Interest is a major concept in the world of finance and business. Put simply, it is the percentage of a loan or an investment that a borrower or investor pays in addition to the principal amount borrowed or invested. Interest is then typically paid by the borrower to the lender, or in the case of investments, by the company (issuer) to the investor.
Understanding when interest is due and how to accurately calculate it can be a complicated topic. The most common type of interest is simple interest, which is calculated by multiplying the principal amount by the interest rate and the number of periods. As an example, let’s say you borrow $2,500 at 6% interest over two years. The simple interest in this case would be calculated as $2,500 x .06 x 2 = $300.
Interest is also often compounded over certain periods, such as yearly or monthly. This means the interest rate is applied regularly and the new interest is then added to the principal amount, resulting in a higher interest total. As a result, borrowing money at a lower interest rate but with compounded interest can often end up expensive in the long term.
It’s important to understand how interest works and the implications for taking out loans, investments, or other financial products. Being informed and using financial resources properly can help you secure the best rates and terms for your financial decisions.