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NEW YORK (AP) — With the end of 2024 around the corner, you might be reflecting on financial goals for 2025. Whether you're saving to move out of your parents' house or pay off student loan debt, financial resolutions can help you stay motivated, said Courtney Alev, consumer advocate for Credit Karma. “Entering a new year doesn’t erase all our financial challenges from the prior year," Alev said. “But it can really help to bring a fresh-start mentality to how you’re managing your finances.” If you’re planning to make financial resolutions for the new year, experts recommend that you start by evaluating the state of your finances in 2024. Then, set specific goals and make sure they're attainable for your lifestyle. Here are some tips from experts: Think about how you currently deal with finances — what's good, what's bad, and what can improve. “Let this be the year you change your relationship with money,” said Ashley Lapato, personal finance educator for YNAB, a budgeting app. If you feel like money is a chore, that there's shame surrounding the topic of money, or like you were born being “bad at money,” it's time to change that mentality, Lapato said. To adjust your approach, Lapato recommends viewing money goals as an opportunity to imagine your desired lifestyle in the future. She recommends asking questions like, “What do my 30s look like? What do my 40s look like?” and using money as a means to get there. Liz Young Thomas, head of SoFi Investment Strategy, added that it’s key you forgive yourself for past mistakes in order to move into the new year with motivation. When setting your financial resolutions for 2025, it's important to establish the “why” of each, said Matt Watson, CEO of Origin, a financial tracking app. “If you can attach the financial goal to a bigger life goal, it’s much more motivating and more likely you’ll continue on that path,” Watson said. Whether you're saving to buy a house, pay off credit card debt or take a summer vacation, being clear about the goal can keep you motivated. Watson also recommends using a tool to help you keep track of your finances, such as an app, spreadsheet, or website. “After three years of inflation, your pay increases are likely still playing catch up to your monthly expenses, leaving you wondering where all the money is going," said Greg McBride, chief financial analyst at Bankrate. "Make that monthly budget for 2025 and resolve to track your spending against it throughout the year." McBride said that you may need to make adjustments during the year as certain expenses increase, which would require cutting back in other areas. “Calibrate your spending with your income, and any month you spend less than budgeted, transfer the difference into your savings account, ideally a high-yield savings account,” he said. “Interest rates aren’t likely to come down very fast, so you’re still going to have to put in the hard work of paying down debt, especially high-cost credit card debt, and do so with urgency,” McBride said. Start by taking stock of how much debt you have now relative to the beginning of the year. Hopefully you’ve made steady progress on paying it down, but, if you’ve gone in the other direction, McBride encourages making a game plan. That includes looking into 0% balance transfer offers. “You have more power over credit card interest rates than you think you do," said Matt Schulz, chief credit analyst at LendingTree. “Wielding that power is one of the best moves you can make in 2025.” A 0% balance transfer credit card is “a good weapon” in the fight against high card APRs, or annual percentage rates, he said. A low-interest personal loan is an option as well. You may simply be able to pick up the phone and ask for a lower interest rate. LendingTree found that a majority of people who did that in 2024 were successful, and the average reduction was more than 6 points. When planning for your financial resolutions, it’s important to consider how you’re going to make your goals sustainable for your lifestyle, said Credit Karma's Alev. “It really is a marathon, not a sprint,” Alev said. Alev recommends setting realistic, practical goals to make it easier to stick with them. For example, instead of planning to save thousands of dollars by the end of the year, start by saving $20 a paycheck. Even when your plans are achievable, there are times you'll get derailed. Maybe it’s an unexpected medical bill or an extraordinary life event. When these situations happen, Alev recommends trying not to feel defeated and working to get back on track without feeling guilty. “You can't manage what you can't see, so set a New Year’s resolution to check your credit score monthly in 2025," said Rikard Bandebo, chief economist at VantageScore. “Be sure to pay more than the minimum on your credit accounts, as that's one of the best ways to boost your credit score.” Bandebo also advises student loan borrowers to make all payments on time, as servicers will begin to report late payments starting in January, and missed payments will affect borrowers' credit scores. Automated changes, like increasing workplace 401(k) plan contributions, setting up direct deposits from paychecks into dedicated savings accounts, and arranging for monthly transfers into an IRA and/or 529 college savings accounts all add up quickly, McBride said. Your financial goals can encompass more than just managing your money better — they can also be about keeping your money safe from scams . A golden rule to protect yourself from scams is to “slow down,” said Johan Gerber, vice president of security solutions at Mastercard. “You have to slow down and talk to other people if you’re not sure (whether or not) it’s scam,” said Gerber, who recommends building an accountability system with family to