Loans
Loan Prepayment: When Paying Early Is Actually Worth It
Prepaying a loan is a guaranteed, tax-free return. The question is whether it beats the alternatives — and the answer is usually yes, with two excepti...
· 3 min read
The Calculators Cafe blog
Plain-English guides on loans, investments, tax and everyday money maths — each one written to go with a free calculator.
Investments
Step-Up SIP: Why a 10% Yearly Increase Changes the Ending
Increasing your monthly investment once a year sounds like a small adjustment. Over fifteen years it roughly doubles the corpus.
· 3 min read
Investments
Inflation and Your Savings: Why 6% Matters More Than You Think
A deposit earning 7% with inflation at 6% is not growing your money. It is barely keeping pace, and tax usually removes the rest.
· 4 min read
Investments
CAGR vs Absolute Return: Comparing Investments Honestly
A 40% return sounds good until you notice it took five years. CAGR turns any gain into a yearly figure you can compare.
· 3 min read
Loans
How to Read Your Credit Score Before Applying for a Loan
A credit score decides both whether you get the loan and what it costs. Checking it before you apply is worth more than negotiating after.
· 3 min read
Investments
FD or RD: Which Deposit Suits Your Goal?
One takes a lump sum and one takes a monthly amount. The right choice depends entirely on whether you already have the money.
· 4 min read
Salary
HRA Exemption Explained: The Least-of-Three Rule With Examples
HRA exemption is not the amount you receive. It is the smallest of three calculations, and understanding which one limits you saves tax surprises.
· 4 min read
Tax
GST for Small Businesses: Rates, Invoices and the Reverse Calculation
Most GST mistakes are not about the rates. They are about applying the tax in the wrong direction and getting the split wrong for the type of supply.
· 4 min read
Investments
PPF vs FD vs NPS: Choosing Between Safe Investments
All three are considered safe, but they differ on tax, liquidity and returns. Here is how to think about which belongs in your portfolio.
· 4 min read