Universal buying worksheet

Decode the deal before checkout.

Find out how much of the advertised discount survives the costs attached to it.

Signature buying tool

Deal Decoder

Turn the promotion headline into a first-year and ownership total.

Advertised purchase price$Normal comparison price$Shipping and required fees$Required subscription / month$Subscription months / yearRequired add-ons$Return or restocking exposure$Ownership years

First-year real price$676

1-year ownership total$676

Headline discount that survives0%

The first-year total is higher than the entered normal price. If returned, the entered return exposure could raise the failed-purchase cost to $711.

Planning worksheet only. Taxes, financing interest, usage charges, and future price changes are included only when you enter them.

How the calculator works

Real Price and Discount Calculator: method and assumptions

Calculate what a deal really costs after shipping, required subscriptions, add-ons, financing, and possible return costs.

Planning formulaOwnership cost = checkout price + shipping + required subscriptions + add-ons + financing cost + expected return exposure.

What the result includes

First-year cost and monthly equivalent
Total cost over your ownership period
How much of the advertised discount remains
A visible list of assumptions to recheck at checkout

Start with the normal price

Use the price you would realistically pay without the promotion—not an unsupported crossed-out reference price.

Add attached costs

Include shipping, required memberships, accessories, service plans, financing charges, and any fee that follows the purchase.

Compare the same period

Put both the deal and the alternative on the same ownership timeline. A low first payment can hide a higher annual total.

Questions before you decide

Calculator FAQ

What is the real price of a deal?

It is the amount you expect to pay for the complete transaction and ownership period, not only the advertised checkout price.

Should I count a return fee?

Count it as expected exposure when the item has a meaningful chance of being returned and the merchant charges return shipping or restocking.