keep yourself and your loved ones secure. Scammers use urgency to make people fall for their tricks, so taking your time to make any financial decision can keep you from losing money. Your financial goals don’t always have to be rooted in a dollar amount — they can also be about well-being. Finances are deeply connected with our mental health, and, to take care of our money, we also need to take care of ourselves. “I think that now more than any other year, your financial wellness should be a resolution," said Alejandra Rojas, personal finance expert and founder of The Money Mindset Hub, a mentoring platform for women entrepreneurs. "Your mental health with money should be a resolution.” To focus on your financial wellness, you can set one or two goals focusing on your relationship with money. For example, you could find ways to address and resolve financial trauma, or you could set a goal to talk more openly with loved ones about money, Rojas said. —— The Associated Press receives support from Charles Schwab Foundation for educational and explanatory reporting to improve financial literacy. The independent foundation is separate from Charles Schwab and Co. Inc. The AP is solely responsible for its journalism.Playing video games is a popular, ever-expanding, and expensive pastime. Not only do you have to buy a pricey console or a gaming PC – or build your own DIY computer – but you also have to spend money on games. Recently, the average price tag increased from $60 to $70. Sure, you can ask someone to buy you one for the holidays, but then you're just hoisting the price onto them. Even when someone wants to support your gaming hobbies, they might want to help you in a more frugal manner. The stocking stuffer is a common gift tradition, especially for those who celebrate Christmas, that focuses on stuffing numerous smaller and cheaper gifts into, well, a stocking. The cheaper and smaller the item, the better. While you can't necessarily stuff a stocking full of video games, there are plenty of video game-related items out there you can purchase for the recipient. These include toys depicting popular video game characters, traditional apparel gifts, and even some of the smallest controllers available on the market. If you need some ideas on what stocking stuffers you can buy for a gamer, continue reading. When it comes to toy guns, it's Nerf or nothin'. The company produces a solid library of foam-based weapons that cater to different audiences, including fans of video games. While plenty of video game-themed Nerf guns are large and expensive, some are basically designed for stockings. Nerf manufactures several lines of small dart guns that sell for $5. While these make decent additions to stockings (but are outperformed by most other Nerf guns) none are themed after video games. If you're shopping for a gamer, you will need to go one size up and purchase a MicroShot. These toys are simple pint-sized pistols that fire one foam dart at a time and are charged by a plunger at the base of the handle. While you can find some MicroShots from Nerf's proprietary brands, most are available in "Minecraft," "Fortnite," and "Roblox" flavors –- perfect for anyone who ever wanted to use an Ender Dragon as a weapon. Depending on how much you are willing to spend on a Nerf gun, you can buy a more specialized video game-themed weapon, such as a "Fortnite" flare gun or a "Minecraft" axe that doubles as a dart launcher. Plus, some Nerf guns come in video game-adjacent themes sure to please gamers, including zombies and dinosaurs. Nerf MicroShots are generally priced around $11.99, but the exact cost and availability depends on the retailer. For instance, Target sells them between $6.39 and $8.99, depending on the model, whereas Amazon prices range from $6.39 to $14.99. Owning stuffed animals is a proud childhood tradition. While many are generic animals such as bears and rabbits, some are designed to look like popular video game characters. Unlike most stuffed animals, these gifts are intended for all ages. Trying to wade through all the companies that produce video game plushies can be time consuming, especially if you're looking for tiny and inexpensive ones perfect for stockings. Usually, a "Pokémon" plush is a safe bet, especially if you buy from the Pokémon Center. The store has plenty of options, and they're all high quality regardless of price. The cheapest items include stuffed backpack clips and small Sitting Cuties that are weighed down by beads to sit solidly on desks. However, finding your giftee's favorite Pokémon might take some effort. If you're buying for someone who isn't into "Pokémon," plenty of stores cater to other fandoms. Fangamer sells plushies of characters from video games both AAA and indie, the cheapest of which are also felt backpack decorations. TeeTurtle's plushies are another solid idea. These tiny stuffed orbs are cute and cover some video game and video game-adjacent properties, and some are even reversible for two characters in one. Plushie prices vary wildly depending on what you're buying and where it comes from. Pokémon Plush keychains at the Pokémon Center start at $9.99, whereas Sitting Cuties begin at $10.99. Meanwhile, Fangamer plushes go for as low as $15. Finally, thanks to an ongoing sale at TeeTurtle , all plushies on the site are discounted and start at $3. No toy encapsulates the idea of fun for all ages quite like Lego. Many let users create epic playsets and vehicles , and some smaller sets are suited for stockings. Lego has been killing it with their video game and pop culture-themed sets. However, many of these are as expensive as an actual video game if not a video game console. Thankfully, Lego also sells plenty of smaller, budget-friendly sets. These include tiny "Minecraft" set pieces, as well as "Super Mario