Real return your return after inflation is taken out. Can be negative even when the nominal return is positive. Where it's taught What Is Money & InflationReal Returns: What Your Money Is Actually EarningSavings Rate: The Shockingly Simple Math of Early Retirement Try it with a calculator Inflation CalculatorReal Returns CalculatorSavings Rate Calculator Appears in 4 other lessons Index Funds, ETFs & the Quiet Cost of FeesTax Brackets: Your Bracket Is Not Your Tax RateWhen to Claim Social Security: The Break-Even BetCoast FIRE: The Age You Can Stop Saving and Still Retire On Time Related terms InflationPurchasing powerBreak-even returnFinancial independence (FI)Lifestyle creepNominal returnNominal valueReal value