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 /widgets for free embeddable widgets. The generated snippet includes a visible Snowballr attribution link; keep it when using that snippet and review the current CC-BY terms on the widget page.

Consider capturing the full employer 401(k) match when you can do so without missing essential payments. The employer contribution is an immediate addition on eligible dollars, subject to vesting, taxes, fees and withdrawal rules. Then compare each debt rate with after-tax, risk-adjusted alternatives while keeping an emergency reserve.

A target of 25 times annual spending is equivalent to a 4% initial withdrawal assumption: $50,000 in annual spending gives a $1.25 million arithmetic target. It is not a guaranteed income level. A savings rate is personal; compare plans using your starting balance, timeline, contributions, costs, taxes and return assumptions.

401(k) up to the employer match (always). Then max Roth IRA ($7,500/year in 2026). Then back to 401(k) up to its $24,500 limit. Then taxable brokerage. This order optimizes tax treatment for most income levels.

Avalanche (highest interest first) minimizes interest when rates, fees and the payment budget are held constant. Snowball (smallest balance first) gives earlier account milestones that some people find easier to follow. Compare both schedules with the same inputs and choose the plan you can maintain.

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.