Guides
Plain-English explanations of the rules behind our calculators, with worked examples, checklists and links to official sources. New to a term? Look it up in our financial glossary.
Mortgage & Home Equity
Mortgage calculatorsHELOC vs. Cash-Out Refinance: How to Choose When Your Mortgage Rate Is Low
HELOC vs cash-out refinance: refinancing a 3% mortgage to borrow $60,000 can cost far more than a HELOC. Learn the blended-rate test and break-even math.
MortgageYour HELOC Draw Period Is Ending: 6 Options Before the Payment Jumps
When your HELOC draw period ends, the monthly bill can rise 20% to 60% or more as repayment starts. See your six options and how to compare them.
Business Financing
Business calculatorsEquipment Financing vs. Leasing: Which Costs Less for Your Business?
Equipment financing vs leasing: compare a loan, a $1 buyout lease and a fair market value lease on monthly cost, true APR, ownership and Section 179.
BusinessSection 179 vs. Bonus Depreciation: Writing Off Equipment in 2026
Section 179 vs bonus depreciation: both let a business deduct equipment in year one. See how they differ after the 2025 tax law and which one to use.
Tax Deductions 2025–2026
Taxes calculatorsHealth & Benefits
Benefits calculatorsACA Subsidies for Early Retirees: What Income Counts in 2026 and 2027
Retiring before 65? See which retirement income counts for ACA subsidies, the 2027 income range and how to plan IRA withdrawals and Roth conversions around it.
BenefitsBronze vs Silver ACA Plans for 2027: Which Costs Less?
Bronze vs silver for 2027 ACA coverage: silver wins under 200% of the poverty line thanks to cost-sharing reductions; above 250%, bronze often wins.
BenefitsHow to Appeal IRMAA: A Step-by-Step Guide to Form SSA-44
How to appeal IRMAA if you retired or your income fell. See how the two-year lookback works, which life-changing events qualify and how to file Form SSA-44.
BenefitsMedicare Advantage vs Original Medicare for 2027: Which Is Better?
Medicare Advantage vs Original Medicare 2027: Advantage caps yearly costs at $9,850 but limits your doctors; Original plus Medigap costs more but covers any doctor.
BenefitsMedicare Open Enrollment Checklist: What to Review Before December 7
Medicare open enrollment runs October 15 to December 7. Use this step-by-step checklist to compare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans, drug costs and IRMAA.