Compound interest mistakes that cost you years of growth

Compounding works best with time, consistency, and low friction. These common mistakes quietly reduce outcomes.

Mistake #1: Waiting to start

Time is the engine. Even small contributions started earlier often beat larger contributions started later.

Consistency matters. If you stop and start, you lose both contributions and compounding time.

Fees compound too. Even small annual fees can reduce long-term outcomes significantly.

Optimistic rates make plans look easy — until reality hits. Build your plan on conservative assumptions first.

What’s the single biggest mistake?

Waiting to start is usually the biggest, because time can’t be replaced.

How do I see the impact of waiting?

Run two scenarios in /grow.html: start now vs start 5 years later with the same contribution.

How much do fees matter?

Over long periods, fees can reduce outcomes a lot. Try lowering the return rate slightly to approximate fees.

Should I invest more or invest longer?

If you can, do both. If you must choose, extra time often beats extra contribution.

Where can I learn the formula and logic?

See /how-compound-interest-works.html.