Money decisions are rarely just about money.
The Real Number is a set of simple planning tools for the conversations people have in real life: whether working more days makes sense, what is actually left after everyday life, or whether a home could feel comfortable month to month.
We turn the figures you already know into a clearer starting point. The goal is not to give you a perfect answer. It is to help you ask better questions and have a more useful conversation.
What the tools do
They help you explore everyday scenarios using the information you enter, such as take-home pay, childcare, regular costs and a mortgage payment that feels manageable.
What they do not do
They are not financial, tax, mortgage or benefits advice. They cannot know your full circumstances, a lender’s criteria, your nursery’s rules, or every government scheme that may apply to you.
Our approach
- Use simple language and real-life inputs.
- Show the assumptions rather than hiding them.
- Keep your financial figures on your device.
- Point you towards official checks before you make a decision.