Comments on: The Importance of Delayed Gratification

By: Grace

Grace — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 00:48:17 +0000

For years I was into Chevy Blazers. Leased a new one every 3 years or so. But what I REALLY wanted was a Z3, and then a Z4. Didn’t need it. Just wanted it.

And now? In a Chevy Impala.

Why don’t they make a Z4 with a tag-along trailor, or at least a trunk?

Good post! Thanks. G.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 03:47:04 +0000

Thanks for the kind words, Ron. I’m not 100% sure it was wisdom, or fear of being broke! But it worked out well for me in the end. Links are always appreciated.

By: Ron@TheWisdomJournal

Ron@TheWisdomJournal — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 03:13:23 +0000

Great post Patrick and very powerful. I’m linking to it is my post that’s coming out in the morning. I wish I had developed your maturity when I was 19. It took me quite a while longer. Better late than never, though!:)

By: Living Off Dividends

Living Off Dividends — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 11:25:18 +0000

I nearly bought a 4 year old 3 series BMW too.

however, for a little less I bought a 2 year old acura TSX with half as many miles. I think its one of the few cars that drives comparably to the 325.

By: deepali

deepali — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 21:50:10 +0000

I like a nice mix of instant and delayed gratification. If it’s under $5 and I haven’t done it in a while, I’ll go for it.

By: Kyle

Kyle — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 19:46:59 +0000

Excellent advice! I wish a had excercised some delayed restraint when A bought a new Chevy truck back in 2003. Cost $40k, all the bells and whistles, could have waited a year and got the same truck for 15k less. You live, you learn. Will finally pay it off this December.

By: fathersez

fathersez — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 18:49:26 +0000

I have been a total fumbler with cars.

Spoilt rotten by being given company cars, I started with new cars and not much thought.

We now have a Toyota Camry now in its 3rd year, and a Toyota Innova bought just before reading PF blogs.

Well, hopefully these two cars are going to be with us for the next 20 years!

By: plonkee

plonkee — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 18:37:10 +0000

We used to have a Metro when I was a kid. And of course I have known lots of people with similar cars. If you were 20ish when you were in England then you were almost certainly fitting in with the natives.

By: Mrs. Micah

Mrs. Micah — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 16:37:52 +0000

I want your little British car. It sounds cute, efficient, and well-priced. But we also don’t need a 2nd car, so it would be wasted money.

As a teen, I sometimes delayed gratification for bigger things. I have lots of great memories from my trip to Europe, for instance.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 15:49:05 +0000

Minimum Wage, I understand what you are saying, and I am not judging those who do not earn much money. The Airmen in my example were not living within their means. They were broke because they were spending too much on momentary wants, not needs. They were not broke because they didn’t earn enough money.

My article is about setting a strong financial foundation and living within your means. If it takes putting off a big purchase or eliminating frivolous expenses, then so be it. In that respect, delaying gratification is essential to financial health. It is much easier for someone to get ahead financially if they do not overspend and fall behind.