https://breezycalc.com/blog/ Practical money and health guides that pair with BreezyCalc's free calculators. en Thu, 24 Sep 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://breezycalc.com/blog/401k-vs-ira https://breezycalc.com/blog/401k-vs-ira Thu, 24 Sep 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Finance Get your 401(k) match first, then consider an IRA for choice and low fees, then go back to the 401(k). 2026 limits: $24,500 vs $7,500. Full comparison. https://breezycalc.com/blog/credit-utilization-ratio https://breezycalc.com/blog/credit-utilization-ratio Thu, 17 Sep 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Finance Keep credit card balances under 30% of your limits, and under 10% for the best scores. How utilization is calculated and quick ways to lower it. https://breezycalc.com/blog/running-pace-chart https://breezycalc.com/blog/running-pace-chart Thu, 10 Sep 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Health Finish times for 5K, 10K, half marathon and marathon at every pace from 3:30 to 8:00 per km, with the matching pace per mile. Plus how to use it. https://breezycalc.com/blog/get-out-of-debt-on-low-income https://breezycalc.com/blog/get-out-of-debt-on-low-income Thu, 03 Sep 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Finance Protect essentials first, get the interest rate down, use free debt advice and pick small, winnable targets. A practical plan when there isn't much left over. https://breezycalc.com/blog/how-old-am-i https://breezycalc.com/blog/how-old-am-i Mon, 24 Aug 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Everyday How old am I really? See your exact age in years, months and days, how many days you've been alive, and how to check your age on any past or future date. https://breezycalc.com/blog/zone-2-heart-rate https://breezycalc.com/blog/zone-2-heart-rate Sat, 22 Aug 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Health Zone 2 is easy, conversational effort, roughly 60–70% of max heart rate. How to calculate yours, check it with the talk test and how much to do. https://breezycalc.com/blog/salary-after-tax-usa https://breezycalc.com/blog/salary-after-tax-usa Wed, 19 Aug 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Finance See your real US take-home pay from $30,000 to $200,000. Federal brackets and FICA broken down, how much state tax changes it, and what your payslip leaves out. https://breezycalc.com/blog/salary-after-tax-uk https://breezycalc.com/blog/salary-after-tax-uk Wed, 19 Aug 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Finance See your real UK take-home pay from £20,000 to £120,000. Full income tax and National Insurance breakdown, the 60% trap explained, plus pension and student loan. https://breezycalc.com/blog/what-is-a-sinking-fund https://breezycalc.com/blog/what-is-a-sinking-fund Sat, 15 Aug 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Finance A sinking fund saves a little each month for a known future bill, like car insurance or holidays. How to set one up, with examples and a monthly total. https://breezycalc.com/blog/how-much-to-tip-in-uk https://breezycalc.com/blog/how-much-to-tip-in-uk Fri, 14 Aug 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Everyday Visiting or living in the UK? See exactly how much to tip at restaurants, pubs, taxis and hairdressers — and what the new UK tipping law means for you. https://breezycalc.com/blog/401k-when-you-leave-a-job https://breezycalc.com/blog/401k-when-you-leave-a-job Sat, 08 Aug 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Finance Your 401(k) stays yours. You can leave it, roll it to a new plan or an IRA, or cash out (usually the costliest option). Here's how each choice works. https://breezycalc.com/blog/how-much-down-payment-on-a-car https://breezycalc.com/blog/how-much-down-payment-on-a-car Sat, 01 Aug 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Finance Aim for about 20% down on a new car and 10% on a used one. On a $35,000 car, 20% down saves around $70 a month and $700 in interest versus 10%. https://breezycalc.com/blog/car-loan-vs-personal-loan https://breezycalc.com/blog/car-loan-vs-personal-loan Wed, 29 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Finance Should you finance a car with a car loan or personal loan? Compare rates, ownership rules, deposits and total costs to find the cheaper option. https://breezycalc.com/blog/bmi-vs-body-fat https://breezycalc.com/blog/bmi-vs-body-fat Sat, 25 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Health BMI is quick but body fat percentage tells the real story. Compare healthy ranges, accuracy of measurement methods, and which to track. https://breezycalc.com/blog/state-pension-uk-2026 https://breezycalc.com/blog/state-pension-uk-2026 Thu, 23 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Finance How the UK State Pension works: 35 qualifying years for the full amount, minimum 10 years, current state pension age, NI credits, and how to check your forecast. https://breezycalc.com/blog/stamp-duty-rates-2026 https://breezycalc.com/blog/stamp-duty-rates-2026 Thu, 23 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Finance How UK Stamp Duty Land Tax actually works: progressive bands, first-time buyer relief, the second-home surcharge, and how to calculate what you'll pay. https://breezycalc.com/blog/national-insurance-rates-2026 https://breezycalc.com/blog/national-insurance-rates-2026 Thu, 23 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Finance What National Insurance actually is, who pays it, how the threshold works, the difference between Class 1 and Class 2/4, and why it affects your state pension. https://breezycalc.com/blog/council-tax-bands-uk https://breezycalc.com/blog/council-tax-bands-uk Thu, 23 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Finance Council tax bands A to H explained: how they're set, why they're based on 1991 values not today's prices, common discounts, and how to challenge your band. https://breezycalc.com/blog/50-30-20-budget-rule https://breezycalc.com/blog/50-30-20-budget-rule Thu, 23 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Finance The 50/30/20 rule splits take-home pay into needs, wants and savings. See real examples on $3,000 and £2,000 budgets, plus when to adjust the ratios. https://breezycalc.com/blog/how-to-calculate-break-even-point https://breezycalc.com/blog/how-to-calculate-break-even-point Wed, 22 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Finance Break-even units = fixed costs ÷ (price − variable cost). Worked examples, break-even revenue, a target-profit version