The power of compounding interest

“Compound interest” may be a term you often hear, but do not completely understand. However, understanding how compounding works isn’t hard, and it can help you see how interest adds up, whether you’re signing up for a new car loan or a savings account. Compound interest may make the difference between whether you end up deeply in debt or with a healthy savings. Here’s how:

• If you’re paying interest on debts like credit cards, student loans, or a car loan, allowing balances to accrue over time rather than paying them off can cost you more in interest charges over time.
• If you’re earning interest — on something like a high-yield savings account — compound growth can work in your favor. Over time, you can help meet your savings goals thanks to the power of compounding.

Debt: When compounding isn’t your friend

When you take out any kind of credit, the lender charges you interest on the amount you borrowed — or your “principal” amount. If you don’t pay off the debt right away, those recurring interest charges are added to your principal like new snow being added to a snowball.

Not making your monthly payment is a big deal. You could start owing more interest that adds up, your debt could go to a collection agency, or, if you have a secured debt, you could have the secured property — like your car or home — seized. All of these things can have a huge impact on your credit and your life.

Credit cards are a good example. Credit cards are an example of revolving credit, which means that you get a maximum amount to spend, and you can keep borrowing that money as long as you repay what you owe (either payment in full or the minimum payment each month).

Say you have a $1,000 balance on a credit card at an annual percentage rate of 16.4%. For simplicity, let’s say you make the minimum payment each month, which is typically a certain percent of your balance — for this example, we’ll say 2.5% (or $25 for that first payment).

By paying just the minimum payment, you will pay interest on interest, even though your account is still current. It will take you 8 years and 7 months to pay off that $1,000 balance. You’ll end up paying $1,756.59 total — $756.59 of which is interest.

Saving and investing: When compounding works for you

Compound interest can work to your benefit, too. Let’s take that same $1,000 and assume you put it into a savings account: This time, instead of paying interest, you’re earning it.

Remember, your balance and the earned interest get compounded. Every year, you have a higher account balance. As such, you also earn more interest on that higher balance. You’re now earning interest on your interest.

As you can see, by leaving your savings in the bank, your balance can grow because of compounding interest. If you make it a habit to deposit more money into this savings account each month, compounding can earn you even more interest. Check out what happens when you start with $1,000, but also add in $500 each month:

How to keep compound growth working for you

In short, time is your key factor. The longer you take to pay down debt, the more interest you’ll compound and have to pay. However, if you have savings and investment accounts, time works in your favor. The longer you keep money in your account, the more time you have for the interest to compound and the potential to grow for you.

• If you have debt: Consider making payments regularly, on time. Try not to get behind on payments, since you’ll be at risk to incur more interest. If you can pay extra toward your loan payments, great! You may pay less interest over the life of your loan.
• If you have savings: Consider putting away money as early as you can. If you start saving for a house or retirement in your 20s, your money can compound and earn significantly more interest than the account of a person who starts saving or investing in their 40s. More time to save and invest gives you the opportunity to earn more compound interest.

A strategy that may help you lower interest paid on your loans and boost interest earned on your savings is to sign up with your bank for automatic payments and deposits. That way, you can help avoid the consequences of missing a loan payment and deposit money in your saving accounts.