Why It Pays to Start Saving Early
If you are just beginning your career, you are probably beginning to hear a lot about saving money for retirement. While retirement appears far away, it will be here before you know it. While there may appear to be more pressing matters, such as paying off student loans, there are many benefits to starting early. Learn more about compounding interest and how you can make it work for you.
Compounding interest is best represented by comparing it to the snowball effect. By reinvesting the earnings that you gain on your investments, your account balance grows. This means you are gaining interest on your initial earnings along with your deposits. There is an incredible amount of potential for young adults to use this to their advantage. There are several important factors to consider when examining compounding interest.
Frequency
It is important to examine how often gains are reinvested. Gains can be reinvested daily, monthly, or annually. Investopedia states, “More frequent compounding of interest is beneficial to the investor or creditor. For a borrower, the opposite is true.”
Length
The longer you allow your investments to grow, the better off your account will be. Investopedia states, “When calculating compound interest, the number of compounding periods makes a significant difference. The basic rule is that the higher the number of compounding periods, the greater the amount of compound interest.” Young adults have tons of time on their side and should especially take advantage of compounding interest.
Interest Rate
Another important factor is the interest rate. If you begin investing early, the interest rate may vary throughout the period you have the investment. The Balance explains, “Higher rates mean an account will grow faster. But it’s possible for compound interest to overcome a higher rate. Especially over long periods, an account with compounding and a lower nominal rate can end up with a higher balance than an account using a simple calculation.”
Compounding interest is an important factor to consider when investing or taking out a loan. There are several calculators you can utilize online to determine the amount you could potentially gain. Seeking the advice of a financial advisor may also be beneficial. Understanding and utilizing the power of compound interest can help prepare you as well as your financial future.
https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/compoundinterest.asp
https://www.thebalance.com/compound-interest-4061154
The information provided here is for general information only and should not be considered an individualized recommendation or personalized investment advice.