Should I use this instead of a financial advisor?

No. This is a framework for thinking about allocation, not personalized advice. If your situation involves business ownership, inherited wealth, complex taxes, or other complications, talk to someone who can look at the whole picture.

Frame Simulator — Model Your Life, See Your Frame

Q: How is the Frame Simulator different from Build Your Frame?

Build Your Frame starts with a life stage (20s, 30s, etc.) and lets you adjust sliders. The Frame Simulator works the other way — you model your actual life with scenario sliders, and it computes your allocation from scratch. Use Frame Simulator if your life doesn't fit neatly into an age bracket.

Q: Why does my Dare slot change when I add dependents?

When you have dependents, the money you can afford to lose shrinks. The simulator reduces Dare (and sometimes Build) and shifts that percentage into Park — the safety cushion for unexpected expenses like medical bills or childcare.

Q: What does 'income stability' mean for my allocation?

Variable income (freelance, commission-based) means your cash flow can swing. The simulator increases Park for variable income because you need a bigger safety cushion when paychecks aren't predictable. Stable salary or pension means less Park is needed.

Q: Can I save or export my allocation?

Not yet, but you can screenshot your results or write them down. The Frame Simulator is designed as a thinking tool — the goal is to help you understand how your life affects your allocation, not to lock in a single number.

The scenario builder for your Frame

"Build Your Frame" starts with an age bracket and lets you tweak sliders. This works the other way around: you model your life, and it computes your allocation from scratch. Use this when your situation doesn't fit neatly into "20s" or "30s." I'm 35 but just had twins — what happens to my Frame?

This is analysis, not personalized investment advice. Do your own homework before making decisions.

Your scenario — set the sliders

Dependents 0

People who rely on your income. Each dependent increases the need for a safety cushion.

None 5+

Home ownership Renting

Owning a home ties up capital and adds maintenance costs. Renting keeps more liquidity available.

Renting Paid off

Income stability Stable salary

Variable income means your cash flow can swing. You need a bigger Park cushion when paychecks aren't predictable.

Variable Stable salary

Risk tolerance Balanced

How much volatility can you stomach without panicking and selling at the wrong time?

Very conservative Very aggressive

Time horizon 10–20 years

How long until you need this money? Longer horizons allow more growth-oriented allocations.

<5 years 20+ years

Major life event None right now

Big transitions temporarily disrupt normal allocation logic. Pick the one closest to your situation.

None Job change

Total investable portfolio (optional)

Slot 1 Park

10%

Money you might need tomorrow. Safety first.

SGOV — iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF

—

Slot 2 Earn

15%

Money that pays you while you wait. Dividends compound.

SCHD — Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF

—

Slot 3 Build

45%

Money that builds wealth for future-you. The engine.

VOO — Vanguard S&P 500 ETF

—

Slot 4 Roam

20%

Money that doesn't bet everything on one country. Diversify globally.

VXUS — Vanguard Total International Stock ETF

—

Slot 5 Dare

10%

Money you can afford to lose on something you believe in. Never exceeds 15%.

Reader's choice — IBIT, TQQQ, SMH, or BOTZ

—

Your Frame

Park10%

Earn15%

Build45%

Roam20%

Dare10%

Total allocation 100%

Your complete Five Fund Frame

Slot	Fund	Ticker	Allocation
Park	iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF	SGOV	10%
Earn	Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF	SCHD	15%
Build	Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	VOO	45%
Roam	Vanguard Total International Stock ETF	VXUS	20%
Dare	Reader's choice	IBIT / TQQQ / SMH / BOTZ	10%

Ready to build your Frame?

$0 commissions · No account minimum · Fractional shares

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Common questions about the Frame Simulator

How is this different from Build Your Frame?+

Build Your Frame starts with a life stage (20s, 30s, etc.) and lets you adjust sliders. The Frame Simulator works the other way — you model your actual life with scenario sliders, and it computes your allocation from scratch. Use this when your life doesn't fit neatly into an age bracket.

Why does Dare change when I add dependents?+

When you have dependents, the money you can afford to lose shrinks. The simulator reduces Dare (and sometimes Build) and shifts that percentage into Park — the safety cushion for unexpected expenses like medical bills or childcare.

What does income stability mean for my allocation?+

Variable income (freelance, commission-based) means your cash flow can swing. The simulator increases Park for variable income because you need a bigger safety cushion when paychecks aren't predictable. Stable salary or pension means less Park is needed.

Can I save or export my allocation?+

Not yet, but you can screenshot your results or write them down. The Frame Simulator is designed as a thinking tool — the goal is to help you understand how your life affects your allocation, not to lock in a single number.