Before you can make the transition from renting your home to owning your home, you will need to have a substantial down payment, typically 5 to 20 percent of the home’s value. First Reliance Bank suggests the following tips to help save for it:

The key to a good budget is including as much information as you can, so that you can adequately prepare and plan. It's important to keep accurate records of your spending so you'll spot places where you can save money and know how much you can reasonably spend.

What is your current income? The first step in creating a budget is to total all of your income, or money coming. We recommend you do this on a monthly basis. Include only your take home pay (this is your salary minus taxes and deductions). Your income may also include tips, child support, investment income, etc.

What are your monthly expenses?  Next, you'll need to track your expenses, or money going out. Some of your bills will vary from month-to-month, so use a monthly average. For example, if your cell phone is $45 one month and $55 the next, estimate $50 per ...

“I want that!”As a parent, you have probably heard your children make that statement more than a few times while shopping or watching television commercials.

Children understand the power of spending money long before they grasp the concepts of earning, saving, and investing. So, in order to build a solid financial foundation, it’s important for them to understand the difference between needs and wants.

Needs are things you must have in order to survive. Food, water, clothing, and shelter are all needs. A want is something you would like to have, but it is not necessary for your survival. Books, CDs, and toys are all wants. Wants make life more enjoyable, but they are not necessary for survival. Children also need to understand the concept of scarcity, which means they have unlimited wants and limited resources to meet those wants. Scarcity requires people to make choices. Learning “we can’t have ...

As Americans kick off the spring season by cleaning, sorting and tidying up around the house, First Reliance Bank is encouraging consumers to add financial organization to their spring cleaning to-do list. To help, First Reliance Bank has highlighted six tips for organizing your financial house.

“People are motivated to get things done when the weather warms up and the flowers bloom, which makes it an ideal time to look closely at your savings and spending habits,” said Pamela Rhoads, VP Customer Experience. “Putting in the work now will help you live your best life in the months ahead.” First Reliance Bank recommends these six tips to help consumers organize their finances:

As consumer use of mobile devices continues to climb, cyber criminals are targeting those gadgets more frequently. According to a report by the Federal Reserve, 43 percent of smartphone users say they have used mobile banking in the past 12 months. First Reliance Bank is highlighting 12 ways consumers can take extra precaution to protect the data on their mobile device. “We use gold-standard safeguards to protect customer information, but it’s also important for users to keep safety measures in place to prevent sensitive data from being compromised,” said Mike Dowling, VP Information Technology. “It’s easy to forget that your mobile device can be vulnerable, but any device used to connect to the internet is at risk.” First Reliance suggests following these 12 steps to protect your mobile ...

According to the Internal Revenue Service, more than 70 percent of the nation’s taxpayers received a tax refund averaging nearly $3,000 in 2017 and will get a similar amount this year. As Americans receive their refunds along with additional benefits coming from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed in December, First Reliance Bank has highlighted six tips to help them use the money wisely.

Financial hardship can strike anyone. Whether it’s a series of bad decisions, an unforeseen misfortune, or a combination of the two, it’s easy for even the most fiscally responsible person to run into financial problems. Getting back on track can take time, and staying on the right track requires the right habits. Here are some strategies you can use to bounce back from financial hardships. Understanding Your Available Banking Options Different people have different needs when it comes to banking. Some people may find that their current needs require special banking programs. Institutions like First Reliance Bank provide various options to help people from all walks of life handle their finances in a responsible matter. Whether it’s a business owner who wants to take a better approach to the company’s financial resources or an individual who needs more money, having the right program is important. Get Answers to Important Financial ...

Protect your identity and your bank account with these valuable tips for shopping online. 

Since the year 2000, the number of online shoppers in the U.S. has climbed from 22% to a massive 79% in 2016 (TechCrunch 2016). Major online retailers like Amazon can offer customers competitive pricing along with the convenience of shopping from multiple devices (home and mobile) and quick delivery. However, as more people share banking and credit card information while shopping online, there has been an increase in hackers and identity thieves accessing sensitive personal data to make fraudulent purchases. To avoid becoming a victim of identity theft and prevent infection of your devices by malware, follow the safe internet activity practices listed below.

Checkout with your credit card - When shopping online, use a credit card rather than your bank issued debit card. Since debit cards are directly linked to your bank account, it comes ...

Get peace of mind knowing your home is safer with these burglary prevention tips. 

As a homeowner, one of your main priorities is to ensure the safety of your family, and to protect your home and property from theft and vandalism. The key to preventing break ins and vandalism is to make your home a challenging target, meaning the likelihood of being caught is high. Burglars prefer to target homes when the owner is absent, and often at night when it is dark and people are asleep to avoid detection. If a burglar suspects that you are home, or that they will attract attention while breaking and entering, they are more likely to move on to another, easier target where they won’t get caught. If you want to strengthen your home’s security and discourage theft, follow our recommendations listed below.

Adopt a Dog

Not only do dogs make loving pets, ...

Learn the best approach to not paying too much at the car dealership.

Buying a new car can be an exciting and stressful experience. On the one hand, you are investing in a new vehicle to better suit your needs, and on the other, you may anxious about paying too much at the car dealership. Like any business, automotive dealers are looking to make the most profit on any deal. However, with a little research and a few ground rules, you can get the car you want for a price that you can afford. Here are our recommendations for getting the best deal on your new car or truck.

Do Your Homework

Knowledge is power when it comes buying a new vehicle. Never go to a dealership without a clear idea of what you want and what you are willing to pay. Car buyers that have vague ideas of what ...