Subscription & Recurring Expense Calculator

Find out what a recurring expense costs over years, and what that money could grow to if invested instead.

Your numbers

If invested instead$78,139
Total spent
$36,000
Growth you give up
$42,139
Yearly cost
$1,800
Spent vs invested
$0$20K$40K$60K$80K0369121518Spent · 0: $0.00Spent · 1: $1,800Spent · 2: $3,600Spent · 3: $5,400Spent · 4: $7,200Spent · 5: $9,000Spent · 6: $10,800Spent · 7: $12,600Spent · 8: $14,400Spent · 9: $16,200Spent · 10: $18,000Spent · 11: $19,800Spent · 12: $21,600Spent · 13: $23,400Spent · 14: $25,200Spent · 15: $27,000Spent · 16: $28,800Spent · 17: $30,600Spent · 18: $32,400Spent · 19: $34,200Spent · 20: $36,000Invested · 0: $0.00Invested · 1: $1,859Invested · 2: $3,852Invested · 3: $5,990Invested · 4: $8,281Invested · 5: $10,739Invested · 6: $13,374Invested · 7: $16,200Invested · 8: $19,230Invested · 9: $22,479Invested · 10: $25,963Invested · 11: $29,698Invested · 12: $33,704Invested · 13: $38,000Invested · 14: $42,606Invested · 15: $47,544Invested · 16: $52,840Invested · 17: $58,519Invested · 18: $64,608Invested · 19: $71,138Invested · 20: $78,139
  • Spent
  • Invested

How the subscription & recurring expense calculator works

Total cost = monthly cost × 12 × years. Opportunity cost is the future value of investing the same monthly amount at your assumed return.

Example

Using the default inputs (Monthly cost: $150; Years: 20; Investment return: 7%), the calculator returns if invested instead of $78,139. Change any field above to see your own result and charts update instantly.

Good for these goals

Frequently asked questions

Are small expenses worth cutting?

Cut the ones you do not value; $150 a month invested for 30 years can exceed $170,000.

Should I cancel everything?

No. Keep spending that adds real value to your life.

Related budgeting & everyday calculators

All Budgeting & Everyday →

Estimates are for educational purposes only and are not financial, tax or legal advice. Results depend on your inputs and simplified assumptions; tax figures reflect 2026 federal rules and may differ from your situation. See our disclaimer. © 2026 FinanzCalc.