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How does compounding affect investment outcome?

Martha invests $10,000 every year for 10 years and then stops ($100,000).
Mary does nothing for the first 10 years, then invests $10,000 every year for the next twenty years. ($200,000)
Assuming a fixed return on investment per year, after 30 years who has more money?

Assumptions

Annual Return Rate

Annual Investment

Years Martha Invests

yrs

Years Mary Invests

yrs

Result Summary

Martha — Final Total

Invested $0

Mary — Final Total

Invested $0

Difference

—

Start early. Let the money do the work.

Balance by Year

How each balance grows over time.

Year-by-Year Detail

The full breakdown behind the chart above.

	Martha			Mary
Year	Interest	Invested	Total	Interest	Invested	Total

Disclaimer

This calculator is provided for general information and illustrative purposes only. All projections, figures, and outcomes shown are estimates based solely on the inputs and assumptions you provide — including but not limited to investment return rates, inflation, life expectancy, tax rates, and property values. Actual results will differ, potentially substantially, from what is shown here.

This tool does not constitute financial, taxation, legal, or retirement planning advice, and nothing displayed should be relied upon as a recommendation to buy, sell, hold, or otherwise deal with any financial product, investment, or property. Tax rates, superannuation rules, and other figures used in this calculator are simplified and may not reflect current law in your jurisdiction, may change without notice, and may not account for your individual circumstances.

Before making any decisions about your retirement, savings, investments, or property, you should seek advice from a licensed financial adviser, accountant, or other appropriately qualified professional who can consider your full personal circumstances.

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