CALCMONEY // GUIDES // PAGE 16 OF 20
Blog.
Numbers-first guides on mortgages, taxes, retirement, and net worth. No opinions, no fluff.
Crypto Tax Calculator: What You'll Actually Owe on Bitcoin and Other Gains
Bought $5,000 of Bitcoin, sold for $18,000. What do you owe? It depends on your income and how long you held. Here's the complete crypto tax guide.
Federal Income Tax Calculator 2026: What You'll Owe (And How to Reduce It)
The 2026 federal tax brackets, a real example of what a married couple with $95,000 AGI actually owes, and the fastest legal ways to lower your bill.
FHA Loan Calculator: Monthly Payment, MIP, and Total Cost vs Conventional
FHA loans let you buy with 3.5% down and a 580 credit score. But mortgage insurance adds real cost. Here's the full comparison against conventional on a $350,000 home.
Home Equity Calculator: How Much Equity Do You Actually Have?
Home equity is the difference between what your home is worth and what you owe. Here's how to calculate it, estimate your current value, and determine how much you can borrow.
IRA Contribution Limits 2026: Traditional, Roth, and Backdoor Explained
The 2026 IRA contribution limit is $7,000 ($8,000 if 50+). But Roth IRA eligibility phases out at certain incomes. Here's everything you need to know including the backdoor Roth.
LLC vs S-Corp Calculator: How Much Tax Do You Save by Electing S-Corp?
On $150,000 net profit, electing S-Corp status saves $9,180 in self-employment taxes. But the math only works above a certain income threshold. Here's the full breakdown.
Mortgage Payoff Calculator: How Much Extra Payments Actually Save You
Adding $200/month to a $350,000 mortgage at 6.75% saves $89,000 in interest and pays it off 6 years early. Here's the full breakdown by extra payment amount.
Options Profit Calculator: How to Calculate Profit and Loss on Calls and Puts
Options profit isn't just about whether the stock moves. It's about how far, how fast, and what you paid. Here's the full P&L math for calls and puts with real examples.
Paycheck Calculator: How Much Will You Actually Take Home?
Your gross salary and your take-home pay are two very different numbers. Here's exactly what gets deducted and how much you'll actually see in your bank account.
Retirement Income Calculator: How Much Monthly Income Will Your Portfolio Generate?
A $1 million portfolio generates $3,333/month at the 4% rule. Here's the full table by portfolio size, withdrawal rate, and how Social Security changes everything.
Savings Account Calculator: How Much Interest Will You Earn in 2026?
The difference between a big-bank savings account and a high-yield account is thousands of dollars over five years. Here's the math on current top APYs.
Stock Return Calculator: How to Calculate Total Return Including Dividends
Price return and total return are very different numbers. Ignoring dividends understates S&P 500 returns by 30-40% over a decade. Here's how to calculate total return correctly.
VA Loan Calculator: The $0 Down Military Benefit Most Veterans Underuse
VA loans require no down payment and no PMI. On a $400,000 home, that's potentially $80,000 you keep in your pocket. Here's the full cost comparison.
When Can I Retire? A Calculator-Based Framework for Any Age
Retirement age isn't fixed at 65. It's a function of your savings rate, current balance, expected returns, and how much you need to spend. Here's the framework.
Charitable Deduction Calculator: How Much Your Donations Actually Save You
Charitable deductions only help if you itemize. At a 32% marginal rate, a $1,000 donation costs you $680. Here's when bunching and donor advised funds make sense.
1099 vs W2 Calculator: How Much More Do You Need to Earn as a Contractor?
To match a $80K W2 job as a 1099 contractor, you need to earn $100K-$110K. Here's the full calculation including taxes, benefits, and how to price your rate.
Net Worth by Age: Where You Should Be in 2026 (And How to Catch Up)
Federal Reserve data shows median net worth is $76K at age 35 and $290K at 55. Here's where you stand, what the benchmarks mean, and how to close the gap.
Money Market vs High-Yield Savings Account Calculator: Which Pays More in 2026
A money market fund at Fidelity yields 4.95% while the best HYSA pays 4.75%. On $50,000, that is $100 per year difference. But money market funds are not FDIC insured. Here is the full comparison.
