When could you afford it—with a cushion?
Plan emergency savings and a purchase goal without counting the same money twice.
No email or phone. Inputs stay in this tab. Amounts are USD.Keep up to three named scenarios, then change the calculator for the next one. Saved comparisons stay in this tab and disappear when you leave. To save a file, choose “Save as PDF” in your browser’s print dialog.
Adjust the contribution or the deadline
Estimates update as you change the numbers. Review the assumptions below.
See the breakdown
- Current cushion in months of essentials
- 1.7 months
- Remaining amount today
- $23,000
- Balance at deadline
- $17,651
- Surplus / shortfall at deadline
- -$10,349
Your plan over time
View exact values
| Period | Projected savings | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| Now | $5,000 | $28,000 |
| Month 2 | $6,026 | $28,000 |
| Month 4 | $7,057 | $28,000 |
| Month 6 | $8,093 | $28,000 |
| Month 8 | $9,134 | $28,000 |
| Month 10 | $10,181 | $28,000 |
| Month 12 | $11,232 | $28,000 |
| Month 14 | $12,289 | $28,000 |
| Month 16 | $13,351 | $28,000 |
| Month 18 | $14,418 | $28,000 |
| Month 20 | $15,490 | $28,000 |
| Month 22 | $16,568 | $28,000 |
| Month 24 | $17,651 | $28,000 |
How to read this estimate
Your purchase goal is added to your emergency fund so the same dollars are not spent twice. Choose the cushion based on your income stability and obligations; the default is only an example.
APY is an assumed effective annual yield with monthly compounding; contributions arrive at month-end. Taxes, withdrawals, inflation and changing yields are excluded.
Time to goal is capped at 50 years. Use cash you can access for emergencies; investment returns are not guaranteed.
Keep the emergency fund after the purchase
The example sets aside six months of $3,000 essential expenses: $18,000. A separate $10,000 purchase creates a combined $28,000 target, starting with $5,000 saved.
What to look for: The deadline calculation tells you what monthly contribution the combined goal needs. Keeping the emergency money separate avoids spending the same dollars twice.
The example figures above stay fixed while you edit your own scenario. Use “Load example” to restore default inputs where available.
Your next steps
- Total essential costs, including minimum debt payments and irregular bills.
- Keep your purchase budget separate from emergency reserves.
- Choose a sustainable contribution and revisit it when income or costs change.
Sources & assumptions
Linked sources explain the methods and considerations. Example rates, costs and future growth assumptions are editable illustrations, not current market quotes. Reviewed September 7, 2026.
These tools provide educational estimates. Confirm terms and inputs before making a financial commitment.