Flipboard 2025 Finance Tips

Concerned daughter with supportive parents

I just found out about the $19,000 gift tax rule—my parents gave me $24,000 last year, and now I’m panicking. Will I owe taxes?

You’re scrolling, minding your business, and suddenly you see it: the $19,000 gift tax rule. Your brain does the math. Your parents gave you $24,000. Your heart rate spikes. Did you accidentally trigger a massive tax bill without knowing it?
February 4, 2026 Jesse Singer
Senior woman concerned about her retirement

I planned to retire this year but rising costs have made me question whether my savings will last. How do I know if it’s really safe to retire now?

You had a date in mind but then inflation, higher grocery bills, rising insurance premiums, and the general cost of existing hit your budget like a surprise subscription you never signed up for. If you’re suddenly wondering whether it’s still safe to retire, you’re not being dramatic; you’re being smart. Here's how to know if your retirement plan can handle real life, including rising costs and unexpected expenses.
February 3, 2026 Peter Kinney
Internal - Home Heating Argument

Heat Pumps Or A Ducted Woodstove: Help My Wife & I Settle An Argument Before We Spend $10,000

He wants to spend $5,000 on a heating upgrade. She says it’s a waste. Who’s right? A practical look at comfort, costs, and smart home upgrades.
February 4, 2026 Jack Hawkins

For years, my Dad told me I couldn't claim my home-office as a tax deduction. Now my accountant tells me I can. Who's right?

Can you really deduct a home office on your taxes? We break down why your dad may have been right years ago, why your accountant is right now, and who actually qualifies for the home office deduction today.
February 4, 2026 Jack Hawkins

My wife gave me an ultimatum: either we go on vacation this year, rather than paying off our mortgage early, or she's done. What do I do?

My wife gave me an ultimatum: vacation or mortgage. This fun, honest finance article breaks down what to do when money goals clash with marriage, and how to choose wisely without wrecking your finances—or your relationship.
February 4, 2026 Jack Hawkins
Surprised woman holding a smartphone

I gave my sister my Netflix login. She racked up $200 in unauthorized subscriptions through my linked payment method. Can I make her pay it back?

The shock rarely comes from the amount alone. It comes from noticing a charge that feels unfamiliar and realizing it traces back to a shared login you barely thought about anymore. What once seemed like a harmless convenience suddenly carries financial weight. Yes, digital platforms make things easier, yet they rarely signal when convenience begins to blur responsibility in meaningful ways. Payment details also remain quietly attached, even as access spreads across people and devices over time. That disconnect catches many users off guard and creates confusion. It feels informal at first, but quickly becomes complicated when real money is involved. This article explains how shared accounts lead to unexpected charges, what options exist once they appear, and how clearer boundaries can prevent similar problems before trust turns into tension or lasting resentment.
February 4, 2026 Miles Brucker
Uncle explains, nephew listens confused

My uncle keeps trying to convince me that income taxes are unconstitutional and I don’t have to pay them. I’ve never heard that before. Is it true?

Your uncle’s claim sounds pretty extreme, but we’re sure he delivered it with confidence and plenty of legal-sounding language. So, is this actually true? Are income taxes unconstitutional?
February 3, 2026 Jesse Singer

My husband inherited $200k but doesn't want to use that money to help cover my share of the bills after I lost my job. What now?

Inheriting a large sum of money often brings more tension to a marriage than financial relief.
February 3, 2026 Jane O'Shea
HomeownerIncentives

States Where Homeowners Can Get Help Paying For Backyard Units

Backyard housing has moved well past fringe idea status. Across the country, states are changing laws and quietly nudging cities to add small homes on existing lots. In some places, that nudge includes real money. Not everywhere, not for everyone, and rarely without conditions. Still, the shift is notable. These states show how housing pressure and local control, revealing where homeowners can get financial help and where permission alone is the deal.
February 3, 2026 Marlon Wright
A Couple Sitting at the Table

My ex drained our joint account the day before I filed for divorce. The bank says it’s “not fraud”. Can I get it back?

Money sometimes makes noise when it leaves in a hurry. A phone vibrates. A balance refreshes. The number drops harder than expected. When a joint account is emptied the day before divorce papers are filed, shock mixes with disbelief. The timing feels intentional, even tactical. Now, if you're wondering how banks respond, they do so with steady voices and policy language, explaining that an authorized signer moving funds does not qualify as fraud. That answer lands like a door slamming shut. Still, the story does not end at the teller window. The path forward runs through family law, timing, and documentation. Knowing how those forces work together can change the outcome. Stay sharp, because hesitation costs more than pride here.
February 3, 2026 Jane O'Shea

My property taxes doubled this year and I can’t cover the increase. What are my options?

Your mortgage didn’t change, your income didn’t double, but somehow your property taxes just exploded. If you’re staring at a tax bill you genuinely can’t afford, you’re not alone and you’re not out of options.
February 2, 2026 Peter Kinney

I was injured in the Army and was supposed to start receiving VA benefits immediately. Now they're saying it'll take another six. How do I survive?

Injured veterans facing delayed VA benefits aren’t alone. Learn practical, realistic ways to survive a six-month benefits delay, protect your finances, and stay afloat while waiting for the VA to pay what you’re owed.
February 2, 2026 Jack Hawkins