Bros." Sets can be standalone or serve as expansions for the base Lego Mario set. However, if you are buying for someone into "Pokémon," you will need to purchase a Mega Bloks set instead. Lego also produces plenty of video game-adjacent kits, many of which come in stocking stuffer size. The Brick Headz line is a popular choice and includes famous faces throughout pop culture, and Star Wars Microfighters sets recreate iconic sci-fi vehicles in pocket size. Lego also sells minifigures in inexpensive blind boxes. These products come in a variety of gamer-friendly themes, including outer space and "Dungeons & Dragons." While you can find Lego sets at almost any physical or online retailer, prices vary. For instance, blind box minifigures sell for $4.99 per box on the official Lego site or $25.16 for a pack of six through Amazon . Meanwhile, the official Lego Store sells "Super Mario Bros." and "Minecraft" sets starting at $9.99 and $10.99, respectively, while these kits retail at Target for as low as $14.99 and $4.99 . We live in a digital age -– almost anything we want as entertainment can be accessed online through subscriptions such as Audible , Kindle Unlimited, Netflix, and Disney+ — but we shouldn't forget about digital video games. Gift cards are an excellent quick virtual present idea , but which one you buy depends on the recipient's platforms. Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo sell gift cards that can be spent on games for their respective consoles. However, PC gamers have to make do with Steam gift cards -– GOG and the Epic Games Store don't sell store vouchers. If you're shopping for someone deep into online and live service games, you can still surprise them with a gift card of another variety. The companies behind titles like "Roblox" and "Fortnite" sell gift cards that provide some digital currency for their respective games -– ideal for anyone eying particularly expensive character skins. You can also purchase prepaid time cards good for two months of "World of Warcraft" or "Final Fantasy XIV" playtime, but these can be expensive. The beauty of gift cards is that the customer often determines the price. For instance, PlayStation gift cards start at $10 whether they are purchased online or at retailers like Best Buy . Xbox gift cards, meanwhile, start at $1 on the Microsoft Store but only go as low as $10 at stores such as GameStop . Nintendo cards begin at $5 but are only sold through retailers like Amazon and Best Buy . Finally, Steam gift cards can be bought digitally starting at $5 or physically at GameStop for as low as $20. Unlike first-party controllers, third-party controllers come in a variety of price points. Some sacrifice features for affordability, and several manufacturers even produce controllers that make better stocking stuffers than standalone gifts. 8bitdo is one of the best third-party controller manufacturers around. We loved their 8bitdo Pro 2, but it's too big and expensive for a stocking. However, the company also makes one of the smallest controllers available — the 8bitdo Zero 2. This downright microscopic controller can provide up to eight hours of play and works with the Nintendo Switch, PC, and Android devices. While the 8bitdo Zero 2 is small, it is far from fragile, but if you want to go even smaller, another company, CRKD, has you covered with the Atom. This controller fills the same niche as the Zero 2 since it is also a pint-sized peripheral designed for portability, but the Atom comes in more colors and even adds some extra buttons. It's small enough to fit in a stocking, although it can't quite measure up to a larger and more expensive controller for competitive play. Unlike other third-party controllers, your shopping options are limited for the 8bitdo Zero 2 and CRKD Atom. Currently, the Zero 2 is only available through Amazon , is priced at $19.99, and comes in three colors. Meanwhile, the Atom sells for $19.99 through Amazon and for $14.99 through the CRKD website , and it has eight color options. Since modern games usually cost $70, these kinds of gifts can get pricey. However, if you find a good game for dirt cheap, it can help fill out a stocking. Plenty of stores are currently selling games at discounted prices. While the hottest deals are new titles that are $10 off, the best deals involve older, underappreciated, and indie games. Like gift cards, where and how you buy a game for someone depends on their platform of choice and how you can put it in a stocking. Sort of. Usually, you can find a physical copy of a game, but many indie titles (especially on the Switch), are digital only. If you buy one of these, you should slip its receipt -– complete with download code -– or a gift card with a prepaid code into the stocking. However, these aren't your only options. If you expand your definition of a video game to include virtual pets, you can purchase a Tamagotchi. No two retailers sell the same games, let alone at the same price. If you're looking for physical copies, chains such as Target and Best Buy generally only carry modern titles that can sell for $10 on clearance. Meanwhile, GameStop and Amazon offer the biggest variety. If you go the digital route, though, every major gaming platform, including Nintendo and Steam , has you covered with titles that can go as low as $1.50 or even $0.99. Just make sure to read the storefront instructions on how to properly gift a game first. Plenty of video games have been converted into board games, and many other titles such as "Call of Duty" are currently in the process . Most tabletop adaptations cost more than the average collector's edition, but you can find exceptions. Many inexpensive board games that cater to gamers are palette swaps of pre-established properties. For instance, Mattel has made versions of Uno that sport iconography