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MoneyBasis

Savings Goal Calculator

Estimate the monthly savings that may reach a target under the assumptions you enter.

Runs in your browser

Goal details

Nothing is uploaded when you calculate.

Your estimate will appear here

Set your target and timeline to see the monthly deposit and goal milestones. Select Calculate to see your estimate.

What you’ll see

  • Monthly contribution
  • Savings milestones
  • Progress toward the goal

Monthly savings needed, Target amount, Investment growth

Understand your result

Target

The goal amount you want to reach.

Monthly savings needed

The estimated recurring amount required to reach the target by the date you chose.

How this calculation works
  1. Enter the target amount, current savings, time horizon and assumed return.
  2. The calculator solves for the monthly savings amount that may reach the goal under those assumptions.
  3. If current savings can grow to the goal on their own, the required monthly amount is zero.
Future gap = Goal − Current savings × (1 + r)^n
Monthly contribution = max(0, Future gap) / Contribution growth factor
Contribution growth factor = ((1 + r)^n − 1) / r; at r = 0, use n

MoneyBasis first projects the savings you already have. It then calculates the recurring end-of-month contribution needed to cover the remaining future gap. Here r is the nominal annual return divided by 12, and n is the number of months. The return is an assumption, not a forecast.

Required monthly savings
The monthly amount that, together with money already saved and the return you entered, is estimated to reach the goal in the time available.
Assumptions & limitations
  • Returns compound monthly and stay constant at the rate you enter.
  • You already have some savings that continues to earn the same assumed return.

Educational estimates only. MoneyBasis does not provide financial, investment, tax or legal advice.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

What if I have already saved part of the goal?
Enter that amount in Already saved. The calculation starts with that balance and estimates contributions for the remaining target.
What happens if I change the time available?
The required monthly contribution updates with the new timeline. Compare a zero-return scenario to see the contribution needed without assumed growth.
What if I already have enough?
If today’s savings can grow to the goal on its own under the return you entered, the required monthly amount is zero.

See a worked example

Saving & Investing · 5 min read

How Much to Save Each Month for a Specific Goal

Start with the funding gap, then see how time and an assumed return change the deposit.

Read guide →

$12,000 goal · $3,000 saved · no return assumed

12 months
$750/mo
24 months
$375/mo
36 months
$250/mo

Same funding gap. More time means a smaller monthly deposit.

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