📌 Overview

Work out how much to save each month to hit a target amount by a deadline, or how long your current savings rate will take, with interest included.

🎯 Savings Goal Calculator

Work out how much to save each month to hit a target amount by a deadline, or how long your current savings rate will take, with interest included.

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📖 Deep Dive: Savings Goal Calculator

Two common questions

Saving plans usually come down to two questions: how much do I need to save each month to reach the goal on time, and at my current pace when will I get there. This tool supports both modes.

The formula behind it

Regular deposits with compounding use the future-value-of-an-annuity formula: FV = PV times (1+r)^n + PMT times (((1+r)^n - 1) divided by r), where r is the monthly rate and n is the number of months. Solving for PMT gives the monthly amount to save.

An example

Goal 300000 down payment, current savings 50000, annual rate 3%, want to reach it in 5 years. The formula gives about 3835 per month; without interest you would need about 4167 - interest saves you about 20000 of principal.

Ways to improve your success rate

  • Set up auto-transfer: move savings out on payday.
  • Put bonuses and tax refunds straight toward the goal.
  • Pay down high-interest debt first: clearing a 15% credit card equals a 15% risk-free return.