These days interest rates are near zero. The average savings account currently pays .09% interest per year, according to the FDIC.

So over the course of a decade, saving $100 with compound interest would give you a grand total of $109.37.

But at the same time, the opposite force is working against us. Inflation currently stands around 2.5%. And that compounds too.

What $100 can buy now will cost $102.50 next year. After ten years, assuming inflation stays the same, it will cost $128.

So just by saving $100 for ten years, you've lost $18.63 of real value.

That's why these days, you have to invest to make money. Luckily stocks, real estate and pretty much every asset class is close to all time highs right now.

But last week's "coronavirus drop" is a good reminder that it's not going to last forever.