toilmeter · breakeven calculator
Is it worth the time?
A breakeven grid for recurring task automation: estimate net time or money saved over a multi-year horizon, with errors, frustration, upkeep, and skill practice folded in—not just seconds shaved per run.
Time per task
Frequency
| 1s1 sec | 5s5 sec | 30s30 sec | 1m1 min | 5m5 min | 30m30 min | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50/d50× a day | 3.1 wks | 6.3 wks | 1.4 mths | 2.7 mths | 1.1 yrs | 6.5 yrs |
| 5/d5× a day | 1.3 days | 2.9 days | 2.6 wks | 4.9 wks | 1.3 mths | 7.8 mths |
| dayDaily | 2.1 min | 2.6 hr | 2.3 days | 4.7 days | 4.7 wks◉ | 1.6 mths |
| wkWeekly | 0 sec | 0 sec | 29 min | 3.2 hr | 3.1 days | 4 wks |
| moMonthly | 0 sec | 0 sec | 0 sec | 0 sec | 3.8 hr | 4.4 days |
| yrYearly | 0 sec | 0 sec | 0 sec | 0 sec | 0 sec | 38 min |
· click any cell to pin it
a task done
daily, saving
5 min
each time:
4.7 wkscumulative net time saved after 5 years of automation
Hire someone to build the tool.
- Direct time saved3.8 wks
- Errors avoided1.5 hr
- Frustration tax (×1.25)4.8 days
- Skill investment (rep)0 sec
- Maintenance over 5y−2.5 hr
vanilla xkcd 1205:3.8 wks→4.7 wks(1.2× higher)
how the cell value is computed
300s+5%×1 min×365/yr×5yr××1.25 frustration−30 min/yr×5yr maint.=4.7 wks
base savings errors avoided frustration multiplier skill investment maintenance cost
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