Yes, if you'd invested 1000 at 10% over 50 years you'd have 117,000. But let's stick with what OP said. >if _you_ took _your_ $1000 and invested at a regular r

Yes, if you'd invested 1000 at 10% over 50 years you'd have 117,000. But let's stick with what OP said. >if _you_ took _your_ $1000 and invested at a regular rate of return of 10% and waited 50 years _I'd_ have $17,000! An excellent return on your investment except your entire life has gone by If we took this at face value, it means the 17k must have been some sort of consulting fee or something. I guess he's saying don't wait 50 years for a 17k consulting fee which you can't really argue with. Either that or OP should check his math