# The Real Cost [Health: Active]

**Category:** 💰 Finance & Fintech  
**Repository:** https://github.com/NoBanks/therealcost-mcp  
**GitHub Stars:** 0  
**Views:** 0  
**Installs:** 0  
**Upvotes:** 0  
**Directory Page:** https://allmcps.com/mcp/the-real-cost

## Description
Free US money calculators with the math shown, from The Real Cost. Education only.

## Tools
Capabilities this server exposes over MCP:

- **credit_card_payoff** — Months and total interest to clear a card balance paying only the minimum, versus a fixed monthly payment.
- **debt_consolidation** — Current debts versus one consolidation loan, including the origination fee (taken out of the loan, so
- **loan_cost_by_term** — Monthly payment, total interest and total paid for one loan over several terms.
- **crypto_trade_cost** — Trading fee, spread and network fees on a buy and a later sale at the same price, the price rise
- **emergency_fund** — Goal = monthly expenses x months to cover. Months to reach it, and the monthly amount needed to reach
- **list_guides** — No inputs. Returns the ten guides (title, subtitle, pages, what each covers, price), the complete

## Claude Desktop Quick Installation
Install path detected from listing signals. Uses `uvx` (confidence: high):

```json
"mcpServers": {
  "the-real-cost": {
    "command": "uvx",
    "args": ["--from","git+https://github.com/NoBanks/therealcost-mcp","therealcost-mcp"]
  }
}
```

## Documentation

## What The Real Cost does

The Real Cost MCP server exposes free US personal-finance calculators to MCP-compatible AI clients. It is intended for education, not financial advice, and produces estimates based on the values supplied by the user. The calculations cover revolving debt, consolidation loans, loan repayment terms, crypto transaction costs, and emergency-fund targets.

Each calculator result includes the computed figures, a plain-English explanation, and the formula described in words. Results also provide a pre-filled link to the matching calculator on the The Real Cost website, allowing users to inspect the inputs and continue adjusting them. When relevant, the response includes warnings, related reading, a free sample chapter link, and the source and education-only disclaimer.

## How it works

The server runs locally and communicates over MCP using standard input and output. Its calculation logic is a port of the website’s calculator code, so the returned figures are intended to match the corresponding site calculator. It does not require network calls or API keys, and the README states that it does not track users.

The tools accept structured numeric inputs such as balances, annual percentage rates, payment amounts, loan terms, fees, expenses, and savings contributions. The server then returns structured JSON containing the result and supporting context. Inputs are used for calculations only; the material does not describe account access, lender connections, transaction execution, or market data retrieval.

## Setup and configuration

Python 3.10 or newer is required. The documented installation path uses `uvx` to run the package directly from its GitHub repository. Claude Code can register the server with `claude mcp add`, while Claude Desktop requires an entry in `claude_desktop_config.json` followed by a restart.

A local checkout can also be installed with `pip install -e .` and started with the `therealcost-mcp` command. The process speaks MCP over stdio. No environment variables, API keys, or external service configuration are documented.

## Tools and capabilities

- `credit_card_payoff` compares minimum-payment repayment with a fixed monthly payment, including months and interest.
- `debt_consolidation` compares existing debts with one loan and accounts for an origination fee deducted from loan proceeds.
- `loan_cost_by_term` calculates monthly payments, total interest, and total repayment across selected terms.
- `crypto_trade_cost` estimates trading fees, spreads, network charges, break-even price growth, and recurring-buy costs.
- `emergency_fund` calculates a savings goal, time to reach it, or the monthly contribution needed by a target.
- `list_guides` returns the ten related guides and their coverage, with links and pricing information.

The Real Cost also connects calculator outputs to relevant guides and chapters. The guides cover topics including credit cards, loans, everyday spending, crypto fees and taxes, credit reports, taxes, retirement accounts, student loans, housing, and scams.

## Limitations and notes

The Real Cost MCP server is limited to the calculator topics and inputs documented by the project. Results depend on the supplied assumptions and are estimates, not personalized financial recommendations. A warning may appear when a repayment plan never clears a balance or a savings plan never reaches its goal. Crypto calculations describe specified fees and price scenarios; they do not execute trades or predict prices. The calculators are free, while the related guides are sold separately.

_Full upstream README: https://allmcps.com/mcp/the-real-cost/readme_