Doing a long course of study, such as is required for a medical career, is an example of delayed gratification. The advantage: You will earn an income later than people in your age group, but it will be a much higher income.
Waiting to date, is a form of delayed gratification. The advantage: You will be able to make better choices, being physically and mentally less impulsive, and more more mature, with the additional advantage that goals such as an education, or being in an established career, will be behind you, rather than ahead of you.
Waiting till you are older to drink, is a form of delayed gratification. The advantage: Career and family responsibilities, plus the natural maturity that comes with being older, will put guard rails (natural restrictions) around the frequency of your drinking, the money you spend on drinking, and the risks you take while drinking.
Waiting till you’ve built up your savings, before buying a nice car, is a form of delayed gratification. The advantage: Debt will play a smaller role in your life, than it does for debt-dependent people. You will use debt more strategically, and only for big things such as a mortgage, or a business.
Waiting to get married, or have children, is a form of delayed gratification. The advantage: You will be physically and mentally more mature, you will have made progress in your career, and you will be more comfortable to take on the additional financial responsibilities of getting married and having children.
Waiting till you’ve built up savings for life emergencies, such as illnesses and loss of job, before making lifestyle changes such as upgrading to a better house, is a form of delayed gratification. The advantage: You will have a safety net for whatever circumstances life throws at you, including unemployment, or other life emergencies.
Waiting till you are the legal age, before taking money out of your IRA and 401K, is a form of delayed gratification. The advantage: You will have more money for your retirement years, and if you decide to keep working beyond retirement age, it won't be because you need to continue working to earn money for your expenses and bills.
Waiting till your children are on their feet, before living it up, or relocating to your retirement paradise, is a form of delayed gratification. The advantage: You will be able to support your children, in big ways and small, experiencing the satisfaction of doing things out of love, rather than responsibility.
Waiting for your grandchildren to grow up, before relocating away from your children, is a form of delayed gratification. The advantage: You will experience the joys of the grandparent-grandchild relationship, which is a unique pleasure, and have the satisfaction of knowing that you are helping your children with their most important life needs. Plus you being there for your children, and they being there for you, is a comfort and value, by and of itself.
And, number 10 on this list, if you are on a low-carb diet, like I am, waiting till the weekend, or a cheat day, to eat a carb heavy meal, is a form of delayed gratification. The advantage: eating that dosa-idli-vada combo, or that Mylapore thali meal brings less fear or guilt.
Mmmmm! Mmmmm!
Minoo Jha's answer to What is a thing you didn't know you wanted until you knew it existed? - Quora
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