Money forecast: calm optimistic start, rising plateau, thin solid projected lines

- Optimistic: no crash or correction through 2031 (5 years from today), earning the
  9.5% average; cycle resumes after (correction 2035, crash 2040). Salary plateau
  grows 2%/yr real so pay never stalls.
- Realistic keeps its single -30% crash in 2029; pessimistic unchanged.
- Projected lines are now thin, slightly lighter solid lines in every view; legend updated.
- Explanation text lists the crash/correction years and recovery time.

src/lib/money-tracker/MoneyChart.svelte

@@ -105,14 +105,17 @@
 			)
 			.join(' ');
 	}
-	/** Solid part through `dashedFrom` and dashed part from the last solid point onward. */
+	/** Actual part through `projectedFrom` and projected part from the last actual point onward. */
 	function segments(item: ChartSeries) {
-		if (!item.dashedFrom) return { solid: item.points, dashed: [] };
+		if (!item.projectedFrom) return { actual: item.points, projected: [] };
-		const split = item.points.findLastIndex((point) => point.date <= item.dashedFrom!);
+		const split = item.points.findLastIndex((point) => point.date <= item.projectedFrom!);
 		return split < 0
-			? { solid: [], dashed: item.points }
+			? { actual: [], projected: item.points }
-			: { solid: item.points.slice(0, split + 1), dashed: item.points.slice(split) };
+			: { actual: item.points.slice(0, split + 1), projected: item.points.slice(split) };
 	}
+	/** Actual lines are thick and opaque; projected ones a thin, slightly lighter solid line. */
+	const lineWidth = (item: ChartSeries, projected: boolean) =>
+		projected ? (item.emphasis ? 1.5 : 1.1) : item.emphasis ? 3 : 1.75;
 	function pointAt(points: ChartPoint[], date: string) {
 		if (!points.length || date < points[0].date || date > points.at(-1)!.date) return null;
 		return points.findLast((point) => point.date <= date) ?? null;
@@ -236,16 +239,17 @@
 				{/if}
 				{#each series as item (item.label)}
 					{@const parts = segments(item)}
-					{#each [parts.solid, parts.dashed] as points, index (index)}
+					{#each [parts.actual, parts.projected] as points, index (index)}
 						{#if points.length > 1}
 							<path
 								d={path(points)}
 								fill="none"
 								stroke={item.color}
-								stroke-width={item.emphasis ? 3 : 1.75}
+								stroke-width={lineWidth(item, index === 1)}
-								stroke-dasharray={index ? '6 5' : undefined}
+								stroke-opacity={index ? 0.8 : 1}
-								stroke-linecap={index ? 'butt' : 'round'}
+								stroke-linecap="round"
 								stroke-linejoin="round"
+								data-line={index ? 'projected' : 'actual'}
 							/>
 						{/if}
 					{/each}
@@ -306,16 +310,16 @@
 				</div>
 			{/if}
 		</div>
-		{#if series.length > 1 || series.some((item) => item.dashedFrom)}
+		{#if series.length > 1 || series.some((item) => item.projectedFrom)}
 			<figcaption class="legend">
 				{#each series as item (item.label)}
 					<span class:emphasis={item.emphasis}
 						><span class="swatch" style={`background:${item.color}`}></span>{item.label}</span
 					>
 				{/each}
-				{#if series.some((item) => item.dashedFrom)}
+				{#if series.some((item) => item.projectedFrom)}
-					<span class="line-key first"><span class="key solid"></span>Actual</span>
+					<span class="line-key first"><span class="key actual"></span>Actual</span>
-					<span class="line-key"><span class="key dashed"></span>Projected</span>
+					<span class="line-key"><span class="key projected"></span>Projected</span>
 				{/if}
 			</figcaption>
 		{/if}
@@ -419,10 +423,12 @@
 	.key {
 		display: inline-block;
 		width: 18px;
-		border-top: 2px solid var(--site-muted);
+		border-top: 3px solid var(--site-muted);
+		border-radius: 2px;
 	}
-	.key.dashed {
+	.key.projected {
-		border-top-style: dashed;
+		border-top-width: 1.5px;
+		opacity: 0.8;
 	}
 	.swatch {
 		display: inline-block;

src/lib/money-tracker/ScenarioDetails.svelte

@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@
 				{ key: 'crashEveryYears', label: 'Crash every', unit: 'yr' },
 				{ key: 'firstCrashYear', label: 'First crash', unit: '' },
 				{ key: 'correctionPercent', label: 'Mid-cycle correction', unit: '%' },
+				{ key: 'calmYears', label: 'Calm start (no crashes)', unit: 'yr' },
 				{ key: 'cashRatePercent', label: 'Interest on cash', unit: '%' },
 				{ key: 'inflationPercent', label: 'Inflation', unit: '%' }
 			]
@@ -61,6 +62,7 @@
 				{ key: 'hopRaisePercent', label: 'Raise per hop', unit: '%' },
 				{ key: 'hopGapMonths', label: 'Gap before each hop', unit: 'mo' },
 				{ key: 'salaryCapEuros', label: 'Plateau base salary', unit: '€/yr' },
+				{ key: 'salaryCapGrowthPercent', label: 'Plateau growth (real)', unit: '%/yr' },
 				{ key: 'bonusPercentOfTarget', label: 'Bonus paid of estimate', unit: '%' },
 				{ key: 'sideStartEuros', label: 'Side income now (gross)', unit: '€/mo' },
 				{ key: 'sideEndEuros', label: 'Side income from year 5', unit: '€/mo' }
@@ -101,7 +103,14 @@
 			: 'Not by the end';
 	let active = $derived(params[selected]);
 	let result = $derived(results[selected]);
-	let normalReturn = $derived(marketReturns(active).normal);
+	let markets = $derived(marketReturns(active, result.years[0]?.year));
+	let normalReturn = $derived(markets.normal);
+	/** Crash and correction years in the first ten years, for the explanation. */
+	let shocks = $derived(
+		Array.from({ length: 11 }, (_, offset) => (result.years[0]?.year ?? 0) + offset)
+			.map((year) => ({ year, ...markets.yearReturn(year) }))
+			.filter((row) => row.kind === 'crash' || row.kind === 'correction')
+	);
 	/** Salary path rows through the retirement year. */
 	let career = $derived(
 		result.years.filter(
@@ -163,11 +172,24 @@
 		<p class="muted scenario-portfolio">
 			<strong>{active.label} portfolio:</strong>
 			{active.portfolio}. Average {active.returnPercent}%/yr nominal, volatility about {active.volatilityPercent}%.
+			{#if markets.calmUntil !== null}No crash or down year through {markets.calmUntil}: those years
+				earn the {active.returnPercent}% average.
+			{/if}
 			{#if active.crashPercent !== 0}A {active.crashPercent}% crash every {active.crashEveryYears} years
 				from {active.firstCrashYear}{active.correctionPercent !== 0
 					? `, a ${active.correctionPercent}% correction halfway between`
-					: ''}, and {percent(normalReturn)} in the other years so it averages out.
+					: ''}, and {percent(normalReturn)} in the other years so it averages out{markets.calmUntil !==
+				null
+					? ` (from ${markets.calmUntil + 1})`
+					: ''}. A crash drops over March–October and takes about {Math.ceil(
+					Math.log(1 / (1 + active.crashPercent / 100)) / Math.log(1 + normalReturn)
+				)} years of normal returns to recover.
+				{#if shocks.length}Next ten years: {shocks
+						.map((row) => `${row.year} ${row.kind} ${Math.round(row.rate * 100)}%`)
+						.join(', ')}.{:else}No crash or correction in the next ten years.{/if}
 			{:else}No crashes modelled.{/if}
+			{#if active.salaryCapGrowthPercent > 0}The salary plateau keeps rising {active.salaryCapGrowthPercent}%/yr
+				above inflation, so pay never stalls.{/if}
 			Retirement in {scenarioFacts.birthYear + active.retireAge} at {active.retireAge}: salary and
 			side income stop, {cents(active.pensionNetEuros * 100)}/mo net pension (today’s €) starts, and
 			the rest of the spending is sold from investments.
@@ -180,9 +202,10 @@
 				Joint items from the recurring list in full until the rent starts, then your share, while your
 				partner’s income pays hers, DUO {cents(scenarioFacts.duoCents)}/mo from {scenarioFacts.duoFrom}
 				to {scenarioFacts.duoUntil}. Prices, benefits, pension, the buffer and the salary plateau
-				grow with inflation; spending grows at the spending rate for ten years, then with inflation.
+				grow with inflation (the plateau can grow faster, see above); spending grows at the spending
-				Box 3 keeps taxing gains (losses carried forward). Salary bands (base per year, excl. 8%
+				rate for ten years, then with inflation. Box 3 keeps taxing gains (losses carried forward).
-				holiday pay): medior €52–68k, senior €65–91k, lead €79–110k (<a
+				Salary bands (base per year, excl. 8% holiday pay): medior €52–68k, senior €65–91k, lead
+				€79–110k (<a
 					href="https://chaseitrecruitment.nl/tools/salaris/software-engineer/"
 					rel="external noreferrer">Chase IT 2026</a
 				>,

