Why is Compound Interest Preferable To Simple Interest When Investing?

  • 5 minute read

Have you ever wondered: why is compound interest preferable to simple interest when investing? Compound interest is a powerful tool for investors looking to grow their wealth over time. Unlike simple interest, which only calculates interest on the original principal, compound interest also calculates interest on the accumulated interest. This can lead to much larger returns over time, making it a preferable option for investors.

What is Compound Interest? How Does It work?

The power of compound interest lies in its ability to compound over time. When an investor earns interest on their principal, that interest is added to the principal. The next time interest is calculated, it is calculated on the new total, including the added interest. This process continues, with interest being added to the principal and calculated on the new total each time.

The longer the investment is held, the more the interest compounds, resulting in a significant increase in the total return. This differs from simple interest, which is calculated only on the original principal amount.

Why is Compound Interest Preferable To Simple Interest When Investing?

$1,000 Investment

For example, if an investor has $1,000 and earns 5% interest annually, they would earn $50 in the interest the first year. With simple interest, the investor would continue to earn $50 in interest each year for as long as the investment is held. With compound interest, the investor would earn $50 in interest the first year, but in the second year, they would earn interest on the new total of $1,050. This means they would earn $52.50 in interest in the second year. By the third year, they would earn interest on $1,102.50 and so on.

  • If this money was invested with simple interest, the investor would earn $50 the first year and each year after. For a small amount like a $1,000 investment, this only amounts to a $2.50 loss over two years, but for a more considerable investment, and over the long term, this can add up to a significantly higher loss.

$10,000 Investment

Let’s take a look at another example. Let’s say you invest $10,000 in a savings account with a 5% annual interest rate. After one year, you will have earned $500 in interest (calculated by multiplying the initial investment by the interest rate). If you leave the money in the account for another year, the interest will be calculated not just on the initial investment of $10,000 but also on the $500 interest earned the previous year. This means that in the second year, you will earn $525 in interest (calculated by multiplying $10,500 by the 5% interest rate).

After 10 years, you will have $16,288.89 in the account if you don’t withdraw any amount during the 10 years. That’s an increase of $6,288.89.

  • If this money was invested with simple interest, you would have $15,000 at the end of 10 years. You’d earn $1,288.89 less by choosing a simple interest investment.

As you can see, the returns from compound interest grow exponentially, while the returns from simple interest remain the same. This means that over time, an investment earning compound interest will grow much faster than an investment earning simple interest.

Advantages of Compound Interest

Another advantage of compound interest is that it can help investors save on taxes. Many countries, including the United States, have tax interest earned on investments. However, if the interest is reinvested and earns more interest, the investor may not have to pay taxes on it until it is withdrawn. This can help investors save on taxes and grow their wealth faster.

Advantages of Compound Interest

In addition, compound interest can also be used to help investors reach their financial goals faster. For example, if an investor wants to save for retirement, they can use compound interest to help them reach their goal faster. By investing early and letting the power of compound interest work for them, they can reach their goal much faster than if they had only been earning simple interest.

Compound interest is a powerful tool for investors looking to grow their wealth over time. The advantages of compound interest include:

  1. Increased returns – Compound interest allows investors to earn interest on both the principal investment and any accumulated interest. This means that over time, the returns on an investment with compound interest will be higher than an investment without compound interest.
  2. Long-term growth – Compound interest is particularly beneficial for long-term investments, as the compounding effect will have more time to work its magic. Investors who are able to invest for a longer period of time will see the greatest benefits from compound interest.
  3. Passive income – Compound interest can provide a source of passive income for investors. Once the initial investment is made, the money will grow on its own without the need for additional contributions.
  4. Tax benefits – In some cases, compound interest investments may be eligible for tax-deferred status, meaning that investors will not have to pay taxes on the interest earned until they withdraw the money.
  5. Low risk – Compound interest investments are generally considered low risk, as the returns are generated by the interest earned on the initial investment rather than the performance of the underlying asset.

Which Investments Offer Compound Interest?

When it comes to investing and taking advantage of compound interest, there are several options to consider:

  • One popular option is to invest in a 401(k) or IRA account, which are retirement savings accounts that allow for tax-deferred growth and compound interest. These types of accounts typically offer various investment options, such as mutual funds and index funds, which can help diversify your portfolio and potentially increase your returns over time.
  • Another option for gaining compound interest is to invest in a high-yield savings account or certificate of deposit (CD). These types of accounts typically offer higher interest rates than traditional savings accounts, and the interest earned is compounded on a regular basis, allowing your money to grow at a faster rate.
  • Another avenue is to invest in the stock market. This can be done through various options such as individual stocks, mutual funds, or exchange-traded funds (ETFs). While more risk is involved with investing in the stock market, the potential returns can be much higher, and compound interest can help your investments grow over time.
  • Finally, you can also invest in real estate. This can include buying rental properties, flipping houses, or investing in a real estate investment trust (REIT). These types of investments can provide steady cash flow and long-term growth, and compound interest can help your investments grow over time.

Which Investments Offer Compound Interest

Which Investments offer only Simple Interest?

Simple interest investments typically include:

  • Savings accounts – These accounts offer a fixed interest rate and pay interest on the initial deposit. Standard savings accounts usually offer very low-interest rates (up to 3%).
  • Treasury bills – These are short-term debt securities issued by the government that pay simple interest at maturity.
  • Corporate bonds – Some corporate bonds may offer simple interest payments, although most pay interest on a semi-annual or annual basis.
  • Money market funds – These mutual funds invest in short-term debt securities and pay simple interest to shareholders.

Choose a Compound When Possible

In conclusion, compound interest is a powerful tool for investors looking to grow their wealth over time. Its ability to compound over time leads to much larger returns than simple interest, and it can also help investors save on taxes and reach their financial goals faster. Therefore, investors should consider using compound interest when planning their investments.