The FutureTrack Blog
Explore our library of articles, tips and advice to help increase your financial knowledge and achieve your life goals.
Featured Article
Smarter Spending: Banking Technology is Here to Help
Getting a handle on your spending and staying on budget are key to reaching your financial goals. But as many of us know, that’s easier said than done. Fortunately, you many need to look no further than the technology yo...
Read More >Celebrating Financial Literacy Month: USB’s FutureTrack Coaches Answer Your Top Financial Questions
At Union Savings Bank, we believe that financial empowerment starts with education and personalized guidance. That’s why our FutureTrack Coaches are here to help customers not only plan their financial futures, but take confident steps toward them. This Financial Literacy Month, we asked our expert coaches to answer some of the top questions they hear
End the Year Strong with a 2025 Financial Game Plan
With the end of 2024 fast approaching, now is the perfect time to take stock of your finances and make adjustments that will set you up for success in 2025. One of the most effective steps you can take before the year ends is meeting with a FutureTrack coach. Why Year-End Financial Planning is a
Busy Life? Streamline Your Finances with FutureTrack
With a jam-packed schedule, it can feel like there’s never enough time to manage your finances properly. With work, family, and other commitments, it’s easy to put managing your finances on the back burner. But with help from your FutureTrack coach, you can simplify your banking and free up time for what matters most. Why
Celebrating Financial Literacy Month: USB’s FutureTrack Coaches Answer Your Top Financial Questions
At Union Savings Bank, we believe that financial empowerment starts with education and personalized guidance. That’s why our FutureTrack Coaches are here to help customers not only plan their financial futures, but take confident steps toward them. This Financial Literacy Month, we asked our expert coaches to answer some of the top questions they hear
End the Year Strong with a 2025 Financial Game Plan
With the end of 2024 fast approaching, now is the perfect time to take stock of your finances and make adjustments that will set you up for success in 2025. One of the most effective steps you can take before the year ends is meeting with a FutureTrack coach. Why Year-End Financial Planning is a
Busy Life? Streamline Your Finances with FutureTrack
With a jam-packed schedule, it can feel like there’s never enough time to manage your finances properly. With work, family, and other commitments, it’s easy to put managing your finances on the back burner. But with help from your FutureTrack coach, you can simplify your banking and free up time for what matters most. Why
Fixed Rate vs. ARM Mortgages: Which Is Right for You?
You’ve found your dream home—congratulations! Now comes one of the most important decisions in your homebuying journey: choosing the right mortgage. For most buyers, the choice comes down to a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage or an Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM). Let’s break down the pros and cons of each, and how Union Savings Bank’s expert loan officers can help guide
The Importance of Stable Mortgage Rates: Why It Matters for Homebuyers and Realtors
In today’s fast-paced housing market, one thing can make or break a buyer’s confidence: rate stability. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned real estate professional guiding clients through the process, understanding how mortgage rates are set—and how they fluctuate—can be the key to a smoother, less stressful transaction. The Reality of Rate Volatility
Building Made Simple: A Better Approach to Construction Loans
Building your dream home should be exciting—not stressful. Yet, for many, the financing process can feel like a maze of hidden fees, rigid rules, and frustrating delays. That’s why Union Savings Bank has reimagined the construction-to-permanent loan to make it simpler, smarter, and more supportive for borrowers, builders, and real estate professionals alike. What Makes Our
Fixed Rate vs. ARM Mortgages: Which Is Right for You?
