No competitor calculator asks this question. Every remittance tool out there shows you fees and exchange rates. None of them ask what happens if part of that money went to work for you first. This one does.
What portion would you invest instead?
If You Send 100% Home
$0
Total sent over the period
If You Invest 25% Instead
$0
Portfolio value at the end
Growth Over Time
Still sent home under this split
Investment portfolio value
Milestones
| Year | Still Sent Home | Invested Portfolio | Difference |
|---|
A Note on What This Tool Is Really Asking
This is not about choosing between family and yourself, that framing misses the point entirely. It is about the portion of what you send that could quietly become a second stream of support down the line, without touching the part that helps today. Diaspora remittances to Sub-Saharan Africa run well above $50 billion a year, money that keeps households running, pays school fees, and covers emergencies. None of that changes here. What this tool shows is what happens to the money left over once the fee is paid and the need is met, the part that, if redirected even partially, could grow into something that eventually sends itself.
The average cost of sending that money is also part of the story. At close to 8% per transfer, and considerably higher on some intra-African corridors, a meaningful share of every transfer never reaches its destination at all. Some of it is lost to fees. Some of it, once it arrives, is lost to circumstances entirely outside your control. Building an investment alongside what you send is one way to create a second, more protected stream that stays under your own hand.
See Your Own Numbers
Adjust the sliders above with your real monthly amount and see what changes.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does this mean I should send less money home?
Not necessarily. This tool is meant to show what is possible with a portion of what you send, many people use it to decide whether they have any room at all to redirect a small percentage, not to reduce support for family.
Where does the 7.9% fee figure come from?
It reflects the World Bank's tracked average cost of sending remittances to Sub-Saharan Africa. Actual fees vary significantly by provider and corridor, some routes run well above this, others below it.
What return rate should I use?
8% is a commonly cited long-term average for a diversified stock portfolio, though actual returns vary year to year and are never guaranteed. Try adjusting the slider to see how sensitive the outcome is to this assumption.
Is investing instead of remitting realistic for someone supporting family?
For many people, no, the full amount is needed today. This is exactly why the tool works in percentages rather than all-or-nothing, even 10% can compound meaningfully over years without disrupting support.
Does this calculator account for currency exchange rates?
No, it focuses purely on the dollar amount sent versus invested. Exchange rate movements between sending and receiving currencies are a separate factor worth considering alongside this comparison.
What counts as a good split percentage to start with?
There is no universal answer, it depends entirely on your own obligations and cash flow. Many people starting out use this tool to test 10% or 20% first, since smaller splits are easier to sustain consistently.
Can I use this if my income is irregular?
Yes, treat the monthly amount as an average across a typical month. The underlying math works the same way whether your income is steady or variable.
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