Methodology
Every calculator on WorkFree does transparent arithmetic on numbers you provide. No black boxes, no hidden adjustments, nothing stored. This page lays out each formula and the assumptions behind it, so you can judge the output for yourself.
The shared principles: all tools are currency-agnostic and run entirely in your browser. They are deliberately conservative, counting only income that already exists and assuming costs hold steady. They do not model inflation, investment returns, or tax changes unless stated. Outputs are educational estimates, not financial advice.
Quit My Job Calculator
Runway in months equals (spendable savings plus one-time payout) divided by (monthly essential expenses minus reliable monthly income). If income is greater than or equal to expenses, runway is reported as indefinite. Readiness bands: under 3 months is not ready for an open-ended quit; 3 to 6 is borderline; 6 to 12 is workable with a plan; 12 or more is a strong position. The bands reflect typical job-search and income-ramp timelines, not a rule about your specific situation. Open the calculator.
Runway Calculator
Runway in months equals spendable savings divided by (monthly expenses minus monthly income). The scenario sliders apply the chosen percentage cut to expenses and add the extra amount to income before dividing. If adjusted income meets or exceeds adjusted expenses, runway is reported as indefinite. Open the calculator.
Emergency Fund Calculator
Target months equals 3 (base) plus dependents times 0.75 (capped at four dependents) plus 1 if you carry monthly debt, plus 2 for variable income or 3 for self-employed income, plus 1 if you are the only earner, bounded between 3 and 12 months. The target amount equals the rounded month count times your monthly essential expenses, and we show a sensible range one month either side. Open the calculator.
Savings Goal Calculator
Months to goal equals the gap (your target minus your current savings) divided by your monthly saving, rounded up to the next whole month. The target date adds that many whole months to today. If you use the optional helper, the target equals monthly expenses times the months of runway you want. Interest and windfalls are not modelled; add lump sums to current savings to reflect them. Open the calculator.
Post-Quit Budget Planner
Monthly burn equals the sum of every line you enter. Essential and discretionary lines are totalled separately so you can see your survival number alongside your comfortable one, and the annual figure is the monthly total times twelve. The planner suggests nothing and stores nothing; it adds up your inputs. Open the calculator.
Side Hustle Income Calculator
The model simulates up to 60 months. Each month, income equals your starting income times (1 plus the monthly growth rate) raised to the month number, capped at twice your expenses to avoid runaway projections. The month's shortfall, expenses minus income when positive, is deducted from savings. Runway is the month savings reach zero; if income overtakes expenses first, the tool reports an indefinite runway and the break-even month. Real freelance income is lumpy, so treat the smooth ramp as a planning aid, not a forecast. Open the calculator.
Limitations we want you to know
- The tools cannot see your tax situation, your contract, or your country's fine print.
- They assume your expense estimates are honest, which is why we point you to the budget planner first.
- They do not model inflation, market returns, or irregular annual costs unless you fold those into your inputs.
- Readiness bands and month targets are considered rules of thumb, not regulated standards or personal advice.
Found an error in a formula or an assumption that does not hold up? That is exactly the kind of message we want. Tell us through the contact page and we will correct it under our editorial policy.