2 guides
Auto
Depreciation is the largest cost of owning a car and the only one that never arrives as a bill. These guides put a monthly figure on it, show how loan structure produces negative equity, and work out the exact rate at which a manufacturer rebate beats promotional financing.
February 13, 2026 · 8 min read
Your Car Costs $339 a Month Before You Pay for Anything Else
A $38,000 car loses $20,393 in five years, which exceeds the loan interest by a factor of nearly three. Depreciation is the largest cost of owning a vehicle and the only one that never appears on a statement.
January 30, 2026 · 6 min read0% Financing Beats $3,000 Cash Back Unless Your Rate Is Under 3.7%
Dealers offer one or the other, never both, and the right choice depends entirely on the rate you would otherwise pay. There is an exact break-even, and on a typical deal it sits far below what most buyers are quoted.
Calculators for auto
Depreciation CalculatorCalculate an asset's depreciation by the straight-line or double-declining-balance method, with a schedule.Auto Loan CalculatorCalculate your monthly car payment including sales tax, fees, trade-in value, and down payment plus the total cost of the loan.Cash Back or Low Interest CalculatorDecide whether a manufacturer's cash-back rebate or a low promotional interest rate saves you more.