Flipboard 2025 Finance Tips

IRS Reporting

I put a $12k purchase on my credit card, and my brother says it’ll be reported to the IRS. My dad says only cash purchases are reported. Who’s right?

Will a $12,000 credit card purchase be reported to the IRS? Learn the truth about the $10,000 reporting rule, cash vs. credit transactions, and when large purchases actually raise tax concerns.
February 12, 2026 Allison Robertson
Property Insurance

My insurance company viewed my property on Google Earth, then immediately canceled my policy because I have shipping containers. Can they do that?

Can your home insurance company cancel your policy after spotting sea containers on Google Earth? This guide explains when insurers can legally terminate coverage in the U.S. and Canada, why shipping containers raise red flags, and what you can do next.
February 12, 2026 Allison Robertson
Wedding Drama

My 92-year-old dad is getting married without a prenup. I'm afraid I’ll lose my inheritance to his new wife and her kids. What can I do?

When an elderly parent remarries late in life, their adult children often worry about what happens next.
February 12, 2026 J.D. Blackwell
Shopper

I always know what I'm buying, and I was heavily overcharged at checkout. The cashier said it was because “exchange rates changed.” Is that legal?

​Many shoppers have faced a frustrating surprise at checkout when the final price suddenly rises due to so-called exchange rate changes. A product advertised at one price quietly becomes more expensive at the final checkout stage. For consumers, this raises immediate questions about rights, fairness, and legality. Is a business allowed to change prices at the last moment? Should customers be warned more clearly? And does consent actually exist when the change appears after a buying decision feels complete? Exchange rates do fluctuate, yet responsibility does not disappear with volatility. This issue sits at the intersection of consumer protection and trust. Understanding how pricing shifts occur helps buyers judge whether the practice reflects reasonable business reality or crosses into unfair treatment.
February 12, 2026 Miles Brucker
Claims contract breach.

I hired a contractor to remodel my kitchen. He left halfway through, then he sued me for “breach of contract.” How do I fight this?

You're standing in your half-finished kitchen, surrounded by exposed drywall, disconnected plumbing, and cabinet doors leaning against walls. Your contractor stopped showing up two weeks ago, won't return calls, and now you've received legal papers claiming you breached the contract.
February 12, 2026 Marlon Wright
banks and stores avoid the $50 bill

Don't ask a bank teller for $50 bills, but don't worry, there's actually a reason banks avoid that specific bill.

Unlike other denominations, the $50 bill sits at an uncomfortable crossroads between daily spending and large transactions. Over time, technology, security concerns, and consumer behavior quietly pushed it out of favor across the modern American economy.
February 12, 2026 Marlon Wright

I was going to pay my rent with my tax rebates as direct deposits. Now there's an issue. Rent is due and checks take two weeks. Help?

Rent is due but your tax refund direct deposit was delayed and now you’re stuck waiting on a paper check. This practical, engaging guide walks through smart, low-stress options to cover rent, avoid bad debt, and protect your housing while your refund is on the way.
February 12, 2026 Jack Hawkins

I'm the CEO of a non-profit. Our C-Suite just went on a trip to St. Barts. Can we write this off on our taxes if we call it "networking"?

Tempted to call that luxury C-suite retreat in St. Barts “networking” and move on? This sharp, CEO-level guide breaks down what nonprofits can—and absolutely can’t—write off, how the IRS really evaluates executive travel, and why documentation, optics, and intent matter more than the destination. Perfect reading for nonprofit leaders who want to stay compliant without killing the vibe.
February 11, 2026 Jack Hawkins
Internal - Mother In Law Wedding

My mother-in-law-to-be said she'd pay for our wedding. She passed away suddenly and we're getting married in a week. What do we do now?

A week before their wedding, a couple faces unexpected grief and financial stress after their mother-in-law-to-be passes away. This heartfelt, practical guide explores what to do next—emotionally, logistically, and financially—when wedding plans suddenly unravel.
February 12, 2026 Jack Hawkins
LegalReality

I spent my rent money on Black Friday deals. I thought I was being frugal. The landlord says eviction papers are next. Can I stall this?

The doorbell rang at 7 am, and the envelope that slid under the door carried an unmistakable weight. Inside, legal language spelled out a three-day notice to pay or quit—the formal beginning of eviction proceedings. Those discounted electronics and half-price furniture suddenly felt like anchors dragging a household toward homelessness. When anyone decides to spend designated rent funds on retail therapy creates a cascade of legal consequences that move faster than most people realize, and once a landlord files eviction paperwork, the timeline becomes ruthlessly mechanical. Stalling tactics exist, but they operate within strict legal boundaries that vary dramatically by state, and misunderstanding these rules accelerates rather than delays the process. Understanding what options remain requires separating Hollywood myths from actual tenant law.
February 10, 2026 Marlon Wright
Your Car, Gone

I co-signed a loan for my son. He defaulted, and now the bank is taking my car. Can they really do that?

You thought you were helping your kid out. Maybe it was a car loan, student debt, or a personal loan to get them on their feet. You signed your name on that dotted line as a co-signer, figuring your son would handle the payments as he promised. Fast forward a few months or years, and now you're staring at a repossession notice or a demand letter from the bank. They want your car. Your savings. Maybe even a lien on your house. The gut-punch question hits hard: can they actually do this? The short answer is yes, they absolutely can. When you co-signed that loan, you didn't just vouch for your son's character or give him a confidence boost. You legally bound yourself to the entire debt as if you'd borrowed the money yourself. The bank doesn't see you as a backup plan or a safety net. In their eyes, you're a co-borrower with equal responsibility.
February 11, 2026 Marlon Wright
Enough for retirement

I only have $1.2 million saved for retirement, but I don’t want to sell my lake house. Can I still retire comfortably?

The worry often begins with a simple thought that slowly grows louder: there is $1.2 million saved for retirement, yet a beloved lake house remains firmly off the table for selling. It represents decades of memories and a lifestyle that feels essential to happiness. At the same time, retirement brings uncertainty about how long savings must last. This tension between financial security and emotional attachment is more common than most people realize. The encouraging truth is that retirement comfort is rarely decided by one factor. It is shaped by how spending habits and property work together over time.
February 11, 2026 Marlon Wright