Year-by-year
| Year | Contributed | Gain | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 34,000 | 1,461 | 35,461 |
| 2 | 58,000 | 4,703 | 62,703 |
| 3 | 82,000 | 9,853 | 91,853 |
| 4 | 106,000 | 17,044 | 123,044 |
| 5 | 130,000 | 26,417 | 156,417 |
| 6 | 154,000 | 38,127 | 192,127 |
| 7 | 178,000 | 52,337 | 230,337 |
| 8 | 202,000 | 69,221 | 271,221 |
| 9 | 226,000 | 88,967 | 314,967 |
| 10 | 250,000 | 111,775 | 361,775 |
| 11 | 274,000 | 137,860 | 411,860 |
| 12 | 298,000 | 167,451 | 465,451 |
| 13 | 322,000 | 200,793 | 522,793 |
| 14 | 346,000 | 238,149 | 584,149 |
| 15 | 370,000 | 279,800 | 649,800 |
| 16 | 394,000 | 326,046 | 720,046 |
| 17 | 418,000 | 377,210 | 795,210 |
| 18 | 442,000 | 433,636 | 875,636 |
| 19 | 466,000 | 495,691 | 961,691 |
| 20 | 490,000 | 563,770 | 1,053,770 |
DCA vs Lump-sum
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CAGR from known values, or future value from monthly contributions
Retirement
Project nest egg + monthly income using the 4% safe withdrawal rule
Savings Goal
Monthly required to hit a target — or time required at current rate
Inflation
Future value, past value, and salary needed to keep up with inflation
Frequently asked questions
DCA is buying a fixed amount of an investment at regular intervals — every month, every paycheck — regardless of price. When prices are high you buy fewer units; when low you buy more. Over time it smooths out your average buy-in price and removes the temptation to time the market.
Mathematically, lump-sum usually wins about 67% of the time (Vanguard's 2012 study) because markets rise more often than they fall. But DCA wins on behavior — it stops you panic-selling in crashes and chasing tops in booms. For most people, the behavior gap matters more than the mathematical edge.
S&P 500 has returned ~10% nominal / ~7% real (after inflation) since 1928. Global equities slightly lower. Plug in whatever you'd be comfortable with as a long-term assumption — and use a number 2-3 points lower for any goal you'd hate to miss.
Yes. Common routes: international brokers (Interactive Brokers, Saxo, Sarwa), local platforms (ADCB Securities, EFG Hermes, NBD Markets), or direct from a US broker if you can fund USD. You'll need passport/residence visa/Emirates ID for KYC. Withholding tax on US dividends is 30% (or 15% with a W-8BEN form for some treaty rates).
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