The story is about twins both gorgeous and smart. Tina becomes a model at 16 and does well, but her career is over in 6 years – such is the fickle nature of her profession. She then takes it easy and becomes a dog walker – and although she loves her job it only covers expenses with nothing left over to invest. She managed to invest $3000 per month for her 6 years of modelling and then adds nothing for the next 38 years.
Her sister Sally, at 18, studies to become a doctor and qualifies after 7 years. She has a few loans to pay off, which she does in 5 years but then starts to invest $3000 per month for the next 30 years.
Tina, at 60, ends up with $3 794 560 not having added anything to her investment for 38 years. She contributed $216 000.
Sally also retires at 60 and ends up with $3 659 912 pretty close. But she contributed $1 080 000 to her total.
You get the idea....
**Interest worked out at 7%
***I read this story ages ago - original - and probably better version here ( as well as others) - well worth a read. Patrick is a great writer.