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Once a week is times 52, once or twice a month is 12 to 24. Times $10 it is $520, or once or  twice a month is $120 to @240. Now Instead of 10 make it a hundred, so that you accumulate $5,200 or between $1,200 to $2,400 if you save once or twice a month. A thousand times 52 is a stretch for most of us, but some thousands time 12 or 24 may work.

Now lets say this disciplined savings yields you $10,000, $20,000 or $30,000 per year, and you invest in a plan once per year.  Multiply it by 30 years and you have accumulate 300, 600 or 900 thousand dollars in original payments, but at a 10 percent yield that grows to about $1,650,000, $3,290,000 and $4,935,000 respectively. At half that, 5%, it's still $664,000, $1,330,000 and $1,993,000.

Now the increase is interest yes, but it is really about the interest in any current year, adding up and the value of the investment at the end of the year that will earn the return for the coming year.

The reality is that in year one you save $10,000, year two, 10,000 plus say $10,500, year three, 10,000 plus $11,125 from year one plus $10,500  from last year's $10,000. This will go on for 30 years, the adding of 10,000 to whatever the prior 29 payments have earned to date.

What I'm saying is that the rate of return is less important than having  $620,000 of accumulated funds plus the ten thousand available at the beginning of year 30 so that together they can grow to $664,000 by the end of year 30

However you look at it, the results are only possibly via systemic savings and not touching the money for 30 years.

So it is key is to have oversight and discipline to save the annual amount you put away first.

It probably also means you should never worry about the Jones or others with big houses, fancy cars, exotic trips, etc, that they want right now.

Especially if the lifestyle is financed because incurring debt costs money, and financing anything means you'll pay far more over time than if you pay cash today. It's the flip side where the magic of compounding works for the lender against the borrower.

Given the math of save systematically works, and the discipline required to not spend it for 30 years does not come easy, let me advance some guidelines and tips on how you can get there.

Here's what I think can work:

1. Live below your means. Way below if you can.

2. Save your money according to your planned schedule . This follows naturally from #1, but it is so crucial that it needs to be emphasized. Invest it conservatively and always consider after tax returns. In this day and age, capital gains and eligible dividends are treated most favourably for tax. Canadians should have Tax Free Savings Accounts, RRSPs, self administered RESPs, , and do not believe what banks and other financial institutions say about what you need. They ONLY care about getting their hands on your money, and if they can, they'll convince you to invest it in something that works best for them.

3. Focus on building your personal capabilities and reputation so that you can earn more. This makes points 1 and 2 much easier.

4. Make sure you marry someone with the same frugal attitude as yourself. This results in easy decisions, builds trust, avoids stress, and this may seem counter intuitive, but allows each to spend freely without looking over each other's shoulder to see where the money is going. Set a limit to what you and your spouse can spend, and on what, without consulting the other.

5. Avoid all debt except debt that builds wealth. So a mortgage to buy a home, or debt to finance some other safe investment is fine, but do pay it off as quickly as possible. They key is to avoid, minimize, and if you have them, eliminate fixed monthly obligations.

6. Don't become house poor by buying more house than you really need. This follows from point 1, and makes point 2 easier, because it means lower mortgage payments, property taxes, maintenance, insurance, utilities etc. 

7. Never think that anyone who provides you with any good or service is in it for your benefit, especially when they approach you. EVERY business wants your money, and as much of it as they can have,  so they'll say whatever they think it takes to get it. Mostly, they prey on your fear, greed, or guilt, but they twist it in terms of why you are better off than before, and why you should deal with them. The reality is, no matter what they say, in the end they only care about themselves. So rely on points 1 and 2 and say no to all unsolicited offers, and when you do spend your hard earned money, do it on your terms.

8. Which takes us to point 8. When you do spend, make sure you know why, and how it all fits in to your overall life and family plan. If it's about acquisitions, it's about how can you best get good value for your money. Always look at at least three alternatives. And it is often better to spend a bit more on quality and reputation, so that it lasts longer, costs less to maintain, and is well supported by manufacturers and retailers. And avoid fads. Think about how attractive something may be in say 5 to 10 years.

9.Point 7 also leads to buying a car when you don't have to so that you can shop without pressure. while point 8 provides some guidance as to when in time you do. Unless there is some compelling reason, buy used, from a reputable dealer or intermediary, and get the best quality small car you can without any fancy features. You'll save on initial cost, gas, insurance, and maintenance. Save even more by only using it when you have to. Instead, walk, cycle, use public transit,  or share a ride. A car is only transportation.

10.Free financial planning or advice that is advertised is never ever free. Only deal with objective, independent, knowledgeable, reputable advisors who are experienced in the areas you use them for. They will cost you money, but you'll know exactly what you are paying and what for. And don't focus as much on the hourly rate as the total bill and what you get for it. When you do pay, make sure you learn as much as you can from it.