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Compare two modelled orders for allocating an unchanged monthly surplus between emergency cash and investments.
Restoring your saved emergency-fund comparison…
Sets the cash reserve target only.
Held constant throughout the projection.
−99.99% to 100%; not guaranteed.
0% to 20%; before tax.
The share link includes your entered amounts and return assumptions in an unencrypted URL.
Invest-first minus EF-first after 10 years
+£8,655
Invest-first has the higher modelled balance by £8,655 under these assumptions; it is not a recommendation.
Cash reserve plus investment balance at the end of each modelled year for each path; both begin with the same cash amount.
| Year | EF-first balance | Invest-first balance | Invest-first minus EF-first |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | £5,000 | £5,000 | £0 |
| 1 | £11,000 | £11,225 | £225 |
| 2 | £17,028 | £17,886 | £858 |
| 3 | £23,396 | £25,013 | £1,617 |
| 4 | £30,208 | £32,639 | £2,431 |
| 5 | £37,498 | £40,799 | £3,301 |
| 6 | £45,298 | £49,530 | £4,232 |
| 7 | £53,644 | £58,873 | £5,229 |
| 8 | £62,574 | £68,869 | £6,295 |
| 9 | £72,130 | £79,565 | £7,435 |
| 10 | £82,354 | £91,009 | £8,655 |
Separate ending balances for each path; the four bars are separate measures and are not one combined cashflow.
| Balance | Amount |
|---|---|
| EF-first cash reserve | £15,000 |
| EF-first investment balance | £67,354 |
| Invest-first cash reserve | £5,000 |
| Invest-first investment balance | £86,009 |
Navy marks your selected return; blue and purple distinguish lower and higher assumptions. Values are what-if comparisons, not probabilities or forecasts.
| Assumed annual investment return | Invest-first minus EF-first |
|---|---|
| -10% annual return | -£6,205 |
| 0% annual return | £0 |
| 7% annual return | £8,655 |
| 10% annual return | £14,078 |
Navy marks your selected target; blue and purple distinguish shorter and longer targets. Uses your entered surplus and gross cash rate.
| Cash target | Months |
|---|---|
| 3-month target | 5 |
| 6-month target | 20 |
| 9-month target | 35 |
Try a zero-return stress case, a negative return and a longer target, then compare the result with your immediate-access cash needs and expensive debt. Review the assumption rather than treating the difference as a promised opportunity cost.
UK gross nominal illustration; not a forecast or personal recommendation.
This UK scenario planner compares two gross cash-and-investment balance paths under a fixed assumed return. It does not decide whether you have enough cash or recommend a savings or investment product.
Monthly essential spending sets the selected cash target and is not subtracted from either projection. The model holds monthly surplus constant. EF-first moves starting cash above the selected target into investments, then fills any remaining target before investing new surplus. Invest-first leaves starting cash in cash and invests new surplus immediately. Contributions are applied before each month’s assumed return; the entered annual return is converted to an equivalent monthly rate.
The balances exclude debt, other assets, changes in spending, withdrawals, fees, tax, inflation, return volatility, sequence risk and account restrictions. A fixed return is a what-if assumption, not an expected or guaranteed return. A valid URL takes priority over functional-consent saved inputs, which take priority over the sample. Share links include the entered financial amounts and return assumptions. For a personal recommendation, speak to an appropriately authorised adviser.
GOV.UK signposts to MoneyHelper, the government-backed independent guidance service delivered by the Money and Pensions Service. FCA sources explain investment risk. None validates the calculator’s return assumptions or provides a personal recommendation.