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Original analysis of the money questions our calculators raise — where we ran the numbers ourselves instead of repeating the received answer.
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How we produce these
We are a small independent site, not a bank and not a media brand. That means we cannot ask you to trust us on authority, so we try to earn it a different way — by making everything checkable.
| What we commit to | What that means in practice |
|---|---|
| Every number is computed, never estimated | Worked examples are produced by running the actual calculator code, not written by hand. If a page says $2,572.81, the tool returns $2,572.81 for the same inputs. |
| The formula is published | Each calculator page has a "how this works" section with the exact arithmetic, and links to the open JavaScript source that runs it. |
| Assumptions are stated, including the unflattering ones | Where our model simplifies — monthly rather than daily compounding, nominal rather than inflation-adjusted returns, flat state tax — we say so and say which direction it biases the answer. |
| Limitations are published with the finding | Our simulation guide states its sampling method, its random seed, and the reason its headline figure is probably an underestimate. |
| Sources are primary where possible | We cite regulators, agencies and peer-reviewed research — CFPB, IRS, BLS, HUD, the Federal Reserve — rather than other blogs. |
| Nothing you type leaves your device | Every calculator runs entirely in your browser. There is no server to send your figures to. |
On credentials
We do not put a finance title on these pages, because we do not have one. BudgetBee is built by a software developer, and what we are actually good at is making the arithmetic correct, transparent and reproducible.
So the claim we make is a narrow one: the calculations are right, the method is published, and you can verify both. For anything requiring judgement about your situation — which debt to prioritise given a job change, whether to refinance, what a lender will accept — talk to a qualified professional. We would rather be trusted for the part we can actually stand behind.
Corrections
If you find an error in a calculation or a claim on this site, we want to fix it. Errors that change a result get corrected and the page's updated date changes with them.
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BudgetBee provides free educational tools, not financial advice. Verify important decisions with a qualified professional.