That daily coffee, snack, or small purchase adds up. See exactly how much it costs over time — and what that same money could grow to if you invested it instead.
Total spent is simply your per-purchase cost multiplied by how often you buy it, across the full time period. That's money that's gone regardless of what you do with it.
The "if invested instead" figure assumes that same regular amount was put into an investment earning your expected annual return, compounding monthly over the same period, using the standard future-value-of-an-annuity formula. The gap between the two numbers is the opportunity cost — not a judgment on your coffee habit, just a clear look at what consistent small amounts can turn into over time when invested instead of spent.
No — it's just showing the numbers. Small daily spending is a personal choice, and this tool is meant to inform that choice with real figures, not to judge it.
No, both the spending total and the projected investment growth are shown in today's dollars without adjusting for inflation, so treat the comparison as a relative one rather than an exact future prediction.
It's a commonly used long-term average for diversified stock market index funds, but actual returns vary significantly year to year and aren't guaranteed. Adjust the rate to match your own risk tolerance and investment choice.