src/lib/money-tracker/charts.test.ts

@@ -207,7 +207,7 @@ describe('money tracker calculations', () => {
 			}
 		];
 		const [total] = wealthTimeline(accounts, actual, projection, '2026-09-23', 'total');
-		expect(total.dashedFrom).toBe('2026-09-23');
+		expect(total.projectedFrom).toBe('2026-09-23');
 		expect(total.points).toEqual([
 			{ date: '2026-09-01', value: 50000 },
 			{ date: '2026-09-10', value: 70000 },

src/lib/money-tracker/charts.ts

@@ -15,8 +15,8 @@ export type ChartSeries = {
 	color: string;
 	points: ChartPoint[];
 	emphasis?: boolean;
-	/** Points after this date are drawn dashed (projected). */
+	/** Points after this date are projected: drawn as a thinner, lighter solid line. */
-	dashedFrom?: string;
+	projectedFrom?: string;
 };
 
 const palette = ['#0070f3', '#e5484d', '#46a758', '#ad7f00', '#8e4ec6', '#0091ad', '#e56910'];
@@ -283,7 +283,7 @@ export function wealthProjection(
 /**
  * Thins long series for drawing: per time bucket only the lowest and highest point stay (in
  * date order), so a daily projection over decades keeps its spikes without plotting every day.
- * The first and last points and the solid/dashed join are always kept.
+ * The first and last points and the actual/projected join are always kept.
  */
 export function decimateSeries(series: ChartSeries[], buckets: number): ChartSeries[] {
 	const limit = Math.max(2, Math.floor(buckets)) * 2;
@@ -301,8 +301,8 @@ export function decimateSeries(series: ChartSeries[], buckets: number): ChartSer
 		const keep = new Uint8Array(line.points.length);
 		keep[0] = 1;
 		keep[line.points.length - 1] = 1;
-		if (line.dashedFrom) {
+		if (line.projectedFrom) {
-			const join = line.points.findLastIndex((point) => point.date <= line.dashedFrom!);
+			const join = line.points.findLastIndex((point) => point.date <= line.projectedFrom!);
 			if (join >= 0) keep[join] = 1;
 		}
 		let bucket = -1;
@@ -334,7 +334,7 @@ export function decimateSeries(series: ChartSeries[], buckets: number): ChartSer
 export type TimelineView = 'total' | 'split' | 'accounts';
 
