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A household choice

Rule of 115 as of 115

Near spending phases, hold a cash/bond buffer sized in years of withdrawals, not vibes. Restore the last inputs for Rule of 115: “Name the cash flows” and 115 in one session. Periodic growth rate — always ask gross vs net, nominal vs real.

Rule of 115 sits in the foundations family of this atlas: mechanisms first, products second, hype never. Use the calculator for scenarios, then return to the section pages when you want the vocabulary behind the curve. No. Tool-Lifes pages are educational atlases. Decisions need your goals, constraints and, when appropriate, a licensed adviser.

Do I need a high return for compounding to matter? Higher net rates help, but time and contributions often dominate — especially early. Costs and behaviour can erase a “good” rate. Treat outputs as scenario sketches. Vary contribution, rate, fees and inflation to see which lever moves your goal date.

Always ask whether a figure is nominal or real. A high nominal path can still lose purchasing power. No. Illustrations use round teaching numbers. Markets, inflation and taxes change. In the net rate that compounds. Expense ratios, advice charges and spreads all reduce terminal wealth.

Keep the name, the year, and 115. “Name the cash flows” is why those three stay. Restore the last inputs for Rule of 115: “Name the cash flows” and 115 in one session. 115115

Figures to keep

Year of the rule
115
Figure in the sum
115
Item
Rule of 115
Reason kept
Name the cash flows

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