Households: buffer, budget, savings and loansEntrepreneurs: cash flow, budget, pricing and financing

Tutkat / Money Radar
OpenFor youFor businessUpdated 27.10.2026

Money.
Know your situation.

Inflation was 2.2% in August 2026, and earnings rose 3.4% a year in April–June, so real earnings are growing. Money Radar brings interest rates, prices and wages together and offers calculators for planning your own and your company's finances. Choose For you or For business above.

Money Radarrahatutka.fi

Money Radar gathers the key money figures – interest rates, inflation and wage trends – and provides calculators for planning your own and your company's finances.

For whom
  • Households: buffer, budget, savings and loans
  • Entrepreneurs: cash flow, budget, pricing and financing
Own finances

Tools for managing your personal finances

Buffer, budget, savings and loans. The calculators run in your browser and no data is stored.

Household cash test

How many months can you manage if your income stops? You also get your savings rate and the ratio of debts to income.

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Monthly budget

Where the money goes and how much is left in savings. For comparison, the common 50/30/20 split.

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Savings goal

How long it takes to reach your goal – a buffer, a car or a home down payment.

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Loan instalment and interest rate test

Equal instalment at the current rate and at the 6% rate that banks use to test ability to pay.

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Company money

Cash, budget and pricing

Quick calculations for entrepreneurs. You can make a precise 12-month forecast and financial statement analysis in Profit Radar.

Company cash test

How many months will the cash last if sales fall by 30%?

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Quick budget and critical point

Operating margin, break-even point and safety margin in six figures.

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What hourly rate is worth invoicing?

An entrepreneur's hourly rate based on target pay, expenses and billable hours.

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The true cost of a business loan

Monthly instalment, total cost and actual annual interest rate including costs. Compare offers using the same figures and see whether your cash flow can handle the instalment.

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Company financing options

Bank loan

Often the cheapest interest rate, but requires collateral and a financial statement history. Ask for an offer from at least two banks.

Finnvera guarantee or loan

Supplements bank financing when collateral is not sufficient. Finnvera is the state's specialised financing company.

finnvera.fi →
Business subsidies and grants

Business Finland, ELY Centres and foundations. The support is not a loan, but the application takes time.

Grants Radar →
Finance companies and business loan comparisons

A decision can come the same day, but interest and fees are usually higher than at a bank. Calculate the real annual rate with the calculator above before you sign.

Invoice financing

Turn your receivables into cash right away. Suits when customers' payment terms are long. Compare the fee as a percentage per year.

The information is general and is not financial advice. Always compare the real annual rate and total cost of the offers.

Do a detailed analysis in Profit Radar

Upload your financial statements or interim figures and you will see the key ratios, the cash flow 12 months ahead and the next steps.

Go to Profit Radar →
Situation now

Money Radar in numbers

Inflation2,2 %Annual change in consumer prices in August 2026 (Statistics Finland, 14.9.2026)
12-month Euribor3,186 %5.10.2026, Bank of Finland
Average interest rate on new mortgages3,35 %August 2026, Bank of Finland
Rise in earnings+3,4 %Index of wage and salary earnings, April–June 2026 vs. 2025; real earnings +1,6 % (Statistics Finland 26.8.2026)
Average spot electricity price5.70 c/kWhSeptember 2026, excluding VAT (7,15 c/kWh incl. VAT 25,5 %); in August 2026 4,13 c/kWh and in September 2025 4,17 c/kWh, Finland price area, Nord Pool
Average interest rate on new business loans4,39 %August 2026 (excl. housing corporations), Bank of Finland
ECB deposit rate2,50 %In force from 16 Sep 2026, ECB
Default interest9,5 % / 10,5 %1.7.–31.12.2026: general and consumer receivables 9,5 %, commercial contracts between businesses 10,5 %; reference rate 2,5 % (Bank of Finland 30.6.2026)
Maximum amount of the household deduction1 600 € → 2 100 €2026–2027 at most €2,100 per person and 40% of the work (previously €1,600 and 35%), excess €150; retroactively for all work paid in 2026. Finnish Tax Administration 13.10.2026
Corporate tax20 %In 2026; the government proposes lowering it to 18% from 2027 (2027 budget proposal, Salkunrakentaja 5.8.2026)

Rules of thumb for your own finances

General recommendations, not personal financial advice.