You’ve found your dream home—congratulations! Now comes one of the most important decisions in your homebuying journey: choosing the right mortgage. For most buyers, the choice comes down to a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage or an Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM). Let’s break down the pros and cons of each, and how Union Savings Bank’s expert loan officers can help guide
The Importance of Stable Mortgage Rates: Why It Matters for Homebuyers and Realtors
In today’s fast-paced housing market, one thing can make or break a buyer’s confidence: rate stability. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned real estate professional guiding clients through the process, understanding how mortgage rates are set—and how they fluctuate—can be the key to a smoother, less stressful transaction. The Reality of Rate Volatility
Building Made Simple: A Better Approach to Construction Loans
Building your dream home should be exciting—not stressful. Yet, for many, the financing process can feel like a maze of hidden fees, rigid rules, and frustrating delays. That’s why Union Savings Bank has reimagined the construction-to-permanent loan to make it simpler, smarter, and more supportive for borrowers, builders, and real estate professionals alike. What Makes Our
5 Benefits of Working with a Financial Planner
Whether you are at the beginning of your career, or you are approaching retirement, the key to being set up for a strong retirement is to leverage strategic opportunities to optimize wealth accumulation and preservation. And to do that you should start with a plan and a trusted unbiased certified financial planner (not simply the
How the Latest IRS Announcement Can Affect Your Retirement Savings in 2024
Late last year, The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) revealed a few changes to the rules around retirement plan contributions for the 2024 tax year. These adjustments bring good news for individuals looking to boost their savings and plan for a secure financial future. Let’s delve into the key highlights of these updates. 401(k) Contribution Limits
How to Plan Your Financial Life in a Sensible Way
Written by: Pat Carlson, Senior Vice President, Wealth Management & Trust Department Manager What is my personal net worth? How much should I have in an emergency fund? Do I have enough life insurance? Which debts should I pay off first? Can I afford to buy a boat or second home? What is my monthly
5 Benefits of Working with a Financial Planner
Whether you are at the beginning of your career, or you are approaching retirement, the key to being set up for a strong retirement is to leverage strategic opportunities to optimize wealth accumulation and preservation. And to do that you should start with a plan and a trusted unbiased certified financial planner (not simply the
How the Latest IRS Announcement Can Affect Your Retirement Savings in 2024
Late last year, The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) revealed a few changes to the rules around retirement plan contributions for the 2024 tax year. These adjustments bring good news for individuals looking to boost their savings and plan for a secure financial future. Let’s delve into the key highlights of these updates. 401(k) Contribution Limits
How to Plan Your Financial Life in a Sensible Way
Written by: Pat Carlson, Senior Vice President, Wealth Management & Trust Department Manager What is my personal net worth? How much should I have in an emergency fund? Do I have enough life insurance? Which debts should I pay off first? Can I afford to buy a boat or second home? What is my monthly
How to Protect Yourself from Cyber Threats
In 2024, cybercrime is projected to cost the global economy $9.5 trillion, which would make it the world’s third-largest economy—trailing only the United States and China. This figure encompasses a wide range of damages, including data breaches, financial fraud, and operational disruptions. Experts anticipate that these costs will escalate by approximately 15% annually, reaching an
How to Send Money with Zelle® Safely
Zelle® is a fast, safe and easy way to send and receive money with people you trust, like your babysitter, your fellow PTA mom, your son’s soccer coach, or your coworker. Whether you just enrolled with Zelle® or have been an active user for a while, there are a few tips you should always keep
Privacy Tips for Older Adults
June 15 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, a time to spotlight the importance of safeguarding older adults from financial exploitation and fraud—including online scams. As more of our daily lives take place digitally, it’s critical that older adults and their loved ones know how to stay safe and protect personal information. Whether you’re navigating
How to Protect Yourself from Cyber Threats
In 2024, cybercrime is projected to cost the global economy $9.5 trillion, which would make it the world’s third-largest economy—trailing only the United States and China. This figure encompasses a wide range of damages, including data breaches, financial fraud, and operational disruptions. Experts anticipate that these costs will escalate by approximately 15% annually, reaching an
How to Send Money with Zelle® Safely
