Copyright 2013 The Calculator Site Interesting articles and consumer ideas on finance, currency, insurance and more http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/ en-us Fri, 31 May 2013 00:00:00 CDT http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/what-is-apr.php http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/what-is-apr.php In an ideal world, taking a loan would be simple. Apart from filling out the paperwork and receiving approval all you'd need to know is the amount of interest you have to pay. Take out $1,000 at 5% and your total repayment sum comes to $1,050. But, depending on the terms of your finance, on top of this you'll need to consider any additional costs such as processing fees, etc. finance Mon, 20 May 2013 00:00:00 CDT http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/what-is-compound-interest.php http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/what-is-compound-interest.php We all like the thought of earning interest on our savings and investments. Equally, we all hate having to pay interest on loans and debts. With some deft mathematical footwork it's possible to cancel out the interest on your debts by using compound interest that accumulates on your savings. finance Wed, 08 May 2013 00:00:00 CDT http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/how-a-financial-crisis-can-benefit-savers.php http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/how-a-financial-crisis-can-benefit-savers.php When you think about it, the collapse of any banking system is likely to send investors and savers alike running for the hills. But on the scale of 'really bad things that could happen' it's not quite midnight on the doomsday clock. The thing is, sometimes, just sometimes, a global financial collapse plays into the hands of investors and savers. finance Wed, 24 Apr 2013 00:00:00 CDT http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/financial-meltdowns-since-1900.php http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/financial-meltdowns-since-1900.php Recessions come and go. Fortunately, financial meltdowns on a global scale are far less common. Common sense and some seriously big brains in the banking industry have worked tirelessly to ensure that the money markets, and the investors, are protected. But what happens when, as seen in 1996, things go wrong? Simple: the markets go into meltdown. finance Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 CDT http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/how-cell-phones-are-shaping-banking.php http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/how-cell-phones-are-shaping-banking.php This week has seen the 40th anniversary of the cell phone. Thanks largely to the invention of the smart phone, our cell phone is now playing a major role in how we run our every day lives. Mobile technology has come a long way since the late 80's. Back in those trailblazing days, you'd be lucky to get an hour's talk time out of what was, pretty much, a house brick with an antenna. finance Mon, 11 Mar 2013 00:00:00 CDT http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/retirement-pitfalls.php http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/retirement-pitfalls.php Retirement: for many of us, it's a day we look forward to. Finally we get the chance to kick back and relax. We've worked hard all of our lives to ensure we can enjoy our golden years in some semblance of comfort. But we all know the world is changing. Every year the cost of living rises. You need more money just to have a decent standard of living. finance Tue, 26 Feb 2013 00:00:00 CDT http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/being-made-redundant-easy-money.php http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/being-made-redundant-easy-money.php Redundancy! It's a word that can bring on a cold sweat. For most of us, our lives revolve around our jobs. When the company you work for decides that you're for the chop there are so many ways we can be affected. Our wages pay for our homes. They put food on the table. Cold, hard cash pays your transport costs that you incur when you travel to visit friends and family. finance Tue, 26 Feb 2013 00:00:00 CDT http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/iphone-apps-that-make-you-money.php http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/iphone-apps-that-make-you-money.php Over the past 6 years, smartphones have seen a rapid rise in popularity. Companies such as Nokia, unable to cope with the rise of handsets such as the iPhone, have seen a steady decrease in sales of traditional cell phones. Every month, a new handset crashes through into market place promising eager fans an ever increasing slew of features to help make our lives easier. finance Tue, 29 Jan 2013 00:00:00 CDT http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/cars-showing-rise-in-cost-of-living.php http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/cars-showing-rise-in-cost-of-living.php Inflation may be hovering around 2% but how much is it costing you over the years? Today we're going to look at how prices have risen through the eyes of a motorist. Here are 4 classic cars that give you indication of how much the cost of living has risen over the past hundred years or so. We're basing the figures on a 2012 median yearly income of $50,000 (U.S. Census data). finance Tue, 29 Jan 2013 00:00:00 CDT http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/clothing-trends-immune-to-financial-meltdown.php http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/clothing-trends-immune-to-financial-meltdown.php Recessions come and go. With the passing of years and the benefit of hindsight, the global financial meltdown will look like just another blip. But, for some reason, regardless of the state of the economy, some fashions and clothing accessories never quite disappear. In fact, it's becoming fairly easy to predict what the next hot trend will be simply by looking back about 20 years. finance Thu, 03 Jan 2013 00:00:00 CDT http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/tips-to-help-you-retire-a-millionaire.php http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/tips-to-help-you-retire-a-millionaire.php $1 million. Sounds like an awful lot of money. In fact, not so many years ago, the thought of a 7 figure payday would have had most of us salivating. But times change. Sure, it's still a lot of money but in the grand scheme of things it's still a