ClearDollarSense explains mortgages, loans, retirement accounts, taxes and budgeting with real numbers you can check. We show the math, state our assumptions and point to primary sources such as the IRS and the CFPB.
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Mortgages & Home Buying
How much house you can afford, 15- vs 30-year loans, PMI, points and refinancing.
Loans & Credit
Debt payoff strategies, consolidation, credit scores, auto loans and co-signing.
Retirement & Investing
Roth IRAs, backdoor strategies, Coast FIRE and how much to save.
Taxes
Freelancer tax savings, RSUs and S-corp elections explained.
Budgeting & Savings Basics
Net worth, the 50/30/20 rule, HSAs, high-yield savings and compound interest.
Free Tools
Calculators that show your full monthly cost and total interest, with no sign-up.
Popular guides
- How much house can you afford (the 28/36 rule)
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- How much freelancers should save for taxes
- The 50/30/20 budget rule with real examples
- Coast FIRE: calculate your number
Latest articles
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A family member or close friend asks you to co-sign a loan, and it feels like a small favor — a signature, some paperwork, helping … Read more - How Auto Loan Interest Actually Works (and How to Pay Less)
Car buyers tend to focus almost entirely on the sticker price and the monthly payment — but the interest structure behind an auto loan is … Read more - Personal Loan vs. Credit Card: Which Should You Actually Use?
You need to borrow money for something — a repair, a move, consolidating a few bills — and you’re deciding between a personal loan and … Read more - Refinance Break-Even Point: When Does Refinancing Actually Save You Money?
Refinancing can lower your monthly payment or shorten your loan term — but it also comes with real closing costs, typically thousands of dollars. Here’s … Read more - Mortgage Points Explained: Are They Worth Buying Down Your Rate?
When you’re finalizing a mortgage, lenders often offer the option to pay upfront cash in exchange for a lower interest rate — called “buying points.” … Read more - What Is Debt-to-Income Ratio and Why Lenders Care So Much
Ask any lender what determines whether you get approved for a mortgage, auto loan, or even some credit cards, and debt-to-income ratio comes up almost … Read more
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