Spring is here very early. That’s not good.

Recently, I rolled up my sleeves and spent my weekend doing something I dread every year: filing my taxes. No matter how much I psych myself up, the process always feels like a marathon, and around every turn lurks another heartbreak hill. Credits, expenses, deductions, oh my!

Partly as a means of procrastination and partly as a coping strategy, I’ve been consuming stories that improve my financial literacy. As the co-executive producer on the Vox video team, this often means turning to our YouTube channel. This past week, we published a story looking at the numbers behind personal finance decisions and what they mean in the big picture. According to a 2019 study by the National Bureau of Economic Research, more than half of US adults — 57 percent to be exact — are considered financially illiterate. Video producer Marie Cascione set out to examine a worthy question — why don’t we learn more about money in school?

And across our Vox newsroom, we’ve been hard at work thinking about the stories you need this tax season — from practical advice about how you should actually tackle the chore of filing to the broader context you need to understand how money works (and doesn’t work) in America. 

I recommend you take a deep dive into these stories to brush up on your financial knowledge — and a few palate cleansers to give you a break when you need one. And best of luck with your taxes! 

—Catherine Spangler, co-executive producer and director of video production

📹 Why financial literacy education in the US sucks 

Our financial illiteracy is most likely contributing to greater financial instability in the US. We’re over $1 trillion in credit card debt, a quarter of us don’t have any retirement savings at all, and more than a third of us would struggle to cover a $400 emergency expense. Video producer Marie Cascione finds out what’s behind these troubling numbers.  

Spring is here very early. That’s not good.

Sure, it’s nice to catch up on our vitamin D, but the arrival of warmer temperatures isn’t actually something to celebrate. Li Zhou’s explainer gives us the full context in one map, and looks at the potential consequences. 

4 ways to file your taxes for free

Did you say free? Yes, please. This comprehensive guide from Allie Volpe has everything you need to face the dreaded task head-on and still keep your money in your wallet. 

🎧 Charlamagne tha God on why many Black voters aren’t sold on Biden

In this provocative conversation recorded live at the SXSW festival, the media personality and comedian spoke with Today, Explained host Noel King about what Democrats and Republicans should do to appeal to Black voters. It made me think a lot about what is actually up for grabs in an election with two familiar candidates. 

Where is Kate Middleton?

I love Constance Grady’s take on the “weirdness” surrounding Princess Kate’s recent retreat from the public eye. This week it provided a much-needed indulgence in the form of palace intrigue — the gift that keeps on giving. 

📹 Why buying a house in the US is so hard right now

Buying a home is the American dream — so why can so few of us afford to? Vox video producer Adam Freelander examines the eternal rent vs. buy debate and gives some much needed context as to why it feels like we’ve been sold a promise we can’t actually achieve.

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