US Everyday Tools Guides
Practical US guides to tips, hourly pay, grocery unit prices, moving budgets and road-trip fuel costs.
How to Calculate a Tip and Split a Restaurant Bill
Start with the restaurant subtotal before tax, add the tax shown on your receipt, and choose the amount on which you want to calculate your tip. Then add any existing service charge and divide the final total....
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How to Convert an Hourly Wage to Annual Salary
To convert hourly pay into annual gross income, multiply your hourly rate by paid hours per working week, then by the number of paid weeks. Subtract unpaid weeks from 52 first. Divide that annual total by 12 fo...
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How to Compare Grocery Prices Across Package Sizes
Compare grocery packages by dividing each price by the quantity it contains, after converting both quantities to the same unit. A lower shelf price doesn't necessarily mean a lower unit price. Start with simila...
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How to Budget for Apartment Move-In Costs
Estimate apartment move-in cash by adding the rent due at move-in, security deposit, other prepaid rent, upfront fees, moving expenses and setup costs. Add any extra cash cushion you choose. Keep recurring mont...
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How to Estimate Gas Costs for a Road Trip
Estimate trip fuel by dividing total miles by your vehicle's miles per US gallon, then multiplying the gallons by the price per US gallon. Add whole-trip tolls and parking separately. A round trip doubles a one...
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