Webinar visualOpportunity Cost Series
Phase 2 · How to Fund College Without Sacrificing Long-Term Wealth Growth — stock market
Saved for 18 Years. Gone in 4.
You save from zero while the kids grow up — $300,000 by year 18. Then college spends it down to nothing. Left invested, that same $300,000 would have followed the market: the same actual S&P 500 returns as Phase 1 (1995–2024), then a projected 10% average out to year 60.
Saved after 0 years
$0
Your college savings$0
Illustration: level yearly savings at a steady 10% reach $300,000 in year 18; college spends $75,000 a year for four years. The "could have been" path follows S&P 500 total returns 1995–2024 (dividends reinvested, no fees or taxes) through year 48, then a projected 10% average through year 60; the month-to-month line is illustrative. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Drag the gold handle, use ← → keys, or press Play. PageDown / PageUp moves between phases.