1 guide

Auto

Financing, leasing, and the depreciation curve that drives both. These guides break down how a lease payment is constructed, which components are negotiable, and what a full ownership period costs once resale value is counted.

March 25, 2026 · 8 min read

Leasing Costs $7,584 More Over Six Years, Unless You Were Trading In Anyway

The lease-versus-buy argument usually compares monthly payments, which is the one comparison guaranteed to mislead. Here is the six-year total on a $40,000 car, and the money factor trick worth knowing before you negotiate.

Calculators for auto

Auto Lease CalculatorEstimate a monthly lease payment from the negotiated price, residual value, money factor, and term the way dealers actually compute it.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.Lease CalculatorEstimate a lease payment for equipment or an asset from its cost, residual value, and rate.

Other topics

Borrowing (1)Credit (2)Debt (1)Freelance & Business (2)Home Buying (2)Investing (1)Mortgages (2)Retirement (1)Savings (2)Student Loans & College (2)Taxes (1)