Key Data and Analysis
Five ETF fee decisions that look fine without the calculator — with real 20-year costs
| Decision | Feels Harmless Without Calc | Actual 20-Year Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Keep active fund (0.75%) without checking | It has done fine lately | $68,000 extra fees on $200K |
| Three overlapping S&P 500 ETFs | More diversified this way | $43,000 extra fees on $200K |
| Pay 1% AUM advisor for index portfolios | Worth the service | $143,000 extra fees on $300K |
| Hold dividend ETF in taxable (non-qualified income) | Just avoid REITs in taxable | $25,000-$45,000 in extra taxes on $200K |
| Never increase contributions despite income growth | Same amount is still investing | $180,000 in missed compounding |
📈The Calculator Changes Decisions
Of investors who calculate the actual 20-year dollar cost of a 0.72% expense ratio difference, approximately 85% switch to the lower-cost fund. Of those who never calculate it, most stay in high-fee funds indefinitely. The calculator is the decision tool.
Scenarios and Comparison
Fee reduction fixes with effort, annual savings, and 20-year impact
| Fix | Effort | Annual Savings | 20-Year Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Switch to 0.03% index fund | 15 minutes | $1,440 | $68,000 |
| Consolidate duplicate funds | 20 minutes | $720 | $43,000 |
| Move to fee-only advisor | 2 hours | $3,000 | $143,000 |
| Move non-qualified income to IRA | 1 hour | $1,200-$2,400 | $40,000-$80,000 |
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