Start with one “what if?”

Could I stop working earlier?

1. Enter your current finances and a baseline stop-work age. Review returns, inflation and taxes.
2. Save the scenario with a clear name, such as “Work to 60.”
3. Save a new version, such as “Work to 55,” and change only the stop-work age.
4. Compare the first funding shortfall, assets before retirement-account access, and the portfolio at the plan’s end.
5. Try a lower return or a less favorable sample path. Check how much the answer depends on the return assumption.

Stopping work and accessing retirement accounts are separate decisions. A large retirement balance does not necessarily fund spending before an account can be accessed.

How would a home purchase change my plan?

1. Start with a saved baseline that includes your existing housing costs.
2. Add a one-time withdrawal for the down payment and closing costs at the purchase age.
3. Model a new mortgage with a loan event or model the additional payment as an expense event. Avoid counting it through both methods.
4. Include property tax, insurance, maintenance and other housing costs in the appropriate expense inputs.
5. If you model proceeds from selling a home, enter only the net amount after debt repayment and selling costs.

If your base spending already includes the old mortgage, adjust that spending or model only the incremental change. The tool does not automatically remove the old payment or add a home’s market value to your portfolio.

What will childcare do to my savings?

For illustration, a $1,400 monthly expense over five full modeled years represents $84,000 before inflation and other effects. Enter a recurring life event for the relevant ages and choose the right dollar basis. Because both event ages count, ages 35 through 39 cover five modeled years; 35 through 40 cover six.

For a second child with different dates, use another event. If childcare is already included in base monthly spending, remove the duplicate amount before adding the event. Compare the temporary reduction in saving and its longer-term effect on investments.

How do I compare an inheritance or sale proceeds?

Keep uncertain income out of your baseline. Make a separate scenario with an incoming lump sum at a chosen age and enter the net amount available to invest. Compare it with the baseline so the difference is clear.

A scenario can explore an uncertain event; it does not establish that the money will arrive, or calculate the taxes on a business sale or inheritance for you.