The most expensive thing about waiting is that it never shows up on a statement.
Here is something I end up explaining almost every week, and the person usually sits up a little straighter.
The first years of investing do more work than the last years. Not because the money is bigger, but because it has the longest runway.
Think of planting a tree. The one you plant at 25 has decades to grow before you need the shade. The one you plant at 35 is the same tree, same soil, same sunshine. It just has ten fewer years of growing.
That is compounding. Growth earns growth, and then that growth earns growth too. The early years look slow and a bit boring. Then the curve bends upward and starts doing the heavy lifting without any extra effort from you.
This is why a modest monthly amount started early can end up outworking a much bigger amount started late. Time is the one ingredient you cannot top up later.
None of this means it is too late if you are past 35. It simply means the best moment to start is whichever one is closest to today.
Starting small is not a weak plan. Waiting for the perfect amount often is.
What is one thing you wish you had started earlier?
This article is general information to help you think about your finances. It is not financial advice and does not consider your personal circumstances. Speak to an adviser before making decisions.