The real cost of
life's biggest decisions
14 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 Bureau, EPI, 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
FMLA vs. Paid Leave: What New Parents Are Actually Entitled To
Federal FMLA, state paid leave programs, and how to stack them for maximum paid time. Covers all 13 states with paid leave laws.
Social Security: When to Claim for Maximum Lifetime Benefit
The difference between claiming at 62 vs. 70 can exceed $200,000. Here's the math, the break-even analysis, and the married-couple strategy.
True Cost of Car Ownership 2026: Depreciation Is the Hidden Killer
New cars lose 15–25% in year one. The real 5-year ownership cost including depreciation, insurance, fuel, and maintenance.
529 Plans in 2026: Everything Changed with SECURE 2.0
The Roth IRA rollover rule removes the main fear about over-funding. Complete 2026 guide to 529 plans, state deductions, and new rules.
The True Financial Cost of Divorce in 2026
Attorney fees, asset division, two households — the full breakdown from $15,000 uncontested to $150,000+ contested.
Medicare 2026: Every Change That Affects Your Wallet
The Part D $2,000 OOP cap, premium increases, and drug price negotiations — explained with dollar impact examples.
Remote Work Salary Negotiation: Keep Your Pay Going Remote
Scripts and tactics for negotiating fully remote arrangements, countering RTO mandates, and quantifying your WFH value.
Home Buying Closing Costs 2026: Complete Breakdown
Every fee itemized — from origination to transfer taxes — with state-by-state averages and negotiation tactics.
Childcare Costs by State 2026: The Complete Map
Infant center care ranges from $7,200 to $24,000/yr. Full state-by-state data with tax strategies and subsidy programs.
HSA vs. FSA: The Tax Savings Most Workers Miss in 2026
The triple tax advantage explained, 2026 limits, and the advanced strategy that turns your HSA into a stealth Roth IRA.
Wedding Costs in 2026: What Couples Are Actually Spending
Real data from 12,000+ couples — category breakdown, city comparisons, and 8 money-saving moves that don't look cheap.
Roth IRA vs. Traditional IRA: Which Is Better in 2026
2026 income limits, contribution rules, and the tax math that tells you which account wins for your situation.
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.