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The Queen's long and glorious life is a reminder that our savings may need to last decades. Compounding income over many years is the best way to protect against not knowing the amount of time you are planning for.
Let compounding do its work. It starts slowly. This is why many of those who start an investment programme (or fitness programme, dietary change, sport, or business) give up in the early stages.
If you had to choose one concept to explain to a young person setting out on an investment journey, it should be compounding. While the results are not as spectacular, it's especially relevant when returns are lower.
Reductions in loan repayments, either deferrals or failing to opt out of lower payments, seem like a good idea. But they are expensive and should only be adopted if the borrower needs the money.
We may prefer a fast pay off but a long-term approach to investing will result in a less stressful journey and a more successful outcome.
If you get onto the compounding bandwagon from a young age, the balance of your superannuation, as well as other savings, come retirement will astound you. It's a shame more people aren't maximising the opportunity.
Could this be the greatest mathematical discovery of all time? An appreciation of compounding is essential for understanding investments, and an accumulation index rather than a price index better measures performance.