What is waiting actually costing you?
Every year you delay starting a savings plan, getting life insurance, or opening an RRSP has a real dollar cost. Most people think waiting a year or two doesn't matter. This calculator shows exactly what it costs — in numbers you can't ignore. No sign-up required.
$0
what waiting feels like it costs
$100,000+
what waiting actually costs over time
Today
the only day that costs nothing
Your Investment Profile
| Start Time | Years Invested | Final Value | Cost of Waiting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start Now | 35 years | $1,015,589 | - |
| Wait 1 Year | 34 years | $941,343 | Costs $74,246 |
| Wait 3 Years | 32 years | $807,529 | Costs $208,059 |
| Wait 5 Years | 30 years | $691,150 | Costs $324,438 |
| Wait 10 Years | 25 years | $462,290 | Costs $553,299 |
Growth Over Time
Waiting just ONE year costs you $74,246 by retirement. That's $6,187 per month of delay — the most expensive decision you'll ever make.
Every month you wait to invest costs you approximately $6,187 at retirement. That's $203 per day of delay.
The conversation most people wish they'd had sooner.
Age 25 vs Age 35
A 25-year-old who invests $400 per month at 6% until age 65 accumulates approximately $800,000. A 35-year-old doing the exact same thing accumulates approximately $400,000. Same contribution. Same return. Ten years difference. $400,000 gap.
Life insurance at 30 vs 40
A healthy 30-year-old can get $500,000 of term life insurance for approximately $25 per month. The same coverage at age 40 costs significantly more — and any health changes in those 10 years could affect insurability entirely.
RRSP contribution room
Every year you don't maximize your RRSP you leave tax-sheltered compounding on the table. Unused room carries forward — but the years of tax-free growth inside the account do not come back.
The real reasons people delay — and why none of them hold up.
"I'll do it when I earn more"
The habit of saving matters more than the amount. Starting with $200 per month today builds the habit and the account. Waiting for a raise means waiting forever.
"I'm too young to think about this"
Youth is your single biggest financial asset. Time in the market is more powerful than any other factor. Being young and starting now is the most advantageous financial position you can be in.
"I don't know enough yet"
You don't need to understand everything before you start. A free 30-minute call with Sarah costs nothing and answers every question. Waiting to learn more is just waiting with extra steps.
"I'll sort it out next month"
Next month has its own version of next month. The families Sarah speaks with who wish they'd started sooner all said the same thing — they were going to do it next month.