Raise Impact Calculator

Question 1

Should I invest my whole raise?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily. A balanced approach — investing a meaningful share while enjoying some of it now — often works best. This calculator lets you slide between the two so you can see the trade-off between freedom sooner and lifestyle today.

Question 2

Why does investing a raise have such a big effect?

Accepted Answer

A raise you invest compounds for decades and never inflates your spending, so it works on both sides of the equation: it grows your portfolio and keeps your freedom number low. A raise you absorb into lifestyle does the opposite.

Question 3

Does this account for taxes?

Accepted Answer

Enter your after-tax (take-home) raise so the projection reflects money you can actually invest. The calculator then grows it at an inflation-adjusted return through your target retirement age.

What does my next raise really buy me?

Investing $8,400/yr pulls freedom 6 years closer

Trajectory with your raise invested

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