Zelle® is a fast, safe and easy way to send and receive money with people you trust, like your babysitter, your fellow PTA mom, your son’s soccer coach, or your coworker. Whether you just enrolled with Zelle® or have been an active user for a while, there are a few tips you should always keep
Privacy Tips for Older Adults
June 15 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, a time to spotlight the importance of safeguarding older adults from financial exploitation and fraud—including online scams. As more of our daily lives take place digitally, it’s critical that older adults and their loved ones know how to stay safe and protect personal information. Whether you’re navigating
How to Attend All of Your Friends’ Weddings Without Going Broke
If you feel like your Instagram feed has been bombarded with a disproportionate number of engagement announcements lately, you’re not imagining things. According to WeddingWire.com, more than a third of engagements happen between Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day every year. Once you’ve celebrated with your newly betrothed friends or family members, you may begin to wonder
Creative and Budget-Friendly Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas
With holiday shopping still on your mind (and in your budget) it’s hard to believe that Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. If you are fresh out of gift ideas or looking for options that can outlive a bouquet of flowers, here are 3 creative and budget-friendly Valentine’s Day gift ideas for any Valentine
5 Affordable Gift Ideas that Keep on Giving
You spend weeks and even months planning your holiday shopping budget and hunting down the perfect gifts for loved ones. If you find yourself wishing that the most magical time of the year and your holiday shopping budget would stretch just a little further, consider adding one of these 5 creative affordable gift ideas to
How to Attend All of Your Friends’ Weddings Without Going Broke
If you feel like your Instagram feed has been bombarded with a disproportionate number of engagement announcements lately, you’re not imagining things. According to WeddingWire.com, more than a third of engagements happen between Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day every year. Once you’ve celebrated with your newly betrothed friends or family members, you may begin to wonder
Creative and Budget-Friendly Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas
With holiday shopping still on your mind (and in your budget) it’s hard to believe that Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. If you are fresh out of gift ideas or looking for options that can outlive a bouquet of flowers, here are 3 creative and budget-friendly Valentine’s Day gift ideas for any Valentine
5 Affordable Gift Ideas that Keep on Giving
You spend weeks and even months planning your holiday shopping budget and hunting down the perfect gifts for loved ones. If you find yourself wishing that the most magical time of the year and your holiday shopping budget would stretch just a little further, consider adding one of these 5 creative affordable gift ideas to
Everything You Need to Know About Opening a 529
When it comes to saving for college, a popular option for parents today is to open a 529 plan — and for good reason. Unlike other savings accounts, a 529 plan has many benefits and tax advantages that make saving for college tuition and other expenses easy and well-worth it. Here’s everything you need to
Your Student Loans are Paid Off. Here’s the First Thing You Should Do
It’s the moment you’ve been saving, budgeting and planning for since the day you threw your graduation cap in the air: your student loans are finally paid off! It’s an accomplishment that you should be very proud of, especially considering that 44.5 million Americans are currently carrying over $1.5 trillion in student loan debt. Student
Filing for FAFSA? Make Your Student Loan Repayment Plan Now
If you will be sending the kids in your life off to college next year, then you are probably getting ready to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form next week. According to their website, submitting the FAFSA form gives applicants “access to the largest source of financial aid to help pay
Everything You Need to Know About Opening a 529
When it comes to saving for college, a popular option for parents today is to open a 529 plan — and for good reason. Unlike other savings accounts, a 529 plan has many benefits and tax advantages that make saving for college tuition and other expenses easy and well-worth it. Here’s everything you need to
Your Student Loans are Paid Off. Here’s the First Thing You Should Do
It’s the moment you’ve been saving, budgeting and planning for since the day you threw your graduation cap in the air: your student loans are finally paid off! It’s an accomplishment that you should be very proud of, especially considering that 44.5 million Americans are currently carrying over $1.5 trillion in student loan debt. Student
Filing for FAFSA? Make Your Student Loan Repayment Plan Now
If you will be sending the kids in your life off to college next year, then you are probably getting ready to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form next week. According to their website, submitting the FAFSA form gives applicants “access to the largest source of financial aid to help pay