SimpleCalc Blog

Guides, Tips &
How-Tos

Page 9 of 17

Company car with BIK calculation next to car allowance figure
Salary & Employment|3 min read

Company Car or Car Allowance: Which Saves You More Tax?

Benefit-in-kind tax on a company car versus income tax on a car allowance produces different outcomes. Compare both options to see which leaves you better off.

3 Oct 2025Read more
Paycheck showing 401k deduction and tax savings
Tax & Business|3 min read

How 401(k) Contributions Reduce Your Tax Bill in the US

Every dollar you contribute to a traditional 401(k) reduces your taxable income. See how maximising your contribution can save you thousands in federal and state taxes.

2 Oct 2025Read more
Dividend payment flowing into reinvestment pot
Investment & Retirement|3 min read

What Are Dividends and How Do They Grow Your Wealth?

Dividend-paying stocks provide regular income plus capital growth. Learn how reinvesting dividends accelerates compound returns and builds long-term wealth.

1 Oct 2025Read more
Baby essentials spread out with price tags
Pregnancy & Family|3 min read

How Much Does Having a Baby Cost in the First Year?

From nappies to nursery equipment, the first year of parenthood costs thousands. A realistic budget covering essentials, nice-to-haves, and where to save money.

30 Sept 2025Read more
Side-by-side bar charts of interest-only vs repayment costs
Mortgage & Home Buying|4 min read

Interest-Only vs Repayment Mortgage: Pros and Cons

Compare interest-only and repayment mortgages to understand the trade-offs. See how much less you pay monthly on interest-only and what it costs long term.

29 Sept 2025Read more
Person completing self-assessment form on computer
Tax & Business|3 min read

Self-Assessment Tax Return: A Step-by-Step Guide

Filing your UK self-assessment tax return does not have to be stressful. Follow this complete guide covering deadlines, what to report, and common mistakes to avoid.

28 Sept 2025Read more
Payslip breakdown for a £40,000 salary
Salary & Employment|3 min read

What Does a Salary of £40,000 Look Like After Tax?

A £40,000 salary means roughly £2,550 per month after tax, NI, and pension. See the exact breakdown and what changes with pension contributions or student loans.

27 Sept 2025Read more
NHS pension income vs private pension pot projection
Comparisons & Explainers|3 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|3 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|3 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|4 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|3 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|3 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|3 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|3 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|3 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|3 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|3 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|3 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|3 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|3 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|3 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|4 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|3 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