Tools
How much have I lost by not using a deposit?
The opportunity-cost calculator shows how much interest you give up by leaving cash on a current account instead of placing it in a deposit or investment. In a few clicks you can see the difference between "zero" return and a chosen interest rate over time. The result is informational.
Opportunity cost estimate
Notes and limitations
This calculator is an informational estimate (current account vs. deposit vs. ETF) and does not constitute financial advice.
- The deposit rate depends on the bank, amount, term and promotions, and may change.
- EURIBOR is a reference rate (not necessarily equal to deposit rates) and varies over time.
- ETF returns are not guaranteed; the value of the investment may also fall. The figure is a simplified estimate based on expected return and TER and does not include all costs.
- Taxes and other costs (e.g. tax on interest, capital gains, dividends) are not fully included.
ETF returns are not guaranteed; the value of an investment may also fall. The ETF figure is a simplified estimate based on expected return and annual costs (TER) and does not consider all costs, taxes, currency risk, dividends, or changes in market conditions. Taxation of ETF returns (e.g. capital gains, dividends) depends on the product and your circumstances; check current Slovenian rules.
Bank deposits (deposits, current account balances, savings books) of an individual investor in banks and savings institutions established in Slovenia are generally guaranteed up to a total of €100,000. In the event of unavailability of deposits or bank insolvency, the deposit guarantee scheme managed by Banka Slovenije provides payout typically within around 7–20 working days. ETF investments do not have such a guarantee and are therefore generally significantly riskier than bank deposits.
Why this calculator
Why work out your opportunity cost?
See what idle money costs
It shows how much you lose because money sits in a current account without interest instead of in a deposit or investment.
Decide where to put it
It helps you judge whether to move your savings to a better offer or spread them between a deposit and an investment.
See the effect over the years
A difference that is small in one year adds up to a noticeable amount over several years.
How it is calculated
How is the opportunity cost calculated?
Opportunity cost is the return you miss because money sits in a current account without interest. The calculator compares three options for the same amount and period: a current account with no interest, a deposit with simple interest, and an ETF with an expected annual return reduced by the fund's annual costs (TER), compounded every year.
Example: €10,000 for 5 years
| Option | Value after 5 years | Gain |
|---|---|---|
| Current account | €10,000 | €0 |
| Deposit at 2% a year | €11,000 | €1,000 |
| ETF at 7% a year, TER 0.2% | €13,895 | €3,895 |
Even a deposit earns €1,000 more than money left idle. An ETF has a higher expected return but also the risk that its value falls for a few years, so it suits money you will not need for a long time. Current bank rates are in the deposit comparison, and ETFs can be compared in the ETF comparison.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions about opportunity cost 5
How does the calculator work out the opportunity cost?
Are the ETF returns guaranteed?
Does the calculator take tax on interest into account?
What if my money is spread across several banks?
Why does the rate differ from the one I see at my bank?
Read next
