Financial Tools
Ever try to drive a nail with a wrench? Or turn a screw with a hammer? As any craftsman will attest, having the right tool for the job is critical.
Financial decisions involve multiple variables, which can make it hard to identify the best course of action. To help cut through the confusion, this page contains links to dozens of excellent financial tools. Many are from FinanCenter.com, the Web's leading provider of financial calculators, but tools from other sites are included as well.
These links cover most common financial planning decisions, and are extremely easy to use. The green headings below allow you to jump directly to a certain type of calculator, or you can scroll through the list until you find the tool you need.
HOME
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Mortgage Calculators
How much can I borrow?
How much will my payments be?
How much will adjustable rate payments be?
Which is better: fixed or adjustable?
Should I pay points to lower the rate?
Which is better: 15 or 30 year term?
How much should I put down?
How much can I save in taxes?
What will my closing costs be?
Am I better off renting? (general)
Am I better off renting? (specific)
Should I refinance?
What will my refinancing costs be?
How can I reduce mortgage insurance costs?
Which lender has the better loan?
Which loan is better?
How advantageous are extra payments?
Get a biweekly mortgage payment plan
What house can I afford?
Amortization Calculator
Mortgage principal vs. interest schedule
Home Equity Loan Calculators
How large a line of credit can I obtain?
Should I consolidate debts?
Should I use a home equity loan instead of an auto loan?
How much will my payments be?
What will my tax savings be?
What will it take to pay off my line of credit?
AUTOS
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Which is better: new or used?
How much should depreciation cost me?
Should I lease or purchase?
Should I finance or pay cash?
How much will my monthly payments be?
How much should I put down?
What term of loan should I choose?
Should I use a home equity loan instead of an auto loan?
Which is better: a rebate or special dealer financing?
How long should I keep a car?
What car can I afford?
CREDIT
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Credit Cards
How important is the interest rate?
How will rate changes affect my balance?
Is a lower rate worth the annual fee?
What will it take to pay off my balance?
Should I consolidate my debts?
Which is better: Flight Card or Low Rate Card?
Which is better: Rebate Card or Low Rate Card?
Should I consolidate my credit cards?
Credit Line
How large a line of credit can I obtain?
Should I consolidate my debts?
Should I use a home equity loan or an auto loan?
How much will my loan payments be?
What will my tax savings be?
What will it take to pay off my line of credit?
INVESTING
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Portfolio Tools
SMI portfolio tracking spreadsheet – Excel
SMI portfolio tracking spreadsheet – Lotus
Stock Calculators
Gifting Assets Calculator
What is my return if I sell now?
Should I wait a year to sell my stocks?
Should I sell my stocks now and invest the money elsewhere?
What selling price provides my desired return?
What is my current yield from dividends?
How much do fees affect my rate of return?
Which are better: income or growth stocks?
How do exchange rates affect my foreign stock?
When will I recover my stock costs?
Mutual Fund Calculators
What is my return if I sell now?
Should I sell my funds now and invest the money elsewhere?
What selling price gives me my target rate of return?
How much do fees affect my return?
Should I sell before or after one year?
Which fund is better?
Which is better: a front or back load?
How do exchange rates affect my foreign fund?
Which is better: load or no load?
How do growth and income funds compare?
When will I recover my costs?
Bond Calculators
What is my yield to maturity?
What is my current yield on coupon income received?
What is the bond return if I sell now?
How will rate changes affect my bond's current value?
What price should I pay?
What bond price achieves my target rate of return?
What might be my yield-to-call?
Should I wait a year to sell my bond?
Should I buy a tax-exempt or taxable bond?
Which is better: discount or high coupon rate?
Should I buy a zero coupon bond?
Which bond is better?
Roth vs. Traditional IRA Calculators
Roth vs Traditional IRA comparison
Which will provide the most retirement income?
How will changes in my tax rate affect the decision?
What option is best for estate planning?
How do return rates affect my retirement income?
When should I begin saving?
How will a large withdrawal affect the decision?
Should I convert my IRA into a Roth IRA?
How much may I contribute to an IRA?
PLANNING
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Budgeting Tools
Crown's Spending Plan Online Calculator
Sample Budgeting Spreadsheet – Excel
Budgeting Calculators
How much am I spending?
Should I pay off debt or invest in savings?
What will it take to pay off my balance?
How much should I set aside for emergencies?
How much will it cost to raise a child?
What's it worth to reduce my spending?
Should my spouse work too?
Savings Calculators
How can I build a CD ladder?
What will it take to become a millionaire?
How much will my savings be worth?
What will it take to save for a car, home, etc.?
What will it take to save for a college education?
How will taxes and inflation affect my savings?
How much difference will the rate make?
What's it worth to reduce my spending?
How much, at what rate, when?
Which is better: cash or payments?
How much will my CD be worth at maturity?
Retirement Calculators
SMI's Retirement Planning Worksheet Calculator
IRA early withdrawal calculator
How will retirement affect my expenses?
Am I saving enough? What can I change?
How will this account be used?
What will I earn with this account?
How advantageous is increasing my savings?
Which savings or income sources will be the largest?
How much can I invest before taxes each year?
What if I underestimate my expenses?
What will my income be after I retire?
What will my expenses be after I retire?
What happens if tax laws change?
How much effect can inflation have?
Which savings should be used first?
How much will Social Security provide?
What if Social Security no longer exists?
Paycheck Calculators
How do 401(k) salary deductions affect my take-home pay?
How much is my take-home pay as a salaried employee?
How much is my take-home pay as an hourly employee?
How much of my bonus do I keep after income taxes?
How much are my employee stock options worth today?
What is my take-home pay if I also earn tip income?
College Calculators
What will it take to save for a college education?
What is the value of higher education?
What investments can I use to save for college?
What expenses do I face prior to attending college?
Should I live on campus, off campus or at home?
How much should I budget for college living expenses?
Is a meal plan a good deal?
BANKING
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How much will my savings be worth?
How will taxes and inflation affect my savings?
How much difference will the rate make?
How much, at what rate, when?
INSURANCE
