Investment goals, charted across decades.

The math behind the chart

For each year in the projection, the calculator compounds your balance monthly at the chosen annual rate, then adds your monthly contribution. The shaded blue area is the projected total portfolio; the dashed grey line is contributions alone. The gap between them is what compounding does for you.

for each month:
  balance = balance × (1 + annualRate / 12) + monthlyContribution

contributions(year y) = existing + monthly × 12 × y

Returns are nominal and pre-tax. We assume roughly 2% inflation in developed markets (so a 7% nominal return is about 5% in real terms) and 18% in Nigeria (where high inflation disproportionately erodes Naira purchasing power).

Canadian readers: most long-horizon investing happens inside a TFSA, RRSP, or FHSA. The math doesn't change — but in those accounts the projected total is much closer to your actual outcome, because growth is sheltered. In a regular non-registered account, you give back ~25–50% of the “compounding adds” figure to tax over decades.

Frequently asked questions

How is the projection calculated?

We compound your starting savings monthly at the annual return rate you select, then add your monthly contribution at the end of each month. Year-end balances drive the chart and the headline numbers. The math is consistent monthly compounding — no fees, no taxes, no rebalancing assumed.

Are these returns guaranteed?

No. The presets reflect long-run historical averages — roughly 4% bonds, 7% balanced, 10% equity-heavy in developed markets. Real markets vary year to year. Sequence-of-returns risk, fees, and taxes will all change your actual outcome. Treat the chart as a directional guide, not a forecast.

Why does the Nigeria preset go to 14%?

Nigerian Naira returns reflect a higher-inflation, higher-yield environment. The 14% Balanced preset is a realistic blended return; the 20% Growth preset reflects equity-heavy NGX exposure. Headline returns look bigger because Naira inflation has historically been 15–25%, so a chunk of that nominal return is just inflation.

Is this adjusted for inflation?

No. All figures are nominal. The active assumption line below the chart shows the rough real return after a typical inflation rate (2% in developed markets, ~18% used as a placeholder for Nigeria). For Canadian planning, subtract 2 percentage points to think in today's dollars.

Where should I actually invest the money?

We don't recommend specific products. In Canada, the most relevant tax-sheltered accounts are the TFSA (any goal), RRSP (retirement, lower tax in retirement), and FHSA (first home). Inside any of those, low-cost broad-market index ETFs are the typical default for long-horizon investing. Speak to a licensed advisor for personalized guidance.