pretty small drop in the ocean. finance Fri, 28 Dec 2012 00:00:00 CDT http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/ipad-budgeting-finance-apps.php http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/ipad-budgeting-finance-apps.php When you hear the word, "iPad" what springs to mind? An awesome multi-media device? A place where you can download games and apps to your heart's content? Or does it conjure up images of a tool that can be used to save you money? If you didn't choose the latter option then you probably don't know about any of these fantastic financial apps that are available for the iPad: 1. finance Thu, 06 Dec 2012 00:00:00 CDT http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/units/fastest-animals-on-earth.php http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/units/fastest-animals-on-earth.php You don't need a velocity calculator to know that Usain Bolt is fast, but only when he's competing against fellow humans. The 100m sprint star of the Olympics is a hero to aspiring young sportsmen and women the world over. units Mon, 19 Nov 2012 00:00:00 CDT http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/peer-to-peer-lending.php http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/peer-to-peer-lending.php Peer-to-peer lending (also known as person-to-person lending) has taken the financial world by storm. But what is it and can you use these schemes effectively to make some money? What Is Peer-to-Peer Lending At its most basic, it's kind of like a financial group hug. finance Sat, 03 Nov 2012 00:00:00 CDT http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/beat-greedy-mortgage-lenders.php http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/beat-greedy-mortgage-lenders.php Tired of being punished for wanting to buy a home? The recession hurt an awful lot of people. Home owners' dreams were swept away by a tidal wave of debt and the sub-prime mortgage market disaster that ripped through the country. Nobody was safe - low and middle earners alike were hit. But once calm started returning to the markets, house hunters everywhere breathed a sigh of relief. finance Mon, 22 Oct 2012 00:00:00 CDT http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/save-for-the-home-of-your-dreams.php http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/save-for-the-home-of-your-dreams.php Somewhere between 2007 and now, many of us had our dreams crushed. For some of you, that sporty convertible stayed in the car showroom. For others, the much awaited move into your new home hit the blocks. Getting a mortgage is now harder than ever. finance Mon, 01 Oct 2012 00:00:00 CDT http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/how-much-money-to-retire.php http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/how-much-money-to-retire.php We've all heard the nightmare stories of a fast-approaching pensions meltdown. So, how much money do you really need to able to retire comfortably? It would be fair to say that most of us expect to stop working at about 65 years old. By that time, we'll have been working for an average of 40 years and we'll see the days ahead as a well earned rest. finance Thu, 13 Sep 2012 00:00:00 CDT http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/health/alternatives-to-bmi.php http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/health/alternatives-to-bmi.php What is BMI? It's a common enough question that isn't always accurately answered. At it's most basic, it's a calculation of the relationship between your height and weight. The higher your Body Mass Index the more overweight you are. Many doctors use BMI as a guide when they are assessing your general health. The method, which has been in use since the 1840's, has some weaknesses. health Mon, 20 Aug 2012 00:00:00 CDT http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/units/history-of-the-calculator.php http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/units/history-of-the-calculator.php Once upon a time, far, far away, a man found he didn't have enough fingers on which to count his bean crop. So he invented the abacus. Ok, I've been a little creative with my 'historical facts'. The first mechanism widely recognised as a calculator, the abacus, appeared in Greece. units Sun, 19 Aug 2012 00:00:00 CDT http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/beat-the-taxman.php http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/beat-the-taxman.php Seriously, what tax-beating advice could a cage-fighting nun give you? Actually, more than you think. You see, it's not all about learning how to karate chop the man from the inland revenue (although that might seem very appealing). Being the subject of a tax audit can be a painful learning experience. finance Tue, 31 Jul 2012 00:00:00 CDT http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/bankers-escape-kit.php http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/bankers-escape-kit.php The CIA once issued their field agents with an escape kit that needed to be secreted away in the back passage! How much escape and evasion paraphernalia would a banker need to achieve the same ghost-like skills? A lot, which means good news for KY Jelly sales. Here are just a few of the things that a banker might need to aid his escape from the seething masses: Chester A. finance Wed, 11 Jul 2012 00:00:00 CDT http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/recession-anti-heroes.php http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/recession-anti-heroes.php Getting to the top of the pile takes know-how, guts and determination but what happens when it all goes wrong? The recession hit us like a tidal wave but there was no let up in the handing out of big bonuses. Well, at least not until the investors had their say. Here are eight business leaders who felt the wrath of customers and investors alike... finance Fri, 06 Jul 2012 00:00:00 CDT http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/markets-and-pension-plans.php http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/markets-and-pension-plans.php Falling markets, depreciating pension funds: it's enough to make you start stashing your money under your mattress. But the apparently bleak news might not be as bad you think. If you've been watching the news recently you're probably all too aware that the global money markets have taken a real battering. finance Fri, 15 Jun 2012 00:00:00 CDT http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/the-debt-snowball.php