Money Market Savings Account Calculator

Compound Interest Formula:

\[ FV = P \times (1 + \frac{r}{n})^{n \times t} \]

Principal (P):

Annual Interest Rate (r):

decimal

Compounding Periods (n):

per year

Time (t):

years

Future Value (FV):

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1. What is Compound Interest?

Compound interest is the interest calculated on the initial principal and also on the accumulated interest of previous periods. It allows savings to grow at a faster rate compared to simple interest, where interest is calculated only on the principal amount.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the compound interest formula:

\[ FV = P \times (1 + \frac{r}{n})^{n \times t} \]

Where:

\( FV \) — Future value of the investment
\( P \) — Principal investment amount
\( r \) — Annual interest rate (in decimal form)
\( n \) — Number of compounding periods per year
\( t \) — Time the money is invested for in years

Explanation: The formula calculates how much an investment will grow over time when interest is compounded at regular intervals.

3. Importance of Compound Interest

Details: Compound interest is a powerful concept in finance that allows investments to grow exponentially over time. Understanding compound interest helps in making informed decisions about savings and investments for long-term financial goals.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the principal amount in dollars, annual interest rate as a decimal (e.g., 0.05 for 5%), number of compounding periods per year, and time in years. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between simple and compound interest?
A: Simple interest is calculated only on the principal amount, while compound interest is calculated on both the principal and accumulated interest, leading to faster growth over time.

Q2: How does compounding frequency affect returns?
A: More frequent compounding (e.g., monthly vs. annually) results in higher returns because interest is calculated and added to the principal more often.

Q3: What are typical compounding periods?
A: Common compounding periods include annually (1), semi-annually (2), quarterly (4), monthly (12), and daily (365).

Q4: Can this calculator be used for other investments?
A: While designed for money market accounts, the formula applies to any investment with compound interest, including savings accounts and certificates of deposit.

Q5: How accurate is this calculator?
A: The calculator provides accurate mathematical results based on the inputs. However, actual investment returns may vary due to changing interest rates and other market factors.