Purchase Goal Planner: Engineering Your Next Milestone

Move from "hoping" to "scheduled." Model the savings requirements for major life acquisitions and understand the mathematical tradeoffs of your timeline.

Educational Disclaimer: This tool is a deterministic savings model. It identifies monthly cash flow requirements for specific targets. It is not an investment platform and does not guarantee price stability of future goods or services.

Wealth Parameters

Starting Principal ($)
Monthly Addition ($)
Expected APY (%)
Time Horizon (Years)

Compounding Schedule

IntervalProjected Wealth
Year 1$16,651
Year 2$23,642
Year 3$30,991
Year 4$38,716
Year 5$46,837
Year 6$55,372
Year 7$64,345
Year 8$73,776
Year 9$83,690
Year 10$94,111

Engineering Your Next Milestone

Major acquisitions like a Primary Residence, a Reliable Vehicle, or Milestone Events differ from retirement because they have a fixed expiry date and require high liquidity.

A purchase plan ensures you transition from "hoping" to "scheduled," moving beyond vague desires into a disciplined capital accumulation phase.

The Effort Curve

Your "Monthly Effort" changes dramatically based on your target date. For a $30,000 purchase (assuming 5% yield savings):

Time HorizonMonthly DepositExecution Difficulty
12 Months~$2,500Extreme. High budget impact.
36 Months~$830Moderate. Sustainable for many.
60 Months~$500Elite. Low budget friction.

Where to Store Your Capital

The proximity of your purchase determines the ideal storage vehicle:

Short Term (< 2 Years)

High-Yield Savings. Principal preservation is the priority. Market volatility is too high for this window.

Mid Term (3-5 Years)

CDs or short-term bonds. You can capture slightly higher yields while maintaining a fixed exit date.

Goal Planning FAQ

Should I use emergency funds for a down payment?
Never. A house purchase is intentional; an emergency is unexpected. Using your safety net for a purchase leaves you vulnerable the day you move in.
How do I account for rising prices?
Use our Inflation Impact Tool to see the real cost of your goal 3-5 years from now. We recommend adding a 10% "Inflation Buffer" to long-term milestone goals.