from titles such as "Minecraft," "Super Mario Bros.," and "The Legend of Zelda." Meanwhile, Hasbro has produced special editions of Monopoly themed around games such as "Super Mario Bros." and "Fall Guys." Even if you can't find a proper stocking stuffer game based on an existing IP, you can always buy a bite-sized game that channels video game themes and tropes. One of the better video game-adjacent titles at a stocking stuffer price is Boss Monster, which challenges players to create their own sidescroller dungeons and defeat pixelated heroes. Fluxx is another noteworthy idea since it's easy to pick up, inexpensive, and it comes in a variety of themes that change the gameplay loop. While you can only reliably purchase video game-skinned Uno boxes through Amazon, they are dirt cheap. The "Super Mario Bros." version runs for $9.30, whereas the "Legend of Zelda" set is even cheaper at $6.90. If you would rather buy Boss Monster, though, you have more shopping options. The game is available for $24.99 through Barnes and Noble , and several expansions sell for as low as $9.95 through the Brotherwise Games site . Buying good clothes for gamers isn't easy. Way too many are generic or of mediocre quality, but at least that makes the good ones stand out. However, even if you can find a manufacturer of quality video game apparel, not all of their products are cut out to be stocking stuffers. The smaller the article of clothing, the more it is suited to a stocking. That means beanies, gloves or mittens, and -– as cliché as it might sound -– socks. Nintendo products are general crowd pleasers, so anything you purchase from the Pokémon Center or the Nintendo Store is a safe bet since they're all high quality and official. Plus, if you're buying for someone who owns crocs, a few Croc Jibbitz might also fulfill their "Pokémon" needs. These aren't your only options, and you can easily find a suitable stocking stuffer if you know where to look. Hallmark, for instance, sells socks with retro "Sonic the Hedgehog" and "Super Mario Bros." sprites, while Spencer's offers a variety of video game-themed apparel featuring characters from "Pokémon," "Five Nights at Freddy's," and the Kirby franchise. Ultimately, what you buy is determined by what's available and your giftee's preferences. Stocking stuffer apparel prices vary wildly depending on what you buy. Currently, The Pokémon Center sells gloves starting at $14.99 and beanies at $16.99, whereas the Nintendo Store 's most inexpensive clothes begin at $6.99 for socks. Meanwhile, Hallmark's gamer socks start at $12.99, and the cheapest items at Spencer's begin at $9.99. Toys are a great gift idea, especially for children. While plenty of action figures are based on video game characters, many generally land on the large or expensive side of things — but not all of them. JAKKS Pacific is one of the largest purveyors of inexpensive video game toys. The company has its fingers in popular properties such as "Super Mario Bros" and "Sonic the Hedgehog" thanks to their theatrical adaptations. Another big name toy supplier is Jazwares, which focuses more on IPs like "Fortnite." If you come from a family that thinks stockings should be for everyone regardless of age, you might be interested in McFarlane Toys' video game products, especially when they go on sale. If these stocking stuffers don't move you and you are at a loss for other ideas, the internet is full of potential muses. One of the more reliable ones is Big Bad Toy Store. As its name suggests, this digital storefront specializes in everything toys, but it also sells plenty of toy and action figure-adjacent products such as props, model kits, and plushes. And, it has a dedicated section devoted to video game toys, as well as video game-adjacent fandoms such as "Transformers," "Star Wars," "Godzilla," and "Mobile Suit Gundam." Prices of potential stocking stuffer figures vary wildly depending on what you buy and where it comes from. For instance, "Super Mario Bros." JAKKS Pacific toys start at $9.99 on the official store page and $8.95 on Amazon . Meanwhile, Jazwares "Fortnite" figures start at $9.99 on the Jazwares shop and $7.95 on Amazon . Gifts are generally meant to be surprises, even when someone buys an item from an Amazon wishlist you shared . However, certain stocking stuffer ideas can provide a second layer of surprise. Blind box figures are, as the name suggests, figures you can obtain semi-randomly from boxes that obscure their contents, and plenty of lines utilize video game licenses. Companies such as Kidrobot have produced figures based on properties such as "God of War," while Funko is behind several runs of "Five Nights at Freddy's" minis. Capcom even sells some impressively detailed figures depicting monsters from its long-running "Monster Hunter" series. Even if a blind box line is unrelated to video games, doesn't mean it can't please gamers. Funko and Kidrobot tackle tons of popular properties that gamers love, including Marvel, Star Wars, and Dungeons and Dragons. Meanwhile, Super7 and Hasbro have the rights to handle universes like Godzilla and Ghostbusters. That's not even covering the myriad of novel properties that only exist in blind box form. Since blind boxes are designed to be inexpensive items that you pick up as an impulse buy, plenty of stores carry them. You can purchase some from the Funko and Kidrobot websites for as little as $3 and $5.99, but prices usually fall between $10 and $15. If you're lucky, you can find blind boxes at a local comic store or Target , but often your best bet is retailers such as Amazon , My Plastic Heart , or Blind Box Empire if you live in the U.K. or Europe. For this article, we focused on inexpensive gifts for family members. Anything that our authors had purchased was a shoo-in for this article, but that only got us so far. After all, some family members might love Pokémon Sitting Cuties plushies, but not all of them are old enough to know what a "Pokémon" is. This firsthand stocking stuffing experience helped us find the tiny Lego kits, apparel, and more. To help fill out this list, we conducted some old-fashioned internet sleuthing and looked at what other gamers purchased and recommended for stocking stuffers. We later expanded our search to include video game-adjacent ideas, such as board games with video game themes. After the list was completed, every entry was double-checked for quality. Prices also played a huge factor since stockings are generally stuffed with inexpensive items. Anything that was too expensive or was poorly reviewed by critics or users was replaced.

