ProjectionLab: The Tool I Use to Plan My Financial Future

When you start getting serious about investing, financial independence, or retirement, it's easy to get lost in spreadsheets, return assumptions, and oversimplified calculators.

For a long time, I searched for a tool that could answer concrete questions like:

• When could I reach financial independence?

• What would happen if my income dropped?

• Can I buy property without jeopardizing my retirement?

• What happens if I work less?

• How much can I spend each year?

• Should I invest more or pay off debt instead?

• What would be the impact of moving abroad or relocating?

That's how I discovered ProjectionLab, a financial planning application I've been using regularly for several years now.

After testing it and integrating it into my own financial thinking, I want to share a complete and honest review of ProjectionLab: what the tool actually does, what I particularly appreciate about it, its limitations, and who it's really designed for.

Disclosure: this article contains an affiliate link. If you sign up for ProjectionLab through my link, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This doesn't affect my personal opinion of the app.

What Is ProjectionLab?

ProjectionLab is a financial modeling and retirement planning tool.

Unlike a simple spreadsheet showing the future value of a portfolio, the app lets you map out different life stages and see their financial consequences over several decades.

You can model, among other things:

• your professional income;

• your everyday expenses;

• your savings;

• your investments;

• your real estate holdings;

• your debts;

• your rental income;

• your retirement;

• career changes;

• family plans;

• major purchases;

• gifts or estate planning.

The goal isn't to predict the future with certainty. It's about building a realistic model, then testing different scenarios to better understand the possible consequences of your decisions.

ProjectionLab offers net worth projections, Monte Carlo simulations, historical backtesting, cash flow projections, alternative scenarios, and—with the Premium plan—more advanced features related to taxes, withdrawals, and estate planning. (projectionlab.com)

Why I've Been Using ProjectionLab for Years

The main reason I keep coming back to ProjectionLab is its ability to turn abstract decisions into visual results.

Saying "I should probably work another ten years" stays pretty vague. But visualizing several scenarios lets you actually compare:

• retiring at 50, 55, or 60;

• cutting back on working hours;

• higher spending;

• a market downturn;

• moving to another country;

• buying a primary residence;

• a period without income;

• gradually increasing your savings rate.

This approach helps me think more clearly. It also keeps me from making a decision based purely on a gut feeling or an isolated number.

ProjectionLab has become, for me, a tool for ongoing reflection and tracking—not just a one-time calculator I used once and forgot about.

Key Features of ProjectionLab

1. Visualizing your net worth over time

The app lets you see projected changes in:

• net worth;

• financial assets;

• debts;

• income;

• expenses;

• savings rate;

• cash flow;

• available funds at different life stages.

This visualization is especially useful when you want to understand the effect of compound interest or the impact of adjusting your lifestyle.

It also helps distinguish between two concepts that often get confused:

• the value of your net worth;

• your actual ability to fund future expenses.

A large net worth doesn't necessarily mean early retirement is possible. It all depends on how your assets are structured, their liquidity, the income they generate, and your spending level.

2. Creating "what if" scenarios

This is probably one of the most interesting features.

You can create different scenarios and compare the outcomes. For example:

• What happens if I increase my savings rate by 10%?

• What if I switch to part-time work?

• What's the impact of taking a sabbatical year?

• What happens to my plan if returns come in lower than expected?

• Can I buy a home while still hitting my retirement goal?

• What's the effect of moving abroad?

• What if my expenses go up in retirement?

ProjectionLab lets you test the trade-offs between spending now, saving, and future freedom.

3. Using financial milestones

Milestones let you add important events to your plan, such as:

• reaching financial independence;

• buying property or a new car every 10 years;

• having a child;

• funding education;

• a career change;

• early retirement;

• a net worth target;

• relocating;

• an extended travel period.

These milestones make the model feel more realistic. Financial planning isn't just about investing every month until a set age—life has different phases, each with its own income, expenses, and priorities.

4. Analyzing cash flow

ProjectionLab offers cash flow visualizations, including Sankey-style diagrams.

These charts show how money flows through your model:

• professional income;

• taxes;

• expenses;

• investments;

• debt repayments;

• savings;

• withdrawals;

• rental income.

This feature is handy for spotting periods when your plan is stretched thin—or, on the flip side, periods when your savings capacity really opens up.

5. Stress-testing a plan

ProjectionLab offers several ways to put a plan to the test:

• Monte Carlo simulations;

• backtesting against historical periods;

• return assumptions;

• volatility scenarios;

• adjustments to spending levels;

• unexpected events;

• flexible spending rules.

The "probability of success" metric can be useful for comparing strategies. That said, it should be read as a statistical indicator, not a guarantee.

A 90% success rate doesn't mean you have an exact 90% chance of a successful retirement. The result depends entirely on the assumptions you choose: returns, inflation, life expectancy, spending, taxes, and market behavior.

6. Factoring in taxes

The Premium version offers more advanced tax features, including tax estimates, effective rate analysis, and certain optimization strategies.

This can be useful for modeling:

• gradual withdrawals;

• income from multiple sources;

• capital gains;

• account conversions or transfers;

• decumulation strategies;

• the potential impact of moving to a different country.

For readers living in France, Cyprus, or elsewhere in Europe, some caution is warranted. A simulation tool is no substitute for personalized tax analysis.

Tax rules are complex and depend on many factors:

• your tax residency;

• the type of income;

• the country of origin of your investments;

• tax treaties;

• the type of account;

• your family situation;

• the rules in effect for the given year.

