The Future tab on your dashboard shows a projection of your net worth into the future. It's based entirely on your real historical data - not assumptions or generic benchmarks.
NetFiscus looks at your historical net worth data and calculates two things:
These two numbers feed a simple compound growth formula. Each projected year takes the previous year's value, applies the return rate, and adds the annual contribution:
Year[n] = Year[n-1] x (1 + return rate) + annual contribution
This is applied year by year into the future, giving a realistic trajectory based on how your finances have actually behaved.
The projection appears as an area chart on your dashboard. Historical data shows as a solid line, and projected data continues as a dashed line. The two connect at your most recent data point, so the transition is clear.
Above the chart, a plain-language explanation describes the projection: your current return rate, contribution level, and how many years ahead it projects. A table view is also available, with projected rows clearly marked.
In Future mode, the chart shows net worth only - the individual asset and debt breakdown is hidden to keep the view focused on the overall trajectory.
The projection starts with values calculated from your data, but all three parameters can be adjusted to explore different scenarios:
| Setting | Range | Default |
|---|---|---|
| Return rate | -50% to +50% | Calculated from history |
| Annual contribution | Any amount | Calculated from history |
| Projection years | 1 to 100 | 20 |
Each value can be edited directly in the chart header. Changes update the projection immediately. A reset button appears when any value has been modified, restoring everything back to the calculated defaults.
This makes it easy to ask "what if" questions: what if returns slow down? What if contributions increase? What does a longer time horizon look like?
The projection needs at least two years of historical data to calculate meaningful return and contribution rates. If there isn't enough data yet, the Future tab is disabled with a note explaining why.
If the return rate can't be reliably calculated, a default of 5% is used as a starting point. This can always be adjusted manually.
The projection is a mathematical extrapolation of past behaviour, not a prediction. Markets change, contributions change, life changes. The value is in seeing the trajectory and understanding how different inputs affect the outcome - not in treating any single projection as a guarantee.
