Monthly Investment Calculator — Canada
See how a monthly investment grows over time at Canada's historical returns. No signup, no tracking.
Where to invest in Canada
TFSA limit C$7k/yr (2026), RRSP up to 18% of income. TSX long-term ≈ 7–9%. S&P 500 via VFV or XUS. Platforms: Wealthsimple, Questrade, TD Direct Investing.
Returns are long-term historical averages, not guarantees - markets fall as well as rise. Invest for the long term and diversify.
The power of compounding
Investing $10,000 per month for 15 years at 8% p.a.:
- Future value: $3,483,451
- Total invested: $1,800,000
- Estimated gains: $1,683,451
That is roughly 1.9× your money - most of it from compounding. Scale the $10,000 to your own monthly amount, and remember that starting earlier matters more than investing more.
How to start - and stay - invested in Canada
- Automate a fixed monthly amount so you invest through good months and bad.
- Start small; you can raise the amount as your income grows.
- Favour low-cost, diversified funds over picking individual stocks.
- Stay invested through market dips - time in the market beats timing the market.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a monthly investment work in Canada?
You invest a fixed amount each month into funds or an index. You buy more units when prices are low and fewer when high (cost averaging), and returns compound over time.
What return can I expect in Canada?
Long-term historical equity returns are around 8% per year here, though any single year can be sharply up or down. TFSA limit C$7k/yr (2026), RRSP up to 18% of income. TSX long-term ≈ 7–9%. S&P 500 via VFV or XUS. Platforms: Wealthsimple, Questrade, TD Direct Investing.
How much do I need to start investing in Canada?
Most platforms let you start small and increase later. Setting up an automatic monthly investment builds discipline and smooths out market timing.
Should I invest a lump sum or monthly in Canada?
Investing monthly spreads your entry across market ups and downs (cost averaging) and is easier to budget. A lump sum can do better in a steadily rising market but carries more timing risk.
Is investing better than a fixed deposit in Canada?
Investing targets higher long-term growth but carries market risk; fixed deposits are safer but usually return less. Many people hold both, matched to their time horizon.