The real cost of
life's biggest decisions
15 free calculators built on BLS, Census, and IRS data — plus a free AI advisor that explains your results and gives you a personalised action plan. No sign-up, no cost, ever.
Every calculator now has a free AI advisor built in
After you enter your numbers, ask the AI to explain what they mean — in plain English, with a specific action plan for your situation. Zero cost to you, ever.
Calculators
Pick your life event
Each tool covers a situation where the real cost surprises nearly everyone.
Remote Work True Cost Calculator
Commute savings, home office costs, meals, clothing — see your real annual net.
Salary Negotiation Calculator
See the lifetime earnings impact of negotiating and compare to BLS market benchmarks by field.
Debt Payoff Calculator
Avalanche vs. snowball comparison with your real debts — total interest saved and months to debt-free.
Emergency Fund Planner
Personalized target based on job stability, income type, and health situation — with savings plan.
FIRE Calculator
FIRE number, years to financial independence, Social Security impact, and portfolio projection.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator
True 5 & 10-year comparison with opportunity cost, appreciation, break-even timeline, and net wealth.
Wedding Cost Calculator
Itemized budget estimate by guest count, region, and style — with real data from 12,000+ couples.
Having a Baby True Cost Planner
State-specific year-one estimate: childcare, medical, gear, and parental leave lost wages.
Pet Cost Calculator
Year-one setup, annual recurring costs, and lifetime total — including the vet bills most people miss.
Car True Cost of Ownership
True 5-year cost: depreciation, insurance, fuel, maintenance, and financing. New vs. used vs. EV.
Home Buying True Cost Calculator
Closing costs, PMI, property taxes, HOA, insurance, and maintenance — the complete year-one picture.
College True Cost Calculator
Tuition, room & board, loan interest, and opportunity cost — the real 4-year total.
Chronic Illness Annual Cost Calculator
Beyond copays — medications, lost work, and lifestyle changes. The true annual burden.
Aging Parent Care Financial Planner
In-home care, assisted living, memory care — and the career impact on the family caregiver.
Navigate by life stage
Find tools for where you are in life
Why DecisionsCalc
Built differently
Real data sources
Every default value cites BLS, Census, and IRS, or peer-reviewed research — not a "reasonable estimate" from thin air.
100% private
Everything runs in your browser. We never see your numbers. No account, no tracking of your inputs, ever.
Ready in 2 minutes
Pre-loaded with national averages. Change only what applies to you. Results update instantly as you type.
Free AI analysis
Every calculator includes a free AI advisor — enter your numbers, click Analyse, and get a plain-English explanation plus 3 personalised action steps.
From the guide
Recent financial guides
Job Offer Evaluation: 12 Financial Factors Beyond Base Salary
The complete total compensation comparison framework — 401(k) match, healthcare cost, equity, PTO value, and remote work.
Investing in Ireland (2026): Tax on ETFs, Shares & Funds
How investment returns are taxed in Ireland — the 38% exit tax and eight-year deemed disposal on ETFs/funds, 33% CGT on shares with the €1,270 exemption, dividend tax, and which is most efficient.
Long-Term Care Insurance 2026: Do You Need It and What Does It Cost
Who should buy LTC insurance, when to buy it (before 60), policy features to compare, and the hybrid life/LTC option.
FIRE Calculator: How Much Do You Actually Need to Retire Early
The 25x Rule, healthcare wild card, Social Security adjustment, and what FIRE numbers look like at different lifestyle levels.
401(k) at Your First Job: What You Must Know Before Skipping It
Employer match math, vesting schedules, traditional vs. Roth 401(k), and the SECURE 2.0 auto-enrollment change.
Property Taxes by State 2026: What You Actually Pay
Effective property tax rates from 0.28% to 2.49% by state. How to appeal your assessment, homestead exemptions, and exemptions for seniors.
Wales LTT Higher Rates 2026: Second Homes & Buy-to-Let
The higher residential rates of Land Transaction Tax for additional properties in Wales — the 5%-17% bands from 11 December 2024, how they differ from a flat surcharge, and a worked £250,000 example.
Scotland Additional Dwelling Supplement (ADS) 2026: the 8% Surcharge
The Additional Dwelling Supplement on Scottish second homes and buy-to-let: 8% of the whole price, the £40,000 threshold, the 18-month repayment rule, and a worked example with LBTT.
The Cost of Selling a House in the UK (2026): Full Breakdown
What it really costs to sell a UK home — estate agent fees (~1.42% inc VAT), conveyancing, EPC, removals, mortgage exit fees and CGT on second homes — with a worked £290,000 example.
Saving in Ireland (2026): DIRT, State Savings & How Your Money Grows
How savings interest is taxed in Ireland — the 33% DIRT rate, which An Post State Savings products are DIRT-free, the over-65 exemption, and how compound growth works after tax.
UK AVC Pension Top-Ups 2026/27: What They Cost and the Tax Relief
What Additional Voluntary Contributions are, the £60,000 annual allowance, how tax relief makes £100 in your pension cost £80/£60/£55 by tax band, and when topping up is worth it.
How to Avoid the Medicare Levy Surcharge (2025-26, Australia)
The Medicare Levy Surcharge is avoidable: hold appropriate private hospital cover for the full year. The 2025-26 thresholds, what counts as appropriate cover, the exemptions, and when cover beats the surcharge.
Free calculators. Free AI. Free PDF checklists.
Enter your numbers, get your real costs, ask the AI what they mean — and download a personalised checklist PDF. All free, always.