The new administration's proposed child savings plan offers an intriguing case study in compound growth. A $1,000 initial deposit could balloon to roughly $5,600 over an 18-year period—assuming it tracks the S&P 500's historical average annual return spanning nearly seven decades. The math checks out: consistent market performance over nearly two decades can multiply your seed capital more than five times. It's a textbook example of why time in the market beats timing the market, especially for long-horizon goals like college funds or starter capital for young adults.