> It only works if there is sustained, substantial additional contributions over a lifetime. That's literally how I was taught about compound interest: saving

> It only works if there is sustained, substantial additional contributions over a lifetime. That's literally how I was taught about compound interest: saving money means making weekly/monthly/annual contributions. And that was a regular (non-honors) class in an inner-city middle school. > Try convincing a kid with even modest arithmetic skills that saving $2 and letting it compound is “smart.” No, that's idiotic. I think you're beating on a straw man.