Pick a goal above — car, house, education, or anything you're saving for
We'll show you exactly how much to invest every month to get there.
Goal-based investing means assigning every rupee a purpose — a car, a house, your child's education. Instead of generic "wealth creation," each goal gets its own timeline, instrument type, and SIP amount. This approach keeps you disciplined because you're investing for something you can picture.
Most calculators use a generic 6% inflation rate for everything. But different goals inflate at very different rates — using the wrong rate can make you under-save by lakhs. This calculator uses category-specific rates based on data from RBI CPI, MOSPI, NHB Residex, SIAM, NSSO/AISHE, and industry reports.
| Goal | Inflation Rate | Source / Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Car | +5.5%/yr | SIAM vehicle price data, GST escalation |
| Bike | +5.0%/yr | Fuel + manufacturing cost trends |
| House / Flat | +7.5%/yr | NHB Residex, Knight Frank India |
| Child's Education | +11.0%/yr | NSSO/AISHE private education data |
| Child's Marriage | +8.5%/yr | Gold (8%), catering (7-10%), venue (8-12%) |
| Smartphone | -2.0%/yr | IDC India — same-spec tier deflation |
| Camera | -1.5%/yr | Tech commoditization trend |
| Travel | +6.5%/yr | DGCA airfare index + hotel CPI |
| Business Setup | +6.0%/yr | Commercial rent + labour CPI |
| General (Other) | +6.0%/yr | RBI CPI headline average |
The golden rule: shorter timeline = lower risk instrument. This calculator automatically picks the right instrument type based on how many years you have. No specific fund names are recommended — only instrument types (SEBI-safe).
| Timeline | Instrument Type | Expected Return | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| < 1 year | Liquid Fund | 6–7% | Low |
| 1–3 years | Short Duration Debt Fund | 7–8% | Low |
| 3–5 years | Hybrid / Flexi Cap Fund | 11–13% | Medium |
| 5–7 years | Index Fund (Large Cap) | 12–14% | Med–High |
| 7–10 years | Index Fund + Gold ETF (85:15) | 12–14% | Med–High |
| 10+ years | Index Fund + Gold ETF (85:15) | 12–14% | Med–High |
Expected returns are based on 10–20 year historical data. Actual returns may vary. Source: AMFI, NSE, RBI.
All calculations use standard finance formulas. Here's exactly how each number is computed:
Deflation is when prices decrease over time. Technology products deflate because manufacturing gets more efficient and competition drives prices down. That ₹80,000 smartphone today might cost ₹75,000 next year. For deflating goals, waiting is actually a valid strategy — unlike inflating goals where every month of delay costs you money.
Every year you delay, compounding works against you in two ways: (1) inflation increases your target amount, and (2) you have fewer years for your investments to grow. For a ₹5L car goal at 5.5% inflation over 5 years, the monthly SIP is ~₹8,000. Delay by just 2 years and it jumps to ~₹11,500 — that's ₹3,500 more per month for the same car, just because you waited.
If you have a large amount ready — lumpsum gives you more time for compounding. If you earn monthly income — SIP is practical and benefits from rupee cost averaging. For most people, SIP is the answer because lumpsum requires having a large amount upfront. Both are shown in this calculator so you can compare.
Returns shown are pre-tax historical estimates — actual returns may vary based on market conditions. Tax on capital gains (LTCG at 12.5% for equity above ₹1.25L, slab rate for debt) may reduce effective returns. Inflation rates are based on historical category data and may change. No specific fund names, stock names, or securities are recommended. Consult a SEBI-registered investment advisor before making investment decisions.
It uses category-specific inflation rates, not a generic number. Education inflates at ~11%/yr, real estate at ~7.5%, cars at ~5.5%. Electronics actually deflate at ~2%/yr. The rate is auto-set when you pick a goal but fully editable.
Because different sectors inflate at different speeds. Healthcare and education costs rise 2-3x faster than general CPI. Electronics prices fall due to manufacturing efficiency. Using a flat 6% for everything would make you under-save for education and over-save for gadgets.
Yes, the inflation slider is fully editable. The auto-set rate is based on historical averages. If you believe rates will differ, adjust freely. For conservative planning, increase the rate by 1-2%.
Purely based on your timeline. Under 1 year gets liquid funds (capital protection). 3-5 years gets hybrid funds (balanced). 7+ years gets index funds (maximum growth). No specific fund names are recommended — only instrument types.
Enter your existing savings and the SIP adjusts automatically. Your savings grow at the instrument's expected return rate, reducing how much your SIP needs to cover. Even a small head start significantly reduces the monthly SIP needed.
No — returns shown are historical estimates, not guarantees. Equity markets can be volatile in the short term. The expected return ranges are based on 10-20 year CAGR historical data. For critical goals, consider saving 10-15% more than the calculated SIP.
SIP for most people — it's practical with monthly income. Lumpsum works if you have a windfall (bonus, inheritance). SIP also benefits from rupee cost averaging in volatile markets.
For electronics, waiting can genuinely save you money. A ₹80,000 phone today might cost ₹75,000 next year. But consider the utility you miss by waiting. The calculator shows both scenarios so you can decide.
Yes — the calculator recommends liquid funds or short-term FDs for goals under 1 year. Capital protection is the priority for short timelines. Don't put money in equity if you need it within 12 months.
They're estimates based on constant annual inflation. Real inflation fluctuates year to year. The projections give you a directional understanding — the exact future cost will differ. Use them for planning, not as precise predictions.
The best time to start investing for your goal was yesterday. The second best time is today.
Explore more calculators people love