SimpleCalc Blog

Guides, Tips &
How-Tos

Page 14 of 18

Credit report document with magnifying glass
Personal Finance|11 min read

How to Read and Understand Your Credit Report

Your credit report influences every financial decision from mortgages to phone contracts. Learn how to read it, spot errors, and improve your credit score.

22 Jun 2025Read more
Currency comparison showing different exchange rate options
Money-Saving Tips|8 min read

How to Get the Best Exchange Rate for Holiday Money

Airport bureaux de change are the worst place to buy currency. Compare the best options from travel cards to online brokers and save up to 5% on your holiday money.

21 Jun 2025Read more
House with solar panels and energy rating certificate
Mortgage & Home Buying|10 min read

Green Mortgages: Get a Better Rate for an Energy-Efficient Home

Some lenders offer lower rates for energy-efficient properties. Discover which green mortgage deals are available and how an EPC rating affects your options.

20 Jun 2025Read more
Mother breastfeeding with calorie and nutrition information
Pregnancy & Family|10 min read

How Breastfeeding Affects Calorie Needs

Breastfeeding burns an extra 300-500 calories per day. Understand how to adjust your nutrition to support milk production while managing postpartum weight loss.

19 Jun 2025Read more
Scales weighing productive debt against costly debt
Personal Finance|12 min read

Good Debt vs Bad Debt: What You Need to Know

Not all debt is equal. Learn the difference between debt that builds wealth, like mortgages and student loans, and debt that costs you money, like credit cards.

18 Jun 2025Read more
Calendar showing tax year key dates highlighted in red
Tax & Business|9 min read

Tax Year Dates and Deadlines for 2026-2027

Never miss a tax deadline again. Here are all the key dates for UK and US tax returns, payments, and submissions for the 2026-2027 tax year.

17 Jun 2025Read more
Income waterfall showing retirement income sources
Investment & Retirement|9 min read

How to Build a Retirement Income Plan

Planning retirement income means combining state pension, workplace pension, and personal savings. Create a withdrawal strategy that lasts your entire retirement.

16 Jun 2025Read more
Child benefit payment notice with income threshold
Pregnancy & Family|9 min read

UK Child Benefit: How Much and When It Gets Clawed Back

Child benefit provides regular income for families, but higher earners face the High Income Child Benefit Charge. Calculate whether claiming is still worth it for you.

15 Jun 2025Read more
Three mortgage offers laid side by side on a desk
Mortgage & Home Buying|11 min read

How to Compare Mortgage Offers the Right Way

Do not just compare interest rates. Learn to evaluate total cost, fees, flexibility, and overpayment terms to find the mortgage that truly costs you the least.

14 Jun 2025Read more
Coffee cup with annual cost comparison displayed
Money-Saving Tips|8 min read

How to Save Money on Your Daily Coffee Habit

A daily takeaway coffee costs over £1,000 a year. Compare the cost of making coffee at home, using loyalty schemes, and investing the savings with our calculator.

13 Jun 2025Read more
HCG level chart showing normal ranges in early pregnancy
Pregnancy & Family|9 min read

Understanding HCG Levels in Early Pregnancy

HCG levels rise rapidly in early pregnancy and are used to confirm viability. Learn what normal HCG ranges look like, doubling times, and what abnormal levels may indicate.

12 Jun 2025Read more
Savings jar with house deposit progress tracker
Mortgage & Home Buying|9 min read

How to Save for a House Deposit: Realistic Timelines

Work out how long it will take to save your deposit based on your income and spending. Includes tips to speed up the process and reach your goal sooner.

11 Jun 2025Read more
Net worth calculator with assets and liabilities columns
How-To Guides|9 min read

How to Use Our Net Worth Calculator

List your assets and liabilities to calculate your net worth instantly. Track your financial progress over time by recalculating monthly or quarterly.

10 Jun 2025Read more
Shopping bags with thought bubbles showing spending triggers
Personal Finance|12 min read

The Psychology of Spending: Why We Buy Things We Do Not Need

Understanding the emotional triggers behind impulse purchases helps you make better financial decisions. Learn the cognitive biases that drive unnecessary spending.

9 Jun 2025Read more
Two clocks showing different times in different countries
Date, Time & Productivity|9 min read

How to Calculate Time Differences Across Countries

Scheduling across time zones requires understanding UTC offsets and daylight saving rules. Our timezone converter handles the complexity so you get it right every time.

8 Jun 2025Read more
Income bracket showing standard and higher rate boundaries
Comparisons & Explainers|10 min read

Standard vs Higher Rate Taxpayer: The Real Difference

Crossing into the higher rate tax band affects more than just income tax. Compare the full impact on savings interest, dividends, pension tax relief, and child benefit.

7 Jun 2025Read more
Company accounts showing pension contribution deduction
Tax & Business|8 min read

Pension Contributions and Corporation Tax Relief

Employer pension contributions are deductible against corporation tax. Learn the rules, annual limits, and how to use pension funding to reduce your company tax bill.

6 Jun 2025Read more
Retirement income comparison showing annuity and drawdown paths
Comparisons & Explainers|12 min read

Annuity vs Drawdown: Retirement Income Strategies Compared

An annuity provides guaranteed income for life while drawdown offers flexibility with risk. Compare both with worked examples to choose the right retirement strategy.

5 Jun 2025Read more
Calendar page showing January with financial goals written
Personal Finance|12 min read

Financial Resolutions That Actually Stick

Most money resolutions fail by February. Set financial goals that stick by using specific targets, automation, and our savings calculators to track progress.

4 Jun 2025Read more
Business owner checking VAT threshold on HMRC website
Tax & Business|7 min read

How to Register for VAT: When and Why You Need To

You must register for VAT when turnover exceeds the threshold. Learn the current limits, how to register with HMRC, and whether voluntary registration benefits you.

3 Jun 2025Read more
Comparison table showing 25 and 30 year mortgage costs
Comparisons & Explainers|10 min read

25-Year vs 30-Year Mortgage: How Term Length Affects Cost

A longer mortgage term means lower monthly payments but higher total interest. Calculate the exact difference for your loan amount and interest rate with our tool.

2 Jun 2025Read more
Diagram comparing leasehold and freehold ownership structures
Mortgage & Home Buying|12 min read

Leasehold vs Freehold: What Home Buyers Need to Know

The difference between leasehold and freehold affects your costs, control, and resale value. Understand ground rent, service charges, and lease extension rights.

1 Jun 2025Read more
Two ISA growth projections showing safety vs growth
Comparisons & Explainers|9 min read

Cash ISA vs Stocks and Shares ISA: Risk vs Return

Cash ISAs guarantee your capital; Stocks and Shares ISAs offer higher potential returns with risk. Compare expected outcomes over five, ten, and twenty year periods.

31 May 2025Read more
Diagram showing savings offsetting mortgage balance
Mortgage & Home Buying|9 min read

Offset Mortgages: How Linking Savings Reduces Your Interest

An offset mortgage lets your savings balance reduce the interest you pay. Learn when this option beats a standard repayment mortgage and by how much.

30 May 2025Read more