Before you can make the transition from renting your home to owning your home, you will need to have a down payment, typically 3 to 20 percent of the home’s sales price or value. Here are a few tips to help save for it:

1. Develop a budget & timeline. Start By determining how much you’ll need for a down payment. Create a budget and calculate how much you can realistically save each month that will help you gauge when you’ll be ready to transition from renter to homeowner.
2. Establish a separate savings account. Set up a separate savings account exclusively for your down payment and make your monthly contributions automatic. By keeping this money separate, you’ll be less likely to into it when you’re tight on cash.
3. Shop around to reduce major monthly expenses. It’s a good idea to check rates for your car insurance, renter’s insurance, health insurance, cable, internet, or cell phone plan. There may be deals or promotions available that allow you to save hundreds of dollars by adjusting your contracts.
4. Monitor your spending. With online banking, keeping an eye on your spending is easier than ever. Track where most of your discretionary income is going. Identify areas where you could cut back (e.g. nice meals out, vacations, etc.) and instead put that money into savings.
5. Look into state and local home-buying programs. Many states, counties and local governments operate programs for first-time homebuyers. Some programs offer housing discounts, while others provide down payment loans or grants.
6. Celebrate savings milestones. Saving enough for a down payment can be daunting. To avoid getting discouraged, break it up into smaller goals and reward yourself when you reach each one. If you need to save $15,000 total, consider treating yourself to a nice meal for every $5,000 saved. This will help you stay motivated throughout the process.

Many older Americans want to remain in their homes as they grow older. Here are few tips for those considering “aging in place”:

Take a hard look at your finances. Arrange a meeting with a trusted family member or friend and a banker. It’s critical to understand your financial resources, how long they’ll last and what housing options are the most cost-effective for you. Be sure to consider all costs associated with aging in place, including:

• Home modifications
• Transportation to medical appointments, shopping, and other errands
• In-home caregiver for house upkeep and medical purposes

Consider a reverse mortgage. Though not for everyone, a reverse mortgage loan can provide monthly cash payments based on your home’s equity.

• Shop around. Be sure to check with multiple lenders. You can use sites like www.reversemortage.org, sponsored by the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association, to find lenders in your area.
• Make sure to read all loan documents carefully. There are a number of actions that could cause the loan to become due. It is imperative the borrower continues to live in the home, pay property taxes and homeowners insurance, and keep the home in good repair.
• The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development requires counseling for any borrower taking out a reverse mortgage. Find an approved reserve mortgage counseling agency by visiting www.hud.god/housingcounseling.
• For more information on reverse mortgages, visit aba.com/consumers.

Assess your home and determine what modifications are necessary. While staying in your home is preferable for many, there are often design changes that must be made to ensure it’s also safe and comfortable.

• Make sure there is at least one step-free entrance to your home.
• Update lighting inside and outside of the house so that all walkways and stairs are well lit. Clear pathways throughout the house and firmly secure all carpets to the floor to prevent tripping.
• If a bedroom and bathroom does not or cannot exist on the first floor, consider installing an elevator or chairlift. At a minimum, make sure you have handrails on both sides of your stairs.
• Install grab bars in the bathtub, shower, or near the toilet.
• For more information about suggested home modifications as you age, visit www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/falls/.
• Keep a list of all emergency contacts on your refrigerator or by a phone.
• Consider a Personal Emergency Response System. Transmitters can be worn as a bracelet or around your neck and require the simple push of a button to send a signal to a call center.
• Have your address number visible from the street so emergency responders can easily identify your home.

Make security a priority. Older Americans are often targets for scams and other criminal behavior. Be cautious about who you allow in your home and disclose sensitive information to.

• Install up to date and easy to use locks. Make sure your front door has a peephole or a security monitor so you can see who is outside.
• Consult someone you trust when hiring a contractor, financial advisor, etc.

Look into community resources. If mobility is limited, look into services offered in your area. Many communities have established non-profit programs that offer transportation and food delivery to assist older Americans at a reasonable cost.

Be prepared for possible emergencies.

Reevaluate every six months to make sure all needs are being met. As you age, your needs inevitably change. Take time twice a year, or as needed, to sit down with your trusted family or friend and make sure your current living situation is still the right one.