 /**
- * Joins actual history (solid, through today) with the wealth projection (dashed, after
+ * Joins actual history (solid, through today) with the wealth projection (thin solid line, after
  * today) so both read as one continuous line per measure.
  */
 export function wealthTimeline(
@@ -379,7 +379,7 @@ export function wealthTimeline(
 		label: 'Total',
 		color: 'var(--site-text)',
 		emphasis: true,
-		dashedFrom: today,
+		projectedFrom: today,
 		points: join(history.at(-1)!.points, totalProjection?.points ?? [])
 	};
 	if (view === 'accounts')
@@ -395,13 +395,13 @@ export function wealthTimeline(
 			{
 				label: 'Spendable',
 				color: '#46a758',
-				dashedFrom: today,
+				projectedFrom: today,
 				points: join(sumKind(false), spendableProjection?.points ?? [])
 			},
 			{
 				label: 'Invested',
 				color: '#8e4ec6',
-				dashedFrom: today,
+				projectedFrom: today,
 				points: join(sumKind(true), investedProjection?.points ?? [])
 			}
 		];

src/lib/money-tracker/scenarios.test.ts

@@ -189,6 +189,49 @@ describe('runScenario', () => {
 		expect(markets.yearReturn(2034).kind).toBe('correction');
 		expect(markets.yearReturn(2028).kind).toBe('normal');
 	});
+	it('keeps the optimistic start calm and its cycle after that', () => {
+		const markets = marketReturns(defaultScenarios.optimistic, 2026);
+		for (let year = 2026; year <= 2031; year++)
+			expect(markets.yearReturn(year)).toEqual({ kind: 'calm', rate: 0.095 });
+		expect(markets.yearReturn(2032).kind).toBe('normal');
+		expect(markets.yearReturn(2035)).toMatchObject({ kind: 'correction', rate: -0.15 });
+		expect(markets.yearReturn(2040)).toMatchObject({ kind: 'crash', rate: -0.38 });
+		// No down year at all in the first five years of the run.
+		const run = runScenario(inputs, defaultScenarios.optimistic);
+		const growth = run.years.filter((row) => row.year <= 2031).map((row) => row.invested);
+		growth.slice(1).forEach((value, index) => expect(value).toBeGreaterThan(growth[index]));
+	});
+	it('gives realistic one crash in its first ten years and keeps pessimistic as it was', () => {
+		const shocks = (id: 'realistic' | 'pessimistic') => {
+			const markets = marketReturns(defaultScenarios[id], 2026);
+			return Array.from({ length: 10 }, (_, offset) => 2026 + offset)
+				.map((year) => ({ year, ...markets.yearReturn(year) }))
+				.filter((row) => row.kind === 'crash');
+		};
+		expect(shocks('realistic')).toEqual([{ year: 2029, kind: 'crash', rate: -0.3 }]);
+		expect(shocks('pessimistic').map((row) => row.year)).toEqual([2027, 2035]);
+		expect(defaultScenarios.realistic.calmYears).toBe(0);
+		expect(defaultScenarios.pessimistic.calmYears).toBe(0);
+		// Without a start year the calm start never applies.
+		expect(marketReturns(defaultScenarios.optimistic).yearReturn(2030).kind).toBe('crash');
+	});
+	it('keeps the optimistic salary rising every working year', () => {
+		const long = { ...inputs, endDate: '2076-10-24' };
+		const years = runScenario(long, defaultScenarios.optimistic).years.filter(
+			(row) => row.year >= 2027 && row.role !== 'Retired'
+		);
+		expect(years.length).toBeGreaterThan(40);
+		years
+			.slice(1)
+			.forEach((row, index) => expect(row.baseReal).toBeGreaterThan(years[index].baseReal));
+		// A flat plateau stalls once it is reached.
+		const flatCap = runScenario(long, {
+			...defaultScenarios.optimistic,
+			salaryCapGrowthPercent: 0
+		});
+		const late = flatCap.years.filter((row) => row.year >= 2050 && row.role !== 'Retired');
+		expect(late.at(-1)!.baseReal).toBeCloseTo(late[0].baseReal, -2);
+	});
 	it('hops jobs, caps the salary and retires at the chosen age', () => {
 		const long = { ...inputs, endDate: '2126-10-24' };
 		const result = runScenario(long, {

