Same paycheck. Two futures.
Saving 9% of $1,800 a month instead of 2% is the difference between about $84,390 and $18,753 after 20 years, at an illustrative 7% a year. Put in your own numbers below.
How is this calculated?
Each month you save the same share of your take-home pay, and the balance grows at an average 7% a year, compounded monthly. 7% is a rough long-run average for a broad stock index before inflation. Real returns go up and down, and some years are negative.
Why percentages and not amounts?
Percentages work at any income and in any currency, and they grow with you: 9% of a bigger paycheck later is automatically more. ftrme uses percentages for the same reason, so it never needs your payslip or bank login.
What does each extra 1% do?
| Save of $1,800/mo | Per month | After 20 years |
|---|---|---|
| 2% | $36 | $18,753 |
| 5% | $90 | $46,883 |
| 9% | $162 | $84,390 |
| 10% | $180 | $93,767 |
| 15% | $270 | $140,650 |
Quick answers
How much will I have if I save 10% of my paycheck?
On $1,800 a month, 10% is $180 a month. After 20 years at an illustrative 7% a year that’s about $93,767.
Is 7% a realistic return?
It’s a commonly used long-run average for broad stock indexes before inflation, not a promise. Cash savings earn less. Treat the result as a picture of the direction, not a forecast.