“It’s incredibly easy to go overboard buying gifts for loved ones during the holidays, but spending within your means will help keep your holidays merry and your finances bright,” said Corey Carlisle, executive director of the ABA Foundation. “There are simple things you can do to avoid a holiday spending hangover, like setting a budget in advance and avoiding impulse buys.”

Below are seven spending habits Americans should consider to help relieve the financial stress of the holidays:

• Plan ahead. Before you start shopping, develop a realistic budget for holiday expenses. Figure out your bottom-line number and set aside holiday cash in increments throughout the year. If you need to use your credit card, think about what you can afford to pay back in January.
• Keep track of other costs. Don’t forget costs beyond gifts, like postage, gift wrap, decorations, greeting cards, food, travel and charitable contributions. Keep in mind the end of the year is a time when large annual or semi-annual costs like car insurance, life insurance, and property taxes arise.
• Make and list and check it twice. Keep your gift list limited to family and close friends, noting how much you want to spend on each. If you’re donating to charities, factor in the total amount you plan to donate and how much each charity will receive.
• Shop early and space out purchases. Avoid shopping while rushed or under pressure, which can lead to overspending. Make sure to comparison shop online first, or download an app that lets you compare prices before you buy anything in a store. Before you head to the cashier (or online checkout), make sure your purchase is within the budget you set.
• Avoid impulsive spending decisions. Finding a spectacular sale on something you’ve been wanting can easily throw you off course. Stay strong and stick to your budget. Don’t be blinded by limited-time incentives geared toward getting you to spend more.
• Use credit wisely. Limit the use of credit for holiday spending. If you must use credit, use only one card—preferably the one with the lowest interest rate—and leave the rest at home. Pick a date when you can pay off your holiday credit card bills, and commit to paying off the balance by that time. Be sure to check statements for unauthorized charges and report them immediately.
• Save your receipts. Not only will you need them for possible returns, you’ll need them to keep track of what you’ve spent and to compare with your credit card statement. Knowing how much you spent will help you plan for next year, too. Keeping receipts for charitable donations will help you receive tax deductions in the spring.

Ware Holiday Flair kicks off the holiday season the day after Thanksgiving at 6:00pm on Main Street in Ware, MA. There will be a parade with music, dancers, and floats culminating with the arrival of Santa Claus. At Veterans Park, Santa lights the Christmas tree then proceeds to the Ware Town Hall where children may sit on his lap and give him their Christmas wish lists.

Every year, millions of consumers fall victim to cybercrime. According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center consumers lost more than $1 billion from scams initiated through the web in 2015. Here are seven tips to help consumers guard against online threats and maintain a safe and secure web environment.

“Criminals have become more and more sophisticated with their hacking techniques,” said Eric Devine, First Vice President of Information Technology, Country Bank. “As a result, it’s extremely important for consumers to secure their wireless networks and set strong network passwords using a combination of letters, numbers and special characters to actively guard against online threats.”

Country Bank recommends the following tips to keep you safe online:

• Keep your computers and mobile devices up to date. Having the latest security software, web browser, and operating system are the best defenses against viruses, malware, and other online threats. Turn on automatic updates so you receive the newest fixes as they become available.
• Set strong passwords. A strong password is at least eight characters in length and includes a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.
• Watch out for phishing scams. Phishing scams use fraudulent emails and websites to trick users into disclosing private account or login information. Do not click on links or open any attachments or pop-up screens from sources you are not familiar with. Forward phishing emails to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at spam@uce.gov – and to the company, bank, or organization impersonated in the email.

• Keep personal information personal. Hackers can use social media profiles to figure out your passwords and answer those security questions in the password reset tools. Lock down your privacy settings and avoid posting things like birthdays, addresses, mother’s maiden name, etc. Be wary of requests to connect from people you do not know.
• Secure your internet connection. Always protect your home wireless network with a password. When connecting to public Wi-Fi networks, be cautious about what information you are sending over it.
• Shop safely. Before shopping online, make sure the website uses secure technology. When you are at the checkout screen, verify that the web address begins with https. Also, check to see if a tiny locked padlock symbol appears on the page.
• Read the site’s privacy policies. Though long and complex, privacy policies tell you how the site protects the personal information it collects. If you don’t see or understand a site’s privacy policy, consider doing business elsewhere.