This lesson plan explores how compounding interest can affect finances in both good and bad ways. While compounding interest on loans can have you paying much more than the loan amount, compounding interest on an investment can help students plan and save for their futures. The goal of this lesson is to explore both the continuous and regular compound interest formulas and how this interest will increase your principal investment. Students then use a compound interest calculator to see how contributing a small amount of money each month can help them build to future financial goals, rendering these goals within reach.