SimpleCalc Blog

Guides, Tips &
How-Tos

Page 8 of 18

Phone screen showing pregnancy tracking app features
Pregnancy & Family|10 min read

Pregnancy Apps: Which Ones Are Actually Useful?

Not all pregnancy apps are worth downloading. A review of the most helpful apps for tracking your pregnancy, monitoring symptoms, and preparing for birth.

8 Nov 2025Read more
High-fibre foods arranged with daily target information
Health & Fitness|9 min read

How Much Fibre Do You Need Every Day?

Most adults eat far less fibre than recommended. Discover the daily target, high-fibre foods, and how increasing fibre intake benefits digestion and weight management.

7 Nov 2025Read more
Date calculator adding days to a start date
How-To Guides|10 min read

How to Use Our Date Plus/Minus Calculator

Add or subtract days, weeks, months, or years from any date. Use it for calculating deadlines, lease end dates, warranty expiry, or any future and past dates.

6 Nov 2025Read more
Person working on side hustle with tax folder nearby
Tax & Business|10 min read

How to Set Up a Side Hustle Without a Tax Headache

Earning money on the side has tax implications. Learn the trading allowance, when you need to register, and how to keep your tax affairs simple and compliant.

5 Nov 2025Read more
Comparison table of savings account interest rates
Personal Finance|11 min read

What Is a Good Savings Interest Rate in 2026?

With rates changing frequently, it is hard to know if your savings are earning enough. Compare current UK and US savings rates and find the best accounts.

4 Nov 2025Read more
Two investment growth curves for lump sum and monthly
Comparisons & Explainers|7 min read

Lump Sum vs Monthly Investing: Which Grows Faster?

Data shows lump sum investing beats monthly contributions about two-thirds of the time. But dollar-cost averaging reduces risk. Compare both strategies with real examples.

3 Nov 2025Read more
NI contribution calculation for self-employed worker
Tax & Business|9 min read

How to Calculate and Pay Class 2 and Class 4 NI

Self-employed workers pay Class 2 and Class 4 National Insurance. Understand the thresholds, rates, and how these contributions affect your state pension entitlement.

2 Nov 2025Read more
Declining metabolic rate chart from 20s to 60s
Health & Fitness|10 min read

How Your Age Affects Calorie Needs and Metabolism

Metabolism slows with age, meaning you need fewer calories. Use our TDEE calculator at different ages to understand why maintaining weight gets harder and how to adapt.

1 Nov 2025Read more
Comparison table of umbrella vs limited company options
Salary & Employment|9 min read

Umbrella Company vs Limited Company for Contractors

UK contractors often choose between an umbrella company and their own limited company. Compare take-home pay, admin burden, and IR35 implications of each route.

31 Oct 2025Read more
House sinking below a line representing mortgage balance
Mortgage & Home Buying|6 min read

Negative Equity: What It Is and How to Escape It

If your home is worth less than your mortgage, you are in negative equity. Understand what causes it, your options if you are stuck, and how to recover.

30 Oct 2025Read more
Baby with monthly milestone cards showing growth
Pregnancy & Family|9 min read

How to Calculate Your Baby's Age in Weeks and Months

Babies grow so fast that tracking their age in weeks matters for milestones and health checks. Use our age calculator to convert between days, weeks, and months.

29 Oct 2025Read more
P60 form with each section explained
Salary & Employment|8 min read

How to Read Your Annual P60 Statement

Your P60 summarises your annual earnings and tax paid. Learn to read every box, check the figures match your payslips, and use it for tax returns and mortgage applications.

28 Oct 2025Read more
Person walking in park with health benefit icons
Health & Fitness|8 min read

The Benefits of Walking 30 Minutes a Day

A daily 30-minute walk reduces heart disease risk, improves mood, and burns calories without the impact of running. Calculate your personal calorie burn based on your weight.

27 Oct 2025Read more
Child BMI growth chart with percentile curves
Health & Fitness|10 min read

BMI for Children: Why It Works Differently Than for Adults

Children's BMI uses age-specific percentile charts rather than fixed ranges. Learn how to interpret your child's BMI and when to be concerned about their weight.

26 Oct 2025Read more
Coffee cup next to running shoes with performance data
Health & Fitness|9 min read

How Caffeine Affects Exercise Performance

Caffeine is a proven performance enhancer for endurance and strength training. Learn the optimal timing, dosage, and when it can help or hurt your workout results.

25 Oct 2025Read more
Small plant growing into a tree representing investment growth
Investment & Retirement|9 min read

How to Start Investing With Just £100 a Month

You do not need thousands to start investing. See how £100 per month in a low-cost index fund can grow to a substantial sum over 10, 20, and 30 years.

24 Oct 2025Read more
Infographic comparing male and female median earnings
Salary & Employment|9 min read

The Gender Pay Gap: What the Numbers Actually Show

Understand the real data behind the gender pay gap in the UK and US, including median pay differences, contributing factors, and how it changes by industry and age.

23 Oct 2025Read more
Height and weight chart showing healthy range bands
Health & Fitness|9 min read

Ideal Weight Calculator: What Should You Actually Weigh?

Ideal weight depends on height, build, age, and body composition. Compare multiple formulas and use our calculator to find a healthy weight range that suits you.

22 Oct 2025Read more
Digital countdown display showing days until an event
Date, Time & Productivity|11 min read

How to Set Up a Countdown for Any Event

Count down to weddings, holidays, birthdays, or retirement. Use our date countdown tool to track days remaining and build excitement for your next milestone.

21 Oct 2025Read more
Two model houses side by side with different price tags
Mortgage & Home Buying|10 min read

Second Home Mortgage: Rules, Rates, and Tax Implications

Buying a second property involves higher deposits, stamp duty surcharges, and different lending criteria. Understand the financial implications before you commit.

20 Oct 2025Read more
Income bar chart showing tax-free portion highlighted
Tax & Business|9 min read

What Is the Tax-Free Personal Allowance and How Does It Work?

Everyone in the UK gets a personal allowance before paying income tax. Learn the current amount, how it reduces at higher incomes, and strategies to protect it.

19 Oct 2025Read more
Person exercising in cold weather with warm clothing
Health & Fitness|8 min read

Winter Fitness: Maintaining Your Routine When It Is Cold

Cold weather and dark mornings make fitness harder to maintain. Practical strategies to keep your workout routine through winter without losing motivation.

18 Oct 2025Read more
Pension pot with abolished lifetime allowance cap removed
Investment & Retirement|10 min read

Lifetime Allowance Abolished: What It Means for Your Pension

The pension lifetime allowance was abolished in 2024. Understand what this means for your pension savings, tax-free lump sum, and retirement planning strategy.

17 Oct 2025Read more
Folic acid supplement with pregnancy planning timeline
Pregnancy & Family|9 min read

Folic Acid and Pregnancy: When to Start and How Much

Folic acid prevents neural tube defects and should ideally be taken before conception. Learn the recommended dose, when to start, and which foods are naturally rich in folate.

16 Oct 2025Read more