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Savings Goal Planner

Find the deposit needed for a savings target, estimate time to goal, or project future value with APR, EAR, or continuous compounding.

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Rates are annual percentages. Deposits and balances follow the currency symbol you enter.

Results

Required deposit:

Inflation-adjusted value (real)

This is general information only and not financial advice.

How to use the savings goal planner

Select the mode for your question: required deposit, time to goal, or future value. Use APR for nominal rates with compounding frequency, EAR for effective annual yield, and continuous for smooth exponential growth.

Set deposit frequency and contribution timing at period start or end. Add optional inflation to view real purchasing power of the final balance. The summary updates after each run for quick scenario comparison.

FAQ

How should I choose between APR, EAR, and continuous compounding?

Use nominal APR when a bank quotes rate plus compounding frequency. Use EAR when you already have an effective annual yield. Use continuous compounding for theoretical smooth growth models.

What if the planner says my goal is unreachable?

Increase periodic deposits, extend the horizon, reduce the goal, or assume a higher return. Without positive contributions, or with persistent negative returns, the target may remain unreachable.

What should I do first on this page?

Start with the minimum required inputs or the first action shown near the primary button. Keep optional settings at defaults for a baseline run, then change one setting at a time so you can explain what caused each output change.

Why does this page differ from another tool?

Different pages often use different defaults, units, rounding rules, or assumptions. Align those settings before comparing outputs. If differences remain, compare each intermediate step rather than only the final number.

How reliable are the displayed values?

Values are computed in the browser and rounded for display. They are good for planning and educational checks, but for regulated or high-stakes decisions you should validate assumptions with official guidance or professional review.

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