Start Investing Early

Starting Early Really Pays Off Big:

Recall the rule of 72, which can be used to calculate the number of years it would take for a lump-sum investment to double. A 9 percent rate of return doubles an investment every eight years. Waiting eight years to begin saving results in the loss of one doubling. Unfortunately, it is the last doubling that is lost, as illustrated in Table below. In that example, Rs 48,000 (Rs 96,000 -Rs 48,000) is lost due to a hesitancy to invest Rs 3,000.

This is a tremendous opportunity cost for waiting eight years to start. The gains are awesome when you start early and make regular, continuing investments instead of delaying.