As a former teacher, coach, principal in the Newark school system, I have always made education a top priority in my political life as a councilman and now as Newark mayor. In all those roles, and as a parent, I see the academic performance of our children as the imperative foundation for every measure of success we hope to achieve. We began the Newark Street Academy for disengaged former students to get GED diplomas in the first years of my administration. Most recently, we launched an ambitious 10-point, community-based literacy program for children in their developmental years, so they are reading proficient by third grade, a key marker for academic success. In between, we’ve added many educational programs from the Mayor’s Book Club to our Guaranteed Education Program, which sends 40 students a year to St. Elizabeth University for free. A recent Star-Ledger editorial titled “Newark schools get spanked over waste,” suggested I have been silent over the Newark Board of Education’s performance, but my actions say otherwise. My focus has been and will always remain on addressing the core challenges that affect student achievement in Newark — not on public admonishments or squabbles over territory, egos, or issues that do little to advance our children’s education. We must bring our charter and public schools together for staff enrichment and data sharing in order to identify best educational practices. I share the frustrations of many Newarkers when time and money are wasted for non-educational, petty turf battles. That is why we bring the entire education community together as often as we can, because we believe strongly that everything we do together, we do well. The real losers in these fights are our children — the very people we should be prioritizing above all else. Every dollar spent and every decision made must put our students first. Anything less is a disservice to the children and families of Newark, and a distraction from our ultimate goal of ensuring their success. Ras J. Baraka, Mayor of Newark Editor’s note: The Editorial Board sent questions to the mayor’s office requesting comment for the editorial in question, and did not receive a reply. Take mystery drones more seriously The mysterious drones flying over New Jersey are a legitimate news story. It’s not a supermarket tabloid story about aliens. NJ Advance Media is guilty of insufficient reporting on this. We should see daily updates. These are not the typical drones of hobbyists. They have been described by observers as being as big as a dining room table or a small car. They are only seen flying at night. Local governments have no idea what they are. The state government claims to know nothing about them. The federal government, including the FBI, is asking the public for information about them. Isn’t this an obvious problem? “See something, say something?” We’re saying something!! To be almost a month into these sightings and still have no answers is unacceptable. And, despite this lack of knowledge, the message to the public is that these drones should not be seen as a threat. I’m not one for conspiracy theories, but with zero information from our government, such theories are ripening on the vine. Among them are terrorism, or that the government itself is flying the drones. How else can they say, “Nothing to see here, move along”? There are too many questions. At this point, we need answers. The drones have been seen in clusters and hovering near military facilities, water reservoirs and other critical infrastructure. I don’t like to sound paranoid, but my imagination is beginning to get active. I can’t be the only one who wants this taken more seriously. Pressure needs to be brought to find out what’s going on. As journalists, this is your job. Gene Domowicz, Hillsborough Soto and Steinbrenner Regarding Bob Klapisch’s recent article, “ The two reasons why Juan Soto said ‘no thanks’ to Yankees”: I am a big fan of Klapisch, but I have a completely different take on Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner and his attempt to keep the star outfielder Juan Soto. I am not ready to admit I am wrong on whether or not Steinbrenner is cheap, but I do feel Steinbrenner offered just enough money ($760 million over 16 years) to ensure that the Yankees would come in second to the Mets in a free-agent battle. The Mets grabbed Soto with a 15-year pact worth at least $765 million. I say this because Steinbrenner has passed on mega-star free agents such as Manny Machado, Bryce Harper and Corey Seager. Steinbrenner has shown a propensity to pursue older, washed up veterans on the cheap, hoping to catch lightning in a bottle. Plus, in light of the fact that the Yankees are the most valuable baseball franchise, worth an estimated $7 billion, it is a huge mistake to not spend the money necessary to attract stars and maintain the highest quality product. Steinbrenner has failed to accept the fact that the cost of the highest quality stars has risen exponentially. It is no longer feasible to rely on the