Indeed, compound interest is the most rewarding method of wealth creation. Can you imagine earning interest from accrued interest? That’s awesome! Compound interest has the power to accelerate the rate at which you gain financial freedom. Compound interest is when you earn interest on your principal investment plus any accumulated interest from previous periods. This means that the longer you invest, the more your money will grow. This compound interest feature can be matched with the intent of real estate investment. They both grow over time. The longer the investment stays, the more money it is gaining. Keep reading to know more about compound interest and how you can benefit from it.

What is Compound Interest? 

Compound interest is when you earn interest on your original investment and the interest already earned. This can help your money grow faster than if you only earned interest on the original investment. You earn interest from both the principal amount and the interest.

The Compound Interest Formula

To calculate compound interest, you need to know the principal investment amount, the interest rate, and the number of compounding periods. The formula for compound interest is:

A = P(1 + r/n)^nt

Where:

A = the future value of the investment

P = the principal investment amount

r = the annual interest rate

n = the number of compounding periods per year

t = the number of years the investment will grow

For example, let’s say you invest 1,000,000 Kenyan Shillings at 10% per year for 10 years, with quarterly compounding. The future value of your investment would be:

A = 1,000,000(1 + 0.10/4)^(4*10)

A = 1,000,000(1.025)^40

A = 2,594,988 Kenyan Shillings

How Does Compound Interest Work in Kenya?

In Kenya, as in other countries, the bank will charge you interest on the money you borrow when you take out a loan. This is usually a percentage of the total loan amount and is added to your monthly debt. The interest is what the bank charges you for using its money, and that’s how it makes a profit from lending.

If you have a compound interest loan, the interest is added to your debt each month, and the next month’s interest is calculated on the new, higher debt amount. This can cause your debt to grow quickly because you are paying interest on the debt that has already been added to your debt.

It is important to remember that compound interest works both ways. If you have money in a savings account that earns compound interest, the interest earned each month is added to your account balance, and then the next month’s interest is calculated on the new, higher balance. This can help your savings to grow very quickly.

If you are considering taking out a loan, it is important to ask about the interest rate and whether it is compound interest.  

The Benefits of Compound Interest

Compound interest is when you earn interest on your interest. In other words, you’re earning money on your money. It’s one of the most powerful wealth-building tools available and the key to achieving financial freedom.

There are two main types of compound interest: simple and continuous. Simple interest is when you earn interest on your original investment only. Continuous compound interest is when you earn interest on your original investment and any interest that has been accrued.

Compounding is key to growing your wealth over time. The earlier you start, the more time your money has to grow. And the more money you have to invest, the more compound interest you’ll earn.

Compound interest is a powerful tool for building wealth. It’s important to start investing early and as much as possible. By doing so, you’ll reap the benefits of compounding and be on your way to financial freedom.

The Disadvantages of Compound Interest

Compound interest is often thought of as a good thing, but there are some disadvantages to be aware of as well.

It can create a false sense of security. If you’re not careful, you can end up owing more money than you can afford to pay back.

Another downside is that it can be hard to keep track of. With compound interest, the interest you owe compounds over time, which makes it difficult to track how much you owe.

Compound interest can be expensive when you have a loan. The longer you take to pay off a loan, the more interest you’ll end up paying. This can make it difficult to save money in the long run.

How to Make Compound Interest Work For You

Compound interest is when you earn interest on your original investment and any interest that has been previously earned. This can help your investment grow faster than if you only earned interest on the original amount.

Invest in a high-yield savings account or a longer-term certificate of deposit to make compound interest work for you. Both options will allow you to earn compound interest on your money.

You can also invest in an education savings plan. The education savings account allows you to save for your child’s future education while also getting the benefit of compound interest.

You can invest in a mutual fund. This option will give you a chance to earn compound interest on your investment and the potential to earn dividends.

Finally

As you’ve seen, compound interest is an excellent way to build wealth. And typically, real estate investment is some way of compound interest, but we call the gains returns on investment.

The bottom line is investing in something which can make you passive income. With compound interest, you don’t have to wake up every morning to check on your investments.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best compound interest investments in Kenya?

Compound interest investments include

High-yielding savings accounts

Money mutual funds

Real estate investment Trusts (REITs)

Certificates of deposits

Can I gain financial freedom through compound interest?

Yes. It’s possible to become a millionaire with compound interest. You only need to get the right investment plan and give it time.

Can I lose money with compound interest?

This depends on which investment you choose. For instance, you can lose all your investments with mutual funds, bonds, and stocks. The only sure way to earn with compound interest without losing money is a high-yielding savings account. But that is exceptional in case the bank or Sacco goes bankrupt, which is rare.