Money guides
Plain-English explanations of the money decisions behind our calculators. Each guide works through real numbers, so you can see how the choices play out.
Mortgages and home loans
15-Year vs. 30-Year Mortgage
How the payment and total interest compare, and when each one makes sense.
Fixed-Rate vs. Adjustable-Rate Mortgage
How ARMs adjust, what the worst case looks like, and questions to ask your lender.
How to Get Rid of PMI
Your rights to cancel mortgage insurance, and the ways to reach that point sooner.
Loans and debt
How Loan Amortization Works
Why early payments are mostly interest, and how extra payments change the picture.
How to Pay Off $10,000 in Credit Card Debt
A step-by-step plan with the numbers for minimum payments, fixed payments, transfers and loans.
Prefer to run your own numbers? Browse all of our mortgage, loan, debt and savings calculators.
Last reviewed: October 2026