Resources

Future Value Calculator

Compound interest is the most powerful force in wealth building. See exactly how your money will grow over time with consistent investing.

The Rule of 72

Divide 72 by your annual return rate to find how many years it takes your money to double. The simplest mental math in all of investing.

Adjust the annual return rate

annual return

1% 15%

Time to Double

years

At return, your money doubles times in 30 years

Doubling Timeline (starting with $10K)

$10,000 invested at becomes after doublings — that is the power of compound growth.

Calculate Your Future Value

Enter your investment details to see how compound interest grows your wealth.

Future Value Calculator

See how much your investments will grow over time with compound interest.

Start Principal ($)

Interest Rate (%)

Years

Regular Additions ($)

Interval

Estimated Future Value

In years:

Initial Balance

Contributions

Growth

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Put Compound Growth to Work

Seeing the numbers is step one — now put them into action. The simplest way to capture market returns is through low-cost index funds, which give you broad diversification with minimal fees. Pair that with our getting started guide for the full FI framework.

As your investments grow, redeploy the savings into experiences: travel rewards let you see the world for nearly free, and our top recommended cards help you earn points on spending you are already doing.

Where to Put Your Money

Maximize your returns by using the right accounts in the right order.

401(k) with Employer Match

50-100% instant return

Always contribute enough to get the full employer match — it is an instant 50-100% return on your money before any market growth. If your employer matches 50% on the first 6% of your salary, that is free money you cannot afford to leave on the table. This comes first, no exceptions.

Priority: #1 — Do this before anything else

Max Out 401(k) Pre-Tax

$23.5K limit ($31K if 50+)

If your marginal tax bracket is above 12%, the FI community often prefers maxing out pre-tax 401(k) contributions before funding a Roth IRA. Pre-tax contributions reduce your taxable income now, and in early retirement you can withdraw or do Roth conversions during low-income years at much lower tax rates. The higher your current bracket, the more valuable the upfront deduction.

Priority: #2 — Max this out if your marginal rate is above 12%

Roth IRA

$7K limit ($8K if 50+)

The Roth IRA shines brightest when your marginal tax rate is in the 10-12% bracket — you pay a low rate now and never pay taxes on growth. Contributions (not earnings) can be withdrawn penalty-free at any time, making it valuable for early retirees. If you can max both your 401(k) and Roth IRA, do both. If you have to choose, your current marginal tax bracket is the deciding factor.

Priority: #2 or #3 — Depends on your marginal tax bracket. At 10-12%, fund this first; above 12%, max 401(k) first, then fund this if you can.

HSA (Health Savings Account)

Triple tax advantage

The HSA is the only account with a triple tax advantage: tax-deductible going in, grows tax-free, and tax-free withdrawals for medical expenses. The stealth retirement strategy: pay medical expenses out of pocket now, invest your HSA, and withdraw decades of tax-free growth later. After age 65, it functions like a traditional IRA for non-medical expenses.

Priority: #3 or #4 — The ultimate stealth retirement account if you have a high-deductible health plan

Taxable Brokerage

No contribution limits

After maxing all tax-advantaged accounts, invest the rest in a taxable brokerage with low-cost index funds. No contribution limits, no withdrawal penalties, and fully flexible. Long-term capital gains rates are favorable, and tax-loss harvesting can further reduce your tax burden. This is your bridge account for early retirement.

Priority: Last — Unlimited, flexible, and essential for early FI

Daily Latte Compound Explorer

What if you invested that daily purchase instead? Toggle common expenses and watch compound growth do its thing.

If You Invested Instead

Daily Total

Monthly Total

Invested at 7% annual return

10 years

20 years

30 years

Your daily habit is worth over 30 years. Small changes, massive results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Future value is the projected worth of an investment at a specific point in the future, based on an assumed rate of growth. It accounts for your initial investment, regular contributions, and compound interest earned over time.

For stock market investments, 7% after inflation is a commonly used historical average. For savings accounts, use your current APY (typically 4-5% in high-yield accounts). For bonds, 3-5% is reasonable. Be conservative in your assumptions for better planning.

More frequent compounding means slightly higher returns. Monthly compounding at 7% yields more than annual compounding at 7%. However, the difference is relatively small. For most planning purposes, annual compounding is a reasonable simplification.

Inflation reduces the purchasing power of future dollars. A dollar 30 years from now will buy less than a dollar today. To get inflation-adjusted projections, use real returns (subtract 2-3% for inflation from nominal returns). If using 10% nominal, use 7% real.

Yes. The future value formula works for any investment with a consistent rate of return: index funds, bonds, real estate (by estimated appreciation), savings accounts, or CDs. Just use the appropriate expected return rate for each investment type.