Mark --
That why you have to have TIME on your side - thus the early start... interest rates don't stay static for 40 or 50 years...
Plus - it's an over simplification of the process - but the message is SAVE SOME MONEY...
Of course Todds version is more fun... But I can tell you from personal experience - I've been poor - and I've been rich - RICH is way way way way more fun... Money isn't everything - but it beats the hell out of whatever's in second place! And it DOES buy happiness. Just look into Charleys eyes!