What is the Rule of 72 examples?

The Rule of 72 is a calculation that estimates the number of years it takes to double your money at a specified rate of return. If, for example, your account earns 4 percent, divide 72 by 4 to get the number of years it will take for your money to double. In this case, 18 years.

How is the Rule of 72 calculated?

Calculator Use Use the Rule of 72 to estimate how long it will take to double an investment at a given interest rate. Divide 72 by the interest rate to see how long it will take to double your money on an investment.

What is the 72 rule in math?

stockcam/Getty Images. The Rule of 72 is a mathematical formula that estimates how long it’ll take an investment to double in value or to lose half its value. To calculate the Rule of 72, you divide the number 72 by the rate of return of an investment or account.

How many years does it take to double your money?

The rule says that to find the number of years required to double your money at a given interest rate, you just divide the interest rate into 72. For example, if you want to know how long it will take to double your money at eight percent interest, divide 8 into 72 and get 9 years.

Why is Rule 72 important?

The Rule of 72 helps investors understand how long it will take for their initial investment to double. Understanding at an early age how money grows is important. Time is a key component to building a respectable savings for later in life.

Why does the Rule of 72 work?

Using the rule of 72 allows you to have a solid idea of when your investment would double just from the investment rate. Very conveniently, the number 72 divides cleanly into 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9 and 12, allowing for a quick and simple division problem instead of your usual compound interest problem.

How do you find the Rule of 72 in Excel?

Now, use the rule of 72 to calculate the approximate number of years by entering “=72/A2” into cell C2, “=72/A3” into cell C3, “=72/A4” into cell C4, “=72/A5” into cell C5 and “=72/A6” into cell C6.

Why does the 72 rule work?

The actual number of years comes from a logarithmic calculation, one you can’t really determine without having a calculator with logarithmic capabilities. That’s why the rule of 72 exists; it lets you basically figure out how long it will take to double without requiring an actual physical calculator on your person.

Why should you pay yourself first?

The advantage of “paying yourself first” out of your paycheck is that you build up a nest egg to secure your future, and create a cushion for financial emergencies such as your car breaking down or unexpected medical expenses. Without savings, many people report experiencing a large amount of stress.