Guides
How the fees, protections and rules behind money apps work, with the US and UK covered side by side.
APY, AER and APR: how interest rates are quoted in the US and UK
What APY, AER, gross rate and APR mean, how compounding changes the numbers, and how to compare rates on the same basis.
Guide · US & UK
Zero-based, 50/30/20 and envelope budgeting: how they differ
Three common budgeting methods explained with worked examples, including how each copes with irregular freelance income.
Guide · US & UK
Charge, credit, debit and prepaid expense cards: how they differ
The four kinds of company card behind expense platforms, and what each means for repayment, interest, limits and who holds your money.
Guide · US & UK
How exchange-rate markups hide the real cost of sending money abroad
The fee is only part of what a transfer costs. Here is how to measure the margin hidden in the exchange rate, with worked examples.
Guide · US & UK
FDIC vs FSCS: what protects a business account, and what e-money and fintech accounts lack
How deposit protection works for business accounts in the US and UK, and what changes when a fintech, partner bank or e-money institution sits in the middle.
Guide · US & UK
How credit-builder loans work, and what they really cost
A credit-builder loan holds the money you borrow as savings until you have repaid it. Here is how it works and what it costs.
Guide · US & UK
Investing app fees explained: platform fees, subscriptions, fund costs and spreads
The fees an investing app can charge, how percentage and flat fees differ, and how small charges add up over years.
Guide · US & UK
How invoice payment fees work: card, ACH, bank transfer and direct debit
The fee on every invoice a client pays online, explained with worked examples for card, ACH, bank transfer and direct debit in the US and UK.
Guide · US & UK
Is a neobank a bank? Charters, partner banks and e-money explained
Some banking apps are banks; others are technology firms using a partner bank or an e-money licence. Here is what each model means for your money.
Guide · US & UK
Filing taxes as self-employed: Schedule C and estimated tax vs Self Assessment and Making Tax Digital
How freelancers report income and pay tax in the US and UK, from Schedule C and quarterly estimates to Self Assessment and Making Tax Digital.
Guide · US & UK
What an employee really costs: US payroll taxes vs UK employer National Insurance
Salary is only part of the cost of an employee. Here are the employer taxes on top in the US and the UK, with worked examples using 2026 rates.