MeterRule of thumbWhy
Buffer1–3 months of essential expenses, ideally 3–6 monthsAn unexpected expense or a break in income does not force you into debt
Savings rateStart with 5–10 % of net incomeRegularity matters more than the amount
Housing costsAt most about a third of net incomeLeaves room for other expenses and saving
Loan servicingWithstands a 6% interest rateFinancial Supervisory Authority recommendation on banks' repayment capacity test
Budget allocation50% for essentials, 30% for discretionary spending, 20% for savingsGeneral 50/30/20 rule – adapt to your own situation

Rules of thumb for company finances

General monitoring limits for an SME. There are large differences between industries.

MeterRule of thumbWhy
CashFixed costs and loan servicing for at least one monthA late payment won't sink your cash flow
Safety marginOver 15% of turnoverA small drop in sales does not lead to a loss
Debt service coverage ratioOperating margin at least 1.2 × loan servicingFunders often look at this
Default interest10,5 % between businesses 1.7.–31.12.2026Charge interest on late invoices
PricingCalculate the hourly rate from billable hours, not hours workedNot all working time can be invoiced

Tax changes in 2026 and proposals for 2027

The key changes for households and businesses. The proposal is not yet law in force until Parliament approves it and the law is confirmed.

ChangeWhatApplies toStatus
Value added tax 14 % → 13,5 %Food, restaurants, sport, culture, books, passenger transport, accommodation2026In force from 1 Jan 2026
Lower limit of inheritance tax 20 000 → 30 000 €Lower limit of the taxable inheritance share2026Valid
Gift tax lower limit 5,000 → 7,500 €Gifts from the same donor within three years2026Valid
Household deduction €1,600 → €2,10040 % of the company's work, 15 % of hired labour, deductible 150 €2026–2027In force retroactively from 1 Jan 2026 (Finnish Tax Administration 13 Oct 2026)
Exercise and culture benefit 400 → 540 €Tax-free maximum per year2026Parliament approved 9/2026 (HE 113/2026)
Travel cost deductible 900 → 800 €Journeys between home and workplace2026Parliament approved 9/2026 (HE 113/2026)
Corporate tax 20% → 18%Income tax of limited companies and other entities2027Government proposal
Entrepreneur's deduction 5 % → 5,5 %From the result of business activity and agriculture2027Government proposal

Source: Taxpayers of Finland: Tax changes in 2026; Finnish Tax Administration 16.6.2026 and 13.10.2026; Ministry of Finance 21.9.2026

Ready-made tools

Save time with ready-made templates

Free tool available to download with a free account. Larger tools as a one-off purchase, no subscription: files immediately after payment.

Free tool

Compound interest savings calculator

Calculate what your monthly savings grow to with compound interest and how much you need to save to reach your goal.

  • Accumulation, share of return and real value
  • Effect of costs on yield
  • Monthly saving required for the savings goal
0 € · free accountDownload for free (Excel)
Tool

Household budget and debt plan

Monthly budget, savings goals and debt repayment plan.

Households

9,90 € incl. VATBuy 9,90 €
Quick tool

Loan calculator and repayment plan

Monthly instalment, interest and costs, full repayment schedule, interest rate scenarios and comparison of two offers.

For those considering a loan and borrowers

2,90 € incl. VATBuy 2,90 €

Home Bundle: all 20 tools €14.90 (separately €71) →

Coming soon

Deadlines and dates

Money Radar reminds its subscribers about these by email.

  1. ECB monetary policy meeting

    ECB Governing Council interest rate decision and press conference, Frankfurt.

    Source
  2. ECB monetary policy meeting

    ECB Governing Council interest rate decision and press conference.

    Source
  3. New reference rate and default interest rates enter into force

    The reference rate under the Interest Act is confirmed every six months. For 1.7.–31.12.2026 the reference rate is 2.5%, the penalty interest 9.5% and in commercial contracts 10.5%. The Bank of Finland announces the rate for the period starting 1.1.2027 before the period begins.

    Source
  4. ECB monetary policy meeting

    ECB Governing Council interest rate decision and press conference.

    Source
  5. ECB monetary policy meeting

    ECB Governing Council interest rate decision and press conference.

