FreeKalc Blog — Money, Tax & Salary Guides
Straight-talking guides on salaries, taxes, VAT and mortgages across the US, UK and Europe. Every figure links to a free calculator so you can check the maths yourself.
UK Tax Codes Explained
What 1257L, BR, D0, 0T and K codes mean — and how to fix a wrong code before it costs you.
Compound Interest Explained
What £300 a month becomes at 4%, 6% and 8% — real numbers for 10, 20 and 30 years.
$20 an Hour Is How Much a Year?
After-tax take-home for $20 and £20 an hour in the US and UK, plus part-time and overtime math.
Hourly to Salary Conversion
The 2,080-hour rule, overtime math and how to compare hourly vs salaried offers.
Average Salary in the UK 2026
Regional breakdown from London to the North East, with take-home pay for each.
How Much Mortgage Can I Afford?
The 4.5x income rule, deposits and worked examples for every salary band.
Gross vs Net Salary in Europe
How much of a 50,000 salary you keep in the UK, Ireland, Germany and the Netherlands.
UK Take-Home Pay 2025/26
What £30k, £40k and £50k salaries really mean after tax and National Insurance.
VAT Rates in Europe 2026
A complete country-by-country comparison of standard and reduced VAT rates.
$60,000 After Tax in the US
How state taxes change your take-home pay — with worked examples.