Question 1

What is opportunity cost?

Accepted Answer

Opportunity cost is the potential benefit you miss out on when choosing one option over another. When you spend money on a purchase instead of investing it, the opportunity cost is the future value that money could have grown to through compound interest and market returns.

Question 2

How does the cooling-off timer help me save money?

Accepted Answer

The cooling-off timer encourages you to wait before making a purchase. Research shows that many impulse purchases are regretted within days. By adding items to your wishlist and waiting 24 hours, 48 hours, or 7 days, you give yourself time to decide if you truly need the item — while seeing exactly what that money could grow to if invested instead.

Question 3

How is the future value of my purchase calculated?

Accepted Answer

The calculator uses compound interest to project what your purchase amount would grow to if invested instead. It compounds monthly at your chosen annual return rate, and also shows an inflation-adjusted (real) value so you can see the true purchasing power difference. For example, $1,000 at 8% annual return grows to about $2,220 in 10 years before adjusting for inflation.

Opportunity Cost Calculator

Assumptions

Total Wishlist Cost

Future Value (FV) if Invested

True Cost (Opportunity Cost)

Growth Multiple

Cooling-Off Tracker

Growth if Invested Instead

Year-by-Year Breakdown