ProjectionLab can help you think through and compare assumptions, but any tax conclusions should be validated with a qualified professional.

Is ProjectionLab Suitable for Expats and French Speakers?

Yes, but with some caveats.

The app lets you choose your currency and offers several international configurations. The official website mentions templates and settings for different countries, as well as international account types.

For expats, ProjectionLab can be useful for modeling:

• income from multiple countries;

• a change of residency;

• a transition period between two countries;

• rental income;

• assets spread across several jurisdictions;

• a retirement plan abroad;

• changes in cost of living.

In Cyprus specifically, you shouldn't automatically treat the projections as a definitive tax calculation. The model can serve as a starting point for reflection, but the parameters need to be checked and adapted to your personal situation.

The Strengths of ProjectionLab

A pleasant interface

The interface is modern, fast, clear, and far more enjoyable to use than most financial spreadsheets.

The charts make information easier to grasp, even as the model becomes fairly detailed.

A lot of modeling freedom

ProjectionLab lets you tailor the model to a wide range of personal situations. You can add different income streams, expenses, events, and life stages.

A tool well suited to FIRE

The app is particularly relevant for people interested in:

• financial independence;

• early retirement;

• semi-retirement;

• phased retirement;

• long-term investing;

• optimizing their savings rate.

No mandatory bank account connections

One thing I really appreciate is that ProjectionLab doesn't require you to link your financial accounts directly. Data is entered manually, which can be reassuring if you're privacy-conscious.

A free version

ProjectionLab offers a free Basic plan that includes projections, Monte Carlo simulations, historical backtesting, and flexible modeling.

This lets you try out the tool before committing to a subscription.

The Limitations of ProjectionLab

It takes time to learn

Even with a pleasant interface, ProjectionLab remains a powerful tool. You'll need to spend some time understanding:

• assumptions;

• accounts;

• events;

• spending rules;

• scenarios;

• simulation results.

Beginners can sometimes feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of available parameters.

Results are only as good as the data you enter

ProjectionLab can't produce a meaningful projection if the assumptions behind it are unrealistic.

Results depend heavily on:

• estimated spending level;

• chosen inflation rate;

• assumed returns;

• taxes;

• life expectancy;

• future income;

• portfolio composition.

It's better to build several scenarios—conservative, central, and optimistic—rather than relying on a single projection.

It's not personalized financial advice

ProjectionLab is a simulation tool. It doesn't know every detail of your situation and shouldn't be used as automatic validation for a major decision.

It can help you ask better questions, prepare for a meeting with an advisor, and better understand the possible consequences of a given strategy.

Some features are Premium-only

The free version is enough to explore the app and build a first projection. However, advanced features—tax optimization, detailed analysis, estate planning, multiple scenarios, and downloadable reports—require the Premium plan.

How Much Does ProjectionLab Cost?

As of July 30, 2026, ProjectionLab offers the following plans:

Basic: Free — Projections, modeling, Monte Carlo, backtesting

Premium: $129/year — Taxes, cash flow, optimization, advanced scenarios, estate planning

Pro: $549/year — Features designed for advisors and coaches

Prices and terms may change, so it's best to check the official page before subscribing.

Who Is ProjectionLab For?

I particularly recommend ProjectionLab to people who:

• want to retire earlier;

• want to track their progress toward financial independence;

• enjoy understanding their finances in detail;

• are considering a move abroad;

• want to compare different life scenarios;

• are looking for a more complete alternative to a spreadsheet;

• want to visualize the impact of their financial decisions.

The app is probably less suited to someone looking purely for:

• an automatic expense-tracking tool;

• a banking app;

• accounting software;

• personalized investment recommendations;

• a quick retirement calculation without entering detailed data.

My Final Take

After several years of regular use, ProjectionLab remains one of the most useful tools in my financial toolkit.

What I appreciate most isn't just the apparent precision of the charts. It's the ability to test different versions of your financial life and quickly see which choices actually move the needle.

The app helps you move beyond purely theoretical thinking. Instead of simply asking whether you're "saving enough," you can compare several paths:

• working longer;

• cutting expenses;

• investing more;

• moving to another country;

• buying versus renting;

• taking a career break;

• easing into retirement gradually.

ProjectionLab doesn't predict the future and doesn't replace a financial or tax advisor. But it's an excellent tool for better understanding your situation, preparing your decisions, and building a more coherent financial plan.

My verdict: ProjectionLab is particularly valuable for investors, expats, FIRE enthusiasts, and anyone who wants to plan their financial future with more clarity.

How to Try

You can discover ProjectionLab and get started here:

👉 Try ProjectionLab with my partner link

If you'd like guidance in getting up to speed with the tool, you can also reach out to me to arrange a personalized coaching session.

I can help you:

• create your first plan;

• structure your income and expenses;

• add your investments;

• build multiple scenarios;

• understand the charts;

• interpret the "probability of success" metric;

• model a relocation abroad;

• avoid common setup mistakes.

FAQ

Is ProjectionLab free?

Yes. ProjectionLab offers a free Basic plan that includes financial projections, flexible modeling, Monte Carlo simulations, and historical backtesting. Advanced features are available with the Premium plan.

Does ProjectionLab replace a financial advisor?

No. ProjectionLab is a simulation and financial education tool. It can help you better understand your scenarios, but it doesn't provide personalized financial, tax, or legal advice.

Can I use ProjectionLab if I live abroad?

Yes, the app supports multiple currencies and certain international scenarios. However, tax settings need to be carefully checked, especially for expats whose income, investments, and tax obligations span multiple countries.

Objectif Chypre

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