There is the classic experiment done with young children, making them choose between eating one marshmallow now, or having two if they wait 15 minutes.
A conversation last night reminded me of that.
In our conversation, I mentioned owning $3000 worth of Coca-Cola stock when I was 18, having inherited it from a relative. I recall selling the stock shortly after getting it, but I cannot recall what I spent the money on.
So we did a bit of calculation, and determined that if I’d held onto that stock from 1984 until present, it would now be worth over $240,000.
To see the concept of financial delayed gratification quantified, as above, is instructive and humbling.