Time value of money
Money has a time value. If you are owed £10, you would rather it was paid back now than in, say, one year's time.
Even if inflation and interest rates are zero, money has a time value. If you are owed £10, you would rather it was paid back now than in, say, one year's time. That's because the borrower is less likely to pay you back if you wait.
Now throw in interest rates. Lend someone £100 now with interest rates at 5% and if they return £100 in one year you've actually lost out. That's because you could have earned £5 of interest in the meantime. So they should be paying you £105 and that assumes you were happy to accept zero default risk when you made the loan. Equally, if you lend the £100 over two years you should expect £100 x 1.05 x 1.05 back, or £110.25.
In reverse, the "present time value" of £110.25 due in two years time but received today instead is £100 (if interest rates are a constant 5%).
Subscribe to MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/mw70aro6gl1676370748.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/mw70aro6gl1676370748-320-80.jpg)
Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Watch Tim Bennett's video tutorial: What is the time value of money?
Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
-
Regulator moves to protect access to cash amid branch closures and disappearing ATMs
News The Financial Conduct Authority has told banks to start assessing if local communities have adequate cash access from mid-September
By Marc Shoffman Published
-
VAT hike on private school fees could come earlier than previously expected
The government could start charging VAT on private school fees as soon as January 2025, according to the latest reports. What does it mean for parents?
By Katie Williams Published