Cost of waiting calculator
Compound growth rewards time more than anything else. See what regular saving could grow to, then slide to see what waiting costs.
BudgetHelp's calculators give estimates based on what you enter. They're for education and planning, not financial, tax or investment advice. Check important decisions with a qualified professional.
Why waiting costs so much
The last years of compounding are the biggest. When you start late, you don't lose the first years, you lose the last ones, the years when growth is largest. That's why a short delay can cost far more than the money you didn't put in.
You don't need a lot to start. Most of the benefit comes from starting early and never stopping. An automatic monthly transfer, even a small one, does the heavy lifting.
Where Canadians usually start
Accounts like the TFSA, RRSP and FHSA let your money grow with tax advantages. Our plain-English guide explains how each one works and the 2026 limits.
BudgetHelp can't tell you what to invest in. A low-cost brokerage lets you open these accounts yourself, and a licensed advisor can help with specific choices.
Compound interest questions
What is compound interest?
It's growth on top of growth. Your money earns a return, then that return earns a return too. The longer it runs, the bigger the effect, which is why starting earlier matters so much.
What rate of return should I use?
There's no right answer, and past returns don't predict future ones. Illustrations of long-term diversified investing often use somewhere around 4% to 7% a year before fees. Savings accounts pay much less. Try a lower number to be cautious, and remember investments can lose value.
Do TFSAs and RRSPs change the result?
They can. Growth inside a TFSA is tax-free, and growth inside an RRSP is tax-deferred until you withdraw it. This calculator doesn't include tax or fees, so treat the result as a rough picture. See our guide to the TFSA, RRSP and FHSA.
Is this investment advice?
No. It's a math illustration to show how time and regular saving work together. It doesn't recommend any investment. For advice about your situation, talk to a licensed professional.