Financial planning
How much should I save per month to reach my goal?
How much to save per month to reach a target amount by your deadline — reverse of a savings plan.
Quick answer
Rearrange the savings-plan formula: monthly = (Goal − PV×(1+r)^n) ÷ (((1+r)^n − 1)/r). Target €50,000 in 10 years at 5% expected return, no starting capital: monthly ≈ €323 (total contributed €38,760; the rest is assumed growth). The return field is editable — a lower hypothesis raises the required instalment.
Monthly contribution needed
$321.99
- Projected total at goal
- $50,000.00
- From assumed growth
- 1,360.69
Related calculators: ETF savings plan · FIRE calculator · Compound interest · Mortgage payment · Rental yield
⚠️ Educational estimate only — not financial advice. Returns are assumptions, not guarantees — past results do not predict future performance and invested capital is at risk.
Reverse of a savings plan: given a target, horizon and return hypothesis, how much to set aside each month. If starting capital already covers the goal at your rate, the monthly need is zero.
How it works
Use this for concrete goals: emergency fund, house down payment, sabbatical pot. If you already have capital, enter it — it lowers the monthly need. For forward projection from a fixed instalment, use the ETF savings plan; for living off investments, FIRE.
Frequently asked questions
What if I save less than the calculated amount?+
You either need more time, a higher return assumption (riskier, not guaranteed), a lower goal, or extra starting capital. The maths is strict — there is no shortcut without changing one of those levers.
Should the goal be in today’s euros?+
Yes for planning clarity — if the goal is 10 years away and prices rise, you may need more nominal euros later. Inflation is not auto-applied here; bump the target or lower the return assumption to be conservative.
Zero monthly payment — what does that mean?+
Your starting capital, compounded at your return hypothesis, already reaches the goal within the horizon. You may still choose to add monthly savings to exceed the target faster.
How is this different from the ETF savings plan?+
Same formula, solved for a different unknown. Savings plan: fixed instalment → final capital. Savings goal: fixed target → required instalment. Use both to sanity-check each other.