http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/the-debt-snowball.php Relive the wintery joys of your youth whilst shoving a fat, juicey snowball into your bank managers face: a debt snowball, that is. If you haven't already guessed, today we're not going to talk about seasonal fun and snowy escapades. Instead, we're going to look at how you snowball debt. finance Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 CDT http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/credit-card-interest-monster.php http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/credit-card-interest-monster.php Handled carefully, compound interest could make you an awful lot of money. Done badly, this money monster could eat its way through your finances and leave you homeless. What Is Compound Interest? I'm going to explain this in a very simple way as I know that the ways the banks and loan companies phrase everything can be hard to decipher. finance Wed, 16 May 2012 00:00:00 CDT http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/credit-card-psychology.php http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/credit-card-psychology.php When it comes to the credit card companies trying to get their hands on your money then psychology is the most powerful weapon in the arsenal. Your dreams, your desires even your sexual preferences are all targets for those crafty credit card companies. Let's take a look at how the crafty titans of the finance industry use psychology to prise your cash from your iron grip. finance Fri, 27 Apr 2012 00:00:00 CDT http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/payday-loans.php http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/payday-loans.php It's bad enough being skint but, to add insult to injury, some people have been getting very rich thanks to payday loans. What Is A Payday Loan? It's a high interest, short term loan. That was easy. What's The Catch? If you don't already know, payday loans have been the subject of many a heated debate over the interest rates imposed on borrowers. finance Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:00:00 CDT http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/what-is-negative-equity.php http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/what-is-negative-equity.php With the world's economies struggling to pull their way out of recession, the media is full of discussion about house prices, home owners and negative equity. This article explains, in simple terms, what negative equity is and how it is worked out. finance Mon, 19 Dec 2011 00:00:00 CDT http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/units/how-to-convert-volume-to-weight.php http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/units/how-to-convert-volume-to-weight.php A frequent question posted to our forum is "how can I convert a volume to a weight?" Most commonly, people are trying to find out how to convert from metric tons to liters - often for substances such as water, gas and oil. Emails also arrive from people who are trying to measure out cooking ingredients and need to convert from grams to teaspoons or cups. units Wed, 17 Nov 2010 00:00:00 CDT http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/protect-yourself-from-identity-theft.php http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/protect-yourself-from-identity-theft.php Identity theft encompasses a wide range of deception, from a stolen credit card used to charge purchases to an existing account, to stolen information used to impersonate the victim, open new accounts (even ones for utilities), and rack up thousands of dollars in debt. finance Thu, 04 Nov 2010 00:00:00 CDT http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/tips-on-buying-used-cars.php http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/tips-on-buying-used-cars.php Buying a used car from a private seller can be a potential minefield. To ensure you end up with a bargain, rather than an expensive mistake, follow our simple tips. finance Thu, 28 Oct 2010 00:00:00 CDT http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/how-to-improve-credit-rating.php http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/how-to-improve-credit-rating.php Are you finding it hard to access the best credit rates, or even get a loan or credit card at all? The route to more cost-effective borrowing lies in improving your credit rating so that lenders see you as a lower risk prospect. finance Wed, 22 Sep 2010 00:00:00 CDT http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/should-i-pay-off-my-mortgage.php http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/should-i-pay-off-my-mortgage.php Paying off a mortgage early to own one's home outright is a dream for many homeowners, but is it always the best option? Advantages to paying off your mortgage include no more monthly payments to the mortgage company, lower interest charges and, afterwards, no more worry about negative equity finance Tue, 14 Sep 2010 00:00:00 CDT http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/health/what-is-body-mass-index.php http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/health/what-is-body-mass-index.php Anyone who has ever tried to lose weight will tell you that it's not an easy game and that they want to see results and fast. However, what's the best way to measure your progress? Scales are a start and managing to squeeze into a certain pair of jeans is also a popular choice, but measuring your BMI is another weight management method which could be added to your health checklist. health Mon, 24 Aug 2009 00:00:00 CDT http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/units/length-distance-measurements.php http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/units/length-distance-measurements.php Most people can show you how long a meter is and at a push tell you how many miles there are to a kilometer, this is all most of us need to remember. However, there are many more forms of measurement that date back thousands of years and which are still in use today. units Thu, 06 Aug 2009 00:00:00 CDT http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/holiday-money-tips.php http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/holiday-money-tips.php Heading abroad this summer? It can be tricky to know how to handle your spending arrangements, especially if you're going off the beaten track. Follow a few simple rules to make sure that you get the most for your