Dollar-Cost Averaging Simulator
Should you invest all at once, spread it out, or wait for a dip?
The Three Strategies
Lump Sum
Invest everything immediately. Your money is in the market for the maximum amount of time. Historically wins about 2/3 of the time because markets trend upward.
Risk: If the market drops right after you invest, it hurts psychologically — even if you recover later.
Dollar-Cost Averaging (DCA)
Invest equal amounts at regular intervals (e.g., $500/month). You buy more shares when prices are low, fewer when prices are high. Your average cost naturally adjusts.
Advantage: Reduces regret risk. You never put everything in at the worst possible time. Most people find this psychologically easier to sustain.
Market Timer
"I'll wait for a dip." In practice, this means sitting in cash while the market rises, then investing only after seeing clear upward momentum — usually after the recovery is well underway.
Reality: Missing the 10 best trading days over 20 years can cut your returns in half. The best days often come right after the worst days.
Run the Simulation
Pick a market scenario and see how each strategy performs with your money.
The real lesson: The best strategy is the one you'll actually follow.
Lump sum wins mathematically most of the time. But if a 20% drop after a lump sum investment makes you panic sell, DCA is better for you even if it's slightly less optimal on paper. Consistency beats optimization.