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Business leaders urge governments to act as smelter power deadline looms SoftBank plans record $6.3B retail bond sale in Japan to fund AI Push Lunch Wrap: BHP hits record as miners fire up; PLS brings divvy back Ampol profit surges as Middle East war sends refining earnings soaring Health Check: No rubbery figures as glove maker Ansell beats expectations Dollar trading near multi-month lows, restrained by debt nerves National rental prices rise to half average Australian income KPMG to cut almost 400 jobs after audit leaks scandal Pilbara Minerals revives dividend as lithium recovery drives huge earnings rebound Bessent flags ‘economic D-Day’ for Iran as Tehran warns of more oil pain Business leaders urge governments to act as smelter power deadline looms SoftBank plans record $6.3B retail bond sale in Japan to fund AI Push Lunch Wrap: BHP hits record as miners fire up; PLS brings divvy back Ampol profit surges as Middle East war sends refining earnings soaring Health Check: No rubbery figures as glove maker Ansell beats expectations Dollar trading near multi-month lows, restrained by debt nerves National rental prices rise to half average Australian income KPMG to cut almost 400 jobs after audit leaks scandal Pilbara Minerals revives dividend as lithium recovery drives huge earnings rebound Bessent flags ‘economic D-Day’ for Iran as Tehran warns of more oil pain

Tools

Make financial concepts concrete. These calculators are designed to show you the real numbers — not estimates, not projections from a sales pitch.

Tool 01
Compound Growth Calculator
The single most important concept in personal finance. See exactly what consistent investing over time does to your wealth — and why starting early is worth more than investing more.
The mates.finance insight: Starting at 25 vs 35 with the same monthly amount and return can mean nearly $1 million difference at retirement. Not because you invested more — because time did the work.
$1,745,940
estimated portfolio value at retirement
Total invested$240,000
Total growth$1,505,940
If started at 35$745,180
Cost of waiting 10 years$1,000,760
Tool 02
Super Fee Optimiser
Most Australians are in their employer's default super fund without ever choosing one. Fund fees vary enormously — from 0.07% to 2% or more — and the difference over a career is staggering. See what your fees are actually costing you.
The mates.finance insight: A 1% fee difference on a $100k balance over 30 years costs you around $185,000 in lost returns. That's money that belongs in your retirement — not the fund manager's pocket.
$186,000
saved by switching to a low-cost fund
Current fund balance at retirement$1,024,000
Low-cost fund balance$1,210,000
Fees paid (current fund)$218,000
Tool 03
Purchasing Power Calculator
Inflation is often called the invisible tax. Money sitting in a savings account earning below-inflation interest is quietly losing purchasing power every year. See what your savings are actually worth in real terms.
The mates.finance insight: At 3% inflation, $100,000 today buys about $54,000 worth of goods in 20 years. If your savings account earns 1% and inflation is 3%, you're losing 2% of real purchasing power every year.
$52,800
real purchasing power in 20 years
Nominal savings account value$241,700
Real purchasing power$52,800
Real return (after inflation)+1.3% p.a.
Purchasing power lost47%
Tool 04
Debt Payoff Planner
Should you pay off debt or invest? It depends on the interest rate. If your debt interest rate is higher than your expected investment return, paying it down is the better move. This tool shows you the break-even point.
The mates.finance insight: Credit card debt at 20% is guaranteed return on paying it off. A mortgage at 6% is a trickier call — historically, diversified share portfolios have returned 8-10%, making it worth doing both. The answer is almost always: do both, as much as you can.
52 months
to pay off debt
Total interest paid$6,482
Pay off vs invest: better strategyPay off first
If invested instead (same period)$38,400
⚠️ These calculators use simplified models. Real-world results vary based on market conditions, fees, tax, inflation, and many other factors. Results are illustrative only and do not constitute financial advice. Past returns do not guarantee future performance. Always consult a licensed financial adviser.