Goal Calculator

In 2026, with higher housing costs and shifting job markets, the "3-month rule" has shifted to 6 months for better security.

Step A: List your Essential Monthly Expenses (Rent + Food + Utilities + Minimum Debt Payments).
Step B: Multiply by 6.
The Formula: Essential Expenses x 6 = Your Freedom Number.

Example: If your essentials are $3,000/month, you need $18,000 in a High-Yield Savings Account.

Housing prices in 2026 vary, but the math for your "entry" stays the same.

Calculator Tip: If you want a $400,000 home, you need $32,000 saved before you start house hunting.

How much do you need to stop working forever? In 2026, we still use the "Rule of 25."

Step A: Determine how much money you want to spend per year in retirement.
Step B: Multiply that by 25.
The Formula: Annual Spending x 25 = Your Retirement Nest Egg.

Example: To spend $60,000 a year, you need $1.5 Million invested in the stock market.

In 2026, the average total cost for a 4-year public university (in-state) is roughly $120,000.

The Goal: Save 50% of the cost ($60k) and pay the rest from income/scholarships later.
The Formula: $500 per month starting at birth will typically hit this goal by age 18 (assuming 7% growth).

If you want to know how long it takes to double your money in 2026, use the Rule of 72:

72 ÷ (Your Interest Rate) = Years to Double. At a 10% stock market return, your money doubles every 7.2 years!