The Net Pay blog
Money, tax & take-home pay — explained.
Short, practical reads on what actually lands in your account: income tax, National Insurance / FICA, payslips, savings and net worth. No jargon, no fluff.
Salary Sacrifice Pensions: the Quiet Pay Rise You're Ignoring How salary sacrifice pensions cut your taxable pay and National Insurance, why £1 in your pension costs less than £1 of take-home, and the trade-offs. ISA vs savings account: where should your money go? Cash ISA or regular savings account? Here's how tax on interest, the Personal Savings Allowance and compounding decide which one wins for you. What your UK payslip actually means (take-home pay, explained) Income tax, National Insurance, pension and student loan — what each line on your UK payslip is, and why your take-home is less than your salary. US paycheck explained: federal income tax vs FICA Confused by the deductions on your US pay stub? Here's the plain-English difference between federal income tax, FICA, and state tax. How much is £30k, £40k and £50k after tax in the UK? See roughly what £30,000, £40,000 and £50,000 salaries leave you with each month after Income Tax and National Insurance in 2026/27.