src/lib/money-tracker/scenarios.ts

@@ -39,6 +39,11 @@ export type ScenarioParams = {
 	firstCrashYear: number;
 	/** Smaller correction halfway between crashes, percent (0 = none). */
 	correctionPercent: number;
+	/**
+	 * Calm start: no crash or correction from this year through this many years ahead; those
+	 * years earn the plain average return (0 = the crash cycle applies from the start).
+	 */
+	calmYears: number;
 	/** Interest on the cash buffer, percent per year. */
 	cashRatePercent: number;
 	/** Inflation: prices, the salary cap, pension and benefits grow with it; percent. */
@@ -62,6 +67,8 @@ export type ScenarioParams = {
 	hopGapMonths: number;
 	/** Career plateau: base salary cap per year in today's euros (excl. holiday pay). */
 	salaryCapEuros: number;
+	/** Real growth of that plateau per year, percent (0 = flat once reached). */
+	salaryCapGrowthPercent: number;
 	/** Share of the contract's bonus estimate actually paid each August, 0–100. */
 	bonusPercentOfTarget: number;
 	/** Side income, gross today's euros per month, ramping over five years to the end value. */
@@ -97,6 +104,7 @@ export const defaultScenarios: Record<ScenarioId, ScenarioParams> = {
 		crashEveryYears: 8,
 		firstCrashYear: 2027,
 		correctionPercent: -8,
+		calmYears: 0,
 		cashRatePercent: 0,
 		inflationPercent: 2.5,
 		gapMonths: 3,
@@ -110,6 +118,7 @@ export const defaultScenarios: Record<ScenarioId, ScenarioParams> = {
 		hopRaisePercent: 15,
 		hopGapMonths: 3,
 		salaryCapEuros: 75000,
+		salaryCapGrowthPercent: 0,
 		bonusPercentOfTarget: 0,
 		sideStartEuros: 100,
 		sideEndEuros: 100,
@@ -132,6 +141,7 @@ export const defaultScenarios: Record<ScenarioId, ScenarioParams> = {
 		crashEveryYears: 10,
 		firstCrashYear: 2029,
 		correctionPercent: -10,
+		calmYears: 0,
 		cashRatePercent: 1.5,
 		inflationPercent: 2.5,
 		gapMonths: 0,
@@ -145,6 +155,7 @@ export const defaultScenarios: Record<ScenarioId, ScenarioParams> = {
 		hopRaisePercent: 20,
 		hopGapMonths: 0,
 		salaryCapEuros: 95000,
+		salaryCapGrowthPercent: 0,
 		bonusPercentOfTarget: 100,
 		sideStartEuros: 250,
 		sideEndEuros: 500,
@@ -167,6 +178,7 @@ export const defaultScenarios: Record<ScenarioId, ScenarioParams> = {
 		crashEveryYears: 10,
 		firstCrashYear: 2030,
 		correctionPercent: -15,
+		calmYears: 5,
 		cashRatePercent: 1.5,
 		inflationPercent: 2.5,
 		gapMonths: 0,
@@ -180,6 +192,7 @@ export const defaultScenarios: Record<ScenarioId, ScenarioParams> = {
 		hopRaisePercent: 22,
 		hopGapMonths: 0,
 		salaryCapEuros: 150000,
+		salaryCapGrowthPercent: 2,
 		bonusPercentOfTarget: 100,
 		sideStartEuros: 300,
 		sideEndEuros: 2500,
@@ -396,9 +409,11 @@ function monthEnd(first: string) {
 
