Why most online calculators mislead you
Bank and insurer websites build calculators to sell products, not to inform decisions. You'll see a loan calculator that hides the amortization table, a compound interest tool that compounds monthly when your actual account compounds semi-annually (standard in Canada), or a tip calculator with preset percentages that round generously in the restaurant's favour. Our tools show the math, let you pick the compounding frequency, and default to honest numbers. You can always disagree with them — but at least you'll know what you disagreed with.
Which calculator for which question
- Tip Calculator — Split the bill, pick a %, see each person's share.
- Compound Interest — See how savings or investments grow over decades.
- Loan & Mortgage — Monthly payments + full amortization schedule.
- Currency Converter — Convert any currency at the current rate.
- Savings Goal — How much to save each month to hit a target.
- Discount Calculator — Final price after a percentage off.
- Profit Margin — Gross and net margin on a product or service.
- GST/QST Calculator — Canadian taxes — Québec + federal combined.
- Debt Payoff — Snowball or avalanche — pick your strategy.
Finance mistakes we keep seeing
- Comparing loan rates without the term. A 4.9% rate over 30 years costs far more than a 5.4% rate over 15. Always compare total interest paid, not just the advertised APR.
- Forgetting taxes on tipping. Canadian etiquette says tip on pre-tax, but most people tip on the total out of habit. On a $100 meal in Québec, that's ~$3 extra per year if you eat out weekly.
- Underestimating compound growth over decades. $200/month at 7% for 40 years reaches ~$525k. Most people guess "a few hundred grand" — they're off by half. Play with the tool.
- Using "snowball" when "avalanche" is cheaper. Snowball (smallest balance first) is emotionally easier but avalanche (highest rate first) saves more interest. Both are valid — just know which you're picking and why.
Frequently asked questions
Do Canadian interest rates compound monthly?
No — Canadian mortgages are legally compounded semi-annually (twice a year), even if payments are monthly. That's different from the US (monthly compounding). Our loan calculator lets you pick the frequency to match your actual product.
Should I tip on pre-tax or post-tax?
Etiquette says pre-tax. In practice, the difference on a typical bill is a few cents to a dollar — most people tip on the total for convenience. Both are acceptable; just be consistent.
Do these calculators send my data anywhere?
No. All the math happens in your browser. No amount, rate, or balance leaves your device. You can even go offline after the first page load.
Why are these calculators free?
The site is funded by unobtrusive ads. There's no upsell, no affiliated bank product, no advisor who'll call you back. If you find the tools useful, a Ko-fi donation helps, but nothing is required.