Let me tell you a story — about saying NO to instant gratification, and why that decision might’ve saved me more than just money.
Instant gratification is the desire to experience pleasure or fulfillment immediately, without delay or consideration of long-term consequences.
It often involves making impulsive decisions — like buying something you don’t need, skipping responsibilities, or choosing short-term comfort over long-term goals.
💡 Let Me Give You a Quick Fun Fact
On a side noted…
The concept of instant gratification was popularized by the famous “Marshmallow Test” in the late 1960s and early 1970s, led by psychologist Walter Mischel at Stanford University.
In the study, children were given a choice:
🍬 Eat one marshmallow now,
or
🍬🍬 Wait a little while and get two.
It was designed to measure delayed gratification — and later linked to long-term success, emotional regulation, and self-discipline.
While the exact phrase “instant gratification” didn’t come from this test, the core idea — choosing immediate pleasure over long-term rewards — grew out of this research and other behaviorist theories.
The term entered mainstream use in the 1980s–1990s, especially with the rise of consumerism, credit cards, and our increasingly on-demand culture that makes “getting it now” feel normal… but not always helpful.
From Swipe-Happy to Stressed-Out
Let’s go back to now…
I work as an SEO specialist. Most of my clients are foreign nationals who pay in USD — which means I earn higher than the average here in the Philippines.
When I started, I was drunk on the idea of earning in dollars.
Swipe here. Swipe there. Swipe everywhere.
Flights? Booked on a whim.
New gadgets? Bought without a second thought.
I felt rich… until I wasn’t.
I eventually lost some clients. My income dropped, but my spending habits didn’t.
Soon, my debts piled up, and I found myself paying ₱6,000+ in interest alone every month.
₱6,000 — that’s the price of a domestic flight. A decent phone. Even a good emergency fund contribution.
But instead, it was money thrown at the past — a past built on quick highs and unchecked swipes.
Reality Check: When It All Became Too Much
I still had clients, but they weren’t enough to knock out my debt in one go.
At the same time, I was supporting my sisters’ college education, which takes up more than half of what I earn. And my credit card payments? I was only managing the minimum balance — watching interest snowball each month.
That’s when I decided:
ENOUGH
I needed to end the debt cycle so I could finally save and invest for my future.
I will work damn hard until my debt will totally be paid off.
So I:
- Took on a full-time job in addition to my project-based and hourly work
- Hired a virtual assistant to help manage the load
- Allocated every peso from my hourly work strictly for paying off debt
It was exhausting — but it was working.
And I was down to just three payments left.
📱 Then… My iPhone Crashed
The infamous green screen of death — a known issue in the iPhone 13 series — hit me.
I panicked. My phone is vital to my work. But luckily, I had an old Android phone as a backup.
Still, the temptation crept in:
“Maybe I should just buy a new one.”
And that’s when the old me almost took over.
A brand-new iPhone would cost around ₱50,000 to ₱70,000. That’s huge.
And I was so close to paying off my debt.
I was at a fork in the road: gratify now or finish strong?
The Sound Advice I Needed
So I asked my boyfriend (my Baba) — who’s honestly way better at managing money than I am.
He said, “Take a breather. You’re still paying off debt, and now you’re thinking of adding more. Aren’t you tired?”
I didn’t answer at first.
Because deep down — I was tired. But I had also become used to being in debt, like it was a normal part of life.
But he was right. A new phone is a liability, not an asset.
And right now, I still don’t have enough savings to justify another big expense.
Exploring Alternatives
So we did what the responsible version of me would do: we looked for cheaper solutions.
We went to the Apple store.
They quoted ₱19,000+ for the screen and another ₱1,000+ for the service fee.
That’s already ₱20,000+ — the price of a new Android phone.
Then we learned that Apple couldn’t fix it anymore because it had previously been fixed by a non-Apple tech in Vietnam (long story). So, they referred us to Power Mac.
Power Mac quoted ₱24,000+. At this point, they even told us it’s better to just buy a new phone.
So I paused — again.
A Surprising (and Cheaper) Solution
Later that day, Baba was scrolling through Facebook and saw a reel about home-service phone repairs using authentic parts.
It cost only ₱7,000.
Skeptical but curious, I agreed (thinking to myself** How worse can it get?).
The technician came to our home.
In less than an hour, my phone was fixed.
Sure, there was an “Unknown Part” warning in my iPhone settings, but it works.
Perfectly.
My files, photos, apps — all intact.
The Lesson: Delaying Gratification Pays Off
If I had let myself fall into my old pattern of acting on impulse, I would’ve spent ₱70,000 — or at the very least, ₱24,000.
Instead, I spent ₱7,000 — and kept my debt-repayment plan on track.
Saying no to instant gratification saved me ₱63,000.
But more importantly, it reminded me of this truth:
“Saying no gives space for something better — smarter, calmer, and wiser.”
Final Thoughts: Self-Discipline Is Self-Respect
Self-improvement doesn’t always come in the form of glowing habits, workouts, or journals.
Sometimes, it looks like choosing to pause.
To think.
To say no — even when every part of you wants to say yes.
Today, I didn’t buy a new phone.
And I’m so glad I didn’t.
Because I walked away not just with a working device — but with a working lesson:
Discipline isn’t deprivation. It’s freedom in disguise.
When motivation fades, inner discipline is what keeps me going.
It’s not always exciting. But it’s what builds strength — slowly, quietly, and consistently.
✨ What About You?
Have you ever resisted an impulsive buy — and ended up grateful for it?
Drop your story in the comments. Let’s normalize thoughtful spending.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is instant gratification, and why is it harmful?
Instant gratification is the urge to satisfy a desire immediately, often without considering long-term consequences. While it feels good in the moment, it can lead to poor financial decisions, mounting debt, and regret.
2. How can saying no to instant gratification help financially?
By resisting impulsive purchases, you give yourself time to assess your needs, explore better alternatives, and save money. This helps build healthier money habits and long-term stability.
3. What helped you say no to buying a new phone?
I reflected on my financial priorities, sought advice from someone I trust, and reminded myself how close I was to being debt-free. I also explored affordable alternatives and found a solution that cost far less.