Income Growth Comparison
Software engineer in Barcelona · The steady builder
This page compares financial outcomes for a Software engineer living in Barcelona, Spain, following the The steady builder life scenario.
A balanced financial life built on predictable income growth, consistent saving, and long-term market participation. Progress comes from patience, stability, and compounding over time.
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 30 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% | 334,569 | 207,215 | 549,299 | 49% | 61 |
| 3% | 468,654 | 301,642 | 733,651 | 83% | 59 |
| 5% | 662,469 | 434,495 | 996,142 | 98% | 56 |
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