I-Bond Calculator 2026: Current Rate, Purchase Limits, and When to Redeem
I-Bonds pay a composite rate of 2.86% for bonds purchased in 2026. They are risk-free, inflation-linked, and state-tax-free. The catch: $10,000 annual limit and a 1-year lockup. Here is the complete 2026 guide.
Bond Ladder Calculator: How to Build Predictable Income in Retirement
A 5-year bond ladder with $200,000 generates $40,000 per year in maturing bonds. Completely predictable, no market timing required. Here is how to build one and what it actually pays in 2026.
Portfolio Rebalancing Calculator: When and How to Rebalance Your Investments
A 60/40 portfolio after a strong bull market drifts to 75/25. That extra 15% in stocks means 25% more equity exposure than intended. Rebalancing back costs you short-term but protects the allocation you chose for good reasons.
Long-Term Care Insurance Calculator: Costs, Coverage, and the Self-Insurance Alternative
A private nursing home room costs $108,000/year on average in 2026. A 3-year stay costs $324,000. A couple buying LTC insurance at 55 pays $3,000-$5,000/year each to cover this risk. Here is who needs coverage and who can self-insure.
Medicare Costs Calculator: Premiums, Deductibles, and the IRMAA Surcharge
Medicare Part B in 2026 costs $185/month at the standard rate. But at $200,000 income, the IRMAA surcharge pushes it to $515/month per person. A couple pays $330/month extra because their income was high two years ago.
72(t) SEPP Calculator: Early IRA Withdrawal at Any Age
A 72t distribution plan on a $600,000 IRA at 5% IRS-allowed rate pays $30,000/year starting at age 50. You avoid the 10% early withdrawal penalty. Miss a single payment and the penalty applies retroactively to all distributions.
Solo 401k Calculator: How Self-Employed People Can Save $70,000 Per Year
A solo 401k lets a self-employed person earning $150,000 contribute up to $52,325 in 2026. More than triple what an IRA allows. Here is how the contribution math works and why this is the best retirement account for freelancers.
AMT Calculator: Who Pays the Alternative Minimum Tax and How to Avoid It
The AMT exemption in 2026 is $89,075 for single filers. Most middle-income earners owe nothing. But if you exercise ISOs or have large itemized deductions, the AMT can cost tens of thousands. Here is how to calculate your exposure.
Salary Negotiation Calculator: The Numbers You Need to Make Your Case
Asking for 10-15% above the initial offer is rarely refused. A $5K annual raise compounded over 10 years at 3% annual increases equals $57K more in total earnings.
ESPP Calculator: How Employee Stock Purchase Plans Work and What They Actually Pay
A 15% discount ESPP on a stock that does not move still returns 17.6% in 6 months. Sell immediately on purchase date and you have near-guaranteed return. Here is the full ESPP math and tax treatment.
Auto Loan Calculator: Total Cost of a Car Loan Including Interest
A $35,000 car at 7.5% over 72 months costs $44,800 total. The extra $9,800 is pure interest. Stretching to 84 months at the same rate costs $11,600 in interest. Here is the full breakdown.
College Cost Calculator: What Will Your Child's Degree Actually Cost?
A 4-year public university today costs $112,000 for in-state students. With 5% college inflation, a child born today faces a $290,000 bill. Here is how to calculate your target and how much to save monthly to get there.
Solo 401k Calculator: Maximize Contributions as a Self-Employed Person
A solo 401k lets a self-employed person earning $150,000 contribute up to $52,325 in 2026. More than triple what an IRA allows. Here is how the contribution math works and why this is the best retirement account for freelancers.
Tax-Equivalent Yield Calculator: Are Muni Bonds Right for You?
A 4% municipal bond yield is equivalent to 6.58% on a taxable bond for someone in the 37% bracket. In a low tax bracket, muni bonds pay less after taxes than equivalent taxable bonds. Here is how to calculate when they make sense.
Real Estate ROI Calculator: Total Return Including Appreciation and Cash Flow
A rental property with negative $200/month cash flow can still generate 18% total ROI when appreciation, debt paydown, and depreciation are included. Here is how to calculate the real number on any deal.
