"How much future wealth do I burn for every year I delay starting?"

Time (t) is an exponent, and the cost of waiting is exponential.
— Debugging Your Personal Finance, Chapter 7

Monthly contribution ($) Real return (%)

Total horizon (years) Years delayed

If you start today: —

If you delay: —

Cost of waiting: —

Compares two deterministic compound paths. Real returns vary year-to-year; volatility is not modeled.

From Chapters 7 and 15 of Debugging Your Personal Finance. Simple calculator · Inputs stay in your browser · Not financial advice.