Why Most Wealth Calculators Give You False Comfort
Most wealth calculators assume a straight-line growth at your chosen rate. In reality, markets don't work that way. A 15% average return doesn't mean you get 15% every year—some years you might get +40%, others -20%. This volatility, combined with when you invest and withdraw, dramatically affects your actual wealth.
This is why your XIRR (Extended Internal Rate of Return) matters more than projected CAGR. XIRR accounts for the timing of every cash flow in your portfolio.