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.
affordable house cleaning Park Ridge ..Building wealth is as simple as saving a little bit... Read More
Let's begin this lesson with a definition of the term... Read More
There are few things in life that are more stressful... Read More
I recently came across startling figures about the average American's... Read More
When Building Wealth by Russ Whitney was released a few... Read More
The word 'diversity' is a unique one. It can represent... Read More
Here's the truth: I have read hundreds and hundreds of... Read More
Are you setting the right money goals?Most people believe having... Read More
Feng shui coins can allow you, among other things, to... Read More
Whether an established conglomerate or a fledgling company, a business... Read More
What is "The Commodity of Kings""Power is simply "the ability... Read More
I am often amused by the ads and offers I... Read More
Look at Forbes' top 10 United States wealthiest people. Notice... Read More
The inability to come up with the necessary cash when... 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
There once was a hawk, ferocious and swift. He was... Read More
"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." Hosea 4:6... Read More
If you're reading this article, it means you are a... Read More
Offshore strategies may or may not be right for you.... Read More
Have you wondered why financial experts only tell you certain... Read More
Any successful person, or any anyone interested in self improvement... Read More
This 4,000 acre sale (now a marina and resort town... Read More
What is the difference between wealthy people and poor (even... Read More
As a woman Netpreneur, I sat down via e-mail with... Read More
affordable house cleaning Mundelein ..Everyone dreams of early retirement. The idea of no longer... Read More
I have a good friend who works in an area... Read More
1. Save up to 50% per month on convenience cleaner... Read More
At any time in history, no matter what the current... Read More
Top Investment PerformanceThroughout history, many coin collections have produced substantial... Read More
A residual income is one that comes in no matter... Read More
Recently, one late winter night, my four-year old son and... Read More
Have you stopped to realize that although you go... Read More
Do you have financial problems? Then a budget is the... Read More
"Money Doesn't Grow On Trees."Some of us even believe it.... Read More
The rewarding of high compensation packages to top executives who... Read More
If you don't have discipline then walk away from the... Read More
The business of banking has changed dramatically over the last... Read More
My First Million took me exactly 27 months to achieve.... Read More
Most people work hard all their lives only to "retire"... Read More
One very important wealth creating habit is to set up... Read More
Part of learning to become financially free is to begin... Read More
Not Enough Money?I believe that most people haven't got enough... Read More
Self-Made Millionaires are not smarter or better than you. They... Read More
Here are some thoughts about the morphing of thought and... Read More
We talked recently about the wealth formula:Spend less than you... Read More
Results from a new tool developed by UK based firm,... Read More
As many people have observed, "Success leaves clues." If you... Read More
Compounding: The Ninth Wonder of the WorldBy Nicola Cairncross Compounding... Read More
There are few things in life that are more stressful... Read More
Wealth Building |