Yankees’ history and tradition to woo star free agents, and I don’t agree with Klapisch’s observation that " You can count on the Bombers looking radically different — and better — by spring training. " I hope I am wrong and Klapisch is right. Bill Gottdenker, Mountainside Fake ID from N.J. raises question in CEO murder The State Police and the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission need to investigate how Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, obtained a fake New Jersey driver’s license. Mangione allegedly presented the New Jersey identification ( with a different name on it ) to Altoona, Pennsylvania, police who captured him. Is New Jersey’s license/ID system secure enough so that potential bad actors will be stopped from getting fake ones for criminal purposes? Will the TSA honor New Jersey’s version of Real ID for boarding planes in the future? The Legislature and the governor’s office need to demand answers. Maybe NJ Advance Media can do some investigative reporting on how easy is it to get fake ID in this state. Stan Gurski, Clark Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com The Star-Ledger/NJ.com encourages submissions of opinion . Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion . Follow us on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and on Facebook at NJ.com Opinion . Get the latest news updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.com’s newsletters .The United States saw an 18.1% increase in homelessness this year, a dramatic rise driven mostly by a lack of affordable housing as well as devastating natural disasters and a surge of migrants in several parts of the country, federal officials said Friday. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development said federally required tallies taken across the country in January found more than 770,000 people were counted as homeless — a number that misses some people and does not include those staying with friends or family because they don't have a place of their own. That increase comes on top of a 12% increase in 2023, which HUD blamed on soaring rents and the end of COVID-19 pandemic assistance. The 2023 increase also was driven by people experiencing homelessness for the first time. The numbers overall represent 23 of every 10,000 people in the U.S., with Black people being overrepresented among the homeless population. People are also reading... A man walks past a homeless encampment Oct. 25, 2023, in downtown Los Angeles. "No American should face homelessness, and the Biden-Harris Administration is committed to ensuring every family has access to the affordable, safe, and quality housing they deserve," HUD Agency Head Adrianne Todman said in a statement, adding that the focus should remain on "evidence-based efforts to prevent and end homelessness." Among the most concerning trends was a nearly 40% rise in family homelessness — one of the areas that was most affected by the arrival of migrants in big cities. Family homelessness more than doubled in 13 communities impacted by migrants including Denver, Chicago and New York City, according to HUD, while it rose less than 8% in the remaining 373 communities. Almost 150,000 children experienced homelessness on a single night in 2024, reflecting a 33% jump from last year. Disasters also played a part in the rise in the count, especially last year's catastrophic Maui wildfire, the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century. More than 5,200 people were in emergency shelters in Hawaii on the night of the count. Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries agents assist state police as they order people living in a homeless encampment to move to a different designated location during a sweep ahead of a Taylor Swift concert in New Orleans. "Increased homelessness is the tragic, yet predictable, consequence of underinvesting in the resources and protections that help people find and maintain safe, affordable housing," Renee Willis, incoming interim CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition, said in a statement. "As advocates, researchers, and people with lived experience have warned, the number of people experiencing homelessness continues to increase as more people struggle to afford sky-high housing costs." Robert Marbut Jr., the former executive director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness from 2019 to 2021, called the nearly 33% increase in homelessness over the past four years "disgraceful" and said the federal government needs to abandon efforts to prioritize permanent housing. "We need to focus on treatment of substance use and mental illness, and bring back program requirements, like job training," Marbut said in an email. The numbers also come as increasing numbers of communities are taking a hard line against homelessness. People living in a homeless encampment pick up belongings Oct. 23 after Louisiana State Police ordered them to move to a different designated location during a sweep ahead of a Taylor Swift concert in New Orleans. Angered by often dangerous and dirty tent camps, communities — especially in Western states — have enforced bans on camping. That follows a 6-3 ruling this summer by the Supreme Court that found outdoor sleeping bans don’t violate the Eighth Amendment. Homeless advocates argued that punishing people who need a place to sleep would criminalize homelessness. There was some positive news in the count, as homelessness among veterans continued to trend downward. Homelessness among veterans dropped 8% to 32,882 in 2024. It was an even larger decrease for unsheltered veterans, declining 11% to 13,851 in 2024. "The reduction in veteran homelessness offers us a clear roadmap for addressing homelessness on a larger scale," Ann Oliva, CEO of the National Alliance to