Frequently asked questions

Yes — every calculator, every guide, every scenario. The site is supported by display ads (Google AdSense). No accounts, no paywalls, no premium tiers, no upsells.

No. Snowballr never asks for sign-up. All calculations run locally in your browser — your inputs are not sent to our servers.

Snowballr is built and maintained by Alex Malinescu, an independent software engineer interested in personal finance education. We are not a brokerage, financial advisor, or product seller. Every statistic on the site is sourced from primary research (Trinity Study, Vanguard, NYU Stern, Yale Shiller, BLS, FDIC, IRS).

No. Snowballr is educational only. Calculator outputs are mathematically exact for the inputs you provide but assume stable rates and consistent contributions. Real-world returns vary. For decisions involving your specific situation, consult a fee-only fiduciary advisor whose registration you have verified through FINRA BrokerCheck or the SEC IAPD.

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No. We do not sell, share, or rent any data. Google AdSense uses cookies for ad personalization, which you can opt out of via Google Ad Settings.

Never. Emails go to Resend (our email provider) and are used only to send the monthly Snowballr newsletter. One-click unsubscribe is in every email.

For diversified stock portfolios over 20+ years, 7-8% nominal is a reasonable default. The S&P 500 has averaged ~10% historically (~7% real after inflation). Use lower rates for shorter horizons or balanced portfolios. Anything above 12% sustained is unrealistic.

No — the rate you enter is assumed net of fees and taxes. For taxable accounts, reduce your rate by 0.5-1% to approximate tax drag. For 401(k)s and IRAs, your stated rate works as-is. Always check your fund's expense ratio (target under 0.10% for index funds).

Every calculator has a Share button that copies a link encoding all your inputs. The recipient opens it and sees your exact projection — no sign-up needed.

Yes. Visit /embed for free embeddable widgets — copy a single line of HTML and the calculator appears on your blog or site. No attribution required.

Always capture employer 401(k) match first — that is a guaranteed 100% return. Then kill anything above 7-8% APR (credit cards). Below 5% APR (federal student loans, low-rate mortgage), invest instead. The 5-7% gray zone is a hybrid — split between debt and investing.

The 25× rule: portfolio target = 25 times your annual expenses. Spend $50K/year? Aim for $1.25M. Save 15-20% of gross income for traditional retirement at 65, or 40-50%+ for FIRE goals.

401(k) up to the employer match (always). Then max Roth IRA ($7,000/year in 2025). Then back to 401(k) up to its $23,000 limit. Then taxable brokerage. This order optimizes tax treatment for most income levels.

Avalanche (highest interest first) saves more money mathematically — usually $500-$3,000. Snowball (smallest balance first) has higher completion rates because early wins build momentum. If you have iron discipline, choose avalanche. If you have quit before, choose snowball.

Start with $1,000-$2,000 in a high-yield savings account. Then build to 3-6 months of expenses depending on job stability. Single-income households with dependents need 6+. Variable income (freelance, commission) needs 6-9. Keep it in HYSA, not stocks.

Use FINRA BrokerCheck (brokercheck.finra.org) for brokers and the SEC Investment Adviser Public Disclosure (adviserinfo.sec.gov) for registered investment advisers. Both are free and show licensing, employment history, and any disciplinary actions. If a person claims to manage investments but is in neither database, that itself is a major red flag.

Guaranteed high returns with low risk. Pressure to act fast. Unregistered investments (always verify with the SEC). Overly consistent returns regardless of market conditions. Difficulty receiving payments or accessing your money. Affinity targeting through your church, community, or workplace.