How compound growth really compounds
Compound growth means your returns generate their own returns. Year 1 you earn 7% on your principal. Year 2 you earn 7% on principal + year-1 returns. By year 30, more than 70% of your balance is growth on growth — not your contributions.
This is why starting early dwarfs starting big. $200/mo from age 25 beats $400/mo from age 35 by retirement. Time is the single most powerful variable.
