Compound Interest Can Be a Trap

To make compound interest work for you, pay attention to these three factors:
· Measure time in years.
· Achieve a solid annual rate of return.
· Consider the total amount invested.
These three variables form the core of the formula:
Compound interest = Total investment × (1 + rate of return)^time
This is a simplified version of a complex equation, and the key takeaway is that its variable parts are unpredictable. You need an annual return above 10% to truly feel the power of compounding. Haven't markets dropped 20% in a single year before? Or even 40%? They have. And when that happens again, all your hard-earned money can vanish overnight.
The model of wealth growth through compounding is flawed precisely because its variables—both time and rate of return—are beyond your control.