Scenario tools
Savings Goal
Saving
Find out how much to save for a future goal, with inflation and investment growth included.
Enter zero if you are starting from scratch.
Use a reasonable estimate. This is not a forecast.
Already included in the return above.
Enter zero to keep contributions level.
Enter your goal and savings assumptions to see the contribution you may need.
For an $18,000 future-dollar goal in three years with $6,000 already saved, a zero-return baseline requires about $333.33 a month. That is the total monthly contribution needed, not another $333.33 on top of what you already save. Set fees and inflation to zero for this simple example.
If you currently save $250 a month, the difference is about $83.33 a month. Alternatively, extending the same zero-return goal to four years reduces the required total to $250 a month. A slightly rounded-up transfer can avoid a small rounding shortfall.
Choose today's dollars only when you want the target to grow with your inflation assumption. A fixed future-dollar target answers a different question. Keep money reserved for emergencies or another goal out of the starting balance.
A return assumption can reduce the calculated deposit, but it cannot make a risky account appropriate for a near-term purchase. Compare a low-return case before deciding whether the required contribution fits your budget.
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