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How do I create and compare scenarios

Cameron Drury avatar
Written by Cameron Drury
Updated over a week ago

What is Scenario Comparison?

Scenario Comparison lets you select multiple scenarios and view their financial projections together. Use it to evaluate different strategies, assumptions, or life events.

How to Access Scenario Comparison

  1. Go to your Scenarios page (where you manage all scenarios).

  1. Select 2–3 scenarios using the checkboxes in the scenario list.

  1. Click the "Compare Scenarios" button that appears when you have 2 or more selected.

  1. The comparison modal opens with your selected scenarios.

Note: You can compare up to 3 scenarios at once. The feature is available based on your subscription tier.

Understanding the Comparison Views

The comparison modal has five tabs:

1. Overview Tab

The Overview tab includes:

  • AI Summary (experimental): A summary of key differences between scenarios.

  • Comparison Statistics Table: Metrics organized into sections:

  • Milestones: When each scenario reaches your defined milestones

  • Net Worth: Net worth at end of plan, at retirement, and at retirement excluding primary residence

  • Financial Wellness: Debt-free age, out of liquid cash age

  • Cashflow: Total lifetime income and spending

  • Debt, Taxes & Super: Lifetime tax paid, total debt repayments, superannuation balance at retirement

Each metric highlights the best-performing scenario(s) with color coding and background highlighting.

2. Net Worth Tab

Shows net worth over time:

  • Chart: Net worth trends for all scenarios

  • Year-by-Year Table: Values grouped by decade, with the best-performing scenario highlighted when differences are significant

3. Assets Tab

Shows asset breakdown:

  • Chart: Total asset values over time

  • Expandable Year-by-Year Table:

  • Expand each year to see asset types (Property, Cash, Superannuation, etc.)

  • Expand each asset type to see individual assets

  • Primary residence is marked

4. Liabilities Tab

Shows liability breakdown:

  • Chart: Total liability values over time

  • Expandable Year-by-Year Table:

  • Expand each year to see liability types (Mortgage, Credit Card, HELP Debt, etc.)

  • Expand each type to see individual liabilities

  • Lower values are highlighted as better

5. Cashflow Tab

Shows cashflow over time:

  • Chart: Cashflow trends for all scenarios

  • Year-by-Year Table: Annual cashflow values grouped by decade

Color Coding

Each scenario has a color:

  • Scenario 1: Blue

  • Scenario 2: Green

  • Scenario 3: Orange

These colors appear in charts, tables, and scenario labels.

Highlighting Best Performers

The comparison highlights the best-performing scenario(s) when differences are meaningful:

  • For metrics where higher is better (net worth, income): highest value is highlighted

  • For metrics where lower is typically considered better (debt, taxes): lowest value is highlighted

  • Highlighting appears when differences exceed thresholds (e.g., $1,000 for currency, 1% for percentages)

Nominal vs Real Dollars

Data Availability

  • When comparing scenarios with different Start / End Years, Years outside a scenario’s plan period show "—"

  • Only years within each scenario’s date range display values

Tips for Effective Comparison

  • Compare Similar Scenarios: Compare scenarios with similar assumptions to isolate specific differences.

  • Use Descriptive Labels: Name scenarios clearly (e.g., "Retire at 60", "Retire at 65").

  • Check Multiple Metrics: Review net worth, cashflow, and milestones together.

  • Consider Time Horizons: Scenarios with different start/end dates may show "—" for some years.

  • Use Real Dollars for Long-Term Planning: Real dollars help compare purchasing power over time.

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