Flipboard 2025 Finance Tips

Income Reporting

I earned $500 freelancing last year and didn’t report it, and now I’m panicking. Am I in trouble?

Earned $500 freelancing and forgot to report it? Learn what actually happens with small unreported income, whether you’re at risk, and how to fix it without panic.
February 13, 2026 Allison Robertson

My husband is filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Our finances are separate but we live in a community property state. What does this mean for my finances?

Bankruptcy is stressful, and it gets even more complicated when one spouse declares bankruptcy within a marriage.
February 13, 2026 Sammy Tran
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
Friend borrow my Truck

I let my friend borrow my truck for a week. He helped someone I don't know move. He just told me the truck is now impounded. Am I liable?

Lending a truck to a friend often feels like a simple favor rooted in trust. Trouble begins when that trust extends further than expected. In this case, the truck was loaned once, then used again for another person’s move, and eventually impounded. The owner never drove it, yet consequences followed. That raises a difficult question about responsibility. When others misuse personal property, legal liability does not always align with common sense. Vehicle ownership carries obligations that remain attached even when control shifts temporarily. This complexity surprises many owners. Before you assume you’re stuck with the bill, here’s what the law actually says about your responsibility.
February 13, 2026 Jane O'Shea
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

I'm very late this year to e-file my taxes; they're due tomorrow, and now the IRS website is down. Am I going to get fined?

Stuck trying to e-file your taxes because the IRS website is down on deadline day? Find out whether you’ll get fined, what the IRS actually does during outages, and how to protect yourself from penalties.
February 13, 2026 Jack Hawkins

I'm 18 and about to pay income tax for the first time, but my sister's boyfriend thinks "taxation is theft", and I shouldn't pay any. Is he right?

Filing taxes for the first time is stressful enough—add a “taxation is theft” skeptic into the mix, and it gets complicated. This image captures the tension between first-time tax responsibility and radical anti-tax beliefs.
February 13, 2026 Jack Hawkins

I spent $76 on a meal, only after I learned about the "$75 rule." Am I in real trouble with the IRS?

Worried about the IRS after spending $76 on a business meal? Here’s what the $75 rule really means, why it’s misunderstood, and whether you’re actually at risk.
February 13, 2026 Jack Hawkins
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