Calculator formulas
- Compound interest: A = P(1 + r/n)nt; periodic contribution variant uses FVannuity = PMT × ((1+r/n)nt−1) / (r/n).
- Debt payoff (snowball / avalanche): month-by-month amortisation with the user-selected ordering rule until balance ≤ 0.
- Emergency fund: target = (essential monthly expenses) × months-of-runway; runway defaults follow CFPB guidance.
- Retirement savings: Monte-Carlo-free deterministic projection at user-supplied real-return assumption; default real return 5%.
Assumptions
We always disclose: contribution frequency, compounding frequency, inflation treatment (nominal vs real), tax treatment, and any rounding step. When an assumption is materially debatable, we offer the alternative side-by-side.
Comparison scorecards
Head-to-head pages (e.g. Roth vs Traditional IRA) use a 4–6 row criteria grid. Each row resolves to A wins, B wins, or tie, and the overall verdict is the weighted sum, weighting documented per article.
Data freshness
Limit/rate values are reviewed each quarter and within seven days of IRS, SEC, FDIC, NCUA, CFPB, or Federal Reserve announcements that change the answer. See the fact-checking policy for the full schedule and the corrections policy for what happens when something is wrong.