 /**
  * Years of a crash cycle: a crash in the first year, a correction halfway, and normal years whose
- * return makes the whole cycle average out at the expected return.
+ * return makes the whole cycle average out at the expected return. With `calmYears`, the years
+ * from `startYear` through `startYear + calmYears` have no crash or correction and earn the plain
+ * average return; the cycle keeps its phase after that.
  */
-export function marketReturns(params: ScenarioParams) {
+export function marketReturns(params: ScenarioParams, startYear?: number) {
 	const pct = (value: number) => value / 100;
 	const every = Math.max(2, Math.round(params.crashEveryYears));
 	const crashes = params.crashPercent !== 0;
@@ -410,9 +425,16 @@ export function marketReturns(params: ScenarioParams) {
 	const normal = crashes
 		? Math.pow(Math.pow(1 + pct(params.returnPercent), every) / shocks, 1 / normalYears) - 1
 		: pct(params.returnPercent);
+	const calmUntil =
+		startYear !== undefined && params.calmYears > 0
+			? startYear + Math.round(params.calmYears)
+			: null;
 	return {
 		normal,
+		calmUntil,
 		yearReturn(year: number) {
+			if (calmUntil !== null && year <= calmUntil)
+				return { kind: 'calm' as const, rate: pct(params.returnPercent) };
 			if (!crashes || year < params.firstCrashYear)
 				return { kind: 'normal' as const, rate: normal };
 			const offset = (year - params.firstCrashYear) % every;
@@ -444,7 +466,7 @@ export function runScenario(inputs: ScenarioInputs, params: ScenarioParams): Sce
 	const gapStart = addMonths(facts.contractEnd, 1);
 	const gapEnd = params.gapMonths > 0 ? addMonths(gapStart, params.gapMonths) : gapStart;
 	const retireStart = `${facts.birthYear + Math.round(params.retireAge)}-01-01`;
-	const markets = marketReturns(params);
+	const markets = marketReturns(params, Number(inputs.today.slice(0, 4)));
 	const monthlyInflation = Math.pow(1 + pct(params.inflationPercent), 1 / 12);
 	const isHopYear = (year: number) =>
 		params.hopEveryYears > 0 &&
@@ -589,7 +611,10 @@ export function runScenario(inputs: ScenarioInputs, params: ScenarioParams): Sce
 				!(hopStart && month === 10)
 			)
 				gross *= 1 + pct(params.raisePercent);
-			const cap = ((params.salaryCapEuros * 100) / 12) * deflator;
+			const cap =
+				((params.salaryCapEuros * 100) / 12) *
+				deflator *
+				Math.pow(1 + pct(params.salaryCapGrowthPercent), Math.max(0, index) / 12);
 			if (hopStart && first === hopStart && params.hopGapMonths > 0 && !retired)
 				row.events.push(`Between jobs (${params.hopGapMonths} mo)`);
 			if (hopEnd && first === hopEnd && !retired) {
@@ -727,7 +752,7 @@ export function runScenario(inputs: ScenarioInputs, params: ScenarioParams): Sce
 		// compounding gives the same monthly return.
 		const market = markets.yearReturn(year);
 		const monthRate =
-			market.kind === 'normal'
+			market.kind === 'normal' || market.kind === 'calm'
 				? Math.pow(1 + market.rate, 1 / 12) - 1
 				: month >= 3 && month <= 10
 					? Math.pow(1 + market.rate, 1 / 8) - 1
@@ -848,7 +873,7 @@ export function scenarioProjection(result: ScenarioResult, todaysEuros = false):
 	];
 }
 
-/** One dashed total line per scenario, for comparing them on the wealth chart. */
+/** One projected total line per scenario, for comparing them on the wealth chart. */
 export function scenarioCompareLines(
 	results: Record<ScenarioId, ScenarioResult>,
 	params: Record<ScenarioId, ScenarioParams>,
@@ -858,7 +883,7 @@ export function scenarioCompareLines(
 	return scenarioIds.map((id) => ({
 		label: params[id].label,
 		color: scenarioColors[id],
-		dashedFrom: today,
+		projectedFrom: today,
 		points: results[id].points
 			.filter((point) => point.date > today)
 			.map((point) => ({