Self-Directed IRA Calculator: Building Wealth Beyond Stocks
A self-directed IRA can hold rental property, private equity, and gold. But one prohibited transaction can trigger immediate taxation of the entire account plus a 15% penalty. Here is how SDIRAs work and what to avoid.
Financial Independence Number Calculator: Your Exact FI Target
Your financial independence number is 25 times your annual expenses minus any guaranteed income. On $60,000/year spending with $24,000 in Social Security, your FI number is $900,000. Not $1.5 million. Here is how to calculate it correctly.
Kiddie Tax Calculator: How Investment Income Is Taxed for Minors
A 16-year-old with $10,000 in investment income pays tax at their parents' 32% rate on $7,700 of it. Not the child's 0% or 10% rate. The kiddie tax eliminated the old strategy of shifting investments to kids.
Net Investment Income Tax Calculator: The 3.8% Surtax Explained
Earn $250,000 in wages and $30,000 in dividends and capital gains. The 3.8% NIIT applies to the $30,000 in investment income. An extra $1,140 tax. Here is who it hits and how to reduce it.
Treasury Bills Calculator: T-Bill Rates, Returns, and Tax Advantages
A 26-week T-bill at 4.65% on $10,000 pays $232 in interest, state-tax-free, backed by the US government. Compared to a bank savings account at 0.46%, that is $186 more on the same $10,000. Here is the full breakdown.
Money Market vs High-Yield Savings: Which Pays More Right Now?
A money market fund at Fidelity yields around 4.95% while the best HYSA pays around 4.75%. On $50,000, that is $100 per year difference. But money market funds are not FDIC insured. Here is the full comparison.
Side Hustle Income Tax Calculator: What You Owe the IRS
Earn $20,000 from a side hustle and owe $2,826 in self-employment tax on top of income tax. But $5,000 in legitimate deductions reduces the SE tax bill by $707. Here is the full calculation.
Cost of Living Comparison Calculator: Is It Worth Moving?
Earning $120,000 in San Francisco is equivalent to $72,000 in Austin after adjusting for housing, taxes, and cost differences. A $50,000 raise that moves you to NYC may leave you financially worse off.
I-Bond Calculator 2026: Current Rate, Purchase Limits, and Returns
I-Bonds pay a composite rate adjusted for inflation every 6 months. They are risk-free, inflation-linked, and state-tax-free. The catch: $10,000 annual purchase limit and a 1-year lockup. Here is the complete 2026 guide.
Income-Based Repayment Calculator: What You Will Pay on Each Federal Plan
On $50,000 income with $80,000 in federal student loans, the SAVE plan payment is $135/month. The standard 10-year payment is $920/month. Here is how each income-driven plan is calculated and who benefits most.
CD Ladder Calculator: How to Build a CD Ladder That Pays More
A 5-year CD ladder with $50,000 earns more than putting everything in a 1-year CD while giving you access to $10,000 every 12 months. Here is the exact math and how to set one up.
Charitable Giving Calculator 2026: DAF Strategy, Appreciated Stock, and QCD Savings
Donating $10,000 of appreciated stock instead of cash saves you $1,500 in capital gains tax while the charity receives the same amount. A donor-advised fund lets you bunch 3 years of giving into one deduction. Here is how to run the numbers.
Compound Interest Calculator: How Exponential Growth Works
$10,000 invested at 7% for 40 years becomes $149,745. For 50 years it becomes $294,570. The extra 10 years nearly doubles the outcome. Here is how compound interest actually works and how to use it.
Disability Insurance Calculator: How Much Income Protection Do You Need?
A 35-year-old has a 25% chance of being disabled for 90+ days before retirement. Employer group disability typically pays 60% of income. On a $100,000 salary, that is a $40,000/year shortfall. Here is how to close the gap.
Emerging Markets Risk Calculator: Is the Extra Return Worth It?
Emerging markets returned 11.6% annualized from 2000-2010 while US stocks lost nearly 1%. From 2010-2020, EM returned 3.7% while the US returned 13.6%. The range of outcomes is wide. Here is how to size your allocation.