Money guides

List every debt with its balance, APR, and minimum. Pay all minimums on time, then choose one target. Set an extra amount you can keep up even in a tight month. Review the plan every quarter, and re-run the numbers after each payoff or raise. Start with the card payoff calculator.

How to budget on an irregular income

Base your budget on your lowest typical month, not your average. Pay fixed bills first, then set aside a buffer in good months to cover slow ones. Move extra income to debt or savings only after next month’s essentials are funded. Compare your plan with the budget calculator.

Compound interest in plain English

Compound interest means you earn interest on your earlier interest. The longer money stays invested, the faster it grows, which is why starting early matters more than starting big. It works against you on debt, too. See both sides with the compound interest calculator and the loan calculator.

Simple vs compound interest

Simple interest is calculated only on the original amount, which is common for some short-term loans and bonds. Compound interest is calculated on the balance including earlier interest, which is how savings accounts and credit cards work. Compare them in the simple interest calculator.

How to set a savings goal you can keep

Pick a target amount and a date, then work backward to a monthly contribution. If the number feels too high, extend the date instead of dropping the goal. Automating the transfer on payday makes it easier to stick with. Try dates in the savings goal calculator.

How to budget by paycheck

Match your bills to the paycheck that arrives before they’re due, and set aside a fixed amount from each check for monthly bills. If you’re paid every two weeks, two months a year include three paychecks, so plan to use them for savings or debt. Use the paycheck budget calculator.

Plan for annual expenses with a sinking fund

Insurance premiums, holidays, car repairs, and travel arrive in lumps. Add them up, divide by 12, and save that amount monthly in a separate account so they stop feeling like emergencies. The annual expense planner does the math. For shared costs, the bill splitting calculator divides a bill, tax, and tip.

What is credit utilization?

Credit utilization is the share of your available credit that you’re using, calculated by dividing card balances by credit limits. Credit scoring models generally favor lower utilization, and staying under 30% is a commonly cited target. Paying down balances before the statement closes can help. Check yours with the credit utilization calculator.

How much car can you afford?

A popular guideline is the 20/4/10 rule: put 20% down, finance for no more than four years, and keep total car costs under 10% of your gross income. It’s conservative, but it protects you from a payment that crowds out saving. Try it in the car affordability calculator.

What is a good savings rate?

The 50/30/20 guideline suggests saving or paying down debt with about 20% of take-home pay. If that’s out of reach, start with 5% and raise it each time your income grows. Automating transfers makes the habit stick. Measure yours with the savings rate calculator.

How to pay off debt by a deadline

Pick the date you want to be debt-free, then work backward to the monthly payment. A shorter deadline raises the payment but cuts the total interest sharply. If the payment is too high, choose a later date rather than giving up. Use the debt payoff by date calculator.

How much rent can you afford?

Most guidelines suggest rent near 30% of gross income, and many landlords require income of about three times the rent. Existing debt payments reduce how much you can comfortably take on. See the numbers in the rent affordability calculator.

How inflation erodes your savings

Inflation raises prices over time, so the same dollars buy less. Money in an account that earns less than inflation loses buying power even while the balance grows. This is why comparing your savings rate with inflation matters. Explore it with the inflation calculator.

The 50/30/20 rule explained

This guideline splits take-home pay into 50% needs, 30% wants, and 20% savings and extra debt payments. It is a starting point, not a rule, and people in high-cost areas often adjust the split. See your own split in the 50/30/20 calculator.

How much house can you afford?

Lenders often look at the 28/36 guideline: housing costs near 28% of gross income and total debts near 36%. Remember taxes, insurance, maintenance, and closing costs. Check your range with the mortgage affordability calculator.

How much should you save for retirement?

Many planners suggest saving around 10% to 15% of income, including any employer match, though the right figure depends on your age and goals. Starting early and raising contributions with each raise matters most. Run a projection in the retirement savings calculator.