Albany

New York – September 08, 2026 -- AARP New York has rolled out a Staycation and New York Experiences campaign offering free events, day trips, classes and downloadable postcards to help residents 50 and older stretch their budgets this fall.

Rising utility bills are driving the push for local, low-cost fun.

An AARP report released earlier this year found that 84% of surveyed New Yorkers saw their utility bills increase over the past year, and 88% expect costs to keep climbing. Family caregivers face added transportation, medical and household expenses on top of that, according to AARP New York.

A nationwide survey shows staying home has become the norm.

People Magazine labeled 2026 'Staycation Summer,' pointing to a Monster survey in which 52% of workers said rising living costs kept them home more this summer, 39% cut back on trips, and 37% sought cheaper leisure activities.

Albany – September 07, 2026 -- Homeowners who install new insulation but still feel cold drafts may be missing a critical second step: air sealing. According to insights shared in a HelloNation feature, insulation slows heat transfer through walls, floors, and ceilings, but it does not stop air from moving through cracks and gaps.

Small gaps let conditioned air escape even in fully insulated homes

Common trouble spots include window frames, door thresholds, attic hatches, and areas where pipes or wiring pass through exterior walls, says Darren Haggett, Branch Manager and Insulation Expert at Builders Installed Products of New York LLC in Albany, New York. Rooms above garages, additions, and spaces near exterior corners are especially prone to temperature swings because they contain more seams and transitions where air can move freely.