Understand the result
Time can matter more than people expect
Waiting costs more than the deposits you skipped. Early contributions also lose every future year in which they could have earned returns.
The comparison deliberately keeps the monthly contribution the same after each person starts. That makes the value of time visible without assuming the later starter “catches up” with larger deposits.
What this comparison does not prove
- It does not mean market returns will be smooth or positive every year.
- It does not say investing should come before emergency savings or high-cost debt in every situation.
- It does show how sensitive long-term projections are to the start date.