What-If · projection
What happens if I invest $500 a month for 30 years?
This projects the future value of contributing $500 every month for 30 years, using conservative, editable assumptions. The honest number is the one in today's dollars — so it's shown next to the nominal figure, not instead of it.
At a 5% nominal return and 2.5% inflation, $500 a month for 30 years grows to about $198k in today's dollars — $416k nominal — on $180k contributed. These are illustrative assumptions, not a prediction or recommendation.
Year by year (default assumptions)
| Year | Today's dollars | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5,990 | $6,139 |
| 5 | $30,054 | $34,003 |
| 9 | $54,467 | $68,022 |
| 13 | $79,473 | $109,555 |
| 17 | $105,324 | $160,262 |
| 21 | $132,278 | $222,171 |
| 25 | $160,606 | $297,755 |
| 29 | $190,595 | $390,035 |
| 30 | $198,387 | $416,129 |
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
- Is this a prediction of what I'll have?
- No. It's the arithmetic of the assumptions shown — a fixed return and inflation rate applied to your contributions. Real markets vary year to year; this is illustrative, not a forecast.
- Why show today's dollars and nominal?
- A future balance looks large partly because of inflation. The inflation-adjusted (today's-dollars) figure is what that money would actually buy, so it's the more honest measure of the two.
- What return and inflation does this use?
- A 5% nominal annual return and 2.5% inflation by default — conservative, illustrative figures documented on the methodology page. You can change them; the projection recomputes from whatever you set.
- What if I invest more or for longer?
- Both raise the result, and time matters more than amount because of compounding. Adjust the monthly amount or horizon and the projection updates deterministically.
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.