    Source
Popular

Frequently asked questions: Money Radar

What is inflation now?

According to Statistics Finland, the annual change in consumer prices in August 2026 was 2.2%. In July inflation was 2.1%. In August inflation was pushed up most by fuel prices.

How big a buffer should you have?

The general recommendation is that savings cover at least 1–3 months of essential expenses, such as housing, food, loan payments and insurance. If your income varies or your job is insecure, a buffer of 3–6 months is safer. The Money Radar cash test calculates your buffer in months.

What is the 50/30/20 rule?

It is a simple budgeting guideline: about 50 % of net income for essentials, 30 % for leisure and 20 % for savings or extra debt repayment. The guideline is indicative – living in big cities often costs more.

How does the bank test whether your money is enough for the loan?

According to the Financial Supervisory Authority's recommendation, banks assess a home loan applicant's repayment capacity at an interest rate of 6 percent and a loan term of at most 25 years. This ensures that the loan can be managed even when interest rates rise. The Money Radar's loan calculator shows the instalment at both the current rate and a 6 % rate.

What is the critical point?

The break-even point is the revenue at which the company's result is zero. It is calculated by dividing fixed costs by the sales margin percentage. For example, fixed costs of €18,000 and a 55% sales margin mean monthly sales of about €32,700.

How much cash should a business have?

As a rule of thumb, the cash balance should cover at least one month of fixed costs and loan repayments. Seasonal industries need more. Use the Money Radar cash test to check how many months your cash lasts if sales fall by 30%.

What is the penalty interest rate in business-to-business trade?

In business-to-business transactions, the late-payment interest rate for 1.7.–31.12.2026 is 10,5 % in total. Interest can be charged on a late-paid invoice from the due date.

How much is the household tax credit in 2026?

In 2026 and 2027 the maximum is €2,100 per person, 40% of a company's work is deducted and the excess is €150; for an employee you hire yourself the deduction is 15%. The increase applies retroactively to all work paid in 2026 (Finnish Tax Administration 13.10.2026). Before 2026 the deduction was 35% and at most €1,600.

What is penalty interest?

1.7.–31.12.2026 the default interest under the Interest Act is 9,5 % a year, and 10,5 % in commercial contracts between businesses. It is calculated from the reference rate confirmed by the Bank of Finland (2,5 %) by adding 7 or 8 percentage points.

How much inheritance or gift can you receive tax-free?

From 2026, inheritance tax is not paid if the taxable inheritance share is under €30,000. Gift tax is not paid if gifts from the same donor over three years total under €7,500 (Veronmaksajat: Tax changes 2026).

Will corporate income tax fall in 2027?

In its 2027 budget proposal the government proposes lowering the corporate tax rate from 20 % to 18 % and raising the entrepreneur deduction to 5.5 % (Ministry of Finance 21.9.2026). The changes take effect only if Parliament approves them.

Tips

How to use the information

  1. Make a budget once and review it at the end of the month: the three largest expense items show where a change is worth targeting.
  2. When interest rates have fallen, do not automatically reduce your loan repayment – extra repayments reduce interest costs over the whole loan term.
  3. If your finances are in a tangle, free help is available from financial and debt counselling. Get in touch before the bills go to collection.
  4. Make a cash flow forecast for at least three months ahead and update it once a month. The forecast tells you in good time when financing is needed.
  5. Invoice as soon as the work is finished and monitor outstanding receivables weekly. A shorter payment term improves cash flow faster than many savings measures.
  6. Check prices at least once a year: when costs rise with inflation, a price that stays the same means a shrinking margin.
  7. If you are having renovation or cleaning done, make use of the household expenses deduction: in 2026–2027 it is 40% of the labour share, up to €2,100 per person, and the deductible is €150. Spouses can each claim the deduction.
  8. Charge late-payment interest on overdue invoices. In business-to-business sales the interest rate is 10,5 % a year until 31.12.2026, and it is worth mentioning in the invoice's payment terms.
  9. Check the changes before the turn of the year: the lower limit for inheritance tax rose to €30 000 and the lower limit for gift tax to €7 500 in 2026, which affects the planning of generational changes and gifts.
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Sources (15)

The information has been compiled from public sources on 27.10.2026. Always check the current terms from the original source. The information is not investment, loan or legal advice.