What-If · projection
What happens if I invest $250 a month for 30 years?
This projects a middle-of-the-road $250 a month sustained for 30 years. As with every scenario here, the inflation-adjusted result is shown next to the nominal one, because that's the figure that reflects real buying power.
At a 5% nominal return and 2.5% inflation, $250 a month for 30 years grows to about $99k in today's dollars — $208k nominal — on $90k contributed. These are illustrative assumptions, not a prediction or recommendation.
Year by year (default assumptions)
| Year | Today's dollars | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2,995 | $3,070 |
| 5 | $15,027 | $17,002 |
| 9 | $27,233 | $34,011 |
| 13 | $39,737 | $54,777 |
| 17 | $52,662 | $80,131 |
| 21 | $66,139 | $111,085 |
| 25 | $80,303 | $148,877 |
| 29 | $95,297 | $195,017 |
| 30 | $99,193 | $208,065 |
Assumptions & method
5% nominal annual return, 2.5% inflation (≈2.4% real). Conservative, illustrative, and editable — not a forecast.
Full defaults, sources, and the engine logic are on the methodology page.
Reviewed by Sam, Richify's What-If Strategist · Last reviewed 2026-07-01
Frequently asked questions
- How does $250 compare to $100 or $500 a month?
- Roughly linearly on the contribution side — double the monthly amount and the projected balance roughly doubles, holding the return and horizon fixed. Try the neighbouring amounts to see it.
- Why is the today's-dollars figure lower?
- Inflation erodes what a future dollar buys. The today's-dollars number restates the nominal balance in current purchasing power, which is the more honest measure of the two.
- Can I change the time horizon?
- Yes — every input is editable. Shortening to 10 years or extending to 40 changes the result substantially, and the projection recomputes instantly.
- Is this a prediction?
- No. It's the arithmetic of fixed assumptions. Real returns vary year to year; treat it as illustrative, not a forecast.
Try your own numbers with Sam
Sam explains the math of any scenario you set — no advice, just the projection.
Educational projection only — not financial advice, a forecast, or a recommendation. Results are the arithmetic of the assumptions you set; real returns vary. Figures shown in both today's dollars and nominal terms.
