Compound interest: the eighth wonder of the world

Einstein supposedly called compound interest "the eighth wonder of the world." We can't verify the quote, but the math is real.

Two friends, Alex and Sam. Alex starts saving $50/month at 16 and stops at 26 — total $6,000. Sam starts at 26 and saves $200/month until 65 — total $93,600. Both earn 8% per year.

At 65: Alex has $487,000. Sam has $621,000. Sam saved 15× more money and ended up with only 27% more. Time matters more than amount.

That's why we teach this in lesson 5, before anything else. If you only remember one thing from Tickr: start now.