On the surface, an interest rate is just a number. How that number applies to debt or equity opens up a world of possibilities. The first consideration is always whether it’s simple interest vs.

Simple interest is paid only on the principal, e.g., a $10,000 investment at 5% yields $500 annually. Compound interest accumulates on both principal and past interest, increasing total returns over ...

If you’re an investor looking to understand the benefits of compound interest, consider the example set by the legendary Warren Buffett. The 93-year-old’s net worth has grown to $137 billion over the ...

When you plan a personal loan, understanding how interest works is just as important as knowing the loan amount. Many people ...

Accrued interest is used when an investment pays a steady amount of interest, which can be easily prorated over short periods of time. Bonds are good examples of investments where accrued interest ...

Capital at risk. The value of your investments can go up and down, and you may get back less than you invest. Compounding is a process where interest is credited, not only to the original ‘principal’ ...

Interest can be charged when you borrow money or earned when you save. When you charge something on a credit card or take out ...

Simple interest calculates earnings or payments based solely on the initial principal, while compound interest grows by calculating interest on both the principal and the accumulated interest over ...

You might have heard people use the term compound interest, but if you can’t answer the question “What is compound interest?” then you’re missing out on how compound interest affects your finances.