3.6 Keeping the Long View

Let’s end this module by looking at investment returns.

Your investment return is how much your investments grow over time. For example, a 5% return on $10,000 means you’ve gained $500.

At Common Wealth, we help you focus on what matters:

• The long-term returns you earn—measured in decades, not years.
• Whether your returns are helping you meet your retirement goals.

If you focus on just one number, make it your retirement readiness score—not your investment return. That’s the clearest indicator of whether you’re on track.

To recap the fundamentals:

1. Don’t just save—invest
2. Time is your friend
3. Save and invest regularly
4. Stick to your plan
5. Keep the long view