(StatePoint) January is a natural time for reset, especially when it comes to budgets and better-for-you habits. With cold and flu season still in full swing, it’s also a time when many people start thinking about how to stay healthy without spending more than they planned.

(StatePoint) The use of checks may be declining, but check crimes are actually on the rise due to new, creative criminal schemes. Once a check is stolen, it can be altered or signed on your behalf to withdraw money from your account, and there are online marketplaces where criminals will sell stolen checks for other criminals to use for fraud.

(StatePoint) What are homeowners focusing on right now? Impactful, affordable upgrades. New research highlights that painting remains one of the most popular home improvement projects expected in 2026, driven by tighter budgets and a desire for lasting design.

(StatePoint) When families have safe, stable housing, access to high-quality early development programs, and other supports that meet their needs, young children have a strong foundation to grow. However, too many families are struggling to meet children’s basic needs.

(StatePoint) Afterschool programs give children and youth a safe place to connect and learn after the school day ends, and research shows that programs boost students’ academic achievement and help them engage with their communities. They help children succeed in school and in life by providing homework help, mentors, healthy snacks and meals, exposure to STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) and other skills, college and career prep, and more.

(StatePoint) Unprecedented. That’s the consensus for the 2025 economy.

(StatePoint) With extreme cold weather and energy bills on the rise, many homeowners are taking a closer look at heating alternatives like pellet heating. Beyond cozy ambiance and aesthetics, pellet heating offers many advantages.

(StatePoint) With a few smart updates, especially those that protect against winter’s biggest water woes, you can transform your home into the calming sanctuary you need during the coldest, darkest days of the year.

(StatePoint) Are you currently looking to rent a home or apartment? Then you need to protect yourself from rental fraud.

(StatePoint) Are you looking for flexibility and independence in your career, without sacrificing your earning potential? If so, then these three career fields are worth looking into:

(StatePoint) Scammers don’t take days off. From phishing emails to package theft, fraudsters and scammers can cost you money. Fortunately, you can stay one step ahead of them with these simple tips to help protect yourself.

(StatePoint) Managing your finances can be challenging, especially when you’re not sure where to turn for help.

(StatePoint) Greater income allows parents to better meet children’s basic needs, and financial stability can reduce parental stress. Advocates say that child tax credits (CTCs) provide one avenue for states to increase family resources and are encouraged by progress being made by Washington, D.C. and states around the country.

(StatePoint) Retirees become eligible to claim Social Security benefits at age 62, but the timing of when you claim can drastically impact your benefit amount. Still, when to claim will be entirely dependent on your unique situation. As you approach retirement, it’s important to understand the impact that timing has on your benefits.

(StatePoint) An adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) is often discussed as an option to help lower initial costs and increase flexibility, particularly in a high-cost housing market. However, it’s important to understand how these loans work, their potential risks, and strategies for managing adjustments over time.

(StatePoint) When a child is born or serious illness strikes, workers need time off, but for millions of Americans, it’s not that simple.

(StatePoint) These days, shoppers may be paying more attention to where and how their products were made.

(StatePoint) Looking for a fresh professional start in 2026? Here are three New Year’s resolutions you can make to boost your career.

(StatePoint) A new year is a chance to embrace a wallet-friendly mindset and make a fresh financial start. But what changes will make the most impact?

(StatePoint) Workplace retirement savings plans are an excellent way to invest in your future, and the earlier you start, the more opportunity your savings have to grow. Typically automated through payroll deductions, contributions to a plan like a 401(k) or 403(b) are tax-advantaged and easy to make.

(StatePoint) If you’re like most homeowners, window replacement isn’t something that you have tons of experience with. That’s why choosing a company that will do the job right while communicating with you throughout the entire process is just as important as choosing the right windows. But with so many options, how do you find a company you can trust?

(StatePoint) Travelers are a key target for scammers, and criminals are looking to cash in on you being distracted. Visa has observed an uptick in 2025 of sophisticated, travel-related scams where well-known travel providers are convincingly impersonated, and, according to a McAfee Travel Report, one in five Americans has fallen victim to a travel scam.

(StatePoint) With Apple’s latest smartphone lineup featuring the biggest physical redesign in years, you may be wondering if it’s time for a mobile device upgrade.

(StatePoint) Ninety-five percent of parents with a child enrolled in an afterschool program are satisfied with that program, and there is overwhelming support for more government funding for afterschool, according to a new study. But unmet demand for these programs is high in all 50 states, and majorities of middle- and low-income families who want afterschool programs are being shut out.

(StatePoint) After a disaster strikes, following these essential steps can help you protect your home, stabilize your finances and begin the process of rebuilding:

(StatePoint) Charitable giving and helping communities provide many of us with a sense of purpose and joy. However, giving back looks different for everyone. No matter your charitable giving goals, thoughtful planning can help tailor your strategy to best help your chosen charity and your own finances.

(StatePoint) Buying a car is one of life’s bigger financial decisions—and timing can make all the difference.

(StatePoint) Is your home’s exterior in need of a facelift? While an all-siding exterior can be attractive, using manufactured stone to complement vinyl siding will turn heads, for ultimate curb appeal.

(StatePoint) In the coming years, baby boomers are poised to pass down an estimated $17 trillion in home equity to their children, according to a recent Freddie Mac survey. But whether or not you’re among the 75% of homeowners in this generation planning to leave your current home or the proceeds from a home sale to family members when they pass away, having a clear estate plan is critical to ensuring your wishes come to fruition.

(StatePoint) You probably already know that keeping your home clean doesn’t have to amount to backbreaking labor, thanks to smart advances in cleaning solutions that offer unmatched convenience and thoughtful designs.

(StatePoint) You answer the phone and hear a familiar voice, but are you sure you know who it is on the other end of the line? The correct answer should be “no.”

(StatePoint) Looking for a high-paying job in a growing profession? Here’s what to know about some of today’s top professions offering generous compensation and good job security:

(StatePoint) Among the many implications of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” signed into law this past July 4, are cuts to health and nutrition benefits for millions of Americans, which could have significant negative implications for babies and children, according to the National Collaborative for Infants & Toddlers (NCIT).