Would you choose S$1,000 today or S$1,000 in three years? You would instinctively go for S$1,000 today rather than receiving the same amount of cash three years later. But, is there any argument for why you would prefer to receive the cash today other than because you want to beat inflation? This concept is called the time value of money. The idea is that the money available today is worth more than the same amount of money at a later date due to the earning power of the money today. This concept is applicable not just for calculating loans but can be used in a wide spectrum of financial decisions such as insurance plans, investments, etc. — Time Value of Money — Back to the S$1,000 example. When you deposit the money into a savings account, you earn interest on your deposit. By the time three years has passed, you ......