Cash discount or financing?
Compare the total cost.

Read the result in context.

The difference measures nominal dollars paid for the same purchase. It does not calculate the value of keeping cash available, investment returns, inflation, taxes, rebates paid later or the risk of missed payments. A cash purchase can cost less while using money you need for other essential expenses.

A positive financed-price difference can reflect a lost cash discount. Interest and fees are added separately by the model. Compare actual written prices instead of assuming that an advertised 0% rate produces the lowest total cost.

What this calculator can compare

• A cash purchase versus a true 0% installment offer lasting for the complete term entered.
• A cash purchase versus a fully amortizing fixed-interest loan, including upfront or financed fees.
• A full-payoff plan for a deferred-interest promotion, conditional on meeting its exact deadline.

It does not model leases, variable interest, revolving-card minimum payments, balloons, late fees, different payment frequencies or promotions that switch to a regular rate before payoff. Financing availability and approval depend on the provider.

Example: a cash discount can outweigh 0%

With the example inputs, cash costs $7,500. The financed price is $8,000 with no fees and true 0% for 36 months. The modeled payment is $222.22, with final-payment rounding, and the financed total is $8,000. Cash saves $500 even though the financing charges no interest. These are invented prices and terms, not offers.

What if I miss a deferred-interest deadline?

The conditional payoff result no longer describes your cost. Deferred interest can be charged back to the purchase date if the promotional balance is not paid as required. Ask the provider for the balance, deadline, accrued interest and actual account rules. Do not use this tool’s monthly target as a statement of the lender’s required minimum.