The Time Value of Money (TVM) is one of the most important concepts in finance and investment planning. It helps you understand how the value of money changes over time — simply put, a rupee today is worth more than a rupee tomorrow because of its potential earning capacity. By understanding the time value of money, you can make smarter financial decisions about savings, loans, investments, and retirement planning.
The time value of money (TVM) is a concept that means that the current value of money is higher than in the future. This financial concept highlights that a particular sum of money has a different worth from time to time. Suppose you have Rs. 100 today and invest it in the right financial product; it will be more valuable than Rs. 100.
TVM states that our decisions like saving, investing or borrowing, change because of the changing value of money. Whether you are planning future security or retirement, knowledge of TVM can help you make well-informed financial decisions.
Understanding the time value of money helps you:
Evaluate investment opportunities
Compare loan options and EMIs
Plan for future goals and retirement
Understand inflation’s impact on purchasing power
Make informed financial decisions
In short, it helps you determine the real worth of your money over time.
Now that you know the concept of time value of money, let’s learn about how it works. Here’s the simple formula to determine the worth of your money in the future:
FV = PV [1 + (i/n)] ^ (nt)
Where FV = Future Value
PV = Present Value
i = Growth Rate
t = No. of years
Let’s understand this formula for the time value of money with an example problem:
Suppose you have Rs. 1000 and have an opportunity to invest it at the rate of 5% for two years. Considering the above formula, the value of your money will be:
Given: PV = Rs. 1000
Interest Rate = 5% (or 0.05 as a decimal)
Number of years=2 years
Calculation: FV = Rs. 1000 \times (1 + 0.05)^2
The final value of the money after 2 years will be Rs. 1102.25. Remember, you can customise the time value of the money formula as per your needs.
A Time Value of Money Calculator makes these calculations simple and accurate. Instead of manually applying formulas, you just need to enter:
Present Value (PV)
Interest Rate (r)
Number of Periods (n)
Future Value (FV) (optional)
Once you enter these details, the calculator instantly shows results for:
Future Value – how much your money will be worth later
Present Value – how much future money is worth today
Interest Rate or Time Period – depending on what you want to calculate
Using a TVM calculator can help when planning investments, comparing loans, or choosing a life insurance or term insurance policy based on long-term benefits.
Let’s say you invest ₹50,000 for 5 years at an interest rate of 8%.
Using the formula:
FV = 50,000 × (1 + 0.08)⁵ = ₹73,466
So, your ₹50,000 today will be worth ₹73,466 after 5 years — showing how time and compounding increase your money’s value.
Helps you visualize growth of money over time
Useful for financial and investment planning
Enables quick loan and savings comparison
Makes accurate projections without manual errors
Having an understanding of the time value of money is important to make smart financial decisions. It allows you to make effective strategies for inflation and retirement. A time value of money calculator can better help you figure out your investment returns. If you’re planning to invest and secure your future, use the TVM formula or calculator to check the future worth of your income.