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LoansJagat Team
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8 Minute
24 Mar 2025
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With financial giants openly sharing their journeys, it's easy to be in awe. But have you ever wondered how you could be one of them? Or better yet, how could you do better than what they did?
Compounding is one factor that could help you build the wealth you've always dreamed of. Let’s just say you start investing ₹20,000 today; by 2045, it can grow into a massive fortune. ‘Paisa Hi Paisa Hoga’!
However, you must know that time is the most influential component in the entire game. The longer your money stays invested, the harder it works, multiplying itself over time.
For example, Aryan, a 28-year-old, started investing ₹2,000 per month consistently. He opted for a fund that gives an average return of 12% per year. At first, the growth seemed slow, but as the years went by, he could see the effects of compounding.
Using the table below, let’s see his investment journey for the next 30 years.
Years Invested | Total Amount Invested | Total Wealth (at 12% return) |
10 years | ₹2.4 lakh | ₹4.64 lakh |
20 years | ₹4.8 lakh | ₹19.3 lakh |
30 years | ₹7.2 lakh | ₹70.9 lakh |
Compounding is not rocket science; it’s just simple math. The earlier you start, the less you need to invest to achieve the same goal. If you start at 25, even small amounts can grow into serious wealth. But if you wait till 35, you’ll have to put in almost double the effort and money to get the same results. ‘Zyada Mehnat Hai Baba’
So, don’t overthink it; just start. Whether you’re 25 or 35, 2025 is your year to take action. In this blog, we’ll learn more about compounding.
‘Boond Boond Se Sagar Banta Hai’
Let’s imagine a snowball rolling down a hill without getting involved in complex definitions. It starts small, but as it keeps moving, it gathers more snow, growing bigger with each turn. The longer it rolls, the more snow it collects. After some time, that tiny ball will be transformed into a massive snowball.
That’s precisely how compounding works in investing. Your investment starts small, just like that snowball. But as time passes, your returns start earning their returns, and then those returns generate even more returns.
This creates a powerful growth cycle, turning even modest savings into substantial wealth. The longer you let it roll, the bigger it gets.
‘Samay Bada Balwan’
Everything needs time to grow, whether it’s a tiny seed turning into a fruit-bearing tree or your money multiplying over the years. The sooner you start investing, the less effort you need to reach your goal.
Starting early gives your money more time to grow, reducing the pressure to invest large sums later. With more years ahead, you can take advantage of market fluctuations, reinvested returns, and economic growth.
You won’t believe it, but inflation plays a role, too. Prices keep rising, so should your money. It needs to grow faster than inflation to maintain its value. The later you start, the more you’ll need to invest to catch up. Let’s understand it with an example.
For example, Manmeet started investing ₹5,000 per month at age 25 with an annual return of 12%. By the time she turns 60, her investment will have grown to ₹3.4 crore. Even we are shocked!
Let’s say she waits 10 years and starts at 35 instead. With the same monthly investment and returns, she’ll only accumulate ₹1.1 crore by 60.
Age Started | Monthly Investment (₹) | Total Years Invested | Total Investment (₹) | Wealth at 40 (₹) | Wealth at 50 (₹) | Wealth at 60 (₹) | Loss Due to Delay (₹) |
25 | 5,000 | 35 | 21 lakh | 22 lakh | 1.2 crore | 3.4 crore | — |
35 | 5,000 | 25 | 15 lakh | 13 lakh | 50 lakh | 1.1 crore | 2.3 crore |
Investment doesn’t have to be complicated. Small, consistent investments can turn into massive wealth over time. According to recent data, investing ₹5,000 per month in an equity SIP with 12% annual returns can grow to ₹1 crore in 25 years. Isn’t that great?
Here’s why SIPs are the perfect choice:
Not all investments grow at the same speed. If you want to build wealth efficiently, you need to invest in high-yield options that maximize returns over time.
High-yield investments are assets that offer better-than-average returns over the long term. These investments typically involve some level of risk, but they outperform traditional savings accounts and low-return instruments like fixed deposits.
With the table below, you can compare different investment options.
Investment Option | Expected Annual Returns | Risk Level | Ideal For | Compounding Effect Over 20 Years (₹5,000/month) |
Equity Mutual Funds | 12-14% | High | Long-term growth, wealth creation | ₹50-70 lakh |
PPF (Public Provident Fund) | 7.1% (2024 rate) | Low | Safe, tax-free savings, retirement planning | ₹26-28 lakh |
NPS (National Pension System) | 8-10% | Moderate | Retirement planning, stable returns | ₹32-40 lakh |
For Example, Manoj and Rohan, both 25, started saving for their future. They each decided to invest ₹5,000 per month for the next 25 years. However, they chose different investment instruments.
Manoj played it safe and invested in a PPF account with an average return of 7.1% per year. Rohan took a strategic approach and invested in equity mutual funds, earning an average of 12% per year. Let’s see how their money grew over time:
Parameter | Manoj (PPF - 7.1%) | Rohan (Equity Mutual Funds - 12%) | Comparison & Impact |
Monthly Investment | ₹5,000 | ₹5,000 | Same starting investment |
Annual Return Rate | 7.1% (fixed, govt-backed) | 12% (market-based, variable) | Higher returns in equities |
Total Investment (25 years) | ₹15,00,000 | ₹15,00,000 | Both invest equally over 25 years |
Value After 5 Years | ₹3,74,813 | ₹4,43,457 | ₹68,644 difference |
Final Value (25 Years) | ₹37,10,825 | ₹1,10,29,311 | ₹73,18,486 difference |
Total Gain | ₹22,10,825 | ₹95,29,311 | Equity earns 4.3x more |
Risk Level | Very Low (Govt-backed) | Moderate-High (Market-linked) | Equities have more risk, but also more reward |
Many investors focus on rising stock prices but ignore one of the most powerful tools for long-term wealth building: reinvesting dividends and interest.
