Financial Calculators
Free financial calculators for mortgages, loans, investments, retirement planning, budgeting, and debt management.
About Financial Calculators
Money decisions shape your life. A $400,000 mortgage at 6.5% costs you $510,000 in interest over 30 years—but at 6.0%, you save $47,000. Paying an extra $200/month on a $30,000 debt eliminates it 3 years faster and saves $4,800 in interest. These numbers matter. Our free financial calculators show you the exact dollar impact of every financial decision, helping you save money and build wealth with confidence.
Real Numbers, Real Savings
Generic financial advice says "save more" or "pay off debt." Our calculators show exactly how much, when, and why:
Mortgage Example: On a $500,000 home with 10% down ($50,000), your $450,000 loan at 7.0% for 30 years costs $2,994/month. Putting 20% down ($100,000) instead reduces your loan to $400,000, drops PMI ($225/month), and lowers your payment to $2,661/month. Total monthly savings: $558. Over 30 years, that's $200,880 saved by having a larger down payment.
Debt Payoff Example: You have $25,000 in credit card debt at 18.99% APR, paying $500/month. You'll be debt-free in 90 months and pay $19,784 in interest. Increase payment to $750/month and you're done in 45 months, paying only $8,482 in interest—saving $11,302 and finishing 45 months sooner.
Retirement Example: Starting at age 25, investing $500/month with 8% annual returns gives you $1,745,000 at age 65. Wait until 35 to start and you'll have only $747,000—nearly $1 million less despite contributing just $60,000 more. Those 10 years of compound growth make the difference.
Home Buying & Mortgages
Understanding Monthly Payments
Your monthly mortgage payment has four components (PITI): Principal, Interest, Taxes, and Insurance. On a $400,000 loan at 6.5% for 30 years:
- Principal + Interest: $2,528/month (your base payment to the lender)
- Property Taxes: ~$500/month (assuming $6,000/year, varies by location)
- Homeowner's Insurance: ~$125/month (assuming $1,500/year, varies by state)
- PMI (if down payment < 20%): ~$200/month (0.5-1% of loan amount annually)
- Total Monthly Payment: $3,353/month with PMI, $3,153 without
Interest Rate Impact
On a $400,000 loan over 30 years, here's how rates affect your costs:
- 5.5%: $2,271/month | $417,576 total interest
- 6.0%: $2,398/month | $463,352 total interest
- 6.5%: $2,528/month | $510,080 total interest
- 7.0%: $2,661/month | $557,960 total interest
- 7.5%: $2,797/month | $606,920 total interest
The difference between 6.0% and 7.0% is $263/month and $94,608 over the life of the loan. Shopping for rates matters.
15-Year vs 30-Year Mortgage
Comparing $400,000 loan options (15-year typically has 0.5% lower rate):
- 30-year at 6.5%: $2,528/month | $510,080 total interest | Own home free and clear at age 65 (if bought at 35)
- 15-year at 6.0%: $3,375/month | $207,480 total interest | Own home free and clear at age 50 (if bought at 35)
- Trade-off: Pay $847/month more now, but save $302,600 in interest and own your home 15 years sooner
Choose 15-year if you can afford the higher payment and want to build equity fast. Choose 30-year if you need flexibility or want to invest the difference.
Debt Elimination Strategies
Snowball vs. Avalanche Method
Say you have three debts totaling $35,000 with $1,000/month to pay:
- Credit Card A: $15,000 @ 19.99% APR (minimum $300/month)
- Credit Card B: $12,000 @ 15.99% APR (minimum $240/month)
- Personal Loan: $8,000 @ 9.99% APR (minimum $200/month)
Avalanche Method (pay highest interest first): Attack Credit Card A with extra money. Debt-free in 47 months, pay $11,832 total interest. Mathematically optimal.
Snowball Method (pay smallest balance first): Attack Personal Loan first. Debt-free in 49 months, pay $12,456 total interest. Costs $624 more but provides psychological wins faster.
Choose avalanche if you're motivated by numbers. Choose snowball if you need quick wins to stay motivated. Either way, you're debt-free in under 4 years.
