026 14:46:19 +0000

By Charlestien Harris, Retired Financial Coach at Southern Bancorp Parents, it’s your turn now! I have already addressed high school graduates and college graduates this month, offering financial tips to follow after the graduation ceremony has ended. Now, it’s time for the parents of those graduates. What is FAFSA, you might ask? The Free Application […]

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Eight Financial Tips for College Graduates

Dakota Felder — Fri, 22 May 2026 14:09:57 +0000

By Charlestien Harris, Retired Financial Coach at Southern Bancorp Last week, I spoke to high school graduates. This week, I want to speak to college graduates, most of whom are headed into the workforce. After earning a college degree, it’s time to face reality. Many graduates are living away from home and managing their own […]

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Seven Financial Tips for Graduating High School Seniors

Dakota Felder — Fri, 15 May 2026 14:15:37 +0000

By Charlestien Harris, Retired Financial Coach at Southern Bancorp Congratulations to the Class of 2026! Graduation is finally here, and the excitement is reaching its peak. Becoming an adult and developing sound financial habits is a lifelong process. Whether you are entering the workforce or beginning your college education, there are several essential money management […]

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Financial Protection Laws for the Military

Dakota Felder — Fri, 08 May 2026 14:53:03 +0000

By Charlestien Harris, Retired Financial at Coach Southern Bancorp May is celebrated as National Military Appreciation Month. Many companies and organizations recognize our service personnel by offering special discounts and promotions to show how much we appreciate the sacrifices they make for our country and for the freedom we all enjoy. When service members are […]

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Spring Cleaning Tips for Your Finances

Dakota Felder — Fri, 01 May 2026 15:54:51 +0000

By Charlestien Harris, Retired Financial Coach at Southern Bancorp For many people, spring means opening windows, getting rid of dust, and doing some general cleaning. While you’re freshening up your home, consider taking time to clean up your finances, too. You may be surprised by what’s hiding in your accounts, email, financial documents, and even […]

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The Facts About Fair Housing

Dakota Felder — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 14:36:41 +0000

By Charlestien Harris, Retired Financial Coach at Southern Bancorp April is nationally recognized as Fair Housing Month, yet many people are unaware of how to make a formal complaint or where to seek assistance if they are a victim of a Fair Housing Law violation. The Fair Housing Act was enacted by Congress on April […]

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Dispelling the Myth: Estate Planning is Not Just for the Wealthy

Dakota Felder — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 20:10:22 +0000

Dispelling the Myth: Estate Planning is Not Just for the Wealthy By Charlestien Harris, Retired Financial Coach at Southern Bancorp Estate planning is a topic many people avoid because they believe they do not have enough financially to plan for the distribution of their assets. People may shy away from discussions about wills, trusts, and […]

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Five Tips for Successful Investing

Dakota Felder — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 14:18:29 +0000

Five Tips for Successful Investing By Charlestien Harris, Retired Financial Coach at Southern Bancorp April is recognized as National Financial Literacy Month. One of the most important lessons I learned as an experienced financial counselor is knowing when to take on a client and when to provide a warm introduction to connect them with the […]

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March Money Madness: The Final Four Money Issues

Dakota Felder — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 19:45:36 +0000

By Charlestien Harris, Retired Financial Coach at Southern Bancorp I have been talking basketball all month long, and with the Final Four games about to take place, I would be remiss if I did not talk about four of the most common financial challenges people face today. A financial challenge is an event or obstacle […]

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