Investingexplainer
Treasury bill discount rate vs. investment rate: why they differ
Compare Treasury bill rate labels through their percentage bases and day-count conventions, using Treasury’s published purchase price and maturity payment.
Your money
Understand borrowing, saving and investing
Read the numbers behind credit card bills, savings accounts, loan offers and investments. Start with the question you are trying to answer.
Credit cardsexplainer
Why was I charged interest after paying my credit card in full?
Residual interest can accrue between your statement closing date and payment. See how grace periods and balance transfers affect the next bill.
Credit cardsexplainer
What the 3-year payoff amount on your credit card statement means
The three-year amount is voluntary and estimates repayment of your statement balance. New purchases, rate assumptions and permitted tolerance limit its promise.
Household financesexplainer
How to compare your mortgage quote with Freddie Mac’s average rate
Use Freddie Mac’s mortgage average as a benchmark, then compare your Loan Estimates on rate, APR, points, fees and monthly payment.
Inflationexplainer
Why TIPS can lose value even when inflation rises
TIPS principal adjusts with inflation, but market prices also respond to real yields. Understand the difference between holding to maturity and selling early.
Interest ratesexplainer
36-month vs. 72-month car loan: lower payments, higher total interest
A CFPB example compares a $20,000 car loan over 36 and 72 months. See why a lower payment can mean more interest and what to check in real offers.
Savingexplainer
Daily vs. monthly compounding: compare APY first
APY already includes compounding. Learn what to compare next: rate changes, minimum balances, fees and when interest is credited.
Investingexplainer
Equal-weight vs. market-cap-weighted indexes: what changes?
The same stocks can produce different index results. Compare weighting rules, quarterly resets, concentration and the limits of equal weighting.
