Rule of thumb · FinanceNº 38 / 96

Ten years earlier ≈ twice the pot

At typical market returns, starting to invest 10 years earlier roughly doubles your final balance.

Why it works

1.07¹⁰ ≈ 1.97. The last doubling of any compound curve is the biggest — and you only get it by starting early.

Do it exactly

Estimate with the rule, then check it against the calculator that models it properly.

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