and how price changes move the number. https://breezycalc.com/blog/how-many-weeks-pregnant-am-i https://breezycalc.com/blog/how-many-weeks-pregnant-am-i Tue, 21 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Health Confused about pregnancy weeks? Learn how weeks are really counted from your last period, why you're 'pregnant before conceiving', and check your week. https://breezycalc.com/blog/how-much-deposit-house-uk https://breezycalc.com/blog/how-much-deposit-house-uk Sun, 19 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Finance Most UK buyers need a 5–10% deposit. See what deposits get you the best rates, first-time buyer schemes, and how much to save for each price band. https://breezycalc.com/blog/how-much-to-tip-in-usa https://breezycalc.com/blog/how-much-to-tip-in-usa Fri, 17 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Everyday Visiting or living in the US? See exactly how much to tip at restaurants, bars, hotels, taxis and salons — with quick math tricks. https://breezycalc.com/blog/negative-splits-race-pacing https://breezycalc.com/blog/negative-splits-race-pacing Wed, 15 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Health Running the second half slightly faster than the first usually beats going out hard. How to plan negative or even splits for a 10K, half and marathon. https://breezycalc.com/blog/bmr-vs-tdee https://breezycalc.com/blog/bmr-vs-tdee Wed, 15 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Health BMR is what you burn at rest; TDEE includes activity. Learn the difference, how to calculate both, and which number to use for weight loss. https://breezycalc.com/blog/how-to-calculate-percentage-increase https://breezycalc.com/blog/how-to-calculate-percentage-increase Mon, 13 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Everyday Learn the percentage increase formula with simple examples — pay rises, price changes and discounts. Plus the common mistake most people make. https://breezycalc.com/blog/compound-interest-explained https://breezycalc.com/blog/compound-interest-explained Sat, 11 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Finance Compound interest means earning interest on your interest. See how £100/month becomes £150k+, the Rule of 72, and why starting early beats saving more. https://breezycalc.com/blog/mortgage-overpayment-worth-it https://breezycalc.com/blog/mortgage-overpayment-worth-it Thu, 09 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Finance Overpaying your mortgage can save tens of thousands in interest. See real examples, when overpaying beats investing, and the traps to avoid. https://breezycalc.com/blog/401k-contribution-limits-2026 https://breezycalc.com/blog/401k-contribution-limits-2026 Wed, 08 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Finance 2026 401(k) limit: $24,500, plus $8,000 catch-up at 50+ or $11,250 at 60–63. Total limit $72,000. New Roth catch-up rule for high earners explained. https://breezycalc.com/blog/calories-to-lose-weight https://breezycalc.com/blog/calories-to-lose-weight Tue, 07 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Health Find how many calories you need to lose weight safely. The 500-calorie deficit rule, real examples by body size, and mistakes that stall fat loss. https://breezycalc.com/blog/how-much-house-can-i-afford https://breezycalc.com/blog/how-much-house-can-i-afford Wed, 01 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Finance Wondering how much house you can afford on $60,000 a year? See the 28/36 rule, real monthly payment examples and what lenders actually approve. https://breezycalc.com/blog/can-you-eat-too-much-protein https://breezycalc.com/blog/can-you-eat-too-much-protein Wed, 01 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Health For healthy adults, up to about 2 g/kg a day appears safe long term. The real risks are for people with kidney disease, and what protein pushes off your plate. https://breezycalc.com/blog/debt-to-income-ratio https://breezycalc.com/blog/debt-to-income-ratio Mon, 22 Jun 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Finance DTI = monthly debt payments ÷ gross monthly income. See front-end vs back-end DTI, what lenders look for (often 36% or less) and how to lower yours. https://breezycalc.com/blog/how-to-pay-off-10000-credit-card-debt https://breezycalc.com/blog/how-to-pay-off-10000-credit-card-debt Mon, 15 Jun 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Finance At 24% APR, $300 a month takes nearly 5 years; $500 takes about 2 years. Compare payments, balance transfers and consolidation loans, and pick a plan. https://breezycalc.com/blog/fat-burning-heart-rate-zone https://breezycalc.com/blog/fat-burning-heart-rate-zone Mon, 08 Jun 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Health Easy exercise burns a higher percentage of fat, but harder exercise often burns as much fat and more calories. What the 'fat-burning zone' gets right and wrong. https://breezycalc.com/blog/gross-margin-vs-net-margin https://breezycalc.com/blog/gross-margin-vs-net-margin Mon, 01 Jun 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Finance Gross margin only subtracts the cost of what you sold; net margin subtracts everything. See both calculated on one business, plus operating margin. https://breezycalc.com/blog/how-to-set-freelance-hourly-rate https://breezycalc.com/blog/how-to-set-freelance-hourly-rate Fri, 22 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Finance Start from the income you need, add expenses and taxes, then divide by realistic billable hours (often 1,000–1,400 a year), not 2,080. A worked example. https://breezycalc.com/blog/how-to-save-for-a-holiday https://breezycalc.com/blog/how-to-save-for-a-holiday Fri, 15 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Finance Price the whole trip, add a buffer, and divide by the months left. A £2,400 holiday needs about £400 a month or £92 a week. A step-by-step saving plan. https://breezycalc.com/blog/how-to-train-for-your-first-10k https://breezycalc.com/blog/how-to-train-for-your-first-10k Fri, 08 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Health Most people can go from running 30 minutes to a 10K in 8–10 weeks with three runs a week. A simple plan, realistic pace targets and race-day tips. https://breezycalc.com/blog/traditional-vs-roth-401k https://breezycalc.com/blog/traditional-vs-roth-401k Fri, 01 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Finance Traditional saves tax now; Roth saves tax later. If you expect a higher tax rate in retirement, Roth usually wins. See the maths and who each suits.