Why $10,000 at 20 Is Worth Seven Times More Than at 60
Investing early dramatically increases your chances of building lasting wealth.
Too often, young adults delay saving, thinking they need to be “established” before they start investing. But in personal finance, time is your greatest asset.
In a recent article published in La Presse titled “Pourquoi 10 000 $ à 20 ans valent sept fois plus qu’à 60 ans” (Why $10,000 at 20 Is Worth Seven Times More Than at 60), financial columnist Pierre-Yves McSween clearly lays out the exponential power of compounding. It’s a message that deeply resonates with our team at Investamp.
Compound interest: The snowball effect of saving
Imagine investing $10,000 at age 20 into a well-diversified portfolio earning an average annual return of 5%. Without adding a single dollar more, that initial investment could grow to nearly $70,000 by age 60.
Investing that same amount at 60? It will barely move the needle.
Why? Because money needs time to work for you. The earlier you start, the more years your investment has to grow on itself. That’s the magic of compound returns.
Start small, think big
You don’t need a large sum to begin. In fact, it’s a myth.
You’re better off investing $25 a week at age 22 than $500 a month starting at 45. Why? Because time beats size. It’s not just about how much you invest — it’s about how early and how consistently.
If you’re young and unsure about investing, remember: every year you wait can cost you tens of thousands of dollars at retirement.
Personalized guidance makes all the difference
At Investamp, we believe a strong financial future starts with tailored planning and human support.
We work with many young adults to help them build their financial foundations. Often, all it takes is one honest conversation — about goals, fears, or dreams — to set real change in motion.
And more often than not, we hear:
“If I had known this earlier, I would have started right away.”
If you’re 20, 25, or 30… this is your moment.
The best time to invest was yesterday.
The second-best time is today.
Take the time to plan, to learn, to invest. And above all, choose a financial advisor who’s in it with you for the long haul.
Because $10,000 at 20 isn’t just money, it’s freedom you’re giving to your future self.