When we want something, we want it now. Unfortunately, our lack of patience is often to the detriment of our financial situation. By buying things when we want them rather than when we can afford them, we can be causing harm to our financial situation. We want to travel when we’re young. We want to have fun and experience things. We want to have stylish clothes. We want to have a lovely home. We want to have a nice car. Many people will decide to enjoy these gratifying things and experiences without consideration for their effect on their future finances. You don’t need to travel in your twenties; the destinations will still be beautiful and enjoyable in your later years. Whereas you may need to use debt to fund your travels in your twenties, you can pay for the trip with cash later in life. And trust me, the trip will be much better when you afford it, knowing that it is not negatively impacting your financial goals. Delayed gratification becomes easier and easier. You will begin to realize that although many of your friends may have nicer cars and more beach photos on their Instagram, you are doing much better financially and in much less debt than they are. You will realize that the appearance of wealth is not wealth. The truly wealthy are those who are financially independent, meaning that their investments pay them a return that pays for all of their living expenses. By achieving financial independence, your investments will be paying for your gratifications.