Personal finance guides
Clear explanations of the money decisions behind our calculators, with real numbers you can check yourself.
How Extra Mortgage Payments Save You Money
See exactly how much paying an extra $100, $200 or $500 a month off your mortgage saves, the best ways to pay extra, and when not to.
6 min read · Updated
Should You Refinance? Mortgage Break-Even Explained
How to calculate your mortgage refinance break-even point, with a worked example showing when refinancing saves money and when it costs more.
6 min read · Updated
How Much House Can I Afford? The 28/36 Rule Explained
Use the 28/36 rule to work out how much house you can afford, with a worked example, the factors that change your budget and costs lenders ignore.
6 min read · Updated
What Is PMI? How Much It Costs and How to Avoid It
Private mortgage insurance explained: what PMI costs at 5%, 10% and 15% down, when it's removed, and five ways to avoid or shorten it.
6 min read · Updated
15-Year vs. 30-Year Mortgage: Which Saves You More?
Compare 15-year and 30-year mortgages side by side: monthly payments, total interest, equity and flexibility — with real numbers.
6 min read · Updated
Debt Avalanche vs. Debt Snowball: Which Payoff Method Wins?
How the avalanche and snowball debt payoff methods work, a worked example with three debts, and how to choose the right one for you.
6 min read · Updated
The Rule of 72: How Long Does It Take to Double Your Money?
Learn the Rule of 72 shortcut for estimating how fast money doubles, how accurate it is, and how to use it for investing, debt and inflation.
5 min read · Updated