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(Kristen) Welcome to Money Matters at 7:57 with Justin Chastain. So, Justin, let’s talk stocks. What advice do you really have for people out there who are really just starting to invest?

(Justin) Well, it really just depends if you want chicken or beef. Wrong stock, right? I would tell anybody before you ever start researching stocks or bonds, you need to do three simple things. Number one, create an emergency fund. Have liquidity – three to six months’ worth of ...

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(Kristen) All right. Welcome to Money Matters at 7:57 with Justin Chastain. So, Justin, help us be a little good this year. We’re trying out there, right? What are some tips to help recognize that we may actually have some really bad money habits?

(Justin) Well, you’re asking the wrong person. I got coal in my stocking this year, so, no, it is. It’s easy to follow into developing just habits. And you said it. It’s not about achieving goals or ...

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(Kristen) Welcome to Money Matters at 7:57 with Justin Chastain. And, Justin, today I want to talk to you about something that a lot of people have questions about: travel insurance. I mean, we’re all getting out there again. So, what is it all about?

(Justin) Travel insurance is something that’s always good to have as we are getting out and traveling more. Now, I know what you’re thinking: More insurance, really? But, yeah, because, you know, as we’re traveling more ...

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(Kristen) Welcome to Money Matters at 7:57 with Justin Chastain. And, Justin, we talk a lot about budgeting, but this is a big one. What’s “budget anxiety”?

(Justin) A lot of people suffer for this, even myself when I hear the word “budget.” You know, when I teach classes, I always say “achieving financial wellness.” There’s just something about that word that gives – it just makes us more uptight. But it’s also because of our psychology of what we view ...

Do you ever wonder why you need insurance?

You might think it’s to protect your stuff, but actually, it’s to protect your family.

Insurance is a contract made between you and the insurance company that protects you, as well as your family, from unexpected emergencies or losses.

Some forms of insurance are required by law, while others are optional.

Insurance may seem like an extra expense at first, as you have to pay a monthly premium for the policy, but long term it can ...

Hey! Thinking about saving for the future? Here are three alternatives to a traditional savings account:

1. A Money Market Account is a savings account with check-writing capabilities. They tend to feature higher interest rates than standard savings accounts and may require a higher minimum balance.
2. A Certificate of Deposit is a deposit held for a specific amount of time. The financial institution pays interest to the holder during that time period. They tend to have higher interest rates than savings accounts, but ...

Hey! When starting your own business, one of the most important things to consider is the finances. Not just what you earn or how you spend the money, but also where the funding for your business will come from.

When it comes to business funding, there are two main types: debt funding and equity funding.

Debt funding is, essentially, a traditional loan with interest. This type of funding allows for quick capital access, but the loan will have to be repaid regardless ...

Hey! Did you know that stress from money management is one of the biggest causes of things like employee turnover, absenteeism, accidents, disengagement, and poor performance?

The good news is there are a variety of financial education tools for employers to offer to employees.

One of these is the Southern@Work Financial Wellness Program through Southern Bank.

This program provides a customizable financial education plan for your employees and includes a suite of financial benefits and in-person training.

The goal with this program is to ...

Hey! If you’re on the hunt for a financial advisor, here are some tips to keep in mind.

Number 1. Pick one that fits your style. Online advising services tend to offer simplified, cheaper investment management, whereas traditional advisors have passed a certification and may have a focused specialty. They are typically more expensive but provide a more comprehensive financial plan.

Number 2. Review your needs. A customized financial plan is very helpful, especially if you have a complicated financial situation or ...