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Financial Calculators

Make smarter financial decisions with our suite of free calculators. Compare rates, project savings, and plan your mortgage with confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Mortgage & Real Estate

Does the mortgage calculator include taxes and insurance?

Our standard mortgage calculator focuses on Principal and Interest (P&I). However, most homeowners also pay property taxes and homeowners insurance into an escrow account. You should add these estimated costs to your result to get your full monthly housing payment.

How much house can I afford?

Most lenders follow the 28/36 rule, which states that your mortgage payment should not exceed 28% of your gross monthly income, and your total debt obligations should stay below 36%. Use our Affordability Calculator to see your personalized range.

Is it better to rent or buy a home right now?

The answer depends on how long you plan to stay in the home. Buying typically involves high upfront closing costs that take several years to recoup through equity building. Use the Rent vs. Buy tool to calculate your specific break-even point — the month when your interest savings officially outweigh the closing costs.

When should I refinance my mortgage?

Refinancing makes sense if you can lower your interest rate by at least 0.50% to 1.00%, or if you want to shorten your loan term. Use the Refinance Calculator to find your break-even point — the month when your interest savings officially outweigh the closing costs.

Savings & Investing

How does compound interest help my savings grow?

Compound interest means you earn interest on your initial deposit plus the interest you've already earned. Over time, this "snowball effect" causes your savings to grow much faster than they would with simple interest.

What is the difference between Interest Rate and APY?

The Interest Rate is the base rate you are paid. The Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is higher because it accounts for compounding (how often interest is added to your balance). APY is the most accurate number to use when comparing savings accounts or CDs.

Debt & Personal Finance

Is debt consolidation a good idea?

Using a home equity loan to consolidate debt can lower your monthly payments significantly because mortgage rates are lower than credit card rates. However, it converts unsecured debt (credit cards) into secured debt (your home), so there is risk involved if you cannot make payments.