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There are those in our community who go to extraordinary lengths contributing to the safety and well-being of us all. We call them our “Hometown Heroes” and this month we are celebrating the many ways that their lives make our lives better. If you're someone who is active or retired military, or who works in the fields of fire and rescue or law enforcement, we'd like to thank you by inviting you to be part of our Hometown Heroes program. If you're a medical professional, teacher or school district employee, or work for a religious organization or a 501(c)(3) non-profit, we want to celebrate your contributions by inviting you to join our Hometown Heroes program too. Over the next several weeks, your First Reliance team will be visiting each Hometown Hero with a special thank you basket. We hope to see you then! Learn more about the Hometown Heroes program ...


As the new school year inches closer, just about every store is offering back-to-school deals for kids clothes, backpacks and school supplies. Nearly all the promotions are aimed at filling kids' needs. But what about the Moms? Focus on Moms and it could mean big sales. Once the kids are in school, Moms have more time to focus again on personal and home improvement. Here are five clever suggestions about how your small business could attract more Moms now that the kids are in school. [caption id="attachment_4829" align="alignnone" width="640"] Starfire Restaurant is a popular lunch spot for moms. Shown here (from left to right) are Sherri Elder, Jennifer King, Mary Neale Fowler and Heather Andrews.[/caption]

Join in the “Race For The Gold Olympics Scavenger Hunt” and you could win a great prize. One lucky winner will even receive the grand prize – an Apple iPad. It's easy to play. Visit each of our participating businesses or get a friend to become one of our Facebook friends. You'll be collecting gold and/or blue chips which will be entered into drawings for prizes. Discover which businesses are participating in your area through the clues we are providing. They are different for each area. [caption id="" align="alignright" width="180"] Grand Prize - Apple iPad![/caption]

The scavenger hunt will end on August 24, 2012. To learn how the gold and blue chips help you earn prizes and to get the clues to your area, just click below:
Let the games begin!

Are you the kind of mom who loves looking out her kitchen window and seeing your kids playing with their friends in your own backyard? Do you love having your yard be the playground for neighborhood kids because you enjoy the comfort of knowing where your children are? But are you frustrated to see your yard littered with footballs, soccer balls, baseballs, GI-Joes, hats, flip-flops, popsicle sticks, juice boxes and other kid stuff just lying around? With a few tools, some paint and a little work, you can turn your backyard into a “field of dreams.” Moseley Boys For example, building your own football field is easy. The kids can even help with this project. Use marking paint and rope for field markings. Quick-dry cement, pvc pipes, and couplings work great for goal posts. Get some rope and lay it out in a rectangle. Using white marking paint — and with the ...


Convinced you have an adorable dog? Show us on Facebook! Post a photo of your pooch for a chance to have $150 donated to the Humane Society in your name. Whoever receives the most votes (photo comments, one per day per person) by July 31st will also win a $100 PetSmart gift certificate. First Reliance Bank Dog Contest      First Reliance Bank Dog Contest

If you’re thinking about heading to Myrtle Beach for a vacation but are worried about how you’ll entertain the family on a budget, we’ve got some tips for you. You can keep costs down if you know how to tap into beach bargains. There are great musical acts, magic shows, and more for free. You can even stay in a big condo with great amenities for a fraction of what you’d pay for a small oceanfront hotel room. Here are five ways you can have a great Myrtle Beach vacation for less: Stay at a golf resort instead of a beachfront hotel— You get double the space for half the money when you rent a big, roomy condo in a golf resort minutes from the beach. There are many golf resorts in the area like the Village at the Glens in Little River. A five-minute drive to the beach, it’s ...


First Reliance Bank - New Mom Casey And How Life Has Changed!

It’s been 8 weeks since Casey Carbery’s first video as part of our “Mom’s First” Better Life Program. Since then, there have been two big changes — she’s no longer pregnant and there’s a new member of the family. In this video, she introduces us to her newborn son, Hudson, and discusses how she and her husband not only chose his name, but what daddy does best.

Selling Your Car


In most cases, you can sell your car on your own for more than you will receive by trading it in. However, prepping your vehicle for sale will take time and depending on its condition may also cost you some money. Assess the car's condition, and then decide how much you want to spend on minor repairs, always remembering the liability involved with a private-party sale.

These steps will help you get the maximum sale price for your vehicle:


  1. Make sure it is washed, waxed and detailed.

  2. Make sure it is mechanically sound and free from dents, dings and scrapes.

  3. Make all repairs yourself rather than selling it "as is".

  4. Have your mechanic check out your car and issue a report about its condition.

  5. Remove all of your personal items from inside the car, trunk and glove compartment. For safety reasons, don’t leave any documents that have ...


There comes a time in life when you realize you need to buy another car. But you have no idea how to begin. You Google a “how to” but, after reading it, the task still seems so big that you don’t know where to start. So you turn to Dad! After all, he’s bought lots of cars for the family, so he must know how to do it. You find out that Dad does know a lot and is willing to help you every step of the way. But you have to do the legwork because that’s the best way to learn! Here are tips from the Dads playbook on buying a car: Father and Son Lesson #1: Purchasing a pre-owned vehicle is a smart financial decision. So you should feel good about taking that path. When you buy a pre-owned vehicle, you avoid the huge depreciation that comes right after you ...


To lease or not to lease...


OK, so it's not as important a question as the one Hamlet was trying to answer, but your decision sure can have a big impact on your finances.

But before you read any further, please note that this article addresses leasing by an individual, not a business.

How do you know if leasing makes sense for you, or if you're getting into something you'll regret a few months down the road? A lot depends on being honest about your lifestyle, your finances, and your future plans.

Here are some popular ideas about the benefits of leasing:



  • I get more car for my monthly payment than if I took out a loan

  • I get to drive a new car

  • My vehicle is always under warranty

  • I don't want to have to deal with selling or trading in my vehicle when I'm done with it

  • I ...


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