JANE’S STORY / 2000–2024
Small beginnings. A habit that grew.
An ordinary paycheck, a modest starting balance, and contributions that increased as life allowed.
THE LONG VIEW
Dollars at each point in time, without adjusting for inflation.
Monthly savings are modeled as one deposit at each year’s end. Lines connect annual observations; they do not show the path within a year.
LIFE HAPPENS. THE PLAN EVOLVES.
The choices along the way.
Start small
The fictional plan begins with $1,000 invested and $250 set aside each month.
Increase the habit
Contributions rise to $350 a month and continue through a difficult market year.
Make room for more
A higher contribution becomes the new routine. The allocation stays the same.
THE HARD PART BELONGS IN THE STORY
It wasn’t a straight line.
This path includes the early-2000s declines, 2008, and 2022. Continuing to contribute required money available outside the portfolio.
BRING IT BACK TO YOUR LIFE
A familiar story. Your own numbers.
The contribution history matters alongside the market return. A smaller beginning can still become a meaningful balance.
Opens an editable planning template with zero starting savings, an example spending budget, and this story’s final monthly contribution. Historical balances and returns are not carried into your plan.
A related field note: The best plan is one you can keep.
Explore the annual numbers
Nominal dollars. Contributions include the initial investment. Return percentages are nominal, before deposits.
| Year | Portfolio return | Total contributed | Balance | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | -3.89% | $4,000 | $3,961 | -$39 |
| 2001 | -8.37% | $7,000 | $6,630 | -$370 |
| 2002 | -14.55% | $10,000 | $8,665 | -$1,335 |
| 2003 | 22.76% | $13,000 | $13,637 | $637 |
| 2004 | 9.49% | $16,000 | $17,932 | $1,932 |
| 2005 | 4.44% | $19,000 | $21,727 | $2,727 |
| 2006 | 12.88% | $22,000 | $27,526 | $5,526 |
| 2007 | 6.43% | $25,000 | $32,295 | $7,295 |
| 2008 | -25.22% | $29,200 | $28,350 | -$850 |
| 2009 | 18.53% | $33,400 | $37,803 | $4,403 |
| 2010 | 13.55% | $37,600 | $47,124 | $9,524 |
| 2011 | 4.89% | $41,800 | $53,628 | $11,828 |
| 2012 | 13.31% | $46,000 | $64,963 | $18,963 |
| 2013 | 23.90% | $50,200 | $84,690 | $34,490 |
| 2014 | 12.97% | $54,400 | $99,870 | $45,470 |
| 2015 | 1.36% | $60,400 | $107,229 | $46,829 |
| 2016 | 9.55% | $66,400 | $123,473 | $57,073 |
| 2017 | 17.85% | $72,400 | $151,511 | $79,111 |
| 2018 | -3.39% | $78,400 | $152,378 | $73,978 |
| 2019 | 26.90% | $84,400 | $199,361 | $114,961 |
| 2020 | 16.68% | $90,400 | $238,618 | $148,218 |
| 2021 | 21.89% | $96,400 | $296,857 | $200,457 |
| 2022 | -18.00% | $102,400 | $249,429 | $147,029 |
| 2023 | 21.62% | $108,400 | $309,365 | $200,965 |
| 2024 | 19.58% | $114,400 | $375,926 | $261,526 |