End Homelessness, said in a statement. "With bipartisan support, adequate funding, and smart policy solutions, we can replicate this success and reduce homelessness nationwide. Federal investments are critical in tackling the country's housing affordability crisis and ensuring that every American has access to safe, stable housing." Several large cities had success bringing down their homeless numbers. Dallas, which worked to overhaul its homeless system, saw a 16% drop in its numbers between 2022 to 2024. Los Angeles, which increased housing for the homeless, saw a drop of 5% in unsheltered homelessness since 2023. A rat sniffs the hand of a sleeping man experiencing homelessness Dec. 18 in downtown Los Angeles. California, the most populous state in the U.S., continued to have the nation's largest homeless population, followed by New York, Washington, Florida and Massachusetts. The sharp increase in the homeless population over the past two years contrasts with success the U.S. had for more than a decade. Going back to the first 2007 survey, the U.S. made steady progress for about a decade in reducing the homeless population as the government focused particularly on increasing investments to get veterans into housing. The number of homeless people dropped from about 637,000 in 2010 to about 554,000 in 2017. The numbers ticked up to about 580,000 in the 2020 count and held relatively steady over the next two years as Congress responded to the COVID-19 pandemic with emergency rental assistance, stimulus payments, aid to states and local governments and a temporary eviction moratorium. Emergency housing resources for older Americans in need Emergency housing resources for older Americans in need Homelessness is intertwined with the cost of living, and the high cost of living is hitting older adults fairly hard. A Westat survey for the Department of Health and Human Services found that older adults are the fastest-growing cohort of the homeless population. Emergency housing for seniors can keep that number from climbing higher. Caring.com details how to access it. The number of homeless seniors isn't based solely on people remaining homeless as they age; it also includes those whose first experience with homelessness came after they turned 50. In 2023, The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) reported that 1 in 5 homeless people were over the age of 55. For seniors and other older adults, fixed incomes make it hard to battle the ever-increasing cost of expenses. Endhomelessness.org cites that 2.35 million older adults are paying over half of their limited income to rent. Based on Caring.com's July 2024 survey of seniors in the workforce , that's exactly why 1 in 15 retired seniors worry about losing their homes. Shelter use in homeless people older than 51 has gone up over 10% from 2007 to 2017, according to the HUD. But luckily, so has the number of shelters. Between 2022 and 2023, the HUD reports that emergency shelters added 28,760 more beds in emergency shelters, though this is a reduction in the amount of beds available during the thick of the COVID-19 pandemic. What Is Emergency Housing? Emergency homeless assistance, or emergency housing, is a temporary solution. It's designed to provide shelter while those facing housing instability figure out their next step. Emergency housing for homeless seniors gives someone the immediate ability to remain housed and safely sheltered. Local nonprofits are often involved in placing people experiencing homelessness or housing instability into emergency shelters. Low-income seniors, seniors who are low on funds and might not make rent, or seniors who need to leave their homes for other reasons can use emergency housing. How To Find Emergency Housing For Seniors Many cities have their own emergency housing programs. There are also nationwide programs that provide emergency housing for seniors. The internet is the fastest tool for locating local emergency housing. Libraries have free internet access, for those who might not have a computer or Wi-Fi to begin their search. The list below leads to websites that include phone numbers for emergency homeless assistance. Senior Programs for Emergency Housing Crisis Hotline 2-1-1 Seniors in need of immediate assistance and resources should call 2-1-1 or contact the United Way online . The 2-1-1 crisis hotline partners with United Way, which is committed to helping homeless seniors find local shelters or access transitional housing. The service can also connect seniors with other resources, including food, mental health support, or funding for health care expenses. Calling 2-1-1 is often required as a prerequisite before trying to get into a shelter or obtaining other assistance. Because 2-1-1 is for people in crisis, there are no eligibility requirements. However, some programs seniors may access through 2-1-1 do have eligibility requirements. Seniors can simply dial 2-1-1 from nearly anywhere in the U.S. to be put in touch with the programs and resources they need. Housing Choice Voucher Program Designed specifically for seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income families, the Housing Choice Voucher Program is a federal program offering low-income housing options and rent assistance. These vouchers are available through your local public housing agency (PHA). This program enables and encourages participants to choose their own housing. Housing options don't need to be a part of subsidized housing projects, but there are limits on unit size. Typically, participants must pay 30% of their monthly adjusted income towards their rent, and the voucher program pays the remainder. Applicant income and family size help the PHA determine eligibility. Citizenship and eligible immigration status also play a factor. The family's income cannot exceed 50% of the median income for the county or metropolitan area where they're applying to live. Of the vouchers, 75% must go to people whose income is at or less than 30% of their area's median income. Contact your local public housing agency . Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program The Section 202 program helps expand the supply of affordable housing with supportive services for seniors. This program gives low-income seniors options that allow them to live independently, with support for cooking, cleaning, transportation, etc. This program is open to any very low-income household that has at least one person 62 years old or older. Applicants must submit an application in response to a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) posted on Grants.gov . U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development-VA Supportive Housing Voucher (HUD-VASH) The HUD-VASH program was created as emergency homeless assistance for veterans. Its goal is to give homeless veterans access to permanent housing through public housing authorities. Veterans receive rental assistance through the HUD Housing Choice Voucher program and additional case management services through the VA. By December 2023, the HUD had allocated nearly 112,000 vouchers to help house veterans nationwide. To help veterans achieve stability and remain housed, VA case managers may connect veterans with support services such as health care, mental health treatment, and substance use counseling. If you or your loved one is a low-income senior with eligible military service, you may apply. Your local VA can tell you if your service qualifies you for HUD-VASH. Senior veterans may apply online or call (877) 424-3838. Emergency Housing Resources by State Click here to learn more about the emergency housing options for seniors available in your state. The Bottom Line Low-income seniors who aren't in assisted living or independent living communities might find themselves facing housing instability. Emergency housing for seniors can help you or your loved one seek shelter. Crisis hotlines and public housing agencies can offer support. Senior Emergency Housing FAQ Finding emergency housing for seniors depends heavily on your area. The first step is to call the Crisis Hotline at 2-1-1. Finding a shelter takes less time than applying and getting approved for low-income housing voucher programs. The 2-1-1 hotline can direct you to local resources and locators. Yes and no. The duration depends on the type of housing. Shelters have limits that vary. Some shelters allow people to stay for up to six months, though that can vary based on demand. Seniors can remain in Section 202 supportive housing as long as they meet age and income requirements. Yes. Many counties have financial emergency programs that help seniors handle home repairs or short-term financial crises like utility shutoff. These programs allow the senior to focus their funds on their rent or mortgage. This story was produced by Caring.com and reviewed and distributed by Stacker Media. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! 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Chief ‘disappointed’ to see clean water used as a political ‘tactic’ by ConservativesThe future of business is here, and it’s powered by artificial intelligence. BRISBANE, Australia , Dec. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Click Start Digital, a leader in e-commerce business solutions, has launched its new AI-Integrated Training Platform, designed to help entrepreneurs start and scale their online businesses with ease. This upgrade enhances its renowned training programs by integrating AI tools for market research, automation, and growth strategies. With over 13 years of expertise, Click Start Digital is revolutionizing the way entrepreneurs approach business, delivering smarter, faster results using cutting-edge technology. How to Launch Your E-Commerce Business Using AI Click Start Digital combines innovative AI tools with proven expertise to make launching an online store simple and effective. For those wondering how to start a business, the platform offers a transformative approach. From idea generation to scaling, entrepreneurs gain the knowledge, tools, and strategies they need to thrive in today’s competitive marketplace. What Sets Click Start Digital Apart? “Artificial intelligence is transforming how we do business, and we’re thrilled to bring this innovation to aspiring entrepreneurs,” says Samantha Hurst , founder of Click Start Digital. “With our training and tools, anyone can start an e-commerce business, simplify operations, and achieve results faster than ever.” Why AI is a Game-Changer for E-Commerce AI tools are reshaping business operations with benefits such as predictive analytics for high-demand products and automation for personalized customer experiences. With Click Start Digital, entrepreneurs can: Click Start Digital ensures that starting an e-commerce business is not just possible but sustainable with the power of AI. About Click Start Digital For over a decade, Click Start Digital has helped entrepreneurs launch and grow successful e-commerce businesses. Combining bespoke websites, AI-powered tools, and expert support, it has become a trusted partner for thousands turning their business dreams into reality. To learn more, visit Click Start Digital . View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/how-to-start-an-e-commerce-business-using-ai-302331732.html SOURCE Click Start Digital

George Kresge Jr., who wowed talk show audiences as the The Amazing Kreskin, dies

Middle East latest: An Israeli strike on a Gaza hospital kills a teen in a wheelchairFidelity National Information Services Inc. stock underperforms Thursday when compared to competitors despite daily gains