Origin SC: March 2019 Newsletter

March 2019 Monthly Newsletter

Check out what's new and exciting at Origin SC this month!

~ This Spring, HOP into a new home with Origin SC ~

Success has been reached...

By doing things the ORIGIN WAY...

Every month the amazing staff at Origin SC is helping individuals and families become first time homebuyers. We're proud to be a part of the momentous accomplishment in our clients' lives.

This could be YOU! Contact Origin SC today to start making your dreams of

homeownership a reality.

For Realty services, contact Debbie Kidd at 843-276-8744 or email dkidd@originsc.org

For Lending services, contact Stephanie Reed at 843-735-7810 or email sreed@originsc.org

For Financial Coaching and workshops, please visit our website www.originsc.org or contact Laura Jeffers at 843-735-7866 or email ljeffers@originsc.org

Attend a FREE Origin SC Workshop

North Charleston

(Main Location)

4925 Lacross Road, North Charleston, SC 29406

Credit Improvement:

April 2

Intro to Homeownership:

April 6 and 18

Making Ends Meet:

April 11

First Time Homebuyer:

April 27

Dorchester Prosperity Center

222 Old Trolley Road,

Summerville, SC 29485

Intro to Homeownership: April 25

For additional dates and locations,

please visit our website :www.originsc.org/classes

Staycation: Half the Cost, All the Fun

Are you dreaming about an exotic spring break party in a land far away, but don’t have the dough to fund it? Fear not — luxury travel isn’t as far out of reach as you may think! But if you still can’t swing it because of work or otherwise, you can have an amazing "staycation" on short money. Plus, you don’t have to deal with the stress of airports, packing, or what to do with your pets while you’re away!

Charlie Finance Company wrote an article containing 8 tips to make staying local super fun (and super cheap!). Check out the article HERE.

Credit Education Month

Did you know that March is Credit Education Month? Talking about credit can be daunting, but there are many free resources available, especially during the month of March. Check out this video to learn more about what exactly makes up your credit score.

Also, Origin SC offers one-on-one credit coaching for a very affordable price. Knowing what is on your credit report is important. Your score is critical to everything from buying a car to getting job-- don't be left in the dark! Our coaches will teach you the positive steps you can take to improve your credit, strategies to control your day-to-day finances, how to manage and understand your credit report, and more! These one-on-one coaching sessions start at just $56. Plus, there's no monthly membership fee-- you can't beat it!

Get started today by calling 843-735-7805 or visit

https://originsc.org/financial-coaching/ to learn more.

Do You Know the Basics of Budgeting?

Do you think you know the basics of budgeting? Test your knowledge here! Let's see how budget-savvy you are...

Question 1:

What is budgeting?

A. The ability to pay your bills on time while having money left over at the end of the month.

B. A plan made in advance regarding the expenditure based on available income.

Question 2:

Which of the following is an example of a "fixed expense"?

A. Mortgage and rent payments

B. Gas for your car

Question 3:

What is discretionary income?

A. Commissions or bonuses paid by your employer, or tips received for services provided.

B. The income that remains after taxes and fixed expenses (such as rent or mortgage, utilities, insurance) are paid.

Question 4:

The best way to start the budgeting process is to:

A. Curbing your spending on incidental items such as dining out or entertainment.

B. Start tracking all of the money you spend for a period of time, usually a month, so that you have an understanding of where your money goes.

Question 5:

What is the most likely reason for a budget to fail?

A. Failing to establish an emergency fund to account for unforeseen expenses.

B. Not making enough money.

So, how'd you do? If you did not know the answers to some of these questions, consider learning how to budget better.

Origin SC offers a FREE budgeting workshop called "Making Ends Meet." It will teach you basic budgeting techniques from our licensed financial coaches. Participants should bring a printed copy of their recent bank statement. An activity will be completed where you are shown what all of your spending habits really mean. You will be amazed!

Also, if you prefer a one-on-one experience, consider scheduling an appointment to meet with one of our financial coaches. They will sit down with you, evaluate your spending habits, and establish a budget personalized for you.

Get started today! Register for Making Ends Meet HERE. Schedule an appointment by calling us at 843-735-7802. Or email us at info@originsc.org

Answers: Q1: B, Q2: A, Q3: B, Q4: B, Q5: A

Top 5 Credit Card Mistakes

and How to Avoid Them....

Credit Cards have a wide array of benefits. These include convenience, the opportunity to build credit, reward accumulation, having money on hand in case of emergencies, and more. However, credit cards can quickly become dangerous. It's very easy get comfortable swiping that card without thinking the money that you're spending and the bills that you're racking up.

If you're one of the people that often make mistakes when it comes to using credit cards, it's never too late to change your behavior and get on top of your spending. Check out the top 5 credit card mistakes that lead to debt, and how to avoid them (courtesy of MakingSenseofCents.com).

1. Ignoring the Terms - Before you sign up for a credit card you need to make sure you understand all of the terms and conditions that you're signing up for. You must understand the interest rates, minimum payments, rewards, and more.

2. Buying Items When You Actually Can't Afford Them - It can feel like it sometimes, but credit cards are not free money. Before purchasing an item with a credit card, be sure to consider if you will have ample time to make the money to pay it back before your next credit card bill is due. Also, ask yourself if this item is something that is definitely necessary to buy, or is it something you can wait to buy when you have the cash.

3. Forgetting to Pay Your Credit Card Bill - This is so important! Even if you have the money to pay off the credit card bill, that's only good if you actually remember to pay it. Paying your credit card bill late can lead to late fees, added interest, and negative affects on your credit score.

4. Paying Only the Minimum Payment Each Month - You should always try to pay more than the minimum amount due (you should always pay the full amount if you can). If you do not, you will have to pay interest charges, which may inflate your credit card debt significantly each month.

5. Spending Money You Normally Wouldn't Spend in Order to Rack Up Credit Card Reward Points - If you end up spending more than you can actually afford so that you can ear "free" vacations, gifts, and more, nothing is actually free. Remember, those rewards are only rewards if you are using your cards responsibly.

To learn more about these mistakes and the consequences that go along with them, check out the full article HERE.

If you have already found yourself drowning in credit card debt, Origin SC can help. We offer a Debt Management Program. It is an integrated counseling service that assists consumers who are overwhelmed with credit card debt. We develop consolidated payment programs that include lower interest rates and monthly payments which are made directly to our office and distributed appropriately to the creditors on behalf of the client. For a FREEconsultation, please complete our secure online budgeting application HERE. You can also schedule an appointment with a licensed credit counselor by calling 843-735-7802.