The Fee that Eats Returns
January 6th
If returns are going to be 7 or 8 percent and you’re paying 1 percent for fees, that makes an enormous difference in how much money you’re going to have in retirement.
In the world of investing, small percentages can hold significant power. A 1% fee may seem negligible, but when compounded over time, it can eat away at your returns. Suppose you invest $10,000 and manage to achieve an 8% return annually. Over a span of 30 years, this investment could put you over the $100,000 mark. But introduce a 1% fee into this equation, and the story changes. That same investment, after 30 years, yields around $76,000—a significant cut, all thanks to a seemingly insignificant 1% fee.
What we see here is the power of compounding working in reverse, a small fee progressively reducing your returns over the decades. Fees in the investing world are like termites—they silently gnaw away at your investment's foundation, steadily eroding its value.
Investing isn't just about managing risk and seeking returns; it's equally about understanding and managing costs. So, the next time you analyze an investment opportunity, remember to look beyond the potential gains. Scrutinize the costs involved, understand their long-term impact, and always consider cost-effective strategies. In this slow and steady approach lies the secret to sustainable wealth creation.
Copyright © 2023 by Scott Sansovich