Choose markets and companies, set your investment amount, and see how your portfolio could grow over time.
Select investments from the right panel
SPY • Index Fund
+10.0%
avg return
500 largest US companies including Apple, Microsoft, Amazon
VTI • Index Fund
+9.5%
avg return
Every US stock - large, medium, and small companies
QQQ • Index Fund
+12.5%
avg return
Top 100 tech-heavy companies on NASDAQ exchange
VXUS • Index Fund
+7.0%
avg return
Companies from Europe, Asia, and emerging markets
BND • Bond Fund
+4.0%
avg return
Government & corporate bonds - lower risk, steady returns
VNQ • REIT Fund
+8.0%
avg return
Real estate investment trusts - malls, apartments, offices
Learn how companies divide ownership into shares and discover the smartest ways to invest your money.
When a company wants to raise money, it divides its ownership into tiny pieces called shares (or "stock"). Each share represents a small piece of the company.
Example: Apple Inc.
Key insight: More shares = more ownership. But you don't need many shares to benefit from a company's growth.
Stock prices change based on supply and demand. When more people want to buy than sell, the price goes up. When more want to sell, it goes down.
Prices Go UP When:
Good earnings, new products, positive news, growing demand
Prices Go DOWN When:
Bad earnings, scandals, economic fears, too much selling
Remember: Daily price changes are often just noise. Long-term company performance is what matters.
Evidence-based strategies used by professional investors
Start with broad market index funds like the S&P 500. They give you instant diversification across hundreds of companies with very low fees.
Best for beginners
Invest the same amount regularly (like $100/month) regardless of market conditions. This removes emotion and averages out your purchase prices.
Reduces risk
Don't put all your money in one stock. Spread across different companies, industries, and even countries to protect against any single failure.
Invest money you won't need for 5+ years. Short-term trading is gambling. Long-term investing with compound growth is how wealth is built.
Time is your friend
Choose low-fee index funds (0.03%-0.20%). High fees compound against you over time and can eat up hundreds of thousands in returns.
Fees matter a lot
Markets drop 10-20% regularly. Stay calm and keep investing. Historically, markets have always recovered and reached new highs.
Control emotions
| Index Funds | Individual Stocks | |
|---|---|---|
| Risk Level | Lower - diversified | Higher - concentrated |
| Research Needed | Minimal | Extensive |
| Potential Return | Market average (~10%/year) | Higher OR lower |
| Fees | Very low (0.03%) | Trading fees may apply |
| Best For | Most investors | Experienced traders |
Pro tip: Most professional fund managers fail to beat index funds over the long term. If the pros can't do it, why try? Just buy the index!
Our simulator is built on rigorous financial research and historical market data to provide realistic projections
Returns and volatility based on actual market performance from 1990-2023. Index funds use long-term CAGR, individual stocks use 10-year historical averages.
We run 1,000 Monte Carlo simulations using geometric Brownian motion to capture the full range of possible outcomes, not just averages.
Portfolio returns account for historical correlations between assets. Bonds negatively correlate with stocks, tech stocks move together, etc.
Simulations model different market conditions: bull markets (30%), normal markets (40%), corrections (15%), and bear markets (15%).
Real expense ratios (0.03%-0.20%) are deducted monthly. Inflation adjusted at 2.8% annually to show purchasing power.
Historical dividend yields (1.5%-3.8%) are automatically reinvested monthly, compounding your returns over time.
Our simulation methodology follows academic research in quantitative finance and uses data patterns consistent with major financial institutions.
⚠️ Important Disclaimer - Not Financial Advice
For Educational Purposes Only: This simulator is designed for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Nothing on this website should be construed as a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any investment.
No Guarantees of Accuracy: While we use historical market data and sophisticated Monte Carlo methods, no simulation can accurately predict future market behavior. The projections shown are hypothetical illustrations based on past performance, which is not indicative of future results.
You Could Lose Money: All investments carry risk, including the potential loss of principal. The "typical" outcome shown represents only the median result—there is significant range of possible outcomes both better and worse. In some scenarios, you could lose a substantial portion of your investment.
Consult a Professional: Before making any investment decisions, we strongly recommend consulting with a qualified financial advisor, broker, or investment professional who can provide personalized advice based on your specific financial situation, goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon.