Compound interest- How to turn $1 into $10
Because I hate clickbait titles: Invest $1 and over 30 years, your $1 will be worth $10 in today’s money. That’s adjusted for inflation, so that money will have the same buying power in the future as it does right now. This isn’t a get rich quick scheme, it’s just about the importance of investing as much as you can, as early as you can, for as long as you can. Think of every purchase in its future value - that $5 coffee is worth $50 in future money. That $80 dinner is worth $800 in future money. When you think of things this way, you begin to question if certain purchases are really worth it to you right now, and helps you focus your money on the things that will really bring you the most enjoyment vs a large payout in the future.
I don't recommend trying to time the market, either - you know, waiting around for the market to crash - or not buying because "the market is at an all time high." Or trying to sell at the top. I mean, dude, the market is always at an all time high throughout history. Just invest consistently over a long period of time and you’ll be fine.
Compounded interest is an amazing concept. But it's takes discipline and consistency. People want an easy quick fix. This is neither. It takes discipline not to spend your money for 30+ years. It also takes time to see your returns add up. But over time, the returns are massive.
Now I know some of you will say YOLO, you're only young once, live today you can die tomorrow - true. There is a lot of benefit in living your life now and not being some 70 year old with trillions of dollars because you didn't spend anything, yet don't have the capacity to enjoy it anymore because of illness or because you're just 70 years old. Just don't be stupid about it and spend all your money on things that don't add real, lasting value and happiness to your life.
And because people want an answer to what I specifically do, here it is: I invest everything in VFIAX. Every year. I automatically reinvest the dividends. Then I use the majority of my money to invest in real estate. Rinse. Repeat. Cash flow.
I don't recommend trying to time the market, either - you know, waiting around for the market to crash - or not buying because "the market is at an all time high." Or trying to sell at the top. I mean, dude, the market is always at an all time high throughout history. Just invest consistently over a long period of time and you’ll be fine.
Compounded interest is an amazing concept. But it's takes discipline and consistency. People want an easy quick fix. This is neither. It takes discipline not to spend your money for 30+ years. It also takes time to see your returns add up. But over time, the returns are massive.
Now I know some of you will say YOLO, you're only young once, live today you can die tomorrow - true. There is a lot of benefit in living your life now and not being some 70 year old with trillions of dollars because you didn't spend anything, yet don't have the capacity to enjoy it anymore because of illness or because you're just 70 years old. Just don't be stupid about it and spend all your money on things that don't add real, lasting value and happiness to your life.
And because people want an answer to what I specifically do, here it is: I invest everything in VFIAX. Every year. I automatically reinvest the dividends. Then I use the majority of my money to invest in real estate. Rinse. Repeat. Cash flow.
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