The Power of Extra Payments
On a $30,000 car loan at 5.99% for 60 months ($579/month, $4,761 total interest):
- Add $50/month: Paid off in 51 months (9 months early), save $804 in interest
- Add $100/month: Paid off in 44 months (16 months early), save $1,427 in interest
- Add $200/month: Paid off in 35 months (25 months early), save $2,254 in interest
Even small extra payments make a significant difference. Find an extra $100/month and save over $1,400.
Retirement & Investment Planning
The Cost of Waiting
Assuming 8% annual return (historical S&P 500 average adjusted for inflation), monthly investment results:
- Start at 25, invest $400/month: At 65 = $1,396,000 (invested $192,000)
- Start at 35, invest $400/month: At 65 = $597,000 (invested $144,000)
- Start at 45, invest $400/month: At 65 = $237,000 (invested $96,000)
Starting 10 years earlier (age 25 vs 35) means investing just $48,000 more but ending with $799,000 more. Compound growth is exponential, not linear. Time in the market beats timing the market.
How Much to Save for Retirement
To replace $80,000/year in retirement (adjusting for inflation), using the 4% withdrawal rule, you need $2,000,000 saved ($80,000 ÷ 0.04). If you're 30 and want to retire at 65 (35 years), here's what to save monthly at different return rates:
- 6% return: $1,429/month
- 7% return: $1,143/month
- 8% return: $916/month
- 9% return: $739/month
If your employer matches 50% of 6% ($400/month on $80k salary), you only need to save $516/month personally at 8% return to hit $2 million. Employer match is free money—always contribute enough to get the full match.
Smart Money Decisions
Pay off 6% mortgage or invest at 8%? Mathematically, investing wins (8% > 6%). But guaranteed 6% return from paying off debt is risk-free, while 8% stock returns aren't guaranteed. Consider your risk tolerance and whether you value guaranteed debt elimination or potential higher returns.
Refinance when? Rule of thumb: If you can drop your rate by 0.75% or more and stay in your home 2+ years, refinancing likely makes sense. On a $300,000 loan, dropping from 7.0% to 6.0% saves $180/month. If refinancing costs $4,500, you break even in 25 months and save $25,200 over the remaining loan term.
Emergency fund first: Before aggressive investing or extra debt payments, save 3-6 months of expenses ($15,000-30,000 for most households). This prevents going into debt when unexpected costs hit. Keep it in a high-yield savings account earning 4-5% (as of 2026), not checking earning 0.01%.
Every financial decision has a dollar cost. Use the calculators above to see exactly how much you'll pay, save, or earn. Your financial future depends on making informed choices today—not guessing or hoping things work out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these financial calculators accurate?
Our financial calculators use industry-standard formulas and are regularly tested for accuracy. However, they provide estimates only and should not be used as the sole basis for financial decisions. Always consult with a qualified financial advisor for personalized advice.
How does the mortgage calculator work?
The mortgage calculator uses the loan amount, interest rate, and loan term to calculate your monthly payment. It also factors in property taxes, insurance, and PMI if applicable. The amortization schedule shows how each payment is split between principal and interest over the life of the loan.
What's the difference between the snowball and avalanche debt payoff methods?
The debt snowball method focuses on paying off your smallest debts first for psychological wins, while the debt avalanche method targets high-interest debts first to save more money on interest. Our debt payoff calculator shows you both strategies so you can choose what works best for you.
Can I use these calculators for business finances?
While our calculators can provide useful estimates for business purposes, they are designed primarily for personal finance. Business finances often involve additional complexities like tax implications, depreciation, and business structures. Consult with a business accountant for business-specific calculations.
Do you store my financial information?
No, we do not store any of your financial information. All calculations happen in your browser, and your data never leaves your device. Your privacy and security are our top priorities.
How often should I use a retirement calculator?
It's a good idea to review your retirement plan annually or whenever you experience major life changes (marriage, new job, inheritance, etc.). Regular check-ins help ensure you stay on track to meet your retirement goals.