holiday money this summer. Buy travel money before you go Start paying attention to the fluctuations in the exchange rates a couple of months before you're due to go. finance Fri, 24 Jul 2009 00:00:00 CDT http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/find-the-best-car-loan.php http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/find-the-best-car-loan.php Buying a new (or used) set of wheels can be fun, especially if you're investing in your dream car, but if you don't happen to have several thousand dollars lying around in your bank account, negotiating on a car loan can take the thrill out of the transaction. Recent research has discovered that fewer than a third of car buyers consider car finance options before heading to the dealership. finance Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:00:00 CDT http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/how-to-get-the-right-loan.php http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/how-to-get-the-right-loan.php Whether it's to replace a rapidly ageing motor, extend the house to accommodate a new arrival to the family, take advantage of a business opportunity or deal with an unexpected emergency - there are times when we all need to get our hands on a large chunk of extra cash. finance Thu, 28 May 2009 00:00:00 CDT http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/how-much-to-save-for-retirement.php http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/how-much-to-save-for-retirement.php Proper retirement planning is essential if you want to sustain a comfortable lifestyle beyond retirement age. When you're just starting out in your chosen career, it's all too easy to put off thinking about pensions, however the golden rule in retirement planning is: act now. finance Thu, 21 May 2009 00:00:00 CDT http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/the-age-of-insurance.php http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/the-age-of-insurance.php The age of an individual has always been an issue when it comes to insurance. Yet, it seems that with the spotlight currently firmly on the industry as it finds itself at the heart of the economic crisis (at the same time striving to assure customers that cover is no less relevant and affordable), a wave of criticism regarding age discrimination by insurers has been seen in the media. finance Mon, 11 May 2009 00:00:00 CDT http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/how-to-get-better-gas-mileage.php http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/how-to-get-better-gas-mileage.php With the worldwide demand for oil growing, the cost of filling up your car with gasoline looks certain to continue to rise over the coming years. The development of other methods for powering vehicles, such as electric and hydrogen power, still has a way to go. finance Wed, 22 Apr 2009 00:00:00 CDT http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/the-trouble-with-satnavs.php http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/the-trouble-with-satnavs.php Could your in-car navigation system be more likely to cause you a car insurance claim than a stress-free journey? Since the release of satellite navigation systems a few years back, they have frequently been surrounded by stories of innocent (or stupid, depending on which way you look at it) folks cruising up one-way streets or meeting peril face to face at two o'clock in the morning. finance Wed, 22 Apr 2009 00:00:00 CDT http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/why-is-car-insurance-so-expensive.php http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/why-is-car-insurance-so-expensive.php When thinking of buying a new car, insuring your vehicle is often the most important aspect to consider in terms of costs and budget. It's frustrating, but the key thing to remember is that unless you are a mature driver with an impeccable driving record, it is more than likely that the initial insurance quotes you receive will seem more expensive than you'd hoped. finance Wed, 08 Apr 2009 00:00:00 CDT http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/what-is-a-repayment-mortgage.php http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/what-is-a-repayment-mortgage.php Whether you are considering taking out a new mortgage, swapping mortgages to another lender, or mortgage re-financing, there are two main types of mortgage to consider. Both have their benefits and drawbacks. Here is a summary of each of them. finance Tue, 03 Mar 2009 00:00:00 CDT http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/how-to-find-home-rebuild-cost.php http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/how-to-find-home-rebuild-cost.php When taking out buildings insurance you will be asked for your home?s rebuild cost, and this amount will decide how much you need to insure the property for. There are two main ways to find your home?s rebuild cost: hire a surveyor or use a rebuild calculator. finance Tue, 24 Feb 2009 00:00:00 CDT http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/greece-summer-destination.php http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/greece-summer-destination.php Holidaymakers who are eager to exchange their travel money into euros and, therefore, don?t want to stray from the Eurozone, might find that Greece could be a hot destination this summer. finance Tue, 24 Feb 2009 00:00:00 CDT http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/traditional-and-pay-as-you-go-car-insurance.php http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/traditional-and-pay-as-you-go-car-insurance.php With the rise of price comparison websites and combined trend of the general public to research far more thoroughly before they commit to a policy, the car insurance industry is undergoing a time of tough competition. Additionally, drivers today are also offered the option of pay-as-you-go or pay-as-you-drive auto insurance. finance Thu, 05 Feb 2009 00:00:00 CDT http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/why-france-is-top-tourist-destination.php http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/finance/why-france-is-top-tourist-destination.php Booking early is certainly the best bet for UK holidaymakers this year, but where will you go? There has been much written about how the poor pound is a big deterrent for anyone even considering the Eurozone, but France still has a veritable list of "plus sides" - namely that it is close and so chea finance