Scenario Comparison Tool

Why Compare Two Scenarios Side by Side?

Financial decisions rarely have an obvious right answer in isolation, the real question is usually "compared to what?" This tool lets you set up two competing options (different mortgage rates, savings strategies, loan terms, or investment plans) and see the numerical difference instantly, rather than mentally juggling two separate calculators.

Common Comparisons Worth Running

• • Mortgage: a 2-year fix vs a 5-year fix at different rates, to see the true cost difference over time.
• • Savings: a lower easy-access rate with instant access vs a higher fixed rate locked away.
• • Loan: a shorter term with higher payments vs a longer term with lower payments but more total interest.

Worked Example: Two Mortgage Fixes

Say you are borrowing £250,000 over 25 years. Scenario A is a 2-year fix at 4.5%, and Scenario B is a 5-year fix at 4.8%. Scenario A works out at roughly £1,390 a month and Scenario B at roughly £1,433. The 5-year fix costs about £43 more each month, or around £516 a year. What you are paying for is certainty: your payment cannot rise for five years, while the 2-year deal leaves you exposed to whatever rates are doing at renewal. Putting both in the tool shows the monthly gap and the total cost side by side, so you can decide whether that certainty is worth the premium.

How to Get a Fair Comparison

Change only one thing at a time where you can. If you alter the rate, the term and the amount all at once, you will not know which change drove the difference. Include fees in the amount you borrow if they are added to the loan, and compare total cost over the same period, not just the monthly payment.

Frequently Asked Questions