THE INTERACTIVE LEARNING COLLECTION
What Is This Really Costing Me?
Explore purchase costs, work hours and a hypothetical opportunity-cost illustration.
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Understand the numbers
Use 0% additional tax when the price already includes tax. An hourly value of 0 leaves work hours uncalculated.
Coffee · 10-YEAR COST
$18,250Under the assumptions entered, the 10-year purchase cost is $18,250. Estimated work hours: 730.
Understand the numbers. You decide what is worth it.
Another way to see the same amounts
Under the assumptions entered, the same cash amounts placed into a hypothetical investment produce $22,310 after 10 years. This includes $18,250 in contributions and $4,060 in hypothetical growth. It is an alternative illustration, not an additional purchase charge or a recommendation to invest.
Year-by-year figures
| Year | Purchase cost | Alternative investment value | Hypothetical growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| 1 | $1,825 | $1,858 | $33 |
| 2 | $3,650 | $3,791 | $141 |
| 3 | $5,475 | $5,801 | $326 |
| 4 | $7,300 | $7,891 | $591 |
| 5 | $9,125 | $10,065 | $940 |
| 6 | $10,950 | $12,326 | $1,376 |
| 7 | $12,775 | $14,677 | $1,902 |
| 8 | $14,600 | $17,122 | $2,522 |
| 9 | $16,425 | $19,665 | $3,240 |
| 10 | $18,250 | $22,310 | $4,060 |
What drives these figures?
Price × frequency × time gives recurring cost; the tax assumption increases each purchase amount. Cost ÷ take-home hourly earnings gives work hours. Return and timing affect only the alternative investment illustration.
Assumptions you can inspect
All amounts are CAD. Prices and frequency stay constant. A one-time purchase happens now and is not repeated; its monthly equivalent spreads only the first-year cost over 12 months. Recurring spending is converted to equal month-end contributions for the investment illustration, including daily, weekly and annual purchases. This smooths actual purchase dates. Returns compound monthly using an effective annual rate. Taxes on investment growth, investment fees, inflation, borrowing, resale value and non-financial benefits are excluded. Actual returns can be negative and differ materially.
These are user-entered assumptions, not current tax rates or forecasts. Inputs stay in this page and disappear when it is closed or refreshed.
Keep exploring
Spending concepts in Financial Literacy 101 →Vehicle financing and ownership costs →Housing and mortgage costs →Educational illustration only. This comparison does not determine which purchase or financial option is appropriate for you. Hypothetical returns are not guaranteed.