What is Compound Interest?
Compound interest is interest calculated on the initial principal, which also includes all of the accumulated interest from previous periods. This means your money grows faster over time because you earn interest on your interest — not just on your original deposit.
Compound vs Simple Interest
Simple interest is calculated only on the principal amount. Compound interest is calculated on the principal plus any interest that has already been earned. Over long periods, this difference becomes dramatic. For example, $10,000 at 7% for 20 years:
- Simple Interest: $24,000 total
- Compound Interest (monthly): ~$40,000+ total
Regular contributions make an even bigger difference. Even small monthly additions can grow into substantial wealth over decades thanks to compounding.