Flipboard 2025 Finance Tips

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Hidden Fees You’re Paying Every Month Without Realizing It

Most Americans pay more monthly fees than they realize. Many of these charges blend into routines and statements so that you don't even think about them—but they are causing serious damage to Americans' savings. These are the worst offenders and why.
December 19, 2025 Carl Wyndham

We’re moving to Europe for a year and debating whether to rent or sell our second home. What’s more tax-efficient?

Americans planning a year abroad frequently evaluate whether renting or selling a second home offers the best tax outcome. Because the Internal Revenue Service taxes US citizens and residents on worldwide income, both rental income and any eventual sale of real property must be reported, regardless of where the owner temporarily relocates. That rule applies even when the homeowner moves to Europe and maintains no physical presence in the United States during the tax year. The tax consequences differ sharply between renting and selling, and the choice can influence annual taxable income, long-term tax exposure, and the cost of managing the property from overseas.
December 19, 2025 Alex Summers
Young Adult Using Laptop look stressed

I refinanced my student loans to save money. Now the new lender doubled my rate. Can they legally do that?

Refinancing often starts with optimism. A lower monthly payment seems within reach, along with a clearer payoff timeline and the sense that you’re finally doing something that supports long-term stability. That’s why the shock lands so hard when a new lender suddenly pushes the interest rate far above what was originally promised. The shift feels like a breach of trust, as if the whole point of refinancing has been upended. And once the confusion settles, a tougher question emerges: can a lender legally hike the rate after offering a lower one, or did the fine print quietly allow it all along?
December 19, 2025 Miles Brucker
Business hopes dashed.

I bought a used boat to start a charter business. It sank on the first trip. Am I completely out of luck?

You picture the dream clearly. A used boat, a little sweat equity, a few weekend upgrades, and suddenly you’re running sunset tours or quiet coastal rides for visitors who want something personal. Then the impossible happens. The boat barely makes it out of the marina before it takes on water and slips under the surface. One minute you’re launching a new chapter, the next you’re staring at ripples where your business was supposed to begin. If you’re in that spot now, the biggest question racing through your mind is simple: “Are you completely screwed, or is there a way to get out of this mess?”
December 19, 2025 Marlon Wright
Loan still enforceable?

I loaned my sister 10,000 dollars to buy a car. She totaled it and blocked my number. Can I take her to small claims court?

Lending money to family always feels straightforward at the start. You trust the person you want to help, and you assume the loan will come back without any drama. That confidence fades fast when things take a turn. Maybe you loaned your sister 10,000 dollars so she could finally get a car. Maybe she totaled it within a week, stopped responding, and eventually blocked your number like none of it ever happened. Suddenly, you’re carrying the stress while she disappears. When you go from supportive sibling to unpaid lender, the situation becomes confusing fast, and you start wondering what real options you have.
December 17, 2025 Marlon Wright

I’m 29, make $45k, and live paycheck to paycheck. How do people even afford to save anymore?

Most months blur together. A paycheck shows up, bills rush in, and whatever remains barely keeps things steady. With rent climbing and groceries eating a larger share of the budget, even basic healthcare starts to feel like an unpredictable expense.
December 17, 2025 Alex Summers

I co-signed my brother’s apartment lease. He stopped paying rent. Can I get my name off the contract?

Co-signing a lease creates a legal duty that many people do not fully understand until something goes wrong. Once a person signs, the agreement becomes binding for the entire term unless the landlord agrees in writing to release that responsibility.
December 17, 2025 Alex Summers

My realtor refuses to show me “For Sale By Owner” listings. Is he just protecting his commission?

You’re searching for the best deal on buying a home but your realtor seems to brush off every inquiry you make about a For Sale By Owner (FSBO) property. If you're wondering why, here's how FSBOs actually work and the options you have when an agent ignores them.
December 16, 2025 Jane O'Shea

I signed up for a 0% credit card to pay off student loans, but the lender counted it as a cash advance and charged huge fees. Can they do this?

You opened a new credit card offering 0% interest, but the credit card company counted your student loan payment as a cash advance, with fees and interest. Can they really do this?
December 15, 2025 Sasha Wren

My mom invested her retirement money into my business. It failed and now she wants me to pay her back. What should I do?

Discover what to do when a parent invests their retirement savings into your business and the venture fails. This practical, compassionate guide offers expert advice on navigating family finances, repairing trust, setting repayment plans, and rebuilding relationships after a business setback. Perfect for entrepreneurs facing tough conversations and emotional financial decisions.
December 11, 2025 Jack Hawkins

Everyday expenses are at all all-time high, and Americans say these are the ones that hurt the most.

There's a quiet rebellion happening in checking accounts across the country. People are canceling, switching, and refusing to pay for things they've tolerated forever. Turns out convenience costs more than anyone realized.
December 12, 2025 Alex Summers

My ex-wife owned half our family business, but after our divorce, she now says I'm responsible for 100% of the debt. Is she right?

Discover what happens when an ex-spouse claims you're responsible for 100% of your former family business’s debt. Learn how liability is determined, what signatures really mean, how divorce agreements affect debt, and the steps you can take to protect yourself legally and financially in this engaging, easy-to-understand guide.
December 11, 2025 Jack Hawkins