When you reinvest dividends, you buy more shares or fund units, generating even more dividends. Over time, this creates a snowball effect, where your money compounds exponentially.
Unlike regular investments, where you invest fresh capital, reinvesting dividends grows your portfolio without additional savings.
Suppose you hold 100 shares of a stock priced at ₹500 each, with a 3% dividend yield. Instead of withdrawing ₹1,500 in dividends, you buy 3 more shares. Over time, this increases your total holdings without extra investment.
Even if stock prices are falling, reinvesting dividends means you buy more shares at lower prices. It sets you up for higher gains when the market rebounds.
If you receive ₹5,000 in dividends during a bear market when the stock price drops from ₹100 to ₹80, you buy 62 extra shares instead of 50. It boosts your future returns when prices rise again.
If you spend dividends, your money’s value is depleted due to inflation. Reinvesting helps your wealth outpace rising costs.
If inflation rises at 6% annually, ₹1 lakh today will only be worth ₹54,000 in 10 years. But if you reinvest dividends and get 10% average returns, your investment grows to ₹2.6 lakh—beating inflation easily!
For Example, Ananya and Siddhant invest ₹10,000 in an equity fund at 12% each. While Ananya reinvested the dividends, Rohit didn’t. Let’s compare their growth strategy using the table below.
Parameter | Ananya | Rohit | Impact |
Initial Investment | ₹10,000 | ₹10,000 | Same starting point |
Annual Dividend Yield | 12% | 12% | Same returns |
Dividends Reinvested | Yes | No | Reinvesting fuels compounding |
Dividends Earned (1st Year) | ₹1,200 | ₹1,200 | Same initial earnings |
Total Value After 5 Years | ₹18,152 | ₹16,000 | ₹2,152 difference |
Total Value After 20 Years | ₹1,15,892 | ₹46,000 | ₹69,892 more! |
Reinvesting dividends isn’t just about compounding; it’s also a smart way to reduce taxes and maximise returns. When you reinvest, specific investment options provide tax benefits, making your wealth-building process more efficient.
Dividend-paying investments like growth-focused mutual funds, NPS (National Pension System), and PPF (Public Provident Fund) offer significant tax advantages when dividends are reinvested. It helps you grow your money faster while minimising tax liabilities.
One of the biggest mistakes investors make is withdrawing money too soon. Think of compounding like a marathon, not a sprint; the longer you stay invested, the bigger your returns.
Every time you withdraw from your investments, you’re not just taking out money but also resetting the compounding clock. That means you lose out on the potential returns your money could have earned over time.
For example, Malti invested ₹5 lakh in an equity fund growing at 12% annually; after 20 years, it would become ₹19.3 lakh. But if she withdrew ₹1 lakh in the 5th year, her final amount would drop to ₹15.2 lakh. She would have to bear a loss of ₹4.1 lakh in potential gains!
Year | Investment (Without Withdrawal) | Investment (With ₹1 Lakh Withdrawal in Year 5) | Lost Growth Due to Withdrawal |
5 | ₹8.8 lakh | ₹7.3 lakh | ₹1.5 lakh |
10 | ₹15.5 lakh | ₹13.1 lakh | ₹2.4 lakh |
15 | ₹27.3 lakh | ₹23.1 lakh | ₹4.2 lakh |
20 | ₹48.2 lakh | ₹41.1 lakh | ₹7.1 lakh |
Compounding needs time. Withdrawing ₹1 lakh after 5 years instead of 20 years could mean losing over ₹10 lakh in potential gains! Every early withdrawal resets the growth clock, reducing long-term wealth.
If you need cash, build a 6-month emergency fund in an FD or liquid mutual fund instead of touching investments. Let your money stay invested, and watch it multiply effortlessly!
If inflation is 6%, your ₹1 lakh today will shrink in value over time. Aim for investments that beat inflation by 4-5% to grow wealth—like equity mutual funds or NPS truly.
FDs and savings accounts barely keep up with inflation. Choose high-growth assets to ensure your money grows and retains honest purchasing power over decades!
Wealth-building is not magic. It is about starting early, staying bright, and letting compounding do its thing. Avoid mistakes like early withdrawals or ignoring inflation; they’ll cost you big time! You should use high-return investments, reinvest dividends, and consolidate debt smartly if you’ve got debt. Trust us on this: time is your best friend here: ‘jitna jaldi start karega, utna faayda!’
Take action today, stay consistent, and watch your money grow without breaking a sweat.
About the Author
LoansJagat Team
We are a team of writers, editors, and proofreaders with 15+ years of experience in the finance field. We are your personal finance gurus! But, we will explain everything in simplified language. Our aim is to make personal and business finance easier for you. While we help you upgrade your financial knowledge, why don't you read some of our blogs?
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