Cost of bagged lunch

Average cost of bringing a bagged lunch from home. Make sure to include the total cost of your lunch. If you buy a drink (instead of packing it) make sure to include that amount here.

Eating out lunch price

Average price of your lunch when you buy your meal.

Number of bagged lunches per month

The number of lunches you will bring from home each month. The average number of working days in a month is about 20.

Expected rate of return

This is the annually compounded rate of return you expect from your investments. If you pay taxes on the interest, dividends or capital gains from these investments you may wish to enter your after-tax rate of return.

The actual rate of return is largely dependent on the types of investments you select. The Standard & Poor's 500® (S&P 500®) for the 10 years ending December 31^st 2022, had an annual compounded rate of return of 12.6%, including reinvestment of dividends. From January 1, 1970 to December 31^st 2022, the average annual compounded rate of return for the S&P 500®, including reinvestment of dividends, was approximately 10.7% (source: www.spglobal.com). Since 1970, the highest 12-month return was 61% (June 1982 through June 1983). The lowest 12-month return was -43% (March 2008 to March 2009). Savings accounts at a financial institution may pay as little as 0.25% or less but carry significantly lower risk of loss of principal balances.

It is important to remember that these scenarios are hypothetical and that future rates of return can't be predicted with certainty and that investments that pay higher rates of return are generally subject to higher risk and volatility. The actual rate of return on investments can vary widely over time, especially for long-term investments. This includes the potential loss of principal on your investment. It is not possible to invest directly in an index and the compounded rate of return noted above does not reflect sales charges and other fees that investment funds and/or investment companies may charge.

Years to save

The number of years you are going to save your lunch money.

Monthly savings

Total you should be able to save each month by bringing your lunches from home.