The FutureTrack Blog

You don’t need a new year, new job or major life event to reset your finances. A money reset simply means taking a fresh look at your budget, savings, debt, credit and goals, then deciding what deserves your attention next. Start with Your Current Cash Flow Review your recent spending and identify your essential expenses,

The holidays can be a time of generosity, travel and celebration—but those expenses can add up quickly. A holiday budget can help you enjoy the season without turning January into a financial reset. Here are five ways to plan ahead. See Where Holiday Spending Fits in Your Budget Start with the amount you can realistically

Your financial journey is shaped by everyday decisions, such as paying bills, using credit cards, financing a car, or preparing to buy a home. Behind many of these milestones is one important number that can significantly influence your options and costs: your credit score. Understanding what your credit score is, how it works, and why

Buying a home is a major financial decision, and preparation can make the process easier to navigate. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or looking for your next home, start by understanding what you can comfortably afford—not just what a lender may approve. Know Your Budget Consider the full cost of homeownership, including the mortgage payment,

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

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

A strong financial plan starts with understanding where your money is going today and where you want it to take you in the future. Whether retirement is decades away or already on the horizon, regular check-ins can help you make informed adjustments. Understand Your Personal Cash Flow Review your income and spending to understand how

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

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

Cyber threats are evolving faster than ever, and staying informed is one of the strongest defenses you have. As scammers become more sophisticated, it’s important to understand the most common schemes, how they work, and the steps you can take to keep your information secure. Below is an overview of today’s leading cyber risks and

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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