Fill in four quick numbers and your total updates as you go. It's free, there's nothing to sign up for, and nothing you enter is saved or sent anywhere.
Your Plan
Use a slider or type a number. Rough guesses are completely fine.
1
Cash you could invest right now. Starting from zero is completely fine.
$
2
The amount you plan to invest every month. Even $25 a month adds up over time.
$
3
The number of years you stay invested. Time is the biggest ingredient in growth.
years
4
How much your investments might grow in an average year. Not sure what to pick? Tap an option below.
Adding at the start gives each deposit a little extra time to grow.
Leave this on once a year if you're not sure. It matches how yearly returns are usually shown.
Prices rise a little each year, so future dollars buy less. Canada and the US both aim for about 2%. We use 2.5% to stay a bit cautious.
%
Your Results
In 30 years, you could have
$0CAD
Where Your Total Comes From
What you put in$0
What growth added$0
Watch It Grow
Put inGrowth
Tap or hover over a bar to see that year. Notice how the dark green part speeds up over time.
Why Starting Sooner Helps
See Every Year
Your balance at the end of each year.
Year
Put In
Growth
Total
What Return Should I Use?
Your return is how much your investments grow in an average year. Nobody can predict the future, so the goal is a realistic estimate. Here's how the common options compare, from steadiest to bumpiest.
High Interest Savings Or GIC
About 2% to 4%
Ups and downs: Very low
Very safe, and your balance won't drop. Growth is slow though, and often only just keeps up with rising prices. Best for your emergency fund and short term goals.
Balanced Mix Of Stocks And Bonds
About 4% to 6%
Ups and downs: Low to medium
A middle ground, with smaller swings than owning stocks alone. Many all in one ETFs are built this way, so you can hold one fund and be done.
Stock Market Index Fund
About 6% to 8%
Ups and downs: Medium to high
Owns hundreds of companies at once. 7% is a popular planning number because it leaves some room for rough years along the way.
Long Run US Stock Market Average
About 10%
Ups and downs: High
The S&P 500 has averaged roughly 10% a year before inflation over the last century. A nice best case, but risky to plan your future around.
Good to know: real returns bounce around. The stock market can drop 20% or more in a bad year and jump 25% in a good one. Averages like these only show up when you stay invested through both.
Where Canadians Usually Invest
Where you hold your investments matters too. These accounts help them grow with less tax, so more of the growth stays yours.
This calculator doesn't include taxes, fees, or contribution limits.
Want To Find More To Invest Each Month?
Investing gets a lot easier once you know exactly where your pay goes. The free Toonies Budget Template helps you see it clearly, one month at a time.
