SimpleCalc Blog

Guides, Tips &
How-Tos

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Pregnancy weight gain chart by trimester and starting BMI
Pregnancy & Family|10 min read

Pregnancy Weight Gain Guidelines by Trimester

How much weight should you gain during pregnancy? It depends on your starting BMI. Review NHS and ACOG guidelines for healthy weight gain in each trimester.

26 Mar 2026Read more
US paycheck with federal and state tax breakdown
Salary & Employment|10 min read

US Salary Calculator: Federal and State Tax Breakdown

Calculate your US take-home pay after federal income tax, state tax, FICA, and other deductions. See how your salary compares across different states.

25 Mar 2026Read more
Couple planning finances before starting a family
Pregnancy & Family|8 min read

Financial Planning Before Starting a Family

Starting a family is a major financial commitment. Plan ahead with a savings goal, maternity pay calculations, and a realistic budget for the first two years.

24 Mar 2026Read more
Keto meal and calorie-counted meal side by side
Comparisons & Explainers|9 min read

Keto vs Calorie Counting: Which Diet Approach Works Better?

Keto restricts carbs while calorie counting restricts total intake. Compare the science, results, sustainability, and which approach our calculators support best.

23 Mar 2026Read more
Bank statement with unused subscriptions highlighted
Money-Saving Tips|9 min read

Subscription Audit: How to Find and Cancel Services You Forgot

The average person wastes over £50 a month on forgotten subscriptions. Audit your bank statements, identify unused services, and cancel them to save hundreds a year.

22 Mar 2026Read more
Split US and UK flags with tax comparison table
Tax & Business|10 min read

US vs UK Tax System: Key Differences Explained

If you work across the Atlantic, understanding both tax systems is essential. Compare income tax, NI vs FICA, VAT vs sales tax, and filing requirements side by side.

21 Mar 2026Read more
Calendar showing February with 29 days highlighted
Date, Time & Productivity|10 min read

Leap Years Explained: Why We Add an Extra Day

Leap years keep our calendar aligned with the Earth's orbit. Learn the leap year rules, when the next one falls, and how they affect date calculations.

20 Mar 2026Read more
Remortgage calculator comparing old and new deal costs
How-To Guides|9 min read

How to Use Our Remortgage Calculator

Compare your current mortgage deal with new offers by entering both sets of terms. See monthly savings, total savings, and whether switching is worth the fees.

19 Mar 2026Read more
Small coin jar growing slowly with encouragement message
Money-Saving Tips|8 min read

How to Save Money on a Low Income

Saving feels impossible on a tight budget, but even small amounts add up. Realistic strategies for building savings when money is tight, starting from just one pound a day.

18 Mar 2026Read more
Shop front with business rates notice and relief info
Tax & Business|10 min read

Understanding Business Rates for Small Businesses

Business rates are a significant cost for commercial premises. Learn how they are calculated, when small business relief applies, and how to appeal your rateable value.

17 Mar 2026Read more
Progress bar showing savings goal completion percentage
Personal Finance|9 min read

Savings Goals Calculator: Reach Your Target Faster

Whether saving for a holiday, car, or wedding, our savings goal calculator shows exactly how much to set aside each month to reach your target on time.

16 Mar 2026Read more
Calendar showing a circled birth date with the day revealed
Date, Time & Productivity|11 min read

What Day of the Week Was I Born On?

Discover whether you were born on a Monday, a Friday, or the weekend. Enter your date of birth into our calculator to find the day and learn the folklore behind it.

15 Mar 2026Read more
Comparison chart of Roth and Traditional IRA features
Investment & Retirement|8 min read

Roth IRA vs Traditional IRA: Which Is Better for You?

Roth IRAs offer tax-free growth while Traditional IRAs give you a tax deduction now. Compare both based on your age, income, and expected retirement tax bracket.

14 Mar 2026Read more
Retirement calculator showing projected pension pot
How-To Guides|11 min read

How to Use Our Retirement Calculator to Plan Your Future

Input your age, savings, contributions, and target retirement age to see if you are on track. Adjust assumptions to model different scenarios for your retirement pot.

13 Mar 2026Read more
Seesaw showing savings up and borrowing costs down
Personal Finance|10 min read

How Interest Rates Affect Your Savings and Borrowing

When the [Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee](https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/monetary-policy/the-interest-rate-bank-rate) changes Bank Rate, savers and borrowers feel the impact differently. Understand the relationship and how to position your finances for any rate environment.

12 Mar 2026Read more
Credit score meter showing green good range
Mortgage & Home Buying|10 min read

What Credit Score Do You Need for a Mortgage?

Discover the minimum credit scores lenders look for in the UK and US, plus proven ways to improve your score before applying for a mortgage.

11 Mar 2026Read more
Gift envelope with tax-free threshold information
Personal Finance|11 min read

Gift Money Wisely: Tax-Free Giving Limits Explained

You can give money tax-free up to certain limits. Understand annual exemptions, wedding gifts, and how gifting fits into inheritance tax planning.

10 Mar 2026Read more
Drinks with calorie counts displayed above each glass
Health & Fitness|8 min read

How Alcohol Affects Your Calorie Intake and Weight

Alcohol is calorie-dense and often forgotten in diets. Calculate the weekly calorie cost of your drinking habits and see how cutting back accelerates weight loss.

9 Mar 2026Read more
Premium bonds certificate next to savings account statement
Comparisons & Explainers|8 min read

Premium Bonds vs Savings Account: Expected Returns Compared

Premium Bonds offer tax-free prizes instead of interest, but the effective return varies. Compare the expected return on bonds versus the guaranteed rate of savings.

8 Mar 2026Read more
Wallet full of loyalty cards with value comparison
Money-Saving Tips|10 min read

Loyalty Cards and Rewards: Which Ones Are Actually Worth It?

Not all loyalty schemes are equal. Compare Tesco Clubcard, Nectar, Boots Advantage, and others to find which genuinely save you money and which just track your data.

7 Mar 2026Read more
Password generator creating a strong random password
How-To Guides|8 min read

How to Use Our Password Generator for Maximum Security

Generate strong, unique passwords with custom length, special characters, and complexity. Learn why random passwords are essential and how to manage them safely.

6 Mar 2026Read more
Weight loss timeline showing steady 1-2 lb per week progress
Health & Fitness|11 min read

How to Set Realistic Weight Loss Goals

Aiming to lose 1-2 pounds per week is safe and sustainable. Use our calorie deficit calculator to set a realistic timeline that keeps you motivated without crash dieting.

5 Mar 2026Read more
Date countdown timer showing days until an upcoming event
How-To Guides|10 min read

How to Use Our Date Countdown Timer

Set a countdown to any date and watch the days, hours, and minutes tick down. Perfect for holidays, exams, weddings, or any upcoming event you are excited about.

4 Mar 2026Read more
Sleeping person with recovery and hormone balance graphics
Health & Fitness|9 min read

How Sleep Affects Weight Loss and Muscle Recovery

Poor sleep increases hunger hormones, reduces willpower, and impairs recovery. Discover how optimising your sleep can accelerate your fitness and weight loss goals.

3 Mar 2026Read more