Compounding: The Ninth Wonder of the World
By Nicola Cairncross
Compounding is often described as the ninth wonder of the world. It is a concept that initially sounds quite dull, but when you understand how compounding just quietly works its magic - or conversely its naughtiness ? it's a very exciting concept to grasp indeed!
Compounding is the difference between linear and exponential growth, or put more simply, about earning (or incurring) interest on the interest on the interest, generated by your savings (or your debt). On an energy level, it's about making sure that every little bit of effort you expend, works on many different levels to bring a reward greater than the original effort required.
It's a very powerful tool and can be likened to the wind under the wings of a jet. The plane creeps slowly, slowly along the approach runways, then moves into position, then starts down the runway slowly, but as it picks up speed, the power of the engines and the wind lifts its wings and it takes off, climbing very quickly and steeply into the sky.
Compounding can turn just one ? just one - ?1 or $1 into a million pounds or dollars within 20 years. If you took ?1 or $1 and achieved a 100% return on your money each year (put another way, if you doubled your money each year) then you would most certainly be a millionaire in your lifetime. Imagine if you added another ?1 or $1 each year ? how much faster would that get you there?
And if compounding is that powerful when applied annually, how much powerful could it be when applied monthly or even daily?
On a personal finance level, most people ignore the potential of compounding, because the % interest rates we are quoted by the banks, other savings vehicles and financial institutions are so paltry. If you took your pound or dollar and increased it at the usual 3% or 4% per annum, then it would grow so slowly that we might as well not bother saving at all. You would be dead several times over before your personal wealth increased noticeably.
I know I used to feel like that! Why save now, I thought, especially when you are only saving to spend later, and when you can only earn 3-4% per year on your savings? I want to share with you, today, some of the exciting things that I learned about the power of compounding, things made a huge difference to my thinking about money. And changed me from a non-saver to an investor in one fell swoop!
There is a huge difference between saving and investing, and experienced Investors achieve returns on their money between 30% and 100% per annum ? some even manage to achieve an infinity return on their investment, because they are able to pull their own money back out of the deal, which means that they are making money with no money! These are the supermodels of the investment world!
On a personal finance front, even looking at the returns generated by investing in property over the years (12% per annum) and the stockmarket (14% per annum) gets a little more exciting. The compounding effect means that, on average, property doubles in value every 7-10 years ? that's a thrilling thought! How would you plan your property investment differently if you knew that to be true?
There is a great example of the difference in what you can achieve in just two years, if you invest ?60,000 (or dollars! I'm going to work in pounds now but the principle is the same!) by buying outright one small rental unit, versus what you would achieve if you invested the same ?60,000 in deposits on several small rental units.
At the end of the two years, if you just bought the one unit, and assuming average rates of growth, you would be worth ?6384 more than when you started. But if you invested in deposits on several units, you would be ?56,304 better off. You choose. That's compounding at work.
On a business level, compounding can work for you too. The difference between what you can earn if you are a solo self-employed person, and what you can earn if you build a business consisting of a team of "you's" is quite amazing.
The compounding effect can also be utilised in your business by automating as many of your business processes as possible. Think of the potential difference between having the services of one marketing person and one sales person (both of whom can only work so many hours in a day, both have to be paid, even when they are on holiday or off sick, so not working) and then consider the possibilities of having an automated marketing machine working 24/7 plus a team of affiliates ? unlimited numbers of independent people who are all being paid a little bit, on sales (results only!) to promote your service or product.
Nicola Cairncross is a specialist Wealth Coach, Hotelier and Internet Entrepreneur, working with bright, entrepreneurial people to enhance their financial intelligence. Visit her website at www.nicolacairncross.com.
If you would like a more detailed copy of the flats investment example in this article, just email www.nicolacairncross.com).
Visit www.nicolacairncross.com and join the mailing list to enjoy downloading some awesome free resources including a 13 page report on how to create Financially Intelligent Bank Accounts.
Chicago charter limousine service Streamwood .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareNo matter what markets you serve; what products you sell;... Read More
As someone who loves to shop, enjoys holidays and owns... Read More
Most people want to get to the end of their... Read More
"Ooooooh," you may say, "I could NEVER be good at... Read More
No matter what income level you are currently at, generating... Read More
There is no questioning that the amount of unclaimed money... Read More
Turn to the year 1999, a couple of friends sitting... Read More
When I look around at all of my friends, and... Read More
Six out of six people who were asked to list... Read More
One very important wealth creating habit is to set up... Read More
Let's quickly review the principles discussed in the first part... Read More
In most societies, we are raised to believe in the... Read More
Many people have a false understanding of what it actually... Read More
1. Save up to 50% per month on convenience cleaner... Read More
Before I had a lot of money, I was really... Read More
We talked recently about the wealth formula:Spend less than you... Read More
What is the difference between wealthy people and poor (even... Read More
It's no secret that the market goes UP...the market, goes... Read More
As you know, we're now well and truly in theInformation... Read More
In my last article on Creating Residual Income I mentioned... Read More
There is no need to use the many middleman websites... Read More
Points to ponder as you consider what can be done... Read More
Most people know it's important to keep and organize all... Read More
This article focuses on generating cash as a full time... Read More
It's the beginning of a brand new year: a time... Read More
limo O'Hare Elk Grove (west OF 53) ..As someone who loves to shop, enjoys holidays and owns... Read More
It is with great pleasure of having you here at... Read More
In theory the idea of generating additional (and passive) business... Read More
Is it hard to get rich? If you're young, not... Read More
Most accountants, financial planners and wealth-building experts agree that there... Read More
Everyone wants to be wealthy, but most of us do... Read More
How Much Money Will I Need to Earn to Retire?This... Read More
Financial planning at an early age may seem complicated, however... Read More
Turn to the year 1999, a couple of friends sitting... Read More
Money is probably the most challenging thing for many people... Read More
Would you like to profit from your own information empire?... Read More
There are plenty of people who are in love with... Read More
The word 'diversity' is a unique one. It can represent... Read More
This retirement account is so new and unique that you... Read More
How many people search Google, Yahoo and MSN each day... Read More
Not Enough Money?I believe that most people haven't got enough... Read More
Results from a new tool developed by UK based firm,... Read More
Here's the truth: I have read hundreds and hundreds of... Read More
Financial planning often gets a bad rap. Part of the... Read More
"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." Hosea 4:6... Read More
Wealth Secret 1 - Decide Your Outcome Right Now.Unless you... Read More
Do you ever get this in your email box: Find... Read More
At any time in history, no matter what the current... Read More
Everyone dreams of early retirement. The idea of no longer... Read More
Feng shui coins can allow you, among other things, to... Read More
Wealth Building |