Income Growth Comparison
Software engineer in Barcelona · Starting late
This page compares financial outcomes for a Software engineer living in Barcelona, Spain, following the Starting late life scenario.
A financial life that begins later, leaving fewer years for compounding to work. Success relies on disciplined saving, steady income, and sustained focus over a shorter horizon.
Barcelona combines a broad service and tech market with elevated living costs relative to the Spanish national average.
The comparison focuses on how changing the Income growth (annual) influences long-term results, while all other assumptions remain constant.
Simulation Overview
Base scenario assumptions
- The simulation starts at age 40 and runs until age 65.
- The initial annual labor income is €27,216.
- Labor income grows annually at an average rate of 4%.
- A labor income tax rate of 30% is applied to gross earnings.
- The saving rate is set to 20%.
- Minimum annual living expenses are €13,920.
- Savings are invested with stochastic annual returns.
- The average annual return is 5%, with year-to-year variability.
- All values are expressed in real terms, assuming average annual inflation of 2%.
- The simulation includes stochastic life events such as unemployment, and health issue.
- These events may temporarily affect income, expenses, or net worth.
- Financial independence is defined as having net worth equal to 25 times annual expenses.
- Bankruptcy is triggered if net worth remains below €0 for 2 consecutive years.
Scenario Comparison
Results are shown as a realistic range. P10 represents a pessimistic outcome, while P90 represents an optimistic outcome. Most simulations fall between these two values.
| Scenario | Median Net Worth | P10 Net Worth | P90 Net Worth | FI Probability | FI Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1% | 175,616 | 114,658 | 258,011 | 1% | 64 |
| 3% | 226,218 | 153,591 | 323,193 | 7% | 64 |
| 5% | 288,366 | 202,640 | 408,377 | 27% | 63 |
How Your Financial Life Evolves
These charts show how each scenario affects long-term outcomes, including expected wealth, downside risk, and the likelihood of achieving financial independence.
Net Worth Median
Net Worth Range
Fi Probability
Fi Median Age