Inspira 365Inspira 365
Personal finance & markets, explained in plain English.
Practical, fact-checked guides on budgeting, saving, credit, retirement accounts, investing and the stock market for people in the United States.
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How IPOs Work: How Regular Investors Can Buy IPO Stock
How an IPO works from filing to first trade, the two ways everyday investors can buy IPO shares, what the risks are, and lessons from the giant 2026 IPOs like SpaceX.
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Free 50/30/20 Budget Spreadsheet
Enter your take-home pay and expenses, and it splits your money into needs, wants and savings automatically.
- Works in Excel, Google Sheets and Numbers
- Built-in targets and "left to assign" tracker
- Plus short, practical money tips by email
Budgeting & Saving
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How to Make a Holiday Budget (and Survive Black Friday Without Debt)
A step-by-step holiday budget: set a total, divide it by person and category, shop Black Friday deals wisely, and avoid the January credit card hangover.
How to Save for a House Down Payment: How Much You Need and Where to Keep It
How much down payment you really need (3%, 3.5%, 10% or 20%), the cost of PMI, where to keep your savings, assistance programs, and a step-by-step savings plan.
How Much Car Can I Afford? Use the 20/4/10 Rule
Use the 20/4/10 rule to figure out how much car you can afford: 20% down, a loan of 4 years or less, and total car costs under 10% of income. Examples and tips inside.
Credit Cards & Debt
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Credit Card Interest Rate Cap: Where the 10% Proposal Stands
Is there a 10% cap on credit card interest? Where the proposal stands in Congress, what average APRs are now, how much a cap would save, and what to do instead.
Balance Transfer vs Personal Loan: The Best Way to Pay Off Card Debt
Compare a 0% balance transfer card with a debt consolidation loan: fees, rates, credit score needs and a side-by-side example on $8,000 of credit card debt.
BNPL vs Credit Card for Holiday Shopping: Which Is Cheaper?
Should you use buy now, pay later or a credit card for holiday gifts? Compare cost, fees, protections and credit score impact, with a simple rule for each.
Retirement
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Social Security COLA 2027: Your 3.6% Raise Explained
Social Security benefits rise 3.6% in 2027. See how much your check could grow, when the increase arrives, how Medicare premiums affect it, and what to do now.
Roth Conversion Explained: When Paying Tax Now Saves You Later
A Roth conversion moves money from a traditional IRA or 401(k) to a Roth. Learn how it is taxed, the 5-year rule, the pro-rata rule, and when converting makes sense.
Roth IRA vs Traditional IRA: Which Is Better for You in 2026?
Roth or traditional? Compare the tax treatment, 2026 contribution limits ($7,500), Roth income limits, withdrawal rules and RMDs, with a simple way to decide.
Investing
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Trump Accounts for Kids: The $1,000 Deposit, Limits and Rules
Trump Accounts are new tax-advantaged investment accounts for children. Learn who gets the $1,000 government deposit, contribution limits, withdrawal rules and how to sign up.
Tax-Loss Harvesting Explained: Turn Investment Losses Into Tax Savings
Tax-loss harvesting lets you sell losing investments to offset gains and up to $3,000 of income. Learn how it works, the wash sale rule, and how to do it step by step.
I Bonds Now Pay 5.51%: Are They Worth Buying in November 2026?
Series I savings bonds bought from November 2026 to April 2027 earn 5.51%, including a 1.40% fixed rate. Learn how I bonds work, the limits, the penalty and how to buy them.
Taxes
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2027 Tax Brackets and Standard Deduction: What Changes for You
The IRS released the 2027 federal tax brackets and standard deduction. See the new income ranges for single and married filers, plus the child tax credit and gift limit.
No Tax on Tips and Overtime: Who Qualifies and How to Claim It
The new deductions for tips (up to $25,000) and overtime (up to $12,500) explained: who qualifies, income limits, what still gets taxed, and how to claim them.
The $6,000 Senior Deduction: Who Gets It and How It Works
Americans 65 and older can deduct an extra $6,000 per person from 2025 through 2028. Learn who qualifies, the income phase-out, and how it combines with the standard deduction.
Health & Insurance
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ACA Open Enrollment for 2027: Dates, Price Hikes and How to Save
Open enrollment for 2027 Marketplace health plans runs November 1 to January 15. See key deadlines, why premiums are rising, and how to pick a plan without overpaying.
Medicare Open Enrollment Explained: What to Review Before December 7
Medicare open enrollment runs October 15 to December 7. Learn what you can change, how Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage differ, and a checklist to avoid costly mistakes.
HSA Explained: The Triple Tax Break Most People Underuse
A Health Savings Account lets you save pre-tax, grow tax-free and spend tax-free on medical costs. See 2026 and 2027 limits, who qualifies, and how to use an HSA for retirement.
Stocks & IPOs
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How IPOs Work: How Regular Investors Can Buy IPO Stock
How an IPO works from filing to first trade, the two ways everyday investors can buy IPO shares, what the risks are, and lessons from the giant 2026 IPOs like SpaceX.
What Is an IPO Lock-Up Period (and Why Stocks Often Drop When It Ends)
What an IPO lock-up period is, how long it lasts, why share prices often fall around the expiration date, and how SpaceX used a staged lock-up in 2026.
SpaceX Stock After the IPO: What Happened and What It Teaches Investors
A timeline of SpaceX stock since its record June 2026 IPO: the first-week surge, the summer slide below $135, the lock-up releases and the December 8 expiry.