[Pontiac]

It isn't really true that $1,000 saved is just $1,000 earned. If you're in the top income-tax bracket, it's $1,500 earned. And salted away for 30 years in a tax-deferred account, $1,000 saved is nearly $9,000 towards your retirement. That's some return.

The power of compounded earnings.

[Recon Dad]

A retirement account of $50,000 will provide a 65-year-old man with an annuity of just $4,000 a year.

If you believe that an annuity of 50K will thrown off 4K a year (they don't tell you for how long) you're better off blowing your 50K on lotto tickets.

[Political Junkie Too]

The power of compounded earnings.

What I learned as a small child:

Mr. Dawes Sr, Mr. Banks and Bankers:
If you invest your tuppence
Wisely in the bank
Safe and sound
Soon that tuppence,
Safely invested in the bank,
Will compound

And you'll achieve that sense of conquest
As your affluence expands
In the hands of the directors
Who invest as propriety demands

You see, Michael, you'll be part of
Railways through Africa
Dams across the Nile
Fleets of ocean greyhounds
Majestic, self-amortizing canals
Plantations of ripening tea

All from tuppence, prudently
Fruitfully, frugally invested
In the, to be specific,
In the Dawes, Tomes
Mousely, Grubbs
Fidelity Fiduciary Bank!

Now, Michael,
When you deposit tuppence in a bank account
Soon you'll see
That it blooms into credit of a generous amount
Semiannually
And you'll achieve that sense of stature
As your influence expands
To the high financial strata
That established credit now commands

You can purchase first and second trust deeds
Think of the foreclosures!
Bonds! Chattels! Dividends! Shares!
Bankruptcies! Debtor sales!

Opportunities!
All manner of private enterprise!
Shipyards! The mercantile!
Collieries! Tanneries!
Incorporations! Amalgamations! Banks!

Tuppence, patiently, cautiously trustingly invested
In the, to be specific,
In the Dawes, Tomes
Mousely, Grubbs
Fidelity Fiduciary Bank!

-PJ