Many investors dream of making a Rs 1 crore corpus fast through Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs). But here’s the spicy secret: the toughest part is earning that very first Rs 1 crore! After you cross this big milestone, adding the next crores becomes easier and faster if you stay invested without breaks. Think of it like a snowball rolling downhill — it starts small but gains speed and size as it moves! Chartered Accountant Foram Naik Sheth from NPV Associates explains, "When you invest a fixed amount every month through SIP, the returns earned on each investment are reinvested along with your regular SIP. Over time, those returns themselves start earning additional returns, creating a snowball effect." For example, if you invest Rs 10,000 per month at a 12% annual return, your money can grow to Rs 8 lakh in 5 years, Rs 23 lakh in 10 years, and almost Rs 92 lakh in 20 years. That’s compounding magic in action! If you start with a Rs 1 lakh monthly SIP and get a 12% return, it takes about 6 years to hit Rs 1.04 crore. After that, the next crores come faster. In 10 years, you could have Rs 2.24 crore, Rs 3.08 crore in 12 years, Rs 4.14 crore in 14 years, and Rs 5.46 crore in 16 years. Nehal Mota, CEO of Finnovate, shares a golden tip: "Many investors quit their SIPs around year 7 or 8 because the growth looks slow. Most of your SIP’s magic happens after year 10 — when compounding accelerates and your earlier contributions start multiplying at scale.” But what if you can’t afford Rs 1 lakh a month? No worries! Even with Rs 30,000 monthly SIP at 12% returns, you can reach Rs 5 crore in 25 years. Your first crore takes 13 years, and the next 4 crores arrive in just 12 years! Mota adds, "Imagine a snowball rolling down a hill. It starts small but gathers mass as it moves. Those last 5 years gave you Rs 2 crore, almost 50% of your total wealth." Want to speed things up a bit? Try a step-up SIP by increasing your investment 7% yearly as your income grows. This way, Rs 30,000 monthly can grow to Rs 5 crore in just 21 years instead of 25. Here too, the first Rs 1 crore arrives faster (in 11 years) and the rest follows swiftly. What if your SIP earns 14% instead of 12% annually? Just a 2% higher return can be a game changer! Rs 30,000 monthly at 14% can hit over Rs 5 crore in 23 years instead of 25 years. According to Foram Naik Sheth, "Even a small change in the rate of return can make a huge difference due to compounding.” So, what’s the spicy takeaway for you? First, don’t quit too soon! The Rs 1 crore target is tough, but once reached, bigger goals come easier. Nehal Mota sums it up: "Don’t chase the market; stay invested. Because while others predict the best time to invest, a disciplined investor lets time do the heavy lifting. The first crore takes time. The next ones, much less." Also, try to get good returns by diversifying your portfolio. "Asset allocation, fund selection, and patience matter as much as the SIP itself," says Mota. In short, patience and consistency are the true spices of SIP success. So, buckle up, stay steady, and watch your investments snowball spectacularly!