SimpleCalc Blog

Guides, Tips &
How-Tos

Page 10 of 18

NHS pension income vs private pension pot projection
Comparisons & Explainers|11 min read

NHS Pension vs Private Pension: Value Comparison

The NHS defined benefit pension is generous but complex. Compare its guaranteed income with the flexibility and growth potential of a private defined contribution pension.

26 Sept 2025Read more
Swimmer in pool with calorie burn data overlay
Health & Fitness|8 min read

How Many Calories Does Swimming Burn?

Swimming is an excellent full-body workout that burns between 400 and 700 calories per hour depending on stroke and intensity. Compare different swimming styles and paces.

25 Sept 2025Read more
Two paths showing snowball and avalanche debt payoff methods
Personal Finance|9 min read

Debt Snowball vs Debt Avalanche: Which Pays Off Debt Faster?

Compare two proven debt payoff methods. The snowball builds momentum with small wins while the avalanche saves the most on interest. Which suits you better?

24 Sept 2025Read more
Calculator showing income multiplied by 4.5
Mortgage & Home Buying|10 min read

How to Calculate Loan-to-Income Ratio for a Mortgage

Most UK lenders cap borrowing at 4.5 times your income. Learn how to calculate your LTI ratio and what you can do if you need to borrow more.

23 Sept 2025Read more
BMI scale showing underweight, healthy, overweight ranges
Health & Fitness|8 min read

What Is BMI and How Accurate Is It?

BMI is the most widely used measure of healthy weight, but it has limitations. Learn how it is calculated, what the ranges mean, and when other metrics are better.

22 Sept 2025Read more
World clock showing multiple city times simultaneously
How-To Guides|9 min read

How to Use Our World Clock to Check Any Time Zone

See the current time in any city or time zone around the world. Our world clock uses the [IANA Time Zone Database](https://www.iana.org/time-zones) for accurate offsets and daylight saving transitions.

21 Sept 2025Read more
Gap between projected and desired retirement income
Investment & Retirement|9 min read

How to Calculate Your Pension Fund Gap

Are you saving enough for retirement? Calculate the gap between your projected pension and the income you want. Then adjust contributions or retirement age to close it.

20 Sept 2025Read more
Research team with R&D tax credit claim form
Tax & Business|10 min read

R&D Tax Credits: Could Your Business Claim Thousands Back?

UK businesses spending on innovation can claim R&D tax credits worth up to 33% of qualifying expenditure. Find out if your projects qualify and how to claim.

19 Sept 2025Read more
Regular investments buying units at varying prices
Investment & Retirement|9 min read

What Is Pound-Cost Averaging and Why Does It Work?

Investing a fixed amount regularly smooths out market volatility. See with real examples how pound-cost averaging reduces the risk of buying at the wrong time.

18 Sept 2025Read more
Income allocation showing retirement contribution percentage
Investment & Retirement|9 min read

How Much of Your Income Should Go to Retirement?

The standard advice is to save 15% for retirement, but your ideal percentage depends on when you start and when you want to retire. Calculate your optimal rate.

17 Sept 2025Read more
Multiple savings pots labeled for different upcoming expenses
Personal Finance|12 min read

How Sinking Funds Help You Budget for Irregular Expenses

Sinking funds set money aside monthly for predictable but irregular costs like car insurance, holidays, and repairs. Never be caught out by a big bill again.

16 Sept 2025Read more
NHS worker checking pension forecast online
Salary & Employment|9 min read

NHS Pension Explained: What Healthcare Workers Get

The NHS Pension Scheme provides a defined benefit pension based on career average earnings. Calculate your expected pension, understand the tiers, and plan your retirement.

15 Sept 2025Read more
Inflation graph showing erosion of salary purchasing power
Salary & Employment|11 min read

Cost of Living Salary Adjustment: How Much More Do You Need?

Inflation means your salary buys less each year. Calculate how much of a pay rise you need just to maintain your current living standard and purchasing power.

14 Sept 2025Read more
P45 document being handed to new employer
Salary & Employment|10 min read

Understanding Your P45 When Changing Jobs

A P45 records your pay and tax when you leave a job. Know what each part means, when to give it to your new employer, and what happens if you start without one.

13 Sept 2025Read more
Annotated payslip with each section labeled
Salary & Employment|10 min read

How to Read Your Payslip: Every Deduction Explained

Your payslip shows gross pay, tax, NI, pension, and student loan deductions. Here is what every line means and how to check your deductions are correct.

12 Sept 2025Read more
Debt payoff checklist with items being ticked off
Personal Finance|10 min read

How to Create a Debt Payoff Plan That Works

List your debts, choose a strategy, and use our debt payoff calculator to create a realistic repayment plan with a clear finish date. Become debt-free sooner.

11 Sept 2025Read more
Calendar with holiday dates highlighted and pay calculation
Salary & Employment|9 min read

How Much Holiday Pay Are You Entitled To?

UK workers get a minimum of 28 days paid leave including bank holidays. Calculate your holiday entitlement, rolled-over days, and pay in lieu of unused leave.

10 Sept 2025Read more
Heart rate monitor showing a healthy resting pulse
Health & Fitness|9 min read

What Is a Healthy Resting Heart Rate?

Your resting heart rate reveals a lot about your cardiovascular fitness. Learn what a normal range looks like, when to be concerned, and how exercise improves it.

9 Sept 2025Read more
Body fat calculator with measurement input fields
How-To Guides|9 min read

How to Use Our Body Fat Calculator

Enter your measurements to estimate body fat percentage using the US Navy method. Our calculator guides you through the measurements and explains your results.

8 Sept 2025Read more
Comparison table showing different APR rates for loans
Personal Finance|9 min read

Understanding APR: The True Cost of Borrowing

APR includes interest and fees to show the real cost of a loan. Learn how to compare APRs across credit cards, loans, and mortgages to find the cheapest option.

7 Sept 2025Read more
Payroll spreadsheet showing tax and NI calculations
Tax & Business|9 min read

How to Calculate Payroll Tax for Small Businesses

Running payroll means deducting income tax, National Insurance, and pensions correctly. A practical guide to calculating employer and employee contributions.

6 Sept 2025Read more
Calendar with weeks highlighted between two dates
Date, Time & Productivity|10 min read

How to Calculate Weeks Between Two Dates

Count the number of full and partial weeks between any two dates. Essential for pregnancy tracking, project timelines, and notice period calculations.

5 Sept 2025Read more
Central bank rate decision affecting different asset classes
Investment & Retirement|11 min read

How Inflation Targeting Affects Your Investments

Central banks target 2% inflation — the [Bank of England's MPC](https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/monetary-policy) and [US Federal Reserve](https://www.federalreserve.gov/monetarypolicy.htm) use the same target — influencing interest rates and asset prices. Understand how monetary policy decisions ripple through to your savings and investments.

4 Sept 2025Read more
Checklist showing mortgage stress test requirements
Mortgage & Home Buying|11 min read

Mortgage Stress Test: What It Is and How to Pass It

Lenders test whether you can afford higher rates before approving your mortgage. Learn how the stress test works and strategies to pass it comfortably.

3 Sept 2025Read more